Quiet Speculation Begins About Who Will Replace Russert

The sudden death of Tim Russert has left the management of NBC News, for the moment at least, at a loss to contemplate how to replace him.

Mr. Russert was not only the moderator of "Meet the Press," television's most successful political talk show, he was also the chief of NBC's Washington bureau, responsible for the hiring of staff members and directing its operations. More significantly, he was NBC's public face on politics, appearing regularly on the network's full range of programs, including the "Today" show, NBC's "Nightly News," and on its cable news channel MSNBC.

"It's going to take four or five people to replace Tim," said Bob Schieffer, Mr. Russert's competitor for two decades on CBS's Sunday program, "Face the Nation," in a telephone interview from a barge in the Burgundy region of France, where he was vacationing.

"They've got to find a moderator for 'Meet the Press.' They've got to find a manager for that bureau. They've got to find someone who understands as much about politics as Tim does and there aren't many people who do. They've got to find someone who is willing to get up in the morning and go on the 'Today' show and do the 'Nightly News' and then stay up late to go on MSNBC."

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Comments

[mamacat]

Rachel Maddow, Gwen Ifill, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, come to mind.

I can't see Olbermann in the role, unless he can reign in the oratory and switch to investigative journalism.
Most of the people in the MSM are not competent to fill the seat. Hosts who can't think on their feet, and/or who are afraid of people in power, are not good hosts. Some come to mind, unfortuneately.

They could try a rotating hostess until they come up with a permanent replacement.

The only way to find out if Rachel or Gwen can do it, is to let them try. They surely have potential.

Stewart and Colbert may not be journalistically trained, but they are some of the hardest working, most ethical, and smartest people on TV.

Charlie Rose, if he were younger.
Bill Moyer, if he wanted it.

[conniedogs]

As much as I like Rachel Maddow, MTP is wayyyy out of her league. Besides as of late, I've watched her shift on important issues . I'd rather see Chuck Todd or someone outside of the MSNBC family. Like Phil Donahue.

[scorpioleidy]

No one person will ever replace Tim Russert, but I think Brian Williams will get the nod for "Meet The Press."

I love Olbermann, but he'd really have to reign it in to do MTP, and I don't want him to change 'cause I love him just the way he is! I do think, however, he could do more election coverage.

Matthews has his own show already (right after MTP), so that won't happen. (He could do more election coverage with Keith.)

I like Rachel Maddow, but she's not ready (besides, she's doing fill-in for Keith Olbermann when he takes a day off).

I like Gwen Ifill---but only as a guest, not as a moderator.

Katie Couric? Hell to the N-O !!!

[vocalist]

None of the above...

Gwen Ifill is the only Journalist who would make it even better.

[stepintothelight]

I agree ... but as usual they will overlook the most qualified. She is the only one that I have seen go toe-to-toe with Russert and come out looking better than going in.

[Seven7s]

I think Chris Mathews is the only one with the spine to do this show. I used to confuse him with Tim Russert all the time.

They both challenge their guests and when they smell blood in the water they attack and go after it. They dont back down. I like that about Chris & liked that about Tim.

I think Chris Mathews should get it.

if not him then Chuck Todd for his knowledge. But I dont see him giving a tough interview I dont see any of the ALPHA Dogs respecting him as a moderator.

[Markvli]

My vote is for Andrea Mitchell.

[scorpioleidy]

She's a hack ... and she's married to Alan Greenspan ... NO WAY!

[Vinca]

ToI'm not certain if Andrea Mitchell , Is the best one, but she should be on a very short list

[Texas4Obama]

I think that no one has mentioned Joe Johns. He is at CNN now but I betcha MSNBC could get him back. Joe Johns worked under Russert years ago and it was Russert that encouraged Joe Johns to go to law school. Even a three person team of Johns, Maddow, and Todd would be interesting. http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/johns.joe.html

[BlindNoMore]

NBC has someone on the team who would be a great choice: the host of Weekend Today, Lester Holt.

Mr. Holt was a mainstay on MSNBC for many years, and never showed a bias, left or right. He comes across as very likable, but he can be tough when the situation calls for it.

He is relatively young (49), so he could be expected to stay on the show for quite some time. And he's not white, which would make for a refreshing change on the Sunday morning shows.

[vocalist]

Lester Holt should replace Olberman and then it will be watchable again.

[scorpioleidy]

What drug are YOU on???!!!

[incontempt]

Maddow i think would be the best and i can't believe scarbrow even made the list....i would never watch it if he were on it, he is in NO way fair or even capable of being nonpartisan...it would be a circus

[Mattie]

Olbermann!! What a complete insult to the memory of Tim Russert

[vocalist]

Absolutely..I undestand Russert tried to distance himself from both of the clowns Mathews/Olberman.
Those two also has done enormous damage to Brian William`s credibility .

[timothydcraig]

Start the Gwen Eiffel campaign.

[Big0725]

Jack freakin' Cafferty!

[RobinSeattle]

I would personally like to see Rachel Maddow get the Meet the Press anchor chair, but she's too smart, too quick, too tenacious and a lesbian, so she won't have access to the pols looking for an easy mark to use to pass off their talking points.

So that would tend to favor Joe Scarborough and Tom Brokaw. However, I think Scarborough will run for Senate or President in 2012, so that might cashier his chances. Andrea Mitchell-Greenspan doesn't really come off that well even if she would be a patsy. And media royalism dictates that Brokaw be given first shot at it.

David Gergen is too much of a lounge lizard.

Aaron Brown won't happen because he is at the stage of his life where he isn't going to take anyone's nonsense. That's too scary for Republican hustlers.

[mamacat]

Sounds like you came up with reasons why Rachel should be chosen, not eliminated.

[Xenopus]

Outside NBC I really like David Gergen or Aaron Brown. Inside NBC I like Chuck Todd or Richard Engel.

I really like Keith and Rachel, but not for MTP. Both are very smart and knowledgeable, but their personalities work better on their own commentary type shows. I wish Rachel had her own show.

Brian Williams needs to stay the Anchor. Brokaw has been there done that and should stay semi retired.

I do not like the idea of Katie or David Gregory. Katie just doesn't seem like a heavy weight, and Gregory seems a little too conservative bent.

[Big0725]

Ms.Maddow will get a show soon enough, If Keith has anything to do with it. It's getting close to uncomfortble watching him almost ogle her. When does her Air America contract run out?

[wolfeman]

I like the three-member panel, either working as a group or rotating as solo host. I vote for Bill Moyers (voice of experience, institutional memory, unimpeachable credibility, gravitas), Chuck Todd (up and comer, very sharp, likeable), and Gwen Ifill (smart, competent, firm but pleasant).

[Anastasia]

Bill Moyers would be awesome. He's sincere, fair and yet tough enough to take on even the biggest BSers.

I like Gwen a lot, and it would be great to have a woman in that slot but the more I think about it, the more I'm not sure she's tough enough. Perhaps that's her PBS style and she'll be more willing to dive into the mosh pit when necessary, if she gets the MTP job.

Speaking of PBS, Ray Suarez would be fantastic.

In house, Chuck Todd is the best.