“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the United States
Stephanie Ruhle is by all accounts of those who know her a very nice person, fun to be around, kind and caring, a good mom. She was a capable business reporter when she was doing that on CNBC and then on MSNBC, because that is where her experience is - she worked on Wall Street and knows that swamp. But unlike Ali Velshi, who came from the business reporting side at the same time, she is not that knowledgeable about politics in any deep way, and it shows, every night. She is way out of her depth. If they were going to elevate someone to replace Brian Williams, it should have been Velshi, the James Brown of Cable TV News ("The hardest-working man" in TV).
You were right to partner with Nicole on the McCain campaign. She is "one smart cookie" when it comes to politics. I never miss her show, because she brings both breadth and depth to her knowledge. As they say, "Experience matters!"
When she burst into laughter about an obscene comment a guest made not long ago (I can't remember who or when), I thought, "Time to FIRE HER!" Nothing happened. Why Ali Velshi was not hired to take Rachel's place on MSNBC is a mystery to me. He's knowledgeable, intelligent, and very professional -- unlike all the rest, excepting Laurence O'Donnell. The mugging and laughing by Ari Melber, Joy Reid, (Chris Hayes), and Stephanie Ruhle are such turn-offs to me that I've been changing to CNN (I can hardly believe it!) for the 6 PM and 7 PM news. If not Rachel's place, at least Ali Velshi should have been chosen to replace Peter Jennings! WHO is making these stupid decisions??
I don't know which Chris Hayes show you're watching, but it must be different from the one I watch. He's very different from Melber and Reid. Alex Wagner is also quite good, but I feel sorry for anyone trying to fill Rachel's seven-league boots.
Agree re no one I know would be able to fill Rachel's boots. I think I'm just going to have to get used to Alex Wagner. I was beyond disappointed when Rachel left. Alex had a very bad start.
On Day 2, she opened her show by spending it at a child care center with the children and staff discussing mask wearing. I was astounded. THIS is Rachel's "replacement"?!
After that, I quit watching her show. I've started watching again, and she is doing a good enough job. Chris does a fair bit of mugging, which I don't like, but he does give good information.
Rachel was a disappointment for the first time ever in my experience. Last night she was reporting -- and said not a word about it being the first day of the new Congress!!! OK, I'll give Alex more slack. And yes, Chris is very good. I just wish he'd lay off with the faces.
I believe Stephanie Ruhle doesn't have the background for her show. Alex Wagner is just plain boring. It is the "same old stuff" that everyone else says, and in my opinion, she doesn't see or report on the big picture. While I believe Ali Velshi is a hard-working reporter, I don't like him as the anchor. He lacks the perspective and background of Laurence O'Donnell, and the insight of Nicolle Wallace, who is also a terrific interviewer.
The problem, as I see it, is that Rashida Jones, the new President of MSNBC News, who took over from Phil Griffin in 2020, either doesn't have the gravitas to hire the "big" talent" or can't identify and find new talent. And, possibly doesn't have the budget since she paid Rachel Maddow 30 million dollars--possibly just to keep her off the air elsewhere. I've almost completely stopped watching MSNBC, aside from occasionally watching Nicole and Laurence, and need to find a different channel for election coverage. In their case, less would be more.
I didn't know about the change in President at MSNBC. That probably explains it. I wonder how Jones got the position. Her resume is very sparse. Hampton University is a B-school, at best, ranked #219 out of #433. Such a shame that THE best news line up in my life-time has been decimated. Let me know if you find a good news source. Yes, Nicole is excellent. I have been impressed. I didn't like Velshi as anchor AT ALL, initially. Over time, I've come to really appreciate him. (Rachel's rolling in dough?! Wonder what she plans to do with it all.)
Hi! Now we're both on Civil Discourse and this site together. Since I'm watching far less news--and find it highly disturbing for the most part--I decided these Substack newsletters in addition to the newspapers I subscribe to, provide far better information, and much less stress.
There is a story on Rashida Jones (there are two high profile women with this name) from the New York Times. Sorry I can't link to it, but I'm providing the website info below. She's got a good background, but when I looked her up awhile ago, not in the NYT article, but someplace else, which I can no longer remember or find, I read the bit about her inability to find and nurture talent. And, when I read about Maddow's deal with MSNBC, it certainly would seem to affect the money they can offer new talent. In terms of Maddow, with her salary, she can do anything she likes.
F YI...I did listen to Velshi when he used to be used as a vacation replacement for a few of the anchors, and he just isn't my cup of tea. I'll let you know if if/when I find a good broadcast news source.
Wonderful! Thank you for all of this information! Like you, I can't stomach the news any more. I watched, sometimes straight through, Ari Melber through Peter Jennings during the orange sadist's years at our WH. I was constantly anxious, and felt a need to know EVERYTHING going on. Now, I'm just weary. Very weary. Everything seems to be -- I don't know what, exactly. Very dreary, I guess. Maybe things will change, for the BETTER, of course. I read the 5 substacks (including Reich, Rather, and Richardson) + the WaPo and NYT. Like you, though, I just can't sit through the news any more. It feels so strange, after six years of hyper-alertness.
Hi again! I hope I didn't hurt your feelings by including the poem. It wasn't meant for you...It's something I have been trying, and it clearly hasn't worked. Turns out that I feel much better when I share my negative feelings rather than pretending they don't exist. And, yes, everything does seem dreary, and it doesn't seem like anything will get better soon. But, it feels better to share those feelings with like-minded people rather than dealing with them alone.
Thank you! I just wrote you a very long response because there are so many similarities between what we watched, and how we felt then, and now. But I couldn't write it without mentioning that my husband of 40 years died on July 3, 2020. and I was his primary caregiver, and did everything in my power to try and save him, although he died from a constellation of medical problems. But, in writing it, I realized how angry I was/am that Trump had such an impact on our lives, and that I wasted any of my husband's final months talking about Trump and politics...so I deleted it because it's too personal to post here. And, it was so negative.
Instead, I'll conclude with a Maya Angelou quote that I am trying to use as a way of changing my perspective, and feeling more positive.
“The ship of my life may or may not be sailing on calm and amiable seas. The challenging days of my existence may or may not be bright and promising. Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed.” ― Maya Angelou
This is your best, ever. "Posterity! You will never know, how much it cost the present Generation, to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make a good Use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it." (John Adams) And: "The Syrian civil war offers a pristine example of the dynamic at hand. Occasionally, Al-Qaeda factions and ISIS factions have fought and killed each other. When they fight, it doesn’t make one side the “good guys” and the other the “bad guys. They are all bad guys." (Steve Schmidt) P.S. The "rare hybrid solar eclipse" analogy is hilarious!
Steve, spot on again with your analysis. And you called this long ago. Soooo, what does your Political Magic 8 Ball say about who will be the speaker? Is there any hope of the few R's who care about getting stuff done would vote for a non-R in the house (currently)? what are the odds for Fred Upton? Justin Amash? Hakeem Jeffries? Just think-- those few decent R's could get plum assignments from Jeffries. And he's pretty moderate by D standards.
Watching this implosion by the GOP is one of the best things I’ve seen since the debacle and lose by the orange sweaty monster. The inevitability of it and the sheer stupidity writ large is a relief to those of us who recognize that we have been traumatized and held hostage by the insane. Let it go on for as long as it takes, long enough for everyone to admit that the GOP is a swarming mass of MAGAots trying to sneak away from their much deserved public karma. Even the media will have to stop calling for the Republicans to ‘act as if’ they have come to a logical conclusion, something they are COMPLETELY incapable of and long past that point. At the same time, let’s not start blaming the democrats for not fixing this situation and hope that they can make the offers Steve’s suggested but without a guarantee that the loonies are going to cooperate or keep their word. In the end it will all be on the shoulders of this fallen and destroyed party of soulless jackasses.
Very frustrating that if my New York hadn’t fallen for Republican BS we wouldn’t be going through this nonsense and perhaps the crazies would be gone for good
Ruhle's comments suggest that by her logic, that Democrats should likewise be voting for McCarthy since the House cannot function without a speaker. As we know from Schmidt's earlier suggestions of Dems compromising with moderate Republicans, there are more fitting solutions that will leave the nut jobs opposing McCarthy from having any power in the House. And neither involve giving the incompetent and man with the morals of a weasel the Speaker position, as well as becoming second in line to take over the Presidency should the need arise...
Good point--I imagine many are hoping for that outcome including myself. But Ruhle's point of view was that only McCarthy was the only reasonable option for speaker & that Boebert was preventing that from happening.
Steve, excellent political analysis. My only concern is the example of the war in Syria. You write:
>> They are all bad guys, and the right answer regarding who to root for in that fight is this: root for both sides to kill each other. Let God sort it out.
If the problem was just the “bad guys”, that would be one thing. But your stance is extremely myopic. Add to this the innocent civilian population and the opportunity of growing more hatred and incivility in a country torn by war which spills over into other countries, the weapon suppliers who are happy to make a profit, etc, it is clear that “laissez-faire” actions can have their own negative consequences. Many American people don’t feel a connection with the Syrian people like they do with Ukraine, but they hurt just as badly when children are killed, families torn apart and displaced and the civilian casualties keep mounting. Perhaps when people create such a mess, God would like other people to help sort it out. That is why organizations like the UN should be overhauled. Read more about the Syrian Civil War at:
Thank you for taking us beyond the mediocrity and simplicity of not truly understanding what unfolds before our eyes. I learn a lot through your writings.
To those who are referring to 'Karma' and 'God to Fix this': If G.O.D. is 'Good Orderly Direction', which it is to me, then you make a point here. The scientific laws of cause and effect do seem to be at play. Otherwise, I don't feel, at all, that terms like 'karma' are fitting, or that we should ask some personified God to fix anything! We made this mess and it is up to us to fix it. We need to repudiate all seditionists in order to move on, as N. Zampierollo states. We need to get dark money out of politics. We need to see what social media algorithms and cult indoctrination has done to the minds of the citizens in this country. We need to fund quality education. Separation of church and state -let's walk our talk. Let's address the CAUSES of this mess so we can get a better EFFECT! Thanks.
Nicolle Wallace and you, Steve, were much younger when you both crossed paths in politics. You have stood together against the ups and downs and turmoils of politics, and you have both left the Republican Party for what is expressed in this essay succinctly.
I would urge everyone reading The Warning to listen to both Nicolle Wallace and Steve, for they lead the way for America from a different perspective, a renewed one. I have not watched Deadline White House in a long time, nor did I see Stephanie Ruhle's interview last night. I like Stephanie, so I will not comment. What I wish for her is the same I wish for Nicolle, interviews. With Republicans. Echo chambers are not the way to better politics.
Steve, thank you for assembling particularly cogent takes on the split among the bad guys - morally empty establishment vs. ignorant populism (see the knowledge/education-snubbing Boebert as spokesperson). I feel emotionally disconnected from it all since the election. I live in the Catskills and work at the polls. Republicans here vote religiously for Republicans, cynically noting that they'll get nothing resembling actual representation in Congress. Between the seat losses upstate and the debacle in Nassau County, Tim Miller is right. Republicans voted for all the chaos, chicanery, treason, and criminality in the current House majority, with not one problem solving leader among them.
Let the fascists fight it out, and dig their own graves. The longer this sordid public spectacle continues, the deeper the hole for burying the corrupt corpse of the Republican Party.
I agree with your assessment, let them kill each other and let God sort them out. I am cynical because the likes of McCarthy, Biggs, Boebert and Jordan do not inspire a more perfect union. They inspire greed, graft and disfunction. Now that we have come to the conclusion there are no good options for Speaker on the Republican side of the house, we have to pick the best of the worst options, Someone who will not disgrace the office with lies and partisanship. Who they choose needs to be able to reach across the isle to get America's business done.
And this is why I watch Nicole Wallace and read Steve Schmidt! Thank You!!
Me too!
Same
Stephanie Ruhle is by all accounts of those who know her a very nice person, fun to be around, kind and caring, a good mom. She was a capable business reporter when she was doing that on CNBC and then on MSNBC, because that is where her experience is - she worked on Wall Street and knows that swamp. But unlike Ali Velshi, who came from the business reporting side at the same time, she is not that knowledgeable about politics in any deep way, and it shows, every night. She is way out of her depth. If they were going to elevate someone to replace Brian Williams, it should have been Velshi, the James Brown of Cable TV News ("The hardest-working man" in TV).
You were right to partner with Nicole on the McCain campaign. She is "one smart cookie" when it comes to politics. I never miss her show, because she brings both breadth and depth to her knowledge. As they say, "Experience matters!"
When she burst into laughter about an obscene comment a guest made not long ago (I can't remember who or when), I thought, "Time to FIRE HER!" Nothing happened. Why Ali Velshi was not hired to take Rachel's place on MSNBC is a mystery to me. He's knowledgeable, intelligent, and very professional -- unlike all the rest, excepting Laurence O'Donnell. The mugging and laughing by Ari Melber, Joy Reid, (Chris Hayes), and Stephanie Ruhle are such turn-offs to me that I've been changing to CNN (I can hardly believe it!) for the 6 PM and 7 PM news. If not Rachel's place, at least Ali Velshi should have been chosen to replace Peter Jennings! WHO is making these stupid decisions??
I don't know which Chris Hayes show you're watching, but it must be different from the one I watch. He's very different from Melber and Reid. Alex Wagner is also quite good, but I feel sorry for anyone trying to fill Rachel's seven-league boots.
Agree re no one I know would be able to fill Rachel's boots. I think I'm just going to have to get used to Alex Wagner. I was beyond disappointed when Rachel left. Alex had a very bad start.
On Day 2, she opened her show by spending it at a child care center with the children and staff discussing mask wearing. I was astounded. THIS is Rachel's "replacement"?!
After that, I quit watching her show. I've started watching again, and she is doing a good enough job. Chris does a fair bit of mugging, which I don't like, but he does give good information.
Rachel was a disappointment for the first time ever in my experience. Last night she was reporting -- and said not a word about it being the first day of the new Congress!!! OK, I'll give Alex more slack. And yes, Chris is very good. I just wish he'd lay off with the faces.
I believe Stephanie Ruhle doesn't have the background for her show. Alex Wagner is just plain boring. It is the "same old stuff" that everyone else says, and in my opinion, she doesn't see or report on the big picture. While I believe Ali Velshi is a hard-working reporter, I don't like him as the anchor. He lacks the perspective and background of Laurence O'Donnell, and the insight of Nicolle Wallace, who is also a terrific interviewer.
The problem, as I see it, is that Rashida Jones, the new President of MSNBC News, who took over from Phil Griffin in 2020, either doesn't have the gravitas to hire the "big" talent" or can't identify and find new talent. And, possibly doesn't have the budget since she paid Rachel Maddow 30 million dollars--possibly just to keep her off the air elsewhere. I've almost completely stopped watching MSNBC, aside from occasionally watching Nicole and Laurence, and need to find a different channel for election coverage. In their case, less would be more.
I didn't know about the change in President at MSNBC. That probably explains it. I wonder how Jones got the position. Her resume is very sparse. Hampton University is a B-school, at best, ranked #219 out of #433. Such a shame that THE best news line up in my life-time has been decimated. Let me know if you find a good news source. Yes, Nicole is excellent. I have been impressed. I didn't like Velshi as anchor AT ALL, initially. Over time, I've come to really appreciate him. (Rachel's rolling in dough?! Wonder what she plans to do with it all.)
Hi! Now we're both on Civil Discourse and this site together. Since I'm watching far less news--and find it highly disturbing for the most part--I decided these Substack newsletters in addition to the newspapers I subscribe to, provide far better information, and much less stress.
There is a story on Rashida Jones (there are two high profile women with this name) from the New York Times. Sorry I can't link to it, but I'm providing the website info below. She's got a good background, but when I looked her up awhile ago, not in the NYT article, but someplace else, which I can no longer remember or find, I read the bit about her inability to find and nurture talent. And, when I read about Maddow's deal with MSNBC, it certainly would seem to affect the money they can offer new talent. In terms of Maddow, with her salary, she can do anything she likes.
F YI...I did listen to Velshi when he used to be used as a vacation replacement for a few of the anchors, and he just isn't my cup of tea. I'll let you know if if/when I find a good broadcast news source.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/07/business/media/rashida-jones-msnbc-president.html
Wonderful! Thank you for all of this information! Like you, I can't stomach the news any more. I watched, sometimes straight through, Ari Melber through Peter Jennings during the orange sadist's years at our WH. I was constantly anxious, and felt a need to know EVERYTHING going on. Now, I'm just weary. Very weary. Everything seems to be -- I don't know what, exactly. Very dreary, I guess. Maybe things will change, for the BETTER, of course. I read the 5 substacks (including Reich, Rather, and Richardson) + the WaPo and NYT. Like you, though, I just can't sit through the news any more. It feels so strange, after six years of hyper-alertness.
Hi again! I hope I didn't hurt your feelings by including the poem. It wasn't meant for you...It's something I have been trying, and it clearly hasn't worked. Turns out that I feel much better when I share my negative feelings rather than pretending they don't exist. And, yes, everything does seem dreary, and it doesn't seem like anything will get better soon. But, it feels better to share those feelings with like-minded people rather than dealing with them alone.
Thank you! I just wrote you a very long response because there are so many similarities between what we watched, and how we felt then, and now. But I couldn't write it without mentioning that my husband of 40 years died on July 3, 2020. and I was his primary caregiver, and did everything in my power to try and save him, although he died from a constellation of medical problems. But, in writing it, I realized how angry I was/am that Trump had such an impact on our lives, and that I wasted any of my husband's final months talking about Trump and politics...so I deleted it because it's too personal to post here. And, it was so negative.
Instead, I'll conclude with a Maya Angelou quote that I am trying to use as a way of changing my perspective, and feeling more positive.
“The ship of my life may or may not be sailing on calm and amiable seas. The challenging days of my existence may or may not be bright and promising. Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed.” ― Maya Angelou
This is your best, ever. "Posterity! You will never know, how much it cost the present Generation, to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make a good Use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it." (John Adams) And: "The Syrian civil war offers a pristine example of the dynamic at hand. Occasionally, Al-Qaeda factions and ISIS factions have fought and killed each other. When they fight, it doesn’t make one side the “good guys” and the other the “bad guys. They are all bad guys." (Steve Schmidt) P.S. The "rare hybrid solar eclipse" analogy is hilarious!
Steve, spot on again with your analysis. And you called this long ago. Soooo, what does your Political Magic 8 Ball say about who will be the speaker? Is there any hope of the few R's who care about getting stuff done would vote for a non-R in the house (currently)? what are the odds for Fred Upton? Justin Amash? Hakeem Jeffries? Just think-- those few decent R's could get plum assignments from Jeffries. And he's pretty moderate by D standards.
Watching this implosion by the GOP is one of the best things I’ve seen since the debacle and lose by the orange sweaty monster. The inevitability of it and the sheer stupidity writ large is a relief to those of us who recognize that we have been traumatized and held hostage by the insane. Let it go on for as long as it takes, long enough for everyone to admit that the GOP is a swarming mass of MAGAots trying to sneak away from their much deserved public karma. Even the media will have to stop calling for the Republicans to ‘act as if’ they have come to a logical conclusion, something they are COMPLETELY incapable of and long past that point. At the same time, let’s not start blaming the democrats for not fixing this situation and hope that they can make the offers Steve’s suggested but without a guarantee that the loonies are going to cooperate or keep their word. In the end it will all be on the shoulders of this fallen and destroyed party of soulless jackasses.
Very frustrating that if my New York hadn’t fallen for Republican BS we wouldn’t be going through this nonsense and perhaps the crazies would be gone for good
Ruhle's comments suggest that by her logic, that Democrats should likewise be voting for McCarthy since the House cannot function without a speaker. As we know from Schmidt's earlier suggestions of Dems compromising with moderate Republicans, there are more fitting solutions that will leave the nut jobs opposing McCarthy from having any power in the House. And neither involve giving the incompetent and man with the morals of a weasel the Speaker position, as well as becoming second in line to take over the Presidency should the need arise...
@janet G, I would say by her logic-- some of the quasi-adult R's should vote for Hakeem Jeffries.
Good point--I imagine many are hoping for that outcome including myself. But Ruhle's point of view was that only McCarthy was the only reasonable option for speaker & that Boebert was preventing that from happening.
Steve, personally I don’t think God gives a shit.
Steve, excellent political analysis. My only concern is the example of the war in Syria. You write:
>> They are all bad guys, and the right answer regarding who to root for in that fight is this: root for both sides to kill each other. Let God sort it out.
If the problem was just the “bad guys”, that would be one thing. But your stance is extremely myopic. Add to this the innocent civilian population and the opportunity of growing more hatred and incivility in a country torn by war which spills over into other countries, the weapon suppliers who are happy to make a profit, etc, it is clear that “laissez-faire” actions can have their own negative consequences. Many American people don’t feel a connection with the Syrian people like they do with Ukraine, but they hurt just as badly when children are killed, families torn apart and displaced and the civilian casualties keep mounting. Perhaps when people create such a mess, God would like other people to help sort it out. That is why organizations like the UN should be overhauled. Read more about the Syrian Civil War at:
https://www.cfr.org/article/syrias-civil-war
Thank you for taking us beyond the mediocrity and simplicity of not truly understanding what unfolds before our eyes. I learn a lot through your writings.
To those who are referring to 'Karma' and 'God to Fix this': If G.O.D. is 'Good Orderly Direction', which it is to me, then you make a point here. The scientific laws of cause and effect do seem to be at play. Otherwise, I don't feel, at all, that terms like 'karma' are fitting, or that we should ask some personified God to fix anything! We made this mess and it is up to us to fix it. We need to repudiate all seditionists in order to move on, as N. Zampierollo states. We need to get dark money out of politics. We need to see what social media algorithms and cult indoctrination has done to the minds of the citizens in this country. We need to fund quality education. Separation of church and state -let's walk our talk. Let's address the CAUSES of this mess so we can get a better EFFECT! Thanks.
As is SOP for Republicans, they’re looking to the Dems to repair the damage they’ve done. No.
Nicolle Wallace and you, Steve, were much younger when you both crossed paths in politics. You have stood together against the ups and downs and turmoils of politics, and you have both left the Republican Party for what is expressed in this essay succinctly.
I would urge everyone reading The Warning to listen to both Nicolle Wallace and Steve, for they lead the way for America from a different perspective, a renewed one. I have not watched Deadline White House in a long time, nor did I see Stephanie Ruhle's interview last night. I like Stephanie, so I will not comment. What I wish for her is the same I wish for Nicolle, interviews. With Republicans. Echo chambers are not the way to better politics.
Steve, thank you for assembling particularly cogent takes on the split among the bad guys - morally empty establishment vs. ignorant populism (see the knowledge/education-snubbing Boebert as spokesperson). I feel emotionally disconnected from it all since the election. I live in the Catskills and work at the polls. Republicans here vote religiously for Republicans, cynically noting that they'll get nothing resembling actual representation in Congress. Between the seat losses upstate and the debacle in Nassau County, Tim Miller is right. Republicans voted for all the chaos, chicanery, treason, and criminality in the current House majority, with not one problem solving leader among them.
Let the fascists fight it out, and dig their own graves. The longer this sordid public spectacle continues, the deeper the hole for burying the corrupt corpse of the Republican Party.
I agree with your assessment, let them kill each other and let God sort them out. I am cynical because the likes of McCarthy, Biggs, Boebert and Jordan do not inspire a more perfect union. They inspire greed, graft and disfunction. Now that we have come to the conclusion there are no good options for Speaker on the Republican side of the house, we have to pick the best of the worst options, Someone who will not disgrace the office with lies and partisanship. Who they choose needs to be able to reach across the isle to get America's business done.