Moderator Revisits 'Palin Debate' - Gwen Ifil

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/01/28/Gwen_Ifill_The_Breakthrough

Gwen Ifill gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the 2004 and 2008 vice presidential debates and describes them as the "hardest thing" she's ever done. She admits the best part of both debates was actually Queen Latifah's parody of her on SNL.

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Gwen Ifill shows how a new generation of African Americans is reshaping the political landscape.

Journalist and 2008 vice presidential debate moderator Ifill offers profiles of the emerging generation of African-American politicians who are changing our political landscape.

These leaders who are forging bold new paths include incoming President Barack Obama, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and U.S. Representative Arthur Davis - The Commonwealth Club of Silicon Valley

Gwendolyn Ifill is an American journalist, television newscaster and author. She is the managing editor and moderator for Washington Week (PBS) and a senior correspondent for The NewsHour (PBS). She is a political analyst, and moderated the 2004 and 2008 Vice Presidential debates. She is the author of the forthcoming book The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.

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• obama
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[DreamOfTurtles]

Interesting - a 4 min lesson on ethics.

Journalists and journalists-to-be: take note of what proper journalistic behavior is.

[zbambam5]

I hope Palin runs in 2012. It was so much fun watching her dumbass stumble on the most simple questions. She was probably the biggest reason why Obama won.

[elvisload]

nigger



[yonsoon]

@DreamOfTurtles and who is the Jornalist and who is to be?

[unxbm3r]

i like gwen b/c she keeps it real

[tbg538]

Hahahaha!! Ifil is so loose. Never thunk it! :o)

[VigilantnotMilitant]

I must clarify. I meant to direct paragraph 1 @ YouTube cmmtrs. I meant to direct paragraphs 2 and 3 @ Gwen.

Now @ Hopeful71, are you saying in summary? She was wrong to think she could escape her biases and conflict of interest, but she's human after all. We all believe that we can escape our subjective realities and the system is equally at fault. Is that what you meant?

[Hopeful71]

In other words, I think it was a demonstration of a failure of the system rather then of Ifill personally. As a moderator of WW of course she believes in her ability to do her job. It was up to the committee to recognize the problem (I am sure they were aware well beforehand) & explain to her that regardless of her abilities the image of a conflict of interest was too great to ignore.

[Hopeful71]

"Read The Political Brain"

Actually I have my dogearred copy on my bookshelf right now. What point are we reinforcing with Drew's book?

She was wrong to not recluse herself but I hold no malice towards her for it. We all think that we can overcome our own bias. Maybe sometimes we can but we are horrible judges of our own results & even if we can, an obvious conflict of interest like her book demands we don't try if for no other reason then appearance sake. People should have stepped in

[jalabi99]

"Shameful"? That's pretty strong. I agree that perhaps she should have recused herself to prevent anyone accusing her of being anything less than a dispassionate moderator.

[VigilantnotMilitant]

All mistakes were committed in the past. If we can't talk about it now when can we? She didn't even apologize! What is the lesson to be learned? Is it okay for our national debate to be tainted by some talking head's selfish career desires?

Gwen I worked hard to put Obama in the White House. I sacrificed more than you'd ever consider sacrificing. It's shameful what you did.

Neither your words nor your actions demonstrate a read understanding of the role of moderator. Read "The Political Brain"

[john123wayne]

this lady said,

"its the hardest thing i have ever done" (referring to hosting a vp debate.

is this chick from planet mars?

sit in the chair, act interested, ask the vp's their questions. smile. leave. sell your book, make millions of dollars in book sales and speaking engagements.

hard?

can someone give me a break?