Debates of all ilk

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Alex

In your personal view, and just giving a simple number, approximately how old is this planet?

Or to put it another way:

"The Flintstones: Fact or Fiction?"

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Or to put it another way:

"The Flintstones: Fact or Fiction?"

Her answer would be:
"Well, Gwen, the Flintstones were, in fact, a real TV show on TV."

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Her answer would be:
"Well, Gwen, the Flintstones were, in fact, a real TV show on TV."

Which I could see from my living room.

[Gemini Cricket]

Iffil seems to be getting some guff about her pro-Obama book.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Iffil seems to be getting some guff about her pro-Obama book.

I think it is safe to suggest that the McCain may not have agreed to her moderating should they have known about it before hand.

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I think it is safe to suggest that the McCain may not have agreed to her moderating should they have known about it before hand.

Beforehand? Was the book published this week?

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Beforehand? Was the book published this week?

The book is to be published on inauguration day but I don't see how that is a factor. Having a moderator who:

A) Is writing a book about one of the candidates

and

B) Stands to make more from her book sale if Obama is elected

Is a clear conflict of interest. The fact that is was not disclosed until this late is just skeezy.

[Alex]

No, I don't want it to be presented as mocking. Just ask straightforward.

Hell, for Palin, answering 6000 years would solidify a LOT of votes, so it might not actually be that bad of an answer (politically). I just want to see it put out there bluntly.

[Strangler Lewis]

I agree that there is the appearance of a conflict, although I'm not sure that she stands to make more if Obama is elected. Believing that she makes more if her last chapter is about how Obama lost because of racism, she could draw Palin into repeated uses of the N word followed by apologetics that, just as much as real Americans love their irresponsible sex, drug use to alleviate small-town boredom and ass kicking, real Americans are rubbed the wrong way by black people.

And turning to you, Senator Biden, I'm sure you agree with the governor since you expressed pleasant surprise at Barack Obama's cleanliness.

[Morrigoon]

I would have to agree on the appearance of conflict. On the other hand, since many moderators can't help but favor one candidate over the other (and given many moderators are journalists...), perhaps the threat of conflict being held over her head will force her to deliberately be more neutral or even favor the opposing side, lest she get called on it.