Dear Rachel:
I watch your show every night and greatly value what you consistently offer your viewers. That 18-minute initial segment is outstanding most evening! However, I appeal to you to consider adding more diversity to your guest list. I am not proposing that you lower your standards; keep them high along with your wonderful style of questioning and guiding your guests.
I love Frank Rich, E. J. Dionne, and Dan Rather. Each adds excellent perspective and commentary, and usually strengthens your show. However, each is a white male and, for my taste, appears a bit too frequently on your show. I've heard you on occasion be critical of others for lacking diversity in their cabinets and yes, on their shows, so I offer a challenge to you.
Is there no woman journalist or opinion writer/commentator, beyond MSNBS regulars, who has something unique, provocative and fresh to offer you and your viewers? I'm just beginning to feel a bit "ho hum" when you announce your "special guest" of the evening, and it is frequently one of the three white males I've listed here. Bob Herbert is/was an excellent black columnist, and Richard Engel always brings a perspective that no one else can offer. They continue to inspire or intellectually challenge me.
Perhaps others of your viewers think I'm just being picky, but I long for your show to continue providing and growing in substance that few others come close to offering. I offer this comment with a warm and grateful heart for TRMS.