Petition To Dump Gwen Ifill

Right here:

We, the undersigned, petition you to fire Gwen Ifill as the moderator for the October 2 vice presidential debate, since she has a clear conflict of interest.

Ms. Ifill is the author of a forthcoming book celebrating the politics and career of Senator Barack Obama. Her book is titled The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama, and is scheduled to be published on Inauguration Day—January 20, 2009. She obviously has both an ideological and a financial interest in the success of the Obama-Biden campaign, one of the parties to this debate—a clear conflict of interest.

This serious conflict of interest was not disclosed beforehand to Senator John McCain or to his vice presidential running mate, Sarah Palin. In the words of attorney and TV host Greta Van Susteren, they “should have been told before the campaign agreed to have her moderate. It simply is not fair—in law, this would create a mistrial.”

The American people deserve an honest and transparent moderation of this debate.

UPDATE:

I really enjoyed this essay on Palin by Neoneocon.

This article in the LA Times is good, too:

Underestimate Palin at your own risk, former rivals say.

Needless to say, her supporters are pulling for her; many are even praying for her.

For “defeatist” claptrap, see Ace, who has a theory on how Ifill and Biden will conspire against Palin.

WHAT?

Ifill didn’t even tell the debate commission about her book?!

The host of PBS’ “Washington Week” and senior correspondent on “The NewsHour” said she did not tell the Commission on Presidential Debates about the book. The commission had no immediate comment when contacted by The Associated Press. A spokeswoman for John McCain’s campaign did not immediately return phone and e-mail messages.

Hokay….now I’m officially pissed.

UPDATE II:

A commenter, Debra, copied this from Red, Hot and Blue Politics:

“Matt Weaver at No Quarter has the story and suggests calling the Commission on Presidential Debates at (202) 872-1020 to demand that Ifill’s conflict of interest be disclosed and that she be replaced as moderator of Thursday’s debate. You can also email Janet H. Brown, Executive Director of the Debates Commission: jb@debates.org. I just sent an email to Janet Brown. Please copy and use.

Janet H. Brown, Executive Director of the Debates Commission

I am writing you to demand that Gwen Ifill’s conflict of interest be disclosed and that she be replaced as moderator of Thursday’s VP debate between Biden and Palin. Ms. Ifill has a pro-Obama book scheduled for release on inauguration day, January 20, 2009. She is openly in support of Obama and has an obvious financial interest in Biden doing well in the debate and Obama winning the election. It has been reported that the McCain campaign did not know about Ifill’s book or her bias toward Obama. This is an outrage and most certainly favors one candidate over another. You must remedy this situation immediately. Disclose Ifill’s conflict of interest and replace her as moderator.

Thank you in advance for swift attention and action in this matter.

- My Real Name”

I tried calling the number all day – I think they just took the phone off the hook. We can’t let these people keep hoodwinking us!

Let’s put the pressure on. Let the debate commission at least know, that a substantial number of Americans are not pleased, and are in fact, damn sick and tired of the double standard. Would libs tolerate Jerome Corsi as a moderator?

I think not.

Oh, I see some pundits already agree, Sarah Palin got stomped by Biden in tomorrow night’s debate.

UPDATE:

Jim Geraghty at NRO’s Campaign Spot has jumped on the “Dump Ifill” bandwagon.

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