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Who Will Be Russert's Successor?
Tom Brokaw by Ali Goldstein/NBC
Executives at NBC News are still reeling over the death of friend and colleague Tim Russert. But soon they will have to come up with a plan about how to proceed with their coverage of the 2008 Presidential campaign, which includes picking Russert's successor at Meet the Press. While we believe there are only two real candidates for the job, here's what we think about all the names that have been thrown out there.
Tom Brokaw: If he took the job on an interim basis — a possibility — the former NBC Nightly News anchor could give Meet the Press the gravitas that Sunday morning viewers like. It could also help heal the shock of losing Russert. But corporately, NBC rarely goes for short-term solutions.
David Gregory: The best and most logical choice in light of his experience as chief White House correspondent and his Russert-like fearlessness as an interrogator. CBS News was eyeing Gregory to succeed Bob Schieffer on Face the Nation, but his contract with NBC runs well into 2009.
Chuck Todd: The network’s political director was recruited by Russert. He's getting better on the air all the time. With Gregory at Meet the Press, he would be a strong choice for Russert's behind the scenes role as Washington bureau chief and sit at the side of NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams during convention and election night coverage.
Chris Matthews: The Hardball host is simply too partisan and a lightning rod for criticism. He’s also fallen out of favor at NBC News. His contract is up next year and the network only wants to keep him at a lower salary.
Joe Scarborough: After being adrift for years in MSNBC’s prime time line-up, he's finally getting some traction with Morning Joe, the show that replaced Imus in the Morning. But his Republican partisan background is still too fresh to viewers and Washington insiders for him to be a credible choice.
Katie Couric: Russert first brought her into NBC News and she's made politics a priority at the CBS Evening News. But if the traditional evening news audience doesn’t like her, it's hard to imagine that she’d catch on with the even the stodgier Sunday morning public affairs viewer. If Couric does return to NBC News, she's going to have to wrap her mind around the idea of being on MSNBC.
Related Russert News:
• Remembering Tim Russert, TV's Political Enthusiast
• Brokaw to Tribute Russert on June 15 Meet the Press
• TV Guide's Last Interview with Tim Russert
• Meet the Press' Tim Russert Dead at 58
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Jun 16, 2008 8:21 PM
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I think Tom Brokaw would be an excellent short term replacement. His experience with politics and level headed attitude would be an asset.
The permanent replacement should be David Gregory. He has everything it takes. Tim would be a tuff act to follow but if anyone could do it, it would be David.
We were very excited for him to get the "Race for the Whitehouse" show. We love his humor, knowledge of politics and non partisan verbage.
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Jun 16, 2008 11:40 PM
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Tom Brokaw - Great for the transition.
David Gregory - Could be good, if he doesn't take himself too seriusly. He's not Tim Russert and will never be.
Joe Scarborough - Not - Morning Joe has been better of late; when he has stayed in Pensacola. The show should be renamed Morning Mika, Mika in the Morning or Morningless Joe. Mika, Willie and Tim's great friend Mike Barnicle do a super job. I watch the show each weekday during Imus in the Morning advertisements and when Imus is on leave.
Luke Russert - In the not too distant future, he could be the one. I was amazed at his composure and grace during his Today Show interview and he is certainly his Father's Son
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Jun 17, 2008 3:45 AM
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What about Keith Olbermann?
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Jun 17, 2008 4:46 AM
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Keith? They want someone who isn't blatantly partisan.
Chris Matthews is a wonderfully entertaining moderator on Hardball but is also partisan. Sorry to read that he has fallen outta favor at MSNBC.
David Gregory probably is the long term proper choice.
I am still stumped that MSNBC thinks its a good idea to team Keith and Chris for election coverage. WHERE IS THE BALANCE?????????????????????
I would much rather have Chris as the solo anchor for election coverage on MSNBC.
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Jun 17, 2008 5:24 AM
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I like the chemistry of Mikla and Joe on Morning Joe. But to say that Mikla is not partisan is just not true!?
She has been a strong supporter of O since the beginning and she does not even try to hide this fact!!
I agree that David Gregory would be a good choice with Todd at the background.
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Jun 17, 2008 8:04 AM
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If NBC hires Katie again to host Meet the Press, I will never watch it again.
Tom would be a good interim host. Also I agree with someone else's suggestion of Keith Olbermann, but he does have a strong tendency to show his anti-Republican bias even if he does do good interviews and critical analysis.
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Jun 17, 2008 8:56 AM
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I thought Andrea Mitchell was a possiblity as well.
I agrew with the others - David Gregory would be good for the long run. He is a good interviewer, but he doesn't take himself too seriously. He reminds me of Tim Russert in those respects.
However, NBC should place Tom Brokaw in the seat for now. The audience needs a transition - kind of like a rebound boyfriend. Tom Brokaw is a familiar face and, therefore, wouldn't bring up any audience resentment until they (including myself) could move past the loss of Tim Russert.
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Jun 17, 2008 9:23 AM
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I agree with the others in that David Gregory would be the best choice. Besides, hasn't he already sat in for Tim Russert a couple of times on "Meet the Press"? I thought I'd seen him on the program filling in and thought he did just fine. I think he could handle the election coverage as well. It just doesn't seem fair that Tim R. isn't going to be a part of the most historical presidential election. If they put Katie Couric in and I would also quit watching. She's not doing well at CBS, but I don't that's all her fault.
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Jun 17, 2008 9:44 AM
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Add me to the chorus:
Brokaw for any necessary transition period, Gregory for the long-haul. Big shoes to fill for someone who you could see was really passionate about his work (the whiteboard said it all). But, I think David Gregory could do it.
Love Olbermann for what he does (especially being on the same side of the political spectrum), but I think it be difficult for him to be objective. You never know though. He's a good communicator.
I can't bear Matthews or Couric. I'll never forget how P.O.'ed Couric looked standing at the skating rink at 30 Rock during Election Night '00...really unprofessional.
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Jun 17, 2008 10:32 AM
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Katie Couric would be the absolute worst choice...I cant believe they would even be mentioning her name!! She was so phoney on The Today Show and I cant even bear to watch her botch the news on CBS! She needs to just go away and not come back. She is incredibly partisan and would ruin Tim's Meet the Press because no one would want to watch it anymore. My husband thinks it should be Kelly O'Donnell.
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Jun 17, 2008 10:50 AM
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I don't know how much more gas Brokaw has in him. The guy is a great journalist, but, let's face it, he's getting on in years. He'll be great as an interim replacement, but I can't see him there on a permanent basis.
I think I am the only one rooting for Chuck Todd to take this position.
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Jun 17, 2008 11:28 AM
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I really like the scenario of Gregory/Todd. I've always liked David Gregory. He fits in wherever he's been. Since his contract is up next year, now may be a good time to nail him down.
I think whoever is chosen simply will not fit into Tim Russert's shoes, but we must give them a chance, and I would still watch if Gregory were at the helm.
I also was mesmerized by the poise and professionalism of Luke Russert during the interview with Matt Lauer. What a smart young man, and definitely a charmer. A possible contender by ... 2016 or 2020.
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Jun 17, 2008 11:47 AM
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Chuck Todd would be a great choice. He's extremely politically intelligent. Also, he is fair when discussing all sides of an issue. But why no mention of Mr. Russert's friend, Gwen Ifill, who has her own political talk show on PBS: "Washington Week"? I think she, too, would be a great successor.
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Jun 17, 2008 11:49 AM
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I think Joe Scarborough would make a really good choice. Remember Tim Russert was a dyed in the wool Dem before he came to NBC. I think Joe could become bi-partisan enough to take on the job and he's in the same mold as Tim, down to earth, one of us. He's the kind of guy you feel like you already know, which makes people feel comfortable. His coverage of Hurricane Katrina, I thought, was personal and wonderfully touching.
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Jun 17, 2008 11:58 AM
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