David Gregory, Lame Duck: Once Promising Future Anchor Destined For Life As Correspondent?

New York Observer:

On the morning of Sunday, July 20, NBC News paterfamilias Tom Brokaw was wrapping up Meet the Press, where he has been anchor since the sudden and untimely death of Tim Russert.

The weekly round table had ended, and it was time to say goodbye to his guests, NBC political director Chuck Todd and NBC White House correspondent David Gregory.

When the segment ended, both reporters sat with their hands neatly folded in front of them and awaited the frugally dispensed approval of Mr. Brokaw.

"Thank you very much, David Gregory, our NBC White House correspondent and, of course, star of MSNBC's The Road to the White House," said Mr. Brokaw.

Mr. Gregory managed not to grimace. His show is called Race for the White House.

"Chuck Todd, our political director," continued Mr. Brokaw. "We'll be seeing a lot more of you, here, on Meet the Press ... in the weeks to come," Mr. Brokaw said, it seemed, to Mr. Todd.

Mr. Gregory kept smiling as the credits rolled. But if deep inside his mind there was a momentarily flicker of career anxiety, the ambitious newsman could be forgiven. Since Russert's death, speculation about the future anchor of Meet the Press has tended to favor the 36-year-old Mr. Todd and Mr. Gregory, 37. And it was Mr. Todd who got the public invitation to return.

Of course, it's not Mr. Brokaw's decision. But the slip was a reminder that nobody in Washington seems to be paying attention to Mr. Gregory's new show.

Read the whole story: New York Observer

Comments

[thedirtman]

Rachel Maddow has been awesome filling in for KO - better I think. Certainly, she would be a surprise pick for MTP. but a good one nonetheless. As for David Gregory NBC could do worse, or could do better.

[PollyTics]

It's about time!

This man appears to be yet another empty suit. Now I don't doubt his actual smarts, but he conducts himself as yet another no nothing hack journalist. When will these folk actually begin doing their jobs again? .

[ruralguy]

There is nothing wrong with David Gregory. He's just a little tall. None of those other folks have any gravitas. They're losers. MSNBC needs to hire some people of quality or it will continue with low ratings.

[Witchitalineman]

I would like to see Rachel Maddow get her own program; certainly over David Gregory. However, what MSNBC lacks substantially is diversity. I am not particularly supportive of CNN's pro McCain stance but I do think they represent diversity in a very positive way.

[Tane]

That's too bad, I really like the show. I usually enjoy the panels and I like the Headline segment. I think he does a fair job of staying neutral. I really like Chuck Todd, but I'd like to hear him do an interview before I'd say he is up to par for Meet the Press. Charlie Rose would be good too, as would Andrea Mitchell.

[PollyTics]

Andrea Mitchell? Surely you jest!

Ms. Mitchell has such an incredible bias towards the right that she actually misrepresents what has been said and done. She is shameful and lately, whenever she appears on air, I turn the channel very quickly!

BOO HISS!

[marc1antony]

trouble is he is trying to be middle of the road, but he is neocon - we already have JOeScarblo...so he's better off back at the whitehouse kissing neocon butt

[imsosure]

the problem with gregory is he wants to be liked by everyone, the most politically correct numbskull of the talking heads

[PollyTics]

NOTE TO DAVID GREGORY:
Do NOT use "cute lil" nicknames for guests you are attempting to provide honest commentary.

Do NOT dance closely with those of any one political party, especially the party in POWER.

Do NOT pretend that everything every guest says is true. Have some bollucks and inject a bit of FACTUAL commentary into the discussion.

Do NOT laugh or giggle when serious subjects are being discussed instead of offering up an opinion or fact and identifying them as such.

[PollyTics]

There was a time, many years ago, when I actually thought that David Gregory might make something of himself, but alas how disappointed I have become. What appeared to be a journalist who just "might" have a clue, turned out to be yet another flawed, bought and paid for journalist in today's media oblivion.

Oh ye David of the Gregory's, how ye danced with the enemy, how ye traipsed alongside of those whom you reported upon. Have ye forgotten the ole sacrament of yore? "Ye doth not sheet where ye dines?"

Oh master of the Gregory's, please doth go back from whence you cometh; so that all of us dudes and dude-esses can get back to where our freedoms once lived and flourished!

[Bettysdad]

Might have been a career killer dancing with Karl Rove.

[Marlyn]

for sure.

[Witchitalineman]

This did it for me and he looked like he thought he was so cool.

[Bluejay00234]

Get his arse out! bring in Rachel Maddow.

[Cunningham]

Gregory was nothing more than a stenographer at the WH. His show would be better without him.

[GoCards1978]

David Gregory suffers from classic Peter Principle syndrome. Gene Robinson and Rachael Maddow carry his show for him, although he has lessened the constant interruptions that he did in the beginning. One can do a lot worse than being an effective White House correspondent.

[scruffyandspunky]

I liked David Gregory a lot as a White House correspondent, but he became a total panderer when he got that show. I never heard him push back on some of the outrageous things his panel members said - he was just an M.C. It's not objective journalism when you never question what is being presented, even if it is just another talking head blowhard's opinion.

[buddhistMonkey]

That's it in a nutshell. The same David Gregory who would hold Bush's feet to the fire in the White House press room has morphed -- seemingly overnight -- into a milquetoast who lets wingnuts lie to his face with impunity. He's the architect of his own downfall.

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

Good. I can't stand him. Chuck Todd is the best on MSNBC. Rachel is second and Keith is a very distant third.

[PollyTics]

Chuck Todd may know about polling and stats, but this man is also a right wing cretin. Sure he hides his bias much better now that he's on air, but that mean that same bias is still not alive and well.

Admire Chuck for his stats, but beware of his "take" on political punditry.
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