I hope to god Russert isn't replaced by Tweety.

[ourbluenation]

[L0oniX]

1. That is too horrible to think of.

[rainman99]

14. That was the first thing that came into my mind.

[monmouth]

2. Has Matthews been on yet? Is he taping? He will be very affected by this, Tim

was Matthews idol and mentor. Very sad.

[ourbluenation]

3. I thought of that too. I feel bad for him.

[Renew Deal]

28. There's a few of them that are clearly distraught.

Olberman, Brokaw, Mitchell, Todd.

It's clear that they have been crying.

[HughMoran]

4. Nooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooo!!! Don't even speak such a horrible thought!

:yoiks:

[sandnsea]

5. I think Gregory or Chuck Todd, but..

why is there no woman on the horizon for a Sunday show?

[ourbluenation]

8. Andrea Mitchell?

[sandnsea]

20. I think they'd choose someone younger

They really haven't nurtured any women like they have the men.

[MidwestTransplant]

23. Aaaaaaaaaaandrea could have a few more surgeries

[mmonk]

6. Tweety has his faults but I don't find him as offensive as others here.

He has let his feelings be known about this war, Cheney, and the intimidation directed towards him concerning the "Plame is fair game" incident with Rove.

[eleny]

7. He's too frenetic and not thoughtful enough

[DJ13]

9. I bet he will be

NBC has a decided lack of depth in big name political interviewers, Tweety and Olberman are about it, but Olberman is more a news reporter/commentator than someone with experience interviewing people from the other side of the aisle.

Gregory doesnt have the personality, Maddow doesnt have the on air experience, and neither have the name recognition NBC would want headlining MTP.

The only other choice NBC has is Andrea Mitchell, so maybe they try her, but I would bet on Tweety.

[ourbluenation]

16. Hasn't gregory filled in for him before? Russert was also the bureu chief too.

[RamboLiberal]

31. If I had to bet

I'm wondering if they could talk Tom Brokaw out of semi-retirment. At least for the short-term till the election season is over.

From there I'd guess in order:
Brian Williams
Andrea Mitchell
David Gregory (oh please)
Chris Matthews

I think Olbermann could do the job but NBC and many in the conservative politcal world would be howling. But I think KO could check any bias at the door and be a hard-hitting, hard-working MTP host. But no way in hell would they give it to him. I had the feeling from some of what I was reading that KO was a headache to Russert b/c of RW and some Clinton people complaining.

Of course in the long-run they may try to hire away someone from one of the other networks.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. I think Maddow's on deck.

[ourbluenation]

11. she would do a wonderful job.

[KamaAina]

12. Tweety, hell. Someone just floated the name "Joe Scarborough".

:scared: :scared: :scared:

[whistle]

13. No way..."Meet the Press Hard"...doesn't work for me!

:eyes:

[Dr.Phool]

15. How's about Dan Rather?

[Doityourself]

17. I vote for Chuck Todd..but it might be Brian Williams. I'm going to miss Tim..every Sunday & coffee

[Renew Deal]

27. Chuck Todd is more of a politico than a journalist

But I think he could make it work.

[mzmolly]

18. I like Tweety.

I know, I'm odd. ;)

[apocalypsehow]

19. I would look to Gwen Ifill as a likely replacement, or maybe Andrea Mitchell. n/t.

[goclark]

22. They would never pick a woman IMO

After Katie, that is their excuse.

Watch it be Chris or Gregory.

For sure it will not be Rachel or a true Democrt.

[depakid]

21. Oh don't worry

It'll be someone who toes the RNC line, enabling and promoting far right and neocon views while denigrating progressive positions and/or ignoring the issues.

That much you can bank on.

[kskiska]

24. The original Meet the Press wasn't about one man

The guest was usually a political figure who faced a panel of 3 or 4 journalists. Maybe they'll go back to that format.

[depakid]

29. One can only hope

the last format turned into a travesty unrecognizable to those familiar with the original concept.

[lpbk2713]

25. Tucker Carlson is probably looking for a full time gig.

Heaven forbid. Oy veh.

[lib2DaBone]

33. Except Mr. Bow TIe....

would have to get a grown-up haircut and study current events.

[Renew Deal]

26. I can't imagine. It will probably be David Gregory

And maybe Olberman, but I doubt it. Gregory fits the role the best.

Edit: I'm sure Matthews would want it, but he's too much of a loose cannon.

[LostInAnomie]

30. My guess would be Andra Mitchell

Tweety gets too star struck by big names. He wouldn't be capable of asking tough questions to the big names in politics.

Andrea Mitchell would be just as horrible though.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

32. where is tweety? haven't seen him yet on msnbc since the news broke.