Pre-debate spin

[madbrian]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 11:14am

EDIT: changed original "McCain campiagn" to "Republicans" when it was pointed out that this is coming from the blogosphere, not the McCain campaign. Apologies for the mistake.

The latest approach from the the Republicans seems to be to attack Gwen Ifill, the moderator (whom Papa suggested to takeover for Russert on MTP). She has a book coming out in January about blacks in politics. The book is entitled "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama", however the book is not about Obama, though it clearly tries to benefit from his name. Here is Amazon's summary of 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.

Updated On: 10/1/08 at 11:14 AM

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 11:17am

Oh, who cares? The debates will speak for themselves...and both sides have good reason to hold their breath.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 11:22am

Now why on earth would the McCain campaign automatically suspect that anyone would not be objective? I bet they are breathing a huge sigh of relief that they found their scapegoat in time. Once again, Palin is now free to say anything she chooses.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 11:26am

Gwen Ifill and Rachel Maddow are two of the most important people working on televisions today. This will be fantastic.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 11:29am

Ah- so they can either walk away saying she wouldn't be fair, or go to the debate and then say Palin did poorly because she wasn't fair.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 11:38am

c'mon, it's gwen ifil. she's fairer than most. the mccain camp has officially been trumpeting this? because all i saw was malkin screaming about it while bouncing on her trampoline.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 11:40am

Bitch. Menace. Whore.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 11:49am

McCain's spokesperson told Fox on Monday that if Sarah gets too many foreign policy questions Ifil will be held accountable. The new normal: asking questions that bring up Palin's demonstrated weaknesses, inxperience, ignorance are either liberal-biased or sexist or both.

And last night Pat Buchanan, ranting the new "let Sarah be Sarah" mantra (who has not let this unaccomplished mediocrity be "herself" may I ask)... said no one expects her to know "facts" about foreign policy, just to express her "idealogy" in "general terms."

It is truly beyond surreal, this new low expectation and denunciation of intellect. Pesky details like "facts" are best left to whom, Pat? The pointy-headed elite?

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:00pm

Ya think the GOP is doing this in hopes of sending Ifill "a message"?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:03pm

Yes.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:06pm

This debate is going to be epic. It's going to be like rubber necking.

If anyone is considering making a drinking game of taking a shot every time one of them says something off-the-wall, please make sure you're up on the remedies for alcohol poisoning.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:08pm

I think there was a drinking game thread somewhere around here, Taz.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:30pm

I have heard the phrase "low expectations" on the tube about ten times in the last 24 hours.

This debate conflicts with the Cubs/Dodgers playoff game. Yikes!

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:35pm

I'm actually fairly worried and here is why:

1. The format of the debate is setup so there are only 90 second answers. This is very similar to a pageant format. Sarah should be a whiz at that.

2. It is my understanding the topics of these debates are determined before they even get there. I expect Palin to have memorized her talking points by then (Eliza Doolittle much) and will win-over the public (Elle Woods).

3. Despite this only being a VP debate (which generally play little significance in the GE) the race has changed to Obama/Palin. Biden has to really work this debate in a nuanced way, (I say with humor) rather than gotcha attacks. Though those do work... But I'm reminded of that time when Bush could not name some foreign leaders and Gore could. Gore really didn't know how to deal with a stupid candidate and the next debate he was off again.


But then again, despite coming out on fire at the end of the GOP convention Palin's star faded just as fast as it came. She certainly has energized people behind McCain but it seems she galvanized would-be Democrats against something again. If I were her I would lose this thing gracefully, retool and come back in 2012 with her ducks in a row and kick Romney's butt.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:38pm

That "low expectations" is a really smart Rovian tactic. When she shines tomorrow she will have accomplished something they can run with.

Keep your expectations high for the woman. I'm not sure of the format but if she has an audience she can get applause for her talking points. Applause = winning.

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:39pm

papa, Ifill is the top story on Drudge right now, so I'd say they're going that route. It's not just Trampoline Girl.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:43pm

Is this their exit strategy?

I love that Malkin is crying bias.

[javero]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:46pm

More predictable crap from the McCain camp!

Ifil's book had been in development for some time and vetted by both camps prior to the debates.

These charges are yet another smokescreen to mask the deficiencies of that cretin that's trying to ride McCain's coattails.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:48pm

eh, they know their audience, cal. but is drudge a member of the mccain campaign?

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:50pm

He's not, about in the same way Phil Gramm isn't.

[lildogs]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:51pm

I think Gwen is too conservative, if anything--she really led the charge against Don Imus, and I lost alot of respect for her because of that.

And book or no, she seemed much more of a Hillary person during the primary--at least it seemed so on WASHINGTON WEEK

[KrissySim]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:54pm

Yeah, mejusthavingfun , the format sucks. What can you do with sound-bite answers? You cannot grill a person to the point. The format is definitely set up in her favor.

In the end, we'll see how intelligent or not Americans are.

I'm still sending money to the Defenders of Wildlife so they can continue playing her ad. It seems to be working. I hope they come out with another one.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:58pm

But she's black, you guys....you know what that means.

[madbrian]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:58pm

Papa is correct - I went back and checked the sites I visited and sure enough, the complaining is coming from the blogosphere, NOT directly from the McCain campaign. So, I changed original "McCain campiagn" to "Republicans". Apologies for the mistake.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 10/1/08 at 12:58pm

please. the mccain camp didn't know? they knew and they've been waiting to act shocked and indignant. c'mon, how does anyone think this is anything but a boon for palin. she's already portrayed in the media as dumber than dirt, now she has to face a moderator who's writing a book with the phrase "the age of obama" in the title which is set to be released on innauguration day? what more could she ask for? biden to come out and wish her luck raising trig because he "loves retards" a la matt dillon in something about mary?

i love gwen ifil. i thought she was clearly the best option to replace russert but hoped she'd stay with the newshour (got my wish). but you people really have to be insane if you think this all doesn't work to sarah and mac's advantage.

*edit* thanks, mb, i really didn't know if they had come out and said something.

Updated On: 10/1/08 at 12:58 PM