Ifill and Republican Wimps

http://corner.nationalreview.com/ ^ | Kirsanow | Peter

[Def Conservative]

The refrain from most of the GOP talking heads over the last twenty four hours concerning Gwen Ifill's role during the VP debate is that she's a fine journalist, who, now that the fact of her book is public knowledge, shouldn't be precluded from moderating the event. Heck, it may even work to Palin's advantage because Ifill will be under intense scrutiny to be fair and balanced.

This rationale points to the GOP's ( and, to some extent, conservatives') nearly wholesale capitulation to liberal media dominance and is one of the reasons the GOP base find themselves so frequently dispirited: no objection, no fight, no pushback to a howling conflict of interest.

We're instructed that it's perfectly understandable when all of the Democratic presidential candidates refuse to debate on Fox. But Republicans are supposed to quietly take their medicine from a moderator with a direct financial interest in an Obama/ Biden victory.

I concur that Ifill's a professional. That's not the point. Republicans will find themselves losing more and more often if they do not vigorously challenge these media travesties. And it's the right thing to do for the country. A partisan, cheerleading press is not a hallmark of a free and democratic society.

So many times we see Republicans act "gentlemanly" and turn the other cheek —to what end? It simply emboldens the media toward even greater bias. How does that serve the interests of the country? Democrat fingerprints are all over the current financial mess; Dodd and Frank were integral to the debacle, yet the GOP does nothing to counter the prevailing narrative that this is a McCain—House Republican problem—and McCain's poll numbers plummet.

[cdga5for4]

Drudge say on this for weeks. Also, even though WND got credit for breaking the story because Drudge linked to their story, Michelle Malkin really broke this story open Tuesday night on a tip from a Freeper.

[aquila48]

“Why does “our side” have to be such wimps. I am sooooo tired of this!”

Couldn’t agree more! I don’t blame Ifill and Lehrer, I blame McCain for agreeing to have them as the inquisitors.

[hosepipe]

Ifill is an UNpretty or perky Katie Couric.. that smells like the Ghetto.. mugging white liberals with affirmative action.. You know Jim Lehrer..

[skeeter]

2. The questions were given, covertly, to the Biden handlers days ago.

Are you implying the party of the lost ballot box, the deceased voter, the money-dispensing priest, and election night law-defying judge would cheat?

[cdga5for4]

Say = sat

[gundog]

A person of honor would recuse themselves.

That's one of the ways they beat us. Honorable people step down and they just slip in another weasel. :)

[wayleftwinger]

So you think he’s trying to snuggle up to get more favorable treatment for Palin from Ifill? So McCain agreed to let PBS anchors host these debates, I’m still baffled. It would be like letting Beck or Hanitty host one. It’s a joke to think that PBS is independent and balanced, no way! McCain is wimping on this one, first he caves to Obama not agreeing to any town hall debates and now 2 liberals in a row to host the debates?! Does McCain even want the job? I’m on this site because I actually like somethings that McCain has been saying, this bothers me though.

[wastoute]

So the Dems won’t mind if next election cycle all th debates are moderated by Rush, Ann Coulter, and Sean Hannity?

[rbmillerjr]

Finally, somebody with some guts to stand up to the media.

If people really believe that the constant bombardment of disinformation, day after day, doesn’t affect the average American’s political opinion, Ive got bridge over a swamp for sale.

[Polybius]

..... because Ifill will be under intense scrutiny to be fair and balanced.

How has this country come to the point that the agenda of crucial events, such as Presidential debates that can alter the course of History, are allowed to be set by a so-called "journalists" of ANY race, creed, color or political leaning?

Whatever happened to giving each candidate a bully pulpit and a set amount of time and letting the candidates themselves go at each other about whatever issue each candidate deems important in whatever manner they deem appropriate and allowing the American people to decide who deserves to lead?

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858

[skeeter]

I think McCain actually believed he would get better treatment from the gatekeepers in the MSM if he were to demonstrate his independent bona fidas as he has over the past few years. Kinda like the kid who stands by while a friend gets pummeled, hoping the pummelers will remember that he once shared his lunch money with them.

Well, the left doesn't operate that way - they are in this to win as big as they can possibly manage.

I can't imagine why McCain wouldn't have seen it coming. I guess too many parties in the Senate cloak room with uncle Teddy has clouded his perspective.

[LibertyRocks]

I have looked up some of Ifill’s “interviews” with Republican spokespeople on the subject of Palin lately and she is anything BUT fair, balanced, and professional!

I’m wondering how the pain medication she is currently on will affect her judgment tonight as well.

The fact that she has an overwhelming financial stake in this election should NOT be overlooked, and these GOP spokespeople should be raising hell, not bending over backwards! This is getting beyond ridiculous...

As to your comment regarding Conservatives and black politicos... It’s a shame, for sure. But, as I see it that is a clear result of being accused of being racist over and over whenever a white conservative brings forward any criticisms. We have seen it over and over with Obama’s campaign itself...

This is in no way an excuse - black politicos should be held to the same standards, and subject to the same criticisms as every other journalist, politician, and pundit.

I have no problem criticizing Ifill, but I can understand where some people may succumb to their fears of being misunderstood, or unfairly labeled by those who wish to perpetuate racism when it works to their advantage (these “race-baiters” are that same sort of people that Frederick Douglass spoke of so many years ago...).

[P-Marlowe]

ALL LIPSTICK AND NO PIT BULL

[LibertyRocks]

That’s the thing that bugs me the most I think. Gwen herself should’ve put her personal ambitions, and ego aside and declined the invitation to moderate in the first place. It just proves how unethical she is, IMHO, that she agreed to moderate this debate.

I am under no illusion that Ifill will be “professional”. To think so would be to deny everything she has done over the course of this election. And, to think she is not going to try to affect the outcome of the election through this debate is naive, IMHO, as she has an overwhelming FINANCIAL interest in assuring that Obama wins as her book about Obama is set be on store shelves beginning on INAUGURATION DAY!

JUST A REMINDER TO EVERYONE ON THIS THREAD:
Please say some fervent prayers today for Sarah Palin! I firmly feel that she will need the power of prayer to help her avoid the snares that will be set for her tonight!

[Prokopton]

Why does “our side” have to be such wimps. I am sooooo tired of this!

I don't know why any real man would want his name associated with the Republican party. Maybe that explains why so many more now consider themselves just conservative and not Republican.

[hdstmf]

“..PBS should terminate her for violating their corporate ethics policies.”

PBS has no corporate ethics.

[dbacks]

I have a question. How is it that a black, noted rabid democrat, is allowed to script the questions to be asked of both candidates.

Why are the questions not prepared by a balanced (2 conservatives/2 dem socialists) panel. She is merely a news reader who injects her spin in her reports (she has demonstrated this tendeny time and time again).

[weegee]

“We’re instructed that it’s perfectly understandable when all of the Democratic presidential candidates refuse to debate on Fox. “

Bump.

A rigged debate is a rigged election.

Both parties should be priviledge to approving the debate moderators. It should be like legal teams selecting jurors.

There is one party for all of the moderators. This moderator stands to benefit financially if Obama is sworn in on January 20th. Hillary Clinton may have been privy to some of the debate questions ahead of time. Democrat staffers and activists posed the questions at the GOP “youtube” debate intended for “undecided” Republican and independent voters.

[bfh333]

The problem is in two words... “My friends...”

It's more important for McCain to be liked by the Dims and MSM... If he keeps assuming the position and handing over the Vaseline, he's not going to have any friends that count like his voters! The Undecideds are looking for a reason to decide... You better wake up McCain...

I have the honor of living my entire voting life in the district of Newt... Love him or hate him... He didn't really care... I didn't always agree with him, but I certainly respected him for taking a freaking position and having some GUTS!

[NutCrackerBoy]

How is it that a black, noted rabid democrat, is allowed to script the questions to be asked of both candidates.

For all she's supposed to have been fair, I thought she was unfair in the past debate. I didn't like the way she framed questions about abortion.

Another thing about that. In a separate town-meeting forum, a person asked an abortion question....I wanted to shake Gwen Ifill and say..."Listen! This is how real (non-doctrinaire) people think and talk about it."