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MARIA BARTIROMO Pro: CNBC's Money Honey, 33, has netted serious interest as a savvy finance journalist. Says an industry source: "She's a favorite of the GE hierarchy." Con: She may not have an appetite (or, some say, ability) for the fluffier aspects of morning TV. Last year, after guest-hosting with Regis Philbin, she soured speculation about replacing Kathie Lee Gifford. "I've found my home in business news," she said at the time, "and there's really no place I'd rather be."

HODA KOTBE Pro: The Dateline NBC correspondent has a fan in Couric, says one insider, who believes Kotbe might pop up on the Today show in the future, at least as a substitute. Con: There's one hitch. "I've never heard of her," Friedman says. And he's got company.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN Pro: The busy O'Brien, 34, has visibility as an NBC News correspondent, MSNBC anchor, and coanchor of Today Weekend Edition. "She fits the generation coming up--multicultural, computer age," says Friedman. "She's experiencing what the audience you hope to attract is experiencing." Con: Insiders wonder if she could squeak past Curry.

NORAH O'DONNELL Pro: Media watchers say the MSNBC/ Dateline NBC/Today correspondent has the Couric quality. "She's a pleasure to look at and she's smart," says hairstylist Frederic Fekkai, whose clients include Curry and Pauley. Con: At 27, she may be too much of a new kid. "Some people think Andy Lack would love to see her on the show," says an insider. "But I don't think anybody believes she's going to get it."

Originally posted Aug 03, 2001 Published in issue #607 Aug 03, 2001 Order article reprints
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