I was down in my shop, thinking about Rig's comment that "he reads the party line on the air".
Now, I do disagree that it is that simple....I have heard him question 'party' lines numerous times, but I was thinking how recent it is that we even HAVE any liberalish commentators on the TV.
Just a few years ago, all I saw was Rush, Joe Scarborough, and the various shills on Fox. Someone even tried to use Al Franken as a 'funny' liberal pundit for several months, and it simply didn't sell. Franken can be either a comedian or a politician (it is not relevant whether you think he is good at either one), but he couldn't do both at the same time.

   Suddenly, there was MSNBC allowing well-done commentary to air and not only showing the liberal side of things, but poking holes in off-the-wall conservative BS to boot!
Then they found Rachel, and she (and an amazing staff!) began making the liberal alternative views clear, compelling...and sometimes, even funny! I still look into Fox now & then, because you can't debate your opponents wisely unless you are clear on just what they have said. MSNBC, sadly, doesn't do news much on the weekends, but maybe it's just as well...I'd never get any shop work done.