Gwen Ifill: Debating the moderator
Will Ifill’s upcoming Obama book taint the Palin-Biden debate?
Gwen Ifill, the moderator of the sole vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, is “in the tank” for Biden’s running mate, said Michelle Malkin in RealClearPolitics. She has a book coming out on Inauguration Day about black politicians in “the Age of Obama.” It will sell much better if Obama wins, so how can debate viewers expect her to “treat both sides fairly”?
The “conservative blogosphere” is raising a stink over Ifill’s book, said Elyas Bakhtiari in The Moderate Voice, so they can blame her if Palin flubs the debate. This isn’t about the book, which is a historical look at changes in the black political structure, but just a move to “intimidate Ifill (and others) into taking it easy on Palin.”
The right had “political motives” for flagging Ifilll’s book, said John Riley in Newsday online, but it still raises “not absurd” perceptions of bias.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Ifill already showed “her thoroughness and fairness as a moderator” in the 2004 VP debate, said Jack Shafer in Slate. And she will bring the same “completely professional—and boring—manner” to this one, too. But if the debate is trite and bland, it won’t be Ifill’s fault—the two campaigns came up with the format.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Quirky hot cross buns to try this Easter
The Week Recommends Creative, flavourful twists on the classic Easter bake, from tiramisu and stem ginger to a cheesy sharing-size treat
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
What should you be stockpiling for 'World War Three'?
In the Spotlight Britons advised to prepare after the EU tells its citizens to have an emergency kit just in case
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Carnivore diet: why people are eating only meat
The Explainer 'Meatfluencers' are taking social media by storm but experts warn meat-only diets have health consequences
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published