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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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Blagojevich raises the stakes

Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 4:38 PM by Daily Nightly Editor

 By Lester Holt, NBC News anchor

The political and legal intrigue surrounding Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich just got a lot more interesting today, with Blagojevich announcing an appointment to fill President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat. In the face of an expected federal indictment against him and an active effort to impeach him, Blagojevich named former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to the seat. The problem, of course, is that this is the same seat the feds earlier this month accused him of plotting to sell.  Now the Illinois secretary of state says he will refuse to certify the appointment, and U.S. Senate leaders continue to say they won't seat anyone appointed by Blagojevich. So, where is all this headed? Our Lee Cowan is working the story for us tonight from Chicago, and NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd will be on from Washington to talk about the chances of this appointment sticking.

We'll also take a close look at an extremely detailed account of the space shuttle Columbia disaster that NASA is releasing.  It goes into sometimes difficult to read detail about what the Columbia crew may have experienced in their final minutes. Tom Costello will explain what NASA is hoping to do with the information.

Also tonight--the latest on Israel's Gaza offensive, and some new information about the risk pregnant mothers face from mercury contaminated fish.

Brian is off this week. I hope you will join me later for NBC Nightly News.

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"and U.S. Senate leaders continue to say they won't seat anyone appointed by Blagojevich."


I hope Mitch McConnell is staying out of this democrat mess with the Blagojevich appointment. We all know he'll be painted as a racist by the very  democrats who want his backing on this. BTW Shouldn't the RNC be able to sue the democrats for a "Disproportionate Response" in the last election?

Dave, Tn (Sent Tuesday, December 30, 2008 5:49 PM)

Good Evening Mr.Holt, A fine broadcast this evening! You always fo a great job on the Nightly News broadcasts. First of all the report by Mr.Fletcher concerning the air assaults into Gaza. It is horrifying to hear how many innocent civilians were killed especially little girls and the woman simply driving her car both being hit by rockets. It is bad enough that certain buildings are destroyed,but to kill innocent people is terrible. If there is a way to have a two day truce bewteen the two sides it would be a positive thing. I hope for all the people of the region the truce happens. Very Good Reporting Mr.Fletcher!
On another note the report by Mr.Costello about the detailed account of the Space Shuttle Columbia final moments was sad to learn. All the factors that caused the crash were hard to hear and it must have been terrible for the families. I hope improvements will ba made in the program so accidents like this one won't happen again.

The "Making A Difference" segment by Mr.Mott from Fort Benning,Georgia was very nice. I think it is great this sergeant is noot only training the men and women to be the best soldiers, but also for careers beyond the military. all of the soldiers learn valuable skills which will certainly help them in the future with any job. The job website for the veterans is definitely a great idea in order for them to find careers after the military. Good piece Mr.Mott!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Holt! Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie.Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Safe and Well Richard! Great to see you on the Rachel Maddow last night! With Your Map! And on the Today Show this morning! Great Reporting! Always Handsome!
XOXO

Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:21 PM)

Mr. Holt,

Good to see you will be anchoring for the entire week. Is Chuck Todd still considered the political director as well as the Chief Washington Correspondent? It's amazing that the Governor of Illinois is even able to make this appointment. It feels like nothing is really being done in terms of either prosecution or exoneration. Hopefully, if you haven't already, Nightly News could explain why things are taking so long as far as anything being done to resolve the Governor of Illinois situation.

Matt, 20, San Diego (Sent Tuesday, December 30, 2008 7:56 PM)

Hi Lester
I'm glad NBC didn't show the pictures of all the children and woman that were killed. Even former Rep. McKinney was attacked by boat while taking medical supplies to Palestine. At lease Iraq is now supporting Palestine people in this senseless massacre. At lease the Bush Administration gave Israel enough weapons to invade and take Palestine land. Israel had hoped that Iran would help Palestine that would give them a reason to attack Iran. I don't agree or disagee with either partner but killing innocent woman/children is evil.

Lester you gave Mr. Burris to much TV time. It's clear he made a deal with a corrupt Govenor and he knows it. Illinois Govenor is slick he knew to pick a weak replacement to assure Republicans would win the seat. Old school politics at it's best.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell voted for a 700 billion dollar bailout with no accountablity for who gets the money, now he is against the American people getting a bailout to help recover the Economy. Now I wonder how the voters of Kentucky feel about McConnell helping to bring the US into a depression. If Law Makers keep giving away borrowed money to big business we might never recover. It's sad that Obama has to work for the American people by himself.

I guess something has happen to the fish in the water because many years ago it was fine. Now Americans don't know what is good or bad for you anymore.

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

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:46 PM)



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