Although I am a fan of the political news on MSNBC, I don't always relate well to each of the on…read moreair personalities that have regular shows throughout the day and night. I often wonder why they selected someone to host a show when their journalistic skills are questionable. I also understand that such judgments are highly subjective, and many may not agree with me.
From early morning through late night, I offer the following:
5:00 AM ET - Kasie Hunt - Incomplete. I don't normally get up that early to see her work, but have seen her filling in or straight up reporting occasionally.
6:00 AM ET - Morning Joe (Mika Brzezinski, Joe Scarborough) Mika, 3 Stars out of 5. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and doesn't pretend to be objective. I am sympathetic, but prefer my morning coffee black, without cream or sugar.
Joe, 4 Stars. He brings political experience and decent intellect to the job. His opinion pieces are strong. His conservative background provided insight into how the right sees the issues of the day, although he has clearly moved to the left sitting next to Mika and marrying her.
9:00 AM ET - Stephanie Ruhle, 2 Stars. Far too argumentative with almost everyone. Her economics/finance background is not apparent.
10:00 AM. ET - Hallie Jackson, 3.5 Stars - Much better as a reporter than an anchor. She asks good questions and follows up sharply, but doesn't connect as well with her audience as most of the other desk sitters.
11:00 AM ET - Craig Melvin, 3.5 Stars. Solid anchor and reporter, who seldom seems to get the great interview, or offer tight analysis or opinion.
12:00 Noon ET - Andrea Mitchell, 4.5 Stars. She's been around forever, and hasn't lost her touch with securing good guests and asking tough questions.
Chuck Todd, MTP Daily, 1:00 PM - 4 Stars. He loves politics and it shows. Sharp interviewer and excellent with election details. Yet, he seems a bit overexposed with a daily show and the legendary Meet the Press on Sunday morning, plus weekly podcast.
Katy Tur, 2:00 PM - Incomplete. I don't watch her that often and she is back from maternity leave. What I recall is that she is smart and aggressive interviewer, who takes no guff. Need more time to see where she is now.
Ayman Mohyeldin, 3:00 PM - 3 Stars. Fairly new as an anchor. Had been a weekender or spot fill in. He knows what he is doing, but hasn't gotten totally secure in his job. Still, he holds his own in tough interviews most of the time, but is too deferential to his heroes.
Nicolle Wallace, 4:00 PM - 4 Stars. Coming out of the Bush White House, she brings her knowledge of republican perspective and books good guests who knew her when. Clearly getting more liberal over time (like Scarborough), and always treats her people well, except when a Trump shill tries to sell her day old meat.
Ari Melber, 6:00 PM - 4 Stars. Like his legal training, which no other anchor seems to have. He is sometimes too clever for his own good, and allows himself to become the focus of the show, rather than his guests. Has the most diverse guests on the network, and they all have fun with him. Step Back Friday is a great idea.
Joy Reid, 7:00 PM - 2.5 Stars. A new addition to prime time, The ReidOut is an hour of Joy following one or two issues each show, but not doing enough with them. Obviously bright, she doesn't mind ripping on her guests or the subjects of her reporting. She can be a bully. I can't watch an entire show.
Chris Hayes, 8:00 PM - 5 Stars. The most intelligent anchor on the network, who is always modest in affect, yet possessing killer instincts. He can handle difficult guests and challenge the best obfuscators with surgical skill. Fun to watch him dissect an argument without leaving a scar. Does a very good podcast, too.
Rachel Maddow, 9:00 PM - 3.5 Stars. Very hot and cold. High intellect, and she knows it. Often too smug about her abilities, putting off guests and viewers. Once in a while she knocks an interview or insight out of the park, but not often enough to hold my attention. Do appreciate her gender politics, but no longer watch msnbc's election coverage, because she doesn't bring enough political insight to the show. She's not a true analyst, but more an average commentator. Same is true for Reid and Wallace. MSNBC really needs to up its election night game.
Lawrence O'Donnell, 10:00 PM - 2.5 Stars. Resting on his laurels as a person who worked on the Hill and knew the old Dems personally. Cool, but not much originality left on the bones, and he is not a particularly good interviewer. Takes too many cheap shots against Rs he doesn't respect.
Brian Williams, 11:00 PM - 4.5 Stars. Like his tireless work ethic and diplomatic handling of guests. His nightly countdown of the days left until the next election and remaining in the current presidential term is like an old friend checking in daily. He is smooth, funny and brings long experience to the job of nightly circus master.