In a humorous exchange during MSNBC’s 12 p.m. ET hour coverage of President Obama rejecting the Keystone Pipeline, Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd and breaking news anchor Brian Williams mocked the idea that the long-expected decision was in any way a major new development.
Williams wondered: “...how much air time on Meet the Press this Sunday will this get?” Todd declared: “Honestly, this was a – this was one of those predictable announcements. You saw the writing on the wall. Trans-Canada saw the writing on the wall....honestly, you know, it is not a man bites dog story. This really is a dog bites man.”
In response, Williams quipped: “Alright, Chuck Todd, I’ve asked the control room to replace the breaking news graphic with ‘Predictable Announcement.’ Let's see if we have one of those in the control room.” Todd replied: “Sorry, I know. I know. ‘Developing Yesterday,’ right?”
Here is a transcript of the November 6 exchange:
12:09 PM ET
(...)
BRIAN WILLIAMS: So, Chuck, by percentage, how much of the conversation at tonight's Democratic forum do you think this will take up and a question closer to home for you, how much do you think – how much air time on Meet the Press this Sunday will this get?
CHUCK TODD: Honestly, this was a – this was one of those predictable announcements. You saw the writing on the wall. Trans-Canada saw the writing on the wall. I imagine it's a very small thing other than I suspect Bernie Sanders is gonna say, “I was there before anybody else was on Keystone,” and he clearly wants to try to drive a wedge a little bit with Hillary Clinton, saying she's been a, you know, a Hillary-come-lately when it comes to the progressive movement. Sanders was with you when it mattered and when it was not popular and when it was less cool. So that's how I expect it to come up tonight. As for Sunday, honestly, you know, it is not a man bites dog story. This really is a dog bites man.
WILLIAMS: Alright, Chuck Todd, I’ve asked the control room to replace the breaking news graphic with “Predictable Announcement.”
TODD: Sorry, I know.
WILLIAMS: Let's see if we have one of those in the control room.
TODD: I know. “Developing Yesterday,” right?
WILLIAMS: Chuck, thank you. We will be watching nonetheless Sunday morning. We’ll probably talk to you along the way first.
TODD: Yes, sir.
(...)
