Slog - Comments on Russert's Replacement

Comment by Providence

Providence — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:20:05 -0800

My bet is Brokaw will fill in ad interim until they grow a new MSM clone in a test tube at the NBC labs.

Comment by Trey

Trey — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:28:24 -0800

I tend to agree about Ifill being a good choice, but I'll throw another name in there for consideration - Judy Woodruff, currently with PBS, formerly with NBC from 1977-83, married to Al Hunt, and a close friend of Russert's.

Comment by Timothy

Timothy — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:29:01 -0800

I think Andrea Mitchell might do well in that position.

Comment by w7ngman

w7ngman — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:29:27 -0800

I vaguely remember Ifil pissing me off during the 2004 presidential debate that she moderated. Anyone else have a similar memory?

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:42:04 -0800

Should be, but never underestimate the sexism of the newsroom and the corporate boards that run them into the ground.

Comment by Enuja

Enuja — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:44:17 -0800

#4 -> She apparently moderated the Vice Presidential Debate in 2004.

Wikipedia has a list of her questions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._presidential_election_debates%2C_2004#Vice-presidential_debate_.E2.80.94_October_5

Wikisource has a transcript. http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/2004_U.S._Vice-Presidential_Debate_-_October_5

and there's also video & audio streaming of the debate. I didn't watch it, so I have no idea if she did something obnoxious.

Comment by John

John — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:52:46 -0800

I like Ifil. She'd be a great choice.

Comment by Psot

Psot — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:13:10 -0800

I vote for Brokaw filling in until after the general election. Then I'd be pleased with Andrea Mitchell, Judy Woodruff, Rachel Maddow or Chuck Todd taking on the host duties after that.

Comment by w7ngman

w7ngman — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:50:08 -0800

I think it had something to do with asking Cheney a bunch of a softballs and not following up or challenging him on his obvious lies.

Comment by DavidC

DavidC — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:52:45 -0800

I suspect Brokaw will do the first couple shows then it will rotate through a couple anchors until after the election.

David Gregory seems the most likely host at the moment although Chuck Todd would probably be the best long term solution.

I can't see it being Mathews, he's 63 already and has hinted about running for office himself. Joe Scarborough was mentioned too but he would seem too much of an idealogue. I love Maddow but I don't see it - hopefully if Gregory goes on MTP she's get her own show - or at least be co host of a panel show.

Comment by w7ngman

w7ngman — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:55:04 -0800

"When the president says that Senator Kerry is emboldening enemies and you say that we could get hit again if voters make the wrong choice in November, are you saying that it would be a dangerous thing to have John Kerry as president?"

"President Bush has derided in John Kerry for putting a trial lawyer on the ticket. You yourself have said that lawsuits are partly to blame for higher medical costs. Are you willing to say that John Edwards, sitting here, has been part of the problem?"

"Does that make your effort or your plan to internationalize this effort seem kind of naive?"

"Do you feel personally attacked when Vice President Cheney talks about liability reform and tort reform and the president talks about having a trial lawyer on the ticket?"

"What's wrong with a little flip-flop every now and then?"

Ugh.

Comment by chicagogaydude

chicagogaydude — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:17:58 -0800

I vote for a revolving panel of hosts like before Russert. It's a two-fer. More diversity of points of view and less newsperson-as-star.

Comment by elswinger

elswinger — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:35:08 -0800

My first choice would be Andrea Mitchell, whom I would say is equal too or better the interviewer that Tim Russert was. Chuck Todd and Eugene Robinson tie for a very close second. As high a position that Todd has risen in such a short time, he might be too young. Eugene Robinson is great, but he would have to quit writing for Washington Post since MTP is a full time job.

As much as I like Rachel Maddow and listen to her every night, she is too much on the left. I'm afraid she's lob softballs to the Democrats and wouldn't let a Republican get a word in (as much as a show like that would appeal to some Sloggers, that is not the purpouse of Meet The Press.

Comment by michael strangeways

michael strangeways — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:10:31 -0800

I think they're leaning towards David Spade...

Comment by elswinger

elswinger — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:10:00 -0800

UPDATE: Rachel Maddow hosted Race To The White House today and David Gregory was nowhere to be seen. My money is of Gregory as the next host of MTP.

Comment by Joe

Joe — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:23:53 -0800

Gwen Ifell is too full of herself. NBC has no "bench strength." If they want to maintain ratings, they will be forced to bring in someone from the outside.

Comment by aesthetic.terrorist

aesthetic.terrorist — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:07:00 -0800

If you really want to see MSNBC take the gloves off and insert a no-bullshit junkyard dog as the new host of MTP, personal politics aside, I think Cristopher Hitchens would be the ideal candidate. The man is more than capable of effectively striking fear into the hearts of politicians, and is absolutely revered by many. The guy can run circles around MSM whores without even breaking a sweat, and if you put him toe-to-toe with any of the before mentioned picks from the so-called short list, they'd be a smoking hole in the pavement before the first commercial break. If he could only restrain himself long enough to remain neutral for the one hour time slot, he would not only ask the truly hard questions, but virtually cremate anyone you put in front of him. He has everything that will be required of Russert's successor and then some. Or we could always exhume Russert, give him the voice of Darth Vader, and carry on as if nothing happened.