A statement from Luke Russert

Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:36 AM by Carrie Dann
Filed Under: Luke Russert

From NBC's Luke Russert
Earlier this morning on the Today Show I misspoke and made what is without a doubt, quite simply a dumb comment.

Matt Lauer talked about UVA being a smart school and whether or not it could be considered a microcosm of Virginia at large. I said UVA had a lot of smart kids and so the school was leaning Obama.

Video: NBC’s Luke Russert goes to the University of Virginia to find out how the students there plan on voting this election.

I MEANT to say that many of the kids who go to UVA are from affluent, highly educated households who are leaning Obama and hence their kids lean Obama. Plenty of smart college kids will vote for John McCain from UVA, and plenty of smart kids go to Virginia Tech or George Mason and they, too, could end up being big Obama voters.

Today was one of my first lessons in the perils of live television...lesson learned.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

How many time will we have to endure the lies and treachery of John McCain and Palin? How many distortions of truth will they blure? How many "fear mongering adds must we endure--before Americans, good Americans, disclaim him and his acidly eroded values, morals, and distilled "sense of honor"?

He has snubed the Media with what he calls the "bigger truth." That he plays to win at all costs. Why, I believe he would sell his mother's soul to win this election, and then he would send the rest of us to a firey pit without a second thought of concious, without a drop of spent breath, without one single tear in his dry, near-dead eyes.

McCain followers, it is time to stop being mislead lambs when your shepard is in fact "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," far too many times.

Ofcourse, there will always be people who are just too ignorant, and just too racist to care.

But it doesn't matter if you are Democrat or Republican when the truth is at stake.

I refuse to follow a liar, and a man without character! I refuse to follow John McCain!

Obama is now the only choice that makes any sense!

Andress (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:42 AM)

You got it right the first time Luke. Smart people go for Obama. No need to correct yourself.

Kenneth, Arlington, VA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:44 AM)

I got a chuckle out of that...I knew where you were headed with it, though. Kudos for stepping up and admitting the flub! Keep up the great work, you've brought some unique insight to the race.

Drew, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:45 AM)

OMG, TEAM MCCAIN MUST HAVE GOTTEN TO HIM!

Obama/Biden '08!

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:46 AM)

Hey, Luke.....what about your gaffe last month (reporting from the Democratic Convention floor) when you said "young people can "stomach" voting for an African American more so than older people". My husband and I both heard you say it, and even went back (through the magic of DVR) to make sure we heard you right..........we did. I'd say that should have been your first lesson in the perils of live television. Surely, my husband and I weren't the only 2 people who heard it.

Janice, Kettering, OH (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:47 AM)

"Plenty of smart college kids will vote for John McCain from UVA..."

Well, they may get good grades and they may be smart, but voting for McCain is a pretty dumb thing to do.

E-A-G-L-E-S! EAGLES! EAGLES! EAGLES!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:47 AM)

Definitely right the first time, Luke. From the mouths of babes...

Sarah, Brooklyn, NY (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:48 AM)

You were right the first time. No smart person could vot for I wasa a P.O.W., deregulator, maverick, lobby pocketed McCain.

Candi (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:48 AM)

Luke I understand your feeling to apologize for the statement. But Brother your statement was right. God bless you and your mom. I thought your pops was the best. You will do fine just keep up the effort of being fair.It is a sad day when Political campaigns jump and seize on every word of the media and their opponents. But slime has won the past two generals so I guess McBush is just following suit.

Brian M De (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:49 AM)

It would probably be fair to say that college students nationwide are leaning towards Obama/Biden. I commend young Russert for confronting his mistake...which would be easy to do in that venue. I'd like to hear his opinion on the villification of the press by certain RNC people and bubbling Gov. Palin.

bill, okla (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:50 AM)

All part of the growth process, Luke. You are more mature then some twice your age, keep up the good work. I'm sure your father is beaming down with pride!

Belinda, Pearland, TX (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:51 AM)

Being a UVa grad (Coll 78), you were right the first time Luke. Smart kids at Jefferson's University are supporting Obama in overwhelming numbers.
There are no smart kids at UVa or any other college supporting McCain.

Walt, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:51 AM)

Gotta agree with Kenneth on this one. :)

But seriously, great job, Luke!

Linda, Austin, TX (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:53 AM)

Sorry Luke, you had it right the first time...only the easily cconned and poorly educated are likely to vote for the Palin-Mccain ticket...

Rick, NC (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:53 AM)

smart people knew what you meant

Get Smart (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:53 AM)

Thanks for the correction Luke.

BTW: ... Yes, a misstep but I think many folks understood it just didn't come out right at the time.

Libratine (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:54 AM)

I wonder if the McCain campaign is desperate and foolish enough to try to seize on this as more "proof" that the media is in the tank for Obama.

Don't sweat it, Luke.

Arthur Lange, Hoboken, NJ (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:54 AM)

"Chip of the block"

No need to apologize Luke, like your father your truth comes spontaneously!!!

Charles Upper Marlboro MD (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:54 AM)

Thanks Luke, no harm done. You clarified your statement just fine (your Dad would be proud).

Warwick, NY (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:55 AM)

Keeping an eye on newsbusters Luke? Don't get caught up in the bubble of the media who will one day be looked back on as no better than the media who ran cover for the klan in the south.

Dave, Tn (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:55 AM)

Hey Luke, you could have said, "Smart people IN GENERAL are voting for Obama."

Only the brain-dead are voting for four more years of Republican failure/comedy.

Erik, Mechanicsburg, PA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:55 AM)

Luke the very fact you said “leaning Obama” is a smart thing. Republican McCain is chairman of the Commerce Committee and a staunch, supporter of deregulation; and has been in Washington for 26 years. Suddenly, Republican McCain is for regulation; now with Rich Davis revelation plenty of smart college kids will vote for Obama.
The Republican McCain has awakened Republicans that THE SOUP LINE WILL NOT BE SEGMENTED!!! Wake up Catholics, independents, people voting on skin tone, and older voters.

There will be NO BLANK CHECK.
Enough glossing over!
No way!
No how!
No McCain/Palin!
Nobody but Obama/Biden

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:55 AM)

We know what you meant Luke. :-)

But it is true that if a person actually looks at the issues, wants our nation to be better and would like for it to be respected around the world, and vote for the best person, regardless of their race or age,

rather than war lovers filled with hateful, divisive insults

That would be a SMART person...

Obama & Biden 08/12

p.s. We all miss your Dad.

S, Indy (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:55 AM)

hahaha you said it right the first time! your freudian slip was nothing, but the TRUTH

happy, boston, ma (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:56 AM)

Smart people will vote Obama.
Dumb people will vote McCain.
Question...are there more smart people than dumb people in America? Judging by the tight race, it appears that just less than half of America is clearly dumb!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:56 AM)

Smart kids lead to smart adults. Luke, now your on TV got to be polically correct.

The truth is, the polls show a clear advantage that Obama has among youth overall as well as college educated citizen across this country.

Smart kids are leaning toward Obama. Apparently smart adults are too!!!

James C., Arizona (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:56 AM)

This is way Luke should get a real job independent of his NBC family. He needs to cut his teeth somewhere that his bosses and audience will hold him accountable and let him fail and succeed on his own. Tim Russert would not be happy about the easy break his own son is getting. Tim was all about earning your own way in the world.

David, Baltimore, MD (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:58 AM)

Your doing a good job Luke. Your dad would be proud.

It was just a "Freudian slip".

LU, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:58 AM)

What (behind the scenes) backs up Luke's statement is the Wash Post Poll that shows:

"Whites without college degrees favor McCain by 17 points, while those with college degrees support Obama by 9 points."

It's just a quote, don't flame me... :)

Steven, Highlands Ranch, CO (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:58 AM)

I live in Charlottesville and attend UVA grad school. I would say about 75% to 80% of people here in Charlottesville are supporting Obama, so you were right.

Matt, Charlottesville, VA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:59 AM)

What about colleges in Indiana? I would love to see you visit our state & get a feel for which way our college students are leaning. I have a daughter at Ball state who tells me she has always been for Obama.

Sandy, Indiana (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:00 AM)

Dear Luke,
You made only a partial gaffe. I don't think that you disparaged the other Va schools. Also, I think you made a good case for the UVA campus as representative of national trends argument well. SIDE NOTE: My wife and I used to hang out with your dad at Nanny's. He was always very proud of you. You are doing him proud now. One thing, wear suits more and get a haircut.

Casey, Hoboken, NJ (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:00 AM)

Kudos to you Luke! You are still doing much better than many seasoned journalists. You have been pretty good, so I am sure we will all forgive that mis-speak.

Yola, CT (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:01 AM)

Great job Luke. It is terrific to see someone with NBC admit to a mistake, although I certainly don't consider this a huge one.

Greg Evans, GA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:01 AM)

Luke, those interested in truth and justice understood exactly what you meant. Unfortunately we are living in a climate where the parsing of each words uttered has become useless pasttime of those who have no real issues to defend.

Keep up the great work. I had a love affair with your father that included a cup of coffee and the Sunday newspaper every Sunday at 10:00. I miss him deeply and would love to hear what he'd have to say about the "Bubble ensconced Palin".

Joy for Obama, Virginia (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:02 AM)

This kid is the best of what America has to offer. He is so much like his dad. Decent and Honest. I hope he goes really far with NBC because he's a voice that I think the American people can trust. As much as I miss Tim Russert, I'm loving having a Luke Russert to hear from. What a class act! and how smart of NBC to see what they have. Tim is definitely smiling down at his son on NBC.

Dede (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:02 AM)

Where's the error, Luke?

We love you, man!

Steve in Portland (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:02 AM)

Hey Luke,
You were right the first time. I graduated UVA law and the smart kids are voting Obama. Thanks for keeping it real.

Allie (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:02 AM)

Luke, no apology needed when speaking the truth. The truth is that most intelligent college educated people are voting for Obama while the high school dropout crowd votes for McCain.

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:02 AM)

Luke, you are a credit to your parents and your profession. Welcome to the big leagues!! You are doing great. As long as you maintain your current level of integrity, I predict a long and well admired media career for you!

Susan in SC (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:03 AM)

I'm depending on the young people to help take our country back in November. Too bad that some of the "oldsters" are so hatefilled and set in their ways that they are willing to vote McCain.

OBAMA/BIDEN, 2008!

KJ, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:04 AM)

Luke - your dad would be so proud! Smart = Obama

Obamamama - Glenwood, IL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:04 AM)

Luke: Thanks for clearing up your misstatement, even though I liked it more before you cleared it up. Just wanted to say, I think you sure are doing a great job at MSNBC. Keep up the good reporting. Good luck to you always, Luke. You so remind me of your Father.

Cheryl Wilson (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:04 AM)

Of course intelligent college kids are going to
vote for Obama.
They see what the republican party has done to
their future. Almost destroyed it.
They see opportunities, goals evaporate because
of the republicans irresponsible, criminal
policies.
They see debts they will be responsible for,
for decades to come due to unfunded, thoughtless
leadership.
They have inherited diasters.

katiec Pekin, IL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:04 AM)

Ha Luke - you are doing fine.

You do your father and MSNBC - proud.

Hang in there.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:04 AM)

Let's face it, most college students are investing in their future by attending college, and many of them are accruing debt in the process. They want to know that their investment in the future isn't squandered by the Corruptlicans, and thus support Obama and his message of change, hope, fairness, world-leadership, clean-environment, etc.
Yes, smart people vote Obama.

Justin, Smyrna, GA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:04 AM)

It's a shame such a comment requires any clarification.

Though..... when one considers how incredibly dumb many of John McCain's policies have been I suppose it's a reasonable assumption to believe most of his supporters aren't too bright.

Linda Montgomery, AL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:05 AM)

We all make mistakes Luke we are human. But it take's a real one to face up and admit it.McCain is a lier.

Steve,TX (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:05 AM)

If these students and people in VA are smart they will be voting McCain, Why would they vote in Ayers and Wright aka Obama

American Proud (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:06 AM)

No Luke, you stated it correctly and smart people understand what you meant.

Taylor (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:08 AM)

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