MSNBC's Nicole Wallace was so busy gushing over Beto O'Rourke, maybe she forgot the cameras were on. That's as plausible an explanation as any for why she asked the 2020 Democrat candidate how the media can do a better job covering his and other Democrats' campaigns going into next year.

Usually when the Democrats in the media are trying to figure out how to help the Democrats running for office, they don't say out loud that's what they're doing.

But former Republican Wallace just walked it right out.

"So I've straddled both sides of the campaign, and now covering campaigns," she said. "Play media critic: What can we do better for those of us covering your candidacies far away from where the first votes will be cast in Iowa and New Hampshire?"

As Beto did his best "befuddled but giant-toothed Hugh Grant" bit, Wallace added "don't hold back!" and they both laughed together like old friends.

"That's a good question," said O'Rourke, proving all politicians lie.

He then launched into a lengthy reply in which at one point, without apparent irony or any seeming rebuke, he said one thing the media can do is ask more substantive questions. He said that. Watch:

"Present company excluded" he said. Amazing.

Wallace, though, wasn't finished fawning. "I'll leave you with some free advice," she said. "Grab Garrett [Haake], who is NBC's correspondent on your campaign and tell him what's on your mind."

"If you don't like the coverage, you can change it. You're the candidate," said Wallace.

You. Can. Change. It.

She thanked O'Rourke effusively for joining her, and Beto waved goodbye to the camera. That's not a figure of speech, he did that.

The entire bizarre exchange needed a hilarious soundtrack, honestly. Luckily we have the internet.



"If you don't like the coverage, you can change it." Just wow. Expect to see that sound bite in a lot of ads and compilations for the next few years. Unbelievable.