How Gregory Got Russert’s Job

Anyone wondering why David Gregory got the Meet the Press chair should read Bill Carter’s piece in this morning’s Times. Carter writes that what was driving NBC executives was the future of the Today show, where Gregory is the heir apparent to Matt Lauer. “My sense was they really just had to find a way to placate David down the road for Matt’s job,” one snubbed MTP candidate tells Carter. “I think it really came down to the Today show issue,” says another. Carter says some NBC executives were even worried that, if not tapped as Russert’s heir, Gregory could bolt to Good Morning America. Gregory’s NBC contract expires in 2010.