I'm sure a lot of you were scratching your heads over the weekend, wondering how Tim Russert's passing merited the all-encompassing, presidential-like coverage it got, especially on his home network of NBC. He's only a reporter, right? Why the wall-to-wall coverage? Well, first of all, it seems that by all accounts, Russert was one of the most well-liked people in the news business, so the outpouring might have been a function of people mourning a friend who was taken from them too soon. But, I have another, more off-beat theory as to why NBC did a broadcast version of sitting shiva for Russert: it was because they have no idea how to replace him.Think about it: he wasn't only the longtime moderator of Meet The Press, where he took the venerable show and rejiggered its format, making him the face of the show. He was also NBC News' Washington bureau chief and the main political voice for the network. "It's going to take four or five people to replace Tim," CBS' Bob Schieffer told The New York Times.
For now, though, the immediate question is who will replace him on Meet The Press. Speculation is already underway.
According to the Times article, as well as some others, a few names have popped up: White House correspondent David Gregory, MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough, Keith Olbermann, and Chris Matthews, and Katie Couric (if she gets ousted from the CBS Evening News) are the biggest names on the list. Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw have been mentioned as temporary moderators that might help smooth the transition.
My choice would be David Gregory. He's done a nice job substituting for Russert on MTP in the past, and past White House press secretaries can give chapter and verse about Gregory mixing it up with them during daily briefings. He's a rising star on the network, and NBC might think that MTP would be a good vehicle to catapult him into superstar status. Finally, unlike Olbermann, Scarborough and Matthews, he's more of a reporter and less of a pundit (even though he recently started hosting his own MSNBC show, Race to the White House), making him a less polarizing choice.
No matter who they choose to be the permanent moderator, there will likely be a rotating set of hosts for the time being, a group that will likely include Gregory and chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell. Brokaw doesn't seem to be a bad choice for the transition, though; he's tough but fair and carries the knowledge and experience someone like Gregory is just too young to have right now.
What do you folks think? Can you think of any better candidates? Let me know in the comments.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-16-2008 @ 12:14PM
James said...
Chuck Todd is the man most like Russert at NBC with a love of facts and numbers. He just doesn't have the interview skills yet.
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6-16-2008 @ 12:15PM
Robert said...
Who was wondering about all the coverage? I sure as heck wasn't. He deserves any and all coverage that was given to him.
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6-16-2008 @ 12:21PM
Jim said...
I watched his show religiously. He was THE man for political interviews. No matter who was on the other side of the table, I always knew he was going to bring up ALL the issue, good and bad that they had.
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6-16-2008 @ 12:31PM
Marianne said...
I agree with Robert. Election night coverage won't be the same without him. He made everything he did look easy. More intervewers should follow his example... no matter what ideology, he treated his guests with respect. That's why they came back. He will be sorely missed.
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6-16-2008 @ 12:57PM
Kim said...
I can't honestly think of one person at NBC (or any other network) who would make an adequate replacement for Tim Russert. Certainly, Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann are out of the question - too politically biased and outspoken. David Gregory - maybe. Perhaps Elizabeth Vargas (ABC)?
I'll miss Tim. He was one of the last remaining reporters with integrity. The show wasn't about his ego and his opinions. It was always about the guests and the issues.
I just hope that NBC doesn't choose to turn Meet the Press into another pundit three ring circus. The television news industry has too many of those shows as it is.
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6-16-2008 @ 12:58PM
David said...
My money is on Brokaw temporarily through inauguration.
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6-16-2008 @ 1:00PM
const said...
NBC is in trouble. David Gregory isn't the most exciting prospect. However, take it to the bank it won't be Matthews or Olbermann. Those two would ruin Russert's and MTP's legacy.
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6-16-2008 @ 1:08PM
GingerSnapsTN said...
I have been thinking why not have Brokaw be the permanent replacement? I miss seeing him on the Nightly News (although I adore Brian Williams), and it would be great to see him every week.
I agree...all of the others are too controversial for this role.
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6-16-2008 @ 1:46PM
Jimmy said...
Brokaw is the perfect choice, at least through the election season, or beyond. He has the gravitas, knowledge, and experience a Meet the Press host needs. Matthews, Scarborough, and Olbermann would be horrible choices. Katie Couric would be an interesting choice, but I don't think she has the "chops" for a gig like this.
6-16-2008 @ 2:26PM
Doug said...
David Gregory just doesn't sit well with me. He's a good reporter, but lacks personality. Just look at his MSNBC show (Road To The White House) and you'll see what I mean. No gravitas....just another reporter bullshitting with other reporters. I can see Andrea Mitchell doing it, Chuck Todd too. In fact, Todd may be the best choice. He can pick up interviewing skills...it's his keen political mind that would make the difference. Whatever happens, though, please don't give the MTP chair to *anyone* from MSNBC. Matthews has no credibility (not to mention a HUGE ego -- Russert apparently disliked him intensely, and I can see why), Olbermann, though great, isn't near objective enough, and Scarborough is too smug. Give it to Brokaw through the election and let the candidate's coverage serve as their audition. The obvious choice will shine through.
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6-16-2008 @ 2:40PM
Mitch said...
Brokaw and Mitchell through the election. Katie Couric is underrated, and Gregory may rise to the occasion. Also green, but surprisingly tough at times, and also objective- Anderson Cooper. No pundits, though.
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6-16-2008 @ 3:46PM
MacGuffin said...
Give it to Brokaw through the election. You need someone to play the transition so that whoever ultimately is the moderator isn't constantly compared to Russert, which would be unfair to him or her.
Perhaps groom Chuck Todd for the chair starting January 20, 2009 to coincide with the new era that will undoubtedly begin. He is young but has been the real star this political season. I think he could really grow into that chair.
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6-17-2008 @ 7:47PM
MacGuffin said...
Here's an interesting idea: Bob Woodward.
The ultimate insider who has the gravitas and respect of Russert. The only thing is that he is 65 and probably wouldn't want to give up his lucrative book writing and speech making income.
(I'm going to note it here . . . in case I am right.)
6-16-2008 @ 6:24PM
phorbr said...
Chuck Todd gets my vote.
He isn't well known enough to be perceived as left or right leaning. He has a vast knowledge of the politics too.
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6-16-2008 @ 7:55PM
David said...
I'm going out on a limb a little, but what about Juan Williams? I've been a huge fan of his ever since Talk of the Nation on NPR back in the day. Tom Brokaw would obviously be an awesome choice.
Bottom line though, as folks have already said, no one will replace Tim Russert. He was a giant: the absolute best when it came to grilling the candidates.
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6-17-2008 @ 2:31AM
JasonJohnNYC said...
Gwen Ifill stands head and shoulders above any other candidate, in my mind. She is masterful as the host of Washington Week - smart, funny, quick on her feet. She'd be the perfect replacement.
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6-17-2008 @ 8:08AM
tarheelbookworm said...
Just a few thoughts:
• It was wonderful to see the honor that MSNBC gave to Tim Russert this weekend. It was so deserved. He rose in fame not for negative publicity but for actually doing his job amazingly well, not being afraid to show his faith, having a wonderful since of humor and above all sharing his amazing love and pride for his family. I will miss him so much and we will all miss the education we would have received at his feet through the upcoming election.
• Personally I would like to see Tom Brokaw fill in through the election. Chuck Todd or David Gregory would make a great MTP moderator, but pleasssse no Katie Couric.
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6-17-2008 @ 4:20PM
Linda said...
I know I'm a bit late and wondered how quick it would be when the speculation started.
I agree with the suggestion of Tom B. to host until - at least after the election.
After considerable thought, I think it may be best to retire the show as Meet The Press and introduce a similar show. I sense that no matter who gets the job as MTP moderator that there will be comparison and tons of criticism.
I considered the NBC current staff and came up with the same names - they have their own shows and it makes little sense to move them. I've seen Andrea Mitchell sit in and while she does a credible job - she is best at what she does.
There can be no "cookie cutter", so regretfully, I go full circle and say retire the show - let it go out after the election and use this time to format a different Meet the Press and find the "perfect host".
In closing, yes Tim R. will be missed!
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6-17-2008 @ 7:06PM
Al Blanco said...
What about Maria Bartaromo? She's a good interviewer, is smart and has loyally served NBC (CNBC) for years.
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6-18-2008 @ 6:38AM
aesthetic.terrorist said...
CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS ALL THE WAY.
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