It has been determined that the whisper came from the audience and the candidates did NOT hear it.  Sorry all you anti Romney people. Mitt is that smart and quick on his feet.  He obviously saw right through that slimy trick question posed by Tim Russert and he stood his ground about not raising taxes. Go Mitt.  We desperately neen a person of your intellect, business background and strong family in the white house.

How sad and dishonest MSNBC was last night at the debate. First MSNBC staffers obviously helping Mitt with the question on Reagan and then the unfair airtime. Ever wondered why your numbers are so low? Dishonesty. I only watched because the debate was on otherwise I never turn to your channel because of this.

I take offense when someone assumes that if you are a social conservative your are uneducated. I am colleged educated and the social issues affect the present and the future of our society. Shame on MSNBC for being so bais.

Please stop polarizing us with your analyzis as to how many whites are voteing for what candate and how many blacks are voitng for which candate.

Please!!!!

Brian if Bush gets his way it's good news for the Saudi King and China. As most of the money from the US Treasury has gone to Iraq if it continues Americans can forget about another 300 dollars. We'll be so broke the new Republican President can put up the sign USA FOR SALE.  Now it wont be Rudy as even the New York Times endorsed John McCain.  But Americans really don't mind Bush/Cheney running the US in the ground if they do they will vote the right way.  I laugh when General Petraeus talks like Americans are that stupid about what US Military Policies we have.  I know the Government employees of Fort Monmouth New Jersey are waiting for the criminal investigation on how the upper Management fake the documents for Rummy.

Mike Huckabee calls the missing WMD's an Easter Egg Hunt. Showing no respect to the Soldiers who lost their lives on such a serious matter. Well he did call a floating cross a bookshelf.

Brian,  family and friends in South Carolina aren't voting by race. You might see another surprise in your report on polls like you did before. I know the Media is pushing the race card and Obama but you were wrong before you might be wrong again.  African Americans have moved pass race in many ways but I guess it sells papers.

I guess Isreal and the US didn't realize the Palestinians and Iran/Egypt are related. No way would those countries allow they brothers to starve because of Isreal.  Now Egypt will set down with Hamas the election winners  to talk about how to help.

Michael Mukasey is doing a great job stalling all criminal action involving Republicans and the White House. Now Mukasey will stall any charges or investigations so Bush/Cheney and end their terms without going to jail.  Now I remember Nixon's blueprint to crime. Cheney learned well as he staked each Government agency, Judges and even the Supreme Court with loyal Republicans who would make sure no loyal Republican who committed a crime would be charged. Yes some GOP Law Makers had to be sacrificed but close inside friends were saved.

That little whisper is highly suspicious.  Also, in my humble opinion, all candidates should get the same number of questions in order to appear fair and not tipping the election in any candidate's direction.

Where is a debate that is fair and level? Why not just invite McCain and Romney because it was clear that the debate was directed to further their campaigns. Boy, it not hard to declare them the winners when you give them the most time to speak. We really need people to run these debates that offer equal time to all and not just give the time to who the media wants to win...

Brian:
I realize its the moderators jobs to put the candidates on the spot during debates. Last nights debate was very civil and well run. I think its a disgrace however that Mr. Romney was prompted as was obvious during the whispered answer picked up by the mike. Watching that segment closely shows an obvious prompted response. When I was in school this was called "cheating."

It might be nice to get an explanation about the second whispered comment. It occurred during Romney's answer to Huckabee's question on the second amendment. The whiperer says "support" and Romney immediately rephrases his statement to include the word support.

Why did Romney edit it out of his Youtube video??

If open mike, then why only one channel of audio????

MNBC has MODIFIED the video above. This is NOT how it sounded when boradcast. First of all, the whisper did not cut out all other audio like it does in the video above and it wasn't that loud.

Second, in the original broadcast, there were two knocks before the whisper which were clearly meant to get Romney's attention.

If MSNBC is completely objective about this and simply wanted to get to the bottom of it, why would they edit the original audio and present it as original?

MSNBC, people have this recorded on their TIVOs and what you are telling them was the original is most definitely NOT.

Why did you modify this, MNBC? Why are you trying to hide what happened?

The question you asked of Romney, the one that quoted a poll about the public's opion of a Mormon leader's ability to unify America, was very revealing of your worth.  That poll (I've read it) had nothing to do with religion.  It didn't mention the word "Mormon."  It gave relevant poll responses on ALL the GOP candidates, and the other front-runners had similar numbers.  Again, religion was not included in the question.

You twisted . . . no, you LIED about this poll and its results.  You should be ashamed of yourself.  I think you're despicable.

If you really think thats a scream, everyone from the CEO of GE should be fired. To say thats a scream is fraud. And a whisper and scream, no matter how far can be differentiated at any distance. I dont care whether republican, democrat, Romney, McCain, Edwards, Obama, Paul. I dont care who you support..... keep the pressure on because this is BS. We all heard it and at first it was a mic failure, then it was a moderator, then another candidate, then a person in the crowd. At no time was that the crowd. Answers with video support please.

I'm not one to blog about too much of anything, but your obvious bias towards Mr. Romney's religion was embarrassing.  You personally, and NBC, owe Mr. Romney an apology for distorting the poll to make it seem as though Americans have a problem with his church, when in fact, we don't.  The only people talking about it are the media.  We're way past someone's faith.  That's so, 1950s.  Would you have distorted it to include a Jew, a Catholic or a Muslim?  Hmm.  I'll look for something next week from you in the way of a clarification, otherwise, you look really bad on this one...

Pathetic - all I can say is that these candidates had a respectful dialogue and debate.  Unlike the political mob rule of the Dem's.  Heaven forbid that we have some candidates that truly are about helping our country - as opposed to just obtaining power for power sake.  It's disgusting to see the charade of those who profess to be about helping our country by Socialistic methods - and those who believe in Capitalism and Democracy.  I would recommend that the press stop the politbureau methodolgy of manipulating and distorting what is the truth and start focusing on the real and true things that have made this country great. When I voted for Reagan, Bush and soon to be Romney -  I never considered religion - it was the belief in the principles and integrity that those candiates stood for in their personal and professional lives.  Let's get back to the things that made this country great and stop trying to turn our country into a socialist collective where there is no motivation for profit!  If you punish those who have been successful in life and provided jobs and income to those who are not willing to take the risk... well the consequences ultimately will be that no one will provide the jobs - people will look for the government to supply their support... Hmmmm.. sounds alot like what the Soviet Union was about... oh yeah... they are extinct!  

Brian,
At the debate last night, I wish there would have been less attacks on religion and more questions about ALL the candidates' specific plans of action to fix the country's current (declining) situation. Yes, from ALL the candidates...including Ron Paul.

Mr. Williams: I am very surprised that you would put your career  and NBC's credibiltiy on the line with the "Mormon president" - made up fact. I think you need to explain yourself.  I'm hoping you just got some bad copy from one of your writers.  Seems like you would have prepared/researched this question a little more closely before throwing it out in the debate.  It will be enjoyable to see how you spin this one.

This whisper happens again later in the debate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK408oqEyOU

I have to conclude Romney is getting fed answers.  In this segment Mitt changes his wording to what the person prompting him says.

Hi Brian,
I have met plenty of nasty children in my 27 years as a school teacher. Their parents are not always to blame. It sounded like you had simply had enough.....no music etc. etc. It was unusual to hear you complain though.
I was thinking....maybe you don't wear contacts to do the news but simply wear glasses to read papers in your hand,making you far-sighted. I have not noticed any squinting/furrowing to any great extent if you are wearing contacts.
Have a great weekend in Sopranoland.
Melissa

Please don't sweep it under the rug.  Explain how you could possibly insert the word "morman" into that question about the poll.  It either shows that you have some type of bias, or you are completely incompetent.

I haven't heard the Question asked of the candidates yet,"Will you keep America Unified and mandate English as our national language?"

Does any candidate at this time support this issue?

Signed,

A Daughter and Grand Daughter of legal immigrants who learned the language of our land, became citizens and didn't expect us to change for them, they respeced our country. Check out the editors note of Latio Magazine with Daisy Fuentes on it, states "We're 40 million strong so get used to it, we're not learning the language."

I hope you will find this issue important to ask the candidates. It makes my mother's blood boil to see all the special treatment Latinos receive, what about French, German, Russian language options on every single Fortune 500 companies answering machines. It drives so many legal immagrants crazy, they  think what am I chopped liver? I come here legally, learn the language and respect the laws of this incredible country then they get spit in the face with this racism, favoritism for a segment of the population that are law breakers and could give a damn about us.

This is very hot topic and the media does not want this brought up, because their media darling wouldn't win, then they wouldn't have much to report on. It's sad when the members of this country undermine the security of it for profit and to the detriment of us all. You're selling us down the river.

It will be read in History books in 2200, the Media broke apart what was known as America, piece by piece they destroyed the only known country that helped Millions become FREE, like they say no good deed goes unpunished, well done dear media, well done.

Brian--now that Dennis Cucinich has dropped out of the presidential race, will you invite him to the next MSNBC Democratic debate?  You refused to allow him to participate when he was a candidate, so maybe now that he's an ex-candidate he'll finally get an invitation.  That would put an O. Henry "Gift Of The Magi"-type spin on the whole situation.

That voice heard whispering is none other than Mitt's.  Now the MSM needs to admit for a FACT that all of the candidates are provided with the questions IN ADVANCE.

Clearly he was provided the questions in advance, and this was his own prepared reminder - played back to him when he wanted to hear it.

Mitt likely had a wireless ear piece and a transmitting device in his hand that he alone could activate - which contained prerecorded brief prompts to get him heading in the right direction with his answers.  His own wireless microphone channel (on the podium) picked up the signal that was transmitted from his recorded answer to his ear piece as a digital audio signal and it played through the house speakers and on television.

That whispered voice IS Mitt Romney.

Brian,
I am more concerned about the short snippet of audio right before Romney answers that seems to say "I'm not go....", just before Romney Parrots the same information.  That to me is the more questionable audio.  Just listen very closely, you will hear it.

Williams, you need to publish an apology for trying to make Mitt Romney look bad. Anyway, he will win despite you.

Here's what your own news station says about the whisper: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22848324/

Serves you right for the horrible plane ride.

I am a white female democrat who has watched MSNBC for years....but no more.   I am sickened by the constant mentioning of "why is Bill Clinton playing the race card and talking in racial code"  Joe Scarboro cant get enuf of it as well as his side kick.  Im sure the republic party has dropped the word to do this so they can run against Hilary instead of Obama and are ready to give any favors  wanted by the stations and commentators to play the race card.  Drop those works that work in our favor.  Sickening.  They probably give classes in how to do it.

Hello, Brian.  I am one of the authors of Article VI Blog, mentioned above.  Our blog post about your religion-related question to Mitt Romney was based on incomplete data.  Our correction and apology are here:

http://www.article6blog.com/2008/01/26/a-little-more-on-the-brian-williams-question/

I apologize.  I still have some questions about the religion question you asked, but those are more in the nature of quibbles.

Lowell Brown

Brian,
I applaud you for asking Dr. Paul any questions at all. None of them came from Tim Russert. But really, why only 3?? This is supposed to be a debate, not a love fest with Romney & McCain. We should have heard from all candidates with equal time, dontcha think? How can the voters make their decisions accurately when equal time is not given?

Scott Teper's post gave me an idea. What if Mitt Romney had a little receiver in his pocket, and his microphone picked up the transmission! Kind of like a rigged game show, only this is too important to let it go. I'm sure there will be no real investigation as to who is pulling Mitt Romney's strings, or who is the ventriloquist.

Bill and Hillary represent the Boomer left. The Real Greatest Generation ...











of liars. Now please fade away as quickly as possible.

Brian Williams:
During the nightly news cast, Friday, 1/25, you mistakenly indicated that all the Republican presidential candidates supported continuation of the Iraq war.  That is incorrect, of course.  

And since you, Brian, were a moderator at the last Republican debate, you should know this.

Ron Paul is (and has always been) very much against the U.S. invasion, and continuing occupation, of Iraq.  He stated this, at the last Republican debate.

Why does the major news media tend to report information about most of the presidential candidates, on a daily basis; but almost never mention Ron Paul?  In some cases, Paul has received more votes than other Republican candidates; but you still mention the other candidates, without mentioning Ron Paul.

Is this simply because of advertising revenue? -- You cover the candidates whom the network believes will spend more money on your station?

Gosh.  Crisis.   No iPod.   Maybe you ought to do research while in the air.   For example, while the Democrats have come up with a far better economic stimulus package than the Bush administration (hardly a surprise) Nancy Pelosi clearly doesn't know what she has bargained away.  

Here is some background for your next flight.

FALSE AND MISLEADING STATEMENTS ON FOOD STAMPS, TAX REBATES, AND THE STIMULUS PACKAGE
Speaker's Statement on Food Stamps at National Press Club Was Mistaken
Summarized from article
By Robert Greenstein

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made tough choices in the stimulus package, securing a tax rebate that includes most low-income working families while dropping provisions for temporary increases in unemployment and food stamp benefits.  Unfortunately, in defending those choices at the National Press Club on Friday, she mistakenly provided an inaccurate description of the food stamp provision that was dropped.

The Speaker said: “What was bandied about was a 10 percent increase in food stamps.  Do you know what that translates into for a person on food stamps?  Ten cents a day.  Ten cents a day.  I thought it was more important to put a check for $1,000 in the hands of the mom in that family.” [1]

These food stamp figures, however, are not correct.  For a mother and two children — such as a mother working at the minimum wage — the 10 percent food stamp increase under discussion would have provided an increase of $352 to $396 in food stamps.  The 10 percent increase would have provided families of three with $44 more per month in food stamps (an increase of well over $1 a day), and this increase would have been in effect from April or May through December (i.e., for eight or nine months).

(The Speaker’s mistake was significant; food stamp benefits are sometimes described as averaging $1 per person per meal, and 10 percent of $1 is 10 cents.  But the $1 figure refers to the level of food stamp benefits per person per meal, not per person per day.  More importantly, the proposal that was under discussion would increase the maximum food stamp benefit by 10 percent, for many months.  And it translates into an increase of about 15 percent in the average benefit.)

This $350-$400 increase would be a useful complement to the $900 rebate that this mother with child would receive from the tax rebate — especially since her rebate would be several hundred dollars smaller than the rebates that would go to families at higher income levels.

The food stamp provision also would serve as a useful complement to the tax rebates in other ways.  As Congressional Budget Office Director Peter Orszag has explained, the food stamp and unemployment insurance provisions under consideration would inject stimulus into the economy considerably faster than the tax rebates or other options under consideration.  The increased food stamp and UI benefits could begin reaching people in 60 days; in some states, the food stamp increase could begin reaching people in 30 days.  In contrast, the first tax rebate checks would not reach anyone until late May, and many families would not receive the rebates until July or even August.

In fact, the food stamp and UI provisions are the only provisions that CBO has found to be both highly effective as stimulus and fast-acting.  If one of the goals of the stimulus package is to act quickly to avert a serious recession, then provisions that are both effective and fast acting ought be accorded some priority.  For these reasons, Goldman Sachs counseled on Friday that the food stamp and UI provisions have “strong policy justifications.”[2]  In addition, an analysis issued last week by Moody’s Economy.com finds that the food stamp and UI proposals would be the two most cost-effective of all stimulus options — that is, these are the measures that would produce the largest increases in economic activity per dollar of cost.

The food stamp provision would complement the tax rebate in another significant way as well.  Low- and moderate-income elderly and disabled and couples would not receive the rebate.  (People with modest incomes could qualify only if they have at least $3000 in earnings.)  About 2 million low-income elderly individuals who live on meager fixed incomes and would be left out of the rebate would receive the food stamp increase, were it to be included in the final package.

End Notes:

[1] David M. Herszenhorn, “Congress Moving for Swift Passage of Stimulus,” New York Times, Jan. 26, 2008.

[2] Goldman Sachs, “Refilling the Punch Bowl:  The Prospects for Fiscal Stimulus,” Jan. 25, 2008.
 

The http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml and http://www.fairlds.org/ and http://www.shields-research.org/ should address people's concerns about the Mormons.  It should also be noted that some Mormons may not react well to a member of the Community of Christ (RLDS), the second largest Mormon church and chief rival, being on Bill Clinton's cabinet and may possibly be on slick Hilly's as well.  Just some observations.

You've got a great job Brian! Enjoy it while you can man!  I know it's probably a hassle sometimes, nut hey it's one of those once in a lifetime jobs right?  Hey why don't you guys ever give Mr. Paul a little more face time.  He seems to know what he's talking about. :)  I know a lot of people tend to paint him as a kook, but he isn't and he has some very outstanding ideas.  I think the American people should be able to hear more about the man on TV, like they do about the other candidates.  Take care and enjoy your travels.

Slick Mitt is playing the Republican Party, Mitt is the most unelectable Republican candidate. All this video proves is that there campaign has to do whatever it takes to help Mitt because he doesn't have one original idea of his own. If you think the middle class Americans are in desperate strains now, wait until slick Mitt & his club for greed cronies move into the white house we will all be in a world of hurt. www.trueromney.com

This needs to be investigated. Romney does not have a good track record...see http://trueromney.com

I want to know the TRUTH and not from Mitt.

Dear Brian,

I was disappointed in the Florida debate on Thursday night.  There are 5 candidates for the Republican nomination. A majority of the questions were directed at Mitt Romney, John McCain, and Rudy Guilani.  Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul did not get their fair share of the same questions being asked of the other three candidates.

A debate is to listen to arguments on the sames issues from all the candidates. The Republican race is still very close and with several states primaries coming up with in the next few weeks; it is important to know all the candidates views on the issues.  

During the next debate please try to include all the candidates on the same questions.  

Hi Brian,
What I noticed last night was the interview with the SC voter who said that he's 63 and that the 1st time he voted was for Kennedy. Footage was shown of JFK and reference made to him. Either the gentleman is older than 63, voted at age 15 or was referring to a primary vote somewhere for RFK in 1968.

John Concannon
Cincinnati,OH

It is VERY fishy that to date nobody has come forward and owned up to being The Disembodied Whisper.
Quite frankly, this looks as though Governor Romney was being prompted, and viewers' suspicions need to be put to rest.
The burden of proof lies with MSNBC because they hosted the event,and also with Governor Romney, because he was being asked a question when the whispering occurred.
The integrity of MSNBC and the integrity of a possible future president are at stake here.
The American people should demand a full investigation and both MSNBC and Mitt Romney should welcome the opportunity to clear their names.

First, a quick compliment: Brian, you were an excellent host of SNL, one of the best in recent memory.  I have to admit that I was surprised, but now think I shouldn't have been.

Now, please explain the rationale behind your "Mormon" question to Romney.  All it did was discredit you and your employer.  The statement was technically correct, but it left out that 49% think that the fact that a president is a Mormon would make no difference in his or her ability to unite the country.  (Not to mention that 46% feel that an evangelical president would have the same challenges, but I'm glad you didn't compound your error in judgment by asking that to Mike Huckabee.)  Bottom line: only left-leaning media types think any of the current candidates' religious affiliations are an issue.  If and when a current or future candidate is found to be secretly affiliated with Islamic extremest sympathizers, this debate can (and should) be reopened then.  Until then, just like someone who can't stop picking his nose, if you must keep scratching that itch please do it in private as it's quite unbecoming someone of your stature.

I honestly don't understand why people even turn out at campaigns. Do they not know that these politians tell the people exactly what they want to hear and then as soon as they are put in office they do exactly as they want.Big talk about helping the middle class. We've been hearing that from every president and we're still getting shafted. Ronald Regan started taxing the tips of the working people. Oh yeah, that was really the way to go. Where's Abe Lincoln when we need him?

MSNBC needs to conduct a full investigation of the whisper that occurred when Gov Romney was questioned.

Quite frankly, the voice we all heard makes it look as if Mr. Romney were being prompted. If so,this is a form of cheating.

MSNBC needs to clear Romney's name immediately because a suspicion of dishonesty could hurt his chances of becoming president VERY badly.

I am amazed at the BIAS displayed by NBC and MSNBC.  Obama is the only one that gets a pass.....
1.It is ok for him to say "present" instead of voting.
2.Obama nastilly told Clinton that while she was raking in money and on the board of Wal-Mart, he was working with poor children....
that was ok with everyone but it was NOT OK for her to reply in kind to him....
"While you were doing deals with a known slum landlord etc. I was getting bills passed for children...etc...etc....

I think it is disgusting to see the way the women of the press are so catty and demean Hillary....

What has she done that is so terrible?
1.She stood by her husband even though he was unfaithful....
2. She raised a lovely daughter who thinks in terms of helping to make it a better world rather than to get drunk and disorderly as some have done....
3.She has given her life to making life better for
people who are less fortunate.  She and Bill have ALWAYS been the friend of the African American.....How people forget.....all of the good...

President Bill Clinton's remarks were edited....He was not saying something demeaning about blacks....my God, Do you all forget how he helped Harlem by locating his Presidential Office  there?  

All I ask is that you report the news.....Nobody does that anymore....everyone is a Political Expert....with terrible bias.....Not since the days in radio where PAYOLA was discovrered has the content of News been so terrible.....You are better than this...if Barack Obama is going to be the Democratic Candidate....let it be because we know what he has done.....and will do .....the problem as I see it is that the USA has not had a good ORATOR in a long time...he is that!

Teri Rini Powers

THIS IS A JOKE!!!  The video link above has been doctored as well!!!  You have to go to youtube.com to see/hear it though.  
 * In the original, after the whispered "raises taxes", there is a second whisper "we're not going to raise taxes".
 * The version above COMPLETELY CUTS IT OUT!!!  You can tell because of the white noise also dissapeas.  MSNBC IS LYING TO YOU ABOUT LYING TO YOU!!!
 *  here is the link.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x_KIpTVmC8

Dear Mr. Williams:
I watched the debate from Cleveland last night. It has become quite obvious to me that the news media, specifically, TV news, have an agenda when it comes to Sen. Obama.  Over the last 20 debates, I have listened to CNN and MSNBC.  All you people  do is dump on Sen. Clinton.  As Sen. Clinton said to you, Mr. Williams, "It's curious that I am always the first one to receive these kinds of questions...."  Despite the fact that Sen. Obama's spiritual leader for the past 20 years has spewed anti-Semetic and anti-white, and anti-American rhetoric and has close ties to Louis Farrakan. Not one mention by you, or your colleagues about these issues at all. Despite all your hard work to make him the 2nd coming of John F. Kennedy, this is not over until it's over.  Remember Bill Clinton's comeback.  I am anxious to hear your response.

Dear Mr. Williams,
It seems to me, after watching all of the Democratic debates, that the TV news commentators, including you, are especially slanted in favor of Sen.Obama. It makes one think that you have an agenda regarding the senator from Illinois.  Why is he never questioned about his relationship with supporters of Louis Farrakan, a blantant anti-semite,anti-white individual.  As an American and as a Jew, I am most offended by this.  I would appreciate a response.  Thank you.

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