Women Ask Commission for Gwen Ifill to be Replaced Immediately

Contact: Cindy Graves, Florida Federation of Republican Women, 904-228-6048, mediarequest@ffrw.net

TALLAHASSEE, Fl., Oct. 1 /Standard Newswire/ -- In the interest of fairness, the Florida Federation of Republican Women today called upon the Commission on Presidential Debates to replace Gwen Ifill, of PBS, as moderator of Thursday's Vice-Presidential debate between contenders Senator Joseph Biden and Governor Sarah Palin at Washington University in St Louis.

"The American people deserve a fair debate and one that is moderated by someone who is free of political bias. Ms Ifill should recues herself immediately as she clearly and openly supports Senator Obama and his running mate and stands to make a great deal of money on her book if Obama is successful. This is a mockery," said Linda Ivell, president of the Florida Federation of Republican Women.

Ms. Ifill has written a book entitled The Breakthrough: Race and Politics in the Age of Obama to be published on Inauguration Day 2009. According to promotional materials, the book seeks to "shed new light" on Democratic candidate Barack Obama and other "emerging young African American politicians" who are "forging a bold new path to political power."

The FFRW has launched a national campaign calling for truth in media in the 2008 presidential election cycle. "This biased debate issue with Ms. Ifill is the worst partisan abuse we have seen in a year notorious for unfairness, sexism and liberal campaigning on the part of the media. If this debate is allowed to go forth with Ms. Ifill as 'commentator', it will be utterly contemptible," said Ms. Ivell.

Ms. Ivell said her group calls on Republicans everywhere to make their voices heard to the Commission on Presidential Debates. For more information, go to: www.ffrw.net.