They should be considering The Chuck. He's the only in house NBC candidate who would do a good job, IMO.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Horse Race Is on for Russert’s Jobs

With the memorial service and the tributes over, eyes now turn to who will succeed the late Tim Russert as moderator of “Meet the Press” and NBC News Washington bureau chief.

A source within NBC tells Newsmax that it is doubtful any one person will fill both jobs, and whoever is eventually selected will not have the clout and influence that Russert built up over more than 25 years at the peacock network.

In reality, the D.C. bureau was Russert's fiefdom.

While not exerting total control, Tim was the only NBC News vice president based outside New York City, and he outlasted four NBC News presidents during his tenure.

Last Sunday, Brian Williams announced that former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw would fill in as “Meet the Press” moderator through the November elections.

Brokaw's selection gives the NBC brass time to thrash out Russert's eventual successors.

Two men will make the final call on Russert’s successors, Newsmax correspondent Stewart Stogel reports. They are Jeff Zucker, president and CEO of NBC/Universal, and Steve Capus, president of NBC News.

While several names have been mentioned in the Russert sweepstakes, two names are believed to be on the NBC News "short list": “Hardball” host Chris Matthews and PBS (and former NBC) correspondent Gwen Ifill.

Word is that Matthews would like to fill both of Russert's positions, “Meet the Press” moderator and Washington bureau chief.

Ifill, though at PBS, still periodically surfaced on “Meet the Press” as a guest journalist and could give a fresh and distinct direction to the broadcast.

It’s not surprising that NBC has decided to wait till after the 2008 presidential election before installing Russert’s replacement.

Sources say that should Barak Obama win, it is believed NBC would seek to capitalize on public sentiment and choose Ifill.

Should McCain win, Matthews' stock may rise since his combative approach to interviews may prove a ratings grabber in a Republican administration.

Then again, Brokaw could seek the “Meet the Press” job himself, according to Stogel.

Around NBC, Brokaw — often referred to as "T.B." — still gets what he wants. As one NBC insider said, T.B. not only stands for Tom Brokaw, but more importantly "The Boss."

My nod would be for Andrea Mitchell. She's covered from 1981 until becoming Chief Congressional Correspondent in 1988. Andrea was White House Chief correspondent from 93 to 94. From 94 until present she was chief foreign correspondent up until recently, reporting for "the race to the White House"

Gwen is a good pick. I recall watching as a panelist on Meet the Press. Sad, that Brinkley train-wrecked his career. I just hope Brokaw doesn't have the same malady :K

I LOVE Andrea and I think she is brilliant but she messes a lot with the teleprompter and you know...this days things gotta be perfect.

And the race is on and here comes Bri in the backstretch, Olbermann is running round the inside, Brokaw is holding back, trying not fall, ...

Brokaw puts me to sleep. I get the impression that he is too self aware. You could tell that Russert was completely present in what he was doing. I get the feeling that Brokaw is trolling for women wondering how his hair looks as he is asking a question.

I think Matthews wouldn't be terrible, but hes not a really solid policy wonk, which is why I liked Russert.

I personally think poaching CNN of Blitzer or Cooper is better than Matthews, Ifill is boring and Mitchell is plastic.

How about James Carvill? That would be a fun show to watch.

Politics is such a joke, they ought to hire Robin Williams, j/k .

Though there is no link provided for this report, contrary to RRMB SOP and policy, it appears to be from Newsmax...



...thus rendering it utterly incredible. Coming from Newsmax, one has reason to doubt Russert ever hosted a show called Meet the Press.

Brokaw has been pretty poo, IMOr. Unlike Russert, he doesn't even seem to listen to the answer, but just goes right on with his next question.

Just give the job to Charlie Rose.

Hartmann's out of the runnin' Scarborough's scratched for another's sake.
The race is on and it looks like Brokaw.
and the public looses all