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About the author

Brian Kirwin

The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.

Comments

6 Responses to "Media Bias and Presidential Debates"

1. 

   Brian, The Squeaky Wheel October 1, 2008 15:34 pm

   This is one of those issues that after the fact people will say, “How in the hell did they allow this?” but for now will be attacked for questioning it.

   Why can she moderate it? BECAUSE THE MEDIA IS IN LOVE WITH OBAMA AND IS WORKING TO ELECT HIM!

   It is that simple and anyone who denies that is a complete moron, period

2. 

   FrenchytheSailor October 1, 2008 20:20 pm

   Guess I’m a moron.

   The journalist in question was actually selected prior to her beginning the book. Which, isn’t really about Obama, but about the roll of women and minorities in politics during recent history.

   As far as any bias Ifill has…. I don’t know. I do know from watching her on PBS, that she’s a very serious and intelligent jounalist. Compared to the crap we see on commerical, ratings driven television, she’s a better pick than most of the other options.

   Which was why, she was one of the few moderators that McCain and Obama handler’s could agree on when they were negociating these debates.

   But don’t let me stop the moral outrage… I’m a moron:-)

3. 

   Brian Kirwin October 1, 2008 21:33 pm

   Don’t expect any argument from me.

   I don’t care how serious or intelligent she is. Her book, which has Obama’s name in the title, is slated to come out Inauguration day.

   She’s got a financial interest in the winner. As Greta Van Susteren said, if this was a court case, there’d be a mistrial declared.

   We Republicans are used to moderators being total liberals. It’s par for the course. But when someone has book sales on the line, they shouldn’t be moderating.

4. 

   Shane McNulty October 1, 2008 21:54 pm

   So, speaking as adults here.. is it unreasonable to expect that for those of us who have an interest in politics, surely we’d develop opinions on issues impacted by politics? Perhaps we’d even take to preferring one person or candidate’s views over another. Now since that describes… well, everyone visiting this site.. is it not realistic to expect -everyone- in political journalism to have an opinion on issues and candidates?

   Now, does having an opinion on an issue mean you cannot moderate a debate?

   Shouldn’t it matter more how the person conducts themselves as a moderator determine how they actually served in that position? To that point, this isn’t the first debate Gwen Ifill has moderated. In fact, it’s not even the first Vice Presidential debate she’s moderated either.

   I don’t remember hearing people complain about her performance as moderator between Cheney and Edwards. Surely if her liberal bias was that much an issue it would have manifested before the Prince of Darkness himself. The fact it didn’t I think earns her a pass.

   I don’t disagree that it’s certainly disappointing that now because of her book deal we now get an additional footnote that didn’t have to be there. But a footnote is all it is… for now.

5. 

   Brian Kirwin October 2, 2008 08:09 am

   Shane, like I said, the issue isn’t her opinion.

   The issue is her financial interest in her book set to come out on Inauguration Day with one of the candidates’ names in the title.

6. 

   Eric Wood October 2, 2008 20:40 pm

   They’re more biased than you know.

   Neither McCain nor Obama can truly win a debate – they’re too similar. Neither will get us universal healthcare and both support this bailout of criminals in Wall Street. They’re both career politicians with more interest in trying to pander to certain voters and to corporate interests than standing up for our rights. We need more choices, and for me, that means Ralph Nader.

   Since the news media and the debate commissions continue to have a very detrimental effect on what should be democracy by continuing to support the same two parties every election year. More and more people are not being represented by these two parties, making their dominance over the nation increasingly ludicrous. It’s up to all of us to learn about the issues and candidates, and to vote to open the system up to a proper choice in the elections. Even if Ralph doesn’t win the presidency this year, a large enough support from America on election day will make a difference in the future.

   Vote for reform and for the best interests of America!