MS. IFILL REGRETS

Posted at 9:02 p.m. ET

Gwen Ifill, master journalist and Washington monument, has condescended to comment on the controversy surrounding her participation in tomorrow's vice-presidential debate.  To review, it has been revealed that Ms. Ifill is writing a book, to be published on inauguration day, dealing with black politics in the age of Obama.  The book could be huge if Obama wins.  It could sell three copies if he loses.  One publishing authority estimated that Ifill has about $350,000, or more, riding on the outcome of the election.  And here she is moderating a vice-presidential debate.

The term is conflict of interest.  In the real world that's serious.  In journalism it seems to be a minor issue.

NEW YORK (AP) - PBS journalist Gwen Ifill, moderator of the upcoming vice presidential debate, dismissed conservative questions about her impartiality because she is writing a book that includes material on Barack Obama.

Ifill said Wednesday that she hasn't even written her chapter on Obama for the book "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama," which is to be published by Doubleday on Jan. 20, 2009, the day a new president is inaugurated.

Let me get this straight:  We shouldn't worry because she hasn't written the Obama chapter yet?  Yeah, that makes sense - if you're 12.

"I've got a pretty long track record covering politics and news, so I'm not particularly worried that one-day blog chatter is going to destroy my reputation," Ifill said.

The problem, my dear, is your reputation. 

"The proof is in the pudding. They can watch the debate tomorrow night and make their own decisions about whether or not I've done my job."

By that time the damage will have been done.  And, by the way, how do you define your job?  I hear silence.

Ifill said Obama's story, which she has yet to write, is only a small part of the book, which discusses how politics in the black community have changed since the civil rights era. Among those subjects is Colin Powell, secretary of state in the Bush administration.

The book is called "Breakthrough:  Politics and Race in the Age of Obama."  And Obama is a small part?  Why is his name in the title?

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.

That should disqualify her right there.  Nothing more need be said.

Ifill questions why people assume that her book will be favorable toward Obama.

"Do you think they made the same assumptions about Lou Cannon (who is white) when he wrote his book about Reagan?" said Ifill, who is black. Asked if there were racial motives at play, she said, "I don't know what it is. I find it curious."

How do you respond to anything that silly?  And why aren't journalists held to the same ethical standards as other public figures? 

This diminishes the journalistic profession.  It can't be diminished much more this year.

October 1, 2008.