Saturday at 30 Rock

Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2008 5:11 PM by Sam Singal

By Brian Williams, Anchor and managing editor

Here at the office on a Saturday afternoon, I was surprised to receive a phone call from Mitt Romney -- thanking me for supplying him with the answer to the question about Ronald Reagan's tax policy at last week's debate -- we both marveled at how well the system worked -- I was able to whisper answers into my microphone, which in turn went to a transmitter attached to his back, beneath his suit (the very same system we used, with great success, with President Bush at a previous debate) which fed a tiny earpiece, fitted in his inner ear without visible wiring. We are currently in discussions with other campaigns -- we are willing to provide this service to others, provided the price is right.

Okay, we've had our fun for this Saturday. While the above is a parody, the charges made over the past 48 hours on the internet are not -- some of them made by people who should know better. We still aren't sure whose voice that was -- there were 13 hot microphones in that room (five podium mics, five tie-mounted mics for the candidates, one each for Tim and me and one for Paul Tash, seated in the audience) -- and as someone from this network told one of the websites, correctly, I think: everyone in that hall finished Tim's question (at least to themselves), so I think it's entirely plausible that someone muttered it under their breath to themselves subconsciously and somewhere near one of the open mics...kind of like the way some of us watch Jeopardy -- saying the answer to ourselves. To repeat: none of the candidates had an earpiece, nor were any of their handlers allowed anywhere near them in the wings. The audience in the hall could not hear the whisper, but we could and the viewing audience could. The candidates could not hear the whisper. I don't know who said it. Let's keep our eyes on the ball.

None of this is going to matter when we're all wiped out by the falling spy satellite.

On the broadcast tonight: politics, and lots of it. We're here to cover the South Carolina primary -- we'll be updating all the feeds of Nightly News, to the west with the time zones as the evening goes on. We'll be doing live updates on the NBC Television network and on MSNBC. We have other news as well, of course: on the drama playing out in France, the wrath of nature in California, and more. We hope to see you tonight -- thanks for tuning in.

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Comments

Can't wait to see how Bill Clinton's Southern Strategy works out. Also looking forward to seeing what kind of conspiracy theories the left can come up with for the falling satellite. Many scenarios being written depending on where it lands I'm sure.

Dave, Tn (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 5:47 PM)

I CONFESS! I DID IT! I WAS THE DEBATE WHISPERER! All the way from my home in NJ. Talk about voices carrying. LOL

So how do you feel about this working on Saturday night? Going to give Lester Holt the night off more often? Of course methinks Mrs. Williams and your children would not be in favor of that.

Either way, good to see you this evening.

Amanda - Ridgewood, NJ (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 6:09 PM)

Much ado about nothing.

Jamie, Salt Lake, Utah (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 6:53 PM)

Hello,
On the Nightly News tonight (Saturday) we were introduced to a South Carolina man, said to be age 63, who said he cast his first vote for "Kennedy." That's impossible. The man would have been just 16 in 1960. Even 18-year-olds did not get the vote until much later.

Tom Mooney, Kingston, Pa. (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 6:55 PM)

Regarding the story Lester Holt reported from South Carolina Saturday night: One of the people interviewed was quoted as being sixty three years of age, and then explained how he voted for Kennedy. If he was talking about John Kennedy, (as the stock footage used in the piece implied) then the math doesn't add up. He would have been under twenty one years of age in 1960.

Barry Hall, Richmond, VA (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 7:09 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Williams, Great to see you on a Saturday evening broadcast of Nightly News. I must say Amanda you are terrific with your humorous comments!! See Mr.Williams the mystery of the Debate Whisperer is solved it was Amanda!! And all the way from New Jersey! HA!HA! Now on to the broadcast. This South Carolina Primary has certainly been a highly talked about event and only one State up from Georgia. It is really good that the turnout in South Carolina has been large because it shows how people are making their vote very important in this election year. All the issues from the economy, health care and the war in Iraq come to everyones mind as they cast their vote. It will be very interesting this evening and in Florida then on Super Tuesday how each candidate will fair. I think after Florida and Super Tuesday there will be one or two who will have to drop out of the race. But time will tell. On another note regarding Mr.Teague's report from California on the bad weather happening there in the State. I wish some of that rain could come here to Georgia. We don't need it all at once, but some of it would be nice. Finally, the segment concerning the teacher from China who is now living and teaching in Elberta,Alabama showed how two different cultures have come together. Each can learn from the other and I think the students, parents and other residents of the small town can benefit from him living and working in the town. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. I will be watching all the primary results this evening. Again, great to see you on another Saturday evening broadcast! Peace to all!

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 7:30 PM)

If Barack Obama has a white mother and a black father why is he an African American? Isn't he simply an American? Why is the caucasian part of his heritage ignored? Shouldn't all this talk of race in the political race be a mute point? Shouldn't we be proud that we're finally a truly integrated country?

Terry Neal (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 8:01 PM)

South Carolina results tell me that Obama's overwhelming win points to a racial divide and nothing else. I have long been a supporter of blacks, defended against those who expressed racist attitudes even when I've had all the black tv stations, black history month, etc. thrown in my face and been told time and again that if there was a white history month, tv stations called 'white' stations, etc. that there would be no end to the outrage from blacks. Thus I am tremendously disappointed that S.C. blacks voted color and not issues.

Today was a terrible day. Look for whites now to vote white and the issues be damned.

Tennessee (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 8:13 PM)

John Edwards was "originally born" in South Carolina, Brian? Hmmm... That raises more questions than it answers.

(Snark aside, good coverage tonight. And on MSNBC as well. Olbermann rock, and David Gregory is like a breath of fresh air after three primary result nights with Chris Matthews).

Elizabeth, Reno, NV (Sent Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:46 PM)

If we're going to be wiped out--why are we engaged in all this unnecessary slimy politicking? The satellite will probably fall Tsunami Tuesday night and we'll never know who won!

Seriously--why are we engaged in this unnecessary slimy politicking at all? Candidates please take note.

Brian--they paying you overtime for all this after hours labor?

Just make sure you get Feb. 3rd off--there is that matter of a football game...

Celine, JC-NJ (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 1:15 AM)

Brian -

What a Saturday night - and the Saturday night live crew from NBC did themselves proud.

I continue to be impressed by the Obamas and their campaign, however I am appalled by those who are trying to make this a racial campaign.

Barack Obama is neither black nor white - he is biracial - and it should not be an issue, ever.

Here we all are living in the United States of America, in the process of choosing, nominating and electing our next President, and we are now showing the world all of our prejudices - the underside of the rocks of our Democracy so to speak. Shame on us.

Let us all vow, right now, to stop the backstabbing, the pettiness, the name calling and be the country that can show the world how free people choose their leaders.

I find it ironic that a former President has chosen to make this election difficult for a promising young candidate. Bill Clinton is refreshing our memories and besmirching his legacy almost hourly these days. Both he and his wife should have stayed in their post White House mode - she in the Senate, and he in his global projects. Instead, they are showing their greedy side - showing a sense of greed and entitlement that is very much un - American. We can eliminate them by not voting for her.

ABC - anyone but Clinton.

There are other worthy candidates and let’s concentrate on them.

America means too much to me to let anyone besmirch her electoral process.

Note:

I was delighted to read the OpEd by Caroline Kennedy this morning in the NY Times. She is a woman who rarely promotes herself. To use a old canard - when Caroline speaks, I listen.

Joan Chapman Cheshire, CT. (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 7:38 AM)

I've read on a number of sites that you, BW, really told a whopper regarding your description of Mitt's religion, apparently you decided to throw in an extra description about religion and changed it from a general remark to a "Mormon" one. Adding little snarky comments about his religion and establish that he won't overcome the "problem" is just one of many that you and your leftist buddies are always doing. Unfortunately, at least for you, many people catch all the "fabrications" you and your fellow readers throw out.

J A Fredricks, Denver, Colorado (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 8:25 AM)

Dear Brian,

In spite of the historic, tragic impact of Katrina and New Orleans' flood not only on Louisiana and Mississippi but on America as a whole, and the fact that the Bush Administration has been neglecting New Orleans' recovery, this dual disaster has very rarely come up in presidential debates.

So I am calling on NBC News to sponsor a presidential debate on these topics to be held in New Orleans this fall. This seems to be the only way this disaster and the slow recovery, which are still having traumatic effects on people in Louisiana and Mississippi, will be talked about.

Remember the way Yucca Mountain, a local issue of interest only to Nevadans, was discussed in the last Las Vegas debate, which you moderated? Katrina and the flood, which unlike Yucca Mountain, have had national importance and are still affecting Americans, should be discussed at least as well as has Yucca Mountain. And a debate in New Orleans may be the only way this will happen.

And New Orleans would be the ideal venue for the presidential nominees to discuss many other domestic campaign issues because in effect New Orleans after the flood has been the "canary in the coal mine" regarding these things: the economy, health care, the environment, civil rights, poverty, education, immigration, the elderly, children, etc.

I hope you and NBC News will give this idea serious consideration. A New Orleans debate as she is recovering would be historic, and we need a debate in New Orleans.

Noah Jacobs, Miami Fl (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 9:57 AM)

One of your contributers, Pat Buchanan, is so biased against Sen. Obama. He appears very consevative and against any progressive ideas associated with Obama.
Well, may be he has to support the status quo, otherwise he will become irrelevant!

Gilbert, Reno, Nevada (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 11:01 AM)

The World is watching too. As Americans use the race issue for President, Chavez is suggesting that Foreign Countries pull their money out of US banks. Now you can't blame them if they do. We have a corrupt Administration and candidates who have either not experience as none have foreign policy experience. Without the support of the World we will never be a leader. Talk of McCain have Connie Rice has his running mate to end the change issue. Connie has more experience then Obama even if she working with the criminal team. Yes let's see the Black vote decide on a Black Woman/Black Man. If it's only about color for blacks that should end that problem. Now if the Foreign countries do pull their money out of the US, don't look for those rebates checks anytime soon.

Musharraf is trying to hang on to power as he lost his Military. Bush destroys anything and anyone he touches. Look for new Leadership in Pakistan and of course the Nukes.

Marc Grossman former #3 State Department Official leaked Plame's name and company to the Turkish agents right under the nose of Powell then Secretary of State. I guess Mr. Powell was telling the truth he wasn't in the Bush circle he was just used when needed. Now Grossman worked for Cheney. The CIA agent who gave the information has released it but the Media isn't allowed to report it. Makes since as Americans should only be told what the White House wants them to know. It's those Internets and Foreign News reporters that are giving out all the facts.

As Americans are looking more like Obama as their choice at lease Bill Clinton wont have to deal with fixing the relationship of the US and Foreign countries. He can just sit back and relax. American investors and those who like making honest money plus those Republicans who did so well during the Clinton years will have to lose. Obama will look to those who will teach him and Foreign Leaders will have to take time to know him before believing a newly appointed President who is a stranger. McCain looks like the only choice for Republicans and that will surely mean bombing Iran for no reason. Americans will get just what they wont for the USA.

Brattleboro Vt. in voting on indictment for War Crimes against Bush/Cheney. Now the people of Vermont are doing something the rest of the States just sit back and complain about. The World is watching as one State stands up for Justice. As Americans watch a corrupt criminal President give a State of the Union Address it is an embarrassment to our Country. I don't blame the reporters for doing as their bosses tell them, it's about a pay check and as most Americans are losing their jobs you do what you have to do for your families. That's most likely why the Law Makers are funding Al Qaeda as they need the money.

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 2:58 PM)

line from first read.

"But remember, this is the South, and the white vote was always going to be a little more difficult for Obama to capture southern whites."

You should edit that to read "white democrats" & "southern white democrats"

Leave the rest of us white folks in the south out of this until the general election. Thanks :-) Feel free to apply the Harold ford rule to the results of the democrat contest though.

Dave, Tn (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 3:01 PM)

Listen up folks...if your little talk box is more than two inches, YOU have too much time on your hands. I cannot be expected to read through all that blabber. Keep it short and simple, will ya? ....And YES, I am talking to YOU, Riverside, California.

Hypocrite in Oklahoma (Sent Sunday, January 27, 2008 10:42 PM)

Hello Brian,

If there is one thing I follow on TV constantly, it is Your Nightly news. My comment to Obama's win is that it looks like someone/some lobby is pushing for him to run against a white republican. Guess what; and regardless to Polls; I don't believe that someone will elect an African American president regardless to Scarlett’s heart or Oprah's comment or even the Kennedy's endorsements. Republican are good at winning and they'll hammer him. I believe Sen. Clinton can be the best while Obama can be her VP.

Is there a possibility that the Iowa caucuses were the trigger to boost Obama? Why don't we think of it as republicans are sending their "hidden independent voters" to boost Obama because he is easier target than the Clintons’ to beat?

I believe that Republicans has lots of unfinished business in Middle East, Africa, and possibly mid and S.E. Asia.

I could be wrong but Pres. Clinton was right; it is a fairy tale. I think Dems need to think profoundly; Obama is dreaming to unite Evangelical votes or conservatives, or republicans under his legacy. Please be real; Sen. Obama doesn't have it if you look at the global picture of USA and the world. Do you think that he can stand up for allies in Europe, Middle East, and the world?

If he s the nominee for Dems, then next USA president is a republican whom will continue on current legacy and achievements "as seen by GOP"

Best regards

Shadid, Springsfield, NY (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 1:27 AM)

The comment section of blogs does say "only approved messages appear", but why are there no descenting voices heard in this area. Fair is Fair. The fact that this info has not hit any airwaves, and you can check the traffic of over 300,000 people watching the clips on Youtube to see what the "whispers" said to help Mitt Romney, is a sad commentary on the eligibility (or not) of all of the candidates to be given fair press coverage. Let the American people decide. Do they want to know this info and will they ignore it? The fact that MSNBC gave Mitt 21 minutes of time, and a succession of questions between 10:00 and 10:15 was in itself help to this candidate that was awarded only to him. News is supposed to be unbiased....RIGHT????? This "whisper" of help to Mitt Romney should not be kept to a blog spot since YOU ARE AWARE of the discrepany. I'm sure all the candidates would have liked to hear the whispers helping each of them, but they are only found helping Mitt. I do not think most voters would laugh at this, and they should decide if they are amused like you. Absolutely, MSNBC should not criticize other media markets regarding bias if you will not provide full disclosure of this mishap.

Sue Dubyne, RussellPennsylvania (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 10:42 AM)

To Dave Tn -

Are you talking about Harold Ford Sr. or Jr.? and what is 'the rule'?

Joan Chapman, Cheshire, CT. (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 11:18 AM)

Mr. Williams-
I would just like to applaud you for being the only network news anchor who braves the blogosphere to give your viewers a chance to give their feedback. It clearly opens you up for attacks on anything from your choice of words to the way you look in contact lenses, and I appreciate the fact that you endure these attacks so that we, the viewers, can have a little more access to you than we do to other journalists. Thank you.

Julie Lew (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 2:16 PM)

Mitt Romney won Michigan largely on the basis of his promise to return the jobs in the auto industry to that state. Will someone please ask him how he intends to do that in light of the move today to offer buy-outs of 100,000.00 to most hourly workers in that industry?

Mitt Romney does know about jobs. He knows how to make them disappear if they are blue-collar.

Elizabeth (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:28 PM)

Mr. Williams,
I tried to find a link to send this to you personally, but was unable. I hope that you might read this and respond.
You asked Mr. Romney how he could unite the country, since the latest poll showed that 44% of the voters disaaproved of his Mormon faith?
The poll mentioned nothing about faith, and Mr . McCain and Huckabee, also had similar numbers.
Why did you quote a poll, then ask him to respond to a question that wasn't cited in the poll?
Do you often change the facts?

Jeff smith, Highland Village, TX (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 5:33 PM)

So Now the news media is telling the cannidates the answers? Well thats wrong, unless im misunderstanding something. More elaboration on this please Mr. Williams, if you read this.

Mike Amsterdam, NY (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 10:47 PM)

So Now the news media is telling the cannidates the answers? Well thats wrong, unless im misunderstanding something. More elaboration on this please Mr. Williams, if you read this.

Mike Amsterdam, NY (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 10:49 PM)

Brian -

The past weeks have been so chaotic, I don't know how you keep your cool. So many of the supposedly neutral commentators and reporters - particularly on MSNBC -manage to sneak in who they are for, or slant their language somehow. It is so unprofessional.

Then there is the poster on your blog who said the election is all about race and he can't vote for a Muslim terrorist. I wanted to recommend "Dreams from my Father", but........ I know about freedom of speech but I cannot believe that some Americans have no idea about our political process and how our government works.

This has spilled over to the baseball/sports blogs as well where some posters swear that no members of the Red Sox were named in the Mitchell Report because it was written by a man who is on the Red Sox Board of Directors.

All that being said, thanks again for 'our blog' and for the work you do for all of us without bias or rancor. It is much appreciated.

Joan Chapman, Cheshire CT. (Sent Tuesday, January 29, 2008 12:32 PM)

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