Russert’s Legacy: A Woman Meeting the Press?
As the second Sunday rolls around without Tim Russert, and while Brian Williams will be standing in this weekend, I am remembering the influence Meet the Press has had on the leadership of this country, due in part to the seriousness and poise with which Russert treated both his guests and those of us who occasionally were his critics. I was one of those critics, when the White House Project conducted a series of studies entitled “Who’s Talking” which showed how few women experts ever appeared on Meet the Press (and four other Sunday morning talk shows).
Granted, when it came to political guests, Russert and the rest had to take whoever the political sphere sent, but open slots still remained, and women were outnumbered in all the shows by nine-to-one in guest appearances. Instead of trying to cover up the findings, Russert and his executive producer did a “re-count” of our analysis; and when they found “Who’s Talking” to be true, they responded with the journalistic integrity and professionalism that so many have accorded to Russert and the program.
They even had us come over to the show to discuss our findings. They acknowledged that we had, indeed, counted correctly. But when we mentioned how they could have increased their numbers just by having women make the same number of repeat appearances that men did, they balked. “Look at all the repeat appearances the then fresh-faced Senator John Edwards made on your show,” we said.
“Oh, but he was a vice-presidential nominee,” they countered, “That’s why we had him on so often.”
We took them back to when Edwards made all those appearances, and showed them how actually took place before any mention of Edwards as Vice President. “Perhaps you helped make him a nominee.”
It was a friendly, respectful meeting. And I watched every Sunday because even when I saw the march of men, I had hope for a show where a powerful man had treated us seriously and respectfully.
I cheered when in this election season, I saw Russert take the opportunity the candidates’ diversity presented to offer up female pundits week after week: Mary Matalin, Michelle Norris, Gwen Infill, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Peggy Noonan, Maureen Dowd - a veritable platter of diversity, and much of it fresh and welcome.
It’s made me hope that one of these women might eventually take Russert’s mantle; after all, visibility is viability, and wouldn’t it be great to have the most prestigious and hard hitting show on the Sunday circuit feature a woman host?
In honor of Tim Russert, I invite all who read this to submit your favorite host and we will forward your suggestions to NBC.
It would be a great tribute to Russert, who opened so many doors in his life, to open this one in his death.
http://ColoradoSprings,CO June 25th, 2008 at 1:57 pm |
I’d like to see Gwen Infill take the helm of Meet the Press. She shares many of the characteristics of Russert and would be a welcome addition to my Sunday morning ritual of coffee and Meet the Press.
http://Stafford,TX77477 June 25th, 2008 at 2:06 pm |
I admire both Cokie Roberts and Arianna Huffington and think that either would be good talk show hosts, or definitely, good guests in a collective debate. Amy Klein is also a notable author who would be a valuable guest with much to offer on a number of current topics.
http://Denver,CO June 25th, 2008 at 2:10 pm |
I like the idea of Cokie Roberts taking over on “Meet the Press.” She is politically savvy, has all the connections, and presents a balanced perspective.
http://Evergreen,CO June 25th, 2008 at 2:21 pm |
Gwen Ifill gets my vote. I hadn’t thought of Cokie Roberts until reading the other postings; I think she would be a good candidate as well.
http://Minneapolis,MN June 25th, 2008 at 2:24 pm |
Gwen Ifill, definitely.
http://newcity,NY June 25th, 2008 at 2:27 pm |
Gwen Ifill, to me is…..Gwen CAN-fill, Gwen WILL-lfil, and Gwen SHOULD-fil
She combines knowledge and humility, speaks truth to power, and most importantly listens.
http://Washington,DC June 25th, 2008 at 2:28 pm |
Gwen Ifill was my knee-jerk response, Cokie Roberts would be fabulous too. And, while she’s not my favorite, I wouldn’t mind Mary Matalin (it could be refreshing to have a Republican in that seat during what will be a run of big Dem power.) Any of them would be a nice alternative to the stomach-turning rhetoric of Chris Matthews.
http://Sarasota,FL June 25th, 2008 at 2:36 pm |
I like the styles of Margaret Warner and Judy Woodruff. They are professional and seem to be objective as they interview and evaluate events and news. Cokie Roberts is another good possibility and then there is Joan Walsh of Salon.
http://Boston,MA June 25th, 2008 at 3:07 pm |
Gwen Ifill gets my vote and breaks TWO barriers.
http://Manteca,CA June 25th, 2008 at 3:09 pm |
I would like to see Maria Shirver host the show.
http://Atlanta,GA June 25th, 2008 at 3:23 pm |
I enjoy watching Gwen Ifill because of many of the same journalistic and professional qualities that I admired in Tim Russert — excellent political depth of knowledgeable, great listener, firm but fair. There are a number of good candidates, but Gwen would get my vote.
http://LafayetteHill,PA June 25th, 2008 at 4:18 pm |
Doris Kearns Goodwin — she has the depth, breadth, charm, and sense of humor. Now is the time to get away from the pundit as entertainer.
http://WestHollywood,CA June 25th, 2008 at 4:25 pm |
Diane Sawyer
Judy Woodruff
Meredith Viera
–p.
http://Bend,OR June 25th, 2008 at 4:46 pm |
Gwen would be wonderful… as someone already said…she’d be a welcome addition to my coffee, Sunday paper and
‘Meet the Press’ ritual. Go Gwen!
http://Silverdale,WA June 25th, 2008 at 6:35 pm |
I think Gwen Ifill would be terrific, too! She has a similar personality to Russert, also, which often makes for better interviews because people feel more open to answering. She’s at the top of my list.
Other suggestions: what about Christiane Amanpour? Martha Raddatz? Lara Logan?
http://Encinitas,CA June 25th, 2008 at 8:11 pm |
Gwen Ifill. Go Gwen!
http://SanDiego,CA June 25th, 2008 at 8:50 pm |
Thalia Assuras/CBS is due.
http://Belleville,MI June 25th, 2008 at 8:52 pm |
I like Gwen Ifill. I, too, think she would be a great host for Meet the Press. It would also show the world that women can host a big time political and news talk show.
http://NY,NY June 25th, 2008 at 9:04 pm |
Gwen Ifill: Professional, intelligent, thoughtful & thorough. A wise choice for NBC.
http://SpringfieldGardens,NY June 25th, 2008 at 9:18 pm |
Gwen Ifill - breaks two barriers. She is gutsy yet professionally suave, just like Russert. Would keep his legacy alive.
http://LosAlamos,NM June 25th, 2008 at 9:39 pm |
Diane Sawyer
Katie Couric
Doris Kearns Goodwin.
DEFINITELY, a woman anchoring MEET THE PRESS
http://CooperCity,FL June 25th, 2008 at 9:45 pm |
I think Cokie Roberts would be great. I also think Meredith Viera would be wonderful She represents women in a strong yet non-bias way. She has the character to sit in this seat.
http://LaJunta,CO81050 June 25th, 2008 at 11:17 pm |
Gwen Ifill gets my vote.
June 26th, 2008 at 12:37 am |
Consider Coke Roberts or Whoopi Goldberg who is far more politically “savvy” than most people perceive.
http://Cincinnati,OH June 26th, 2008 at 8:30 am |
Anne-Marie Slaughter
http://Chicago,IL June 26th, 2008 at 9:31 am |
Andrea Mitchell has the savvy, the contacts, the knowledge, the trust that we so admired in Tim Russert. Gwen Ifill, Katie Couric, Cokie Roberts, and Campbell Brown would all also be great.
http://ReadingPA June 26th, 2008 at 7:28 pm |
My first choice is Gwen Ifill for many of the same reasons mentioned above. My second choice would be Andrea Mitchell as a disciple of Russerts.
http://Topeka,KS June 26th, 2008 at 9:24 pm |
Ann Curry
http://Plainfield,Ill June 27th, 2008 at 6:38 pm |
Doris Kearns Goodwin or Maria Shriver. Either one would be great.
http://DenverCo July 2nd, 2008 at 1:02 pm |
How about Maria Shriver. Yes, she is a politicized and politically charged figure but she has previously made a journalistic name in her own right. (Also a positive model for strong independent women!)
http://Morrisville,PA July 8th, 2008 at 9:30 pm |
I would like to have Andrea Mitchell host Meet the Press.