Matthews rumored as leading Russert replacement.
By on Jun 17th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Matthews rumored as leading Russert replacement.
The Associated Press writes that Hardball host Chris Matthews is a leading candidate to replace Tim Russert as Meet the Press moderator. “Matthews, a relentless talker, would have to change his style to fit in to Russert’s ‘Meet the Press’ reportorial template,” notes the AP. “Matthews’ long history of strong opinions is in stark contrast to Russert’s nimble, middle-of-the road approach — and could be reason enough for NBC to look elsewhere.”
Update U.S. News’ Washington Whispers writes, “We're starting the bandwagon today for Luke Russert to take over Meet the Press for his dad, Tim Russert.”
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Hey, I have an idea… why don’t we have a real journalist??
June 17th, 2008 at 2:47 pmI’m sorry to hear this NBC can do much better than Matthews. He would not let a guest get a word in edgewise
June 17th, 2008 at 2:49 pmThey should ask Walter Cronkite – the only real newsman and journalist left in America.
June 17th, 2008 at 2:49 pmI would love to see Rachel Maddows in that slot. She would truly give the Republicans a run for their money. They couldn’t get away with their normal rhetoric or non-answers. If they changed their positions on an issue; they wouldn’t get a free pass.
I know I’m dreaming, but it is a nice dream….
June 17th, 2008 at 2:52 pmTim Russert was “Meet the Press”. I don’t think it is possible to replace him and still keep the name.
June 17th, 2008 at 2:52 pmIf the choose Matthews, they’ll have to put a sneeze/spittle guard between him and the guests.
_AIO_
June 17th, 2008 at 2:54 pmI’ve been impressed with David Schuster, other than his pimping remark on the Clinton campaign. He asks probing questions and waits for an answer. We need an impartial muckraker/ball buster, not Tweety!
June 17th, 2008 at 2:54 pmOh great.
Now we’ll get to see Matthews coming all over himself whenever McCain (or pick any mythical “tough guy/man’s man”) shows up on the show.
“Meet The Press” will have to be renamed “Meet The Meat”.
June 17th, 2008 at 2:58 pmFreedom Rebel, I had not thought of Rachel Maddow but I think she would be a phenomenal choice. She is obviously bright and well-spoken. I would expect that she would do a lot of preparatory research and I would predict that her questions would be laser-like. I’ve been hoping she would get her own show (she should have replaced Tucker) and I’ll join you in dreaming she gets this gig.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:01 pmBig shoes to fill…
June 17th, 2008 at 3:08 pm#9 PatrioticLiberalChristian Says:
Freedom Rebel, I had not thought of Rachel Maddow but I think she would be a phenomenal choice. She is obviously bright and well-spoken. I would expect that she would do a lot of preparatory research and I would predict that her questions would be laser-like. I’ve been hoping she would get her own show (she should have replaced Tucker) and I’ll join you in dreaming she gets this gig.
I agree, I think she is very well versed on so many issues they would not catch her off guard. I strongly agree with you on the replacement for Tucker, she would have been awesome. I know it is a pipe dream, but I’m so tired of the Glenn Beck, Brit Hume, Cookie Roberts, and those like minded personalities justifing the Bush Administration and if you disagree something is wrong with you.
Have a great day PatrioticLiberalChristian :)
June 17th, 2008 at 3:08 pmThinking outside the box, I would like to throw out the name of Donna Brazile to replace Tim Russert. She might be better than Russert in one important area: the follow-up question. Plus, she’s tough without being mean.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:10 pmI would like to cast my vote for Bill Moyers. He’s largely wasted on PBS though I seldom miss his show.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:11 pmI really like Maddow BUT she is hardly a neutral voice. Same issue with David Schuster. Russert had the gift of keeping his opinions to himself. Aside from lacking the requisite discipline, Matthews is a paradox. For example, while he has spoken in favor of gay marriage, he frequently provides racist and homophobic Tony Perkins with a forum.
There are actually two openings created by Russert’s demise; Meet the Press and NBC’s Washington Bureau Chief. I presume that they are going to split these.
Best bet, IMO, is Tom Brokaw for MTP.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:14 pmChris Matthews is fine where he is. I really don’t think his interview style is right for MTP.
Come on everyone. Any other suggestions please?
June 17th, 2008 at 3:16 pmTom Brokaw would be OK.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:17 pmRussert was not an ideologue, and he was a tough questioner. The only person in the NBC stable that’s a decent interviewer and not a total ideologue would be David Gregory. Otherwise they’ll have to go outside the NBC family, although I personally would enjoy Shuster in that role. They should go with a rotating stable for a couple of months and see who sticks.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:20 pm#15 Art Says:
Come on everyone. Any other suggestions please?
Barry Nolan, would be good and he is looking for a job…..
June 17th, 2008 at 3:22 pmI think the LAST thing we need on MTP is a pundit with strong opinions of his own. We need somebody who’s a neutral journalist (or can at least play one on TV), who does his homework, can ask probing questions, won’t put up with a guest who only gives soundbites and fragments of stump speeches, and puts more attention on the guests than on himself.
And yeah — I’d LOVE to see Bill Moyers in the role. But I’m not sure he’d want to give up his PBS gig.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:25 pmI’m a Jim Lehrer fan, but apparently, he may be in poor health.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lehrer
June 17th, 2008 at 3:29 pmHmmm…if only Helen Thomas was a broadcast journalist instead of a print one…
June 17th, 2008 at 3:30 pmHow about Larry King? Heh Heh
June 17th, 2008 at 3:32 pm#17,David Gregory? Surely you jest?
June 17th, 2008 at 3:34 pmUpdateU.S. News’ Washington Whispers writes, “We’re starting the bandwagon today for Luke Russert to take over Meet the Press for his dad, Tim Russert.”
Isn’t Luke Russert in like his early 20’s? A bit wet behind the ears, I would think.
I must say, I am drawing a complete blank on who to replace him with…that is the greatest testimony a man can have. And only 58! Such a waste.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:39 pmHow about a little name change for the program to: “Meet the Fascists and their Corporate Enablers?”
June 17th, 2008 at 3:40 pmGwen Ifill, Bruce Fein, Rachel Maddow, Olbermann (really, he is skilled enough to ASK the tough questions), Dan Abrams, Andrew Cuomo, Robert Alter, Lester Holt, Bill Moyers.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:53 pmI tawt a taw a puddy tat~!
June 17th, 2008 at 3:56 pmNot sure if NBC really has anyone who can at least give an air of impartiality, everyone’s way too far to the left.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:57 pmKeltoi.
A testament to Russert and also an indication how far ‘news’ has strayed from objective reporting into biased infotainment, driven by ratings.
With the abundance of news media and reporters that we have available, it’s remarkable the field of objective reporters is so barren.
June 17th, 2008 at 3:58 pmBarry Chamberlain Says:
——————————————————————————–
Not sure if NBC really has anyone who can at least give an air of impartiality, everyone’s way too far to the left.
Hi Barry Chamberlain.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:01 pmWould you agree that the entertainment industry, the labor unions, and the education system are also dominated by the left?
Hi Barry Chamberlain:
June 17th, 2008 at 4:02 pmDo you believe strongly in market capitalism?
leftcoast Says:
Tim Russert was “Meet the Press”. I don’t think it is possible to replace him and still keep the name.
Meet the Press was called “Meet the Press” since before Russert was born.
Gwen Ifel gets my vote.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:09 pmI dont quite care about the perceived politics of any of those. I’m just telling you how alot of the NBC people are perceived.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:09 pmMaybe NBC should think WAY outside the box?
They could change the name to “Beat the Press” and they could devote the show to popular figures beating those members of the press, who have told the most egregious lies about them, with a stick.
The drawback would be seeing Lush and Bill0 nearly every week. The benefit would be seeing Lush and Bill0 beaten with a stick nearly every week.
sarc/off
June 17th, 2008 at 4:09 pmWhere do these perceptions arise from?
June 17th, 2008 at 4:12 pmOMG – Good-by MTP.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:14 pmThe show was created to allow agendas to be placed in front of sleepy people on a day typically not used for commerce in this old country.
It was a ruse used to enhance every dictators dream. It was a platform where you could write your questions. It was softball for sloths. It was offensive and unjust because it was never about reality, only perception.
In this day and age it is at best outdated. If one looks at it as a newsperson would, it is in direct contradiction with what is considered news. It has no WWWWH.
How can anyone watch a show like that unless you are advertising a policy that you want to sell, or a product during the break? It is the worst of television, and a despicable tool used by the worst people in modern history.
I really never thought adults would watch such a show if they had seen it once. Perhaps I am overly critical about facts.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:19 pmWho’s that journalist in Iraq who keeps coming up with dynamite stories??
June 17th, 2008 at 4:30 pmRetire the MTP brand.
Whilst Russert did press (sic) his guests more than most, he was still dishonest and disingenuous, He always knew what NOT to mention when interviewing Republicans.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:32 pmSince we already have dynasties in politics, why not start them in journalism too?
June 17th, 2008 at 4:39 pmUm. I thought the discussion was about what NBC does with MTP and the vacant Washington Bureau Chief position. I don’t think it’s necessary to use this thread as yet another venue to denigrate a dead guy who collected a check for performing a service. Mr. Russert has paid his final accounts, let us please leave him to rest.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:43 pmWare?
June 17th, 2008 at 4:47 pmRUCerious asks:
Who’s that journalist in Iraq who keeps coming up with dynamite stories??
Richard Engel (Engle) A great choice!
June 17th, 2008 at 4:49 pmShe seems the most objective of those mentioned thus far.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:50 pmI’d like to see Rachel Maddow, Gwen Ifil or Donna Brazile on MTP. Or all three in rotation.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:55 pmIt’s well past time for a capable woman to fill one of the Sunday news programs.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17722026
here’s a sample of richard engle.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:57 pmGwen Ifill would be an excellent choice. Matthews can’t even hold his own with two shows; his ratings are in the tank. Controversy wasn’t the key to Russert’s selection in 1991. It won’t work here.
Short List
1. Ifill
2. Engel
3. Gregory
They may also convince Brokaw to be moderator until the election if they cannot reach an immediate decision. Brokaw is unlikely to take on the position permanently as he enjoys his “special reporter” status.
June 17th, 2008 at 5:02 pmEach week David Gregory could open the show with that clip where he’s dancing with Tubby McTreason :)~
David Gregory at the helm would guarantee my never watching MTP.
June 17th, 2008 at 5:09 pmI liked Tim Russert. I liked his show. The facade we call MTP occasionally defied the secretive tendencies of corrupt politicians.
Unfortunately Tim shares the blame for the war in Iraq, and that is only the beginning of his partnership with big media that enables such bad policy.
By playing his part and developing for the DC elite what appears as a critical check, he has also done a dis-service to the average American.
His replacement is an easy choice for me…Olberman. But I expect that we will get someone with less of a public opinion. In the minds of the NBC execs, Gregory has probably earned it too. What a waste of time that show will become.
We should all be emailing NBC after the funeral hoping to influence the final decision.
RIP Tim…I will never forgive you for your jumping on the WMD bandwagon, if there is a god I hope she has.
June 17th, 2008 at 5:18 pmNo Matthews. No Gregory. No Olbermann. In fact, no one from MSNBC, with the exception of Schuster.
June 17th, 2008 at 5:18 pmJohn Harwood – NYTimes/CNBC
June 17th, 2008 at 5:19 pmStraight shooter, good political gut
Can explain politics to the masses in an understandable way
I’d like to see Jon Stewart!
June 17th, 2008 at 5:32 pmEven though my fondest wish is for Rachel Maddow, I know that it won’t happen.
But I have one that is not only a great environmentalist attorney, great journalist and also a wonderful speaker, since I have to be more realistic would be Robert Kennedy Jr. He is tough like Olbermann, he has qualities like Maddow in that he won’t back down, and he is very intelligent. Kennedy would help offset the balance of the right wing biased MSM we are currently stuck with. People need to see the truth if it happens to lean to the left so be it. The truth doesn’t always fall right in the middle of either party.
June 17th, 2008 at 5:42 pmCan’t agree with you there, Freedom Rebel. That voice. That horrible, whiny voice! The only way I could ever watch “Bob” is with the sound off.
June 17th, 2008 at 6:22 pmMatthews will bring real gravitas to “Meet the Press”????
June 17th, 2008 at 6:25 pmI absolutely support the idea of having Bill Moyers as a replacement, even if only temporarily.
June 17th, 2008 at 6:29 pmU.S. News’ Washington Whispers writes, “We’re starting the bandwagon today for Luke Russert to take over Meet the Press for his dad, Tim Russert.”
That’s the first thought I had when I saw them trotting Luke out in front of numerous audiences. He certainly didn’t seem too broken up about the death of his father. Plus, what reporting skills does he have. This is kind of like having a Congressman’s wife take over his position when he dies in office. It’s a stupid thing to do.
Also, please save us from Matthews on Meet the Press.
My nomination goes to David Schuester.
June 17th, 2008 at 6:57 pmor Rachel Maddow! Now wouldn’t that be something.
June 17th, 2008 at 6:58 pmI think Rachel would be awesome, but, I don’t see NBC going that direction.
First of all, they would have to give Pat Bucahnanon a show on another network in the same time slot, plus, the half-hours before and after; just to stop him wailing.
Then every freakin’ televangelist would demand equal time under the suddenly popular “Fairness Doctrine”.
Boycotts. Etc.
I don’t see it happening any time soon. Maybe Gwen Ifill? Heck, just about any of the News Hour contributers would be excellent. Despite the bad’uns there are plenty of capable choices. It’s really going to be up to the new Washington Bureau Chief.
Hopefully the new chief will bring a big enough helping of integrity to save Sunday Morning from the cackling fools of cable. NBC could make a statement far beyond giving Rachel the MTP gig with far less risk.
June 17th, 2008 at 7:39 pmReally OF? Is that why he broke down in tears when JFK got shot? Was he overjoyed that his rightwing masters had one less enemy? Is that..? Why bother?
June 17th, 2008 at 7:44 pmNBC can do better than Tweety. Memo to NBC: Get a real jounralist with some back bone and will carry the same ethics in reporting as Tim Russert did and other real journalists, for crying out loud.
June 17th, 2008 at 8:03 pmDefinitely not Tweety. Sun. Morning is no place for constant shouting and interruption. We get more than enough of that from Madden later in the day.
June 17th, 2008 at 8:17 pmSeymour Hersh.
Ah, I crack myself up. It’ll be Stone Phillips.
June 17th, 2008 at 9:40 pmoh god, no, not tweety, please
June 17th, 2008 at 10:44 pmNone of them can fill his shoes. NBC should retire the program out of respect for Russert rather than find a new host.
Russert was a corporate media hack. American journalism is better off, now that he’s gone. And it wouldn’t be very hard to replace that overpaid softball pitcher. Any number of corporate hacks would work just as well at pushing Beltway blather.
June 17th, 2008 at 10:57 pmI was sad to hear Russert pass away. I never liked his gotcha questions and often felt he didn’t hit hard enough. But I think he was a genuine, sincere reporter that had great knowledge and intelligence. I’ve been thinking about his replacement since shortly after he passed away.
Rachel Maddow is my dream choice. But I don’t think NBC would give her a spot on the main network channel. I think she could be an impartial tough questioner. She’s intelligent, able to explain things simply and asks probing questions. *sigh* The best I can hope for is that she picks up after Gregory when Race for the White House retires or evolves into another program.
Second choice is Chuck Todd. Very insightful. He’d bring some youth to the show. I actually might watch it if he were host.
Third choice is David Gregory. He moves a bit too fast on his Race for the White House show.
Ideally, there’d be a panel of reporters that the guest would have to face, from the political left, right and center and an impartial host to help keep things civil.
June 17th, 2008 at 11:00 pmMatthews is another walking heart attack, and you want him to work 7 days a week now? Besides, it would turn into Hardball Weekend Edition. No, thanks. You might be better off just extending Sunday Today another hour, unless you find someone of Russerts talents, such as they were (maddening to some of us).
June 18th, 2008 at 2:11 amIf you really want to see NBC take the gloves off and insert a no-bullshit junkyard dog as the new host of MTP, personal politics aside, I think Christopher 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 a bimbo like Matthews, the spacy host of “Hardball” would 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, Hitchens 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. Has anyone noticed how much Matthews looks like a puppet? Ironic.
June 18th, 2008 at 5:38 amIt is going to be tough to fill Russert’s shoes. NBC has a few that may be able to jump into that position, but I think they need to look elsewhere for a replacement. Personally I think they should look outside the TV realm and try and grab a seasoned Capitol Hill beat writer. That way, the new guy/girl would already know the right people, and as a beat writer, would not have any public allegiances causing uproar from the loony left or ridiculous right.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:34 pm#70
NOT!
June 19th, 2008 at 7:12 pm