ABC's Gibson, Trying to Set The Table for Meatier Debates

Sad Timing

ABC News anchor Charlie Gibson will moderate back-to-back debates among Democratic and Republican presidential candidates on Saturday night. (By Donna Svennevik -- Abc)

Parade magazine's cover story for next Sunday is a profile of Benazir Bhutto -- printed before her assassination in Pakistan last week.

Multiple Choice

William Safire suggested recently that I take a stab at emulating his year-end predictions column (which, as a bonus, requires no legwork). With apologies to the master, which of the following will come to pass by the end of 2008?

Katie Couric will be:

a. Anchor of the "CBS Evening News"

b. A full-time "60 Minutes" correspondent

c. Hosting a daytime talk show

d. Joining Dan Rather in his suit against CBS

The Wall Street Journal will be:

a. Stripped of all credibility as a Rupert Murdoch plaything

b. A USA Today clone

c. The most improved newspaper of the year

d. Relocated to Australia