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Posted: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:43 PM by Barbara Raab
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By Brian Williams, Anchor and managing editor

Not much time to report on our day here in Las Vegas because of our pre-debate schedule. Tonight, it's safe to say, what happens in Vegas will get beamed all over the country.

We just did a facilities check of the theater and the set where we'll broadcast the debate tonight--a decidedly different setting and format than we've seen in the past. One unique aspect of tonight's format: the candidates will have the ability to question each other during one particular segment. We will be lucky if we get to ask half of the questions we have prepared. We have one more prep session scheduled for the time period between the first East Coast feed of Nightly News and the 9 p.m. (Eastern) start time. For those on the West Coast who miss the 6 p.m. live broadcast, we will re-broadcast the debate at 10 p.m. (1 a.m. on the East Coast).

Tomorrow morning, I will transition to the campaign trail for a part of the day, to continue our reporting from the ground level. We take the stage tonight with these candidates at, shall we say, an "interesting point" in the Democratic campaign. My partner Tim Russert and I will do our level best. Emphasis on level. So we'll look for you for Nightly News and--depending on your particular time zone and your choice of airing options-- or the Democratic Debate on MSNBC.

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I just wanted to mention how ecstatic my father was when you “corrected” yourself on pronouncing Nuh-vahh-duh. For the past week he’d scream at his kitchen TV whenever you’d say ‘nah-vah-duh.’ So he was very pleased to hear that other Nevadans had done the same thing. ‘You email Brian Williams and tell him how happy I am…’ he told me when I walked in my parent’s house Friday night.

I work in news here and I can tell you it’s always been a big issue. If you’re a candidate and want votes, visit Fernley for damage leftover by last Saturday’s levee break and for the love of Lord, pronounce the state correctly. I can’t tell you how people are turned off by the “other pronunciation.”  

We want to know candidates care about us and one simple and gracious way to do it is by saying the state’s name correctly!

Kellene Stockwell, Reno, Nevada (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 4:15 PM)

Just wondering whether you and your colleague Tim Russert will repeat your performances at the debate you "moderated" in Philadelphia last fall?  Will you end the debate with a softball to Barack Obama ("Senator-- what will you dress up as for Halloween?")...which just so happened to serve as the opening joke for that week's "Saturday Night Live" (an episode which was hosted, by the way, by none other than Brian Williams!)...Will Tim Russert ask his questions to Sen. Clinton by introducing them with such cynical preambles like this one: "Senator Clinton, this question goes to your credibility..."  Sen. Clinton suffered in the polls after that debate, but she was not the only one who "lost." The two of you did a disservice to your network and to the voters last time.  To retain credibility, please do a better job tonight.

Chicago (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 4:36 PM)

Brian,
The link to "submit your debate question" on MSNBC gives a runtime error message when you try to submit. Oh well.  Perhaps for future consideration:

Question for Senator Clinton and Mr. Edwards,
Senator Obama gave, what has to be now considered, a remarkably insightful speech on October 26, 2002 regarding war with Iraq. If he had been president on that day, giving that speech, it's hard not to imagine what might have been.  After Mr. Obama's speech you both continued to side with President Bush while Mr. Obama publicly declared there was no threat in Iraq, but there was in Afghanistan.  Can you explain to us why we should put the lives of our military personnel, and our nation's reputation, in your hands should something cause us to decide if war is necessary?  Thank you.

Keith, Danbury, CT (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 4:47 PM)

Given the 3 rising to the top of the Republican side I'm thinking about ordering the steel for the tank barriers in case Hillary wins.

Dave, Tn (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 5:12 PM)

When are debates going on regular television, Mr. Williams?

Jamie, Salt Lake, Utah (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 5:45 PM)

Jan. 15, 2008
Dear Mr. Williams,

You have always been so professional in reporting the news, so I wonder why a movie actor is now introducing your newscast.  
You need no introduction, nor does Nightly News, but more importantly, the aim should be to SEPARATE the news from entertainment.
Adding the date of the broadcast at the beginning would also be helpful to those recording it.
Thank you.

Angela Aglione, Hawthorne, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:13 PM)

I found it hard to believe that NBC is trying so hard to keep Dennis Kucinich out of the debate. I have never been a fan of Dennis Kucinich, but I always believe that his voice need to be heard by American people. Sure, his poll numbers are low, but it is exactly because the media has never given him a chance to be heard. Obama's poll numbers were not particularly high in the beginning of the campaign, but after the media gave him a free ride, his numbers went up. How can Dennis Kucinich's poll number ever go up if the media is determined not to let him speak up.

Brian, are you sure that our country is a democratic country?

Jeremy Longman, Columbia, MD (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:14 PM)

Brian-

FYI-those of us with Verizon FIOS cannot get MSNBC. Therefore not TV Debate Coverage. The MSNBC Web site alludes to the debate being streamed. Thus far, can't find it.

Ted Lewis (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:19 PM)

We are appalled that you would disinvite Dennis Kucinich to tonight's tv debate.  Even if he has no chance of winning the nomination, he still needs to be heard because he helps to frame the issues, and he represents the views of people like us.

Craig Mishler (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:22 PM)

I can not find any thing on here about Baseball and Steroids.  But why is the US Government, putting committees, politicians, and other waste of time and tax payer money on the Baseball and Steroids investigation.  We have other priority that we can put the time and money into. i.e. education, healthcare etc.  
Why not tell MBL that they will be fined $1 million dollars a month if they do not get a solution on the Steroids and Human Growth Drugs, I bet MBL will solve this with in 2 months.  And the fines go to the poor school.  

Mr. Laurend Abraham (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 7:22 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Tonight is another eventful evening of debating between the Democratic Candidates. Then the Michigan Primary winner for the Republicans will be decided. Certainly a big night for politics. The format of them asking eachother questions at one point ought to be very interesting and might become somewhat tense depending upon the question. I'm sure you and Mr.Russert will do a great job. Now on to the broadcast. Regarding the report on the three US Warships and the Iranian speedboats,the threats no matter where or who they came from over the airwaves certainly should be considered serious. The video of the speedboats barreling back and forth really close to the warships appeared to look as if they were going to attack. This incident exhibits how dangerous this region whether on land or on water can be to our soldiers in uniform. Anything can be considered a threat and hopefully through proper investigation the authorities will find the answer as to who did this act. Also the bombing in Beirut near the US Embassy was quite alarming news. Thankfully no Americans were hurt or killed. On another note the series "The Truth about Boys and Girls" showed some intersting results, but I was not totally surprised. The boys and girls being in separate math classes seemed to be beneficial to both genders. I can understand that if a girl in particular is quiet then being in an all girl class may give her more encouragement to answer questions as oppossed to the a co-ed class where some boys shout out the answers. It was nice to know the test scores went up and the students overall performance in school was better. Anyway, looking forward to the Democratic Debate this evening. I'm sure it will be very exciting and hopefully the three candidates will not all talk at once and allow eachother to answer all the questions. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to all!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 7:27 PM)

once again, the internet provides what the main stream media will not...drudge reports the michigan exit poll data...Romney 34%, mccain 29%...the media elite lose again

Nathan Paulson, Buffalo, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 7:28 PM)

What time (Central) will the debate be re-broadcast?

Jean Bright, Murfreesboro, TN (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 7:34 PM)

HELLO!?!?!? drudge is reporting the exit polls...anyone home at nbc?

everyone in America (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 7:40 PM)

Will the Powers That Be let Brian...just for one night... put on a pair of jeans, a shirt with no tie and let him look and feel comfortable? that poor boy looks as though he is stuffed into a suit against his will, he sits so rigid.. let his hair muss up, maybe grow a five o'clock shadow even!  come on guys, give us all a break, Brian too!  a grandmother in Colorado

Suzan Pulsifer, Pueblo West, CO 81007 (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 7:51 PM)

anybody home, nbc???....drudge is reporting Romney wins....HELLO?!?!?!?!?

AMERICA (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 7:57 PM)

Brian,
You are wonderful and a favorite news anchor ever since I started watching you ever since when Mr.Browkow left his anchor seat. You do report that America's story.I like when you came on SNL. What do you think about the debate? What type of response are you be getting from both sides? What I think I am going to hearing a mix review because both says something else at different times. Hillary became to liberal and includeing Obama. John Mcain is haveing a blast whith his poll ratings going up. I want the Mayor Gullani to win.

Krish, Sugarland Tx. (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:00 PM)

Anything MSNBC would like to say regarding Dennis Kucinich's absence tonight?  For those of you who don't know, Mr. Kucinich was given a formal invitation to participate in the debate tonight.  A few days later, his invitation was REVOKED.  They simply took it back.  Kucinich fought it and managed to have it overturned.  Still MSNBC appealed the decision and at the very last minute managed to have Kucinich banned.
Does anyone else think it's absolutely CORRUPT that the people of Nevada and the rest of the country are being denied the right to hear from ALL candidates in this election?
MSNBC, I don't know who you think you are, but you have lost at least ONE viewer.  For good.

Sarah Clymer, Wyoming, MI (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:27 PM)

Not allowing Kucinich to appear in the debate is a crime.
You should be ashamed.

zavo henks (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:37 PM)

It's a sad day for democracy in America. MSNBC got to control the elections and make sure that a real alternative candidate doesn't get heard. Most people don't know there is a monopoly on the media,and NBC is part of a conglomerate that supplies the military and nuclear industries.We all need to support media reform and remind media that they are legally bound to work in the public interest. Excluding Kucinich is not in the public interest.

john azevedo, Ojai, Ca. (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:38 PM)

It's great day for democracy ,when Big Media loses some of its' control over the American air waves. I would like to thank Judge Charles Thompson for the way he handled this matter with NBC. I hope Mr.Kucinich kick's ass at the debate tonight.

Chris, Burlinton, Vermont (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:39 PM)

How do you justify the decision by your network to un-invite Kucinich?  Are you so afraid of what he has to say that you feel the need to muzzle him?  This is reprehensible.  Let the voters hear the candidates - all of the candidates.  As one of you colleagues likes to say, "Shame on you!"

Of course this message will probably never be seen or responded to or allowed to stay on the blog.

Jeff Collins, Woodstock, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:41 PM)

In excluding Dennis Kucinich, General Electric (NBC,MSNBC) is serving its corporate interests, but emphatically not the public interest.  Now, among other things, not a word will be said about impeachment, defunding the Bush wars, not for profit single payer health insurance and a host of other "issues" out of line with the corporate agenda of General Electric.  Fortunately, the one mildly progressive candidate, John Edwards, has too much support and too much money for GE to exclude him too.  Still, it's a victory for the guardians of the regime and the enemies of democracy.  Shame on the Nevada Supreme Court (hold me in contempt!) and on the corporate sleeze who marginalize views unfriendly to their self-interest.

Andrew Levine, Denton, Maryland (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:45 PM)

What are your thoughts on the participation of national candidate, Rep. Kucinich, in the debate?

Thanks!

Tiffany S., Larchmont, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:46 PM)

Corporate media ; no Kucinich ; some democracy !
Why not have the CEOs of the fortune 500 decide
the U.S. president !

don campbell , Milford, NJ (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:48 PM)

It breaks my heart to find out that Congressman Kucinich will not be participating in this debate. I was looking forward to watching it because as an avid watcher of Nightly News, I expected you, Mr. Williams, to bring forth a good debate. NBC News/MSNBC has been my preferred news source, but with this exclusion of Congressman Kucinich, I now doubt NBC News/MSNBC's credibility in providing the information that America deserves.

Jenna, Orlando, Florida (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:54 PM)

I see you guys won your Nevada court battle with Dennis Kucinich over allowing him to participate in the MSNBC debate tonight.  Too bad.  The cause of free speech and American democracy has gone down another notch in favor of your narrow corporate self interest.  As you so eloquently argued, you have the sole right to determine what goes on your air.  Therefore, by virtue of the power you have over the information Americans get, you also have the right to steer how the elections will go.  Your promotion of the two pro-corporate Democratic candidates Obama and Clinton over all the others in your supposedly unbiased newscasts has been utterly shameless, and like Fox News, who barred the anti-corporate Ron Paul from the Republican debates, you are using your corporate power to shape the discourse.  Too bad you don't realize that government bought and paid for by corporations is brittle, corrupt and will ultimately fail, while a true democracy is strong and self-sustaining, which is  in the long run, much better for corporate interests.  In the end, we will all have to pay for your shortsightedness.

Jon, Portland, Oregon (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:58 PM)

Barring Kucinich from the debates is a huge mistake because it deprives citizens of a serious viewpoint that deserves to be part of public discussion. When big media and/or corporations exert this type of power, our democracy is threatened, as if it were'nt under enough pressure already from Bush & Co. MSNBC has the privilege of operating on public airwaves - not carte blanche to select only those candidates they approve. This is part of why the media is held in such low esteem by the public, and a news story in itself. Will MSNBC do a story on how they make these kinds of decisions, and the impact on our democracy?

Audrey Mercer, Candler, NC (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:59 PM)

You're complicit in the fascist exercise of your network to exclude Dennis Kucinich from the debate. And you're a whore to keep working for such an organization.

bruce, san diego,ca (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:02 PM)

I was really looking forward to hearing Dennis Kucinich's viewpoints in this debate. Your level best seems rather limiting to many of us progressives that are not satisfied with the "top 3" voices that you are peddling as the only true choices for a democratic field. Get real - debates should allow for truly divergent viewpoints. Shame on you, MSNBC, and the Nevada Supreme Court for narrowing the viewpoints considered acceptable in a critical race...

Michael Mann, Santa Cruz, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:08 PM)

The so called News Media wins one and the American public loose another. The media no longer investigates issues, rather it attempts to sway it's viewers.  Unfortunate that the people's opinions no longer matter, what matters is the format over content.  Shame on NBC!!!

LB-Hartford CT (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:16 PM)

is it a victory for democracy when you limit candidates in your debate?
just curious

al, new orleans (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:18 PM)

Are you now censoring all comments concerning Kucinich just like you censored him?  You call yourself a newsman...

Jeff Collins, Woodstock, NY (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:20 PM)

It is a shame you have excluded Dennis from the Los Vegas debates.

Lois Davis, Chico, California (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:23 PM)

I had planned to watch the debate but decided not to after hearing that Kucinich would not be part of it. I'm really tired of the news media using their own criteria to decide what candidates should be heard -- and I'm a journalist, too. Exclusion to make a good show/story is not what this country is supposed to be about.

Kathy, Washington, DC (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:25 PM)

I won't be watching any media event staged by any media company that presumes that it's rights supersede the rights of the people. I would not vote for Dennis but I will support his right to speak and the right of his supporters to hear what he has to say. When you give the right to free speech to everyone, sometimes you learn that you are wrong and your life becomes better. This is a Constitutional Republic where the rights and concerns of the majority are supposed to be protected.

Corke - "Well quite frankly, because those are the probable candidates. That pool is the most viable pool."

There was once a guy who felt like his gene pool was the most viable.

Web Smith, San Jose, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:28 PM)

Who cares!
America is not longer the democratic country my father was disabled fighting in the war for. No longer the country my brother in the army died for.
When GE can decide who American voters are allowed to hear, our democracy is dead.
I don't know whether I would vote for Kucinich or not, but I know what's fair and what isn't. And I know I wanted the chance to at least hear from him, and for the other candiates to be addressed by him. But NBC isn't fair to the American voters. So much for corporations that control our news media on our public air waves.
So much for watching NBC news or ABC news. You are bad "citizens" and  I am finished with all of you.

d reeder (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:31 PM)

Dick move pulling Kucinich, NBC.  It's a shame, I really liked Conan.  Good thing everything else is garbage.

Jane, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:32 PM)

I am currently watching the Democratic debate.  I am so disappointed in the NBC moderators (Brian Williams and Tim Russert).  They seem to be more concerned with pitting the candidates against each other and trying to spark a headline than helping the viewers learn more about the candidates' positions on issues.  Why not have debates devoted to a single topic at a time:  immigration, education, health care.  We do need to know how the candidates differ instead of watching them "dance" while trying to answer these ridiculous questions.  Shame on NBC!

Lisa Staib, Oakton, VA (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:33 PM)

Brian & Team - I love Nightly News and respect the work you do. However, why was the first half hour of the debate lastnight spent hand holding the candidates through their talking points? When we are at the stage in the race, let's get straight to the meat and figure out where they differ and how!

L Werner, Alexandria, VA (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:37 PM)

Yes, it must have been a busy day in Nevada, Brian...What with the reneging of the invitation to Dennis Kucinich to appear in the debate, and just completely blowing off Gravel.  Last time I checked, they were both still candidates for the Democratic nomination.  How dare MSNBC/NBC dictate which candidates the voters are exposed to in a debate!  Gravel's and Kucinich's views are just as important as the big three candiates opinions.  Unfortunately, I am not surprised, as "The Fourth Estate" died a long time ago--when the news divisions became more interested in making money than fulfilling their duty to REPORT THE NEWS and act as a check and balance in our democratic process.  SHAME ON YOU AND YOUR "NEWS" ORGANIZATION, Mr. Williams.  

Diana Shannon, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:51 PM)

Why did you not require the candidates to answer the questions asked.  You asked questions, their answers were typically "on message" and not relevant to the specific question asked.  Just once, Id love to see you say, "Senator, you didnt answer the question".

robert donfeld, tucson, arizona (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:54 PM)

Due to the exclusion of Congressman Kucinich from the debate, I will no longer watch MSNBC and encourage others to follow suit.  You make FOX news tame by comparison.

Marc, Austin, Texas (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:06 PM)

Brian, the first half-hour of the debate demonstrated everything that incenses people about press coverage of the campaign.  What were you and Tim thinking?  I expected better from you.

Andy B, New York (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:15 PM)

MSNBC. You shot yourselves in the collective foot trying to get a better show from the "top three" Your show was soo bland. Dennis would have been there to keep the others  honest. also, why no questions about the HS mandate of ID cards? As of the time of this post at least.

Ken Anderson (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:20 PM)

With the economic problems facing this country, with so many, too many, of our men and women dying in Iraq, with 50 million uninsured, Brian Williams decides to ask about internet discussions of religion? Shame on him. And what a shame that our "journalism" has become so diminished.

Fran Visco, Philadelphia, Pa. (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:22 PM)

Let us be quite clear that neither the media nor politics exist in a vacuum.  Pairing down the debates to the three "likely" candidates is expression of a viewpoint.  Is the broadcast of the debate journalism or simply a marketing endeavor?  Those of us who vote on Super Tuesday (read: the majority of NBC viewers) are being discounted by selection bias NBC expresses - in the self-important sense that folks who work in national media are really the ones that make Presidents.  I've worked in the news media business for 10 years, and have a background in argumentation -- and from both angles, this looks like a low point for your network's news operations.

Sean Upton (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:26 PM)

Being a religious viewer of the Nightly News, I constantly hear about the number of emails you receive on a topic. However I have spent the past 20 minutes trying to find an email address for Brian Williams and cannot do so. Therefore I am choosing to post my comment here:

Brian, Your characterization of Barrack's "question" to Sen. Edwards during the debate tonight was a disgrace. You forced his response to the Senator during a discussion to be considered a question because your network was going to a commercial and as such unfairly denied Barrack the chance to frame the debate as the other two candidates had done. I hope at the very least you apologize to the campaign for this mistake.

NOTE: Please forward to Brian Williams if this is not the appropriate forum.

Robb modica, Rockville, MD (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:29 PM)

Kucinich should have been there. He is a very serious and important candidate, whether you know it or not. It's not for you to decide who should be heard. These are OUR airwaves, and WE want to hear from all the candidates. It's not for you to single out and choose who wins, because this is still (barely) called "Democracy" here ... You behaved wrongly.

Kucinich on the issues: http://www.dennis4president.com/go/issues/

Fritz Oehler, (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:30 PM)

This debate is a breath of fresh air.  It's civil, interesting and informative. Kucinich would have been there if he'd been 1,2,or 3 in any contest to date.  It's as simple as that.

Chris, Topeka (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:57 PM)



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