Is MSNBC grooming liberal radio host Schultz?

[babylonsister]

Yea, politico...

http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/0309/Is_MSNBC_grooming_liberal_radio_host_Schultz.html?showall


Is MSNBC grooming liberal radio host Schultz?


With liberal radio host Ed Schultz guest-hosting MSNBC's 6 p.m. show "1600" on Tuesday, The Observer reports that there are rumors he might be being groomed for his own show -- especially with the network considering a new program for the post-Maddow, 10 p.m. slot.

"They believe—and they're probably right—that the skills you develop as a guy doing several hours of talk radio every day for a couple of decades are easily put to use in television," said one network source. "Then again, Ed is really aggressive and a big self-promoter. So it could be him starting the rumors.

The opportunity to guest host on Tuesday night arose because {David} Shuster will be filling in as a substitute anchor for Keith Olbermann on Countdown at 8 p.m.

Ever since network president Phil Griffin told the NY Times that he was considering a 10 p.m. show to run instead of the "Countdown" rerun, a couple liberal radio hosts -- Cenk Uygur, of "The Young Turks." and Air America's Sam Seder -- have been lobbying for the job with grassroots campaigns. Both could peg to the success of Maddow, who cut her chops on Air America, as reason to support such a candidate.

The Observer also notes that there are ongoing rumors about whether Shuster will continue at 6 p.m., and if Schultz -- a guy with front row access in the East Room -- could be up for that job, the TBD 10 p.m. slot, or neither.

An MSNBC spokesperson, however, tried to clamp down the internal chatter. "Ed is a regular on 1600. He’s filling in for David tonight, while David fills in for Keith. It’s as simple as that."

[msongs]

1. rush the drug addict had a tv show, that didn't turn out so well nt

[babylonsister]

2. So does Rachel; it can work. nt

[annabanana]

3. I will be watching this closely. . . I'm not his biggest fan.

For me he's more of a blue dog, corporate type... .Let's see how this goes.

[babylonsister]

4. I don't listen to him, so know next to nothing about him, except the

occasional appearances I've seen on cable. :shrug:

[Captain Hilts]

11. Same here. And he is an imitation of Limbaugh. Ugh! Too many people yelling at me on AM radio. nt

[onehandle]

13. Ed pulls back on the voice when he's on the tube.

And unlike Rush, he tells the truth.

[ihavenobias]

14. Yeah, the idea that he's a liberal version of Limbaugh is questionable at best.

And while I may not want yelling in my ear all day, I also find the hushed NPR tones to be sleep inducing after a while.

How about some balance?

[onehandle]

5. God I hope so. He would be awesome at 10!

He's a Huge pro-union lefty who can bring in Joe six pack.

Go Big Eddie. He's on Now.

[DainBramaged]

7. Big Eddie would stand with us on the picket line, bats in hand to crush the scabs

He is one of the good guys, a long-ago converted Conservative who sees the good in America and the middle-class.

[ihavenobias]

9. That's what I like about him.

He's not , and he's not as progressive or entertaining as I would like, but with that said I think he could be great at appealing to (primarily, don't get mad if you like him and you don't fall into these two groups) centrists and right leaning types.

He's got a touch of that Southern accent, he hunts and fishes and he doesn't complicate things (and he's pro-labor). I'm not in that target audience (although I'm also pro-labor), but I recognize the value in it. I'm glad Ed is out there.

[onehandle]

12. ...and he calls out right-wing bastards much like Keith and Rachel do.

That's important with a "huntin' and fishin'" regular guy like Ed.

It means more coming from him.

[tularetom]

6. Only republico.com would call Big Ed a "liberal radio host"

H refers to himself as a liberal but he mostly espouses fairly centrist themes.

I enjoy listening to him even if I don't agree with 100% of what he says.

Of course I don't agree with 100% of what anybody says. I guess I come the closest with Tom Hartmann.

[mwb970]

8. He's doing a great job today.

What a natural. It's like he was born to it. Same way I felt about Rachel when I first saw her host a show. I'd like to see Ed on either 1600 or his own 10 PM show.

[babylonsister]

10. David Shuster has grown on me; Big Ed can have the

10pm slot. ;)

[lib2DaBone]

15. Give Big Ed A Chance....

He is one of the few people who can go toe-to-toe with Hannity, O'reilly or Ann Coulture.

Big Ed knows his stuff, and he won't back down.

He has to play the wounded Republican role, because our society is SO FAR RIGHT OFF THE CHART.. he has no choice if he wants to be heard.

Ed Schultz is not a righty.. but he can out-talk them any day. This is the kind of guy we need.

[CatholicEdHead]

16. I don't see why not

He will probably do it from the KVLY-TV studios in Fargo, that is the NBC Affiliate.