1) I swear I must live in a hole because I haven't heard either rumor. I am, however, very interested in the old SNL skit.

2) That's just it, I can't find any print media that references it, but I'm sure I heard both things from multiple sources on the radio. I just flip around on the dial so much I don't remember where. Maybe Rick can enlighten us.

3) I was listening to NPR early this afternoon and the commentator (sorry didn't catch who) was saying that he didn't believe that would happen because it would be too disastrous for both Palin and McCain.He was saying how she really had to redeem herself tomorrow night. The thought crossed my mind that they might put one of those little hearing aid thingys in her ear and feed her the right answers. He was also saying how Biden had to walk a tight rope to not come across condescending. I say give her enough rope..The polls in Alaska has showed her approval rating has dropped from 80% to 64%. They also were talking about her emphasizing that she was younger and more energetic than Biden but then what does that say about her running mate? I stick with my first reaction-Palin was a gift to the Democrats and McCain is not going to be able to undo this questionable decision.

4) I think if Palin were replaced it would hurt the McCain camp more than it would help. He'd be seen as indecisive and as someone who had bad judgment...Obama and his people would be all over that. I've heard people saying they've heard these rumors, but no one knows where.

As for the playing dumb thing, I actually thought about that yesterday (and thought it was an original thought, maybe I heard on TV while I was sleeping or something, lol).

5) My mom recently received an e-mail that Biden was going to bow out of the vice presidential nomination because of health concerns and Hilary Clinton was going to be the replacement. Anyways, I think that is a joke just like I hope it is a joke about Sarah Palin. I like her!

6) I found the SNL skit. This was the only place I found it so sorry about the advertisement.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/4174/saturday-night-live-pres...

7) It was probably in this form: "Nobody could be this dumb. It has to be a ruse. It just HAS to."

8) Sarah Palin's going to drop out? I think that's just wishful thinking.

9) Palin will not be replaced. She is trying to lower expectations- something Obama has done in the past year at times...(and almost every candidate does depending on the situation)

10) I don't think this is true...I did read several articles about some Republican Women leaders asking her to step down. I'm not speaking her name at the moment :)

11) I heard that one about Biden several weeks ago. NPR is always on in my car.

12) Nancy is correct because Sara Palin will not drop out of the race!!! Tomorrow night, Sara is going to make Joe Biden, look like just what he is- a lackey for obama and a non productive Senator. Palin will make him look very Senile and a very retrograde Senator. The inability of Joe Biden to compete with her is going to show that obama made the worse choice for Veep when he didn't put Hillary on the ticket.

13) One thing is for sure- it's do or die for McCain/Palin. A sound defeat means we might be talking about Wyoming and Idaho going blue.

14) Palin is really the only card that McCain has. She will get the base out much better than he will. In fact, there were widespread rumors about Obama ditching Biden after he said that Hillary would have been a better pick. Then we find out that he also falsely claimed to be shot at. The MSLM was all over Hillary for her false claim and yet nothing about Biden's.

Now we find out that the moderator for the debate, Gwenn Ifill, is releasing a pro-Obama book on Jan. 20th. Of course it is in her best financial interest to make Palin look bad and hurt McCain's chances. This whole thing is unreal. I am sure the dems would feel the same if Rush Limbaugh were the moderator. Sure doesnt seem fair to me. But not surprising.

15) Surely, they have to pick a new moderator if that is true!?

16) Where did you hear that, Rick? I googled her name but nothing to that effect came up?

17) I just read about that Rick. Doesn't seem right does it?

18) Here's the link to her book on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Breakthrough-Politics-Race-Age-Ob...

19) Thanks for the link, Jules. To me, based on the summary of the book, it seems to be more about African Americans in Washington.

"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.

Ifill argues that the Black political structure formed during the Civil Rights movement is giving way to a generation of men and women who are the direct beneficiaries of the struggles of the 1960s. She offers incisive, detailed profiles of such prominent leaders as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and U.S. Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama, and also covers up-and-coming figures from across the nation. Drawing on interviews with power brokers like Senator Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis of such issues as generational conflict and the "black enough" conundrum, Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history.

THE BREAKTHROUGH is a remarkable look at contemporary politics and an essential foundation for understanding the future of American democracy."

20) Here is another link and column by Michelle Malkin, but really it is all over the news.

http://michellemalkin.com/

Now, I think the McCain camp screwed up by agreeing to have Ifill as the moderator but they didnt know that she had this book coming out. Should they have known? Probably, but the fact is they didnt and it seems really unfair to me.

21) Jules link doesn't say anything about her being a supporter of Obama. It could go either way...I have no idea. It sounds more like it's about black politicians than anything else. I can't believe the McCain camp isn't crying foul. From what I did read about her, she sounds like a pretty good journalist with some nice credentials. I don't think I can read the book in time to make an informed decision, however :)

22) It's also set to be released on Inauguration Day. Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe I'm just too cynical and have read one too many conspiracy theory stories. But I bet she's banking on a huge boost to her book sales if Obama does become president. And if McCain does? Not so much.

23) Michelle Malkin? no you didn't

24) sounchick,

Ifill is a seasoned journalist, pundit, etc...usually I wouldnt have too much of a problem with her but since she has financial incentives for this book to sell she should excuse herself.

The McCain camp agreed to have her moderate sometime back in August but they really didnt know that she had this book coming out.

25) OK, not a good source in my opinion. From the about section of Michelle Malkin's blog: I’m a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, author, and Fox News Channel contributor.

Immediate bias on her part. Not to mention her blog entry was a short little rant on how if anyone complained about Ifill then they immediately would be called a racist. If they really think that they should stand up and be heard! No balls!

I do agree with you Rick, that there are probably better choices than Ifill because of the possible conflict, however at this point I guess we have to give her the benefit of the doubt.

26) Soundchick,

just because it comes from Michelle Malkin, certainly you are not denying the fact that Ifill has a book about Obama coming out? or do you?

27) Gwen Ifill formerly worked for NBC News and the Washington Post. 2 arguably liberal organizations.

28) I think we got crossed. Read my last paragraph.

29) Jules: Fox News - Undeniably right-wing news source.

30) In either case, Gwenn Ifill cannot control what comes out of Wolf Killers mouth. If she is so tough...she can handle whatever comes her way... as a VP should be able to handle it.

31) Ha, Spike! It took me second for the Wolf Killer comment to register. I thought it said Wolf Blitzer at first. I can't stand him either.

32) Spike,

True she cannot control what comes out of her mouth but she certainly can slant questions and throw loaded ones at her. Would you have a problem with Rush Limbaugh moderating?

33) Yes, Fox News is a right wing news source. Just about the only one on TV. I never said it wasn't.

34) Gwenn Ifill cannot even be compared to Rush...that's a stretch Rick. The McCain campaign can protest if they want.

35) I found an article from a more unbiased news source

http://www.npr.org/blogs/newsandviews/2008/10/forthcomi...

Looks like the McCain camp could have/should have known about the book at the time they agreed upon the moderators.

36) sounchick,

I agree with you that they should have caught this. But, they didnt. I bet Ifill sure didnt volunteer the information either. So, do we play a game of gotcha and let them sneak one of their liberal journalists in to do the debate or do we make it right and get an unbiased person to do it?

37) Look for Ifill to be replaced by a tag team of Katie Couric and Jack Cafferty sometime in the next few hours. :)

38) haha Russ

39) Don't worry Rick. Hannity could moderate the debate tomorrow, and Palin would still look like a bumbling fool. It should be a good time.

40) Time will tell Dave.

I am waiting for Biden to make a huge blunder. You know it will happen.

41) What about Amy Poehler as Katie Couric? In fact, every candidate should have someone else play them and then use sound bites for every answer. Now that would be awesome!

42) Just found this video of Ifill. Tell me she can be fair.

http://vodpod.com/watch/1047510-debate-%E2%80%9Cmoderat...

43) I've not heard anything serious or substantive about Palin dropping out of the race. The pundits have to fill radio and tv time, so crazy stuff comes out of their mouths sometimes, and I do remember hearing someone mention it. That would be the all-time dumbest political move ever, and would mean the end of a campaign that is on a downward spiral at the moment.

I'm looking forward to the debate. I expect Palin to be defensive and to have many pre-prepared, canned, on-message answers ready. That's really her only hope. If Biden can stay on point and get her rattled, it will be a disaster for her, but old Joe isn't so great about staying poised and focused. She can't come close to matching his knowledge of nearly anything, so I expect she'll be in full attack mode, and will outright refuse to give direct answers. Should be a frustrating night!

44) So Palin didn't belittle Obama's job as a community organizer in her speech? They didn't chant "Drill baby, drill!"

45) Sure they did, but she also said alot of other things. So the 30 seconds that Ifill got to report on the convention and she picks out those 2 things plus her snide little comment that Palin delivered her speech "word for word"....come on soundchick, you have to see the bias in her reporting.

46) matt,

What is Biden's history with staying on point? I will take my chances with him.

47) Dude, are you f'ing kidding me? This is ridiculous. As usual, you've made something out of nothing. She was being a reporter. She reported on the 'highlights' of her speech. I think I heard about 50 other people say the same thing. It must suck to think that everyone is out to get you. Get over it.

48) Matt,

Correction, she was being a "biased" reporter.

You really dont see it? I dont believe that.

49) What it shows to me is that once again McCain's "advisors" dropped the ball again. Seriously, who would be considered unbiased?

50) HAW HAW HAW Fox news anchor "It's split"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTkqosRiyYo&eurl=http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/30/182120/503

51) I really don't see it. Sorry.

...and Rick, in light of all of the recent comment-hating, lovy dovy catfighting, I'd really like to say that you're good enough, you're smart enough, and doggonnit, people like you...just so you don't think I'm attacking you as a person or anything....but I bet you'll have something to say about Al Franken now! Doh!

52) Two possible scenarios at play:

1) McCain may just think that his VP candidate can handle a debate no matter how biased the moderator may be.

alternate option

2) McCain thinks putting is VP Candidate in a debate with a 'questionably' biased moderator gives him an accuse to fall on when she bombs.

53) The bottom line for me is I just don't know what's going to happen. I'm anxiously waiting tomorrow night's debate!

54) matt,

Feel free to not hold back. I can take it. :))

55) Ifill's book really shouldn't be an issue. She's proven in the past to be one of the most impartials out there (which is why both camps agreed on her even AFTER her book release was announced) and her book is not "Pro-Obama" (The title is misleading and obviously a bad choice, as these discussions are being held nationwide now...) She merely uses Obama as the most current milestone in the progression of African American politics, which is what the book is really about. And according to reports, she hasn't even written the chapter on Obama yet (but I could be wrong. It happens.) I'd keep an open mind; the woman has said in the past that she didn't believe Obama was suitable for the presidency... However if somehow she swings the debate inappropriately , bring the claws back out. Fairness is important.

56) There's no way the McCain camp wants Ifill replaced. You can bank on the fact that on Friday, after Palin flops, the reason will be the biased moderation of Gwen Ifill.
You can also bet that she's been cramming like Ken Jennings this past week at Rancho de McCain. Expect a torrent of answers to unasked questions. World capitals, hard-to-pronounce names of foreign leaders, Sandy Koufax's ERA in '63, recipes for Moose smoothies....her head is probably ready to explode with the data that's been forced in this week.
Biden just has to be super careful tonight not to come off like a condescending bully or a blowhard. He also has to try to keep his answers under 3 hours each.

57) Russ,

I agree with you. Biden/Palin will have a built in excuse. But, I also think that Ifill will not be able to control her prejudice and will throw loaded questions at Palin while throwing softballs to Biden. We shall see.

58) Palin makes George W. Bush look like a real intellectual. I think she should bow out now, for the sake of the country.

59) Has anyone heard what the format is supposed to be like tonight? Is it going to be similar to the format Jim Lehrer had at last week's presidential debate?

60) That would be even better for Team McCain. Sympathy is powerful, and if it looks like Palin is being treated unfairly, it could work to her benefit. I felt bad for her watching the Katie Couric interviews. Not because the questions were unfair, but because she is woefully unprepared for these kind of politics. Ah...but what was she supposed to do, turn down the McCain's invitation? It's a nightmare wrapped in a dream for her.

61) "It's a nightmare wrapped in a dream for her."

...I think that's probably the perfect way to characterize this situation.

62) I think since there's only one vp debate it pretty much covers everything. I actually saw some clips from the Couric interview last night. Holy crap. It was absolutely terrible. I will be very, very, very scared if that woman is elected to the second highest political office in the nation...or maybe the world. Holy crap.