Michael Smerconish, the CNN/SiriusXM host and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist known for his centrist, independent-leaning commentary, has been notably supportive of Bari Weiss's appointment as President of CBS news. He views it as a strategic and overdue pivot by CBS to rebuild credibility and audience share among non-partisan viewers.
Smerconish argues that mainstream outlets like CBS have alienated independents through perceived liberal bias, and Weiss's track record of challenging narratives could reinvigorate the network without fully alienating its base.
On His October 11 X Post and Video: In a clip shared on X (formerly Twitter), Smerconish dismissed the "conniptions" from critics on the left, calling the hire a "media bombshell" that's "long overdue." He emphasized CBS's need to engage the 40%+ of Americans who identify as independents, drawing parallels to how brands succeed by appealing beyond core fans. The post garnered quick engagement, with replies split between applause for his pragmatism and pushback from those fearing a conservative tilt.
On His October 8 Podcast: In a discussion with media analyst Mark Halperin, Smerconish echoed that Weiss "may be just what mainstream journalism needs." They explored how eroding public trust in media (down to ~30% per Gallup polls) fuels political polarization, and positioned Weiss's voice—rooted in free speech advocacy and criticism of institutional orthodoxies—as a potential antidote for CBS. Halperin agreed, noting her entrepreneurial success could modernize a "stodgy" network like CBS, which has struggled post-60 Minutes dominance.