
Steve Kornacki
Steve Kornacki is a co-host on MSNBC’s ensemble show ‘The Cycle,’ which airs Monday-Friday at 3PM ET. He is also Salon.com’s senior political writer and has been with the site since February 2010. Before that, he wrote for the New York Observer and covered Congress for Roll Call.
He also spent three years in New Jersey, chronicling the state’s political world for a website and co-hosting a weekly show on News 12 New Jersey, a 24-hour cable news channel.
His work has also appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, Boston Globe, Daily Beast and at Capital New York, where he’s written a series of deeply-researched profiles of prominent New York political figures. He is a native of Groton, Mass. and graduated from Boston University.


I can't watch the show with C Cup on it. It's like having to listem to a younger Sara Palin. I'll wait until 1:00 and catch Martin. Bad idea to have a rightwinger vomiting Republican talking points on your show every freakin day.
I agree with you Sid...I just watched the tail end of Miz Cupp spouting garbage and I will not watch this show as long as the other 3 let her unleash her lies about our President.
I actually enjoy S.E. Cupp because I feel she's a smart, educated conservative. We may disagree on most political issues but I appreciate MSNBC providing someone to give the opposing view so the show is not just another "liberal bubble" show.
S.E.Cupp has the patience of a Saint.....I'm not quite sure how she endures the sophomoric dialog of the other three recently graduated college students on the panel. You folks sound more like a college debate team that just left your Socialism class than people that are really concerned with the future of the country. Crystal is an out and out socialist.......there are failing European countries that she could migrate to and fit right in. Toure thinks he is a cute political comedian....just not very funny and Steve Kornaki pictures himself as the professor
Steve, MSNBC's fact checkers have been fact checked and it appears that they are only capable of reading half of the truth. There are newspapers and broadcast media that have caught them in their half truths.
Steve, you will find media video of candidate Obama addressing the Janesville community, promising to save the auto industry and the GM plant in Janesville. The plant eventually closed for good but not until January of 2009....and Obama still hasn't managed to have it reopened inspite of his miraculous salvation of GM, that the taxpayers still own 25% of and will never see a return of the bailout dollars. By the way Crysler was saved by selling it off to an Italian car maker Fiat. So much for saving the American auto industry. As to your disgust of Ryan's position on the Simpson-Bowles plan he held true to his beliefs and was not in favor of it because it called for raising taxes...thank God. In your disgust I would suggest that you review the ACA (Obamacare) that in facts CUTS 716 billion dollars out of Medicare in reduced funding of servces to doctors and hospitals. In fact Obama's plan to fund the ACA is with the "savings" from Medicare. Medicare is already in trouble and is scheduled to become insolvent in the next 10 to 12 years and can hardly survive with 716 billion being robbed from it. When you shoot your mouth off you should support your claim with ALL of the facts not half truths. I would suggest that you review the 2011 Social Security Board of Trust Report that clearly states that both Social Security and Medicare on their way to bankruptcy and need immediate attention......signed by Timothy Geithner, Treasury Secretary (Obama's appointee). If Geithner knows these entitlements are going broke why hasn't Obama even mentioned ANY solutions?
You folks are pathetic.......
Unhelpful, rambling letter. Too much acrimonious labeling and opinionated judgement. Kinder critique would engender solutions you seek.
SHOW is downright STUPID...shelve it now...such 'cutsie pie idiots one and all.
i happen to agree with her views of being a athiest with no apologies to the religious loons running amok in the country. the more educated free thinkers who do not drink the fantasy-in-the-sky kool aid, of moronic religious diatribe and fact less dogma!!!
i like the show .have to see more to know if i'll look at it each day.
Watched today's show, Monday - please, someone, let Steve say something! So far it's been a shouting match among three people, and while it's not supposed to have a "leader", per se, please tell that to Toure', as he doesn't seem to have received the memo.
A nice show, a welcome change from Ed et al, but let the smart guys talk, an NOT just among themselves?
You people are all too safe and boring, too vanilla. Dump C Cup and get people on like Marc Lamont Hill, Aisha Taylor, Hal Sparks, Jason Jones, Aasif Mandvi, John Oliver or Kristen Schaal
What crap! MSNBC Replaces Ratigan (the network's champion of straight talk, non-partisan solutions to America's dysfunctional 'culture of greed') with an irreverent (and irrelevant) chummy, hip, feel-good, let's all get along, 'Mod Squad''. This lovable band of misfits is complete with the 'instant celebrity expert' (and YouTube 'bad girl'), the plucky, seductively husky-voiced conservative chick with the 'naughty librarian' glasses, the straight-laced progressive establishment guy and the self-effacing token black dude.
The giddy, giggling 'partisan' repartee had all the naivete and saccharine sweet civility of a Family Channel sit-com. This lighthearted rinse-Cycle of the day's political events, will soften your brain and leave your living room with a smell of lavender. "The Cycle" replaces Chris Mathew's wishy-washy "Hardball" as my least favorite program in the lineup (with the over-the-top Ed Schultz ("Let's get the 'righties!") Show" a close third.
Looking back over his shoulder, I'm sure Dylan is reassured he made the right move.
I cannot listen to this show and I am a long-time MSNBC fan. The two women are in dire need of voice coaching, as well as learning what is appropriate to say and how to say it. I cannot understand who is making the decisions about what they think listeners are interested in hearing, but I hope whoever it is reads this comment. I for one am sick to death of the cutsie-quaintsie-groupsies on every show. Can't someone think of something else?
I could not stand to watch a full two minutes of this show. As soon as S.E. Cupp opened her mouth, I thought to myself, if I wanted to watch and hear some self-absorbed right-wing ideologue scream her predictable drivel, I'd watch Fox News. MSNBC, if you're trying to achieve political diversity, you should get someone from the right who can show at least a modicum of professionalism toward her co-hosts and debate the facts. You need to remember that your audience is intelligent and appreciates intelligent debate. I, for one, do not want an Ann Coulter wanna-be on my MSNBC (unless she is a guest -- a TEMPORARY guest).
Agreed. I think that Steve Kornacki is the only viable journalist.
Other than that it's the pre-school training show.
I'd like to see Joy-Ann Reid from Grio have her own hour!
On today's program (8/13), Steve Kornacki discussed the public's perception that Obama had been given a bag economy by Bush, which is true. Clearly, the Republican fiscal policy of cutting taxes combined with increased spending on defense (started by Reagan) has been a disaster (untenable deficits). On the other hand, the current financial crisis has its roots in Clinton's policy of broadening homeownership, which opened up new pastures for (under regulated) Wall Street greed. Rather inconvenient to recall how we got here, isn't it?
The ModSquad packaging is unfortunate.
Whatever the bona fides are for Toure, Krystal, and S.E., there's a presentation package that a news network keeps as a sort of reserve baseline (if only to highlight the "personalities" they have for anti-Fox cred), and Steve Kornacki has it, and his greater exposure as an MSNBC contributor shows--he gets to be the de facto "grownup" when the kids misbehave (and Toure has him by 8 years). He and Rachel would be a cute journalistic couple, and he's not as annoying as close-comrade/true-believer Chris Hayes. You get the feeling Chris has had five cups of coffee before getting out of bed, or that he and Ezra Klein were stars on their 2AM dormitory debate team. Ezra/Chris PLEASE....stop saying "didn't" and "wouldn't" as "diddent" and "woulddent" (not to mention the punched out "A's" and "The's") or I'll exile you to elocution class with Krystal and S.E.
S.E.'s job seems to be not balance, but to slip in the smirky-snark jabs with the husky librarian-cum-Catwoman delivery...Dan Senor in a skirt. You get the feeling that the big bad world hasn't shown her the short end of the stick yet. She's on her way to be MSNBC's own Anne Coulter--is that what she wants? Peggy Noonan is the network's best fit--so far--for the conservative female voice. Wonder why? Edgy brat is not part of her vocabulary. I know...she's twice S.E.'s age, but hey. Thoughtful can win the day when the others are babbling.
I've no doubt that Krystal is way brighter than the post-Valley Girl modulations in her voice let on--though that's an unfortunate generational blip that has infected milliions with rising tone/misemPHAsis-itis. She really needs to stop trying to dominate every two-shot and footnoting the way she does when she guests with Steve on Lawrence O'Donnell's show. Seeing her on a panel with Andrea Mitchell is instructive. I want to see past the Brooke-Shields-With-Swimmer's-Shoulders, and it can be hard. Be more than a network beauty spot. Considered and gracious can be sexy too, and frames your smarts more effectively. Andrea can get in your face, but you never forget she's a journalist first.
I have to say Toure has really grown on me, in spite of the street-hip-black-dude placement the network has launched him with in the group. He's not meant to be another Jonathan Capehart or Eugene Robinson--nor could he be, and to compare him with M.E. Dyson would be absurd. God knows he's got enough entertainment writing history of his own, and he's the oldest member of the group and an insightful social critic. I'd hate to see him reduced to saying "oh Toure, you're so out there" things, and have a suspicion that he'll end up with his own MSNBC show. Now that would be interesting. When he's a little less flip and a little more wound up, he makes a convincing case for whatever point he's making AND you get the knife dig with the smile.
Give the network points for trying, but so far it's more mousse than hair, and hip vs. gravitas never wins when you want to be a news network first and a Faux-News clone second (it has the danger of being a reverse-image "The Five"...yikes). I do miss Dylan, and his page-long run-on sentences were a thing of wonder that begged for transcripts. The legendary explosions threatened to put him in the time-out room with Keith back in the day.
"She's on her way to be MSNBC's own Anne Coulter--" MSNBC hopefully won't be that sensational
and short sighted. She can barely keep her talking points and composure for more that 20 seconds unless she's reading off of a script or flirting with a fellow "hunter." A right wing voice might be interesting but she's too shallow and laughable for words. No I think she'd be better off co-hosting a show with Nancy Grace.
Looking back at the Presidential primaries, I am reminded of the substandard contenders who’d been programmed with artificial stupidity. Perhaps, with the exception of our barony of American billionaires buying the power to crown a stooge, no legally sane citizen could ever have imagined any one of these candidates boarding an on demand flight on Air Force One.
So why did the Republican aparat send in the clowns, if only quietly acknowledge their candidacy? The strategy seemed clear: better to sacrifice a losing team to a popular incumbent – and wait to throw in your best hat in 2016.
But this playbook was as dicey as the one confected in 2007. Terrified that the odds-on favorite Hillary would win the primary, the GOP strategists brazenly supported Obama, mainly because they were as certain as Tuesday follows Monday that a black Presidential candidate could never ascend beyond head chef in the White House. This idiocy went so far as to have local GOP headquarters issue Obama T shirts to life-long Republican voters. Oh, yea--I was there.
There are times when Fortune smiles and long shots win; and Romney could speciously argue his way into the White House. How do you stop a salesman who can sell a neo-Nazi a circumcision knife?
Jerry Sedley
I would like to know if the Steve Kornacki of the cycle also does writing/co-producing on some episodes of Boardwalk Empire. Just curious.
Hey, Steve, cool K-State shout-out today. Did you grad from there? Did you know this is homecoming weekend?
Dear Gov Christie
Your best self came out during this storm as you worked in a non partisan way giving praise where praise is due. It was a credit to see that you can work along side all sides.
It is not too late for you to endorse and vote for the candidate - Barach Obama - who would not abandon you in a crisis. If you dont know what I mean check Romeny's comments on getting rid of FEMA and federal help. You understood working together unlike Romney who already is is campaigning today at what was supposed to be a fund raiser. We will be glad to have you Chris!
Regards
SH
wow talk about sucking up to the criscoman. cant wait for his tortured decision to replace lautenberg. either way he puts his pol future into the grinder.
Dear Gov Christie
Your best self came out during this storm as you worked in a non partisan way giving praise where praise is due. It was a credit to see that you can work along side all sides.
It is not too late for you to endorse and vote for the candidate - Barach Obama - who would not abandon you in a crisis. If you dont know what I mean check Romeny's comments on getting rid of FEMA and federal help. You understood working together unlike Romney who already is is campaigning today at what was supposed to be a fund raiser. We will be glad to have you Chris!
Regards
Sharon Hill
11-2-2012: Kudos for being able to speak to David Walker without reaching out to strangle that pompous asswipe. I could not have been so calm and polite talking to him. Met him once and found him to be intolerant and terribly closed-minded. A Republican-type personality even though he insisted on claiming to be bi-partisan. No surprise he has the poor judgement to support Romney based on his subjective fantasies that are pure wisdom from on high in his mind.
The Cycle is one of my favorite shows except for one thing , S.E. Cupp. She is shrill and obnoxious. Even my 16 year old son can't take her.She is awful in The Daily News...she is worse on The Cycle.Can't you find a more appealing conservative voice???? Oh, wait a minute...there is none.......
Steve Kornacki's tribute to his grandmother was beautiful. It moved me to tears. I'm a 73 year old retired nurse and I just love him!!
steve is a wonderful example of a gay man that is not screaming out loud with stereotypes. Very smart young man who i miss on the cycle, its not the same without steve---the chemistry of the show has changed. i like ari melber, but the chemistry is missing imo.
Okay I fumbled with my (short form) twitter comment --but now I can vent. You're the only serious journalist on that panel. S.E. Cupp is an annoying-look at me I'm a chick and like to hunt-token Tea Party poseur. It must be painful to play off of her BS. I have always thought Crystal Ball was pretty okay but man when she intervened with her "allow me to mediate" today on the show I was just dumbstruck. Your well taken, undisputed points about guns just flew over their respective heads. With all due respect...CB didn't "mediate" at all. I get so goddamned sick of MOR liberals thinking they have to spoon feed me the line that "there are many responsible gun owners out there." Very true this might be but bad timing, MISSING YOUR POINT and pandering to the camera ....plus very revealing. S.E. Cupp will never get the point but C.B. was...well...I will take her much less seriously now. That said....I was really impressed that you stood your ground and spoke your conscience. THAT ...young man, will keep us tuned in.....Phew! just sayin....Lindsay from Canada.
Your praise of Ben Affleck for distorting the historical record on Canada's rescue of US diplomats during the Iran hostage crisis is very questionable. His film Argo is an insult to Canadians and the film did not do well at all in Canada. It is shameful to distort history to bolster one's ego, whether that is for Ben Affleck's benefit or the entire United Sates of America.
You are brilliant mind by any measure, Steve. But today's shout out to Ben Affleck has many eyes rolling to be sure. Distorting the historical record for personal gain does not make one interesting, but rather pathetic.
Remember, the South Park crew believes Mr.Affleck to be an asshat, a clear and accurate description of him in my book (and for most of Canada).
Social Security is NOT an ENTITLEMENT!!! When will everyone stop calling it that? I for one have paid into SS my whole working life. Ronald Regan said it well in one of his speeches ... SS is NOT an entitlement ... So give me a break! If Washington kept their grimy hands out of the pot... we wouldn't have a problem with SS. If Washington got to work and actually worked on job Creation we wouldn't have a lot of the money problems we have today! If people are working people are paying taxes!!!
Good Morning Steve; and a big "Congratulations" for your promotion and your first "solo" shot. I enjoyed & learned some things. Especially the segment about women in politics. State-Senator Nina Turner was dynamic and insightful, as always! If I lived in Ohio, I would vote for her. It would be nice if we could transplant her in North Carolina.
C Cup starts shaking her head "no", the minute someone rebuffs her, obviously so engrossed in her self-righteousness that nothing else gets through. She is a lite-weight pretty face that has 0 depth of character BUT who knows full well who signs her paycheck. She surely has role models to emulate. For that matter, having 20somethings discussing war policy, foreign intervention is a bit sickening. These people are wet behing the ears and an insult to people like our current SECDEF. Its a shame the networks cant get past the "spokemodel" production standards they use to keep an audience. There are way too few really smart people on TV and an overload of idiots. Sadly, there is also no shortage of manipulative con artists posing as journalists.