Should MSNBC Allow Rachel Maddow To Anchor Breaking News Events?

When MSNBC moved to replace Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews with David Gregory in the anchor's chair during election coverage, relegating the more opinionated hosts to commentary and analysis, the New York Times declared that the "experiment" of putting "politically incendiary hosts" in the anchor chair appeared to be "over."

Davidson Goldin, former editorial director of MSNBC and a co-founder of the reputation management firm DolceGoldin, told the Times, "The most disappointing shift is to see the partisan attitude move from prime time into what's supposed to be straight news programming."

So it may have been something of a surprise Wednesday evening — as it was for Inside Cable News — to see MSNBC's opinionated darling Rachel Maddow anchoring the coverage of George Bush's primetime address on the financial crisis. From ICN:

Yes, the address is occurring in the middle of Maddow's hour. But appearances are everything for MSNBC these days and the appearance of yet another ideological talking head anchoring MSNBC's news coverage says a lot about what NBC's priorities really are. To quote Roger Daltry Pete Townsend: Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

The Olbermann/Matthews experiment may be over, but the fundamental thinking behind it; namely taking the hot hand and riding it regardless of the appropriateness of such a move, is still in vogue at 30 Rock. If Maddow's ratings weren't hot right now and she wasn't getting all this press you can bet your paycheck that NBC would have put a journalist in to anchor the coverage. This is so blatant it's embarrassing.

An MSNBC representative explained:

The speech was during her hour, therefore she anchored the coverage as part of her program.

What do you think? Vote in the poll below to settle the question: Should MSNBC allow Rachel Maddow to anchor breaking news events? There are a few videos of Rachel from Wednesday night below the poll to help you make up your mind.

Quick Poll

Should MSNBC Allow Rachel Maddow To Anchor Breaking News?

Yes, she's the best in the business!

Yes, she can shut off her opinion when it's necessary.

No, she's too opinionated to remain objective.

No -- and she shouldn't even have her own show!

Who cares?

Comments

[frenchbulldog]

I want the brightest and quick-thinking folks on the most important broadcasts. So yes, bring on Rachel for the big coverage, whether or not it is her timeslot. Put Rachel and Keith on the debate coverage and we'd have something worth watching.

Instead, with Gregory and Brokaw, we're getting the dullest and slowest guys on cable.

My loyalty to MSNBC is significantly slipping... hint: try watching Keith / Rachel before and after the debate, change to CSPAN during the event...

[PartyPartyParty]

I'd rather see Amy Goodman. Or any trained journalist who won't read White House and DNC press releases and call them news.

I'm grateful that Maddow is getting air time, and she could continue to get it, as should other pundits who can demonstrate that they actually have a handle on the facts, not on ideology. She has he place, and she should keep it, and others of her calibre should shove out the idiots.

But Rachel Maddow is not a journalist. We need journalists -- who haven't sold out -- anchoring news programs.

[CBS]

Rachel gets better every day...the difference btwn her and Gregory is that she asks intelligent and informed questions way over the heads of both Gregory, Mitchell and Olberman.

[GLT21]

I don't like David Gregory. His borring.

[victoriajubilee]

He is very boring and stiff.

[PT6]

This is a “BIG GAME” top McFlipFlop: Tie Us to Bush
Lets Look at This Bailout Process

1. Markets off big in one day drops some more
2. Admin wants Bailout - 2.33 pages - that was easy
3. Polls switch 6 points to Obama
4. Demos and Obama takes them at their word and puts forward 4 principles and work hard
5. McC supports same basic principles - does nothing - easy
6. Polls stay in Obama favor, Aid Continues fees and Palin slides
7. Appears Dems and Reps are near agreement
8. McC suspends campaign and goes to Wash and STOPS DEAL

This appears to be a WEIRD GAME to somehow TIE the Demos to this terrible Admin and make McC the savior of the Free World.

Will it work I DON”T THINK SO! Tricksters are at work!

[PT6]

Rachel Maddow is like the BRAVE CAMPBELL BROWN as she is willing to tell the TRUTH!

Some may not like the TRUTH but she is one of the Bravest!

It is GOOD to SEE SMART WOMEN in positions of influence! To offset the Palin mess!

Repbs if you don't like it TUNE INTO the "FOX EM" STATION!

[Mikeeee]

Excuse me?? Since when is it ok to have a bush sycophant (gregory) anchor any coverage of anything except goat herding in Yemen, because like bush/cheney et al he's been so wrong on so much for 8 yrs his credibility is zero.

[nikky]

IF ANYONE SHOULD NOT DAVID GREGORY WHEN TALKING ABOUT OBAMA SHOWS HIS RACISM A LOT

[CBS]

you are on something aren't you?

[2farnorth]

Wow, have they ever watched FOX? Maddow leans liberal, so what? She's always on the money and gives fair opportunity for other points of view. Funny McCain can't send anyone on her show. I guess she's just to damn sharp for his lobbyist, talking heads.

[Gem4Obama]

Rachel IS the best in the business. She has admitted to being a liberal...and wears that word as a "badge of honor". YET, she is not the fire breathing liberal version of a Limbaugh or O'Reilly.

Rachel meticulously researches her work. Rachel would rather use facts than OPINION when she is debationg someone on the issues. Remember how the spoiled, chauvinist Joe Scarborough got upset when Rachel hit him with FACTS regarding a discussion about McCain? Those right wingers and some unbelievable left wingers spew out ideology...Rachel is well prepared with facts.

Thats why i think she will make an GREAT Press Secretary for the Obama/Biden ticket. No more lies...just the facts.

[anaicram]

Rachel should do it. She is intelligent, smart and has shown that she has a cool demeanor. I love watching her and knew when she covered for Keith the week he was gone that she should have gotten her own show. I LOVE Keith, however, adding a fresh face to the mix is always a brillant move. I'm all for seeing Rachel take the next step.

[Lpeter]

Who cares who is telling the story??

Just another distraction tatic.

We need to have more talk on private capital coming into play here and free economy forces.

Oh and real value of assets.

And did anybody ask where all the money went and where is it coming from??

The fact that they are even trusting this administration is beyond comprehension.

And is there anybody being prosecuted for any of this illegal behavior.

I'm getting sick.

[ElBruce]

Wow, I'm in a clear majority to vote "No" on this. Anchors should be separated from commentators. Rachel's a terrific commentator. But you shouldn't do both. It should be similar to the practice of separating news from opinion editorial policies in print journalism.

The answer to FOX is not to copy them on the other side, it's to show how pathetic they are by doing it right.

[Hollis-Greene]

I'd love to see her interview Palin... Meow.

[sdslaw]

I'm torn. Love Rachel, and if Fox can have their propagandist covering news stories, then why not. She shouldn't have to be objective. But then again is Fox an example for anyone to follow.