Longtime New York Times columnist and current New York magazine editor Frank Rich today lambasted "Meet the Press" host David Gregory for challenging Glenn Greenwald's integrity as a journalist and a citizen.
On Sunday, Gregory asked Greenwald, the Guardian reporter who published Edward Snowden's NSA leak, "Why shouldn't you, Mr. Greenwald, be charged with a crime?" New York magazine points out that Gregory's question "all but accused the Guardian's Glenn Greenwald of aiding and abetting Edward Snowden's fugitive travels."
But Rich rebuts: "Is David Gregory a journalist?"
"As a thought experiment, name one piece of news he has broken, one beat he’s covered with distinction, and any memorable interviews he’s conducted that were not with John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Dick Durbin or Chuck Schumer."
"Presumably if Gregory had been around 40 years ago," Rich adds snidely, "he also would have accused the Times of aiding and abetting the enemy when it published Daniel Ellsberg’s massive leak of the Pentagon Papers."
Citing declining ratings for both "Meet the Press" and the considerably fluffy "Today" show, Rich then administers the final blow -- oust Gregory from "Meet the Press" and place him on "Today":
The new, incoming leadership of NBC News has a golden opportunity to revamp Sunday morning chat by making a change at Meet the Press. I propose that Gregory be full-time on Today, where he can speak truth to power by grilling Paula Deen.
But if Gregory joins "Today" (which unfortunately for Rich, is not likely, as he renewed his contract in February) what will happen to Matt Lauer?
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