Gwen Ifill’s Responsibilities

“… Thursday’s debate between the vice presidential candidates … is sure to prompt particular interest in the performance of Palin, whose limited exposure to tough questions has been criticized by opponents and supporters alike.”
— The Washington Post, Sept. 29, 2008

Next Thursday, when Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) and Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) square off in the vice presidential debate, it could be Saturday Night Live v. Famous Television Bloopers. An obviously over-her-head candidate will be debating the more experienced king of faux pas. The entertainment level should be high. But so much is at stake that moderator Gwen Ifill has a profound responsibility.

The fear is that because Sarah Palin seemed so out of her league in the Katie Couric interview (whose importance was escalated because there have been no others, so sheltered has Gov. Palin been), she won’t be cross-examined at the same level as all other high-level national political candidates. She must not get a pass, or soft treatment.

This is not to say Ms. Ifill should give Gov. Palin a hard time. But she must — given the potential consequences of Palin’s possible power if her team is elected — be given the same rigorous scrutiny all other candidates at this level have received. So far, that has not been the case. She has been in protective custody, quarantined by her political managers for fear she will be seen to be what she is — an attractive woman who should not have the power of vice president of the United States. ABC agreed to Palin’s manager’s terms to get the first interview. Katie Couric’s brief questioning was limited and gentle; but it showed Gov. Palin to be out of the vice presidential league. There may not be any other unscripted interviews after Thursday if Gov. Palin’s political team keeps her in its witness protection program.

The choice of a vice presidential candidate is the first important decision a presidential candidate makes. He must be judged by it. Sen. McCain took a rash and reckless risk in choosing his running mate in order to appease the extreme-right evangelical Republicans. That worked. But part of that risk must be for him, and her, to be judged by prevailing professional standards. Gwen Ifill may be the only one who has the opportunity to assure that is done. Ms. Ifill cannot be blamed for being sexist. She is a demonstrated, high-quality professional journalist. If she questions Gov. Palin as, say, Edward R. Murrow or Tim Russert, fair and tough journalistic greats, would have, the American public will owe her a great debt. As the public’s representative, Ms. Ifill should question and cross-examine Gov. Palin and Sen. Biden with equal rigor — no more, no less.

That’s all the American public asks, and it is what it deserves.

Visit www.RonaldGoldfarb.com.