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REGION: North America
TOPIC: Politics
Online NewsHour
Vote 2008: Presidential Election Coverage

Presidential Race

Reporter's Notebook: Gwen Ifill Reacts to Gov. Sarah Palin's Speech and Previews Last Night of GOP Covention

By Gwen Ifill, Produced by Steve Goldbloom on September 4, 2008

Senior correspondent Gwen Ifill recounts being on the floor Wednesday for Gov. Sarah Palin’s much anticipated speech on Gov. Sarah Palin at RNC, Photo Credit Tom LeGro, Online NewsHourand sets the stage for Sen. John McCain’s address tonight as the Republicans wrap up their convention in St. Paul.



Ifill chose not to take Palin’s criticism of the media too personally: “There was fist shaking and booing … directed at us on the press stand. I didn’t take it terribly personally, I just felt that people were venting because some of those same people wanted to take pictures with me beforehand. So I wasn’t that worried that it was personal but I do know that bashing the press is a favorite, favorite activity for both Republicans and Democrats.”

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Comments

  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    06:57 PM
    david marshall : Try and cover up Gwen Awful's terrible coverage after last night's speech from Sarah Palin. Just keep trying. It is clear that she is very, very biased in her views, and will do or say whatever she can to sway the "Public Broadcasting Viewers". She is clearly unable to control her "pent up" hate for everyone in the RNC.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    07:56 PM
    GLO : Sara BaraCUDA HAS NO CLASS .SHE SHOULD LEARN TO BE MORE HUMBLE zINGERS DON'T MAKE A GOOD vEEP AND gOD FORBIB A pRESIDENT.STUDY.CRAMMING FOR THE DEBATES IS WHAT SHE SHOULD BE DOING!
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    08:28 PM
    Manny : I thought that Sarah gave an outstanding speech. What a difference from the old socialist diatribe of Obama. I hope that PBS does not "pre moderate" my comments (i.e. censore), but from a left wing organization like yours, it will not surprise me.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    08:39 PM
    Joan Beck : I had not thoroughly made up my mind as to how to vote after the Democratic Convention, but last night helped me to make my decision. I will be voting for the Democratic ticket. I was very much disturbed that the tone was what it was last night, especially when there was nothing to really tell me how Sarah Palin would lead if she were to become President. I don't know how much say she had in the speach, but there was nothing said about health care, the economy, or how she would handle Iraq. And there really was nothing said about how McCain would handle it either. She didn't even say she would continue his plans, and I didn't get the feeling that she really thoroughly knows what his plans are. The tone might have been more tolerable had they (meaning Palin and the RNC speechwriters) had addressed these important issues that affect me on a daily basis. I am currently unemployed, I have cancer, and I have friends in Iraq.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    08:42 PM
    No_bama : Oh my goodness. Da bad ol' wepubwicans dissed da obamassiah. It's about freaking time. Since PBS and the media at large is in the tank for Obama I was beyond thrilled to observe the extreme discomfort on display by the PBS empty suits.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    08:51 PM
    bill walters : Jim Lehrer should be ashamed of himself for the pathetically biased coverage of this entire process. This serves to social purpose. Arguably commercial news at least has a corporate voice to counter any editorial bias. Public television should be completely transparent.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    09:10 PM
    Martha C. : I found Gwen Ifill's comments on the Palen speech balanced and accurately reflecting reality. I agree it is time to hold onto our seat belts for 60 days as we watch these parties interact.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    09:13 PM
    nita gonzalez : I'm registered as a republican, but from the beginning I was questionable about McCain. After last nights speech Sara Palin I will vote for Obama and also donate money to his election. What a ball faced lier, and when you can't say anthing but bullsit then you have a problem.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    09:20 PM
    Whidbeypix : Palin's speech lacked civility, substance, and veracity. The Rove methods seem to prevail among Republican "mavricks." She's right in there repeating the lies and distortions, hoping that repetition will make them stick. I hope she fails, and I hope the Democrats don't stoop to the same tactics.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    09:23 PM
    Mark : I've been watching the conventions and I have to say to david marshall CHECK YOUR FACTS in the speech: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080904/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_fact_check. AND IF YOU WANT MORE INFO on how they vote in the senate: http://www.votesmart.org/index.htm. (Guiliani didn't mention McCains "Present Vote or NV vote" which is afforded to the Legislative Branch). She did the job of attacking; now she will have to back all that up. Last time I checked Alaska had one of the highest unemployment rates in America and one of the highest high-school drop-out rates in America. And as for the oil, it belongs to the Alaskan residents (in fact the land belongs to them) so they should have a surplus of money (that most states don't have). Those Refund checks she gave out belong to the people. She's going to have to do more than cater to a captured audience. The Republican party left my boy GW Bush (I voted for him twice) out to dry and that wasn�t cool. They want his money, but don�t want him. That�s wrong. Republicans are wrong for that. The GOP doesn't want to admit any wrong doing.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    09:26 PM
    Pete Luckel : Every time the topic of media bias come up, the press is quick to react with injured pride and load assertions of their fair and balanced coverage. For a perfect example of unabashed bias, I would encourage this site to post a picture of the usually smiling and jovial Gwen Ifill's coverage of the Sarah Palin speech. Gwen's palpable disgust jumps from the screen as she chokes out her report. I can only imagine her discomfort, being in the presence of such an uneducated and unwashed throng without the usual companionship of her elitist and self possessed beltway peers.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    09:56 PM
    raisele : Notice that if you remove the "L" from Palin, you get PAIN. This person will be causing the country a lot of pain should she become vp. Worse than Bush.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    09:59 PM
    Alsip Tom : Gwen Ifill hates Rep's? Better to tell the truth about them than to contribute to the web of deceit. Her parents raised her well. I have seen nothing in the main stream media about Jim Kuhnhenn's AP article that fact checked the speeches from last night. Surprised legal has not gotten involved with these lies about Obama. I heard some huge ones and Kuhnhenn made them public, sort of, if his article was ever published. Go to the AP site and search for, "Attacks, praise stretch truth at GOP convention". Some good reading there.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    10:25 PM
    Kyle : I'm not upset by what Palin said, the DNC did the same thing, but they didn't utilize the perspective vp nominee. Animosity exists because everyone is taking things to personally, politics should be about the issues but due to the People Magazine like coverage of media outlets from both the left and right, the public don't get to see/hear the issues until the debates, news coverage is relegated to a tiny, tiny, tiny sound bite so the talking head politico's have to first make it on the news cast and second make it stick in the general public�s mind and sadly the best way to do that is through negativity. Think back to last night�s news cast which story do you remember more clearly (or at all) one about a man helping his elderly neighbor or one where some kid dropped a rock off an over pass that killed a passing motorist. We have all become mindless drones who only react to graphic stimuli and we tend to forget everything good or bad within 15 seconds of viewing/hearing it (and if we really want to stretch our brains to the limit maybe we read it). I weep for the future, neither party has anything resembling an answer one has a nice looking man whose answer is change (how or what kind seem to be unimportant) and the others is to give me an old old man who while he has served his country honorably for years needs to be put out to pasture before senility sets in.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    10:35 PM
    !esirpruS : I want to know the basis for Ifill's opinion that most of the people in that room didn't know who Sarah Palin was a week ago. I think the NewsHour is out of touch with right-of-center opinion as represented by the Weekly Standard, the National Review or the Wall Street Journal. I think PBS reporters were surprised by the Palin pick because they have been relying on Democratic partisan opinion to inform them and the Democrats were unprepared for the Palin pick. Maybe the NewsHour would be better to watch if Ifill did take last night's criticism more seriously. Oh, I certainly wouldn't say she is a bad person and I would probably be genuinely happy to meet her. But, really, she could do a better job.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    10:40 PM
    Mike : Gwen comments that Sarah Palin makes more frequent reference to Obama than "her counterpart Biden -- this is easy to understand, it is the lack of experience at the helm of the democratic ticket that exposes Obama's primary shortcomings (whether you agree with his leftist viewpoints or not it is his inexperience that says he is unprepared for the national stage).
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    10:48 PM
    M Kessler : Palin's speech was a well delivered, if not obnoxious and delusional one. I guess the Republicans just arrived from Mars; don't mention the fact that the 30-40 years of an abysmal record that has nearly sunk the country is mostly through their authorship. Who or what is it exactly they are attempting to delude us into thinking their "change" is about? Stand up you hypocrites and take credit for the disastrous last 8 years and more. Finally, I now understand the GOP platform: A pregnant girl in every foreclosed home with no income or health insurance and a skinned carcass on the wall by 2012. I prefer the Democratic platform--No Republican Left Behind--Get them all the hell out of Washington by 2009!!!
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    10:57 PM
    Lee : Gwen is fair and honest -- and has been ever since arriving on the Newshour. The reporting of the Newshour is so far above that of the cable shows which can't wait to get you to understand what they think of an issue. I don't want to watch news to be convinced but to be informed. The balanced opinions we are given by Mark and David in Jim Lehere's round of "what did you think" questioning is helpful in an informative way, showing what pretty good observers see/think. Hurrah for PBS! Great convention coverage - better than any other.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    11:00 PM
    Cedric H : Mr. Marshall try and uncover your eyes, ears & your heart and get at the truth of the RNC. Much of the RNC are still (GOB's) Good Ole Boys. I have sense enough to know that there are GOB's in the DNC also. They are a dying breed hopefully to leave us ASAP. Gwen Ifill is not the RNC's problem, the RNC is sickening. Wake up and challenge both party ideas. I cannot understand why the RNC still exist. This party seems to have the Fuehrer Principle.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    11:14 PM
    k brady : When did PBS become part of the DNC? What a shame that this once great resource has become what it is today.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    11:21 PM
    Travelbug : I am an Independent voter, and I watch the news on PBS almost every evening because I like the format and I believe they try to be fair and balanced. The report by Gwen Ifill was just appalling. Her contempt for the speech given by Governor Palin was apparent. Mark Shields' comments after her speech were pathetic, but at least his comments are supposed to be biased. But couldn't he think of something a little more intelligent to say? It is as if all the reporters who are Democrats are throwing away their supposed objectivity because they think Obama may lose. Are they really that scared of Governor Palin? It was an excellent speech. She made me proud to be a working mother and a woman. I can't wait to see how she does in a debate. The media in general should really be ashamed of themselves. I was aware of media bias before, but these last few days have been a real eye opener.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    11:33 PM
    stevieg : It is hard to believe how far PBS has stooped in its coverage of both campaigns. They all look uncomfortable and out-of-place. It is going to be hard to take them seriously after these fiascos. Whatever happened to substance instead of hoopla? I would much rather watch the Simpsons than the blather PBS has presented this week and last.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    11:40 PM
    Ginny Chapman : Please please please Gwen, keep your professionalism. I've always liked your reporting but last night I was totally disappointed in your demeanor. You're above showing your "own opinion" on your face.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    11:43 PM
    Johnny b. goode : Thanks, Tom. I, too, read the AP article and its fact checking. While it isn't thorough, it represents to me the best in political reporting. Most 'professional" political reporters speak to audiences as if we are all attending a seminar on Consulting for a National Political Campaign. I am a lot more interested in what was said truthfully and what was half-truth. It seems to me there is cynical knowledge on the part of campaign managers that mainstream media will not inform us about the reality of claims made, only the "packaging" of "strategized" "narratives" to convince the voting public that their concerns match the concerns of candidates. Unlike Mrs. Palin, I go more for what is said than how vengefully half-truths can be put forward as sincere.
  • Posted:
    09/ 4/08 at
    11:52 PM
    Chill : I agree with Kyle (9/4 at 10:25 PM).
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    12:18 AM
    FS Thorpe : Gwen Ifill comments on the republican convention was pure socialism. In total PBS as a socialist liberal organization is shamefull. Your program is not balanced. I support removing Jim Mclair and staff to be replaced.
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    12:28 AM
    dan : Hmmm. Gwen Ifill gets analysis from three republicans on the Newshour...to Palin's speech. How's that for 'fair and balanced.' I expect better from PBS. I can get that on foxnews. When's your next pledge drive? Disappointed.
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    12:30 AM
    Judy Garland : I'm surprised how few reporters have pointed out "lies" and misrepresentations that Palin made in her speech!
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    12:31 AM
    why : Gwen, You just had 3 REPUBLICANS commentating on her hateful, shrill pitbull with lipstick speech. You would have thought they watched a totally different speech. WHY was there no one to speak for reality? Why didn't you ask them if they really thought that telling lies and being vicious is really so appealing to anyone? Very disappointed in PBS. You usually give all sides.
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    12:33 AM
    kmc : I suppose we all see the bias we want to see. As for me, I wonder what the News Hour accomplishes by doing full segments of man-on-the-street style interviews with convention delegates, particularly at the RNC where everyone seems so well-versed in the party talking points. What does it contribute to hear 4 different people call Palin "an outsider, a proven reformer with executive experience"?
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    12:41 AM
    Judy : Moderators of these debates have a great responsibility--nobody asked Gore about global warming--Gwen Ifill has to be as tough on Gov. Palin as everyone has been for years on Hillary Clinton. It is apparent that Joe Biden will not be able to express his true feelings or the republican machine will call "sexism".
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    12:42 AM
    Helen : I do think PBS in general is afraid to represent Republicans fairly, given the probable demographics of their viewers. Gwen Ifill is a better reporter than she is coming across. I think she can't let go of her bias, doesn't have the experience to let her personal preferences go, and let the story unfold. I rarely know what Judy Woodruff or the other reporters think personally. But Gwen must be in a difficult position given the black community's excitement over Obama. Maybe she can grow with this over time. I think adding Peniel Joseph was an obvious response to Obama's race, and I'm disappointed at the pandering by PBS. I was a supporter of Hillary, thought about voting for MCain after DNC and Obama's treatment, but Palin has locked in my vote. But I will vote a Democratic Congress. Finally, while Ifill will learn in time, Mark Shields is a lost cause. I think we are the same age but he seems to stay stuck in Camelot.
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    12:55 AM
    Cynthia : Question, why is the Republican convention proposing a platform of change when republicans have had control of both the Congress and Whitehouse for 6 out of the last 8 years? Question, what exactly is McCain proposing to change? He supports off shore drilling, he supports continuing the Bush tax cuts, he voted against the State Children�s Health Insurance program, he voted against withdrawing troops from Iraq, he voted for 40 billion in Federal cuts including cuts to the student lending program. Aren�t these the same policies of the last 8 years?
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    12:58 AM
    eloise : I didn't watch all of Palin's speach but I read enough to know that she's a tip of the hat to the right. It doesn't matter to me if Palin is a woman or a mother. Good for her! But, it does matter that she wants to see creationism taught in schools, that she is fighting the listing the polar bear as endagered, and that she doesn't think people are causing global warning. It also matters that she has 0 forien affairs experience. Palin against Putin that would be fun to watch from a bomb shelter. How can McCain call Obama a flip flopper after picking Palin. Thats the mother of all flipflops. A mayor and a 1.5 years as a governor!!! So much for straight talk. We need a national heath care system. We need to stop spending billions on wars. We need level headed thinking on global warming. Why didn't Palin address these issues?
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    01:01 AM
    Valli Power : Sarah Palin is a LIAR - she lied about her support for the bridge to nowhere, she lied about her support for special needs education, she lied about her opponent's record - and offered no clue as to her policy plans - the very last thing we need a heartbeat from the presidency is a LIAR in the guise of all-american mom - it hurts to see the energetic reaction to her diatribes. I thought McCain was smarter than this. I didn't expect him to stoop to these tactics.
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    01:10 AM
    STAN MEYER : would like to be able to hear Palin's spech on line - missed it live.
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    01:18 AM
    Ronaldo Adams : After all the hype about Sarah Palin. I would like to see the results of a poll that asks the question - "If you had to vote today, would you vote for Palin for President of the United States?" After all, McCain is older and there is the real possibility that she could become the president.
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    01:54 AM
    Nancy Fisher : Palin's delivery should not obfuscate her very undemocratic actions as Mayor to shut out and shut up those who disagreed with her. I live in a small, one party village where a past Mayor ruled like a demagogue. We need leaders who believe in democracy, not demagoguery. We will not survive another Bush. Nancy Fisher Pelham Manor, New York
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    02:09 AM
    TX girl in NYC : What is the media supposed to do? It hasn't been just the media questioning Palin- it's been everyone! She has not been visible to most, if not all, Americans at the national level. I *firmly* believe that Gov. Palin was seriously vetted by McCain's campaign. And, I think they are responsible for the media circus and public opinion circus this has created. I've had to tell a number of friends their arguments are sexist by claiming a working mother shouldn't be VP. In that respect, I agree with all of her supporters. It's been a convenient distraction. Rather than getting to know her based on her record, they wanted to shift the campaign to being about personalities, not issues (their own words). Is that responsible? I'm a Democrat and I'm TIRED of this. I blame the McCain camp - they are really good at this expectations game and claiming victory when they make noise even though it's based on little substance.
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    02:20 AM
    Ann : It was surprising to read critism of Ifill's very professional coverage of Gov. Palin's speech. I'm asking why Ifill was wearing red - was it a sign that she is Repulican? As an older urban African-American woman - I ask Gov. Palin "Are you interested in someone like me and what's in it for me and those like myself? I didn't see or hear any progressive overtures but I did perceive reactionary rhetoric. I am not an Obamanite either. What I am is someone who deeply cares about people and this country. I ask are we headed - back to pre-civil rights America? Pre-New Deal America? Are the Republicans hiding behind their interpretation of faith (I am a Bible believing born-again Christian)? Will she help to increase funding to children and disable programs or wlll she decide to cut those types of social programs(as she did in Alaska)? Are these funds going to wars instead? Will our children develop respiratory diseases and cancers because of polluted environments? Will single moms make a living wage to properly take of their families? Are we headed backward?
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    02:22 AM
    Dennis : Sometimes, all the professionalism in the world can't hide the disgust of hearing, then having to comment on, the Orwellian Propaganda that is the RNC Convention. Keep up the good work, Gwen.
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    03:34 AM
    paul morgan : The Republican convention looks like an Aryan nation rally. they are out of touch!
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    05:41 AM
    David : Oh come on Gwen! Stop being so fair and balanced. You know as well as all of us that the republicans are the masters at bashing the press and have done it for years. They know that by bashing the media they cowtow you into submission. Grow a spine journalists and report the real news so we don't have a rerun of the last eight years! The press bears ALOT of the responsibilty for being the cheerleaders while Bush led the nation like lemmings over a cliff into Iraq. Hopefully the press won't just repeat McCain's final mantra from his RNC acceptance speech this evening: "Fight, fight with me". Please ask the tough questions you are supposed to ask as journalists about this man and his policies or lack of them this time?
  • Posted:
    09/ 5/08 at
    02:09 PM
    Alsip Tom : Here is a link to Associated Press writer Jim Kuhnhenn's fact check identifying the litany of distortions from Thursday night at the RNC. This guy does good work. The News Hour should consider bringing him on for regular "fact checks" during the campaign. Especially after the debates. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/external/search.hosted.ap.org/wireCoreTool/Search?SITE=ALMON&query=%20Fact%20Check:%20The%20fuller%20story%20in%20St.%20Paul
  • Posted:
    09/ 6/08 at
    01:44 AM
    CML from Michigan : I heard no news commentator make anycomment abour Sarah Palin's reference to herself in the model of Harry Truman. Did we forget that Truman became president as a result of FDR's death in office. Is this what lies behind here connection to Harry Truman? That reference seemed so clearly linked to McCain dying in office - at leat to me. Znd if so, the question which must be discussed is whether she is even remotely prepared as was Truman.
  • Posted:
    09/ 6/08 at
    02:23 AM
    Jane Taylor Eastwood : I am a viewer from Canada. We watch The Newshour every evening -- we have absolutely no comparator in Canada in terms of in-depth and intelligent reporting. The Newshour did an excellent job of reporting and analysing the two Conventions. I was appalled by the RNC lack of depth and the focus on the military and pandering to the far-right of the evangelical Christians. The theme of the campaign was, I believe, "Peace" yet all 3 nights, we saw nothing but images of war, fear-mongering under the guise of "national security", and a repudiation of grace, civility, education and intelligence. McCain has so far allowed his people to run a very shabby campaign, devoid of content. So much for honesty and integrity,,,,,,Keep up your excellent work, and thankyou all!
  • Posted:
    09/ 6/08 at
    03:02 AM
    nancy : It made me tremble to hear Palin sound like Adolph Hitler, even calling herself a "pit bull". He knew how to use pit bulls to manage the Jews. She used her power in Alaska to hurt any one who got in her way. She lied like a true Republican trooper. Her motto should be "defeat by deceit" Did anyone notice for all of their reaching across the isle, they hate we who are liberal enough to really reach out to the needy. Please, all of you Alaskins, policemen, librarians, band together to throw her out before she gets in.
  • Posted:
    09/ 6/08 at
    11:05 AM
    SFpundit : I have appreciated Gwen Ifill's work for a long time, but her utter lack of professionalism on the night of Gov. Palin's historic acceptance speech was inexcusable. Her face was a mask of obvious displeasure bordering on nausea as she delivered her post-speech comments. Over the past few years, the rampant bias among many news personalities at PBS and NPR has become ever more apparent and unapologetic. This kind of behavior - in addition to being completely antithetical to the core principles of journalistic integrity and objective news reporting - is one of the key reasons why the media-savvy among us are turning in larger and larger numbers to alternative news sources in lieu of PBS, NPR, CNN, and the New York Times. More specifically, the unchecked creep of bias into the news programming of PBS and NPR - which as publicly-funded organizations should represent the gold standard of objective journalism - is the main reason why public broadcasting will never see another dime of pledge donations from me. PBS - if you are serious about journalistic integrity, I DARE you to post video of Gwen's responses to Biden/Obama/Palin/McCain's speeches side by side online to let your viewers and donors judge the sour face of journalistic bias for themselves. In a fair world, this would merit a critical segment on NPR's "On the Media"...except that OTM's staff is itself mired too deeply in the skewed PBS/NPR groupthink to render any meaningful judgments on media bias these days. It would be laughable if it were not so sad.
  • Posted:
    09/ 6/08 at
    11:45 AM
    commonsense : gwen ifill has normally seemed to be a fair and balanced journalist. however, in this election period i've seen numerous occasions where her facial expressions reveal her bias. on washington week she tossed up softball questions to her left leaning guests who hit line drives at mccain, which brought repeated applause and cheers from her audience, and wide grinned smiles from gwen. her journalistic integrity is slipping, and that will affect her future credibility.
  • Posted:
    09/ 6/08 at
    06:47 PM
    Living in Alaska : Having caribou thawing for dinner, I would hope a correspondent would take some time to find out more about a State before offering the insightful comment about gutting a caribou. Makes you wonder how much she really knows about what else she is making comments on. Or is she just basing everything on her researchers.
  • Posted:
    09/ 8/08 at
    02:21 PM
    BarbFD : I just have to say that I believe Gwen Ifill's coverage during the Republican Convention was beyond belief! Immediately after Mrs. Palin's speech, the look on Ms. Ifill's face was all that was needed to reflect her feelings...her responses were totally unprofessional, and truely showed where her feelings lie. If this is what some call unbiased reporting, I'll have none of it! Very unprofessional is what I call it- when will the liberal press learn how to report news and events without tainting it?? Barb
  • Posted:
    09/ 8/08 at
    03:36 PM
    Henry Schwarzmann : Gwen, I understand you will be involved in the questioning of VP canidates. I also undestand that Sarah Palin is one who belives "creationism" should be taught along with science in biology/science classrooms (public schools). Can you ask the potential VP's "how long it takes for the earth to produces oil and how does that square with the some of the narrow religious literalist views of the some religious paths who promote a literalist six day creation (or a 6000+/- year old earth according to some literalist thinking) THANKS, Henry
  • Posted:
    09/ 8/08 at
    09:04 PM
    Clusterfuggle : So the right wingers are squealing like piggies at the so called 'unproffesional' and 'biased' PBS (including Gwen Ifill). Whatever reaction Ifill may have had to the right wing bigot fest that was the Republican Convention surely pales compared to the chronic right wing cheerleading that goes on at the so called 'fair and balanced' Fox News. As for the 'pent up hate' that David Marshall says Ifill had for the RNC, I'm sure that is not the case, but it is clear from the goings on at the convention that there is an AWFUL LOT of hate among the republicans.
  • Posted:
    09/ 8/08 at
    10:13 PM
    Leslie : McCain's campaign is now using Obama's slogan of change as its main argument against him. Suddenly, Obama represents the status quo and the Republican's are the ones who want real change. So now that both parties want change let's focus more on what kind of change instead of more stories about the candidate's families. Let's find out what they plan on doing for poor and middle class families which represent the majority of Americans. I am sure the main stream media is up to the task of asking these very basic questions.
  • Posted:
    09/10/08 at
    12:41 PM
    Kajon : I only hope that Gwen can be UNbiased when she moderates the Vice-Presidental debates.
  • Posted:
    09/22/08 at
    01:52 AM
    Sharon : David Marshall is supposed to be a writer/journalist which hints that he is well-versed the use of the English language. In the first sentence of his report on Palin, he uses the phrase, "try and cover up". Is someone going to "try" to cover up or is (s)he going to actually "cover up". The first is sort of wishy/washy in that someone kind of, sort of or might maybe cover something up. The second is definitive. Which is it, Mr. Marshall? Of course, the phrase should be, "try to cover up", replacing the "and" with "to". To be fair, Mr. Marshall is not the only public persona to misuse this phrase. I hear it daily on either the radio or the television. It is no wonder our children cannot speak correctly. As you can tell, this English error is one of my greatest peeves, right under "Nuculer".
  • Posted:
    09/29/08 at
    12:30 PM
    jvanke : Suggested question for VP debate: Ask the candidates how their administrations would implement the bailout bill over the next four years, including the part the backbench House Republicans including on allowing private insurers to step in. Or something else that's going to require good knowledge and analysis of the bill's finance content, related to political developments this week as Congress votes on it.
  • Posted:
    10/ 1/08 at
    10:51 AM
    paul s : It looks like the MSM liberals are doing a book promotion here. The Debate is About Gwen and not the people??? I read the book on "Sarah" and it was written with no forsight about her being nominated as VP candidate.
  • Posted:
    10/ 1/08 at
    11:34 AM
    mbeaulieu : American journalism earned a profound place in our society by reporting facts accurately and in a manner that did not betray to the listener or viewer the political leanings of the reporter or their organization. This ideal was profound because it empowered each of us, as individuals, to draw our own conclusions and make informed choices. It respected our individaul intellect, and most important, it respected our humanity and gave value to our collective right to make choices about how we are governed and by whom. NPR by failing to disclose such an obvious conflict of interest in advance, no longer deserves the honor of hosting this event.
  • Posted:
    10/ 1/08 at
    01:54 PM
    taekwondodad : Gwen Ifill will work very hard to help Barack Obama’s election, for Her book due to appear on his inauguration day will provide her with a retirement account. So you know darn well she will work hard to make Sarah Palin not represent America - Gwen particular style see the Cheney Edwards VP debates 2004. Call 292 872-1020 Commission on Presidential Debates to call foul and have Gwen removed for having a conflic of interest in moderating the VP Debates.
  • Posted:
    10/ 1/08 at
    05:56 PM
    nannyc : Given the way in which political campaigns are waged, lets be sure and that neither of the vice-presidential candidates is wired. It is up to PBS and any moderator to be sure this does not happen.
  • Posted:
    10/ 1/08 at
    06:36 PM
    avapaloma : I have already complained to the PBS ombudsman. I would like Gwen Ifill removed from the debate tomorrow night. I am deeply dissapointed in her. I have watched PBS for years and she has usually been able to appear transparent and unbiased, allowing me to come to my own decisions about things. But lately, especially at the RNC, her personal feelings have become visible. She puts negative spin on all information regarding McCain, whether by wording of questions, body language, or selection of topic. In a short email I cannot give all the specifics. suffice it to say, I no longer believe in her impartiality, and I will no longer be able to see her as an American, but as a BLACK American, which is something she has brought on herself...much like Michelle Obama, only she is so much more likeable, tis a pity. PLEASE put someone else on and let her pursue her personal path elsewhere.....
  • Posted:
    10/ 2/08 at
    01:45 AM
    Mitch Cumstein : Tossing journalistic ethics out the window. First Dan Rather, now please don't say it's so but the steady as a rock Gwen Ifill. If she indeed did not disclose her book plans with the Committee on Presidential Debates, she should step aside immediately. This is the type of behavior I would expect from Bill Moyers, who long ago abandoned all journalistic ethics or Daniel Schorr but not Gwen Ifill.
  • Posted:
    10/ 2/08 at
    12:07 PM
    cedric h : Since its gotten so serious that it is recommended that we call the Commission on Presidential Debates, how about getting a 5 year old to read the questions. As for Cheney & Edwards, PLEASE!!!!! Enough for these guys Barack has no inauguration day!!!!!
  • Posted:
    10/23/08 at
    10:31 AM
    tomka-s : Hi! i found a lot of films here, of course if you are using rapidshare premium account http:// megauploadfiles.commegaupload search
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