Washington Week With Gwen Ifill

Each week, the country's top reporters join moderator Gwen Ifill for an in-depth discussion of the week's top news from Washington and around the world. The longest-running news and public affairs program on PBS, "Washington Week with Gwen Ifill and National Journal" features journalists -- not pundits -- lending insight and perspective to the week's important news stories. Now, Ifill brings "Washington Week" online.

Ifill was online Thursday, January 22 to take questions and comments. She also discussed her just-published book, The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama, which was reviewed in Washington Post Book World.

A transcript follows.

Ifill is moderator and managing editor of "Washington Week" and senior correspondent for "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer." Ifill spent several years as a "Washington Week" panelist before taking over the moderator's chair in October 1999. Before coming to PBS, she spent five years at NBC News as chief congressional and political correspondent. Her reports appeared on "NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw," "Today," "Meet the Press" and MSNBC. Ifill joined NBC News from The New York Times where she covered the White House and politics. She also covered national and local affairs for The Washington Post, Baltimore Evening Sun, and Boston Herald American.

"Washington Week with Gwen Ifill and National Journal," airs on WETA/Channel 26, Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. (check local listings).

____________________

Gwen Ifill: happy to be back, everybody!

_______________________

Inauguration: Would you take a moment to reflect and let us know what Inauguration experience floats up as most memorable for you personally these past several days?

Thank you.

Gwen Ifill: There were a LOT of moments this week. I was on the mall Tuesday trying to capture the voices in the crowd for a piece that ran that night on the NewsHour. It was a tremendous sight, of course, but even more affecting close up. As the President was taking the oath, my eye fell on a woman named Eugenia Pete from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who fell to her knees crying at just that moment. When I interviewed her a few minutes later, she was still weeping -- said she had been all day (from the cold as well as the emotion). It was impossible to watch the piece that aired that night without tearing up. If I'd stayed up on the press riser, I would never have met her.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: I was watching ABC when President Obama was sworn in and afterwards Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer were talking to Donna Brazile. Gibson and Sawyer were joking with Brazile when she said she took Obama's blanket and Gibson made a joke about having to call the Secret Service and see if Donna Brazile committed a felony. It was all in good humor.

Donna Brazile got very serious and said "We have an African American President. It's fine.".

I FULLY supported Obama, but I am bothered by black news people making comments like this. What if I, as a white woman, said something like this if Hillary Clinton had gotten elected? Are these types of comments necessary? Are they respected? As a Democrat, I was embarrassed -- especially since I was watching this with Republican family members, so I had to listen to snarky comments.

Gwen Ifill: It would have bothered you if someone had expressed pride at the election of the first woman President? Really?

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Enjoyed you on Olbermann. Do you think there's a chance that in closing Gitmo, Obama might return land to Cuba to normalize relations?

Gwen Ifill: I'm thinking closing Guantanamo may keep his hands full for awhile. I don't know where normalizing relations with Cuba falls on the new President's list of priorities.

_______________________

Oakland, California: Gwen, here's a question of pressing national importance: While I know that Washington Week is unrehearsed, do you and your colleagues get together beforehand to go over the order of topics to be covered? And what DO you chat about at the end of the show, when the camera is still on you all, but the sound is off?

Gwen Ifill: The panelists certainly know what order their segments will run in. What would be the point in springing it on them? As for what we chat about when the microphones are off... check out our after-the-show podcast at pbs.org/washingtonweek.

_______________________

Menomonie, Wisc.: Good afternoon. This may be slightly off-topic but it fits in well with current events. As we know, Senator Cornyn put a hold on Eric Holder's nomination for attorney general for a week. Yet, here are Senator Cornyn's own words when speaking about former President Bush's nominees several years ago:

"Every nominee deserves an up-and-down vote. If a senator feels a nominee is unqualified or unethical, then he can vote not to confirm."

Does it appear that Senator Cornyn applies different standards to Democratic nominees? Also, President Obama has an 86% approval rating just on his third day. Isn't Senator Cornyn wading into politically dangerous territory appearing to obstruct President Obama's nominee? Thank you...

Gwen Ifill: I am not inside Senator Cornyn's head, but I suspect he is delaying -- not blocking -- the vote, and that Mr. Holder will ultimately get his up or down vote.

_______________________

Bangor, Maine: I recall clearly the controversy of Ms. Ifill moderating one of the presidential debates in the fall of 2008 while her forthcoming book, "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama" was gaining popular attention. Those who questioned a potential conflict of interest and lack of impartiality on the part of Ms. Ifill were dismissed as trite and politically biased, and her book in no way would benefit from the election of Mr. Obama. Yet, she is seen on CNN discussing her book with Anderson Cooper promoting her book on the first day of Mr. Obama's presidency. Is this this in conflict with the following clause from the Society of Professional Journalists? It may not be, but in seeking truth, should not the question be asked and answered in open forum?

"- Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two." (see: www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp)

Gwen Ifill: Thanks for asking.
When you have the opportunity to read the book, I think you will be able to determine for yourself that it is a reported examination of a generation of rising political leaders, including but not limited to, Mr. Obama. I know it's much more fun to assume than to read, but if you are really bothered by this, I believe it will put your concerns to rest.

Cliff notes: The book is about Deval Patrick, Artur Davis, Cory Booker, Barack Obama, racial identity, gender politics, legacy politics and a whole bunch of other smart people you probably have never heard of. If you are interested in politics, I think you will enjoy it.

_______________________

Alexandia, Va.: I am curious as to why your book was published just before Barack Obama became president. Would you have liked to include commentary about his inauguration day and first days in office or were you up against a publisher's deadline? I haven't seen your book yet but eagerly await my opportunity to do so.

Gwen Ifill: Since the book is only tangentially about Mr. Obama and his new Administration, including the inauguration itself did not seem necessary.

_______________________

Cathedral City, Calif.: About Gitmo -- the U.S. has had a naval base there for many years. Does the gov't intend to close down the entire base, or just the terrorist jail facility?

Gwen Ifill: Good question. I don't know. But I am assuming the closure applies only to the detention facility.

_______________________

Chattanooga, Tenn.: Greetings,

I wanted to know... After President Elect Obama was given his first "special national security briefing" he was asked in part by a reporter if this had enlightened him or changed his mind on his national security stance. He responded "no comment," do you think he may have changed his mind? From what to what on what issue if so? Specifically what if anything may be different on his views concerning Iraq or Afghanistan.

Gwen Ifill: If you find someone who can answer that question -- that is, someone who has been inside Mr. Obama's head and knows what he is thinking -- please send along their contact information. Now THAT would be a great source!

_______________________

Sunapee, N.H.: Gwen, Greetings. Despite the cynical (even snipey) commentary from pundits on your panel, the American public that voted for change/Obama is optimistic and looking forward to a D.C. that can rise above the pessimistic mongering of your panel.

Gwen Ifill: I have no idea what program you have been watching, but try "Washington Week." On Friday nights even in lovely Lake Sunapee.

_______________________

Sewickley, Pa: Hello, Gwen, I saw you on Countdown last night -- I hope your book shoots to the top of the list and you get your voice back!! I know I should take the Obama approach which seems to be "don't sweat the small stuff" but I really really feel that Chief Justice Roberts robbed millions of people here and abroad of a moment that should have been wonderful. Instead of a glorious moment we got an idiotic stumble. Was it his vanity that prevented him from bringing a crib sheet? Can you imagine the backlash if a Democratic Chief Justice muffed the oath for a Republican president?

Gwen Ifill: Is it just me, or does it seem that the miffed oath controversy will blow over in the time it takes to read this webchat?

_______________________

Alexandria - again: No - it wouldn't bother me about the first woman President. What bothered me was the tone in which she said it, and the race implications? My question is would people have been upset if a white person had said this? I do know and appreciate the significance of Obama's presidency, and I was behind him from the beginning - but for a Democratic strategist to make that comment was uncalled for. That's my point!

Gwen Ifill: And my point is we have a hard time in this country allowing people to talk about race as a positive.

_______________________

Bethesda, Maryland: Ms. Ifill,

Do you plan a book signing in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area; if so, when and where?

Gwen Ifill: I will be at Politics and Prose this coming Saturday and at a literary festival right there in Bethesda in April.

_______________________

D.C.: I've been curious about the whole "debate" over whether Obama is black or bi-racial. I was wondering whether you consider yourself to be the same race as Obama? This is under my assumption that you are not bi-racial.

Gwen Ifill: The actor Don Cheadle told Henry Louis Gates: "You are what you have to defend."
That works for me.

_______________________

Rockville, Md: I look forward to reading your book.

This may sound odd, but when I listen to Obama I am reminded of two of my heroes. One is Eisenhower, the other is Malcolm X. In my opinion, both men foresaw a nation where eventually intolerance of the basic human rights would become an anathema to every citizen.

From the Eisenhower National Historic Site" "Eisenhower loathed McCarthy and the ruthless tactics of his communist witch hunt."

Malcolm X experienced life, in my opinion, as a great poet. One of my favorite quotes: "A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything."

Gwen Ifill: Doesn't sound odd at all.

_______________________

Anonymous: Please go out on a limb and let us know who you think will be the new U.S. Senator from New York and who will be the new nominee for Secretary of Commerce. Thanks!

Gwen Ifill: No limbs for me! I am almost always content to report the news rather than speculate on it.

_______________________

Weehawken, N.J.: Hi Ms. Ifill, Thanks for the chat, and good luck with your new book.

What do you think about the claim of Manfred Nowak that the Bush/Cheney administration spied on journalists?

Do you think that anyone in that administration will be investigated for war crimes?

Gwen Ifill: I can only read between the lines, but the President has so far demonstrated a marked lack of enthusiasm for investigating the previous administration.

_______________________

Washington: Do you think there'll be some point when we forget that Obama is black? You know, when he's just the president doing his job, not the first African-American president doing his job.

Gwen Ifill: Why would we want to "forget that Obama is black?"

_______________________

Washington: I didn't see the Donna Brazile exchange on TV, but I'm thinking there's a good chance she wasn't being dead serious when she made that remark. I don't know the woman, but I've seen her on TV plenty of times and she seems to have a kind of dead pan sense of humor. I have a hard time believing she was serious.

Gwen Ifill: I do know Donna. Whether she was serious or joking (which is highly possible) I still don't get what would be offensive about what she said.

_______________________

ISO book tour advice: My own first book is being published this spring (not a potential bestseller like yours, but still a "real" book!), and I'd appreciate a little book tour advice from a pro. What do you wish you'd known beforehand, besides obvious things like always wear comfortable shoes and go to the bathroom whenever one gets the chance?

Gwen Ifill: I'm just beginning the book tour, so I don't have any tips yet. But the advice you suggest sounds like what I tell reporters heading out to cover their first political campaigns... so it probably holds for this too!

_______________________

"Eisenhower loathed McCarthy and the ruthless tactics of his communist witch hunt" : Talk about revisionist history! Ike didn't actually do much to shut Joe McCarthy down, despite being President and (at least unofficial) head of his political party. The dirty job fell to, ahem, TV journalist Ed Murrow.

Gwen Ifill: I am sure the chatter would be happy to add Edward R. Murrow to his/her heroes list.

_______________________

NYC: Is there more light to Kennedy saying she no longer wants to be senator? I just don't buy the story about it having to do with Ted Kennedy's health. His health problem is nothing new, despite the recent episode. We know she didn't think his brain cancer was just going to go away. There is definitely another reason for this that they are not saying. Do you agree, and if so, what could be the other reason(s)?

Gwen Ifill: I don't know yet, but you can be assured there are LOTS of reporters trying to get to the bottom of this by now. We'll tell you the best of what we know tomorrow night on Washington Week.

_______________________

Anonymous: "Why would we want to "forget that Obama is black?""

I thought the whole idea was that we don't see each other as races. We won't forget his race, but wouldn't it be nice when his race is no longer novel? When he is defined by his greatness not his race.

Gwen Ifill: I am not one who gets on soap boxes, but this thread inspires me.
Listen, there is nothing wrong with celebrating difference. They key is to not allow it to be an I-am-better-than-you thing.
In a country that enslaved its citizens, yet used them to build the Capitol steps on which President Obama took the oath of office, there is nothing wrong without taking note of the arc of history -- so much of which has happened in out lifetimes.

Race is not all of what we are, but is part of what we are. What's wrong with that?

_______________________

Springfield, Va.: the WSJ http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/01/21/turbotax-responds-to-treasury-nominees-disclosure/ is reporting that Turbo Tax says Geithner's tax errors were his fault, not a problem with their software. How much trouble is his nomination in?

Gwen Ifill: ...and before Geithner ID'd Turbotax (in response to a Senator's question) he also said he did not blame the software, but took full responsibility for his own mistakes.
That said, as of today, his nomination still seems to be on track.

_______________________

Richmond, Va.: You said - Why would we want to "forget that Obama is black?"

Maybe because we really want to fulfill the entire legacy of Dr. King's dream, that a man is judged on his merit, not the color of his skin.

I see Barack H. Obama, the 44th President of the U.S., not Barack H. Obama, the 1st Black President of the U.S.

Gwen Ifill: See him any way you want to. That's fine. But also read a few more of Dr. King's speeches, and understand that that one line was not the entire legacy of the dream. The dream was also about ending poverty and providing level playing fields.

_______________________

Why would we want to "forget that Obama is black?" : Why would we want to remember that Obama is black? I never gave it a second thought that Bush was white, or any others before him. So, other than marking the election as a first, why shouldn't we remember Obama for the quality of his character rather than the color of his skin?

Gwen Ifill: Hey, to forget our history is to repeat it.

_______________________

Brooklyn: I've been noticing this sense that Obama's ascent to the presidency marks the culmination of MLK's "I have a Dream" Speech. It's as though when Obama was sworn in, King's dream came true.

Some believe that Obama's election proves that there is no need for affirmative action any more. That racism and prejudice is buried and dead in America.

Certainly an African American president was part of MLK's dream. But too many Pollyannas in this country are acting as though his work is now done. It is not. The summit is not reached when just one gets there, but when everyone gets there.

This is definitely a great first step up, but let's hope America doesn't get complacent and think there's no more work to be done.

Gwen Ifill: I didn't write this, but I could have.

_______________________

Gitmo shutdown: How much of the choice of Guantanamo Bay for holding the alleged terrorists was due to its isolated location, and how much to the ability of the US Government to have control over the people but still allege in court that it was on Cuban, not U.S. territory, and thus not subject to U.S. Constitutional restrictions (a pretty convoluted argument)?

Gwen Ifill: It is fair to say it was the latter more so than the former.

_______________________

Hey, to forget our history is to repeat it.: Does this apply to investigations of the Bush administration?

Gwen Ifill: Depends whether you equate lack of investigation with forgetting.

_______________________

Ann Arbor: It seems that there is a point in this chat every time where race comes up and often it seems that people want to draw you into a discussion. It also seems like Michael Fletcher gets it from time to time as well.

David Broder is never asked to respond as a white person and I haven't seen similar things with other reporters.

Just a comment

Gwen Ifill: And a good comment at that. But, hey, better we talk about these things than not.

_______________________

Speaking of your book and the show...: Congratulations on the publication of your new book. I saw it featured on the GwenIfillFansite.com website -- how cool is that?

Also, with all the cutbacks everywhere, including public TV and radio, am I to (sadly) presume Washington Week will not soon be expanding to an hour?

Finally, Who's on tomorrow night? There's no way 20ish minutes is enough to cover all the important news topics.

Again, congrats on your book!

Gwen Ifill: I have to admit I'd never seen this before.

All righty then.

Tomorrow's program, as you can imagine, will be chock full.

We'll tackle the symbolism and the practical reality of the week with Dan Balz of the Washington Post, Karen Tumulty of Time, Pete Williams of NBC News and Martha Raddatz od ABC (just back from her 18th trip to Iraq!).

_______________________

Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.