NBC News announced yesterday that political director Chuck Todd, who currently provides on-air analysis for both the main network and their MSNBC cable franchise, is being reassigned. Beginning in January, Todd will cover the Obama administration as NBC's Chief White House Correspondent.I must say, this is not a move I saw coming. Todd is more of an analyst than a reporter. And, quite frankly (and I know I'm in the minority here), his analysis was a bit off during the general election campaign. (For the record, so was mine. But I'm not the Political Director of NBC News.)
Todd consistently predicted a close election, calling states like Pennsylvania and Colorado "too close to call," when polling showed obvious and comfortable tilts toward Obama, especially in the last month of the campaign. When sites like FiveThirtyEight and Pollster were showing the Democratic ticket heading to victory with over 310 electoral votes (it won with 365), Todd was always predicting a squeaker, with the winner getting just over the 270 needed.
Anyway, I hope he does well. I'm sure NBC sees something the rest of us don't. But, quite frankly, his demeanor is best suited for the original role of moderator of "Meet the Press" (not the Tim Russert model, but the original, where the moderator oversaw a panel of 3 or 4 journalists who asked the guests questions).
UPDATE: Todd wasn't "reassigned." According to Gail Shister, he was offered a contract extension for four more years. He'll continue as the network's Political Director, while at the same time serving as its Chief White House Correspondent, as well as Contributing Editor for "Meet the Press."
