Some News(Nation) on Me!

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When CNN showed me the door a few years back, I wasn’t sure I wanted to ever do TV again.

As I have written, I was nearly paralyzed with anxiety every time I went on back in those days. It felt like the stakes were SO high — I NEEDED to do a kick-ass job because if I didn’t I would never achieve the goals I had set for myself at CNN. I would be a failure.

Getting laid off was then, weirdly, something of a relief. I wouldn’t have to do TV. I wouldn’t have to feel so anxious. I could do something else — maybe in a totally different profession where talking on TV wasn’t even a possible part of the job.

For the next few months, I turned down any request to be on TV that I got. (If I am being honest, I didn’t get that many!) I thought I was done with it for good.

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Then one day — and I can’t even remember exactly when — a request came in to do a TV hit. And I didn’t feel the anxiety rising up or the dread in my stomach. So, I did it.

And, I loved it. Because I didn’t really care anymore. I was focused on building this Substack and my YouTube channel. I didn’t need TV to accomplish either of those goals.

That realization allowed me to just have fun. To say what I thought without fear or favor — or doubt. If people who watched liked it, great! If they didn’t, fine!

People who saw me on TV would say that I looked like I was having fun. Why? Because I was having fun!

I love reacting in real time to news. I love having a chance to give my opinion — and debating, in a good natured way, with people with whom I might disagree. I also love the performative aspect of live TV. It’s exciting!

All of this is to say that I have been doing a lot more TV in the past 6 months. And, as of today, I am officially a contributor at NewsNation.

For me, this is a PERFECT fit. For those of you who don’t know about NewsNation and what they are trying to do, I would sum it up like this: They are trying to truly occupy the sensible center in American politics.

The network’s primetime lineup speaks to that mission. Elizabeth Vargas, formerly of ABC, does the 7 pm hour. Chris Cuomo, my old friend from our CNN days, holds down the 8 pm hour. And Leland Vittert, who comes to NewsNation from Fox News, is at 9 pm. (I will be on Leland’s show tonight right at 9. Tune in!)

Having been on all of those shows — as well as “Morning in America” with Markie Martin — I can attest to the fact that the goal is not to throw red meat to either side (there’s lots of cable TV that already does that) but to try to approach each issue with a sense of what the average person living in the middle of America thinks.

Nexstar, which owns NewsNation, has headquarters in Chicago and Texas in addition to New York City. I like that. It shows a real commitment to reporting news with an eye on the middle — of the country and the ideological spectrum.

People who read this newsletter every day — or watch my videos on YouTube — know that I see myself as an umpire calling balls and strikes no matter what uniform the batter at the plate is wearing.

Given that, signing on with a cable network that is clearly favoring one team (or party) doesn’t work for me. I do this stuff because I believe being an honest and transparent broker when it comes to American politics is more important now than ever. This deal with NewsNation is an extension of that belief.

What does this mean for you? Nothing — other than that you are going to see me more on TV if you are watching NewsNation (and I hope you do!). (Here’s how you can find NewsNation in your community.)

I will continue to write this newsletter at the same pace and frequency. I will continue to make daily YouTube videos.

Think of this NewsNation gig as additive. I have, as I pursue a career as an independent news creator, been slowly adding pieces to my portfolio — ways that I can reach more people and sustain a living.

This is a(nother) piece of that puzzle.

Thanks, as always, for your support and encouragement. I can’t imagine going on this journey without all of you.

— Chris