Prometheus 6

I was going to ask if anyone really worried about a pro-Obama bias in the forum.

THAT is the 'special' question. Makes me feela little dumber to have even considered asking it.

Smiley Promises Balanced Debate on Black Issues
By Politics
Thursday, June 28, 2007; A04

When Democratic contenders meet at Howard University on Thursday night for their third presidential debate, the agenda will be focused on issues of importance to African American voters. But despite a panel made up entirely of minority journalists, the event is "not tailor-made" for Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), said Tavis Smiley, the PBS host who will moderate the forum.

"Barack Obama could absolutely tank," Smiley said yesterday. He said he would neither prop up Obama, the only African American candidate in the race, nor set any traps for him. Instead, the eight candidates will all get to answer each of the 12 questions he asks during the 90-minute forum.

Smiley said he considers Obama a friend, but Smiley has also offered advice to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (Ill.), whom he described as having "a shell" around her. "I've tried to encourage her to be more open, and I've asked her, 'Do you have a soul?' " Smiley said. He declined to share Clinton's answer.

The debate will be aired on PBS from 9 to 10:30 p.m.