I really don't get the criticism of Bari Weiss at CBS News.

Much of it seems to center around how "she's never done this before."

That strikes me as a) ridiculous and b) a good thing.

A few thoughts:

Toward the end of my time at CNN, Jeff Zucker got run out. They brought in Chris Licht. Licht's claim to fame was that he had been the executive producer of "Morning Joe" and the CBS morning show. Which is not exactly like running a massive media company.

While there was some criticism and questioning in the media about Licht's qualifications, most people seemed fine with it. Why? Because Licht was a member of the club! He was an insider! Everyone knew him! He was "one of us."

Licht was, of course, an utter disaster. (Yes, he got rid of me. But I truly bear him no ill will over that!) He was WAY out of his depth. He lasted only 13 months. And the vast majority of that time he was in crisis mode.

Now, to Bari (who I don't know and have never met). Yes, she doesn't have the traditional qualifications to run a TV network. But she is no less qualified than Licht. In fact, I would argue she is more qualified -- since she built "The Free Press" from scratch.

And yet, there is TONS of people questioning HER credentials. Why? Simple. She isn't part of the inside crowd, the "Gang of 500" as Mark Halperin called it. She left the New York Times. She is critical of mainstream media. She's not "one of us."

I think that is a GOOD thing. The people running big media brands over the last few years have not exactly covered themselves in glory! Why would we NOT try something new and different?

Rant over. Just a ridiculous double standard in media when it comes to Bari. And it's worth pointing it out.