Great News, Or The Greatest News?

Rachel Maddow is officially appointment television.

Just in time for the closing rush of the presidential election, MSNBC is shaking up its prime-time programming lineup, removing the long-time host –- and one-time general manager of the network — Dan Abrams from his 9 p.m. program and replacing him with Rachel Maddow, who has emerged as a favored political commentator for the all-news cable channel.

The moves, which were confirmed by MSNBC executives Tuesday, are expected to be finalized by Wednesday, with Mr. Abrams’s last program on Thursday. After MSNBC’s extensive coverage of the two political conventions during the next two weeks, Ms. Maddow will begin her program on Sept. 8.

Abrams kind of grew on me after a while, but Maddow is the sharpest progressive political commentator out there, and what's more she has a REAL progressive point of view, not simply one, like Olbermann, that finds enemies (Bush, O'Reilly) and flogs them. She is whip-smart and actually cares about policy, and if she runs her MSNBC show like she runs her Air America show this is going to be a huge hit.

The Olbermann-Maddow block is the first sustained set of progressive voices on cable news, maybe in history. Having a progressive woman in prime time matters, too.

Congratulations to Rachel. I was fortunate enough to speak with her on Meet The Bloggers a few weeks ago, so don't forget your friends!!! :)