When you've lost Chuck Todd...

[50 Shades Of Blue]

Link to tweet

[Marcus IM]

1. Chuck projecting AND openly admitting that it's a grift.

[hlthe2b]

2. "Broken clock" phenomenon, but good on him for calling out the obvious.

The NBC executive who decided to hire McDaniel ought to be gone Monday if not sooner IMO.

[cachukis]

3. Todd was always about access.

He explained once that he would not ask the consequential questions because he needed access. The MSM has always been about access.
What would our lives be if we had had serious journalism on our airwaves as the criteria for viewership as compared to access?
Think of the journalists who have been bounced or sold out.
We live what we accept.

[BaronChocula]

22. And as for "access to audience" which he mentioned

that shit doesn't pay off. Hardcore tea-magas don't turn on NBC to watch goopers. Especially those who have been turned out. What a gross mistake to hire RRM.

[cachukis]

24. On point.

[CanonRay]

27. Then what the f#%@ good is the access?

[cachukis]

29. You're selling the name in the promos. People

watch in the hope of insight.
Mind you, not many people in America watch or follow the news.
Advertisers seek audiences. They like interviews that puppet their corporate goals.
The media is generally run by large, conservative corporations who sell their business in a multitude of ways.
Nancy Mace is not coming back to visit George Stephanopoulos.

[NanaCat]

33. Then Mace doesn't come back

But it's a stupid move because she needs the media's platform to promote herself more than the media needs her.

[cachukis]

36. Yes. Hence my contention that our media needs

to hold our leaders feet to the fire rather than use them for eyes on the page.
Our legislators would have been better vetted for abilities to run on the truth rather than on monied interests.
The media is more of a palliative for its meager audience than bringing a civics lesson to the uninformed.
Reality is the 20% rule.
20% of Democrats are up on the issues and 20% of Republicans claim to be as well.
60% of Americans are too busy or less inclined to be curious.
People are generally good and that's why dems generally get more votes.
When you have good ideas to sell, you sell them. When you don't, but you still want power, you use unscrupulous methods.
Cash flow matters.

[NanaCat]

32. It hasn't always been about access.

Plenty of reporters of old simply reported what was going on, and the early investigative reporters really were that. The access excuse started after Bernstein and Woodward.

Thing is, the media doesn't need access to get a story nearly as much as politicians and etc need access to the media to tell their stories. That's the thing modern journalists are too lazy and incompetent to comprehend.

[Oneironaut]

34. They're cowards then.

If you have to kiss ass and play along with gas lighting, you aren’t a journalist. You’re a paid propaganda spokesperson.

Our press isn’t free. It has news filtered through corporate interests. If you don’t play ball, you’re out, and the next idiot is put in your place.

[spanone]

4. K&R

[dalton99a]

5. Kick

[dalton99a]

6. Kick

[marble falls]

8. Todd brings up a good point: If she speaks for whoever is signing the check - exactly how mercenary is she? ...

... what if Fox pays her on the side?

[Takket]

9. the media is NOT our friends

[Hekate]

10. Wow, Chuck, I am impressed. Now I hope someone posts the Ronna interview

[speak easy]

28. Meet The Press / Ronna McDaniel Interview

[SergeStorms]

11. Whoa!

Who was that man on TV, and what has NBC done with the real Chuck Todd?

I guess Chuck was pissed-off that NBC found a bigger, lying, right-wing shill than himself. He's certainly protecting his former territory.

[oregonjen]

13. Was his voice shaking a little bit or is that how he always sounds?

[PatSeg]

17. It did sound a little shaky

Perhaps because he is speaking out against his employers.

I never thought I'd see the day when I totally agreed with Chuck Todd. That was very impressive.

[InstantGratification]

19. It's all about access

I've seen flashes of this from him in the past. The reason he didn't do this on meet the press is simple: access. If he took anything other than a softball approach with the Rs, they would cut him off. No interviews = no job in short order. When conservatives didn't have Fox to run to for friendly air time, the politicians HAD to come to MSM outlets for their airtime. The journalists had more latitude to ask the tough questions. If they ask the questions we need them to ask, the politicians run to Fox and cry about the bias of the MSM. Just one more way Fox has screwed up the information stream in the US. Rupert Murdock is nearing his end, I struggle with wishing bad things on another, but he has certainly earned a place in the hottest ring of hell.

I'm not excusing Chuck Todd's past performance, but it's easy to understand why. I just wish he had the courage to show this side of himself more often and be bolder in his interviews. That was a refreshing break from his usual performance and I hope we see much more of it.

[PatSeg]

20. Yes, that makes sense

[yonder]

21. Good post and a belated welcome to DU.

[ProfessorGAC]

31. Post Recommended

Well said.

[NanaCat]

35. No, what he wanted was the equivalent of a drinking

Buddy on the air. Access for a competent journalist isn't about sucking up to people to get a story. A competent journalist knows that people need the media to tell their stories as much or more than the medias needs that person to tell it. Plenty of people will know what the average government hack knows; you don't have to coddle them to get the story. Just find the person who wants to be heard the most. That means, you know, doing your research in advance about an issue and the players involved.

[nuxvomica]

18. I noticed that too

He was talking like someone full of pent-up rage.

[ITAL]

38. He was never as bad as many stated

I know people crapped on him all the time, but Meet the Press by its very nature always will give voice to both sides of the political spectrum with questionable guests. He was always more of a numbers guy - that's how he got his start on NBC. Back in the day he was Steve Kornacki before Steve Kornacki.

[BootinUp]

12. Maybe it's for the Drama. Nt

[themaguffin]

14. What is Chuck's role at NBC now...?

[tinrobot]

15. Chief Political Analyst

At least that's what the banner at the bottom of the screen said.

[sop]

23. One would think NBC's "Chief Policial Analyst" would have more say as to who they hire for commentary.

Todd seemed shocked his own network was paying the former head of the RNC.

[twodogsbarking]

16. He is Batman.

[TygrBright]

25. Chuck Todd can do a successful impersonation of a journalist! Who knew? n/t

[ohtransplant]

26. While I agree with everything he said...it appears to be a strategic move.

My guesses are his statement was 1) an attempt to assuage MSNBC staff and viewers who have a problem with the hiring (as do I!), and 2) vetted in advance with NBC/MSNBC brass.

Please forgive my cynicism...it is well earned.

[sop]

30. Ronna Romney McDaniel was ousted from the RNC by Trump.

She's Mitt Romney's niece, and everyone knows Mitt and Trump are enemies. And Trump had a bunch of Ronna's people fired when Lara Trump took over as co-chair. NBC probably hired Ronna with the understanding she would go after Trump.

[Patton French]

37. Yep

If he can’t find a way to both side it, well then.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

39. It is sad when I am in agreement with Chuck Todd

Link to tweet

[live love laugh]

40. Preemptive performance 🎭 ... and "journalists at NBC" is joke.