Cable Networks Debate VP Debate Moderator Gwen Ifill

By Chris Ariens 

This morning the cable networks are discussing a potential conflict of interest related to VP debate moderator Gwen Ifill. Last night, WorldNetDaily published a story about Ifill’s new book “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.” WND reports that in the book Ifill argues the “‘black political structure’ of the civil rights movement is giving way to men and women who have benefited from the struggles over racial equality.”

After the story was linked on Drudge, the cable morning shows took the political hot potato and ran with it. On Fox and Friends, Gretchen Carlson assembled a panel to discuss it. Republican strategist Rich Lowry says, “It’s problematic. And at the very least she should disclose that she’s written this book so all the viewers will know it.”

On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, democratic strategist Bob Schrum says Ifill, “Is going to be very, very fair,” adding “I think republicans are doing this because they want to intimidate her.”

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And while the WND story was published at 8:35pmET last night, a TVNewser commenter brought it to our attention earlier in the afternoon. After our exclusive report that Ifill had tripped and broken her ankle Monday night, the commenter noted…

TinafromTampa 18 hours ago

Will the audience be advised beforehand, during or after the debate, about Gwen Ifill’s new book: Breakthrough (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).

So, we’re asking you:

Should Gwen Ifill disclose thats she is writing “The Breakthrough” at the start of tomorrow’s debate?
( surveys)

TVNewser has reached out to the Commission on Presidential Debates for a comment, but we have not heard back as of this writing. The book is to be released on inauguration day. After the jump, a YouTube clip in which Ifill explains “The Breakthrough”…


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