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Who’ll Take Russert’s Place?

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Tom Brokaw may be anchoring Meet the Press through the November elections, but NBC has left open the question of who’ll be sitting in the chair come Inauguration Day.

Published Friday, September 26, 2008

Early money was on NBC correspondent David Gregory, but network sources say the stock of NBC political director Chuck Todd is on the rise to replace the legendary Tim Russert.

Todd, who previously was editor of the online tipsheet the Hotline and had little TV experience before joining NBC last year, got a lot of airtime during the extended primary season and developed a big following on the Web on such sites as Chucktoddfacts.com and Vivachucktodd.blogspot.com. Few observers missed the tableau of Brokaw, Brian Williams, and Todd overlooking Barack Obama’s acceptance speech at Denver’s Invesco Field. The buzz: Was this NBC’s future?

Todd would be a host in the mold of Russert: an unflashy shoe-leather journalist who loves the minutiae of politics, knows the numbers and trivia, and lives for the Washington game.

A dark horse in the race: Frank Sesno, who once hosted the CNN Sunday show Late Edition. “He’s serious, sincere, objective, and conveys that everyday-Joe aura that made Russert a draw,” says Michael Turk, who founded a Facebook group to “Draft Frank” for the host position.

This article first appeared in the October 2008 issue of The Washingtonian. For more articles from that issue, click here.

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Comments

Go for another lawyer just as Russert was. My dark horse in MSNBC anayst Michael Smerconish

Posted by: phillyguy, Sep 29, 2008 07:39:18 AM

however, eventually.... i think it would be suiting for Tim Russert’s son Luke Russert to take the helm, myself...

...uuummmmm...why?
for nepotism’s sake?

Posted by: iclaudius, Sep 28, 2008 08:08:51 PM

My vote is for Chuck.

Posted by: cam, Sep 28, 2008 03:37:11 PM

Chuck Todd has been my number one pick all along.

Posted by: Tara, Sep 28, 2008 11:07:27 AM

Geeze, my bad. I thought the headline was talking about Todd Palin. hahaha. If he is coaching the wife,he is just as out of touch if you know what I mean. Isn’t fishing for salmon without a license illegal?

Posted by: jethromayham, Sep 28, 2008 03:52:17 AM

All of the people who want Chuck Todd to replace Russert are delusional. Todd is so partial. How can you miss it. I love what he does with the polls but he puts HIS spin on them in all the wrong ways. Respect Russert and replace him with someone the public will have faith in. Please

Posted by: E.Johnson, Sep 27, 2008 06:39:36 PM

Chuck has a lot of the attributes of Tim Russert, certainly more than any of the current NBC team. David Gregory allows his own opinions to come through, Keith could not tolerate half the people he would have to interview and it would show, Mathews seems unable to truly conduct an interview and Brokaw is still a newsman at heart and not an interviewer. So, Chuck is the man.

Posted by: Richard, Sep 27, 2008 04:44:08 PM

I miss Mr. Russert - especially after the debate. I have grown to be immensely fond of Chucky T - to the chagrin of my husband - and hope that NBC sees his talent and how much the viewing audience appreciates his calm yet quirky demeanor. I am sorry to say that MTP is not the same with Brokaw (the format does not work for him I think) and hope that Chuck gets the position soon.

Posted by: Lois, Sep 27, 2008 01:32:09 PM

My vote is with Chuck Todd. He’s articulate, he’s knowledgable, he’s intellectually curious, and he’s also impartial.

Posted by: K. Herman, Sep 27, 2008 12:17:31 PM

Go Frank!!

Posted by: Susanheimer, Sep 27, 2008 08:37:39 AM

Since no person can every really "replace" another, the show’s next host should be someone knowledgeable, intellectually curious, respected, and can-be-the-part on TV. Given all this, it’s a no-brainer that Sesno would be a natural in this position!

Posted by: B.Day, Sep 27, 2008 08:13:10 AM

David Gregory is the only anhcor to make my wife and I switch away from MSNBC. He does not compare to Russert. We consider Chuck Todd MSNBC’s own version of Barack Obama. MSNBC, please vote ’Change’!

Posted by: ron weasley, Sep 27, 2008 07:14:35 AM

I like ’em all on MSNBC, even (forgive me) Pat Buchanan--but Chucky T would be the most excellent successor to Tim.

Posted by: marjie01, Sep 27, 2008 05:20:48 AM

Keith Olbermann should get the job. He’s the only journalist who isn’t afraid to challenge the spin from the administration.

Posted by: Hard Left Turn, Sep 27, 2008 05:09:53 AM

It’s Chuck by a landslide.

Posted by: BB,London,UK, Sep 27, 2008 05:03:42 AM

Chuck Todd, for sure @ this point....

however, eventually.... i think it would be suiting for Tim Russert’s son Luke Russert to take the helm, myself... if, in fact, Luke would want to do that.

Posted by: Thomas, Sep 27, 2008 02:50:17 AM

Go Chuck! PoliticsNow forever!

Posted by: f, Sep 26, 2008 12:41:54 PM

GO!!!!! Frank!

Posted by: fan, Sep 26, 2008 11:16:03 AM

Chucky T!!!

Posted by: Matt, Sep 26, 2008 09:36:00 AM