Since the Book is about BHO and is scheduled to hit the bookstores on Inauguration day, she stands to make more money after a BHO win than a JSM win.
I don't think it would hurt her to recuse herself as a judge would , but the candidates are not demanding it , and she seems to feel that she can be journalistic professional , so it is her option.
Having a journalist of admitted prejudice is probably better than having one with secret prejudice.