Just one correspondent interviewed both Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama last week — and he’s a few months out of college.
NBC News’ Luke Russert is profiled by the Associated Press’ David Bauder, and discusses his interviews last week with the presidential candidates about service and the transition to his new gig.
“He’s one of the rookies of the year,” said NBC News president Steve Capus. “Here’s a man at the worst possible time in his life who stepped into the spotlight with great poise, strength and a sense of humor, with a love of politics and a love for NBC.”
And Russert is showing up all over the NBC properties — with reports on Nightly News, the Today show, MSNBC and even guesting on Late Night with Conan O’Brien last week.
Russert also talks about overcoming the whispers of nepotism. “The last thing I want to do is appear not qualified, to appear that it was just a nepotism hire, to appear that everything was just handed to (me),” he said. “I certainly acknowledge that the last name doesn’t hurt. But at the end of the day I don’t think a company like XM or NBC would be willing to spend money on me just for the sake of nepotism. I actually have to produce.”
Click continued to see Russert’s Today show report with both candidate interviews…
(photo by Virginia Sherwood)