A Quick Take On Two Controversies,

We'll see. Ifill's self intrest *does* put pressure on her and could influence the debate. If she so much as lifts an eyebrow against Palin, she would give Mc/P an advantage on national tv. they can claim being biased against and that meme is gaining ground in the non-net world. That's the last thing Obama needs. Add the medal, the sing-song, and the Obama channel (yes there is one on Dish network) there could be a backlash .

Rachel

I brew the beer I drink

Come on now, Rafique.If the shoe were on the other foot, and some righty news guy with a pro-McCain book was moderating (which by the way could never happen, IMO) the lefty blogosphere would be apoplectic.

Here's the thing...there's reason to think that Ifill can still do a credible job, but there's still the obvious appearance of a conflict of interest. Undeniably, it would be better for the moderator not to have a book due out soon that puffs one of the candidates. Or that in any way concerns either of them.

The most honorable and sensible thing for Ifill to do is to recuse herself even though she thinks she can still be fair. Folks do this all the time, and it's never supposed to be taken as an admission that they can't be fair. It's simply a way of honoring the importance of a process by setting a high bar for neutrality. Undeniably, Ifill is not an especially neutral party.

Surely we can expect her book to sell better if Obama wins, right? That doesn't mean she can't cover the election. But it makes her, IMO, a poor choice to play the role of a neutral arbiter.
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I have often said, and oftener think, that this world is a comedy for those who think, and a tragedy for those who feel. -Horace Walpole

Good points, Rafique.

And I may be wrong, but my understanding is that McCain hasn't himself complained about Ifill. It's been various conservative pundits who have loudly complained.

I believe Palin's success or failure tonight will defend on her skills, not the alleged predispositions of the moderator.

The moderator can only swing things so much. The line on Palin is that she's the second coming of Dan Quayle. I don't think Ifill is her biggest challenge.

praising Palin in America will get you heat in certain circles, but in Pakistan, it might just get you a fatwa.

It might get you a fatwa in certain circles in America, too :-)

I may be one of the few who have no interest in listening to this propaganda piece, That said, later today I am laying down the scratch track of the first song I ever wrote - it's very depressing - and maybe giving this video a spin might just get me in the proper dark mood to give my track life.

This is off-topic, but I'm wondering what the folks here at SF think of the current substantial tanking McCain is currently taking in the polls. If you look at the real clear politics electoral map, Obama has 259 electoral votes counting only the solid states where one candidate is ahead by 7 or 8 points or more.

Even more astonishing, McCain has a count of ZERO when it comes to the number of states that are "leaning," showing a margin of like 4 or 5 points. Every state with a rolling average under 9 points is either leaning Obama by 5-8 points or within 0-3 points. Among those in the 0-3 range, 6 of these 8 states are leaning towards Obama. The only 2 leaning McCain are Missouri and Indiana.

Obviously there's a month to go, and a few debates. But as of today, it looks like there's a very substantial swing towards Obama underway. If voter views stabilize anywhere near here, it won't even be close, Obama will collect 350+ electoral votes. People wil use the L word if that happens.

Thoughts?
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I have often said, and oftener think, that this world is a comedy for those who think, and a tragedy for those who feel. -Horace Walpole

God folks, with the very coordinated Faux News media and other outlets attack on Ifill all amidst an air of panic and desperation, enough to slander a very good journalist, I have a few things from a media pro.

First, for 6-18 months before publication we have the usual lists of upcoming books, short on details but with authors names and the working titles. Bowker's Forthcoming books is published quarterly. People actually subscribe to these. These are sent to book store buyers, book reviewers and TV shows such as Fox and Friends, Harpo Productions (Oprah) Daily Show and radio show producers for people like Ronn Owens of KGO as a local angle and of course to many of the syndicated radio personalities around the country like Limbaugh, Miller, Rhodes, Hannity, etc... If you are a hotshot media producer you have this on your desk all the time or you don't have a job. Rupert Mudochs publishing empire, HC, Doubleday et al constantly send there lists out just in case if you didn't get it the first time, the second time, the third time...It's like pharmaceutical salesmen hounding doctors offices. Occasional the cover art is displayed with the blurbs. These can be used for preliminary publicity like your local bookstore putting the latest Dan Simmons title on the wall along with other forthcoming books.

Around half a year before publication the marketing shifts into higher gear. We have press releases and media packages that go to the producers of the aforementioned TV shows, Newspapers like the Washington Times, NY times, SF Chrinicle, you name it. (Which did a write up on Ifills forthcoming book in JULY!!!) These include summaries, quotes, and are often packaged up in a pretty folder with lots of expensive artwork. (There are similar press kits for movies that I used to edit from all the time-sometimes you get cool schwag)
Keith Olberman showed one on air last night for Ifills book.

For anyone to say - "they didn't know and just found out" they're lying big time. This was a timed coordinated attack on the reputation of a solid journalist who gave Bill Clinton plenty or hard times.The profit motive is also a shuck and jive. I call it a panic attack because that's what it is. The McCain's supporters are like a baby on a high chair throwing strained spinach against the wall to see if it will stick because Palin is a disaster and McCains numbers are tanking.

Somewhere Dan Quayle is pumping his fist and going "Yes!" while watching Saturday Night Live.