Allison Stewart is a breath of fresh air.....

[RichGirl]

I hate to say it, but I was not looking forward to watching Rachel today. She's grim and in need of talking down on a good day!!

[IndianaJones]

1. she'd be a lot better if she honed her craft reading sports highlights. nt.

[Berry Cool]

6. Or WRITING sports highlights.

KO was never just a "reader." And it shows.

[BunkerHill24]

2. My thinking exactaly....she looks confident and coherent for the part

[bigdarryl]

3. Her hubby is a big wig on MSNBC I think he's the Vice President

[mth44sc]

4. I don't hate to say it...

compared to last night this one is a 10.

I've missed her...

[Hieronymus]

5. Rachel is sorely missed.

[Clio the Leo]

8. Yep, by me too....

... Allison is alright but she does not impress me.

And I STILL say outlawing nights off by Rachel AND Keith at the SAME time should be Obama's first act in office! Let him sign it in the car as he drives down Constitution Ave or Pennsylvania Ave or whichever one it is.

[RichGirl]

15. I admire Rachel's intelligence.

What I don't like is that she has turned her own pessimism into a segment. If there is bad news, then fine, report it. She would have had a field day yesterday and talking about it would have been therapeutic for everyone. What I object to is coming up with bad news EVERYDAY to be talked down from. And...she said recently that no one has yet to talk her down from anything. She is a "cup is half empty" person and I usually avoid that type. I'm not into denial, but I also don't like when someone has to find a dark cloud in every situation.

Allison Stewart has the sunny personality of Katie Couric or Kelly Ripa, with intelligence and without the obnoxiousness.

[Motown_Johnny]

7. I like Rachel, but if Allison got David Gregory's spot I would be a happy camper

[ACTION BASTARD]

9. Is it wrong to watch her and wish she could spank me?

Cuz if that's wrong then baby never let me be right! WoooooHooooo. Foxy lady.

[firedupdem]

10. for you!

[TheDonkey]

11. I like Allison. Maddow's doom and gloom gets old fast. Is that really her shtick?

on race to the WH she was only sometimes negative and mopey but mostly defended democrats. On her show she splits time needing to be "talked down" and actual positive news on Democrats. :/

[ginnyinWI]

18. I think she was the same on her radio show.

But being on the radio it didn't seem as negative. Well I suppose radio can be more negative--it's almost expected. Think Randi Rhodes, Ed Schultz, Rush Limbaugh, etc etc.--their stock in trade is complaining about stuff, not reporting news or being positive. The negative is what packs the punch on radio.

[AtomicKitten]

12. I think she is lovely.

[fadedrose]

13. She looks great with straight hair....

I've been wondering where she's been.

I keep hoping they'd dump Alex Witt (faux kindergarten newsreader) and get Stewart back..

[mwb970]

14. Allison's OK, though her new hairdo makes her look like a high-school kid.

The main problem is that she is blatantly reading what she says off a prompter. (I'm sure Rachel is too, but it's not so obvious.) And did you see Allison "interviewing" the surprisingly shallow Tina Brown? In the face of nonsense answers Allison just paused and went on to read Brown the next, unrelated question.

Rachel's the pro here. I'll be glad when she's back.

[MarjorieG]

16. Rachel has intellectual depth, concerns for conflicts and downsides, delivered cheefully. Allison...

delivers the sarcasm as written, but a downer my hubby won't watch. Loves Rachel.

[ginnyinWI]

17. Is Allison's day job at NPR now?

I tuned in "Talk of the Nation" yesterday and she was hosting it! At least it sounded like her and the person had the same name! It was really good too--she is bright and articulate and made it fun to listen, even if it was public radio.