My David Gregory Prediction Finally Comes True

In December of 2008, I wrote a blog entry in which I said this about David Gregory and his recent appointment as the host of Meet the Press:

"I think, like the entire direction of NBC, "Meet the Press" will slowly (maybe even quickly) go downhill. Gregory is certainly not of the class of those who came before him."

Now, 4-1/2 years later, "Meet the Press" has seen 20-year lows and, well, David Gregory is on his way out.

When I made that prediction in 2008, I didn't have a crystal ball.  All I knew is that NBC, by appointing Gregory, had overtly decided to abandon the down the middle reporting that was the hallmark of Tim Russert and, instead, take the show to the political left.   In doing so, they were sure to lose conservatives, like myself, who had appreciated years of Russert's fairness.  At the same time, centrists as well, would probably abandon the show once they realized that the reporting was too far left.  Couple this with the fact that a guy like Gregory would do everything possible to protect and not criticize a sitting liberal Democrat President and, it is no wonder they lost audience.  After all, the show's name is "Meet The Press" with the implication that the press would ask the expected hard-hitting questions.  But, that's not where this show has gone.


The current speculation is that Chuck Todd will replace Gregory.  Todd too, is a lefty; just not as far left as Gregory, and unless the production staff takes "Meet the Press" to the center it isn't going to make much of a difference in ratings.


References:

Cutting Through The Fog: December 3, 2008: David Gregory and "Meet the Press":  http://cuttingthroughthefog.blogspot.com/2008/12/david-gregory-and-meet-press.html

'Meet The Press' Gets Some Of Its Lowest Ratings In Over 20 Years: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/08/meet-the-press-ratings-third-week-abc-nbc-david-gregory_n_5288590.html

Playbook: Chuck Todd likely to replace David Gregory on 'Meet the Press': http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/08/playbook-chuck-todd-likely-to-replace-david-gregory-193735.html