Rachel Maddow proved many times that she has the wits to host her own prime-time show. Eventually, she’s given the opportunity by MSNBC, starting September.

The 35-year old political commentator will replace the 9 p.m. longtime host Dan Abrams, as MSNBC executives confirmed on Tuesday. Abram’s will have his ‘farewell’ show on Thursday, followed by MSNBC’s 2-week extensive coverage of two political conventions. Rachel Maddow will be in charge of her own political show starting September, 8.

Following the example of the Olympics’ central focus on 8/8/08, MSNBC is pinpointing the iconic date of 9/8/08 to mark “the final leg of the political race this year” and Rachel’s debut, as the all-news cable network’s president Phil Griffin stated. Commenting upon the moves underwent by the network, Griffin was quoted by the New York Times as saying “This just completes our prime-time lineup.”

Maddow’s show is firstly to center on the presidential race, only after the elections will it become a more general news program. “This is great. Getting a regular cable show is something I’ve wanted,” Maddow told the Times.

Maddow’s achievement is more than personal, as it can also be regarded as a gate-opener. Without doubt, she is the first openly gay woman to be in the prime-news spotlight as a host; moreover, she is the first woman to reach such a position at MSNBC. Last year, she explained to “PageOne Q” that she strongly believed that her career could have gone a lot further, if it hadn’t been for the usual television preferences for the looks: “I am not a Barbie girl with Barbie doll-like looks. Because in television, what you look like is a huge deal,” she said.

But Maddow’s previous experience strongly recommended her for the position. She has been the host of a liberal talk radio show on Air America for four years. Furthermore, she often made guest appearances on political shows such as MSNBC’s “Tucker” and CNN’s “Paula Zahn Now.” Also, she sometimes stepped in as a commentator and substitute host for the popular “Countdown with Keith Olbermann.”

MSNBC’s move is most likely to draw criticism that the network would incline more to the left, deepening the competition with Fox News. Also, John McCain’s Republican campaign accused MSNBC of biased coverage of the campaign. On the other hand, her appointment is also more likely to strengthen the network’s Democratic and liberal audience.

Dan Abrams will not leave the network, being expected to continue his collaboration, as an anchor during some daytime coverage; moreover, he will maintain his position at NBC news, where he is chief legal correspondent.