When he died, Tim Russert still had five years to go on an astouding twelve-year contract with NBC. It's safe to say that, prior to Tim's death, no one at the network had given any great thought to who follow him.

In their coverage, Politico considers many of the same people that my friends and I discussed last night:

Hardball host Chris Matthews, who was recently named the second most powerful pundit in America by The London Telegraph, has essentially been auditioning for the role for the past few years with his eponymous Sunday morning talker, but I don't think anyone believes he has the right temperment for MTP. I'm a great fan of Chris' work, but to call him a loudmouth is an insult to loudmouths.

(And Chris would no doubt rejoin, "HA!")

Besides, if Chris is serious about running for Senate someday, his own MSNBC show is a better platform to do it from than from the venerable MTP.

The odds on favorite is probably David Gregory, who MSNBC has recently been trying out as host of their Race for the White House election coverage. While Gregory is by all counts a good reporter, and "likable enough" to borrow from the Obamanacular, he hasn't yet displayed the commanding presence of a Russert or even a Chris Matthews.

An interesting choice would be MSNBC political director Chuck Todd. Though he too lacks the presence of the bigger names, he arguably makes up for it with a wonkish devotion to facts and numbers. I see Todd as the Conan O'Brien of the field. He's the smart behind-the-scenes guy who could potentially excel if given the spotlight. Also, they both have red hair.

I can also see the chair going to Andrea Mitchell. She certainly has the depth of experience necessary to take over the roll, and I don't believe that her husband, Alan Greenspan, is so central a figure that he would present any conflict of interest in her duties. The only thing that I can say against her is that she's not quite the interviewer that Tim Russert was, but that goes for every one of these candidates.

The Politico folks feel that the job will most likely go to an NBC insider, but I'm not so sure. One way to replace someone irreplacable is to bring in someone of similar stature who is uniquely themself. For that reason, I wouldn't be surprised if NBC extended an offer to Ted Koppel, Charlie Rose, or even Dan Rather. Any of the three would bring an instantaneous credibility with them. (Well, Koppel and Rose at least.) Each has enough stature in the industry that they would never be viewed as a Russert-lite.

Another interesting choice would be Washington Week moderator Gwen Ifill, who has appeared frequently on Meet the Press. Gwen is smart, experienced, and has plenty of time between the hosting desk. It's also a choice that looks forward, rather than backwards at the Ghosts of Anchors Past.

Alternatively, perhaps this is the way you lure Anderson Cooper away from CNN. Combine Cooper's youth appeal with MTP gravitas, and you might have a winning combination. And, of course, this move would have the happy side effect for NBC News of upending CNN's primetime schedule something fierce.

In review, I think Todd, Rose, Ifill, or Cooper would be inspired choices, I think Mitchell or Gregory probably have a look on it, and I think Matthews, Geraldo, Jay Leno, and Hillary Clinton are all out of luck.

(Sorry, sorry. I know we're supposed to be unifying the party. If Hillary Clinton wants the job, I will 100% support her.)