Russert was part of Tip O'Neill's inner circle. Tip has been dead for many years, therefore Timmah's real pull is down to memories.
Steponallofus was (is?) part of the Clinton's inner circle. Wasn't he even viewed as one of Hillary's close allies? Regardless, his pull and potential for actual influence within "the party that matters" is much more immediate.
The appeal of FTN is that it's only 30 minutes, therefore the guests can go do something else with the day, while still getting a place to generate some good sound bites for the week.
FNS has been viewed as a place for the administrations message can be delivered. They are trying frantically to recast themselves as a safe place to bash Bush from, thus welcoming Graham with open arms. McCain still can't come on FNS regularly just because he's too juicy a target and they can't resist taking some shots, but "Senator Lindsey" is always good for some sound bites that will make FNS seem relevant to the rest of the drive by media. CNN just played a clip of Graham that can be viewed as bashing the Marines and the Bush administration in the same breath. Even FNS feels they need face time on the other networks.
And CNN is about appealing to the moonbats and axis of weasels.
(weird aside - Steponallofus was accepted as correct by the FR spell checker)
#496, I love the freeper spell checker. LOL! I am always picturing Graham's face and voice morphing to Mccain's when he is speaking because he act's like Mccain is whispering in his ear what to say. That broke back Mountain McGraham Parody that Rush plays on his show is so funny, I cannot help but LOL everytime I hear it. some day I am going to make the mistake and call him Lindsay Mccain or John Graham. I believe that Graham is not too bright, he is triangulating for the VP slot before he even has a decent base of support.