Laurence O'Donnell asks some really good questions

[PatSeg]

He has been filling in for Chris Matthews and his interviews are very impressive. Though his style is a bit more laid back, I perked up when he asked some very pointed questions of his guests and made some obvious observations that Matthews would have avoided.

I hope MSNBC can find a more permanent place for him. He is definitely an asset.

[malaise]

1. Lawrence has a great mind

Great questions indeed.

[PatSeg]

4. He's like a breath of fresh air

I've only seen him as a guest or a contributor, but he really holds his own without the more common yelling style.

Does anyone know what happened to Matthews? Last week they said he was overseas, but this week they aren't saying anything about his absence.

[orwell]

2. I agree...give him a show...n/t

[grantcart]

3. He has other creative interests, I am not sure he is looking for a full time gig

but I agree, he is the best of all, IMHO.

[PatSeg]

6. I know he was a producer/writer for the West Wing

but he hasn't done much since then, other than punditry. Think I'll write MSNBC. I still hope some day they'll replace the Joe and Mika comedy hour.

[Blue Belle]

13. I think the West Wing stuff actually helps him.

He was also involved with Senate work as well - thats how he got the West Wing gig. He knows how the Washington system operates and he knows the bullshit both sides push to get the votes they need. He also honed that quick witted / think on your feet style that is emblematic to Aaron Sorkin.

[PatSeg]

14. He is refreshingly knowledgeable

especially in comparison to Matthews who seems to rely on his "gut" more than facts.

[Cleita]

16. He's part of the Washington scene. He was

the Democratic Chief of Staff of the United States Senate Committee on Finance from 1993 through 1995. In 1992, he was Chief of Staff of the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. He wrote many of the episodes of the later years of the West Wing after Aaron Sorkin left the writing to others. I recently watched DVDs of the fictional West Wing Matt Santos Presidential campaign and it's almost prophetic how it paralleled the Obama campaign. It's like he knew what the next Democratic President would be like. I think he would make an excellent political TV host.

[PatSeg]

17. My daughter and I were watching the last season during

the presidential campaign and the parallels were uncanny. We also found it amusing that John McCain evidently watched the debate episode and took a line from it almost verbatim - taking a pen out his pocket and making a comment about vetoes. Unfortunately, it didn't work any better for McCain than it did for Vinick.

[annabanana]

5. I PARTICULARLY like how he won't let the RW talking points

glide by unchallenged. This is something Tweety has NEVER mastered.

[PatSeg]

7. Yes, yes, yes

Matthews drives me nuts sometimes when he lets crap slide, but it's usually because he's too busy thinking about what HE is going to say next, instead of listening to his guests.

[stanwyck]

8. And he knows how to counter with facts and details

he's SO MUCH better than so many of the politicos, I'm talking about YOU, Joe Scarborough.

[PatSeg]

9. And he leaves his ego out of the discussions

and it makes such a big difference, I'm talking about YOU Matthews (well, Scarborough too).

[HOLOS]

10. AGREE

[PatSeg]

11. I emailed MSNBC

to convey my compliments. Most of the substitute hosts in the past have left me kind of cold. They often try too hard to imitate Matthews and it is kind of embarrassing to watch.

[jasi2006]

20. Me too. More should do so. nt

[Blue Belle]

12. I saw that too.

He was great and he has a natural presence on camera. I would much rather watch Laurence O'Donnell then Joe Scarbouro.

[Catshrink]

15. And he asked followed up questions

and was relentless. Wow? What did they used to call that? Journalism?

[PatSeg]

18. Journalism?

The only place we see that these days is on PBS. Sadly he may be just too good for cable "news".

[kentuck]

19. I'll bet you a dollar that Buchanan slugs him before the year is over?

:rofl:

That will be some good TV!

But I really like Lawrence. He does not pull any punches. I have heard him tell Buchanan right to his face that he should be in jail for the shit he did during Watergate. :-)

So the plot is there...

[PatSeg]

22. Oh yeah

For a seemingly mild-mannered guy, he can really put Buchanan in his place.

[scheming daemons]

21. Lawrence O'Donnell is the best pundit in the business... bar ABSOLUTELY none

[jeanpalmer]

23. He'd be a natural

for Meet the Press. He's not afraid to ask the tough questions, and is not an ass kisser.

He destroyed Monica Cowley a few weeks ago on McLaughlin. Crowley was ranting about how Obama should take a tougher stance on Iran, and O'Donnell challenged her to give one sentence she wanted Obama to say. She couldn't come up with one and looked like an idiot. LOL. It was classic.

[PatSeg]

24. Oh, I hadn't thought of Meet the Press

You're right, he would be perfect. God knows Gregory hasn't been doing well with the show at all.

[Bonn1997]

25. He's fantastic!