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NBC's Todd Desperately Tries to Spin 30% Seeing Country on Right Track as Good News

By Kyle Drennen | January 26, 2012 | 16:08

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In a vain attempt to justify President Obama's claim that "America is back," on Wednesday's NBC Nightly News, chief White House correspondent Chuck Todd excitedly announced to viewers: "In our new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, improvement in three key categories seems to indicate the statistical green shoots about the economy is now actually penetrating the American psyche."

So what stunning reversal of public sentiment did the new poll reveal? Here it is: "The big number, of course, is whether the country is headed in the right direction. In December, it was 22%. Now it shot up seven [eight] points to 30%. That's a one-year high." The graphic on screen showed that 61% of Americans still believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction.

Todd further touted approval of Obama's handling of the economy now standing at 45%, with 50% disapproval, and those believing the economy would improve in the next year being at 37%, having "shot up" from 30%. He made sure to emphasize those number were also "one-year highs."

Introducing the supposedly "surprising" numbers, anchor Brian Williams declared they "couldn't come at a more critical time." Todd concluded the segment with some wishful thinking disguised as analysis: "Brian, as you know, if this shift in public opinion on the economy continues and it's coupled with actual improvement, that's the presidential game-changer that both the Republicans have to deal with."

In contrast to Todd's overly optimistic appraisal, on Thursday's Today, co-host Matt Lauer put this question to Tom Brokaw: "You know, during the State of the Union address, the president said that, 'Anyone who tells you that America is in decline doesn't know what they're talking about'....I've seen numbers as high as 64%, Tom, saying, 'No, we're on the wrong track.' Does the president need to be more realistic with that subject?"

In response, Brokaw grasped for anything positive: "Well, I think what he's talking about are the fundamentals. It is still, the underlying economy is stronger than any other in the world....We have rule of law. We've got a great education system, even though it's troubled."

Apparently the bar for success has gotten so low that simply not abandoning "the rule of law" is now seen as an accomplishment.

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Here is a full transcript of the January 25 report:

7:11PM ET

BRIAN WILLIAMS: But there is more, to our political director and chief White House correspondent Chuck Todd we go. He's in our Washington bureau tonight. Chuck, you have new polling numbers and it couldn't come at a more critical time.

CHUCK TODD: And they were quite surprising, which is why we're bringing them to you a little bit earlier than normal. For the last six months, government and Wall Street data has indicated that the economy is improving. Drop in unemployment rate, of course, is the most publically noticeable figure. But during those same six months, the public has not indicated they've been feeling the improvement, at least when asked by folks like us in the polls.

That is until now. In our new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, improvement in three key categories seems to indicate the statistical green shoots about the economy is now actually penetrating the American psyche. The big number, of course, is whether the country is headed in the right direction. In December, it was 22%. Now it shot up seven points to 30% [61% wrong track]. That's a one-year high. When it comes to President Obama's handling of the economy, last month it was under 40%, a dreadful number. Today, 45% [50% disapprove]. Again, a one-year high. And what about the idea of what the economy's going to do in the next 12 months? A month ago, 30% thought it would get better. Now it shot up to 37%. Again, Brian, a one-year high.

Brian, as you know, if this shift in public opinion on the economy continues and it's coupled with actual improvement, that's the presidential game-changer that both the Republicans have to deal with.

WILLIAMS: Alright, interesting new numbers tonight. Chuck Todd, thank you for that.

About the Author

Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow Kyle Drennen on Twitter.
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Comments

It sounds more realistic when

Submitted by celator on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 4:41pm.

It sounds more realistic when you say "70 percent of Americans polled say the country is in the ditch. And they are mighty ticked off about it." That's what has the White House in full flop-sweat mode and shaking in their Birkenstocks.

"This is not your mother's Democratic Party"--Andrew Breitbart, CPAC, February 2012
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saw this last night

Submitted by ladeflippinda on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 4:54pm.

My wife and I watched this last night and we both agreed how in bed NBC was with the White House. If this had been a Republican president, the reporter would have been throwing dirt on the cadaver say this dog is done.

Ladflippinda Republicans added to the debt too.
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Yes great news more vacancies for the occultopiers

Submitted by upcountrywater on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 5:12pm.

2011 worst year ever for new home sales, Commerce Department says

You Didn't Build That.

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Well it is good news

Submitted by ohio granny on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 6:11pm.

It is good news just not in the way Chuck Todd meant. It is good news that 70 percent of the people are not buying the lies of the MSM and democRats. Maybe there is hope that the democRats will be wiped out in Nov. 2012.

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You have to realize

Submitted by KornKing on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 6:34pm.

To these idiots, it is good news

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those numbers

Submitted by jimtrees on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 10:55pm.

Are as crooked as the nose on Brian's face.

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No sample size?

Submitted by ConservaSerb on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 4:03am.

9 Democommies, 5 independents, 3 moderate, self-identified "Republicans." Like . . . ummmm .. . Joe Scarborough?



A wise & frugal government, which shall leave men free 2 regulate their own pursuits of industry & improvement, & shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government. T. Jefferson
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Interesting new numbers tonight

Submitted by DemsRFascists on Fri, 01/27/2012 - 6:03am.

WILLIAMS: Alright, interesting new numbers tonight...

Yes, and those 'new' numbers were '30', '45' and '37'...fascinating.

His Powerball (Approval) Number is still rather low, but we here at NBC News are doing all we can to raise it...

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