Brian, As I watched your interview with Sarah Palin on the news tonight (Oct. 23), I was upset again that she was allowed to give "her answers" to your questions,while not answering your original question. What bothered me the most, however, was that you did not correct her by saying something like: "Governor, I'm sorry, but I asked you ......., not about...." While Palin is the expert at dodging press questions, the other 3 are guilty of doing exactly the same thing from time to time, and the member of the media asking the question allows his/her original question to go unanswered. It really bothered me tonight, because time and again she began to answer the question you put before her, but then she switched over to her own topic. Sadly, you did not say to her that she was not answering your question. Please, help all of us out here watching NBC Nightly News who want to hear answers to the questions and not just what the candidate wants to say. I think I speak for a great many Americans who also would be thrilled to death if you would do this for us.

Hi Brian-
Are you going to give Obama and Biden the same round-the-clock coverage for a week that you are giving McCain and Palin? It seems equal time is appropriate and legal.

Mr. Williams,  
Your continuing soft interview of Sen. McCain and Gov. Palen has been most disappointing in allowing them to recite talking points irrelevant to your questions without challenge.  Could you please not be so obsequious when in the presence of persons of influence or fame, so that your viewers can feel enlightened during your interviews?  

Brian:  What an awful, unchallenging interview you had with McCain and Palin. Why not just hand them the mike and you could stay home.

Day 12 and still nothing on Rep.(rehensible) Mahoney.

And for those of you upset about the RNC wardrobe expenses, this was done with freely given donations.  Sen. Obama's $1 Billion in earmarks to his buddies in Illinois was made with your CONFISCATED tax dollars.

I am terribly disappointed that the high level of the NBC news has sunk so low.  How could you sit there and let McCain go on and on regarding the terrorist links?  You should have reined McCain in at the start.  

Hi Brian, I just watched the second part of the interview with Palin mccain. About the william ayers question again..and Mccain asking of Obama's truthfulness, You should have said Obama has said all that there is to it at the third debate. ALSO, why didn't you ask Mccaain,recalling when, he was Elected to the House in 1982 and at a time when he was on the board of Singlaub's council. This council was part of an international organization linked to former Nazi collaborators and ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America.  McCain was among Republicans on Capitol Hill expressing support for the Contras, a CIA-organized guerrilla force in Central America

Regarding your story on Placebos, I am shocked and dismayed by the results of that study, and that your science correspondent completely missed the most important aspect of that information. The substances the doctors are using as "Placebos" are Antibiotics, NSAID's, and Vitamins. I'm sorry, but there's a major problem here. First of all, Antibiotics should NEVER be used as a placebo. When you run the next story on Antibiotic-resistant strains of Bacteria, which is a MAJOR health issue, killing people at an alarming rate,  you might refer back to this one. Antibiotics also have one of the highest incidents of negative reactions, with a huge host of side effects. Next, NSAID's have major health risks as well (including, kidney and liver damage, strokes, instestinal bleeding and death...to name a few) and would never be classified as a placebo of any kind. Vitamin pills are the most harmless, but I still don't see how a Doctor can call it a placebo, as it could have an effect on the patient's health. The bottom line is....that study is completely useless for evaluating the Placebo effect, and highlights the fact that MD's are not adhereing to the oath they took to "above all do no harm." Your nightly segments on health continue to be no more than medical propaganda, clearly guided by GM.

Brian, not sure why you wonder why it took so long to get an interview with Palin and McCain.  As a long time viewer it's obvious to me that the network is in the tank for Obama.  All you have to do is go back and look at the softball questions you asked Obama in your two interviews this year.  Your questions to both McCain and Palin were much tougher and clearly showed your obvious bias.

Brian, not sure why you wonder why it took so long to get an interview with Palin and McCain.  As a long time viewer it's obvious to me that the network is in the tank for Obama.  All you have to do is go back and look at the softball questions you asked Obama in your two interviews this year.  Your questions to both McCain and Palin were much tougher and clearly showed your obvious bias.

I want to call both Brian Williams and NBC (evening news) network for an Integrity Check after last night's (and God forbid, 2 MORE DAYS' WORTH!!!) extended "Free, Uninterrupted Press-Time with ZERO Responsibility" marathon for the Republican ticket.

Mr. Williams, I KNOW you are a competent, accomplished reporter - are there ANY lingerings of integrity in the remaining primetime 'anchors' &'reporters'?? Any sense of ethics to stand for your profession under the insidious corporate-political bias that is served up for the nation's consumption?

I know a LOT of standards have changed over the decades - level of service, quality of goods, etc. It's painfully sad to see the hard-hitting, BALANCED, professionalism that once set the bar for journalists & reporters grow increasingly dim.  It's like seeing a piece of the fabric that IS America being bought/sold right alongside all those worthless (counterfeit) financial dealings.

Shame on you, Brian Williams. The next time you report on Senator Obama's 30 minutes of airtime his campaign has bought, note that Senator McCain & Palin have been treated to 3 times the unfettered airtime, courtesy of NBC/RBC (Republican Broadcasting Corp).

Brian..why are you not giving counter questions to McCain and Palin, especially when they keep repeating the same "spin speak" and contradict themselves daily.  It's as if you're not present or don't have the research to help us get the "set the record straight" answers we need.  Katie Couric sure gave it a try and that's what we expect.

Sarah sounds like she still on SNL. I wont say I told you so Sarah Palin has no idea what she's saying.  To explan Elite well you'll never get an answer that makes sense.Now I do hope you noticed something she often says When I get in the White House and often calling it Palin/McCain at rallies. Sarah spoke stonge about Ayres being a terrorist with his actions, well I guess she thinks the slave owner were terrorist or even the Americans who killed men/woman/children during the Civil Rights area.  I was glad to hear Sarah at the age of 44 say she was born with every equal right this country has to offer.  Hope Sarah can get over in the troopergate scandal. I just hear Maria Schwarzenegger is supporting Sarah Palin as to help her husband. Yes Maria is walking a thin line to keep her marriage and follow the Kennedy's. Arnie Schwarzenegger's ratings are lower then Bush and he will need a job soon.

Cox was appointed to warm the seat only the plan was already in place before he got there. Greenspan once an honest man turned to Judas for GREED. What was so strange is Greenspan was looked at to such high esteem now plays dumb and confused. Many people said this was going to happen back in 2001 when the Bush plan took place. It helped with the Republican Congress giving out those blank checks to the White House. There are many people now turning sides as change comes.

I'm lucky I have an honest Doctor and you might ask how do I know he's not giving me placebos. Now how to I know that you might wonder. I don't like pills so we talk about how to stay healthy and sticking to a healthy diet. Yes I go soul food sometimes but I go right back to the healty food. I take the bus so walking is part of my life. Being happy and not being worried helps.  I would like to say thanks to the staff at NBC for putting up with me and allowing me to speak my mine and even posting my comments.

Have a great evening

Best to my friends Lisa, Laurel, Stephanie, Claudia, Celine, Anna and Matt

Love Brian but he should have press a thrid time to get Palin to say bombing a clinic is not a terrorist  act

As I watched the interviews (2 so far), I am curious as to what happens if they are elected, but he dies before taking office? Does SHE become the President Elect? If so, who or how is the Vice President (Elect?) then selected?

The interviews are very telling, and not in a good way. And I do wish you (and all the newcasters) would ask deeper questions, and dig deeper; not let them (any of them) off the hook. Some of her answers are non answers and no one presses her.

Why didn't you challenge their answers? It's so frustrating to watch. Why not just give them the microphone and let them spew their yarns. That whole "not telling the full story" response about Obama's relationship Ayers has been defunked. Does McCain know the "true" story...just like he knows how to get Bin Laden? Being interviewed by NBC doesn't legitimize these two.

It was disheartening to watch your “interview” with McCain and Palin,  because they were allowed to give stump speeches without your asking for specifics like a journalist should.  Is Palin a feminist?  Why didn’t you ask her about her stand on abortion rights?  Why didn’t you ask McCain about his vote to have insurance cover Viagra but NOT birth control?  Women have no equality without the right to plan or prevent  pregnancies.

And where is the balance of time for the Democrats to counteract these one-sided “interviews?”???????

Unbelievable!  The republican party must be thrilled to death with your 30 minutes of prime time campaign coverage for McCain/Palin -- for free.  Lets see equal time given to Obama/Biden.  I for one am sick of hearing the same old lies from McCain/Palin!

Sorry.  I'm just laughing at the responses here the last couple of days.  First you're accused of being in the tank for Obama and now you're giving free advertising to McCain/Palin.  You stated tonight that equal time would be given to the Democratic ticket so why a ll the whining?

I'm siding w/ both Michelle and Abby here- people watch the broadcast and listen!  Brian- if you're getting both sides angry, you are doing your job well.

A sense of fair play says Obama and Biden should have the same amount of air time on NBC Nightly News.

Wow!  Are you people kidding me.  Are they going to give the SAME round the clock coverage?  Obama/Biden have gotten more than their share of fair coverage.  I don't know what you people watch or read but if this one interview has you this unhinged...

I watch the nightly news for the NEWS, not for a political interview. Do one if you want but show it at some other time. Report only the news.

Hi Brian,

I never thought I would see a time where I would be this disappointed with your handling of any situation but this so-called interview with McCain and Palin seems to be anything but an interview.  She was allowed to do just what she did in that debate... ramble on about whatever she felt like, regardless of the question being asked.  Regarding McCain, if he thinks there is something Senator Obama is not telling about his dealings with Ayres, then tell us what it is!!  Put it out there and force him to address it specifically, rather than keep insinuating something that more than likely does not exist.

I have felt for some time that you err on the side of caution, in an effort to distance yourself from the views of Chris Matthews,Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow. Keith and Rachel are my favorites but I certainly understand that you must (and should) maintain a high level of objectivity, both actual and perceived, but PLEASE don't abandon your usual tenacity in getting to the bottom of things in your interviews... regardless of the person being interviewed.  I continue to count on you to do that for me.

Sadly, I agree with a lot of the criticism of your interview with Palin/McCain. Maybe a lot was edited out, maybe you had to give up on getting answers and needed to move on to other questions. Whatever the reasons, very few questions were met with direct answers. The discussion on terrorists was infuriating. I am no defender of Ayers, but no one, including you Brian, takes the time to correct McCain, Palin and everyone else who misstates what Ayers actually is quoted as saying in the NYT 9/11/2001 article. Tonight McCain said Ayers said "he wished we had bombed more". What he actually said was "I feel we didn't do enough". Many, many people who opposed that war felt people could have..should have..done more. And why doesn't one person ask McCain or Palin what it is they think Obama isn't telling us...what is it they want him to say. He said he knew him, met him...what is it they want?

It is unfortunate it took two months for NBC news to get a chance to do this interview. It is too bad they don't have enough confidence in her ability to go solo.

Hi Brian,
I missed the first interview day of McCain/Palin but I did watch the excerpt from the second interview where they discussed Obama's "relationship" with Ayers.  But no where on that interview did you ask about her and her husband's relationship with the Alaskan Independence Party.  Members of this party believes that Alaska should be a country  onto itself.  In fact, the founder was quoted as saying, "The fires of Hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American Government. . .and I don't want to be buried under their damn flag."  Gov. Palin has been to quite a few of their meetings and they even endorsed her for the governorship.  I saw the clip that CNN did of her relationship with this party, and I saw with my own two eyes and heard with my ears how she thanked them for their support.  

Now I ask you, why would we want someone who wants her state to secede from our great NATION to be a hairsbreadth away from the presidency?  

Her continuous attack on Obama's so called relationship with Ayers is a kin to the "pot calling the kettle black."  I don't hear her or McCain explaining away her relationship with the AIP. And how can we trust her word about putting "Country First" when she consorts with members of the AIP, whose motto is "Alaska First, Alaska Always!"  Ask them to explain that one!  

I would appreciate it if you would give equal time to the Obama-Biden ticket that you are giving to McCain-Palin.  I can't believe you are giving them all this free time and not doing Obama too.  My husband tells me he is sure you will do the same for Obama.  Are you going to interview them too?
Thanks,

Dear Brian,
You are doing an excellent job but these interviews with John McCain and Sarah Palin are very hard to watch. I will continue later today since it is 2am in the morning. Cas

I don't get it, I feel unheard.  Am I the only one?? I don't care about clothing.  I care that Palin was found guilty by her own state investigators to abuse the power of her office as governor.  This speaks to integrity to me.  Why is this not more newsworthy, and predictive of behavior??

Brian that was not an interviews it was a tea party minus the tea....you let Mccain and Palin spout their lies and never called them on them...Obama explained Ayhers..what about Mccain and Keating 5 or Libby?
The best was when mccain admits he attends cocktail parties with the elites in DC...doesn't that make him one of them if he goes to their parties?
As for Palin...what about her treasonist husband who she is not just palling around with but married to?
As for labels...did I not hear a contradiction here...right after the elite label? However she has no problem labeling Obama and the dems with her lies....
Why has no one noticed the very thing this campaign accuses Obama of they have done before themselves?? John Mccain is like the man who set the house on fire and now wants to bring the fire truck and save it...  

I too am interested in knowing exactly what "truth" about Ayers McCain thinks he knows. Why isn't he telling it?  Enough already!

Brian
You have always held my highest regard until this interview.  What are you thinking?  No follow-up questions?  The answers were not on point and begged for you to politely interrupt with follow ups.  Why are you so afraid?  Was there a deal made?  This is just terrible journalism and you know it.  And buried in your little after-interview comment was the fact the Democrats will get equal time next week.  Why do these infomercials at all unless you were going to ask the tough Tim Russert type questions. Tim must be rolling over in his grave-I can here him screaming from here in Westerly.  You look so meek and scared.  What a joke.

Hi Brian, While I enjoy watching your evening newscasts here in Toronto, I was disappointed last night when you failed to challenge Senator McCain and Governor Palin as they burbled on about
Bill Ayers and other issues.
  Why didn't you mention there were Republicans who also sat on that Chicago education committee with Bill Ayers? Does this mean that Republicans also "pal around with terrorists"? As well, what about Senator McCain's relationship with G. Gordon Liddy? What does that relationship say about HIS associations with nefarious criminals?
 And then when you asked Governor Palin whether she is a feminist and she refused to answer clearly. Why didn't you remind her that she enthusiastically said 'Yes' to that same question when it was posed by Katie Couric? Why is she flip-flopping?
 I feel you also let her off the hook by not asking her about her own abuse of power issues in connection with the Troopergate scandal in Alaska. She has claimed she was vindicated, which simply is not true. And where was a question about her husband's membership in a party that despises the U-S and wants Alaska to secede from America?
  Your neighbours to the north are watching the U-S presidential campaign intently, and we're dismayed by the negativity and ugliness introduced by the McCain-Palin ticket. It is the worst of American politics on display. They should have been challenged last night on the misinformation they continue to spread and, sadly,were not.  


   

As a long time viewer of the Nightly News, I was shocked to see the first two interviews with John McCain and Sara Palin.  Brian, you totally lost control of those interviews, both nights!  The only thing missing was "I'm John McCain, and I approve this message"!

I watched NBC Nightly News last night, as I always do, and something struck me as odd. There was Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan admitting mistakes and answering questions during a  congressional hearing. I believe Lisa Myers reported.

NBC is always quick to show transparency when reporting on issues related to its parent company General Electric. However, here was the senior investigative correspondent reporting on the financial mess we face with sound bites from Greenspan and nowhere in the story did it mention that Greenspan is married to Andrea Mitchell, one of the most senior correspondents who gets much on-air face time. For transparency NBC should have done that. Let the viewers decide at that point whether Myers’ reporting was unbiased. At least it would be out there.

And I really enjoy Brian Williams, but he soft pedaled and never asked Sarah Palin about her costly makeover. Not many hockey moms can afford shopping sprees like that. The real question is how can she portray herself as a middle-class struggling mom with five children when she goes on a  shopping spree like that. And her definition of terrorist needed follow-up but it didn't happen. McCain's friend Gordon Liddy is a convicted felon but is that an issue? It’s outrageous. Williams dropped the ball and we know he can do much better.

I watched the Palin-McCain interview Thursday night and was very disappointed. They were allowed to make false and vague accusations without being challenged. McCain stated that Obama has not explained his relationship with Ayers. Perhaps he wasn't listening in the third debate when Obama described the relationship in detail. If McCain has more information then he should reveal it and let Obama respond. To make vague accusations is a smear tactic. Brian Williams should have challenged him. Good journalist do not sit passively while the interviewee makes untrue statements or vague innuendoes to smear another.  

Brian,
It looks to me like you were not interviewing Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin, no, you were letting them interview you for Press Secretary in a McCain/Palin administration.  

To wit.  You should have asked Gov. Palin "do you define abortion clinic bombers as domestic terrorists?" one more time, then, when she would again ignore the question and recite anti-Ayers slams on Obama, you should have said "Ok, you won't answer.  Moving on."

As to Mr. Ayers and Sen. Obama, since you let Sen. McCain off scot free in accusing Sen. Obama of, well, something.  Sen. Obama has identified his relationship to Mr. Ayers and it is not at all anything devious.  If Sen. McCain can read, he knows this.  

So when Sen. McCain once again said he wants Sen. Obama to come clean, you should have said "Sen. Obama has explained the relationship, there is no deep relationship, are you saying that Sen. Obama is lying?"

And if Sen. McCain has any real information, he can say it.  But since he doesn't, you just let him and Gov. Palin recite GOP talking points without challenge, not meant to illuminate, just to smear.

How does Brian Williams sit there with the McCain-Palin tag team and let McCain go into his usual smear about Bill Ayres without asking McCain what he thinks Obama is "hiding" about the relationship and without asking McCain about McCain's relationship with that unrepentant domestic terrorist and convicted felon, G. Gordon Liddy? The double-standard favoring the right-wing Republicans is blatant.

Brian
Your interview with McCain and Palin has to be the low poing in point in the new business. The two segement where nothing more than a free polical add for McCain. In additional u are giving them another 3 minutes on Friday.  I heard no reference to u giving the Obama's the same free time on yr program.
NBC has sunk to a new low.  It wasnt a interview, u could have stayed home and let them spout their lies.

Dear Mr. Williams:
You always look so very neat, when photographed from the waist up.
Last week when you were on the floor of the NYSE, your suit jacket didn't look neat-with the gap under- neath the one buttoned jacket and your slacks were wrinkled.

Dear Mr. Williams:
You always look so very neat, when photographed from the waist up.
Last week when you were on the floor of the NYSE, your suit jacket didn't look neat-with the gap under- neath the one buttoned jacket and your slacks were wrinkled.

Your so-called "interview" with the principals of the Republican ticket almost caused me to desert Nightly News—forever. It seems clear that NBC News has decided that since the McCain campaign allegedly is running out of money for heavy-duty advertising, it should be given free time to broadcast its lies and innuendo. That's absolutely unfair.

A real news person would ask McCain (and Palin) hard, probing questions and challenge misstatements, hints at Senator Obama's "terriorist" background and so on. Instead, you merely open the McCain and Palin microphones to spew poison—stuff you are well enough informed to NOT leave unquestioned.

I challenge you to flag is unacceptable the McCain campaign's new flyer that has the word "Terrorist" on its cover and a picture of Mr. Obama inside.

In light of today's world - how comments continue regarding the cost of Govenor Palin's clothes on the campaign show - is really an insult.  Considering the two presidental candidates probably pay about $1500-$1600 a suit.  How trite can our current "MAIN STREAM" media get?  Brian, why don't you use your skills and delve into the investigation as to whether or not the current Law Suit concerning whether Senator Obama is a US CITIZEN or whether in fact, his paternal grandmother, is correct in her statement that she was present at his birth in Kenya is true??  I'm sure this email will never get posted - by the media for yes, "THE ELITE"

It's truly remarkable to see some of these comments!

Given the fact that NBC has provided AMPLE positive press and nothing but softballs during Obama interviews for months (even members of the media say that the media is in love with him....to the point of having thrills in their legs), it's incredible to see that when Brian attempts to balance the coverage.....the left has a temper tantrum.

They're not clamoring for Brian to interview Obama in depth. In fact, it seems they're afraid that if they find out too much about him, the halo they've bestowed upon him will dim.

Brian,

I have been a devoted watcher of your newcast since Peter Jennings leaving us.  Has some MNBC management deal been struck to allow a softball, self-serving political commercial to occur during the sanctity of my objective national news? Why are you giving McCain/Palin a platform to spread continued lies without counter points/questions?  Like allowing to go unchallenged as fact McCain repeating Ayers relationship to Obama Obama as a ludicrous accusation since Obama was eight years old.  And at that time of Obama / Ayers association it was on during a charity function for children!  Or why Palin is questioned about her husbands very real association with terrorist secessionists group!  Or McCain dubious associations (on letterhead) of radical racists groups!  Why is MNBC blatantly allowing the subversive and damaging side of our democratic political slime machine to run unchallenged by giving a free pass to McCain!  This Carl Rove political tactics of deceitful character assignation without needing to provide facts and or if a lie it big enough and told enough times to get your desired results, who cares is the fundamental ruin of this country.  I am ashamed that the very people who can challenge these cancerous tactics are turning a blind eye and not calling them out. When is lying allowed to become a “ends-justify-the-means” it seems that has become a fundamental Republican banner!  I used to have you on my TiVo for my nightly news which I have watched for years and years.  Now with your blatantly biased and placating political GOP info-commercial thrown right in my face during what is supposed to be my journalistic savvy, objective national news, you are now "removed" for life.  The sad part is were does an American go for a “call it as it is view” with all the self-serving Murdoch’s of the world in place?  Thank GOD for Keith Obermann.  I have lost almost all journalistic respect you! And you as my past beacon of sanity in the insane world find it hurts? If only you challenged items discussed, asked them to actually answer the questions, keep to the facts and done other than simple providing GOP slime machine to piston its propaganda talking head points.  You would have served your fellow citizens better.

Stephen e.
South Jersey

AMEN TO ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!

Mr. Williams:  I would like to reiterate and amplify upon some critical comments you've already received about your interview with John McCain and Sarah Palin. I was both struck -- and disappointed -- by your willingness to accept many of their more problematic answers without challenging them or pressing for follow-up.  For example, in response to your question, Ms. Palin refused to characterize herself as a feminist, stating that such labels were inappropriate.  Yet you failed to point out that, a few weeks earlier, Ms. Palin had no difficulty in responding in the affirmative to the exact same question when posed by Katie Couric.  Similarly, Ms. Palin's answer to your question about preconditions for negotiations with our enemies demonstrated that she did not even know what a precondition was.  Despite this obvious opening, you did not ask her to define her understanding of a precondition, nor did you follow up and ask her what preconditions she would impose prior to dealing with someone like the Iranian president.  Additionally, Mr. McCain's definition of an "elitist" obviously would have included himself (as someone who lives in Washington, attends Georgetown cocktail parties, owns seven homes and has an extraordinarily wealthy wife), which you also failed to point out.  All in all, your interview was a "puff piece" that provided a platform for the McCain-Palin ticket, rather than testing their views with searching questions.  Very disappointing indeed.

Do any of the people commenting on this blog, actually listen to what Mr. Williams said? He stated that Obama/Biden will be given the same opportunity that was given McCain/Palin. I only hope that Mr. Williams can glean some information about Sen. Obama's birth certificate, medical records, college documents etc. Will Mr. Williams quit fawning over the Democratic nominee long enough to ask the important questions?

Dear Brian (and other posters on this forum,)

The "exclusive" interviews with Senator McCain and Governor Palin have cost you and NBC a lot of heat.  I agree that 30 minutes of free advertising time for their campaign is excessive, but I realise that it is material that, as noted before, is "exclusive".  You had face to face time with these individuals that, particularly with Govenor Palin, is extremely rare.  As everyone knows, she rarely is allowed to be interviewed, so getting this much usuable footage with them is very valuble as far as drawing viewers to NBC Nightly News.

Keep in mind that NBC is a business.  The more viewers it is able to draw, the more money it makes.  Having Govenor Palin actually face you, Brian, and have to answer questions, is going to be watched by those both for and against the McCain / Palin ticket.  Spending 10 minutes a night over three nights attracts more of that audience and advertisers more often.  As they are the "underdogs" and behind the Obama / Biden ticket by an average of 10% in most polls, the notoriety surrounding Govenor Palin, and the hope that she will put her foot in her mouth (surrounded by a piece of her $150,000 wardrobe,)is a guarentee of drawing viewers and increasing NBC Nightly News ratings.  

So you have to weigh the "fairness" of this three night Republi-fest and its money making value against the fairness of it.  As said, NBC is a "for profit" business, so running this was a good buisiness decision.

As far as "You ought ask them this question tomorrow night...", sorry.  The interview was done days ago and is "in the can".  Although many of the suggested questions and follow ups are great ones, it's far too late to suggest them now that the candidates and Brian are long seperated.  I agree that both Senator McCain and Govenor Palin got a "walk through the tulips" as far as questions and follow ups, keep in mind that they and Brian were surrounded by McCain / Pain minions who could end the interview at anytime.  Although tape of Palin walking off in a huff would have been wonderful, with McCain joined at the hip to her, he (as we've seen.) stepped in before she could actually answer anything.  She did a fine job of showing how totally clueless she is in spite of McCain taking the reins and steering the "answer" as far from answerng the question and towards trashing Obama / Biden as he could.

So, fine reporting would require offering equal time time to Obama /Biden although from the polls, they won't need it. McCain / Biden did a fine job of showing how out of touch and hateful their campaign is for almost 30 minutes on national television. To sum it up, NBC ought to have devoted the best of the interview on NBC Nightly News and played the rest on MSNBC.  But it was great in that instead of gaining votes, McCain Palin shot themselves in the foot (well, feet,) by saying what was wrong with Obama and very little about their ideas.  So, it may have helped Obama anyway.

None the less, I'll still watch NBC News for accurate news, and Fox for laughs.

Thanks.

Andy Baker

Brian
You are biased and I will now switch to Katie she
knows how to conduct an interview. You showed your
true colors

Hi Brian,

Lets be fair.  

From Times OnlineFebruary 29, 2008
Mr McCain was born in 1936 while his father was stationed at a US military base and the Canal Zone was under American control. Although the question was examined during his first presidential bid in 2000, it has been revived as the senator heads towards the nomination.

Mr McCain had American parents and his AMERICAN father who WAS IN THE SERVICE FOR OUR COUNTRY was stationed on a base there when McCain as born, so lets get the story correct and not be misleading like he is really not American.  

As for Mr. Obama, it is said by many he was born in Hawaii but for some reason no one can find his birth certificate and his grandmother stated differently.

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