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The Daily Nightly began on May 31, 2005. As Brian wrote in his first post it aims to provide a narrative of the broadcast day and a window into the editorial process at NBC Nightly News. Brian weighs in every weekday and NBC News correspondents and producers post regularly.

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Green room diarist

Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 3:46 PM by Barbara Raab
Filed Under:

Update: Click here to read Brian Williams' account of this "must-see election" that ran in TV Guide on Wednesday, Feb. 27.

 

By Brian Williams, Anchor and managing editor

I'm sitting in a cinder-block green room (it's beige) with NBC News President Steve Capus and producer Subrata De. We'll now gather with Debate Producer Phil Alongi, Tim Russert, Political Director Chuck Todd, Meet the Press Executive Producer Betsy Fischer and others...for the next-to-last prep session before tonight's debate.

My attention is, for now, split -- we also have to turn our attention back to Nightly News -- we just concluded our afternoon editorial conference call. So that's going to be it from here until the evening has concluded. I've posted a video from the stage -- it should nicely set the scene until airtime. We hope you can join us from Cleveland -- where the snow is falling fast...and the clock is ticking down until the moment the candidates are seated and the red light goes on.

    

 

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Comments

Oh do ask both of them if they plan on firing all Attorney Generals. Will they fire all of them? Pretty sure I've heard both say "clean house" Of course it's fine when democrats do something like that (Bill Clinton) It's not for "political reasons"

Have Fun tonight

Dave, Tn (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 5:36 PM)

Brian, I hope you will finally be impartial during the last debate.  It makes me sad, how as news reporters, you ran to Obama's aid to iron out his last debate answer regarding the captain in Iraq.  You should have called him on it not fix it for him.  I would expect something like that from TMZ or Entertainment Tonight.

Mark North, Taylor, MI (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 5:56 PM)

Dave Tn, your lacking is showing... it's Attorneys General, not Generals.  Back to school, son.

J. Rowe, DC (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 6:12 PM)

Brian, I hope you brought the armor you use when in  Iraq because Im afraid tonight's debate will not be the nice fest it was here in Texas. I fear HRC is going to let it fly.  It's a cold night here in DFW but not as cold as it will be on the stage where you are. I've got the fireplace roaring and the popcorn popping just waiting to watch the fight! Remember to keep your head down my friend!

Larry D/FW Texas (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 6:12 PM)

Brian:
A really good journalist tries never to show any bias.
You need to help us make a good decision based on what we really see and hear and not what you tell us we are seeing and hearing . It is unfortunate but it appears that you are also caught up in the frenzy around Sen Obama. You have every right to be. But as the anchor of a "news"
show, please just give us the facts. Don't editorialize unless you lable it that. Give Senator Clinton as much slack as you give Senator Obama

Jeanne Sweeney, Seattle, WA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 6:42 PM)

As a woman, the acts of the media covering this campaign feel so very sexist. You, in the media are ridiculous at continuing to be harsh with Hillary Clinton and find excuses and reasons to put Obama on a pedestal and give him a free ride. I don't ever hear the media asking him tough questions or even questioning the fact that he has really only had two years experience in federal government. In my profession, you must have at least three to five years teaching experience to be a school principal, but wow, you can be President of the U.S. with only two and without ever introducing a bill.   He is on a pedestal and ahead in national polls only because of the overly positive media coveragethe.  Your coverages are not fair.   Would you, the media have hyped Obama if he were a woman or a white male?  I am ashamed of the women in the media who keep their silence.   Clinton has won and will continue to win the states needed to win in the fall.   When it comes right down to it, Americans want food, shelter then safety.  They will see that McCain is a more sure bet than Obama on safety.  Americans could see being safe with Clinton also, but you media guys have crucified her.  I haven't seen anything like it since I read the story of Christ and his crucification.  The media in this country is so far from being a free press...it is a press warped by bias.

Donna C., Columbus, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 6:51 PM)

Will you please try to be fair during and after the debates tonight?  You media guys have given Obama a free ride so far and have not been unbiased in your coverages of Clinton.  Anyone who is not swayed by star power can see it.  By the way, why does Ophrah get to pick our next President?  It is pretty obvious that the media has played the sexist card.

Sherry S. (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 6:58 PM)

Brian, it is your duty to cough loudly every time a candidate says the word "Change"

D. F, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 7:02 PM)

Why can't the debates be telecast on NBC? Then many more people could watch.  Thank you

AnnCarothers (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 7:09 PM)

To D.F, CA -- I agree with you on that one...

Off topic, but thank you so much for showing the piece from the Philharmonic performing in North Korea. That was awesome!!! I found it interesting, though, that there was a standing ovation from the audience...perhaps they forgot the words to the anthem, "land of the free and the home of the brave"

Rachel, PA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 7:19 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Williams, First of all I will be looking forward to the Democratic Debate this evening moderated by you and Mr.Russert. Thank you for the video from the stage. I always enjoy seeing the behind the scenes work being done. Your mentioning of the heavy snowfall makes me hope that you will be able to return on schedule to New York safe and sound. On the subject of weather here in Georgia there were some fierce storms that came through with heavy rain, tornadoes, lightening, wind gusts etc. Much damage to clean up and it made for a very difficult commute to work this morning. Everything seemed to come to a standstill, but it has passed now and the clean-up has already started in many areas. Now on to the broadcast. Regarding the Democratic Debate this evening, it will be really good to discuss issues and not have any attacks towards another candidate. After Senator Chris Dodd announced he was supporting Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama, Senator Dodd stated that attacks only hurt ones chances and the Democratic Party and the American people are sick of it and I totally agree with him. Enough of the attacks and focus on the issues of our nation and world. The report by Mr.Lewis concerning the economy shows how people are really cutting back on spending because of such high prices for gas and food among other things. It was interesting to see Starbucks closing for a few hours in order to train their employees about selling more fancy coffee drinks. Somehow though in the morning at the Starbucks near my work there is always a crowd. Hopefully the economy will get better and we all have to hang in there until it does. But it is difficult. Finally, the report by Dawna Friesen about the storage vault near the North Pole with seeds from all types of crops was very interesting. It is a good idea to have a facility like this one in case of some sort of catastrophy. Although I really hope we don't have to utilize it to soon. Also I enjoyed hearing the our National Anthem being played by the New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang at the end of the broadcast. Even saw Ian Williams in the audience! Thank you for the broadcast Mr.Williams. See you on MSNBC for the Democratic Debate. Peace to all!    

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 7:25 PM)

All the candidates seem to want to "fix" health care, but not one of them ever mentions going after the companies that supply the medical field.  THEIR prices go up at least 10% a year.  Why don't they limit some of the profits for GE, Phillips, Seimens, etc?  In America, if the local hospital does not keep up with the newest CT or MRI or digital mammography unit, the patients will go where it is available.  So imaging facilities have to spend millions to keep up.  It is not the employees that are making lots of money...it is the companies that supply the hospitals.

dsg, Oklahoma (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 7:36 PM)

Good heavens; it must be a blessing to not have MSNBC at my house.  Otherwise I'd be totally sold by the Obama support given from it and NBC.  Either that or I'm dumber than dirt because I don't see it.  

Then again, my problem could simply be that I'm trying to take care of myself and medical issues without much coverage and now finding out that I'm going to loose what little coverage I've got left.  Did someone say health care?  I appreciate what Sen. Clinton says about health care being a right and not a privilege, but until health care becomes not-for-profit, who's paying for all this coverage?  Granted it will cost the same if care was non-profit, but at least we wouldn't suffer from boiling blood when we here about profits from insurance companies, scammers, and inflated administrative salaries.  

By the way... first time I actually get to WATCH the broadcast in over a week.  The seed vault really got my interest.  I'm almost tempted to say "alarmist" but  it actually makes more sense than most of anything else that passes as "news" these days!  :)

It started precipitating in Southern Maine about 2pm, while I was on the highway racing to a meeting.  It took at least 3 hours for things to start looking white on the pavement, and only now does it actually look like snow.  My town is estimated to get 7-14 inches overnight.  Oh what fun in the morning!  I hope you and your crews aren't stuck in an airport all day tomorrow, Brian.  Have a safe flight back east!

Stephanie-Umbro, Maine (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 7:45 PM)

So Olbermann goes on at 8, bashes Hillary and puffs Obama for an hour, then turns into a credible anchor?

It is sad to see NBC leading the charge to destory all notions objective (and hence trustworthy) news.

Chris L (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:16 PM)

Could this website be any more cryptic???  Where can I get to the stream of the debate?  It is not very clear.

sherr, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:21 PM)

Doctors and nurses are presently fleeing the medical field due, in part, to the insurance companies taking control of the medical practices.  When the insurance companies and the federal government "own" the medical field how will Hillary insure (ha, ha, pun intended) that there will be enough qualified doctors and nurses to handle the health problems of our country?  Do you really think that these professionals will stay in this field under those conditions? This deserves an answer to the question, not some runaround, stream of consciousness answer, please.

P. Marotta, Williamsburg, VA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:27 PM)

Ralph Nader is why this is a waste of time.  Neither can win with him in the race.  Period!

Jamie, Salt Lake, Utah (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:01 PM)

Senator Clinton has changed her stance on everything, from when she was a Republican to Democrat, voting for the war to saying she was against the war, she wants to force people into buying a health care plan (which makes pharma companies happy) in the land of the "FREE" (?), and she's acting "hormonal" on every level. What makes her think we should believe she won't change her mind again and when it gets too rough, she'll tear up.  I used to be a Democrat, left the party after in fighting and the "old Experienced" way made me sick.  I would be proud to be a Democrt again, when the next President of the United States is Barack Obama.

Carole Scott, Los Angeles, California (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:15 PM)

Brian you're a superman, doing the Nightly News while preparing to moderate a debate in a snowstorm in Cleveland.  I'm not sure I will watch though -- as Chris Dodd said, I'm getting tired of the ugliness of this whole process.  Extremist talk-show hosts have NO place in any candidate's rally -- you can't tell me that the McCain people weren't familiar with this guy.  The people who run these campaigns know that they can put out all kinds of disinformation -- most Americans aren't informed enough to know the difference.  In my line of work, I have to complete "continuing education" every year.  I propose that every voting-age American be required to complete a CE packet, including (but not limited to):
1. How votes are held in Congress.
2. How the FISA courts work.
3. What the Patriot Act actually says.
4. A summary of the 9/11 Commission report.
5. The basics of NAFTA.
6. How and when U.S. Attorneys (NOT Attorneys  General -- that's for you, "Dave, TN") are appointed.
 Upon completion of this, and submitting answers to a short quiz, the individual will then receive his or her "economic stimulus" check and maybe we can have some hope for this election.
 On a lighter note, very interesting story on the Global Seed Bank.

Lois, Saint Paul, MN (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:22 PM)

You guys are so biased... You seem to give Obama a free pass, all the chances in the world and prompt him. I am ashamed they asked you to moderate. Ask Obama some hard questions. Ask him to answer us. I can't stand the man and will never change my opinion, but seriously - enough with the man-crush.

Shelby, LA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:29 PM)

Hi Brian  I watched the debate and the Nightly News.
First of all I was lucky I got to ask Hillary my Health Care question on a conference call. Millions of baby boomers and adults will be left out of Obama's plan as all are covered with Hillary's plan. But I realize that those who have health care or those who have jobs that cover it really don't care. But believe me one day will come when the same people who took Obama's little plan will be yelling we want Hillary's plan.  I realizing America isn't interested in a qualified female candidate with the best experience then all the other candidates.  We would settle for a male even if he's not qualified.  I guess we have to all a Foreign country to teach the United States Woman's Rights.  This is a lesson to young woman on just how little they can achieve in the United States, they should take their talents overseas to meet that potential. Chris Dodd didn't do well himself but I noticed now that he has endorsed Obama he is publicly dictating to Hillary. Now we know the Democratic boys club is at work.

Now I feel bad for our troops as we will continue to see them die because we don't have a good leader. I know if Obama does make it John Kerry will get the chance to be President if only behind the scenes.  I am lucky I lived to see my country at his best and now seeing it at it's worse with no end in sight.

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:45 PM)

I have a suggestion.  We know that the world is watching the elections closely.  It would be interesting to see who the world would vote in as the next president?

Claudia R. (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:50 PM)

The debate webcast of the debate is unwatchable. Microsoft is too cheap to allocate proper resources. I have a 6mps connection. MSNBC servers are totally inadaquate. My spelling too. You should insist they fix that. The live feed was buffering half the time, a total joke for something this important.

Reed, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:57 PM)

I was shocked and disappointed at the obvious bias towards Sen. Obama shown throughout the entire debate tonight by the moderators. It was transparent and unprofessional. The moderators continually interrupted and cut off Sen. Clinton's replies and seemed to be trying to corner her, or rattle her using much more confrontational tones than used when questioning Sen. Obama. It was also obvious that he was consistently given more time to answer than she was, and she was required to answer first in a disproportionate number of questions, then not allowed to counter. This kind of overt partiality is something I would expect to see on the tabloid news programs like Entertainment Tonight, but not from a national network and journalists at the top of their fields. Shame on you MSNBC---you've been bought. So much for the purpose of a true debate--you threw the game as far to Obama as you could and yet Sen. Clinton kept her composure and poise, and her knowledge and experience came through clearly in her answers despite your bias.

Patty Kilkenny, Lawrence, KS (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:44 PM)

Brian, you and Tim Russart did a excellant job asking hard hitting questions at tonight's debate. I was very engrossed in the debate and wish that you two could kept the debate going longer.I wish that Americans, all over our country were watching and listening. You two realy helped the American voter become more informed about both canidates. Thank you for a job well done.

Joseph and Mary Schmitz MT. Vernon Ohio (Sent Tuesday, February 26, 2008 11:59 PM)

Brian, as a native Virginian, I must take exception to your opening comment during the debate tonight about Ohio being the home state to more Presidents than any other. Virginia also had 8.

Maurice Coury, Monterey, CA (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:04 AM)

On a different subject, concerning McCain's rebuke of the guy that introduced him in one of his speaking engagements, former Senator Kerry of Neb gave substantially the same speech when he endorsed Hillary Clinton with Mrs. Clinton standing right beside him and Hillary said nothing.  I think at that point in the campaign, Hillary still thought that she could just dismiss Obama

Norm Hairston (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:14 AM)

Brian,

Overall I thought it was a good, substantive debate, Timmeh's apparant confusion (thinking it was an episode of "Gottcha'" -- I mean "Meet the Press" -- notwithstanding).  I'm actually glad that you started off with the photo-gate question, giving Senator Clinton the opportunity to distance herself from a staffer's disgraceful smear attempt, and giving Senator Obama an opportunity to dismiss the issue with his usual class.

And I appreciate that you let them talk health care for 16 minutes.  That's eons in netword time, but it is a critical issue, and one of the very few where they have honest, substantive differences with each other.

Timmeh was especially offensive in insisting on reading the Farrakhan quote after Obama's preemptive denouncement.  Russert's dissappointment when Obama beat him to the punch was palpable (you could almost see him thinking "Dang... I had a totally obnoxious Farrakhan quote I wanted to read"); he should have just let it go.  And the stuff about Reverand Wright was beyond ridiculous ("you respect someone who said something nice one time about someone who is awful, so how can you assure the American people that you aren't awful?)

That said, I'm not sure if Senator Clinton understood the favor she did Senator Obama with the reject vs. denounce nonsense.  I thought Obama's initial answer was somewhat weak, but after Clinton got all semantic about it, he was able to blow off the whole thing as part of "silly season," which reflected well on him and badly on both Clinton and Russert.

Not sure if you roam the blogosphere much, but the best live blog comment I saw was on Talking Points Memo:

"9:44 PM ... I'm glad Hillary said this (re: hypotheticals). Russert's militant simpletonism is getting a bit tiring. What if we partly withdrew and then the Iraqis told us to completely withdraw and then al Qaida was elected president and then they allied with North Korea, do you have a policy ready for that!?!?!?!"

Bottom line(s) for me in critiquing the moderating:  (1) all of you at NBC vastly overestimate Tim Russert's interviewing skills, and (2) you are much better at this than he is.

Next time I vote for you and Lester Holt moderating (for heaven's sake, continue to keep Chris Matthews and David Gregory far, far, away).

Elizabeth, Reno, NV (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:32 AM)

You had disappointed me.
I can only say MSNBC is very biased towards Obama.
If you ask first question from Sen. Clinton, Obama will always say, Hillary is right and my policy is same. If that is the case, Obama need more time in Senate and should gain experience.
Media had responsibility towards USA, they should not promote person who is not ready yet. Obama need experience, currently US is fighting two wars and couple of flash point can change direction for worse, we don't need trainee President.

Clinton team is better and she is ready for this job with passion.

Media should look for country interest first not personal ego or promote somebody because they see other person is tough. Or they don’t like that person.
We need a leader not who can say sermon.

Grit, CA (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:38 AM)

My God! the softballs you threw Obama were unfair compared to the hardballs sent Clinton's way.  When you and Tim asked questions to Clinton, they were hostile in tone and extremely combative in delivery.  It's the boys club again.  Public radio is now my choice of media.  

Barbara Smith, Fuquay Varina, NC (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 10:30 AM)

Hello to Dave in TN.  I do believe that when you spoke of "cleaning house" you were discussing states.  It is my educational understanding that each state has rights, and within each state, there is, indeed an Attorney General for said state.  Were you discussing "States Rights" vs. federal intervention with your statement?  Since you were "educationally" slapped for being ignorant by a D.C. individual, I guess he doesn't care that D.C. (District of Colunmia) worked hard for "states rights."

Gwendol Bowling, Newnan GA (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:01 AM)

I do not know what Sen. Clinton's problem is with being asked the question first.  Has she forgotten "ladies first" etiquette? She just sounds so shrill and last night she thought she was on THE VIEW and interrupted Obama and then he did the same thing. I have already cast my early vote  here in Houston and plan to go to caucus on March 4. I fell asleep at 8:45 or so, so disinterested in such petty behavior was I.

barbara shaidnagle houston texas (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:09 AM)

My name is Tommy Jenkins.  I served in the United States Navy from 1998-2004.  I joined under Bill Clinton and left under Bush.  I joined in a time of peace and left during a time of war.  I am a supporter of Barack Obama and I give every month to his campaign.  Realistically speaking, Barack Obama is the last great hope of our men and women in uniform.  He is also the last great hope for veterans.  He was right about a major issue - the Iraq war.  This race is about more than one issue, its about a whole range of issues.  The reason that Senator Clinton is losing is because she is not adequately addressing these other issues.  Her core concern seems to be about Health Care.  

In the beginning of her campaign, she was hitting issues like the Iraq war (she's stopped, obviously because she voted to authorize the war), but she was on the right track.  She mentioned instituting change like the Baby Bond (a good idea, I don't know why she let that shrivel up and die).  She introduced a bill early last year to help expand veteran's benefits (I haven't heard anything since).  

Case in point, I like Hillary Clinton, but I like Obama better.

This nation was built on hope.  It prospers on hope.  It thrives on hope.  Obama has had the audacity (no pun or allusion intended) to dare to dream big dreams.  Dreaming dreams that, before President Bush took office, were generally accepted as our economic right as Americans.

There is no man crush on Obama like SNL and many Clinton supporters, and even Hillary Clinton herself, seems to perceive.  There is only a love of one's self as Americans.  We are trying to find our way back to where we were before Bush took office.  To that America, dare I say it, that Bill Clinton was responsible for building for us in the 90s.  Those were good times.

But that was the past.  We are in the now.  I don't think that Hillary Clinton has the stuff that Presidents are made of.  She pretty much is losing a winning race.  She had all the factors to use to her advantage (money, name recognition, experience, good memories from the Clinton Administration, Bill Clinton).  But she's losing anyway.  She hasn't managed the budget of her campaign wisely.  She's running out of money even though she had been hailed as being one of the biggest money-raisers in campaign history once this campaign started.  I look at the whole campaign process as a test-run to see what the candidates are made of and whether or not they would actually do a good job as President.  To put it simply, if she can't run a campaign, how is she going to run the country?

Diplomacy is also another issue.  We have a President in office who either knows nothing about diplomacy or has a poor diplomatic style.  Negative-campaigning is an earlier indicator, in my view, of how you're going to deal with other nations around the world.  Which means she would probably deal with them, not in the same style as Bush, but in a way that would have a negative impact to our already faltering stance in the world community.

The next thing about Obama and there not being a man crush on him.  People don't care about these non-issues being raised and blasted all over the place (American "values", the conservative agenda, the protection of marriage).  People care about what's in their wallets.  People care about if their kids will be able to go to college.  People care about keeping their houses.  People care about "Will I have the same rights that are afforded to other hard-working, tax-paying, voting Americans?"  People have enormous issues in this country.  The one thing that is paramount is the economy.  The lowest socioeconomic levels of this society is being crushed and its moving up to the second lowest and pretty soon, before the next President has even been given the chance to take office, it will touch the middle class.  

Basically what I'm saying is, people, like myself, support Obama, not because we like Obama (which I do, by the way).  People support Obama out of self-preservation and survival, because that is where we are.  We need him.  He stresses that he knows that he's promising a lot of stuff.  He also acknowledges that this Change he speaks about won't be easy.  The thing that really lifts him up is the fact that he charges the American people with the biggest role and burden of instituting the change that needs to be brought about.  He, as an individual, even one as powerful as President could never do this alone.  But, "We the People...", with his as our leader....

...Yes we can !!!!

Tommy Jenkins, Brookline, Massachusetts (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:21 AM)

Last night’s debate was poorly outlined.  Both Brian and Tim were clearly unfair in their balance between the two candidates.  Hillary was shown in the worse light, but Obama was a member of the untouchables.  You showed Hillary placating, angry and sarcastic, but Obama was America’s fair haired boy.  What about the negative ads that the Obama campaign distributed about Hillary?  Why didn’t you ask Obama about his affiliation with a known criminal?  And what about his house, $350,000 under the market price and you never said a word?  You did not mind challenging Hillary about income taxes and first lady's work, but you failed to challenge Obama about his voting record, his accomplishments and his day to day deportment.  The debate lacked balance and fairness.

Dolores E. Lee McCabe

Dolores Lee McCabe, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:57 PM)

Brian -

Was that the last scheduled debate?  I hope so.

Platitudes is all I hear from Hillary, while Barack looks like he is just about fed up with her attitudes.

Just heard that Roger Clemens is going the Martha Stewart way with the Department of Justice.  And, that he is still at the Astros Spring Training site pitching batting practice to the young ball players.  Why?????  

This mornings' committee session says that thousands of young athletes - girls and boys - are using steroids and HGH because of hero worship and coaches who tell them to bulk up.  Maybe it is time to shut down the Major League season and get all this straightened out before more children committ suicide.  MLB seems loathe to rid themselves of Collective Bargaining even though they were told this morning that they should be ashamed that it will take an act of Congress to clean up their business.

PS - Congratulations to you and Tim - you were remarkably restrained when Clinton said the Tax Returns were coming soon.  Sure.

Joan Chapman, Cheshire, CT 06410 (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 3:39 PM)

Brian: I was a loyal viewer of NBC Nightly News for years and continued watching when you took over. However, your moderating of the debate between Clinton and Obama was a disgrace. Your bias for Obama was very evident and your rudeness toward Senator Clinton was disgraceful. The role of a moderator is to let both candidates debate the issues and only try and keep the debate on track. The only one worse than you was Tim.  I am sure you can care less but I am one less viewer for NBC Nightly news.

Gary Reardon Waterbury Connecticut (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 4:19 PM)

Surprised and appalled to hear Brian Williams' arrogant throwaway line, as he cut off Sen. Clinton's comments, that "Television doesn't wait."

Now we get down to the heart of it. Television, and those who run it, are far more important than choosing good leadership and serving the public interest. Glad we finally got that clear.      

Mr. Williams and NBC should remember that they are licensed to use the public airwaves on behalf of the American people. I, for one, am not happy about having to subscribe to cable TV to see these debates. Since I have to pay you, the least you could do is give me what I'm paying for - the opportunity to see the candidates and hear EVERYTHING they have to say.
   
Tim Russert, resident meathead, makes his hatred of Sen. Clinton all too obvious - especially now that he thinks he smells her blood in the water. We'll see.

Ms. F., Seattle WA (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 4:35 PM)

Dear Messers Williams and Russert:  The one thing I will not miss after the elections is news coverage by men.  SNL has the media on target, and I think it's because the world is still viewed as a Man's World.  Is the plaque still on the White House wall that says that the president will always be a man?  I can remember that plaque as a young girl, and believed it would change in my lifetime, but not as long as men still control everything.  Mr. Williams should not be openly biased for Barack.  News is supposed to be non-partisan.  I cannot imagine Walter Cronkite or even Tom Brokaw saying some of the things Mr. Williams has said on TV.  If you want a breath of fresh air, open the windows of your house.  If you want the most qualified person to be the next President, open the windows of your mind and see that a woman is the better candidate of the two.  

And, if Barack gets the nomination, Oprah will write him a blank check, and will you report on that?  I doubt it.

C.C. Cline, Bowie, Maryland (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 4:35 PM)

Your bias is disgusting. You should turn in your journalism credentials. Shame on you! And Russert,too!

Cheryl Bynum Knoxville TN (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 6:26 PM)

I feel health is very important. A person cannot work without good health. It is very hard for some people to get a job. Common sence use to get people jobs, but not now. Education comes first. I fell education is very important, to futher ones career of what they want to go into.
I am truely for infants, young children and the elders, Our elders worked very hard to get what they have. I worked and payed into SS. I got hurt at age 51. This is not good because a person gets pealtzes. SS takes a $100.00 decutable out of your check. The you have to give the doctor 20% to see one and a big decutable for any test ( mri's cat scans, etc. ). This is sad to to elders because it cuts their income way down. If you was born in 1950 back, the future is in grim, very hard to live because our elders give up medicines or food just to make it. I was hurt at 51 and it awful, just as bad due to not reaching my retire age. Yes America needs a lot done and it will take time. I feel you, Brain and Tim did a very good debate in Ohio. I found it vey interesting, I also agree with Timmy Jenkins.

N F Wellston, OH (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:58 PM)

I enjoyed the debate!  I just wished I was there.  But thank you for streaming the live debate on msnbc.com!

Jun Nishihara, Japan (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 7:43 AM)

I am furious at the way Tim Russert treated Sen Clinton during the debate - it seems like he holds a personal grudge against her.

The New York Times agrees and noted that he were more ardent than Sen Obama in his questioning (debating?) of her.

He should become a commentator because moderators need to be impartial. The body language was obvious - Tim gripped Sen Obama's arm during the handshake at the end, and kept Sen Clinton at an arm's length. The NYT also said that the only thing missing was that Tim was not wearing a "Vote for Obama" button.

I have become tired of his gotcha questions and his questions about hypotheticals.

I have decided to stop watching Meet the Press and will watch George Stephanopoulos and Bob Schieffer instead. Because of the bias against Sen Clinton, I am also not watching the Today Show and Nightly News anymore. For example, according to these shows Clinton criticism is called "attacks", and Sen Obama criticisms are not, rather these shows report that he was "attacked".

I am concerned that these shows are influencing elections, creating the lemming effect, rather than reporting on these elections. I miss the sanity of Tom Brokaw!!!!

John, Brooklyn, New York (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 4:36 PM)

I, too, must agree with John of Brooklyn. Tim Russert's absolutely bias attack [and that's the only word that comes to mind] against Sen. Clinton was as clear as the Utah sky. And this was suppose to be a debate. There have been 20 debates; why not simply stick to one topic per debate. And the commercials. Please!!! In honor of the importance of these historic debates couldn't your greedy sponsers agree to commerials at the begining and at the end [and NBC could have agreed NOT to pimp their shows, too]. What you people did to Con. Kucinich in a previous debate was just deplorable. You never, NEVER asked him a single question. Doesn't a debate consist of a moderator asking a single question to each panelist and giving said panelist a chance to respond?
I'm afraid you have lost me and done a terrible disservice to the American people. Democracy? I doubt it. Shame on you both, Mr. Russert and Mr. Williams, and NBC? I'm betting Huntley and Brinkley, along with John Chancellor are rolling over in their graves.

Mr. F, Tustin CA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 3:23 PM)

if everyone turned off the water while brushing your teeth and "lathering" your faces, the gallons of water that could be saved would be amazing. anyone reading this -try it for yourself. after you wet your toothbrush        plug the sink and see for yourself - your are supposed to brush your teeth for 2 minutes - look out for a flood!

suzanne van d, buffalo, new york (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 7:21 PM)

The media in this election for President has never been so BIAS.  Obama has become your rock star. Clinton is bashed no matter what she does.  Bill Clinton is wrong to defend his wife  yet Michelle is so racist and un american, but it seems you all stay
away from the issue.  Anyone question why all Afro
American Super Delegates now feel they must support
Obama or are meant to feel they are being disloyal to thier "brother".  It's a sorry lot when the media can control and election with bias reporting.



m.Touw (Sent Saturday, March 01, 2008 6:56 PM)



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