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Almost live-blogging the president's news conference

Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 9:00 PM by Elizabeth Chuck
Filed Under:

by Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor

First off, we all noted the new, darker and more dramatic lighting down the central hallway, and the emphasis on the candelabra-like fixtures. The president continues to use the single, large flat-screen teleprompter in the center of the room (not the dual flanking glass panes) to make it look like he's looking right at the cameras/American people.

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Photo by Mandel Ngan | AFP/Getty Images
Click on image to watch the full press conference.

He called on the journalist from Detroit very early -- we're guessing it was in order to hit his talking points on the auto industry.

A co-worker here is worrying aloud that the combined Fiat-Chrysler entity could wind up shortened to: Fiasco. That would be bad. Especially as the owner of a Chrysler product.

This hand-washing obsession, combined with the Stimulus package, could lead to badly-needed public restroom refurbishing.

Zeleny-enchanted: While multi-layered (and the President played along), Jeff Zeleny of the New York Times asked the question that might have given us the most revealing and reflective answer of the night. Though I thought we'd hear a mention of what it's like to look out his office window and see his family. Or walk upstairs after work to dinner.

The President continues to call on a lot of journalists who have never had a question in prime time.

Now we do two new feeds of Nightly News for the West Coast!

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Comments

Evening, Brian!

You all really amaze me at how quick you are, already up with photos and video of the conference. Great job!

I thought the News Conference went extremely well. I loved President Obama's approach on everything. All of the time and thought he puts into his answers really makes it enjoyable to watch. And although he did stumble a few times with his answers, it's much preferred rather than just throwing out quick answers.

Thanks for the second blog post today, Brian! Your Nightly News broadcast this evening was great as usual, and I especially loved the story of the letter found and finally sent to the World War II veteran. My Papa still has his letters sent to him from his brother Bobby who served in World War II, who unfortunately didn't return home. And he too referred to men and "fellows".

Hope you have a great night and get some rest after this very busy day!

And since you ran out of time, and were cut off at the end before saying "from all of us at NBC News, goodnight." I wanted to say goodnight to all of you!

Take care,
-Cary

Cary Skelton 19, Roanoke, Virginia. (Sent Wednesday, April 29, 2009 9:34 PM)

President Obama did very well in this first 100 days. I love listening to him speak he's a natural as if he's just a regular guy. Now he was slick to skillfully answer some of the reporters planeted by " he who should not be named", not Voldermort either. I wrote the President with my thoughts on Torture and I was glad to see he knows and said we do not torture and waterboard as well as saying it was a mistake. I hope those who enacted torture will man up to their mistake.

I like the way Michelle is just going about her role the way she wants. I know the Military Families love her and yes all the facts and storties are taken back to her husband.

I've decided if I ever choose to run for Polticial Office I'm hiring Rahm Emanuel, then I know I'm taken care off. I see his finger print on everything.

I have nothing new to report on my 100 days.

Best to Lisa, Laurel, Stephanie, Claudia, Celine, Lorie, Anna, Matt and all

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California (Sent Wednesday, April 29, 2009 10:25 PM)

"The President continues to call on a lot of journalists who have never had a question in prime time." -- Some, but I was again struck by the questioners called on - except for Detroit, where were Los Angeles, San Diego, New Orleans, St. Louis - surely there were others there from beyond the beltway other than Arabia (who also wasn't called on)???

I, too, enjoyed the conference - the president is so impressive in his answers - what a joy to have a thoughtful, intellectual president who gives answers that are actually enlightening!  That last question was the greatest!  I just would like to hear more from other parts of the country, as I am sure they would like to be honored to present a question.

Judith Lasker, Los Angeles

Judith Lasker, Los Angeles (Sent Wednesday, April 29, 2009 10:40 PM)

At the top of your broadcast last night you stated you were asked to stop using "Swine" flu and to call it H1N1 virus.  Even President Obama on the top of his news conference called it by its rightful name.  So why are you being so persistant on being wrong?!
People are not going to hear that pork is not a problem when all they hear is the word Swine in every other sentence.  Don't you realize what this is doing to the pork industry?  America does not need another business disaster occurring because of ignorance.  I am not involved with the pork industry in any way.  I do have friends that raise their own pork and beef.  So, please, get it right!  Like you yourself stated "stop using the term Swine".

Charlene Sekiya, Gallup, New Mexico (Sent Wednesday, April 29, 2009 11:41 PM)

Well done! I too was enchanted with Mr Zeleny's question. I received an email from a friend, complaining that the questions were fluff, I responded that it seemed to me that they were the questions I would have asked, and was happy to hear at least one one on a lighter note..

Saw you on Olbermann as well, There are some things that one should never say.. I know just how you feel.. because of course, if you haven't experienced it you can't truly know. The sight of a low flying plane in NY is one of those. I don't know how you felt, since I can't empathize, at least let me express some sympathy. I hope the investigation is both through and transparent. You all deserve at least that much.

Best to my much missed friends, the regulars!

Claudia Anderson Farmington NM (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:23 AM)

There was no question about how the president's budget is going to plunge this country much deeper into debt. Economists say that his numbers don't add up. Why was he asked about ENCHANTMENT and NOT THE BUDGET?

New Jersey (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 8:42 AM)

Brian,

You're great. They should raise your salary. I enjoyed the news conference.
The "enchanted" question. Is that the best a reporter could come up with? I noticed that you basically had to tell Chuck Todd to sit down. It's funny. Chuck was still reporting while the president was walking behind him. It would be great for the president to walk up behind Chuck and ask him if he's finnished.

You're right about the hand washing obsession. It doesn't take much for me to get obsessed. I'm going out today and buy the wipes. But I'll be wiping everything down in the store and passing them around. Just kidding. But some people never wash their hands.

I hope you have a restful weekend planned. We all appreciate your dedication and hard work.

Vicki

P.S. I'm sorry they cut you off at the end of the conference. Yoy weren't insulted but I was for you.
Two things people shouldn't mess with as far as I'm concerned; President Obama and Brian Williams.

Vicki, Greenville, S.C. (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 8:49 AM)

Hi Brian:
Thanks for the second post.  I was able to listen to the whole question and answer segment from the President and was very impressed at how he can answer questions thrown at him and how you can see that he does put a lot of thought into his responses.  I think his  first 100 days were good.  Not perfect but that was not expected.  I think one of his biggest assets is Michelle.  She is a class act and they are a good team.  

Thanks for the link to the White House pictures.  They were great.  

As always I enjoyed your broadcast.  It was aired quite late here in California because of the President but I caught it on the Web a little earlier.  

Have a great evening and see you tomorrow night.

Ginni, Hayward, CA (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:09 AM)

Who is representing the small GM Bondholders??

I fell like the Mom/Pops of bondholders are being taken advantage of with no voice in these negioations??

Daryl Williams (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:43 AM)

Brian,

When I was a kid, parents were first discovering regular 8 and super 8 cameras. Because they were moving pictures, photographers felt as if they had to move the camera, instead of just letting it follow the people who were moving. The result was jumpy, junky film that is nearly impossible to watch.

Last night, NBC had so much junk on the screen that I changed the channel, looking for a station not obsessed with graphics. Just because you can impose graphics on a screen does not make it necessary.

Let the viewer watch without all that useless stuff in the way.  It would be greatly appreciated.

Don Baack

Don Baack, Pittsburg, KS (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:23 PM)

Brian - Like you I was fascinated by the question asked by Jeff and also by the answer given by the President.  Good work from both of them and very informative and another interesting insight into  the psyche of this President.

Joan Chapman, Cheshire, CT. (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:31 PM)

I really appreciate being informed and up to date about the swine flu, but what happened to the coverage of the illegal drug trade from Mexico to the United States?

Concerned Citizen, GA (Sent Thursday, April 30, 2009 7:34 PM)

Brian,

I am 60 years old and not a big fan of blogs, although I understand their purpose in today's society. I do, however, thoroughly enjoy reading yours. You have a gift for condensing the salient points of the stories that you cover in a very readable format.
I'm a fan of President Obama but I'm troubled that the title of his office is often left out during newscasts. He isn't referred to as "President Obama" so much as he is Barack or Obama. Perhaps it is the relaxed posture of his administration.

Dale Curless (Sent Friday, May 01, 2009 12:59 PM)

Dale Curless,
I absolutely agree. Our President has earned the title
to be called the PRESIDENT of The Great USA. He should by no means be called Obama or Barack without the true prefix title of PRESIDENT. He has more Presidential qualities than Bush or Cheney could ever have even for the two put together. They did not even
deserve the titles they had. Those two had created chaios havic fear and financial struggles for so many
over the greed and selfishness they sided with on big banks etc.

Charles Anthony, Greensboro, NC (Sent Saturday, May 16, 2009 7:49 PM)



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