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Lebanon diarist

Posted: Monday, January 07, 2008 6:23 PM by Barbara Raab
Filed Under:

By Brian Williams, Anchor and managing editor

I have no idea who's going to win the New Hampshire primary, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

After overnighting alongside the Interstate near the Vermont border, we joined up with the Obama campaign for a few events today -- and many miles with him inside the confines of the bus that has become his home on wheels -- a cocoon of black vinyl, cup holders, mirrors and dirty carpets -- in short, the same standard equipment rented by most campaigns. Image: Brian Williams and Barack Obama

He is sipping tea all day to soothe a sore throat. He was seen by a doctor and promptly ignored the doctor's advice to "stop talking." Saying that to a Presidential candidate a day before the New Hampshire primary is like telling a bird not to fly.

His crowds are large. In Lebanon, New Hampshire, we came across a line of people several football fields long -- all of them had to be turned away from the event, where 700 people had already crowded inside. Senator Obama addressed the people waiting outside -- and actually apologized for having attracted something that is highly coveted in politics: a packed venue.

He has changed the "I's" to "we's" in his stump speech, trying to convey the notion that this is a movement more than it is the cause of one man. His wife is here, but their paths will cross at just one event today. He misses his young daughters terribly and says so repeatedly. I was rather amazed to be the first to show him a copy of the new Newsweek this morning -- he said seeing his picture on the cover made him think of his mother.

Image: Brian Williams and Barack ObamaHe is dog-tired and gets loopy at times, telling the crowd this morning "the time to come has changed." In repeating his error to great laughter at the second event, he went on to make the same mistake.

His campaign aides get their news via Blackberry and pass on incremental developments to the boss in a discreet whisper as he nods. One of those developments: Senator Clinton's emotional answer to a question about the campaign earlier today. In a holding room, Obama called the opposition leader in Kenya -- he's been involved by phone in cooperation with the State Department -- to urge peace.

His day will end with an 11 p.m. rally timed to coincide with the start of the local news.

We're in a car enroute back to our broadcast headquarters in Manchester.

I've just been told that the rental car we traveled in this morning -- the one containing our crew's gear and my luggage -- is "missing" in Lebanon, New Hampshire. This ought to be interesting. We're on the phone with the police right now -- it was apparently parked too close to the Obama motorcade and was towed. It makes for a full day, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

We hope to see you tonight from Manchester, New Hampshire.

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Brian, even you too? I thought you were the unbiased one at the network, but you seem to be endorsing Obama too. I can't believe this. HE HAS NOT WON. He is not the people's choice. I am a liberal democrat who will literally vote for the most conservative republican over Obama. I cannot believe the news is not even giving Edwards or Hillary a chance. It's only NH. It isn't the world and he doesn't have the election in a lock yet. I cannot believe this lack of integrity. I thought Andrea Mitchell was bad, but this is downright disappointing. I may stop watching NBC now.

Shame on you. Shame, shame.

Sally, Los Angeles (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 4:18 PM)

The bright side of this, "you did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night"

The not so bright side --- so did your luggage and only one of you got to tell the tale.  

I realize that this truly is just the beginning of what will be a LONG year for the nation's political process but the thought that this will go on until at least November makes me and most people I know GROAN.  Wish that our founding fathers had thought to put time limits in on campaigns.  

With regard to Senator Clinton's emotional moment, can't help but wonder if the media has not been chomping at the bit for something like this to use.  Should Senator Clinton win NH then I guess we can expect to see ALL of the other candidates in tears with exaggerated emotional displays.  (If the writers strike ever ends will be great fodder for them)  Too bad humanity has become such a rarity on the campaign trail.  Then again though, seems like most campaigns play the American voters for stupid fools who cannot see past their tricks.

Amanda - Ridgewood, NJ (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 4:46 PM)

The Clinton campaign has, until now, maintained airtight manicuring of candidate Clinton’s image. Now of the eve of the New Hampshire primary we see a Hillary Clinton with a public display of emotion.  I can not help but think that this is indeed another image manipulation to evoke empathy for the “newly” humanized candidate. Timing is everything. Unfortunately that is not the end of my cynicism. I feel that the truth is not that Hillary doesn’t see a hopeful future for America slipping away; she sees a hopeful future, where she is in control of America sleeping away.

Dave Peterson (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 4:52 PM)

Brian,
Nobody does it better than you and NBC news.
Bill K.

Bill Kelly, Hanford, Ca. (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 5:07 PM)

Where did you squeeze in the trip to Las Vegas?

Bob (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 5:08 PM)

It's so good to know that you stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night :)  You're already bright, but I'm sure the experience gave you myriads of insights into the joys of losing luggage on the campaign trail!  (Good luck.. hope that gets solved quickly!)

Now could someone please explain.. how is it that we can simultaneously say that Iowa and NH are not typical of all states and ALSO that these 2 untypical states will determine how it all turns out for all candidates?????

And why does Tim Russert (and bunches of other analysts on "other" networks) sound so surprised that ... gasp!.... women actually voted for a male candidate rather than all women voting for Hillary? Have we not yet passed the point where know that both women and men vote for whoever "feels right" to them, male or female?  As a person of the female persuasion myself .. I have to enlighten you .. we do NOT all think alike. It's great to have the opportunity to CONSIDER a female candidate for President. But that does NOT mean that I automatically vote for a female just because she's there. She .. and all the males... have to earn my vote (and the votes of all of us) by showing that she is the best candidate. Can we PLEASE lose this "voting block" mentality?

Given the events of the day .. it should be an interesting broadcast. I'm looking forward to it!

Lynn G., Minneapolis, MN (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 5:53 PM)

I attended an overflowing Obama event yesterday, and I'm afraid his success might have negative repercussions. The event was held in a small auditorium, and so many people who waited outside in the cold for 1 to 2 hours couldn't get in. A cafeteria with two small TVs was available as an overflow room, and many people stuck around to watch -- but many more left. From a campaign management perspective, this has to be bad news for retail politics -- folks who took a Sunday afternoon to see Obama were left in the cold (literally). I'm surprised the campaign staff doesn't have a handle on this. He was nearly two hours late, and staffers were not providing informed and adequate updates. I'm afraid new voters may be turned away by these poor first political experiences.

Rob, Maine (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 5:58 PM)

Doctor told Obama to shut up? Someone might want to check, and see if the doctor isn't another Hillary plant.

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 6:44 PM)

To Sally in Los Angeles - I don't see how Brian's reporting of what he witnessed traveling with Obama today is biased.  What did he write that is an endorsement?  I don't see your point.

Rich in Texas (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 6:46 PM)

BTW This steroid thing is a horrible message to America's kids, but having these people come before congress again for another show trial is ridiculous. Don't these clowns have anything better to do like deciding how they'll spend our money to build monuments to themselves?

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 6:53 PM)

I have been a registered republican for 8 yrs and Obama has truly inspired me and now converted me to a conservative independant willing to stand in line to vote for his nomination.

MAP, Miami, Fl (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 7:05 PM)

one word JFK,1960...

CAREY PETTWAY,B'HAM,AL. (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 7:12 PM)

I stayed up until after 1AM to hear all the speeches and all the discussions about what happened in Iowa that night.  

Now there is a sea change of American politics in the 21st Century, begun in a state in the heartland of our country where a man whose Mom was born in Kansas and whose Dad was a native of Kenya took hold of the voters with a new voice and changed the dynamic of the vote.  

Blessed with a gift of language, Barack Obama gave a speech which reminded many of the speech below given by a young President seven months before Obama was born in Honolulu on August 4th, 1961.  

It was a day many thought would never come, but it did and it was a defining moment.

It's only a first step in this election year, but it's a giant one.

Click here: John F. Kennedy: Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1989


PS - You might want to talk with Mika about missing  luggage.  I'm very sure she will be sympathetic - Andrea Mitchell helped her with her clothing crisis.

The publisher of the New Hampshire Union Leader, Mr. McQuaid was on a CSPAN call-in program Sunday afternoon - I called and had a chance to speak with him - a delightful man.  Seek him out if you have a chance.

Joan Chapman, Cheshire, CT. (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 7:14 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all I hope you get the rental car back with the crew's gear and your luggage. I hoped you liked the Holiday Inn Express. Now on to the broadcast. Such activity and excitement in New Hampshire. Overflow crowds for many of the candidates and I cannot imagine how tired all of them feel from all the speeches they have made over the last several days. In hearing from the different correspondents all the frontrunning candidates are needing a big win out of New Hampshire. The Independent voters are again playing a huge part in defining a winner in this primary. One never knows who will come out the winner although after seeing the large crowds for Obama it would not be surprising if he was the winner. I liked what Hillary Clinton stated about not seeing the country fall backwards. It is true an election is not a game and our country's future is at stake. Our country needs a change for the better and I hope the person who becomes the next President is able to make positive changes happen for our country. On another note it was interesting to hear the CEO of Starbucks is out and the founder of Starbucks is now the new CEO. When you stated that Starbucks may be closing some of its underperforming stores I thought to myself certainly not the ones near where I live. They are always extremely busy. I truly need my Starbucks coffee in the morning. Anyway, I just want to say you and NBC are doing a great job covering the primary. I live in a State that votes on Super Tuesday and I noticed on the calendar that Super Tuesday falls on Mardi Gras this year. How exciting! Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Look forward to your great coverage of the New Hampshire Primary tomorrow evening. Another big night. (I really hope you get your luggage back! Along with the rental car and the crew's gear!) Peace to all!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 7:31 PM)

Two comments regarding other posts: Joan Chapman got it exactly right. This jaded 52 year old white guy had come to accept that inspiration in politics had gone the way of the Corvair. Obama's post-caucus speech reminded me that we, as a nation, have lowered our standards and expectations of politicians to an unacceptably low level.

To those who eschew the "politics of hope," you've forgotten what we can be, what we're supposed to be, and you're lowering the bar. What's to say that idealism and practicality have to be mutually exclusive? Obama's speech was a clarion call, and I, for one, will refuse to settle for less.


And, Sally, seriously, it looks like you could use a night at a Holiday Inn Express.

Tom Adrahtas, Wheeling, Illinois (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 7:57 PM)

On Hillary's sudden show of teary humanity, check Keith Olberman's fuller camera show of the event, when she then turns off the misty eyes to attack Obama on how fearfully unready he is compared to---tra la--Hillary herself. If turning on the mist in front of cameras and a public is not playing up to the worst stereotype of women using the "power of tears" to get their way, then I will buy a used car from her.

lin (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 8:54 PM)

finally! when red and blue join together we can all arrive at the "purple mountains majesty" we have grown up believeing in. Maybe the time has finally come.

Tim Graham (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 9:24 PM)

Really like how "making change" has worked it's way into the stew.
Change, Change, Change, Change, Change, Change
Change, Change, Change, Change by fools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8nU-q5YPRQ

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 9:49 PM)

I might live in Maine, but am close enough to New Hampshire to be deluged with all the political ads and news coverage.  Whatever would the media do if another really serious news story were to erupt?  And to think that Maine doesn't caucus for another 8 or so weeks!  

What is the big deal with Hilliary crying?  Don't most women cry every so often?  God forbid she should be having a hormone fluctuation rather than trying to eek out another vote, or suffering from fatigue, which would be my likely guess.  Still doesn't make me want to vote for her.  I'd vote for a republican before I vote another Clinton into office.  Time for new blood in the white house.

Stephanie Umbro, Maine (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 10:01 PM)

Interesting piece on sun exposure/vitamin D and health. But has it really been a prevailing view among doctors that zero or near-zero sun exposure is best, and therefore they've "changed their minds"? It was recognized before the recent study that vitamin D has benefits, and that many people don't get enough at Northern latitudes. So how many doctors would recommend completely avoiding the sun? Seems to me that this is just another case in which common(?) sense and moderation are key.

Alex J (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 10:10 PM)

I just finished reading Howard Kurtz's Reality Show. In it, he depicts you as a very down to earth guy. I am at a loss as to why you find it humorous that you stayed at a Holiday Inn Express? While I am sure it is not the choice spot for someone in your salary range, there are millions of Americans who would be excited about the chance to stay there.
I think Obama is engaging and intelligent, but I think the presidency requires more than that. I fall into the category of undecided and fervently wish that the networks would just present the facts and stop trying to sway the viewer.
On that same note Mr. Williams, I find you intelligent and engaging, but I tune into Charles Gibson because of his experience. (Oh yes, and I do not think he would feel above staying at the Holiday Express)

Robyn , Athens, ga. (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 10:36 PM)

Rich in Texas - Brian and all of NBC seems to be spending ALL their time w/ Obama and barely covering Edwards and slamming Hillary. It makes me sick. Obama had like a 5 min piece, while the others had to share 2 min. I timed it. It's just sad when the mainstream media is trying to tell us who to vote for and who will win.

Obama should "shut up" as his dr said. I am completly against our current administration, but they are a million times better than Obama who refuses to answer questions presented to him. He talks around the truth all the time. Shame, shame, shame.

Sally, LA (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 11:03 PM)

I always watch NBC News and MSNBC for election coverage. However, I feel as if you (Brian) and the
rest of the NBC news team have already decided the election for us. The only one of the team who seems unbiased right now is Tim Russert, who gives us the strategy from the different candidates. Last night
I was thoroughly frustrated as it was Obama, Obama,
and more Obama! Should I even bother voting now? And,
while I have never been a fan of Hillary's, even I felt bad for her.  I guess I will have to keep watching so you guys can tell me who I should vote for on the Republican side!

Pam, Prescott, Arizona (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 9:00 AM)

I feel people need to look into Obama a little more in detail and find some interesting information on why americans should not be voting to put him into the white house

Abby, Putnam, CT (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 10:04 AM)

I have this overwhelming need to comment about Senator Clinton's show of emotion yesterday.  I say good for her.  She is human and maybe it is a good thing for us to see that as a human being and as a candidate she is able to show her emotions.  I think she has very strong feelings about her vision for America.  She showed another emotion (assertiveness & anger) during the debates over the weekend and was accused of whining.  We as a nation hold women to a double standard.  If a man is assertive he is strong and able to get things done.  If a woman is assertive most people label her as being a you know what.  It is time for us as a nation to do some soul searching and make sure this time around we elect someone who is intelligent, has good character, & strong, but can also lead showing some compassion. We better think really hard about electing someone who has no experience.  We are just finishing up eight years with a President and an administration who are less than what America deserves.    

Pam, Indiana (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 2:26 PM)

I really think one factor in Hillary's win in NH is the voters who would have voted for John Edwards got fed up/gave up on Edwards and voted for Hillary.  I think Edwards 17-20% of the national constituancy will propel Hillary to the White House because these voters are older, more party faithful and they want a solid leader, not a rock star.

Kathy, Dunwoody, GA (Sent Wednesday, January 09, 2008 9:38 AM)

Brian,

I keep getting this email showing pictures of Obama turning his back on our American Flag, rufusing to stand for the National Anthem and not holding his had over his heart when the song is sung.  

Does he REALLY do this or is this just a lie.  Do we all really want a man that doesn't honor our Flag and National Anthem to be our president.  

This email also states that he was raised by a muslim guy of the Jihid? and that his beliefs are those of the muslim faith.  We need a Christian man in office that can guide our nation back to God and help us to stay free.  

Maxine Brittain, Lufkin TX (Sent Thursday, January 10, 2008 6:36 PM)



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