MSNBC's Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow may be the future of political punditry

by Aaron Barnhart

Because primary season lasted five months instead of five weeks, I spent many nights in front of the TV watching voting results trickle in.

That's how I got to know Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow, the number-cruncher and the pundit who were hired not long ago to beef up MSNBC's election coverage.

Have they ever.

Todd's endlessly interesting breakdowns of delegate math recently got him named "MVP of the primary season" by the Huffington Post. The Washington Post 's media critic called him "the campaign season's most improbable TV star," which may have been a reference to his on-air delivery, his facial hair and his abundant use of the word "fascinating," such as to describe voter turnout in Indiana.

As for Maddow, the onetime barista and morning-zoo sidekick has seen her airtime grow exponentially, most notably on "Countdown With Keith Olbermann," where she now fills in when the host is gone.

"She's terrific," Olbermann said. "Wonderfully informed, totally prepared, forceful and yet respectful." Also young, gay, geeky and one of the few unapologetic left-wing voices in mainstream media.

The arrival of Maddow and Todd signals a generational change at MSNBC, which after years of missteps seems to be finding its way. I've always enjoyed "Countdown," and "Hardball With Chris Matthews" is amusing, but the rest of MSNBC's lineup was unwatchable for a long time. It tried to imitate CNN and Fox News but just made them look brilliant by comparison.

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