They passed the torch on NBC yesterday. After weeks of speculation, it wasn't either Ted Koppel or Rachel Maddow that received the choice assignment. Nope. It's David Gregory who'll take over Meet the Press -- effective immediately. On Sunday morning's broadcast, interim host and NBC anchorman emeritus Tom Brokaw made it official by officially letting the world know it was a done deal by presenting Gregory on air.

Apparently, some at NBC were miffed that this information was leaked last week, spoiling the big surprise today, but really, there wasn't much suspense. Joel wrote about it. The selection of David Gregory is a safe, solid and somewhat staid choice.

It's not that David Gregory isn't capable or qualified. I think he's very good on his MSNBC show, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and as chief White House correspondent during much of President George W. Bush's administration, he was fine. In fact, there were times when he was a real pain in the neck to the White House which is likely how he distinguished himself to the NBC higher-ups.

My concern with David Gregory is just this: he has very big shoes to fill. The memory of the late Tim Russert casts a very large shadow. Gregory will be forever measured against Russert's tenure, much more so than any of the other Meet the Press moderators in the 61 years of the show. Critics won't say, "Well, he's no Lawrence E. Spivak." They'll say, "Tim Russert would have done that interview better." Russert helmed Meet the Press from December 1991 until his death last June, and it was during his years that the show reached the pinnacle of Sunday news programming.

If NBC were really willing to take a chance and think outside the box, Rachel Maddow would have been the choice. She's the rising star in the news world, as the success of her MSNBC show has proved. She's been getting major media coverage and would have brought that spotlight to Meet the Press. Every week would have been newsworthy. With David Gregory, I don't think there's a single person who will tune in to see what he has to ask. He better have a great ability to land interesting guests, otherwise Meet the Press will be reviewing his choice in a year or two and coming back to Rachel Maddow -- if she's still available!