2008 VP Debate: October 2nd, 9 PM EST

[sandgk]

Originally Posted by fourteenandoh

i've got nothing against the woman. i've never heard of her before today, but its a conflict of interest plain and simple.

The fact that Ifill's book was coming was public knowledge two months before Palin was selected for the bottom of the McCain's ticket. A little bit of googling was all the McCain camp needed to perform.

So, if they now claim that this has caught them unawares (as Van Sustren states) I must conclude that either:

* The Mccain campaign is using this as a simple strawman in case Palin craters tomorrow night, or

* The Mccain campaign is simply stupid.

Or possibly both - with the way they've been running things these last two months the third, stupid+strawman option might be closest to the money.

[CookyPuss]

I wouldn't be too worried about Ifill, here is an interview from the primary season on Obama. She brought up Wright and Rezko and certainly didn't simply lob softballs.

HEADS UP: Obama interview with Gwen Ifill on NewHour today (TRANSCRIPT) - Democratic Underground

[Tresselbeliever]

Originally Posted by MaxBuck

Yeah. 'Cause, up till now it's been all steak and no sizzle, right?

It's one thing to acknowledge the appearance of a potential conflict of interest. I agree that Ifil should not be the moderator of tomorrow night's debate. But it's another thing to beat this subject to the point where the substance of tomorrow night's debate is overshadowed. The baby boomers are retiring in five years. We got a trillion dollars of unfunded liabilities each year for the next thirty years, three fourth of which are benefits that you all are expecting to live off of once you retire but isn't going to be there, and all we are talking about is a woman who's writing a book? Not trying to be a Nazi here but I don't think people really understand the gravity of the situation here.

[Gatorubet]

Originally Posted by sandgk

The fact that Ifill's book was coming was public knowledge two months before Palin was selected for the bottom of the McCain's ticket. A little bit of googling was all the McCain camp needed to perform.

Wouldn't that take rudimentary computer skills?

[daddyphatsacs]

Originally Posted by Gatorubet

Wouldn't that take rudimentary computer skills?

What, the same skills that would be necessary to properly vet your VP nominee?

[daddyphatsacs]

Originally Posted by Wingate1217

Face it she is a cheerleader for Obama and this would just as bad if Hannity or Limbaugh were the moderator. However, since the book has not been released we don't know if the book is a glowing report for Obama or not.

Let's not go that far bro. It's not as if she comes out every day and makes the case for how [censored]ty McCain is. I'd say a better comparison would be Bob Woodward coming out and moderating a debate for "W". In the end, she will be a complete non issue.

Back to the debate.......

So, what does Palin need to prove on Thurs? What does Biden need to prove? I think that Biden needs to speak as little as possible, and force Palin to explain herself. Perhaps defer a question or two to her..........

[CCI]

Smart Americans will see her as a joke. Biden is going to confuse her and her true colors will show. She will avoid direct question mark my word. Let's see if she mentions the middle class.

[fourteenandoh]

Originally Posted by CCI

Smart Americans will see her as a joke. Biden is going to confuse her and her true colors will show. She will avoid direct question mark my word. Let's see if she mentions the middle class.

i think you underestimate her. i may be wrong, but i have a feeling she's going to do just fine.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by CCI

Smart Americans will see her as a joke. Biden is going to confuse her and her true colors will show. She will avoid direct question mark my word. Let's see if she mentions the middle class.

I think it will be very interesting...I'm not sure what to expect. I do think it is advantageous that the format is to not trip her up. I'm really on either side right now of the vote, but watching Katie Couric (sp?) ask such direct questions in the manner she did, it seemed somewhat obvious she was trying to trip her up.

It'd be the equivalent of asking Senator Biden out of left field questions about what he reads regarding national issues. It just seems a bit silly.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the contrasting styles tomorrow night and who impresses me more. I do think Biden will get the better of her, mostly due to experience and confidence. I also think Palin will represnt herself fine...unless McCain;s crew just completely dropped the ball, you'd have to think they are very comfortable with her skills.

[txbuckeye1983]

Originally Posted by Gatorubet

Wouldn't that take rudimentary computer skills?

Wait, did they mention computers in the Bible?

[txbuckeye1983]

Originally Posted by billmac91

I'm really on either side right now of the vote, but watching Katie Couric (sp?) ask such direct questions in the manner she did, it seemed somewhat obvious she was trying to trip her up.

How dare she ask a person who is running for Vice President a direct question. I mean, how is the person who is a heartbeat away from the presidency expected to have a grasp on all the issues?

Originally Posted by billmac91

you'd have to think they are very comfortable with her skills.

What are these skills you speak of?

[jimotis4heisman]

im not sure how some are pushing this back on the mccain camp. their should have been full disclosure on the book, it is not up to someone to point out the lawyers conflict of interest, it is up to the lawyer to provide full disclosure, it is their duty to avoid any possible perception of conflict of interest. if this person were selling a security they would be subject to fine/suspension of their license.

ifill is subject to financial gain if one outcome results, now you have to look at what the perceptions are, keeping in mind that each mans perception is each mans reality.

1-certain groups will be unchanged. people who arent going to be swayed no matter what, theyll see things through red/blue glasses...

2-those who view ifill bias towards biden, the obvious bias thatd wed think of. lets be honest ifill will likely make more money, thus appears to have a bias towards biden.

3-those who view the moderation as a bias towards palin, to overcompensate for perceived conflict of interest.

4-ifill does rises above all of it and performs in a professional manner.

5-those who once again say this whole thing is rubbish, we are going to see votes contested and voter fraud as this thing pushes on.


boiled down who knows, time will tell.

my personal view is this is once again the arrogance of the news media (of all sorts and both slants) that someone thinks they can rise above these type of situations. then again, i saw the obama bill oreilly interview and i thought that was obamas best id seen out barack. he was challeneged but never pressed. it show obama as a thinker and a guy who could push back without doing so in an overly aggresive interview, on the flip i thought oreilly tested obama but did not trap or bait him.

[Gatorubet]

Originally Posted by jimotis4heisman

im not sure how some are pushing this back on the mccain camp. their should have been full disclosure on the book, it is not up to someone to point out the lawyers conflict of interest, it is up to the lawyer to provide full disclosure, it is their duty to avoid any possible perception of conflict of interest. if this person were selling a security they would be subject to fine/suspension of their license.

Not even close to being the same deal. Her book was in the works months prior to Palin ever being picked. It is simply a ploy by the right to come up with a reason for losing even before the debate. A pre-emptive wahhhhhhh!!!!!!

ifill is subject to financial gain if one outcome results, now you have to look at what the perceptions are, keeping in mind that each mans perception is each mans reality.

1-certain groups will be unchanged. people who arent going to be swayed no matter what, theyll see things through red/blue glasses...

2-those who view ifill bias towards biden, the obvious bias thatd wed think of. lets be honest ifill will likely make more money, thus appears to have a bias towards biden.

3-those who view the moderation as a bias towards palin, to overcompensate for perceived conflict of interest.

4-ifill does rises above all of it and performs in a professional manner.

5-those who once again say this whole thing is rubbish, we are going to see votes contested and voter fraud as this thing pushes on.


boiled down who knows, time will tell.

my personal view is this is once again the arrogance of the news media (of all sorts and both slants) that someone thinks they can rise above these type of situations. then again, i saw the obama bill oreilly interview and i thought that was obamas best id seen out barack. he was challeneged but never pressed. it show obama as a thinker and a guy who could push back without doing so in an overly aggresive interview, on the flip i thought oreilly tested obama but did not trap or bait him.

After a journalist has a body of work, as ifill does, it is presumtuous to think that she will throw what is for a journalist a moment that is a professional hgh point for the possible gain to be had if Obama is elected and more people buy her book about black people in politics? Why isn't she biased because the book is also about Condi Rice, when the Obama campaign excoriates the Bush administration?

[Wingate1217]

Originally Posted by daddyphatsacs

Let's not go that far bro. It's not as if she comes out every day and makes the case for how [censored]ty McCain is. I'd say a better comparison would be Bob Woodward coming out and moderating a debate for "W". In the end, she will be a complete non issue.

Back to the debate.......

So, what does Palin need to prove on Thurs? What does Biden need to prove? I think that Biden needs to speak as little as possible, and force Palin to explain herself. Perhaps defer a question or two to her..........

Yeah, in retrospect using the term "cheerleader" was perhaps a bit too strong. My point was at this level there should be no appearance of improperity and using the current moderator does not meet that standard....

[Bucklion]

Before I respond to anything, I'll just say there is only one thing, ONE thing, I am certain of tonight: you will absolutely, positively, die of alcohol poisoning if you follow this drinking game:

http://www.debatedrink.com/images/vpDebateLowres.pdf