Pollster added to MSNBC schedule
MSNBC is quietly slipping a new show onto its schedule this weekend, but it is already sparking some internal controversy, because it is hosted by pollster Frank Luntz. While Luntz is already a political analyst for the channel, he has worked for Republican candidates, creating a potential conflict of interest.
“It’s Frank’s job to ask people what they think; that’s what he does for his clients and that’s what he’ll do on the program,” said an MSNBC spokesman.
A network official said Luntz does not currently have political clients and won’t add any while the show continues.
Titled “America’s Voices,” the program, airing at 3 p.m. today and repeating at 9 a.m. Sunday, is a “town hall”-style political program and will be modeled after a focus group, with the studio audience tailored to the day’s topic. Today’s audience, which MSNBC says will be a representative sample of California voters, will interact with guests Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista), who led the recall petition drive, and humorist Alan Zweibel. In future weeks, the program will be based in Washington.
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