NBC's Chuck Todd will anchor, be on air 20 hours a day at Conventions: Audition for Russert's job?

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: For political conventions, cable networks are the go-to channels
Ratings jumps at Fox News, CNN and MSNBC reward programming that dwarfs what broadcast networks have to offer.
By Matea Gold, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 17, 2008


ON THE RISE: Chuck Todd, NBC News political director, preps earlier this month in Washington, D.C., for the upcoming conventions.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- When the political parties hold their national conventions in coming weeks, network anchors Brian Williams, Charles Gibson and Katie Couric will have an hourlong special each evening to report on the gatherings. Chuck Todd will have 20 hours a day. Todd, NBC News political director, will deliver analysis on MSNBC from dawn until late at night, squeezing in appearances on the broadcast network. If anyone symbolizes the way the cable news networks have sought to dominate coverage of the 2008 presidential campaign, it's Todd, who has emerged as one of MSNBC's most important players in this memorable political season.

A 36-year-old goateed number cruncher who was barely known outside the Beltway a year ago, Todd now has fans who call themselves “Chuckolytes” and a growing profile in the news division, as an almost old-fashioned straight shooter among his highly opinionated colleagues and the shouting heads that dominate cable.

He's getting a major platform at the conventions, starting with the Democrats in Denver on Aug. 25. For the first time, Todd will be sitting behind the anchor desk, helming an hour of the cable coverage every day. It's a role that invariably will be viewed as an audition for an even larger post -- succeeding the late Tim Russert on NBC's Sunday program“ Meet the Press.” The fact that Todd is in the running for arguably the most influential political job in television speaks to the unexpected rise of the young analyst, who joined NBC last year from the online political newsletter the Hotline to take what historically had been a behind-the-scenes position. It's a career arc similar to that of Russert, who joined NBC as an executive, not expecting to go on the air.

Todd's expanding role underscores how the cable news networks are beefing up their coverage to take advantage of the huge interest in this year's presidential campaigns, during which historic firsts in an extended primary season captivated a record number of viewers. With a general election already generating daily clashes between the campaigns of Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, they're counting on the drama to continue....

***

When this year's Democratic primary got bogged down in questions about delegate math, Todd suddenly found his detailed knowledge in demand. "It's so refreshing and a little spooky to hear the same compliments about him that I last heard about my partner Tim," Williams said. "He can take a congressional district and make it a friendly place for viewers who may not have a copy of the Almanac of American Politics handy." NBC News' Capus draws a similar comparison between Todd and Russert, adding, "Chuck Todd is a guy who we have big plans for." That could mean a post on the network's venerable Sunday talk show, a program temporarily being moderated by Tom Brokaw, who calls Todd "a first violinist."

"Chuck may very well fit into our future plans for 'Meet the Press,' " said Capus, adding that he has not yet decided who should helm the program after the election....

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-ca-cable17-2008aug17,0,6320370,full.story

[rwheeler31]

1. Good choice for now.

[Diane R]

2. I think Chuck Todd is a really good choice. I hope he gets Meet The Press.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. He's my choice, too. nt

[SheilaT]

4. 20 hours a day?

Allowing for time to go to his hotel room and that he has to get up and (please, out of consideration for anyone who gets close to him) shower, he'd be lucky to get 3 hours of sleep a night. Not the best situation for remaining coherent. Even taking major uppers. Plus, is the convention coverage actually going to be 20 hours a day? The mind boggles.

[Skittles]

5. I like what I've seen of him on Washington Journal

he comes across as someone who is thoughtful and knowledgeable - dunno about 20 hours though

[creeksneakers2]

6. He often writes great stuff

on NBC's blog First Read. On network airtime he's leaned in the corporate direction.

[rusty fender]

7. Didn't NBC already name the MTP anchor?

Wasn't he someone who isn't well-known? I've even forgotten his name.

[Fearless]

8. Brokaw was doing it interim i believe.

I don't watch those shows much.

[DeepModem Mom]

9. I think they may not name a new permanent host until after the Election. nt