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.

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Comments

We know what you meant Luke - and we're rooting for ya! :)

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

Luke you were right - smart people will vote for Obama. Stupid people will vote for McCain. I'm talking to you, Ohio.

Sarah (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 11:09 AM)

You were right the first time. The smart kids from UVA will vote for Obama. The others, a small number, will waste their vote on McCain

mgrfin (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 2:31 PM)

Were your comments earlier Obama-leaning? Perhaps. I was more upset by the fact that you were standing in front of a crowd of cheering William and Mary students, and yet had the nerve to declare that all the smartest kids in the state of Virginia attend UVa. Apparently Williamsburg was only relevant to today's discussion as a visual representation to NBC's "battleground" metaphor, and not as a home of higher learning just as distinguished as Charlottesville. We at the College frankly found your remarks rather offensive.

Joe Kessler, Williamsburg, Virginia (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 3:57 PM)

"Remember, the smartest kids in the state go there." Not exactly true, Luke. The smartest kids in the state go to either UVA or the College of William and Mary, which you happened to be less than a mile away from when you made that comment. Extremely disrespectful.

William and Mary (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 3:59 PM)

Hey Luke-- How about the College of William and Mary?!?! The show was being broadcast less than a mile away from the 300+ year old campus

Joe, NJ (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:03 PM)

When your right, your right! No need to apoligize!

Tim, Ft. Myers FL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:08 PM)

UVA? Luke Russert was standing less than mile from the College of William and Mary...why was he talking about UVA????????

Jen (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:24 PM)

"the smartest kids in the state go [to UVA]"
definitely a dumb thing to say in front of william and mary students. (who are just as bright as UVA, and arguably MORE intellectual)
did you forget where you were???

i'm glad you realized your gaffe, but your statement really does nothing to apologize to those who were incredibly offended by your remark.

Katie, New York, NY (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:36 PM)

You're standing in front of William and Mary and you start talking about U. Va? I think that's a bigger mistake.

Go Tribe, Williamsburg, VA. (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 7:07 PM)

Luke,
We know it's hard to be impartial and always hold your tongue - sometimes the truth slips out. Who could blame you for that.

I think it would be hard for college students to cast a ballot for McCain and Palin knowing that they really are planning to take the country in the wrong direction. McCain didn't even read the 2 page Paulson plan on the financial crisis and Palin seems to be completely unable to answer even softball questions that Katie Couric so carefully handed her.

I'd say you hit the nail on the head Luke. There is a direct correlation between level of education and likelihood to vote for more liberal candidates. I would not be shocked if UVA students overwhelmingly supported Obama/Biden.

Jennifer M, Atlanta, GA (Sent Friday, September 26, 2008 10:12 PM)

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