Senator Schultz?

One last thought for today. . ..

MSNBC continues to promote Ed Schultz and his show, showing a promo clip with a fiery Schultz passionately standing up for the plight of the American worker. But with the new, more corporatized MSNBC showing more disregard for such an issue - not good for business - how long can Schultz last as a commentator? Keith Olbermann announced the arrival of his fellow German-American liberal to MSNBC with great fanfare on his own show, with Schultz at his side, back in April 2009, and it looked like Ed would be around for a long time. Now, with "Countdown" down and out for the count, some folks are wondering if "The Ed Show" will survive long enough to mark its second anniversary.

While Schultz still has a radio show, his future at MSNBC suddenly seems uncertain. And if his MSNBC show were to go down, his radio show could just as easily follow. I think Big Eddie should seriously consider running for the U.S. Senate from North Dakota, where he has lived and worked during his broadcasting career. The suggestion had been made before by liberals who wanted him to run in 2010 to replace Byron Dorgan, the retiring Democratic senator in that state. Schultz declined, and North Dakotans elected its first Republican senator (John Hoeven) since 1980. Another Republican may be elected to the other seat, which noted budget nerd Kent Conrad, another Democrat, is vacating after 2012. North Dakota is becoming more Republican these days, and the Democrats lack appealing candidates for office there. Schultz would make a perfect candidate for Conrad's Senate seat; Schultz knows the state, he knows its people, and he has a huge following in and out of the state that he could count on for help to win the election.

Ed Schultz should seriously consider this second opportunity. With his broadcasting presence already being whittled away at, it could be another door opening in place of one that may be closing. And we need Ed Schultz to speak in some capacity for those who have seen one door close and another door slam in their faces.