Thursday, October 2, 2008

Obama friend Gwen Ifill moderates Palin Biden debate-Is there a conflict of interest?

Amazingly Obama supporter Gwen Ifell will moderate the debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden. She has written a new book on Barack Obama titled "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama." This is due out on inauguration day January 20th 2009. This coincides nicely with the anticipated inauguration of Barack Obama. Of course the American electorate may decide otherwise. After all there is many a slip twixt cup and lip

Has she not got a conflict of interest? If McCain/Palin win in November her book may bomb. Even at this late stage should she not withdraw from the debate? It is imperative that moderators in general and not just Ifell should have no obvious political connections.

This is how the publisher Random House describes the book:
"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."

At the commencement of the debate Gwen Ifill MUST refer to the fact that she has written "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama". Otherwise she leaves herself open to charges of bias. It is very much in her own interests as a journalist. Without a declaration of interest she faces a firestorm of controversy.

1 comment:

rainywalker said...

Gwen Ifill is a fair and balanced person who I believe will do well as a moderator on Thursday. If she wasn't, I would tell you right here Mr. Barry. But if she isn't fair tomorrow night I will apologize to you on Friday.