Interesting idea on fivethirtyeight.com - trying to get Ifill replaced -

[NRaleighLiberal]

Here is the post -

Like Andrew Sullivan, I think that the Obama campaign has little to lose and everything to gain by encouraging the CPD to have Gwen Ifill to pull out of moderating the VP debate.

It's not that the right's critique isn't utterly transparent, but media backlash was one of the principal dynamics in motivating the Palin bounce in the first place.

But there's another factor here too. In preparing for a debate, you are often preparing nearly as much for the "judge" or moderator as for the opponent. Both campaigns probably have a pretty good idea of what types of questions she is likely to ask, how he is likely to ask them. Palin and Biden have undoubtedly watched videotapes of Ifill moderating the 2004 debate between John Edwards and Dick Cheney.

By changing the moderator, you're throwing everyone a curveball, and catering to the candidate who is better able to adapt on the fly. Which, most likely, is not going to be Sarah Palin.

Here is Andrew Sullivan's view - http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/the-ifill-attac.html

I hadn't considered this approach - thoughts?

[JimGinPA]

1. They Should Replace Her With Jon Stewart nt

[mod mom]

6. I was thinkin' Bill Maher.

;)

[Bright Eyes]

24. Or Keith Olbermann

That would be fun.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Thoughts? Sullivan sounds on-target to me.

Ever since I heard about the Ifill thing I;ve hoped she would be recused. Not because she's necessarily unfair either way, but because it leaves them whining space. People are sometimes susceptible to that kind of nonsense.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. yep - and we know exactly which people are most susceptible! NT

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Thoughts? Sullivan sounds on-target to me.

Ever since I heard about the Ifill thing I;ve hoped she would be recused. Not because she's necessarily unfair either way, but because it leaves them whining space. People are sometimes susceptible to that kind of nonsense.

[FrenchieCat]

4. Plus, it makes this all out war against the media from the McCain camp.....

which can only contribute to further fall out of their crumbling campaign.

[No Elephants]

7. Then we should try to get Brokaw replaced.

[NRaleighLiberal]

sounds sensible to me! NT

[yourguide]

8. I got skewered this morning for saying I wanted Ifill to pull out

but now that Andrew Sullivan says it, it's OK? W T F.

[NRaleighLiberal]

11. I am sure many here didn't see your post. also, I am not making a judgement so much

as just initiating a dialogue. sorry you got skewered....it does sound interesting to me.

[yourguide]

13. Not at all passing judgement on you, I appreciate you posting this :-)

[NRaleighLiberal]

14. Thanks. just trying to bring as many interesting things to light as I can find!

[pdxmom]

9. I don't see how they could replace the moderator. These folks prepare

for the debates for weeks and throwing someone else in there the day prior would mean no time to prepare and we would end up with a bunch of superficial questions. I think if Obama offered to have Ifill pull out, then McCain would just come back with cancelling the debate totally.

I could live with the supposed bias fallout.

[VolcanoJen]

10. Everyone understands that the movement to get Gwen Ifill replaced....

... is not so unsubtly racist, right?

Just checking.

[TheBigotBasher]

16. This is not just being "unsubtley racist"

This is pure unadulterated racism the kind that if you give an inch to they will make you a noose. Do they want balck people to have no votes now in case they vote for Obama? Is a reporter not allowed to do their job because they are African American?

This is sick.

This is just part of what these sick individuals are saying (and it is not even being done by McBush it is being done by his puppet organisations).

Did you know that Gwen Ifill, who is currently slated to moderate Thursday’s vice-presidential debate, has written a pro-Obama book that is to be published on January 20, 2009? Yes, Inauguration Day!

In THE BREAKTHROUGH, veteran journalist Gwen Ifill surveys the American political landscape, shedding new light on the impact of Barack Obama’s stunning presidential campaign and introducing the emerging young African American politicians forging a bold new path to political power.

Ifill argues that the Black political structure formed during the Civil Rights movement is giving way to a generation of men and women who are the direct beneficiaries of the struggles of the 1960s. She offers incisive, detailed profiles of such prominent leaders as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and U.S. Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama, and also covers up-and-coming figures from across the nation. Drawing on interviews with power brokers like Senator Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis of such issues as generational conflict and the “black enough” conundrum, Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history.

THE BREAKTHROUGH is a remarkable look at contemporary politics and an essential foundation for understanding the future of American democracy.–Editorial Review on Amazon and as advertised by publisher Random House.

How in the world did Gwen Ifill get picked to moderate Thursday’s vice-presidential debate?! It is simply outrageous that she, now hawking her upcoming pro-Obama, is to moderate the debate between his VP partner and Governor Palin. This is a mockery of fairness.

I wonder if the debate commission and both parties knew Ifill was writing an adoring book about Obama? Did she disclose this? And when? Will Gwen Ifill offer a disclaimer about this Thursday at the start of the debate?

It goes on and gets more and more bigoted.

[VolcanoJen]

18. You're right.

It is pure, it is unadulterated.

[NRaleighLiberal]

20. I agree... I think it is a big reason why McRacist couldn't look Obama in the eye.

It is the elephant in the room for this election, in my view.

[mikiturner]

12. FWIW, McCain is taking the "high road"

Relatively speaking.

In an interview with Fox's Carl Cameron, McCain calls tomorrow night's debate moderator Gwen Ifill "a highly respected professional."

But he got in a reference to Ifill's planned book on rising African-American politicians, including Barack Obama.

"Does this help that if she has written a book that's favorable to Sen. Obama?" he asked. "Probably not."

McCain added: "But I have confidence that Gwen Ifill will do a professional job."

His statement would seem to throw a wet blanket on Drudge-induced conservative outrage about Ifill's role moderating the veep debate.

[yorkie]

15. If she's replaced by someone reasonable-Katie Couric?

[billyoc]

17. I agree. Oh, hey! We can save time by having the AK Attorney General moderate it!

:evilgrin:

[rufus dog]

19. Word is McCain has given them a list of three potential replacements

Sean Hannity
Rush Limbaugh
David Gregory

[Zuiderelle]

25. Are you serious? Did they seriously suggest those? That's hilarious if so.

[TwilightGardener]

21. If the RW suddenly wants Ifill out, then you know she should stay. I don't care

how Sullivan wants to overanalyze this.

[Bucky]

22. I don't see how swapping moderators changes her job much.

What I've seen, Palin does better with male interviewers than female. Plus I like Ifill.

[Zuiderelle]

23. I will say that it's the only good reason I've heard for her to pull out.

It certainly would shake up the whole Pygmalion preparation.

[indie_voter]

26. I agree with this , though I am disgusted with what the RW is doing to Ifill

Obama's campaign didn't kick up a fuss when Stephanopoulos co-moderated the ABC debacle between Hillary and Obama. Talk about bias, George worked FOR Clinton's husband.

I hope they do change moderators and she (Palin) tanks...