Can you at least tell us what was on the menu?  The "foodie" in me is curious.

Alas, I will be tuning into cable stations not broadcasting the State of the Union this evening as are many of the people I know.  I have the utmost respect for the Office of the President, I have simply run out of respect for the current occupant.  

If the iPod is a gift from Bono, Mr Hewson's fans would like to know if he was able to get a commitment from the president regarding the ONE campaign.

I have been unble to get a definition for a "blog" Could you help me out?

I also wish you could divulge some of the conversation, Brian, because I honestly cannot picture George W. Bush talking at length, in depth, about ANYTHING. I am truly curious if you're just being polite or if the guy talks in the same meaningless platitudes that he uses with the American public.  Like Amanda from Ridgewood, I've just had enough.

Good Evening Mr.Williams, This annual lunch with the President sounds really nice. All those paintings and objects from the Blue Room and Yellow Oval Room certainly are impressive to see. Then the President's Study and your sighting of the Presidential i-Pod which of course was your favorite. I think you should own the same kind if your i-Pod isn't that type. Sounds like a very interesting luncheon. Looking forward to the broadcast this evening and the President's speech on the State of the Union.  
To: Laurel and Celine I could not find any listing of Christiane Amanpour's Telling the Truth:Best of Broadcasting featuring the Alfred I du Pont winners in the Atlanta area PBS stations. I am a huge Richard Engel fan and I really wish they would carry the special program here. Possibly I will be able to see a video on a PBS sight. Thank you both for your efforts. Be well always Laurel!! Be well always too Celine!
Peace to all!

Brian ~ President Bush is a good president and I am looking forward to hearing his speech - Raymonty.

Note to all -

We have only one President and when he gives a State of the Union Speech, I believe it is our duty/reponsibilitiy etc. as citizens to pay attention.  Then you may praise or berate as you choose, but you must get the information first.

It is YOUR GOVERNMENT in action.

Note to all -

We have only one President and when he gives a State of the Union Speech, I believe it is our duty/reponsibilitiy etc. as citizens to pay attention.  Then you may praise or berate as you choose, but you must get the information first.

It is YOUR GOVERNMENT in action.

Where are they keeping the portraits of presidents from the last 50 years?  Does the current occupant have any say in which portraits goes where and if not who has the final say in the placement of the portraits?

A little history of the WH would be nice since you pointed out these little details.

I see in the official picture posted above of the luncheon most of the men are taking notes while most of the women are eating.  Any reason for this?

Does anyone at the gathering have any plans to write a book about what was said at these meetings?  How long, if ever, does a prez have to be out of office before you can reveal what was said and by whom?

Ah show a little sympathy for our democrat friends. They must be "feeling" a little dirty for supporting a draft dodger, someone who rendered people to Egypt and Syria for torture, gave no bid contracts to Halliburton, gave 10 billion dollars to the oil companies because someone in his energy dept screwed up, waged war without congressional or UN approval, bombed civilians a few times, bombed civilian television stations, lied under oath, was impeached by the congress, used the IRS and FBI against political enemies, fired all Attorney Generals for political reasons,  sent troops into battle without armored vehicles for political reasons, violated posse comatose using military tanks in Waco, largest number of convicted cabinet members and close associates  for crimes, gave us the reputation around the world as a paper tiger, etc etc etc
Pretty much sounds like a laundry list of what democrats have claimed about Bush. Funny how that works with the Clintons.

Well President Bush lives the rich life thanks to his Father, just as Paris Hilton lives off her parents. I don't expect a spoiled rich kid to understand struggle. Yes George will say things are great and we're a strong and stable country.  We're better off now then we were 7 years ago under the current Administration.  Those reporting this stuff will have no problem as they still get a pay check and health insurance.  Now for the listeners and other Americans if you believe the word of a habitual liar then the Brooklyn Bridge is for sale.
If any Americans is currently shopping in the mall, they don't need the 300 dollars.  As for the Middle Class and poor who receive the checks it will go to bills or under the mattress.  Now Bush thinks giving away 150 billion dollars back to Americans is alot. White he is going to ask Congress for more money about 70 billion dollars for Iraq/Afghanistan.  Seems like Iraq/Afghanistan has been getting all the money and peanuts now go to the taxpayers. Like Bush's other business plans this will fail too.  
I hope Bush can read the SOTU this time, reading isn't his strongest suit neither is speaking English.  Maybe the White House should print out the speech so Americans and reporters can know what was written for him to say.  Good news is Bush invited an illegally immigrant with HIV to be his guest, so much for Homeland Security.  

Good Evening Mr.Williams, As I always say it is great to see Richard on the broadcast!! Richard's report about the five US soldiers killed in Mosul brings to mind that the terror groups are still out there and finding new strongholds in which to attack our brave troops. The news of those deadly roadside bombs killing more of our troops makes one want them home even more each day. Richard stating that nine insurgents were arrested was positive in the fact they are caught by authorities and Prime Minister Maliki sending reinforcements to Mosul hopefully will quell some violence. It will be a great day when al-Qaeda is no longer in existence, but it seems to be an endlessly long uphill battle. Another great report by Richard! Stay safe as always Richard!! The report by Mr.Savidge concerning Amina the little Iraqi girl discovered by US Marines was truly heartwarming and touching. It was wonderful how the Marines raised the funds to help bring her to the Nashville,Tennesssee hospital to help her heart problem. Even though there are no guarantees, I think she will survive and have a healthy life. She and her mother are extremely fortunate these Marines were able to help her. I wish the best for her and her mother. A true success in a very troubled region. Finally, It never seems to be a dull moment in the political arena. Certainly much drama between the endorsements and the attacks of the candidates. Makes one really long for election day to come in November and this can finally come to an end. Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. I will watch your coverage of the State of the Union address from President Bush. Always keep safe Richard!! Peace to all!
Hi Laurel!! Another report from Richard! Yeah! Stay well!  

Note to Joan in CT

I always read the text of the President's speeches.  Personally I find it far more informative reading them as the fake applause and hoopla are not distracting from the "meat" of the speech.

I do agree it is our government in action which is why I beg all eligible voters to vote in this and all elections.  Growing up in my family the motto was and is you can't complain if you didn't vote.

Speaking of Bono and U2 Brian, if you haven't already you should go see U2:3D........now.  Don't worry about missing work, it's worth it.  Just go, it literally feels like you're standing on stage with them.

As much as I love elections, I'll be glad when this primary is over so we can move beyond the divisive politics of the 90s and embrace the unity that is the Obama campaign.  It saddens me to see the Clintons tearing my beloved party apart, and if we don't get beyond this we'll suffer another 4 years of a Republican president.

I will be one to say that the Kennedy endorsement label for Obama means little to me in regards to whether the man receives my support or not.  Brian, while you made mention of the fact that most homes still have photos of the President Kennedy, you didn't mention if this reverence for the family name is generational.  As I arrived in the world 9 years after his death, I suppose that the name recognition isn't as important to me as it might be to my parents.

I will say this: just as I distrusted Hillary's co-presidency when Bill was in office, will be as distrustful of him if she becomes president.  Enough of the Bush & Clinton monopoly in the White House, I say.  Haven't they done enough good or damage to the country in the past 19 years?  

Joan, I must applaud you for your sentiments on the president's speech tonight.  Regardless of whether you like or dislike the man, paying attention to such important speeches is to me a respect to the office, regardless of whether I think the man holding the office feels the same way as I do. We are allowed to disagree; its what makes this country a great one.  

The young Iraqi girl's story made my heart lighter.  Thanks for sharing it.  We need more good news like that around!  

Now, I'm off to get my popcorn ready so I can hear what the president has to say, or doesn't have to say, tonight.    

Dear Mr. Williams:
Isn't it time 'we the people' demand our legislators
place the well-being of Americans first? In 1991 when
I wrote for a small town newspaper,the U.S. House of
Representatives debated a Foreign Aid budget of
$25,000,000,000. What must the amount be now?Couldn't
our tax dollars be better used to provide health care,
educate,improve infrastructure,and educate our own
citizens...rather than shipping it overseas?

You, Brian, can at least bring the question before
the public. Foreign Aid is an ancient sacred cow to
our legislators. Time we took power back and had a
fresh conversation about where American dollars
should be spent. Election time seems a great
time to debate the issue since the U.S. financial
situation is a shambles.

Regards,
Bonnie - Michigan

Regardless of who the Kennedy's endorse, I will not support Barak. I will not elect a suspected muslim terrorist into office. I cannot and will not risk my life for this country. I am a liberal democrat and cannot, CANNOT get behind this man. He never votes yes or no. Only present. Unless he can take a stand.

And his wife's comments about "time for black america to wake up" are about as disrespectful as anything Bill Clinton has said. I am a white american. Where are my rights?

Race is an issue and that is exactly the reason I will not vote for barak. I will jump party lines. Even another 4 years of Bush, god forbid, would be better. I will vote for Romney or McCain before I vote for obama. He is getting by on his "speech" skills. He cannot run the country. Not now, not ever.

I hope that the rest of the country gets off the obama band wagon and wakes up before 911 happens in a much, much, much LARGER scale. Truly frightening.

Good Evening Mr.Williams,I watched the State of the Union Address by President Bush and I thought first it was very nice that not only First Lady Laura Bush was attendance, but also his two daughters Jenna and Barbara. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the President one always wants our nation to be strong and be able to meet all challenges. New candidates promise change and prosperity for the future, but in the meantime we must stand behind our current President for his final term in office while hoping for the same ideals of change and prosperity for a better and stronger nation. With regards to Iraq I was very pleasantly surprised to have you talk with Richard Engel about the President's speech. Richard stating something very sobering in speaking with the commanders concerning the troop withdrawal from the region he stated how in a matter of hours the region would be taken over by insurgents after the troops left. It certainly brings the realty of the situation into the forefront with regards to security. One can only hope peace befalls that region soon. Overall I believe both parties must work together on getting things accomplished because nothing can be done without working as a team. Thank you Mr.Williams for your coverage of the President's speech. Thank you Richard for your insight. Stay safe and well! Get some rest too! Peace to you and to all!

I feel as if mr. Williams needs to respond to others posts....just a thought, does anyone from Nightly News read these????

Kerry and the Kennedys are going to help the GOP win the general election because if you think the right hates the Clintons, multipy that by 2 when it comes to those guys (elitist)from that part of the country. The red states just got stronger in color. Obama is destined to lose because of those affiliations. The latino vote will not go for Obama, McCain looks better by the day.

As a P.S.-Bono gave a U2 iPod to the Japanese PM, so it's a safe bet that he gave it to Pres. Bush as well.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080126/ap_on_en_mu/people_bono_2

You can count on me for your source of all things U2.

I just listened to the president's speech, afterward you introduced Mitt Romney. Why?  All he did was give a free campaign speech.  Why didn't you have John McCain on?  The Flordia elections are tomorrow, it appears to be a close race and yet the people who watched your show saw and heard only Romney talk about how he could do everything better.  In my opinion that seemed bias.  You allowed both Clinton and Obama to put in their two cents.  Was there a reason you excluded John McCain?  If you couldn't get both Romney and McCain (or even all the candidates) maybe it would have been better to have none of them and just interview one of the many other senators. That way it wouldn't look like you are showing favoritism.

Interesting comments on this blog. Now as President Bush calls for more spending and of course telling Congress they are spending to much pork. I wonder was he talking about the Republican controlled Congress that gave him a blank check. Yes 150 billion for taxpayers and more billions for Iraq.  The speech was all over the place and just kept on giving to anyone and everyone. Promises for things we don't have the money for.  Looks like Bush will be asking the Saudi King and China for another bail out.  Americans who did listen to the SOTU and understood it know we have the worse Government in the History of this Country. Just as Bush failed in his businesses, this will also fail.

Now as a baby boomer I will say this Senator Obama isn't a John F. Kennedy. He is great at giving speeches but I notice how all those who want to feed off him with his lack of qualifications are signing up with support.  As for the Clinton's all I can say is the same people who attack Bill were living the great life while he was President. Funny how people turn on you. Bill Clinton got the support from all World Leaders, surplus in the US Treasury, Americans had jobs/homes, education was strong and we didn't illegally invade countries.  If Americans want to stay the course I say pick an unqualified President and please don't call Bill Clinton when things keep getting bad. Yes I did notice how the comments about Bill and Hillary are negative yet when the Katrina Storm victims needed help who does the US call yes Bill Clinton.  Talk about Bill but call him when the US needs help, that's the American way.

Brian,

I know its not your show but on the MSNBC coverage of the State of the Union, Keith O. was so blatantly critical of GW it was embarrassing. On his own show he obviously can have any opinions he likes, its his time and analysis, but when supposedly covering a news event one would think some slight deference to objectivity would be appropriate. He is a blatant advocate for a position not a "newsman".  

So many Americans seem to be involved in the political process this year (And what a good thing that is!), I thought readers might be interested in a rather startling article from Sunday's NY Times Magazine about what our next president faces in world affairs. Entitled "Waving Goodbye to Hegemony", the author, Parag Khanna, offers a different take on our relations with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd world countries.

I am not necessarily endorsing his opinions, but what I AM saying is--if you are in a reflective, open-minded mood, he will get you thinking--and that is a good thing too!

nytimes.com and type in title of the article--hit search.

This is the unexpected endorsement that came first, written by Caroline Kennedy.  Pay particular attention to her last paragraph.

Op-Ed Contributor
A President Like My Father
By CAROLINE KENNEDY
Published: January 27, 2008 by the New York Times

OVER the years, I’ve been deeply moved by the people who’ve told me they wished they could feel inspired and hopeful about America the way people did when my father was president. This sense is even more profound today. That is why I am supporting a presidential candidate in the Democratic primaries, Barack Obama.

My reasons are patriotic, political and personal, and the three are intertwined. All my life, people have told me that my father changed their lives, that they got involved in public service or politics because he asked them to. And the generation he inspired has passed that spirit on to its children. I meet young people who were born long after John F. Kennedy was president, yet who ask me how to live out his ideals.
Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves, to tie that belief to our highest ideals and imagine that together we can do great things. In those rare moments, when such a person comes along, we need to put aside our plans and reach for what we know is possible.

We have that kind of opportunity with Senator Obama. It isn’t that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that may not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country — just as we did in 1960.

Most of us would prefer to base our voting decision on policy differences. However, the candidates’ goals are similar. They have all laid out detailed plans on everything from strengthening our middle class to investing in early childhood education. So qualities of leadership, character and judgment play a larger role than usual.

Senator Obama has demonstrated these qualities throughout his more than two decades of public service, not just in the United States Senate but in Illinois, where he helped turn around struggling communities, taught constitutional law and was an elected state official for eight years. And Senator Obama is showing the same qualities today. He has built a movement that is changing the face of politics in this country, and he has demonstrated a special gift for inspiring young people — known for a willingness to volunteer, but an aversion to politics — to become engaged in the political process.

I have spent the past five years working in the New York City public schools and have three teenage children of my own. There is a generation coming of age that is hopeful, hard-working, innovative and imaginative. But too many of them are also hopeless, defeated and disengaged. As parents, we have a responsibility to help our children to believe in themselves and in their power to shape their future. Senator Obama is inspiring my children, my parents’ grandchildren, with that sense of possibility.

Senator Obama is running a dignified and honest campaign. He has spoken eloquently about the role of faith in his life, and opened a window into his character in two compelling books. And when it comes to judgment, Barack Obama made the right call on the most important issue of our time by opposing the war in Iraq from the beginning.

I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved.

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.

 I too have been impressed with the campaign Senator Obama has run. I am generally conservative in my political views, but I am pleased with the open-mindedness and maturity Obama shows. The contrast between him and the other cadidates is significant.

 I was pleased when Caroline Kennedy announced that she would support him in his campaign. As a woman who usually leans toward a Republican's view of issues, I still feel that he is the best man to run our country.

  As for all of the sour remarks about our current President, I agree that he has made mistakes. However, I also feel that no one of us can truly complain until we have been in his position. He is the leader we elected, and his position deserves, if not your support, then at least your respect.

One thing Katie Couric observed that seemed missing from your coverage of the "dual Kennedy" endorsement of Obama was any mention that three of Robert Kennedy's children, Robert Jr., Kathleen & Kerry, have endorsed Hillary Clinton.  Why?

Brian,
I was shocked that you allowed Mitt Romney national airtime last night to view his campaign pitch and did not have John McCain on for equal time.  The primary race in Florida is deadlocked and you're giving Romney major exposure may tilt the race to his favor.
This was a blatant attempt to influence a political race for the next presidency....shame!!  I hope McCain asks Congress for an investigation.  I will now always have doubts of your "impartial" reporting.

Is it possible that the Kennedys have abandoned Hilary Clinton because of her remarks about Lyndon Johnson?  The blacks reacted because they say it as denigrating Martin Luther King.  The Kennedys may have felt they weren't giving JFK enough credit.  In fact, JFK accomplished relatively little during his administration; the Great Society and all its benefits to working class America were Johnson's work.

I am an Irish-Catholic from Massachusetts and a Democrat.  Kennedy was my introduction to politics and I can see Obama's appeal to young people.  But he has no more experience  than Kennedy did. What would Kennedy's legacy have been if he had lived?

I do not have any pictures of Kennedy in my home and an endorsement from Ted Kennedy is likely to make me take a closer look the other candidates.

If you think that this Republican president is bad, then why would you vote in another Republican? This president inherited the largest surplus of $5.6 trillion and in four years, he turned into the largest deficit in history - a ten year debt of $5.2 trillion. Then when 9/11 happened, he was warned ahead of time that Osama was going to threaten the USA sometime down the road and then when it happened, he didn't care one bit about the event. He was too indulged in reading a book to some school children.

Just imagine what will happen to the next Republican president. Heck, even if Barack is a Muslim, that would be better than having another loser Rupublican screwing the Americans on health insurance, jobs, and helping out the rich and not caring one bit for the middle class.

I have to say that I'm not enjoying the election night coverage from MSNBC, mostly because Brian isn't on it, and Tom Brokaw barely makes an appearance. Instead it is a bunch of talking heads that I don't know, who's opinions I care nothing about, and who don't seem to have much in the way of valuable analysis to offer. The host is the worst though. The whoe campaign coverage has been this way, but somehow I expected better. Brian, the election coverage and the Daily Show need you.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):