Who Would Replace Katie Couric?

Katie Couric could leave CBS after the start of the new year, according to the Wall Street Journal.. So who could replace her on the 'CBS Evening News' anchor desk? Here are some thoughts... and a gut check on his or her chances.

Harry Smith - solid but has been around CBS too long in low profiles with little notice. Good guy in a bad situation
Russ Mitchell - may be an inside-CBS favorite but he has little name appeal or major news creds.
Scott Pelley - He was a favorite during the Katie search... and may be more about the future than today. He's scored high profile reports for '60 Minutes'.
Maggie Rodriguez - She's a good addition to 'Early'... just too new to the CBS/national game.
Lester Holit - He's a solid anchor from NBC who may want to jump at a chance
Matt Lauer - He would be crazy to leave his comfy position at 'Today'
Terry Moran - He just wouldn't seem to cut it on CBS right now.
Keith Olbermann - It's risky for him and CBS for very different reasons
Anderson Cooper - "GQ News' won't cut it at CBS. The sharks would eat him alive.
David Gregory - He's positioned nicely at NBC... but this might make a good choice for the future for CBS. If CBS went this way, it would be a toss up between Pelley and Gregory though.
Wolfe Blitzer - CNN has invested so much in him. I just don't think he could connect in a newscast like viewers expect in an national network evening newscast.
Tim Russert - You might file this under the 'no way he would do it' category. But, it could bring a whole new level of credibility for the newscast. This choice could be very interesting.
Bob Scheiffer - It may have been a mistake taking him off the broadcast in the first place. But, it would be a PR disaster for CBS to bring him back... admitting one of the biggest mistakes since the short-lived Vargas and Woodruff team on ABC. The media would focus on the mistake instead of the future/product.
John Roberts - He claims to be happy with the small audience on CNN's AM. But I bet he's thinking 'If only I have hung in there."

So... who is my bet if a decision was made today?
Scott Pelley - He is the ' easy choice' for CBS right now. There is also low risk in his transition. There's not a lot of flash to this guy. If anything his reputation is squarely focused on his reporting skills. Could that be a bad thing? Pelley also allows the news division to stay focused on content instead of the media circus that will surround Couric's departure and the appointment of someone whos appointment is more about the name than the skills. Plus, Pelley may be a long-term player (as long as evening newscasts last). He doesn't appear headed to retirement anytime soon.

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