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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.

Brian Williams became the seventh anchor and managing editor in the history of NBC Nightly News on December 2, 2004. Read his full biography.



Anatomy of a story

Posted: Friday, November 21, 2008 4:52 PM by Daily Nightly Editor
Filed Under:

By Brian Williams, Anchor and managing editor

When our folks confirmed the report that Obama had selected Tim Geithner for his Treasury Secretary nominee, we were on our afternoon conference call. We learned the news the instant the confirmation came in -- then we listened as CNBC was notified. Just seconds later (literally within the minute), citing NBC News sources, they ran a banner headline -- and then we watched the dow start to move. When we started watching the number it was down $29.00 -- then it started its run...closing up close to 500 points. For days we've heard from sources that Wall Street movers and shakers were anxious for Obama to name his nominee -- hoping for some positive direction for a market that has lost 15% this week and 50% this year. Monday could be a very eventful day. Wall Street has the weekend to breathe, and journalists have the weekend to prepare their profiles of the new cabinet nominees. We hope you can join us tonight, and have a good weekend.

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Good Evening Mr.Williams, Happy Friday! Another fine broadcast this evening.First of all the economic news and the naming of the nominee for Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner certainly seemed to help the Dow go up 494.13 points. He will have a huge job ahead of him with so many companies suffering hard times. The report by Trish Regan about Citigroup off 60% is not good news and the fact they hold millions of accounts can spell panic for the company and the financial world. Their reassurance to people they will not go under is fine to say, but I really hope it is true.  Being the largest bank it would be horrible for it to need a bailout, yet it might considering its size. Time will tell during the coming days.
The report by Mr.Costello concerning falling gas prices shows how this plunge at the pump is good and bad at the same time. Driving home this evening I saw the price at $1.74 and many other States seem to have cheaper prices. Yet, the words "sick economy" spoken in the piece doesn't sound good. I hope there is a turn for the better soon.
The "Making A Difference" segment was so very nice this evening. The woman saving the the thoroughbred horses from being killed after their racing days are over and training them for news things is so wonderful. These are such beautiful animals and to see them healthy and now being taught new tasks shows how just because these horses cannot race anymore they are still great animals and can help people tremendously. Very Nice Piece Anne Thompson!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams! Have a wonderful weekend! Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Safe And Well Richard! Good to see you here in New York! Keep Well!
XOXO    
Why is it just the mention of Obama naming a cabinet position makes the stock market rise 300 pts, but the day after the election the stock market drops 400 pts, but there is no credit to Obama? Probably the same reason the first time you reported gun sales were increasing, you didn't include the Obama factor in your report. Hey Brian, your bias is showing!

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/11/obama-stock-market-nosedive-continues.html
I know you're all expecting me to comment on Richardson. I'm still sorting it out. His expertise is diplomacy, not economics. Commerce controls the telecom industry, so much of the future of the internet will be in his hands. To a point, this is just politics, Richardson was among the best of the Obama surrogates, and he adds diversity. What he does bring to the table is an incredible ability to negotiate. He is actually much less laid back that he sometimes appears to be in an interview, sharing with Obama the ability to ask the pointed question, and truly listen to the answer. Totally beside the point, he also has an great sense of humor, something the Cabinet may need.

In any event, he's been a excellent Governor, and I shall hate to lose him.  
Hey Brian,
Didn't see the market jump today due to an exciting day out in the city, but it is great news.  I am glad.  The Anatomy of a story is very interesting, as it should have hands and feet. Something that can grab the attention of readers-- some-what like when I watched Nightly News tonight! Working kinda on a subject/story but not exactly.  Can tell you it is important but can't tell U any more.  I want you to hear it yourself. I might get lucky.  Until then......i've got the perfect song ringing in my ears.  Cherry keeps getting into my speriment- gum, and I know because her breath smells like spiriment.  Its funny. Yep, 500 points is good. The Christmas lights will be lit up soon and that is good too. Can't quit writing......gotta go.
sincerely, tesa
Brian-You seem to think that saying NBC got the story seconds before anyone else is as important as the story itself. It only makes you and your colleagues look extremely egotistical and much more concerned with your own lives than anything else. Hearing "NBC EXCLUSIVE" makes many of us cringe.
He was a 25 year old, young man full of life with hopes and dreams of his future. He loved to play basketball , and guitar. L.J was my first born son. died from an overdose of methadone ,xanaax , and somas all prescribed by his doctor... My world stopped revolving at that point. I wondered how could this happen. I have no idea, His death could have been prevented. I am still waiting for justice. I find that what I say about losing my son changes with the stage of grief i am in. It's been four months now and still yet it seems like yesterday. However I am going through so much pain and greif, My feelings go out to all you mothers who have lost your child to this drug .I continued to read the stories on the website and see the pictures it all became very clear. When will this stop ? How many children do we have to lose before something is done ? We as parents have tried to protect our children all their lives and now a dollar bill has become more important than saving lives. My only wish is for this drug to be taken off of the market where no one will ever have to endure the pain that my family and I are going through. L.J just starting off his life, GONE. Is it worth it ?  iI don't thinks so.. I can only pray that God will intervine and this drug be taken off the Market. I am sure that until the company who is puting this killer out there loses their child or loved ones then they will intervine, However' I do believe That God will bring justice And the BLOOD will be on their hands. My heart is broken and all I am left with is a hole where my heart used to be.The last words from my son were...."I love you mom "

Where does the blame lie....in a doctor who prescribed a drug that he knew could be lethal or the goverment for allowing the doctor to prescribe it? Perhaps both?
I've got news for your web/tv/whatever news outfit, If Dave Schwartz is not hired back immediately, I'm done watching NBC anything!  The bottom line idiots at the TWC's new owners NBC, obviously think that replacing Dave with some bunch of buxom blond smiling dead heads is somehow going to make up for someone who could actually make a subject as dull as the weather, highly entertaining and yet informative. Sorry about the non-pc characterization but hey, I think I know an idiotic bean counter screw up when I see one.  Shame on NBC! SHAME!  I'm done with you, get Dave BACK NOW!!!
Please bring back Dave Schwartz on TWC  asap!  We already miss him. This has to be a bad mistake of judgment.
Good morning,

I think the oil industry should be the ones that bail out the auto industry.  They "guided" them to make the minivans and SUV's, they should take their record breaking profits and contribute to their survival.  How is it that the big oil companies never take a hit?  That may make the market stand up and take notice of private industry helping those it relies do heavily on.
I watched the whole news conference today and I missed it. Can someone tell me what specific plans Mr. Obama outlined for the economy? Thank you.
Interesting that the Democrats sent the CDO's of the Big Three automakers back to Detroit demanding they return Dec. 2 with specific details about what they intend to do with our $25 billion, while Mr. Obama gives a press conference without one specific detail about his plans for the economy.  And there were no follow up questions from the press.
Dear Mr. Williams,

Are we just a typical American middle class family?  My husband and I are both college educated, worked consistently since we were 16.  We contributed to retirement accounts on a regular basis.  Our children are grown, and were anticipating retirement in 5 years.  We own one 5 year old car, and commute on public transport most of the time.

In the last few months, we have seen all our plans and dreams take a nose dive.  We own 2 homes, one we live in and one in another city that we used to live in.  A job layoff forced a relocation, and a few years ago, we felt we were in a position to buy a smaller home in the city we now live in before selling our previous home.  That in retrospect, was a lousy decision.

We attempted to sell that home, at a dramatically reduced price, for 6 months with no results.  We are now landlords getting less rent than our actual costs, and are watching the house value ( which we hoped to be part of our retirement ) drop more and more each day.  If that was not enough, we were forced to borrow money to make some unanticipated major repairs to our rental home.

Our retirement savings have taken a huge dive, forcing us to reconsider what we planned on for more than 30 years, and work well past the time we imagined retiring.

We pay our credit card bills in full almost every month, but our adult handicapped son usually does not.  Our other son, a recent college graduate is working at as a waiter after not finding any work in his field.  He also does not pay his bills in full each month.  So, these young men are paying 20-25% interest each month to Citibank.  But, Citibank, where the executives earn staggering salaries, now needs "rescue", and will get it.

I read the NY Times, listen to you and NPR, and have a general sense of why our government is rescuing financial institutions, but quite frankly I do not understand the details.  I would like to understand if and how our family and it's finances will ultimately be helped.  I must admit that when I read of the Citibank rescue in today's paper, I was really angry.

After all these years of working hard, saving and planning, we are still significantly affected.  We did not buy spec homes, borrow $ for things we could not afford, get new cars every few years etc.  

I do understand, that unlike some people in America, we still can put food on the table, and are probably able to afford the emergency room if we should need it.  ( however, with the changes to our employer's health plans  in recent years, if any of us have a serious health emergency, we are in deep trouble )

I just felt the need to tell you, that I ( and most of my friends and co-workers ) just don't get it.  Can your news program give us a better understanding of this?  
Hey Brian,
Your delivery is pretty solid when you're reading from the teleprompter from behind the desk. But when you're interviewing subjects "knee to knee," as it were, try to spend less time looking down or around the room...Give your subjects some of the old Charlie Gibson eye contact. And try to restrain the hand gestures. Not necessary. Don't get me wrong. I watch every night and in fact build my exercise and dinner routine around your show. But I think you can do better when you're interviewing subjects in the field. Just some thoughts from a fan...
I am tired of people referring to Barack Obama as "President Elect."
I refer to article II of our US Constitution.
He has not yet been elected and in fact, may not.


Dear Brian Williams,
The Japanese auto "transplants" to the US are not all they are cracked up to be. The work is constantly speeded-up and serous injury rates are more than twice those of similar US automakers. Please read Laurie Graham's article, "How Foreign-Owned Auto Plants Remain Union-Free" (New Labor Forum, September 2008) for an alternative (and more realistic) view of the "Japanese miracle." From the shop floor, it isn't nearly as rosy as it sounds.
Thank you for your time.
The Dow is grasping at straws.
This guy is just another player from the in crowd that got us into this mess.
Does "change" mean simply going back to Clinton's posse?
Spare us.
I am a disappointed Obama voter.
Hugh you might be right Obama is doing nothing while the Dow keeps going down. If we only had a President who would do something now. Obama isn't the President yet Bush is the President. We can't don't dare say he's doing a bad job or even ask him to do his job or we'll get arrested. We just let him do nothing and blame Obama or even Clinton for not fixing this  mess. No wonder this country is in trouble with Americans who don't even know only President Bush can do something now.  I have to admit it's so easy to do the corruption the White House has done for 7 years with Americans not even knowing how the Constitution.


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