Ali Velshi is doing a fantastic job of covering this conflict.

[milestogo]

He's doing Rachel's time slot as well as his weekend time slot. He's doing great interviews and in-depth coverage. He's compassionate and informative.

If we have to lose Rachel Maddow, he's got my vote to take that hour. He's fantastic.

[txwhitedove]

1. Agree. Last 2-yrs, I've watched Velshi whenever he's on, morning or night.

Never watch Todd or Mitchell.

[Doc Sportello]

2. Hardworking, smart and compassionate

I hope he gets a nighttime slot. Just as long as he doesn't start spouting rap lyrics like someone else I could name.

[milestogo]

3. I can't even imagine him spouting rap lyrics.

He's a very serious journalist.

[Doc Sportello]

24. It was a joke

A reference to Melber doing it to the point of cringing.

[milestogo]

31. I like Ari, but he seems like he's trying too hard sometimes.

[Doc Sportello]

33. That's what I'm talking about

Nothing wrong with rap or someone using its lyrics on a political show. Like you said, with him it was like he's trying to prove how hip he is and when he used them it would often take the seriousness out of the segment - at least for me. Sad because I was a fan of him.

[hay rick]

16. Rap lyrics are not a deal breaker.

I watch Ari Melber and hope the occasional rap references may help expand his audience. My personal ignorance of rap causes me no grief or resentment.

I'm a big fan of Ali Velshi.

[Swede]

29. I'm MC Velshi with my mic in my mitts.

I bobbing and weaving and given rightwingers fits!

[bluestarone]

4. YES!

[FakeNoose]

5. I agree - Rachel's slot should go to Ali

It seems Rachel is trying to nix the candidates in order to keep it open for Ali. It looks to me like the other show hosts like him and support him. He fills in for many of them when they get a day off.

Come on MSNBC, do the right thing and give Ali Velshi a nice prime-time slot.

[mahina]

6. Didn't she say she was coming back in April?

I’d like Ali if it has to be anyone.

[FakeNoose]

10. Yes but her new contract changes things

Rachel is going to get a different format when she comes back. I don't know specifically when, but she prefers to have a longer slot - maybe on a weekend? And it won't be every day, only once or twice per week.

Right now she's taking time off to make a movie based on her book about Spiro Agnew. But when she comes back I think the new time slot will take effect. Probably she's still figuring it out. All I know is what they announced when she signed the new contract.

[dchill]

7. I don't always watch MSNBC - But when I do...

...I prefer Ali Velshi.

[liberalla]

18. Ha! Good one!

and I do too!

[TNNurse]

8. We rarely watch that kind of TV anymore...for our sanity.

But he has NEVER made me cringe or grimace or been upset with anything he said.

When I see clips of him, he is always excellent. Fair, decent, compassionate...informed.

[bullwinkle428]

9. Ali's work ethic is just ridiculous. He filled in for BOTH Chris and Rachel on

Friday evening (2 hours), and then did his scheduled 2 hours some 12 hours later on Saturday morning. Never even shows a sign of being tired or run-down.

K&R.

[Evolve Dammit]

12. He is amazing.

[milestogo]

30. They probably figure - as long as he's there, put him on the air.

But its got to be very draining to be covering this war.

[Evolve Dammit]

11. Ali is really good. Took me a while to figure out 30 Rock was Rockefeller Center, NYC. He would be

my choice to replace Rachel, but I really hope Rachel keeps doing a program. She is a national treasure. I can imagine she needs an extended break. Very hard worker. Excellent author as well.

[sprinkleeninow]

13. Ali! Ali!

[demigoddess]

14. I agree I love watching Ali Velshi.

[PatSeg]

15. Yes, he's been remarkable!

[yorkster]

17. Bravo to this. He's superb.

Please do the right thing MSNBC snd give him this spot.

In addition to all the qualities mentioned in this post and the comments, Velshi turns on a dime when things change on the ground and is truly global, with a wide knowledge of history and world cultures - all the while being his usual self- deprecatory and charming self.

So if Rachel is not going to be the one, Velshi should be.
Either way, he should have a prime slot.

[dawn5651]

19. i watch velshi on the weekend and i have been watching ali evenings during rachels show time.

canada really lost a remarkable reporter in ali .

[multigraincracker]

20. 21st Century's

Walter Cronkite.

[Escurumbele]

21. He has my vote as well.

[ificandream]

22. I remember his on the street coverage of the tear gassing during Dumb Trump's admin. q

He deserved an Emmy for that. He got hit as I recall.

[yorkster]

25. Right. In Milwaukee.

I think he was hit in the leg with a tear gas canister, if I remember correctly.

[pazzyanne]

23. Totally agree he would be a great replacement for Rachel! nt

[spooky3]

26. I love Ali Velshi. Nt

[librechik]

27. no kidding! Ali is like Superman on this assignment.

Seamless reporting and so compassionate. The guy never sleeps and never looks it. What a mensch!

[JonAndKatePlusABird]

28. His beautiful baritone voice legit is comforting

It’s authoritative, confident, and just exactly the thing you need to hear in a time of uncertainty. The ultimate in gravitas. The guy can be in the middle of a hurricane or complete civil breakdown and convey the information and urgency of the situation. He’s a diamond in the rough and NBC is lucky to have him.

[milestogo]

32. and he's humble