Luke Russert, NBC News: WTF???

[Bonobo]

Is being a newsman really IN THE BLOOD?

[polichick]

1. Like anything else I guess - he does seem to have it.

[Bonobo]

5. Have what?

[endthewar]

The love to hear yourself talk in front of a camera

He does seem halfway decent so far considering that he has very little television experience.

[Bonobo]

19. Missing the point. Why/how did he get the job? Lots of people are affable. nt

[endthewar]

21. Because his father just died and they loved Tim Russert.

They ask him a political question and then close with saying how much they liked his father.

[polichick]

14. The interest, enthusiasm and gift of gab that could lead to a career in political commentary...

Like Tim or not, the kid is a natural.

[Bonobo]

20. It has nothing to do with liking Tim for me.

It has to do with fairness mostly. And concern over a free media.

[polichick]

Well, of course he only got the job because of his father...

I was just like that at his age and wouldn't have had a chance!

[Breeze54]

32. He has a degree in communications and he's basically a roving reporter on the floor

of the convention and this is supposed to be just for both of the conventions but he has
previous experience too in radio and interviewing people like Bill Clinton and Lance Armstrong.

Luke Russert recently graduated from Boston College with a double major in History and Communications. Since March of 2006, he has co-hosted the critically acclaimed sports radio talk show "60/20 Sports" with political pundit James Carville on XM Satellite Radio. On "60/20 Sports" he has interviewed the likes of former President Clinton, former President George Bush, Bill Russell, Cal Ripken Jr. and Lance Armstrong. Luke is the son of the late Tim Russert and of Vanity Fair writer Maureen Orth.

[polichick]

39. I like the kid and think he's qualified enough - as are thousands of others...

Sure, he got the job in honor of his father, which is understandable imo ~ I enjoy seeing him.

[librechik]

35. yes--don't we all know how this works?

it's all who you know and who your father was in today's society. The merticracy we used to cultivate is long gone.

Welcome to the new Middle Ages

[LuckyLib]

38. Yes it is. Just like McChimp and McSame, it's called "affirmative action."

:sarcasm:

It happens in the power circles every day. Great American Know-Who.

[bdamomma]

2. good I hope he gets a hear full from young voters.

[eShirl]

3. the lucky sperm club: it's not just for business and politics anymore

[DS1]

4. GahH!

What?

Russert was a hack sellout sack of crap, and now we have version 2.0beta?

[truebrit71]

15. No kidding...just about the only thing I vehemently disagree with KO about is Timmah Rusturd...

..he was a right-wing enabling 'gotcha'-journo hack of the worst order...Satan and Kindasleazy Lice knew that they could go on Press The Meat anytime they wanted and spew all sorts of lies and misrepresentations safe in the knowledge that the bug-eyed pudgy bastard sitting opposite them would never EVER call them on it.

As a "journalist" he was about as useful as a kick-stand on a jackass...No reason to think his spawn will be any better...

[Bolo Boffin]

6. I wonder how Rudy... I'm sorry, Luke...

is going to sack the quarterback... I'm sorry, get a wild scoop and crush the Obama campaign.

[tridim]

7. I'm pretty much fine with him so far.

Being a talker is certainly in the genes.

[Bonobo]

11. I'm not criticizing him per se. Just the "system" that has created him.

It is patently ridiculous. They don't even PRETEND that people get hired for journalistic integrity or skills any more.

[hisownpetard]

23. I couldn't agree with you more! It's ridiculous that he got this job, especially when he says

things like, "They gave it to he and I."

ARGHH@#$%^&*()_+^%$#@!!

[JohnnyBoots]

41. You think Mika would be on Morning Joe if her last name was Jones and not Brezinski? n/t

[BOSSHOG]

8. It might be somewhat environmental

News is what he grew up with. My Dad was in the Navy and I joined after my Senior Year in High School. It occurs in many families. That's my highly scientific finding for the day.

[Ashy Larry]

9. Luke seems like a nice kid but....

Nepotism is the showing of favoritism toward relatives and friends, based upon that relationship, rather than on an objective evaluation of ability, meritocracy or suitability. For instance, offering employment to a relative, despite the fact that there are others who are better qualified and willing to perform the job. The word nepotism is from the Latin word 'nepos', meaning "nephew" or "grandchild".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepotism

[Bonobo]

16. Thanks for pointing out the obvious.

Apparently many people don't get it.

Not that I am surprised.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._political_families

[Phred42]

10. Oligarchy Legacy -

Just the Oligarchy protecting it's own

[Bonobo]

17. Thanks. See #16.

[onenote]

12. lots of children follow in a parent's footsteps

Is being a politician "in the blood"? Is being an athelete "in the blood"? Is being a musician in the blood?

Plenty of examples.

[Bonobo]

18. Athletes get their by working hard, as do musicians. Talking Head? Not so much. nt

[onenote]

24. notice you skipped over politicians ...

[Bonobo]

25. Do politicians work hard? Hmmm, in some ways yes, in some ways no. Depends.

What do you think?

[onenote]

26. I think russert is as qualified as he needs to be for the job he has

He grew up around the media business and thus probably has more familiarity with it than most. He worked for ESPN while he was in college. He had an on-air job with XM before his dad died. He wasn't hired to be an anchor, he is covering "youth" issues or some such. He's at least as qualified to do that as anyone else they might hire, imo.

[Arnold Judas Rimmer]

48. And who got Timmeh Jr. the XM gig?

James Gollum Carville-Matalin.

Corporate media, the Repukes, and the DLC. All cogs in the same fascist machine.

[onenote]

53. so you think every other job is given out based on objective criteria

and that who you know, who recommends you, etc. never effects hiring in other professions?

Not on my planet.

[samdogmom]

13. He was well-spoken at his dad's funeral and with the press in the aftermath!

I guess that's all it takes!

Tim Russert was totally owned by the Bush cabal...maybe they think Luke learned at the knee of a master?

What a bummer for starving journalists! I guess it all comes down to WHO you know and NOT WHAT you know!

Another sad development in the world of journalism. (This used to be an admirable career! Now? Not so much!)

[SoCalDem]

22. Nope..but nepotism is ...nt

[Breeze54]

27. Luke Russert Officially Joins NBC News' Campaign Coverage - he has the experience

Luke Russert Officially Joins NBC News' Campaign Coverage

http://www.observer.com/2008/media/luke-russert-officially-joins-nbc-news-campaign-coverage

by Felix Gillette | July 31, 2008
| Tags:

* Media
* Luke Russert
* NBC News

Confirming rumors that have been swirling around for weeks, NBC News executives today announced that Luke Russert (son of the late Tim Russert) will be joining the network's deep roster of political correspondents. His first assignment, according to today's press release, will be as a correspondent at large focusing on youth issues at the upcoming DNC and RNC conventions.

More from the release:

Luke Russert recently graduated from Boston College with a double major in History and Communications. Since March of 2006, he has co-hosted the critically acclaimed sports radio talk show "60/20 Sports" with political pundit James Carville on XM Satellite Radio. On "60/20 Sports" he has interviewed the likes of former President Clinton, former President George Bush, Bill Russell, Cal Ripken Jr. and Lance Armstrong. Luke is the son of the late Tim Russert and of Vanity Fair writer Maureen Orth.

[Bonobo]

30. More Nepotism.

"Luke Russert recently graduated from Boston College with a double major in History and Communications. Since March of 2006, he has co-hosted the critically acclaimed sports radio talk show "60/20 Sports" with political pundit James Carville on XM Satellite Radio. On "60/20 Sports" he has interviewed the likes of former President Clinton, former President George Bush, Bill Russell, Cal Ripken Jr. and Lance Armstrong. Luke is the son of the late Tim Russert and of Vanity Fair writer Maureen Orth."

My brother majored in communications. He was NEVER going to get a job on Network TV or to interview a President.

[Breeze54]

33. Did he try? Not everyone gets in... you're right.... networking for any job is key

It's not always what you know but who you know and that's been true for years and years.
I don't doubt that Russert's parents have a lot of contacts and he probably knows some
too from meeting them at family parties, etc. He also seems to want to follow his Dad.

[depakid]

34. That's excessively so in the entertainment business

which is what this is in America.

[Breeze54]

37. True but it's been like this for years.... connections help in any job search.

;)

[MANative]

40. You don't know how right you are!

My business is in consulting to staffing and recruiting firms. Our internal studies have consistently shown (10+ years' history) that better than 70% of all jobs are filled by making a direct personal connection through another individual. It's all about networking - in other words, it IS all about who you know.

[Breeze54]

42. Yeah I do know how right I am... LOL... networking is KEY!

In my state they have networking meetings through the Employment office that meets weekly or bi-weekly and not
just at the employment office. If one wants a better job, they should google job networking for their state, imho! ;)

[MANative]

43. Without a doubt!

and LinkedIn is another newer strategy for building those networks. I've personally reconnected with former colleagues and clients, and developed new business through that site. :hi:

[Gidney N Cloyd]

28. We seem to be returning to an almost feudal approach to passing jobs along.

It's been really bad around Chicago with family members "inheriting" political positions. We've always had cronyism and nepotism but I can't think of a time before when so many elected offices would be passed along like family businesses.

[Bonobo]

31. Amazing how so many, even here, accept it as SOP. nt

[Tangerine LaBamba]

45. "... returning..."?

It's always been this way. It's always been a matter of personal referrals and connections. That gets the door opened. It works like that everywhere. But, if you don't have the stuff, you don't last.

If I hadn't had a writer friend who sent me to his literary agent, the odds are vast that I'd never made it into the publishing world. Staying there is a whole other matter.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

46. I agree referrals & connections have always gotten you in the door.

And even in politics-- perhaps especially in politics-- we're used to the kind of nepotism in hiring that gets cousins and inlaws placed in jobs they aren't really qualified for. But it seems like the last few years any stigma that might have been attached to passing along an elected position to a spouse or child has been lifted. And in politics, unlike publishing, staying there is the easy part.

[onenote]

54. "returning to"... englighten me as to when family ties didn't matter

What a coincidence it was that John Quincy Adams had a name so much like that of the second president!

Political "dynasties" in the US have been around for as long as...well...the US.

[movonne]

29. No it is who your parents are..

[screembloodymurder]

36. In the manipulated news business, there is only one rule.

Read what's on the screen and don't let your face betray us.

[Obamarama]

44. Ugh. How utterly maudlin and distasteful. PLUS, this kid has no political credentials at all.

First, his father hasn't been dead more than a few months. I know that mourning customs have changed through the decades, but I think it's more than a little ghoulish to be trotting out Junior and foisting him in front of the cameras at this point. Oh yeah....but then NBC wouldn't be able to continue what has to be the world's longest eulogy of the deceased Russert, would they?

Second, I never had an issue with Russert or his style. From what I've read, heard, and seen, his son Luke does seem to be brighter than the average bulb. And, I'm sure he did learn an awful lot about politics and the news industry from his father. BUT, I think he's far too wet behind the ears to be given a central role in the political reporting arm of the network.

[book_worm]

47. nepotism, pure and simple.

[otohara]

52. Yeah, MSNBC Didn't Give A Shit

about Tim Russert & his wife, kid.

They just like to hire family members as soon as a high rated long time employee dies.

[Imagevision]

49. I equate this thread to people who haven't seen F-911 but still voice their opinon of it...

[Evoman]

50. :shrug: Same reason my cousin lost her job to the managers daughter.

Same reason I can't find a good job, but my wealthier classmates with good contacts get jobs way above what they should get with their education.

It's always been about who your parents are. You win that lottery, your basically set. The rest of us have to work our asses off for years to even get close.

[otohara]

51. He's ADORABLE

Jesus do we have to slam a dead man's son too?

He's reporting on the youth vote, his answers yesterday were great - Duh, he understands Facebook and Chris Matthews does not.