Tim Russert had been the most of Meet The Press for 17 years until his untimely death in June. While strongly aligned with the Democratic party, Russert aggressively questioned Democrats and Republicans alike. He did his job so well that if you didn’t know about his previous work for Senator Moynihan and Governor Coumo, you would never have known his political leanings. Russert had a reputation as having the toughest interview regardless of your party affiliation.
Apparently six months is what the GE management handbook says is the official mourning time for the last person in your employ who was able to exhibit any level of professional integrity.
Based on reports by AP and others, David Gregory will be announced as the permanent host of “Meet the Press.” Yes, THAT David Gregory!
The David Gregory who made this appearance on Imus:
And the David Gregory who provided this professional insight when Helen Thomas asked him why politics had become so polarized:
While NBC has been in an integrity coma since Russert’s death, there was hope of a reawakening or at least a stabilization, with a permanent host who would not replicate Russert’s style but honor his intellectual drive. If Gregory is named the permanent host, how long before the plug gets pulled?
