Globally Rational

Today’s LA Times has already started to speculate as to Tim Russert’s replacement after his tragic death yesterday. Their selections are all the obvious ones… it’s mostly just NBC’s top political men, like Chris Matthews and David Gregory.

With all due respect to Matthews and Gregory, I don’t think that either of them will ever be able to fill Russert’s shoes. Although they are great correspondents and each maintains his own high-quality show, neither can match Russert’s ability to think on his feet and win a debate with a high-class politician. I have only seen one other person who can talk to a top Washington official and pose follow-up questions with confidence and purpose.

The problem? Well, he’s a comedian.

The only person who can even dream of rivaling Russert’s quick-thinking interview skills is Jon Stewart. He is the closest thing that I’ve ever seen, but he’ll never be taken seriously because… well, he doesn’t really take himself seriously. Instead of being thought of as a potential replacement for Tim Russert, NBC might be signing him as a replacement for Conan O’Brien. Just watch Stewart’s appearance on Crossfire during the 2004 election (especially the 3-minute mark of the following video)… I think he singlehandedly brought the demise of that show:

Now try to tell me that he’s not amazing.

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