MSNBC's Ed Schultz: 'I'm not your quintessential liberal'

[jefferson_dem]

Have to say, i've been pleasantly surprised...and impressed with Big Ed. Good stuff on that 6:00 ET hour.

MSNBC's Ed Schultz: 'I'm not your quintessential liberal'
By MICHAEL CALDERONE | 5/13/09 4:43 AM EDT



NEW YORK — Ed Schultz shares a studio at 30 Rock with Rachel Maddow, but MSNBC’s newest hire doesn’t want to be lumped in with the network’s evening lineup.

“I’m not your quintessential liberal,” he says.

It’s true that Schultz, a former college quarterback and avid outdoorsman, may not look the part of a typical East Coast lefty.

But at times, he sure sounds like one.

“Why is anyone still listening to Dick Cheney?” Schultz asked during a recent episode of his 6 p.m. show, just before denouncing the former vice president’s “ugly personality and his hatred for the country” — and then, for good measure, adding that conservatives had “hijacked the country for eight years, exploited 9/11, sold a phony war to us on Iraq betrayed our Constitution and our values with torture.”

In an interview after the show was over, Schultz said his new MSNBC gig is a “dream come true.”

“I always thought I could play well in the big city,” Schultz said, “and now we’re going to find out.”

What’s obviously a big opportunity for Schultz is also another chance for MSNBC to make gains at 6 p.m. The network has consistently been beaten by CNN and Fox News, the latter holding a commanding lead during not only the 6 p.m. hour but throughout prime time.

So can yet another liberal voice help MSNBC close the ratings gap?

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http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0509/22427.html

[merwin]

1. Nice guy, but that face...

It's like Joe Scarborogh and Chris Matthews had a bastard child.

[Z_I_Peevey]

5. If we as a country can learn to love John Madden

as a broadcaster, we can darn sure learn to love Ed. I think he's needed, especially here in Redneckistan.

[CreekDog]

10. Ironic since John Madden is a San Franciscan

isn't it? :D

People don't really realize that, do they?

[Jennicut]

17. Aww, he has a sweeter, nicer face then either of them.

:) I love Ed. Love him.

[merwin]

20. I love Ed as well. He is a sweetheart :)

I don't think I had ever seen a picture of him though.

[Political Tiger]

2. His show has gotten much better

It got off to a rocky start but he seems to have found his groove.

[falcon97]

3. I'd prefer his show at 10 pm (ET).

6 pm is just not a good time to watch Ed all the way through. But, I do miss Olbermann sometimes and have to watch the replay. So it's a Catch 22!

[MarjorieG]

16. Leno's new show is to be at 10:00 and tough competition.

[falcon97]

21. Any broadcast network

show at that time would be tough for him to challenge. But I'd like to think that Ed can beat AC360. I have no idea what Greta's ratings on F"N"C are, but they've gotta be reachable too...

[ShortnFiery]

4. I love ED.

Yes, I'm an Ed Head. :silly:

[Mr. Sparkle]

6. Great show, i never miss it.

[avaistheone1]

7. I love how he talks about single payer.

Go Ed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SeaLyons]

8. I love his show...never miss it.

[a kennedy]

9. I think he's doing a great job........and I do think he's better then

tweety.......

[freddie mertz]

22. Matthews supports torture..

He openly (drunkenly?) fantasizes on air about Being Jack Bauer confronted with the "ticking time bomb."

He is a nutcase whose idea of reality comes from movies and TV shows. "Aqaba!"

ED, in contrast, is a decent, thoughtful, compassionate human being who runs his show without shouting down guests.

[CreekDog]

11. I enjoy listening to Ed a lot

and I like that the show isn't that much about Ed.

[democrat2thecore]

12. Ed is America's forgotten voice - LOVE his show - nt

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

13. Specter Lite.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

14. I love Big Ed, and he's cute to me... n/t

[Phx_Dem]

15. I have to say . . . I agree!

Ed is his own person, and his show is great!

[Raine]

18. LOVE Ed, LOVE his show. nt

:thumbsup:

[Earth Bound Misfit]

19. Started off a little clumsily, but recently...

big thumbs up, especially his attention to the single-payer issue.

He's for the worker--what a concept--but I wish he would tone his vocals down a few decibels. He's a radio personality and it seems he is prone to shouting a bit too much, IMHO. Also, what's up with the exaggerated facial contortions. It's like he's trying to outdo Glen Bleecchh :puke: and his "rubber-faced buffoonery". (Memo to Ed: Draw the line at CROCODILE TEARS & FAKE PATRIOTIC BLUBBERING.)

I like him, and his show.

K & R

Edit for inevitably forgetting to spell-check.:silly:

[Fluffdaddy]

23. Ed's OK