McCain now wishes ‘they hadn’t picked’ Gwen Ifill to moderate VP debate.
McCain now wishes ‘they hadn’t picked’ Gwen Ifill to moderate VP debate.
Yesterday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said that he has “confidence that Gwen Ifill will do a professional job” moderating the Vice Presidential debate despite the fact that she is writing a book called “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.” “I think she will do a totally objective job,” McCain said. Yet this morning on Fox News, McCain changed his tune:
MCCAIN: Listen, frankly I wish they hadn’t picked a moderator that isn’t writing a book favorable to Barack Obama, I mean let’s face it. [...] Frankly I would imagine that there’s other people out there who aren’t writing a book that’s going to be on inauguration day favorable to Senator Obama but that’s life.
Fox’s Gretchen Carlson even reminded McCain that he had previously said, “[S]he’ll be fair.” But now McCain says, “I have to have confidence” in Ifill, adding, “Look life isn’t fair.” Watch it:
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how many stunts is the mccain camp gonna pull?...
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:35 pmEven if McCain/Palin lose the election, the name Sarah Palin will live on.
Every Wednesday at Trivia Night.
http://www.wilytrax.com
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:36 pmAlthough it is likely that Ifill's book will be largely favorable, the book hasn't been published yet and there really is no basis for claiming with certainty that it will be favorable. But, what the heck, McCain lies about pretty much everything anyway.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:38 pmIs it too much to ask that a presidential candidate hold a coherent position for two days straight, even on something as insignificant as a debate moderator?
Has McSame read the book? No. Yet he characterizes it as "favorable to senator Obama".
Is Senator Obama IN the debate? No. Is Senator Biden in the book she's writing? No.
Is the right prepared to accept that simply writing a book is enough to disqualify someone from moderating a debate, whether or not the journalist has displayed any bias in the past?
I guess Bob Shieffer's out then, since his brother was a business partner of George W. Bush and was appointed Ambassador to Australia. Oh, wait... that was cool with everybody in '04, when George W. Bush was ONE OF THE CANDIDATES. And it was cool enough that he's going to moderate another debate this year.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:40 pmI've never heard Ifill ask hard, penetrating question when I thought the News Hour was fair and balanced (many years ago). She will be knowledgeable though, but don't expect any gotchas.
PS I will not be watching the "debate" because listening to Sarah causes me projectile vomiting :-{
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:41 pmI hate his snarky little laugh. There's a psychosis in there-there's a bipolar quality with his laughing about it and then going "but seriously"
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:41 pmI wish they hadn’t picked a moderator...
'They' are people from both campaigns that agreed on all the moderators, weeks ago. 'They' could have easily objected given the fact that the book was known during the process of choosing the moderators.
'They' wouldn't be making a fuss if they had a qualified VP candidate.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:42 pmYou know, this whole new attempt to further dumb down the veep debate is truly troubling to me. If they have so much confidence in Palin, why in the hell are they going out of their way to make it so much easier for her in the debate when they would have gone out of their way to make it so much more harder for Hillary had she gotten the nomination?
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:42 pmThey had the opportunity to vet. They chose not to. Perfectly fair.
What's *not* fair is people losing their homes while a bunch of monkeys in suits and their trillion dollar Wall St. bonanza make out like bandits.
At least we're in for a bit of entertainment tonight.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:43 pmI'm also not buying it when the McCain camp says they didn't know she was writing this book. If they honestly didn't know about it, then if I were McCain, I'd be firing the person responsibile for doing his research.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:45 pmMcMoron is frantically trying to send out coded messages to activate the diehard racist contingent in the GOP)meaning 99% of R's).
I'm sure they're responding to it, too.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:46 pmIfill was chosen for the debate back in August and McCain had no problem. Ifill's book was also common knowledge back then. Yanno, for anyone who was interested.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:48 pmMr. McCain, whoever told you that life was fair was lying.
Gawd, talk about a whiner.
He says he wishes that "they" had chosen someone else. Well, his team was involved in choosing the moderators and they could have said no to Ifill. Just because they didn't bother to google her doesn't disqualify her.
I'm surprised that he isn't claiming she will be biased because she is black. But then if he said that, I guess Obama could say she was biased because she is a woman.
They are looking very hard to find a way to justify what they believe will be a disastrous performance by Palin tonight.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:48 pmInformation about this book has been out since mid-July. Pre-orders for it have been available on-line since August. Now...suddenly, this is a huge concern? Any port in a storm for these people. Frankly, I think it would be funny if they switched moderators (like to Jim Leher again), with the statement that they wanted to avoid any "perception of bias," due to recent public statements expressing such concerns from McCain supporters. But the truth is, of course, that no matter who the moderator is that the Right will claim the questions were unfair, etc. when Palin gives her usual don't know sh** answers.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:48 pmOf course it is, if you're asking that of a Republican. They're not supposed to have to do anything. They're just supposed to win, and if they can't, then they cheat, because they are SUPPOSED to WIN Dammit.
Now, if you're asking that of a Democrat, it's MORE than fair, because if they change their minds it's flip-flopping. If a Republican changes his mind, well, that's just showing judgement.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:50 pmALL ABOARD THE "LIARS CANT TELL THE TRUTH" EXPRESS!
the other day mcLIAR said he & his campaign has been 100% truthful.
i have no respect for this old troll.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:50 pmOnce again, not having read the book, McSenile overreacts.
Might be a little tough for him to read it, since it won't even be published until after the inaugeration. Advance copies aren't likely to be available until maybe a month prior to that. AFTER the election.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:51 pmSo if Tom Brokaw was writing a book about veterans who run for political office, would that disqualify him?
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:52 pmThe way they are dumbing down this debate, they ought to replace the lecturns with a fluffy couch covered in doilies and serve tea and scones.
What a farce!
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:53 pmIt won't be long before we see JSMcC wearing a neck brace - whip lash will surely ensue with the constant changes on positions.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:53 pmLeast we forget McCain doesn't speak for McCain...
Even a ten year old knows when to give up the whining game.
Why doesn't anyone suggest that Ifill might be biased towards Palin being that they are both women? I feel she will be an impartial mediator however the arguement cuts both ways, no John?
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:53 pmAnd you know Biden's more than likely miffed about it. Not because it helps Palin, but because it's beneath his intelligence level. He will most likely be BORED.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:54 pmFlippity....floppity...again.. Wonder if they'll cover THIS story on Johnny??
http://myblogthebword.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-holiday-with-john-mccain-it-was-just.html
THIS should terrify folks...
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:54 pmOh, fer the luvva Jebus!!
Somebody call the WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHmbulance, STAT!
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 pmhe's always changing
his mind.
*
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 pmMcCain had to be reminded that he's against Ifill.
The Repub strategy is to have a built in excuse in the event Palin is true to form and embarrasses herself, again. They will be able to blame it on Ifill's bias.
John McCain NOPE T-Shirts & Stickers
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:56 pmsatirev Says:
Once again, not having read the book, McSenile overreacts.
This man is looking downright dangerous to the future of this country. McManiac is the reincarnation of George Bush on steroids!
Or Bush on "herbal" supplements in McCain's case?
Report: McCain Taking Herbal Memory Supplements
I wonder if the speedy aspects of the supplements contributed to all that teeth clenching he did during the debate!
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:57 pmNaw, Tom Brokaw would already be disqualified because he's "in the tank" for Obama, y'know, working for socialist NBC and all...
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:57 pmMcLameBrain's October surprise??
I guess his team didn't bother to research who the moderators were going to be...even though their team agreed in July and they only had to do something as simple as do a Google search on Ifill...you know use the internet....you know the thing with all the tubes!!!!!!!
They have it everywhere....even Alaska (real long tube to get there).
What a lame ass.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:57 pmPoor McDepends and Flailin!
Are soooooo scared of an intelligent woman not being "fair and balanced". Makes you wonder how either of them would be able to deal with a REAL threat.
Just another sign of the implosion of the Repug party.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:58 pmSo by this thinking, Bob Schieffer should also be disqualified, because after all, he subliminally or overtly advocated that McCain would be qualified for president during Wes Clark's interview by bringing up this point:
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Oooooooo SNAP!
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:58 pmLook at that stupid misleading caption, "Ifill's Obama Bias".
Typical of Faux News.
HEY IDIOTS -- Ifill is writing a book about the surge in black political candidates, and she explained in plain English that she hasn't yet written the chapter on Obama.
Go ahead and choose not to listen, because the truth f ucking hurts.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:58 pmWait! You mean McBush flip-flopped? But, but... he's a "Maverick", he never flip-flops.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:59 pmDont' know why I was surprised that he was whining on Fox this morning about tonite and the "book" but I was. The McCain campaign and the right are already framing tonites debate for "discussion" tomorrow. They are clearly playing the victim here, with Palin as their victimized mascot. Tomorrow there should be a collective drinking game over how many times mcCain operatives are going to cry sexism or whatever else they can come up with. It's hideous how they have lowered the bar......I mean who says Joe Six Pack when discussing National Politics? It boggles the mind
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:59 pmI think they knew it and planned to use it at this very moment to provide cover for Palin.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:59 pmWinski:
Jesus H. Tapdancing KeeeeRist on a freaking cracker!
If this part is really true (I'm not questioning your veracity, just saying it's SO nutty it's hard to believe)
MCCAIN ON HIS BANGLADESHI ADOPTED DAUGHTER:
I'm at a complete loss for words...
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:59 pmmcchimpy will use every last dirty rotten trick in the book.
I hope Gwen doesn't ask plain a trick question like what does she mean when she said Russia is foreign and Canada isn't.
lieberman just said plain is the most popular govern in the US, she's smart, she will get by on "charm", she's an expert on engery, there were a few other lies I can't remember.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:00 pmGuido the Loving OBGYN Says:
Terry Gross shoulsd do all debates. She’s awesome. And you’re not gonna not answer her, either. Here was today’s Fresh Air:
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
______
She'd be awesome. So would Diane Rehm. Steve Inskeep would be good, too. And Amy Goodman would leave the candidates crying for their mommies.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:00 pmsatirev Says:
Obviously, he didn’t read it (since it’s still in the works) which makes his overreaction even more stunning.
Agree. But are any of us really stunned? Have we seen this type of behavior from the Right time and time again? They don't THINK!
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 pmMcCain should have known about the book prior to making his decision. It was already public knowledge two weeks before he agreed. God, don't these people Google? Oh yes that is another issue. Besides, they had a lot of time to discover this since the debate moderators were chosen. Makes you wonder why it becomes an issue 24 hours before the debate, does it not? <a href="">
No one has actually read the book, so how does McCain know that the book favors Obama? Actually, the book is more a commentary on how our society has changed because of the Civil Rights struggles of the '60's. It looks at four black politicians in terms of how race has not become the issue in these elections.
The book comes out on inauguration day after the election. I guess that she would want to publish it before the election to help Obama. No, this is just one more last minute attempt to attack the press - you know, McCain's base.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:04 pmTomorrow I will be dizzy with all the spin and explaining repugs are going to do tomorrow.
during the debates plain is going to sound like a broken record.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:05 pmgooderservice Says:
I guess his team didn’t bother to research who the moderators were going to be…
I think they knew it and planned to use it at this very moment to provide cover for Palin.
Palin's selection wasn't announced until August 30th, and they'd decided on her perhaps a week (if that) earlier. So they agreed to Ifill as the moderator when everyone thought they'd actually have selected someone who knows their stuff. Whoops!!
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:08 pmUmmm, guys and gals...?
McCain: "I wish they hadn’t picked a moderator that isn’t writing a book favorable to Barack Obama"
That's a double negative--more incoherence from the brain of McCain.
Also, of course, the author Gwen Ifill;
"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,Ifill's book is about a number of black politicians "
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Breakthrough/Gwen-Ifill/e/9780385525015
...and it was published on January 20th, EIGHT MONTHS AGO!
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:10 pmMcCain camp knew about the book and both sides approved of the moderator(s) They're just throwing another hissy fit
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:12 pmTypical of Fox "News" to foster this nonstory as well. Their pronounced Republican bias disqualifies them now and forever from providing a moderator so the Rovian strategy is to attack every other news outlet as biased as well. Thus Bill Orally's stupid NBC jihad was born. What is amazing is how the flailing McCain campaign takes the bait and looks pathetic in the process.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:12 pmCelebs: Don't Vote NSFW
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:13 pmSlightly OT...
This from CNN:
McCain says Obama lead growing because ‘life isn’t fair’
Maybe slamming the press (aka "his base") for finally examining the truth to all his campaign claims wasn't the best tactic for McSame to choose...
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:13 pm"Listen, frankly I wish they hadn’t picked a moderator that isn’t writing a book favorable to Barack Obama, I mean let’s face it."
That's a double negative. Either McCain is happy with the choice of moderator, or he needs to learn how to speak English.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:14 pmWaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:15 pmI'm really tired of mcchimpy and the repug party insulting my intellect.
plain will giggle and snark her way through the debate, she'll handle it like the loser in a pageant.
I better have some of the "pink stuff" available.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:15 pm5th Estate, if you'll check that Barnes and Noble link again, you'll see that the pub date is in fact Jan 20, 2009.
But the rest of your points stand tall.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:16 pmIf I have to listen to one more excuse for that bimbo.......
¶ AIO
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:17 pmWinski @34 - I don't know how credible that story you linked to is. After all it says he mentioned wheeling a cart around a grocery store! I can't imagine him doing that!
Seriously, though, McCain does seem like a vengeful (and dangerous) a-hole.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:18 pmLife isn't fair = WTF! I'm losing my ass out here! Nevada, Florida, North Carolina, Missouri! WAAAAAHHHH!
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:19 pmIfill's book is being published on Inauguration day.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:19 pmHow fitting.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/images/300/baby_crying_closeup.jpg
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:25 pmJMOHR Says:
No one has actually read the book, so how does McCain know that the book favors Obama? Actually, the book is more a commentary on how our society has changed because of the Civil Rights struggles of the ’60’s. It looks at four black politicians in terms of how race has not become the issue in these elections.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
________
Um, does the book use the phrases "secret Muslim," "baby mama," "terrorist fist-bump," or "Antichrist?"
No?
Then it's favorable to Obama.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:29 pmFair has got nothing to do with it.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm2 observations on McCainiac...
-He laughs at the wrong time. He even smiles at the wrong time.
This is typical of sociopaths, who aren't able to process social 'norms', because they don't possess any.
-His temper goes from 0 to 60 in 1 second.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:35 pmAgain, sociopathic. Rather than taking time to process auditory / visual stimuli, he jumps to conclusions that he's the victim, immediately blames the stimuli source and proceeds to demean, demand or defend.
Pathetic McCain. You picked this airhead to be your running mate and its not the moderators fault if she blows it tonight. Its your fault.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:35 pmIs there an honorable bone left in McCain's body?
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:50 pmrap;h the amazing South American ruminant:5th Estate, if you’ll check that Barnes and Noble link again, you’ll see that the pub date is in fact Jan 20, 2009.
Doh!
But then that just means that the Barnes and Noble summary of the book is taken from the publisher and McCain can't possibly have read the MS, ergo his implication that is is a paean to Obama is bollocks. Ergo he's lying about it;s content and casting false aspersions on Gwen Ifill, so yeah, thanks, my arguments do still stand--as tall as the mighty but fluffy llama and as resilient as the Andean frog!
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:10 pmfletc3her Says:Is there an honorable bone left in McCain’s body?
Of course there is, right there...--oh wait! That's just a smudge on the x-ray.Never mind.
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:13 pmShouldn't this headline actuall read:
McCain now wishes ‘he hadn’t picked’ Sarah Palin to be VP candidate.
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:53 pmDo I detect a double negative here...
Sorry if someone else pointed this out already.
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:04 pm5th Estate @ 64:
From the page you linked to
Fast & Free Deilvery Details
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:12 pmAvailable for Pre-Order
This item will be available on January 20, 2009.
JOOC, does McInsane have any other "picks" he wishes hadn't been made?
Jes' sayin'....
Cheers,
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:14 pmSpeaking of Bible Spice, Stewart had a good bit last night. It's up at C&L if you're interested.
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/10/02/jon-stewart-mocks-couricpalin-interview/
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 pmAs Keith said last night, "if nobody around McCain knew about this book BEFORE they picked Ifill, they are MORONS!!"
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 pm