NBC anchor Brian Williams has never been shy about how amazed he is by Barack Obama. But it is really "unbelievable" to be in the White House hallway while Obama walks by munching on M&Ms? In a brief Monday Washington Post article by Howard Kurtz promoting NBC’s latest Inside the White House special with the candy-munching president, Williams couldn’t keep the gush in check:
"There's stuff we've never seen of how the White House operates," he says. "We were pretty stunned at how much we were able to record and how natural events seemed to be."
He recalls "walking through the West Wing and Secretary Clinton drops by to see the president. To be in the hallway when the president walks by with a handful of M&Ms, popping them in his mouth as he goes to visit his chief of staff -- it was unbelievable. I don't think the expression 'took up residence' is hyperbolic." He also spent time with Michelle Obama and went out for burgers with the president.
Such specials are part of a 40-year NBC tradition, but Williams had to make the sale, a lobbying effort that began before the election. Chief of staff Rahm Emanuel allowed the network to record some senior staff meetings but, says Williams, "Rahm closed the door in front of our crew eight times."
While such behind-the-scenes programs tend to be positive, Williams hopes to highlight the sacrifice involved in the demanding jobs so viewers "will see White House aides as people. There's emotion in it, pathos, personality."
NBC’s previous hour-long specials inside the White House have been generally greeted with more skepticism, that NBC is selling out its independence a bit to gain access. See how much more skeptical both Kurtz and Tom Brokaw seem in the Post of January 21, 2002, when George W. Bush granted access:
Tom Brokaw knew George W. Bush was putting on a show.
"It goes without saying that they don't wake up and say, 'Oh, my God. NBC is coming!' " Brokaw says. "They obviously arranged a very full day for him."
Brokaw spent last Thursday hanging with Bush, Dick Cheney, Condi Rice and the gang for an NBC special that was supposed to have been taped Sept. 18. Events intervened, and the anchor got to see the White House on a war footing -- which, as it turns out, helps explain why the president chose this moment to let the NBC crews in.
"They're concerned about the public drifting away from the mission of the war," Brokaw says. "This was an opportunity for them to kick-start it, to keep the country refocused."
George Bush may be no Martin Sheen, but he knows how to play to the cameras. "Inside the Real West Wing," which airs Wednesday night before the fictional version, will show Bush "in a pretty commanding fashion," Brokaw says.
What happens in these ventures might be best described as mutual manipulation. NBC needs access to assemble an hour-long narrative that can be sold to advertisers; the White House team gets to reach millions by staging day-long events while pretending that the camera operators and sound technicians aren't there.
Kurtz noticed that Bush was pressed on the notion that the press had gone easy on him:
Bush laughed at the notion that the press has gone easy on him during the war, arguing that he got roughed up over civilian casualties in Afghanistan and the initial lack of military progress, Brokaw recalls.
The political war over Enron was also a hot topic. "They were not overly defensive," Brokaw says of administration officials. "They've obviously got their message and they're working on it."
At the time, Brokaw praised the White House for being "very well run," which isn’t quite as positive as finding M&M munching an "unbelievable" sight.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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Comments Policy
It can now be said -- Brian
June 1, 2009 - 14:08 ET by ThisnThatIt can now be said -- Brian Williams wants to bear Obama's baby.
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Liberals constantly demand that we accept a glaring falsehood as truth; Obama's elimination of the word "terror" will make terrorist acts less terrifying
Nah, he just wants the
June 1, 2009 - 15:22 ET by mattmNah, he just wants the sex. In the event of an unplanned pregnancy, I'm sure B.O. won't punish him with a baby.
OBAMA: SAYS...BUT NOT DOES
June 1, 2009 - 19:42 ET by reelman46OBAMA: SAYS…BUT NOT DOES
OBAMA ON BBC:
But he (Obama) stressed: “Democracy, rule of law, freedom of speech,
freedom of religion — those are not simply principles of the West to be
hoisted on these countries, but rather what I believe to be universal
principles that they can embrace and affirm as part of their national
identity.”
Obama said he would be “encouraging” countries on his trip to
promote these values, but added: “I think the thing that we can do most
importantly is serve as a good role model.
CRAWFISH NOTE: Now explain to us dim Americans just how you (Obama) have promoted these values.
By protecting ACORN-Black Panther thugs in the voting-intimidation corruption?
By opposing any voter ID?
By making Czars on his own when we have Congress and gov-meant departments?
By not sealing our borders?
By taking over banks and companies while claiming you are not?
By having stooges plot to destroy talk radio that challenges your secular socialist practices?
By opposing religious freedom by private hospitals to refuse stopping heartbeats in the womb?
Tell us all how you are “embracing and affirming” these principles. We are still waiting. Still waiting.
As the suckers applaud the lying Dufus continues on and on with “newspeak”.
Doug Schexnayder, Ph.D. (theconservativecrawfish)
Brian: "They melt in your mouth, not your ass"
June 1, 2009 - 14:09 ET by SickofLibsOut: Presidential jelly beans ala Reagan.
In: Presidential M&Ms ala Obama. Infinitely cooler.
Reagans jelly beans
June 1, 2009 - 15:56 ET by BronxBomberThat's what immediately came to mind and how Reagan was castigated for setting such a poor example by eating the "evil unhealthy" Jelly Beans...
M&M's will now considered health food and be found on all the hip vegan menus in the Village and in San Francisco...<:~)
We gotta find a new planet...
They'll be renamed O --
June 1, 2009 - 16:31 ET by ThisnThatThey'll be renamed O -- M -- Gs, for Oh My God treats blessed by the messiah.
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Liberals constantly demand that we accept a glaring falsehood as truth; Obama's elimination of the word "terror" will make terrorist acts less terrifying
Now thats funny
June 1, 2009 - 16:30 ET by jacktheripperBrian: "They melt in your mouth, not your ass"
Williams
June 1, 2009 - 14:14 ET by well99"He recalls "walking through the West Wing and Secretary Clinton drops by to see the president. To be in the hallway when the president walks by with a handful of M&Ms, popping them in his mouth as he goes to visit his chief of staff -- it was unbelievable."
Is this pathetic or what.OMG the messiah ate M&M's.Lets make the day a national holiday.Ooohhh Brian sounds giddy as a school girl.This dude needs to get a grip on his man love.He is suppose to be a professional.
MSNBC is a joke, literally
June 1, 2009 - 16:31 ET by kg"DumbAssity of Dope"
kg
June 1, 2009 - 16:37 ET by well99I agree with you.Reminds me when I was kid watching cartoons.Except the cartoons were more believable.
As for me, I'm about ready
June 1, 2009 - 14:17 ET by Chris NormanAs for me, I'm about ready to lose my M&Ms...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Raping the rain forests for coca beans
June 1, 2009 - 14:19 ET by sevenNot green at so many levels.
Recycle
June 1, 2009 - 14:21 ET by MaytagWilliams and company probably kneel in the hallway waiting for the recycled product. Their heads go so far up his anal canal it is the only way to get nourishment..
Now Just Imagine
June 1, 2009 - 14:39 ET by TuariJust imagine what Williams would of reported if he was at a White House Bathroom urinal and Obama walks right up next to him.
"We were pretty stunned at how much we were able to record and how natural events seemed to be."
Is Jeff Corwin going to narrate a special with the denizens of the White House in their natural habitat soon?
Who can make the Sunshine?
June 1, 2009 - 14:47 ET by bigtimerI'm amazed that Williams is amazed.
Where has he been...everybody knows 'O' is 'The Candy-Man'.
Btw...as far as this two part special goes...who in the world is going to watch this but the die hard leftists...and some on the right that have to.
Cheney & Cheney are going to be on Fox tonight...we here are looking very forward to watching that.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Food!
June 1, 2009 - 14:52 ET by blazermaniacI know that this may sound harsh, but how about if Obama ate Williams! These two bozos can have each other. NBC is just a pathetic joke!
Yep, another love story
June 1, 2009 - 15:00 ET by Scuba DudeYep, another love story from the SCM.
I think Brian needs to wipe off his chin. It looks like Bambi left a little deposit there.
The Obama Administration: THE most fiscally irresponsible Administration EVER
Were they plain or
June 1, 2009 - 14:58 ET by Another Dead KennedyWere they plain or peanut?
Or almond? Or peanut butter?
Were they Christmas themed, or Easter themed, or Halloween themed, or Valentine's Day themed, or White House themed?
What colors did he eat? Which colors didn't he eat?
What is President Obama's favorite M&M color to eat?
Helluva report there, Bri. Details next time.
No doubt it will be yet another....
June 1, 2009 - 15:20 ET by Prester John...."compelling" story courtesy of the BHO administration.
Aw shucks and gee whiz,
June 1, 2009 - 14:58 ET by d1carterAw shucks and gee whiz, Brian...
Obama
June 1, 2009 - 15:04 ET by UphillJust regular folk.
Eating-SFW
June 1, 2009 - 15:07 ET by slickwillie2001If the topic is the Bamster's eating, this is my favorite posting: Activism Wasn't the Only Thing Barack Experimented With in College: http://www.aconservativelesbian.com
Cool!
June 1, 2009 - 15:32 ET by SickofLibsHe can unhinge his lower jaw just like Tingles to engulf really big 'prey.'
Williams is a wimp
June 1, 2009 - 15:32 ET by Edward CropperHe recalls crawling through the West Wing on his hands and knees
would probably be a more accurate account of his climactic thrill.
Kim Jong Ill hero worship
June 1, 2009 - 15:40 ET by George S PattonKim Jong Ill hero worship at it's finest, stilling waiting to hear about what they find in obama's unflushed toilet, gold? Food for the masses?
Hey, that's no M&M he's
June 1, 2009 - 15:41 ET by Another Dead KennedyHey, that's no M&M he's eating in the photo!
It looks more like the pres is eating a chocolate truffle.
those weren't M&M's...
June 1, 2009 - 15:55 ET by UndercoverConservativesome joker convinced the Prez that those were 'chocolate covered peanuts' dropped outside in the park by the deer trails....
http://www.patrickfm...
WWW.GS2AC.COM. 2nd Amendment Grass Roots Action in the Bay Area, CA. We're not all "Breakfast Cereal" folks here! :)
Brian Williams
June 1, 2009 - 16:38 ET by jacktheripperonly eats the light brown ones
Undercover
June 1, 2009 - 16:52 ET by NorthCoasterSo, how is it that jelly beans are delivered by the Easter Bunny?
Faux News
June 1, 2009 - 16:38 ET by NorthCoasterBrain this is just so much Faux News. Why don't you do a real story about something like "How the Chrysler Dealer Hit List Was Generated".
Oh, I'm sorry, that wasn't on the list of talking points passed out last week by the Great "O".
Does "O" stand for Orator? Ummmm, Uhhhh, Welllll, Uhhhh ...... guess not.
"Pay no attention to the man behind the screen" Wizard of OZ
If the republicans had a
June 1, 2009 - 16:49 ET by eaglewingz08If the republicans had a commercial of Obama eating M&Ms would that be racists (black man eating chocolate how vile). Is the thrust of the story that a black man can walk and eat M&Ms at the same time? Isn't that racist too? What next, Obama can tie his shoelaces? Obama can sign his name?
This material should be XXX
June 1, 2009 - 16:48 ET by Lord ErondThe title should be "White men who swallow black sausage, starring Brian Williams"
Unbelievable.
"Let him who would move the world, first move himself." -Socrates
"We sit together, the mountain and I, until only the mountain remains." -Li Po
Dude...again with the gay
June 1, 2009 - 16:50 ET by CacciatoDude...again with the gay porn? Really?
You just can't control yourself can you?
Lol I didn't realize anyone paid attention to what I write
June 1, 2009 - 16:54 ET by Lord ErondBut you gotta admit, this is so completely gay in its Obama worship....
"Let him who would move the world, first move himself." -Socrates
"We sit together, the mountain and I, until only the mountain remains." -Li Po
It's definitely annoying
June 1, 2009 - 16:58 ET by CacciatoIt's definitely annoying and bizarre on Williams' part.
But you have to admit that constant posts about weiners might come off as being a little gay. Seems like everytime I read your posting there's some reference to dudes' appendages.
Makes me wonder
June 2, 2009 - 01:06 ET by RR GOPMakes me wonder though...how long until we're treated to the dreaded speculation on what kinds of condoms the Dear Couple use...or don't use. Plus other gritty details of contraception, kinks, positions, frequency, etc.
As things get worse, and the Libtards are looking both for distraction from stark reality and their advancing BHO-induced schizophrenia, you know stuff like that's going to come out. Oh, and it will be justified as a 'frank conversation concerning the President's sexuality.'
Think about it...we know about JFK-Monroe, Johnson doesn't count, Carter lusting after Patti McGuire, Clinton and Too Many To Mention, whereas Republican presidents are sexless...and that explains to the amateur Libtard psychologists galore what is wrong with Conservatives, etc.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).
when... when will this end?
June 1, 2009 - 16:52 ET by katainkent___________________________________________
Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past - George Orwell - 1984
Can we get Brian Williams e-mail address?
June 1, 2009 - 16:53 ET by Lord ErondThis isn't journalism. It's vomit. When this guy should be reporting on serious issues, he's deep throating the POTUS with this diabetic inducing fluff piece. Next he'll be writing about how he swooned when Obama wiped his a-- with fluffy Charmin toilet paper.
This guy needs to be removed. All these Obama sucking journalists need to be out. There are no more journalistic ethics any more. They are hurting the country BIG TIME.
"Let him who would move the world, first move himself." -Socrates
"We sit together, the mountain and I, until only the mountain remains." -Li Po
What do you LOVE about the Obamas?
June 1, 2009 - 16:55 ET by Chris NormanThe Obamas are sophisticated - they're down home. They're intellectual - they're street smart. He's a statesman - he's the consummate poltician. They're sexy - they're old fashioned sweethearts. He's soaringly eloquent - he's plain spoken. He has sophisticated tastes - he eats M&Ms. They're swingers - they're the all American family! He's liberal - he's conservative! He's just everything you want him to be! They're just everything you want them to be! Literally.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
What a waste
June 1, 2009 - 17:13 ET by b4m4wyI am just amazed at how much the media gushes at what he eats, when he eats, where he eats. Can someone explain what the big deal is? We are going to have left overs tonight. Should I send the press a picture of day old pizza???
Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.
Ronald Reagan
It depends. Did you have
June 1, 2009 - 19:38 ET by Tom PaineIt depends. Did you have your pizza flown in from St Louis?
Fools
June 1, 2009 - 17:17 ET by RousseWas Brian Williams always a fool or was it a slow, insidious eating-away of his brain that came from reading a teleprompter?
Williams has always kissed
June 1, 2009 - 20:48 ET by nadadhimmiWilliams has always kissed Obama's ***. To do anything less would "prove" to the socialist elite that he is a RACIST. Career over.
I WOULD RATHER.........
June 1, 2009 - 18:01 ET by totsotvaitnwatch the following.:
Paint dry
A Fly crawl up a wall
The weather channel
Pothead POTUS
June 1, 2009 - 18:08 ET by FuzzyLeeM&M's are a good way to tamp down the munchies. Maybe Williams is so very impressed because POTUS is sharing his stash. This could explain a lot of the sillyness that has been going on around the WH.
He had to put something in his stomach
June 1, 2009 - 19:38 ET by gopcongressThat $28,000 date with Michelle was going to take a lot of his time between meals.
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Moderate... Democrat... Liberal... Progressive... Socialist... Communist—The progression is clear as day.
NBC: National Brokeback Channel
June 1, 2009 - 19:48 ET by tomchrisSeriously folks. This is getting beyond bad. A trillion dollars in debt..., the nationalizing of the auto industry via billions of wasted TARP..., our Treasury Security becoming the laughing stock of (gulp) China..., and what amazes Brian William? M and freakin' M's.
You know what they say about
June 1, 2009 - 20:44 ET by nadadhimmiYou know what they say about M&M's, Just like Chrissy Matthews, Williams now melts in the Presidents mouth, and in his hand too. And the msm wonders why their ratings continue to fall through the floor. More and more people are just getting fed up to the gills with this bias and sycophantic, disgustingly submissive behavior.
Will miss M&M's...
June 1, 2009 - 21:16 ET by Georgia GirlWell, that did it for me. Now I no longer feel like eating M&M's.
GET A ROOM
June 1, 2009 - 21:20 ET by carolina09You know, this horndog gushing by ostensibly hetero men is downright pornographic, even gender-bending. Or is Williams bisexual? And it's even more grotesque that the president seems to enjoy it and encourage it.
Brian the Fraud Williams.
June 1, 2009 - 23:29 ET by blazermaniacDoes Brian Williams get that "Tingling Feeling" in his leg? That blithering idiot needs to get away from TV and join his "mancrush" in the White House. Williams is a douchebag!
Next he'll be playing catch with the bust of Washington
June 2, 2009 - 07:44 ET by danebramageIn my opinion, the story here isn't Brian Williams. It's the familiarity and lack of seriousness with which Obama is treating the people's house and, by extension, the people's business. Ronald Reagan took his responsibility so seriously he wouldn't even take off his suit coat while he was working alone in the Oval Office. Compare that with Clinton and his cigar escapades and now Obama acting like he's lounging around in a bowling alley.
Sums it all up...
June 2, 2009 - 10:56 ET by Utherpendhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhhkF3dqXR0
"For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security."