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It's time to bring back a Washington institution. Yesterday, Politico's Mike Allen broke the news that Chuck Todd, NBC's political director and chief White House correspondent, is the favorite to replace David Gregory and take over the helm at "Meet The Press." An official announcement on the switch is expected to be made in the next few weeks according to Allen.
 
Of course, this news doesn't really come as a surprise to anyone who's been watching "Meet The Press" of late. Ever since the death of Tim Russert in 2008, "Meet the Press" has floundered, often finding itself at the bottom of the Sunday news show ratings.
 
In fact, the show has seen some of its worst ratings ever under David Gregory. As a change looms at "Meet the Press," it's worth taking a look at how this once great pillar of political news television has ended up at the bottom of the ratings barrel, and how it can be made great again. And to be fair, it's not all David Gregory's fault. Simply swapping him out for Chuck Todd won't right the ship.
 
One of the major problems with "Meet The Press" of late is that the show assumes that its audience is not following the news, and has no clue about the week's events. But, as Jason Linkins points out over at The Huffington Post, the majority of the people that tune into "Meet the Press" are "well-versed in the stories of the week," and have, "already absorbed the talking points of the major players, availed themselves of a wealth of insight and expertise, and have even participated in their own discussions on current events."
 
Basically, the show's producers appear to think its viewers are a lot dumber and a lot more uninformed than they actually are.
 
Read more here.
 
-Thom
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Tonight on The Big Picture on RT TV at 7pm and 10pm... Keystone XL...global pollution on steroids? (check your local listings for stations or stream at RT or Free Speech TV, and catch past shows on Youtube)
 
Have a question or comment for Thom? Grab your phone, hit record and send your video to [email protected] and we may air it on "The Big Picture."
 
Big Picture Politics Panel:
- Hughey Newsome, Project 21 / MoveOnUp.org  Twitter  Twitter  Twitter
- Nate Sweet, Progressive Commentator  Twitter
- Tyler Harber, GOP Strategist  Twitter
 
The Best of the Rest...
 
Keystone XL...global pollution on steroids?
- Tyson Slocum, Public Citizen's Energy Program  Twitter
 
Plus, Log Cabin Republicans...taking their party back
- Gregory T. Angelo, OH Log Cabin Republicans  Twitter
 
Daily Take: Advice for Meet the Press
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Tuesday's Daily Stack Daily Stack
Hour One: Who does the First Amendment protect?
- Bryan Fischer, American Family Association Twitter Twitter
Case: "Burwell v. Hobby Lobby", 2014.
Article: "Establishment Clause" by Wikipedia.
Letter: "Letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush, Monticello" by Thomas Jefferson, September 23, 1800. " for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."
Article: "14th Amendment, July 9, 1868
 
Article: "California campaign finance measure booted off ballot" by Christopher Cadelago and Jim Miller.
Site: Yes on 49.
The good: Justice William Riggs: "Former Oregon Supreme Court Justice Endorses Pot Legalization" by Nicole Flatow.
The bad: Erick Erickson: "Erickson: Abortion Barbie a 'perfect' Davis parody" by Peggy Fikac.
The very, very ugly: "Federal Judge Charged with Beating Wife" by Josh Marshall.
Site: Governor Free Don Siegelman.
Quote: " I early absented myself from the public assemblies of the sect" - Benjamin Franklin".

Hour Two: What it means to be African American in America's new police state
- Joe Madison, The Joe Madison Show on Sirius/XM Twitter
Article: "Threats delay release of officer's name" by Brandie Piper.

Hour Three: What it means to be African American in America's new police state
- Joe Madison, The Joe Madison Show on Sirius/XM, continued Twitter
Petition: "JUSTICE for Archie "Artie" Elliott, III" by Dorothy Copp Elliott.
 
Talk Radio News Segment:
- Bob Ney Twitter
Article: "Obama: Michael Brown Shooting "Heartbreaking"" by Nicholas Salazar.
Article: "Obama: New Iraqi PM "A Promising Step Forward"" by Nicholas Salazar.
Article: "TRNS News Notes- 8/12" by Victoria Jones.
Article: "TRNS News Notes- 8/11" by Victoria Jones.
 
Science & Green News
Article: "" by .
Article: "Is Musical Talent Rooted in Genes?" by Jillian Rose Lim.

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