VP Debate Moderator to Release Pro-Obama Book?

It came to light September 30 that Gwen Ifill, who is set to host the vice presidential debate between Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin and Democratic VP candidate Joseph Biden, is on track to release a book in January that some claim to be supportive of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

This necessarily raises the question of whether or not Ms. Ifill can be considered impartial as debate moderator. It is fair to ask whether, if the shoe were on the other foot, so to speak, Obama supporters would be upset if a pro-McCain author were scheduled to moderate a presidential or vice presidential debate. According to the World Net Daily report, Ms. Ifill declined to return a message seeking comment on the book.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not all that familiar with Ms. Ifill's work, but apparently she has been criticized in the past for perceived bias toward Democrats. And, when it comes to the book, I've seen mixed reviews thus far. Some say it's more a characterization of civil rights advances than a plug for any particular individual, and others say it is pro-Obama.

It could be argued that one would be hard pressed to find a journalist anywhere who is not influenced by personal biases. It is, after all, human nature. But that fact does not negate concerns about whether or not she should be hosting a high-profile debate. Writing in a column September 30, conservative commentator Michelle Malkin said the following: "In an imaginary world where liberal journalists are held to the same standards as everyone else, Ifill would be required to make a full disclosure at the start of the debate. She would be required to turn to the cameras and tell the national audience that she has a book coming out on Jan. 20, 2009 - a date that just happens to coincide with the inauguration of the next president of the United States."

Malkin says the book's publisher, Random House, "...is already busy hyping the book with YouTube clips of Ifill heaping praise on her subjects, including Obama and Obama-endorsing Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick." Malkin also points to a recent Essence magazine article written on the Obamas by Ifill, that praised the Democratic candidate.

Now, in fairness, one could easily argue that Malkin is not exactly unbiased either. But then again, Malkin is not hosting the vice presidential debate. I guess we'll just have to wait and see for ourselves tonight whether the charges against Ms. Ifill are accurate.