To consider this barracks-whore a political commentator is giving him credit for something he isn't.
You're right, of course, but he can't be taken as seriously as you seem to take him. His viewing audience in the cable world is miniscule. Look at him as a sort of parody or caricature of MSM liberalism. When you view him in that way you can relax, laugh at his buffoonery, and when he becomes tiresome click onto a serious news outlet. In other words, he lacks the stature or worthiness to be taken very seriously.