KO put MSNBC on the map. He'd do well on MTP.

[dailykoff]

He's a big draw and let's face it he's perfectly aligned with the future admin. He seems like a natural fit to replace Russert.

[Joe the Revelator]

1. Nah, Olberman wears his opinions on his sleeve

MTP will have someone who doesn't show their political cards as much.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. I'd suspect that he would play it straight.

[GreenPartyVoter]

55. I think so too. I think his sarcastic liberal persona we see on CountDown is

a stylistic thing for the type of program he is on. Put him in a more formal setting, you'll get a more formal KO.

[niceypoo]

86. Any cred he had as a fair journalist went out the window during the primaries...

A lot of people tainted themselves during the primaries, anger has a way of poisoning a persons integrity.

[dailykoff]

6. Russert did the same.

I'm not complaining, but he was what he was, and that was nakedly partisan. Very little pretense of objectivity. His "interviews" with prominent dems were more like shark attacks. Hard to watch at times.

[WA98070]

26. It was attempts not to show his DEMOCRATIC side that forced him to over correct.

[dailykoff]

28. That's a very generous interpretation

but I don't buy it. He gotcha'd Dems til he was blue in the face and he rubbed the GOP trolls tummies. I didn't find his show the least bit objective.

[Clark2008]

57. I think you need to read this

At one point in the evening, Gore explains, Russert approached the candidates. As Gore was closest to him, Russert respectfully shook his hand and then moved on to Bush. Thinking that Gore had turned away, Russert shook Bush’s hand and, mischievously, turned over his jacket lapel to reveal a Bush campaign pin hidden under the fold.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Time%20for%20change/31

Democratic side? Hardly.

[LTR]

69. Just because Russert could be a bit harsh does not make him a RW whore

I am of the firm belief that journalists should ask tough questions, and play devil's advocate. I'm most offended by journalists who suck up to their subjects and ask fluffy questions. I also get offended by the ones who delve into the gutter and act sleazy, like that ABC debate a few months back. Russert could be tough on everyone, and that's what made him good. And the stuff he covered was substantial.

Quite frankly, I've always liked Russert's work. I didn't always agree with him, but I can't think of anyone I always agree with. He was passionate about his work, and it showed.

[Dharmacrat]

24. agreed... love him, but not the right gig

[Phx_Dem]

53. That's pretty much true,

but his show is a commentary/analysis type of show where, frankly, he's allowed to give his opinion. Considering that, he doesn't do it as blatantly as he could if he wanted to, ala Randi Rhodes, Stephanie Miller, Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Rielly, etc. You can usually tell who he favors of the Dems, but he doesn't come right out and say what it, unless it's in a Special Comment and you have to do something pretty heinous in his eyes to warrant a Comment. MTP is a journalism show which is quite different. If he were to replace Russert, Olbermann is smart enough to know that his opinions would be unwarranted and unwelcome. At least I think he is!

It is pretty obvious that he is as disgusted with Republicans as the rest of the country so that could be a problem as far as neutrality. I guess. Although how does anyone not hate Republicans after the last eight years?

[Divine Discontent]

3. true.. and he has shown he's willing to hit our side when he needs to

for failures or bad choices.



New Obama Items Weekly!
www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable

[Divine Discontent]

5. in saying that, I don't see it happening...

he's too well known for hitting the GOP, and I'd suppose few GOP candidates would want to face his grillings!! LOL

[dailykoff]

21. The GOP isn't exactly popular these days.

I don't think KO's show took off because he's out of step with the politcal climate.

[Divine Discontent]

36. true, sometimes (lol) networks do things just for ratings, not because

they want to be fair...


LOLLLLLL (I say that with utter sarcasm, as I think about how much they have kept liberal thoughts off TV ever since 9/11 in their march to murder overseas, and a stripping down of our civil liberties)

[Saturday]

4. I think he'd be an awful pick. nt

[PoliticalAmazon]

11. IMO, he's a better fit where he is. n/t

[dailykoff]

18. He could stay where he is and do MTP.

Others have doubled up before.

[grasswire]

7. no.

Not gonna happen.

[Raine1967]

8. I love KO, but no

he is too partisan. And good on him for that. Besides, I don't think KO has the insider contacts that Russert had.

[dailykoff]

14. Russert was partisan.

Very partisan.

[Shakespeare]

17. I assume you're aware he was a dem....

[dailykoff]

19. I'm aware he started as a Dem, yes.

But he earned his pay for GE in the last decade.

[Shakespeare]

25. If you've watched him closely this election season, it's quite clear he still is.

Was he tough on Clinton? You betcha. And it was his job to be so.

And if you're listening to the comments from people he's grilled over the years, it's clear that they think he was always consumately fair.

[dailykoff]

30. I agree he was getting a little better but not much. Take the debate

he moderated with asshat Williams. Remember his gotcha question on "what if al Qaeda came back to Iraq after you pulled out the troops"? That's the kind of bullshit I'm talking about.

[peaches2003]

99. Actually that's a fair question

What would any of the candidates do if their policies produced unitended consequences.

[ClassWarrior]

72. He was a hack who sold out his Dem values to that bastard Jack Welch.

NGU.

[saracat]

9. That has got to be a joke?And in bad tast too. KO isn't fit to polish Russert's boots.

[Indenturedebtor]

59. Lol you do know that Russert wanted HRC out of the race a few months ago too right?

Has your opinion changed?

---------

Anyways I would hate to see KO leave CountDown. Though he could pass it over to Maddow and... hrmmm.

[saracat]

66. Nope.

[ClassWarrior]

73. How does one wear boots over pig's hooves?

NGU.

[WA98070]

10. KO would be perfect if he wanted it but I feel he prefers to be less diplomatic than MTP requires.

[dailykoff]

13. He could do both shows.

I've seen other anchors double up and I don't doubt he could do the same. Russert had two jobs two as somebody else pointed out. :shrug:

[MadBadger]

12. Tim Russert was a straight arrow serious journalist

I dont know what his political leanings were, and that is what makes him effective in a way in which Stephanopolous cant. KO needs to remain in his spot where he can take a strong stand on the issues he is passionate about. I think this country just lost one of its premiere journalists. I dont want to now lose the left's best TV Mind

[dailykoff]

16. Let's not get carried away.

Yes, he was getting a little better, but he was a MIC attack dog whenever it counted. At least whenever I watched.

[LibraLiz1973]

48. Then I am sure you are thrilled he is gone

Your thread is in poor taste, as are your responses within.

[Clovis Sangrail]

22. 0.o

Russert was pretty blatantly partisan at times.

He did try to at least keep up appearances, but take a serious look at his interviews.
There is little doubt about which political party he tossed softballs to and which he went after.

KO could easily be as "nuetral".

[Shakespeare]

15. It's going to be very, very hard to find somebody with Russert's interview skills.

Todd is an outstanding analyst (and Russert's protege), but I'm not sure I've seen him interview anyone. I can't think of anybody who can fill those shoes at the moment.

[skooooo]

20. too partisan...nt

[dailykoff]

23. Russert was WAY too partisan

for my taste. His show reminded me of RW radio most of the time.

[skooooo]

65. I'd like a serious journalist to take charge...

I'd like to see some professionalism like Cronkite and a few of the old schoolers had.

[fadedrose]

27. Absolutely MTP - but I want him to stay on nightly as well.....

[dailykoff]

29. Don't worry, he can do both.

Lots of anchors have before.

[Upton]

31. Bad idea

to host MTP he'd have to reel in his partisan views and probably quit Countdown.

[dailykoff]

34. Well, what if he didn't reel in his partisan views,

which seem to be the partisan views of most of the country. :shrug:

[Stinky The Clown]

That will never, ever happen

He is the direct opposite of 'impartial' and impartial is what a venerable program like MTP must appear to be.

I'm not sure there's anyone at NBC who can take it over.

Maybe they'll go back to the old format ...... "Meet the Press" was about meeting .... well ..... the press. A panel of (I think it was) four journalists and a moderator. The moderator was not the center of the show; he was truly a moderator.

Russert was always called 'the moderator of Meet The Press' ...... but was always on as a solo. Who was he moderating? The title was an artifact from the old show format.

[dailykoff]

38. There's always got to be a moderator

even with the round table format, and the moderator is always going to have a point of view. Whatever format they go with I'd rather KO's pov was the deciding one.

[Medusa]

52. Ever seen Keith interview a Republican?

I can recall maybe one or two interviews but none lately, certainly. That's what makes Meet the Press, Meet the Press. It's that mix of Democrats, Republicans, and other journalists that is the show. Forget about the Republicans, there are Democrats and other journalists who don't want to go anywhere near Olbermann.

Let me ask another question: Have you ever even seen Keith on NBC, period? That's why he won't be getting the call to host MTP.

[dailykoff]

54. I haven't,, but I'd sure like to.

Wouldn't you? They've been getting the VIP treatment for eight freakin' years!

[Medusa]

78. You don't get it.

Not only would the GOPers refuse to sit down with Olbermann, I'm guessing a fair number of Dems would refuse as well. He's not mainstream, network anchor material and he never will be. He's painted himself into a corner that he can't get out of. It's our corner and we can all think he's the greatest thing since sliced bread but that's not how he's perceived in the real world. That's why he'll never go beyond cable unless something horrible happens and every network anchor in DC and NYC is vaporized overnight.

[Medusa]

32. LOL.

Yeah, right. Ain't gonna happen buddy. No way, no how, not ever.

[my3boyz]

33. Love Olberman but I don't think he could hide his views. nt

[dailykoff]

35. That doesn't bother me

and I didn't think Russert hid his views particularly well in any case.

[bunnies]

37. I think it will be Tweety.

Time will tell.

[dailykoff]

39. My understanding is that KO has a bigger audience

but that's only one consideration I know.

[bunnies]

43. I dont doubt it. But...

Tweety seems most like Russert to me. Always smiling... loves politics... loves life...

I dunno. Its just so shocking and sad.

[dailykoff]

44. It really is sad.

I'm glad he got to take that last vacation with his family and I hope he left them secure financially.

[bunnies]

46. And that he got to see his son graduate from college.

Im sure they'll be fine financially... Tim being VP of NBC news and all...

I never thought I'd cry over the death of a pundit. :cry: Even Mr. bunnies cried. And Mr. bunnies is a man that never even followed politics until I dragged him kicking and screaming only a few years ago. Whatever people say about Russert... he was one of my favorite journalists. And now I'm learning that he was an amazing guy. :cry:

I just keep thinking about his coverage of the revelation that Ted Kennedy had cancer. "He got to see the reaction to his death" Russert said. More crying.

[Exilednight]

63. It won't be Tweety. In fact, NBC is debating on whether or not they will keep ...........

Hardball on their air, and also possibly dropping his Sunday morning show on NBC.

Personally, I think it will be Chuck Todd.

[MonkeyFunk]

82. And 30 Rock has an even bigger audience

so hire Tina Fey.

Olbermann just isn't right for the job, no matter how big his audience.

[eleny]

40. "put MSNBC on the map"

I hadn't thought of that aspect of things. But you're right. I posted earlier that I thought he could bring gravitas to a report. So i think he could do quite a good job. But I imagine that seniority at the network will come into play.

[dailykoff]

41. Yes they'll probably go with the usual RW mouthpiece

but then again, they might go for ratings and that would put KO in a pretty good position.

[Ichingcarpenter]

42. KO is taking the leadership role right now for NBC and MSNBC if that

tells you anything on where he stands with his network. He is doing
the interviews and controlling the discourse.

[TheDonkey]

51. KO is the leader of the new MSNBC, and deservedly so

but there is a difference between MSNBC and NBC.

[Ichingcarpenter]

56. But not totally ..... NBC news and NBC are two separate entities

But NBC news and MSNBC news are tied very closely together.

They just discussed that they don't know how MTP will be handled.
But consider that his legancy and program must be handled now right
before this important election.

Maybe they will bring back the three panel interviewing team
they had for years. Maybe a rotating MTP interviewer. I
think NBC is hit pretty hard since Tim Russett was
head of NBC news.


Tweety is on the phone right now from Paris.

[TheDonkey]

58. Yes, MTP was the dominate monster in ratings on sunday

mornings.

KO and MSNBC's brand seems to be different than that of NBC News. It is becoming more progressive imo and the ratings have climbed. Maybe NBC news will embrace that shift but I do not know. I'd hate to see KO have to "tone it down" just so he can fit in with the likes of George Stephenopolous who once was principled is now bland and irrelevant.

[Berry Cool]

45. KO would be great, but he's not DC-based

and I don't know whether he'd want to move there. Loves New York too much. Only other places he's ever lived have been Ithaca (college), Boston (very briefly) and LA.

He'd have to move to DC to be able to sit across the desk from all those pols every week. Either that or he'd spend a lot of time on the train.

Editing: He lived in Connecticut when with ESPN, but he HATED it.

[LibraLiz1973]

47. This is totally inappropriate

The body is not even cold yet.
I guarantee KO would be deeply offended/hurt that you would even suggest this right now.

[Ichingcarpenter]

50. They just talked about it on NBC and they have no clue on how to fill the gap

With people who were on Tim's Roundtable.

[TheDonkey]

49. I do not want KO having to tone down his independence so he can be on MTP. Keep him on Countdown

I do not want him wasting his talents interviewing random republican senators.

[Barack_America]

60. I disagree. He has no experience in Washington politics...

And is much more of an entertainer than a serious political journalist.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

61. No Way That Would Happen. He Isn't Even Close To Being The Right Fit.

Not sure why you think in a million years he'd be their pick.

[Tatiana]

62. They are gonna have to pull Tom Brokaw out of retirement for a while, I think.

He's the only one who has the same presence and stature of Tim Russert.

Or maybe they'll think outside of the box and bring in someone like Dan Rather.

[LTR]

68. Most likely, they'll rotate hosts

Then slowly phase in a permanent host.

[Exilednight]

64. It will be Chuck Todd. He was pretty much hand picked by Russert to do fill ins for him on ........

MSNBC segments. Chuck Todd is cool and even handed, I just wonder how he will do controlling a panel of guests during a debate.

[Dinger]

67. Maybe They Should Rotate The Top Spot, Instead Of

having one moderator. Just a suggestion.

[GreenTea]

70. Tweety will be MSNBC first choice, then Olbermann. Williams has

a much more prestigious position as anchor, Gregory would be their third choice.

[ClassWarrior]

71. Yup, and Rachel Maddow will do well as the new host of Countdown.

(Hey, I can hope, can't I?)

NGU.

[highplainsdem]

74. Only if you want MTP to be as snide, snarky and juvenile as Countdown has become.

NBC News might actually expect KO to talk in a civil, mature way with people he doesn't agree with, rather than snickering and giggling over mutual dislikes with Dana Milbank and other pals, in between episodes of faux-Murrow outrage.

[GreenTea]

75. That's the time slot, and going up against O'Reilly, it certainly has brought in the ratings. MTP is

a different kind of forum. I'm sure an intelligent guy like Olbermann could & would adapt, and it'd be a nice change to have a liberal asking the questions on Sunday morning's - Unheard of!

[dempartisan23]

76. thats why he shouldnt get it

he is far too partisan. he is a great advocate for liberal causes but whoever replaces tim russert must be able to grill both sides equally hard.

[Buzz Clik]

77. Nah. You need someone who at least pretends to have some level of neutrality

[Eurobabe]

79. No way. I like KO, but

he needs to stay where he is.

[BklynChick]

80. not the right match for him, leave him where he is so he can be his lefty indignant self (that's

where we need him)!

[Mass]

81. MSNBC should have a woman taking MTP. It is time that one of these big shows goes to a woman.

[Bensthename]

83. No thanks. He needs to be seen 5 nights a week to keep Faux news in check..

He is great where he is now. Though he would be a good pick.

[bridgit]

84. Too histrionic, KO would turn MTP into the media circus Countdown has become...

O'Reilly is responsible for the tabloidization of TV news via Hard Copy; KO has birthed it into the adult Fisher-Price busy box it is today: bells, whistles, little plastic steering wheel, OOOGA MOOOGA SCHMOOGA red rubber squeeze-me horn

I don't want to see MTP turn into that. KO will be too tempted.

[Colobo]

85. Tweety or Gwen Ifill.

[peaches2003]

87. NBC will never pick KO

and they shouldn't as much as I love KO. MTP needs a moderator who has not made personal opinions and commentary their trademark. I think Chuckie T. would be perfect. Tim started his tv career with MTP amd was an unknown on the tube. It would be a perfect launching spot for CT. He's smart, personable and has not made his personal political beliefs apparent at all. He has done a superb job on election coverage without bashing either side and he is a fresh face. I think they will wait until after the election to name a new moderator anyway. There will need to be plenty of time before a transition.

[dailykoff]

88. They're going to want somebody the next adminstration will talk to

if they want to keep their show on the air. Frankly, I'm not that worried about hearing the predictable GOP "responses" which are nothing but a pack of lies anyway. They have plenty of mouthpieces all over every network.

[peaches2003]

98. Been watching the entire 40+ yrs MTP has been on the air

MTP was never meant to be an advocacy program which is the reason for its long-standing success. Its purpose is for the press to fairly question the newsmakers of the day w/out bias and it has been seen as legitimately fulfilling that purpose exactly because that is what Lawrence Spivak and then Tim Russert did. It never was to be a liberal, progressive or Democratic media outlet and that is the way it should continue. I say that as a liberal myself.

[mtnsnake]

89. The majority of pundits & politicians would never agree to do MTP with KO as host

Olbermann's guest list would be limited to a handful of people. He's not a journalist, he's an entertainer.

[dailykoff]

90. That wouldn't bother me, but I think you're wrong.

They'll go wherever they can get an audience and MTP has a huge one.

[saltpoint]

91. It could happen, and if it does it would likely piss off Chris Matthews,

which could be damned entertaining.

Amy Goodman would be too much truth voltage for that corporaton to handle, but I'd become a regular watcher of the show in a hurry if she were named its host.

[dailykoff]

92. Amy Goodman would do her first show on GE's nuke business

and that would be the end of Amy. She's got the chops to run MTP though, no question.

[saltpoint]

93. Agree -- she's just too damned excellent to be on commercial television.

She'd sizzle a few sacred cows while she lasted, though.

[dailykoff]

94. Too bad she doesn't have a Sunday show

to counter all the Sunday spin but who knows what the future holds. She practically has her own network already.

[AngryOldDem]

95. Not a good fit.

I want Meet the Press to be a civil discussion where the truth will come out through calm discourse. As much as I love Keith, there is too much of a prosecutorial manner and instinct about him to make that work. Think of all the MTP hosts from Lawrence Spivak on, which is what has helped MTP survive for 60 years.

Actually, I'd like to see them return to the old format of a moderator and a panel of journalists, although I doubt that is possible given the way journalism has deteriorated since MTP started.

Maybe it's just time to retire the franchise and develop a new kind of Sunday morning news show. I can't think off the top of my head of anyone who could immediately fill Russert's chair.

[dailykoff]

96. Panels of journalists are okay

but they can get a little stale especially with the internet making last week's news very old. I like the debate style (two opposing politicians or surrogates/ analysts/ spokespeople) myself but moderating debates is a rare talent.

Who was the MTP moderator just before Russert do you recall?

[AngryOldDem]

97. Shit...I was afraid you'd ask me that.

And yes, I agree that perhaps the 1960s version of MTP would not work so well anymore. But it was good to have volleys of questions coming from all over the place.

I will try to find out who preceded Russert. I should know it, because I remember not being especially happy when he took over, but man, it's been 17 years. I'll get back with you.

ON EDIT: Thanks, Wikipedia.

MTP hosts over the years:

Martha Rountree (1947-53)
Ned Brooks (1953-65)
Lawrence Spivak (1966-75)
Bill Monroe (1975-84) Monroe was a regular on the Spivak panel -- had a real deadpan, no-nonsense persona, as I recall, and also became a MTP fixture.

Here's where the revolving moderators started. Check out the names.

Roger Mudd/Marvin Kalb (1984-85)
Marvin Kalb (1985-87)
Chris Wallace (1987-88) !!!!!
Garrick Utley (1989-91)

and, of course...
Tim Russert (1991-present).