MSNBC Edges Rightward? Keith Olbermann Out, Ed Rendell Rumored To Be In
NewsBusters asked Saturday, "Does Olbermann Ouster Mean Comcast is Moving MSNBC to the Right?"
Roughly 24 hours later, Politico reported that Ed Rendell is in contract negotiations to become a pundit for the so-called news network:
The former two-term [Democrat] governor and Philadelphia mayor is still in contract negotiations with the cable network, but details could be finalized as early as this week.
"I'm doing it mostly because I want to continue to participate in the public dialogue and speeches and television are the best venues to do that," Rendell said in an interview.
As TVNewser noted, there seems to be a growing trend of former governors heading to cable. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and Alaska's Sarah Palin are now working for Fox News; New York's Eliot Spitzer recently joined CNN.
As such, this isn't necessarily anything new.
What is newsworthy though is Rendell isn't your typical MSNBC liberal. Next to folks like Keith Olbermann, Lawrence O'Donnell, Rachel Maddow, and Ed Schultz, the former Pennsylvania governor is practically right-wing.
And, he is considered by folks on both sides of the aisle to be a very reasonable, calm, polite, and thoughtful interview.
Not exactly the model of a modern major liberal currently roaming MSNBC studios.
To be sure, this would be a baby-step compared to the network actually adding a conservative to its stable, but this still might be telling us something about the new direction here especially if Rendell is being brought on specifically to cover the 2012 campaign.
Despite what former MSNBC contributor David Shuster said on Sunday's "Reliable Sources," the performance of Maddow, Matthews, O'Donnell, and Olbermann on Election Night two months ago was disgraceful.
As media critic David Zurawik wrote at the time, "[T]he entire realm of TV journalism was diminished in the public mind." Even the liberal Daily Beast was offended.
NBC bigwigs must have taken notice, and are likely looking to bring some sanity to their coverage of the next election cycle.
They've surely gone a long way by getting Olbermann out and Rendell in if Politico is right about this pending move.
Makes you wonder what's next.
Stay tuned.
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Comments
First question for Rendell.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 12:46pm.
So, Eddie, where the hell were you when this "doc" was "snipping" spinal cords of live babies in Philly, huh?
Granted that isn't as awful as someone wanting to see an actual birth certificate for Obambi, but it does seem to be a fair question, right?
Rendell
Submitted by djaymick on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 12:51pm.
Reports today out of Philly have Rendell going back to his old stomping grounds - Ballard Spahr. I even received an email from them announcing the move. An attorney that i used in a business that I consult for, moved to Ballard about 2 years ago. They still look to get in the door to our organization (therefore I still receive updates from them). Here is the email:
Ballard Spahr WelcomesGov. Edward G. Rendell as Partner
Ballard Spahr is delighted to announce that Edward G. Rendell, who served two terms as Governor of Pennsylvania, is returning as a member of the firm in the Philadelphia office. Gov. Rendell is a former Mayor of Philadelphia, City District Attorney, and Chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Gov. Rendell brings significant experience to the firm and its clients nationwide. His practice will focus on public-private partnerships and issues relating to infrastructure, energy, the environment, health care, and higher education.
The Governor is widely recognized as an adept policymaker who guided Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through unprecedented fiscal distress. He drew national attention as “America’s Mayor,” eliminating Philadelphia’s crippling deficit, balancing the City budget, and generating five consecutive budget surpluses. The renaissance of the City is largely attributed to his determination, inspiration, and energy.
As Governor of Pennsylvania (2003-2011), he drew praise for policymaking that dramatically improved education in the Commonwealth and helped spur economic development. The Governor spearheaded initiatives encouraging the use of alternative and renewable energy. A passionate advocate for accessible and affordable high-quality health care, Gov. Rendell created the Governor’s Office of Health Care Reform as well as the widely touted “Prescription for Pennsylvania,” which outlined strategies for containing costs while improving care.
Gov. Rendell is probably best known, though, for his tireless commitment to economic development. During his tenure, he developed a comprehensive economic development plan, making targeted and effective investments to help businesses grow and thrive. Gov. Rendell, along with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, founded Building America’s Future, a national bipartisan infrastructure investment coalition.
Gov. Rendell will work with all of the Ballard Spahr partners and offices, advising current public and private clients of the firm and forging new client relationships. He will play an integral role in counseling clients in a world in which law, business, and government must adapt quickly to change.That doesn't mean that he will decline an offer from Comcast, since he worked for them during his tenure as Governor (he appeared at their studios in Philly after every Eagles game). It just means that he will probably be a lobbyist for Ballard and promoting their philosophies in a Comcast environment.
This is about Obama not MSNBC.
Submitted by Ashrak on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 12:57pm.
This is a move to try and save Pennsylvania for Obama, imho.
I do wonder what is next. I
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 12:57pm.
I do wonder what is next. I anticipate even more major changes on MSNBC (or whatever it will be known as in the near future).
Rendell
Submitted by KC Mulville on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 1:04pm.
Maybe it's my hometown bias showing up, but I wouldn't mind Rendell on a regular basis. He's a guy that I rarely agree with, but he can present the Left's case without insulting conservatives. We can haggle with this guy.
In order to accelerate their final swirl down the crapper,
Submitted by virginia republican on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 1:05pm.
MSNBC ought to get Al Not So Sharpton to replace Olbermann. They're equally cluless.
Rendell
Submitted by Lord-come-soon-... on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 1:09pm.
I can't get a fix on this guy, considering the two Rendells I have seen on TV. I have seen the considerate, fair minded Rendell on Fox occasionally, and I've seen the highly partisan left wing zealot Rendell on CNN, MESSNBC and the Leftist broadcast networks. I guarantee if he does go to MESSNBC, he will revert to the obnoxious leftist Rendell.
Well Eddie is hands down as
Submitted by Barack_must_go..... on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 1:35pm.
Well Eddie is hands down as full of himself and bitterly partisan as Keith, the rest they can work on. Maybe he'd be a good fit since he is as misguidedly ideological as both the Ass Clown and the puppetmaster Soros, who we all know really calls the shots in all things related to the socialization of America initiative of lame street media propaganda campaign.
Barack_Must_Go.....
And Bracky the ScatBoy drops an "Ass Clown"
Submitted by The Vet on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 1:41pm.
2 more to go today Bracky the ScatBoy. Gotta fill your quota. Use 'em or lose 'em.
Troll Alert -- The most vulgar profane troll NewsBusters has ever seen - Barack_must_go
And you picked it up for him, lol
Submitted by ckc1227 on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 3:25pm.
Ironic.
Still waiting...
Submitted by The Vet on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 4:20pm.
Still waiting for you to act like a man and own up to your idiocy. And lies. And bull. And needling.
Anytime you are ready to man up, I am still waiting for you there. In the meantime, you keep on giving trolls cover. LoLLies! Roffles! RofflieMawMaws! Internet Laughies. Putz.
Tell us Bracky the ScatBoy's best friend, ney buddy, which one of his coprologies do you love best? What is your favorite? Go there and tell us all. Putz. Come on. Since you fancy yourself to be the Anti-Vet. Do it. Go there and give us a 10 point list of your favorite coprologies from you newfound buddy Bracky the ScatBoy.
But yeah, I have the funny feeling this will be yet another response I will be wating for months on end from the drive-by troll loving sissy that attacks me and kisses the trolls.
So how does getting a slimy
Submitted by WarEagle66 on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 2:37pm.
So how does getting a slimy ex-governor of a failed state mean that MSNBC is veering right?
→ It's "nuanced", WarEagle
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 2:44pm.
Ed Rendell has already begun his post-governor career as a lobbyist for the casino gaming industry. Even going so far as to call Americans imbeciles for not being as enlightened as he is.
So, in a way, Rendell is pro-business, hoping to gather up all the welfare money he can from Pennsylvanians who are going to starve their kids anyway.
Rendell: "Well, if they were going to lose it anyway, let's get the upside."
I would hardly consider Rendell to the right...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 2:43pm.
in any way, politically. While he is most certainly not as far left as Olbermann, Rendell is not what I would consider a conservative or even a moderate Democrat. He is a liberal Democrat, and I have heard him say (on Fox), quite proudly and definitively, that he considers himself a liberal.
This might be seen as a further indication that MSNBC may be making a move away from the far left, but I'm not convinced. As long as they keep Matthews, O'Donnell, Schultz and the rest of the gang on the payroll, they will remain, hands down, the farthest left cable news outlet.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Eddie
Submitted by RightRealDeal on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 3:17pm.
Putting Ed on is a step but heis also very liberal so do not think this will turn MSNBC into some beacon of truth, it will not. Ed is better behaved than Olby but he is still on the dark side.
Also, Ed will do this since The Philadelphia Eagles got drummed out of the playoffs. Ed is on COMCAST Sportsnet post game Eagles show when they are still playing. I believe doing that is Ed's first love.
Ed was destated when the Beagles got bounced by The Packers. So now, Ed needs something to do.
Ed is actually a nice guy, I met him and all that but still a lefty big time.
6, 1/2 dozen.
Submitted by rwesley2.0 on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 3:30pm.
6, 1/2 dozen.
Ed Rendell "is considered by
Submitted by TE on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 4:08pm.
Ed Rendell "is considered by folks on both sides of the aisle to be a very reasonable, calm, polite, and thoughtful"?
Ed Rendell is as vile, militant and partisan as any leftist freakshow freak on A-Mess-NBC or ABC or CBS or PBS or CNN or ....
Huh? Veer Right?
Submitted by needle on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 6:26pm.
If MSNBC want to veer right, let's see them lure Huckabee away from FOX New; then I will be impressed.
- Looking forward to the self-annihilation of the Manipulated Stories Machine.
MORE IMPROVEMENTS AT
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Tue, 01/25/2011 - 3:38pm.
MORE IMPROVEMENTS AT MSNBC...
Ed Schultz to be replaced by Talking Donkey.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.