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The Daily Nightly began on May 31, 2005. As Brian wrote in his first post it aims to provide a narrative of the broadcast day and a window into the editorial process at NBC Nightly News. Brian weighs in every weekday and NBC News correspondents and producers post regularly.

Brian Williams became the seventh anchor and managing editor in the history of NBC Nightly News on December 2, 2004. Read his full biography.

White House charm offensive

Nothing motivates like a 36 percent approval rating in the polls. That appears to explain the president’s expansive mood of late. You saw it in the press briefing today at the White House. Billed as a statement about the economy (it surged forward in the first quarter), it became a 35-minute press conference. The president was so eager to take questions (on everything from gas prices to Iran to voting rights) he called on one reporter twice! Not me. No, I received special treatment from the ebullient leader: when pressed on what his staff turnover said about what HE thinks he needs to do to turn his presidency around, he joked “I’m not going to hire you, if that’s what you were suggesting.” I was not. But he continued, “You can’t pass the background check.”

But seriously folks... today represented a new turn for the president, I think. New Chief of Staff Josh Bolten has ushered in an urgent charm offensive. The idea is to engage the press corps more often and more assertively. But it’s not all style. Stay tuned for more turnover in the next couple of weeks and new policy direction, too. The president’s proposals on lowering gas prices this week marked a new embrace of government intervention and environmental activism by this administration. Bush hasn’t exactly gone green, but it’s something.

This White House team may become more organized and assertive, but the president is still looking for the one thing that eludes him: a break.

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The only sour grapes I see are coming from the Gregory Bashers. It's pretty well known by everyone except two tribesmen in Borneo that Bush is not doing so well. Anyone who reports that fact gets insulted and shot at by the 36% Republican Loyalists. The lodmouths in the 36% are the real cry babies. Did your momma's forget to change your diapers? If you want to see a real smirky jerky reporter watch Joe Scarborough on MSNBC.

Just exactly what will it take for conservative Americans to drop the "hate blindfold" and see this President and Administration for who they are, regardless of the disgust they hold for the previous Administration and President? If the actions of the Bush group were to be examined without pro-Republican or anti-Liberal bias, I am convinced that this "Blame the Messanger" pattern could be converted into some positive change. The blog of David Gregory should be veiwed as just that: an opportunity to learn from someones elses educated opinion.

I don't really care how charming Bush tries to be, it is so transparent. David, you do a wonderful job.
Watched in British Columbia, Canada

Thanks David. I wouldn't say your biased because you ask the tough questions. Unlike the other Sheeple on planet Fox, you are biased because you simply ask a question. You are unafraid to toss up a softball for the pres to hit out of the park. Thank for keeping them honest.

David, you are an incredible journalist. Keep on doing your job. Maybe some of your colleagues will be inspired to get off the sheep track.

I love the comments from those talking about your smirk ...too funny considering this president wears a permanent one especially when tells the American people lies and appears to dare us to call him on it. Keep up the great work David - call him on it.

People who are conservative always insult the messenger when they disagree with an opinion? I’m a liberal and proud of it.
David you’re the best as you keep all the politicians on their toes. Keeping the pressure on the politicians for the American people keeps the politicians honest (republican or democrat).


I watched that press conference today and was appalled at the slam against David Gregory "you couldn't pass the background check" -- I don't know Gregory personally, and don't know if he has more arrests than our president has had, but that comment was frat-boy bullying, plain and simple and has no place on international television.

The country needs a competency offensive, not a charm offensive from the White House.
People are finally wise to the lies and incompetence of this administration over the past five years.
It's going to take a lot more than 'charm' to erase the disasters this administration has created.
Keep up the great work, David. You're one of the media's finest.

I don't really care how charming the "new Bush is. I turn him off everytime I see him on the TV. I will read what he says later. Can't stand to hear him speak anymore. So he can charm the press corp all he wants. He doesn't charm the middle class. We are too busy trying to find extra money to survive

Once again this president insults our intelligence. He believes that with mirrows and lies we will believe the distortions emanating from this white house. He owes the oil companies and other truly BIG businesses big time, and he is giving them all they could have dreamed for. We the people are not omportant to this pres., we never have and with his friends we will never matter. What a legacy he is leaving our great country!!

It took members of Congress to move the President to take action on the gas situation. He didn't do it himself. This president is not an effective leader when it come to domestic issues.

May be he's been to see American Dreamz!

You say President Bush needs a "break". I'm sure he won't get one from you. After all, it's obvious that you are a biased reporter. Nobody really cares what you think. Why don't you just report the news and stop trying to make it.

I think David Gregory comes across as a little spoiled BRAT who is eager to blast the president on every issue.His smirk is very notisable in his presention of the news. Let's grow up little boy!
WE all know you are a full Blown LIBERAL.

For a Pres who cant tell the truth anymore, is'nt it time to demand accountability?
Unfortunately this will never happen, why I'll never know,. So cool it and stop trying to pretend to be doing your jobs.

WHY IS THE PRESIDENT'S CHIEF OF STAFF MAKING CHANGES?
ISN"T THAT WHAT WE ELECTED HIM TO DO? AFTER ALL HE IS THE DECIDER.

The President could use a break, but then so could we. From this President.

Kurt

More importantly than how rising gas prices affect transport costs for items used daily, gasoline is made from fuel oil. Fuel oil is part of hundreds of chemicals which are part of products also used every day. Paint, cosmetics, plastics, drugs, and much more originate in fuel oil. As fuel oil prices rise so must the chemicals. Likwise so will the toothpaste, shaving ceam, paint, and many more costs increase, not just from shipping but from the high price of oil.

David Gregory has a bad case of sour grapes, that manifests itself as each week goes by. He reminds me of a spoiled child; never satisfied until his thirst for attention is quenched. This report clearly shows that it's all about David Gregory; not the President. One would think that Gregory would be mature enough to try and mask some of his bitterness. But, that would require a degree of temperament and neautrality; two adjectives obviously foreign to this "reporter".

David Gregory is so consumed with hate that his commentary lacks focus, utility, and rational, synoptic coherency. It appears that he is in urgent need of anger management therapy as well as with far deeper issues involving interpersonal relationships. For the benefit of the American public and enlightened readership, employ the stage hook to remove this menace.

You go, David! This country needs more correspondents like you, and if the press had been doing its job back in 2003, perhaps we could have avoided this horrible war in Iraq, which was based on lies and misinformation. The American people did not give the President a "mandate" to do as he wished, but to do as WE wished, and he's not doing it. It should be apparent by now that, whether 911 happened or not, It was a a pre-determined agenda by the Bush administration to go to war with Iraq, and that singlemindedness has cost our country dearly.

David Gregory is so consumed with hate that his commentary lacks focus, utility, and rational, synoptic coherency. It appears that he is in urgent need of anger management therapy as well as with far deeper issues involving interpersonal relationships. For the benefit of the American public and enlightened readership, employ the stage hook to remove this menace.

You keep on him David because you are right. His "charm offensive" won't work now, too late. He's lied to us so many times I've quit counting. If he had any real interest in America and Americans, he'd call those Oil bigwigs into the Oval and threaten them like JFK did with Steel. We cannot continue to let the GOP rule, and I mean rule.
Julie
California

I believe this is a smokescreen from a liar. Show me in works, not words

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