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Early Nightly is up

After a very late Election Night and a trip to Washington to interview Rep. Nancy Pelosi [transcript], Brian is back in his familiar anchor chair in New York tonight.

As he tells you in today's vlog [click here or on the image to watch], the election results and fallout are still the top story, and the broadcast will also pay tribute to CBS correspondent Ed Bradley, who passed away today. You can read our obituary here.

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Keep America beautiful

Two days and counting since Election Day... If you were the carpool parent or driving to work today, you probably noticed as many election signs today as there were two days ago.

Virtually every town has an ordinance requiring all political signs have to be removed within 10 days of an election. (And yes, that means even if you don’t have a winner yet in your district.)

So, America, get out there and grab a sign. Put it in the trashcan, save it for your memorabilia collection. Take down one if you voted for a candidate. If it makes you feel better, take one down that touted the other guy. Burn ‘em. Mulch ‘em. Get rid of them. This election’s over. It’s time to think about 2008.

2008?! Bob Faw will tell you tonight that for some candidates... it’s never, ever too early to get started.

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Rumsfeld resignation well received?

An interesting note from the campaign trail: As I returned from Memphis yesterday, where I had covered the Corker/Ford race for NBC News, I had a layover in Charlotte, N.C. Democrat Jon Tester had just won the Montana Senate seat, and travelers in the airport were closely watching the television monitors in the terminal. Moments after boarding our flight to Washington, with the cabin door closed, I received an urgent news alert from NBC News. Donald Rumsfeld was resigning.

I mentioned the news to the flight attendant who was nearby. He immediately picked up the intercom and made the announcement to the rest of the passengers. Surprisingly, a good portion of then plane broke out into applause.

An interesting, if somewhat unscientific opinion poll... from the South.

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The day after

Everyone even tangentially connected with the news media is walking around, somehow functioning and covering a monumental story... on no sleep. It is impossible to come down, to unwind after a long and eventful night like last night. Here at our NBC News facility on Capitol Hill, I just ran into former RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie, who I have known since my first day at college here in Washington. He is operating on very little rest, in an unsavory role, and we talked briefly about the results last night.

Brian meets with Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in her Capitol Hill office.
Photo by Jocelyn Augustino.

Earlier today I ventured over to the Capitol building to talk to Congresswoman (and presumptive Speaker) Pelosi, and there was a palpable new "bubble" around her -- security, excitement (on the part of her aides and family members) and media attention. The story continues to play out, and we still don't have an ending where the Senate is concerned. I just talked to Tim Russert one last time before air -- we are doing an hour-long edition of Nightly News tonight which is an additional challenge for our staff running only on adrenaline. Heroic deeds are being done in video edit suites in several cities, by producers and correspondents who have covered every incremental development in this story without letup. The Virginia factor reminds me of a car teetering on the edge of a cliff -- there's a world of issues at stake depending on which way the Allen race tilts. That's all that can be said at this hour. As was the case 24 hours ago: the rest of this story line will write itself. We're just here to watch.

We hope you will join us from Washington tonight.

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Early Nightly, D.C. edition

As mentioned, Brian anchors tonight from Washington, D.C., where there is now a second major story to report.

Click here or on the image for a preview from Brian in today's vlog.

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Behind the scenes of the Rumsfeld decision

A source inside the Joint Chiefs of Staff tells our NBC News military analyst Bill Arkin that there was a fight between Vice President Dick Cheney and President Bush's political team prior to the election. Cheney said Rumsfeld should stay. Political types, led by White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten, wanted him gone.

The decision was made to delay the decision until after the election. Then, based on how the GOP did, it would be the president's decision. After the Republicans lost the House and may lose the Senate, President Bush agreed that Rumsfeld should go. According to Arkin's source, Cheney fought a second battle on the replacement. He thought they needed someone strong, someone ideological.  He lost again.

CONTINUED »

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Who is Robert Gates?

The NBC News Hot file is filling up with biographical information about the man who will be the next Secretary of Defense. You can read our developing story about Donald Rumsfeld's resignation here. Obviously, Pentagon Correspondent Jim Miklaszewski will have the very latest tonight on the broadcast.

Here's Gates' biography from Who's-Who 2006:

Born Sept. 25, 1943 in Wichita, Kans.
Occupation: President of Texas A&M Univ. in College Station, Texas
Family: Married; 2 children. Education: BA, College of William and Mary, 1965; MA, Indiana Univ., 1966; PhD, Georgetown Univ., 1974. Avocations/Research/Interests: Civil/Military Service: USAF, 1966-68.

CONTINUED »

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The day after

Brian broadcasts from Washington, D.C., tonight, where he will also talk to the next Speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

I'm expecting his vlog in the next hour or two and his regular dispatch this afternoon.

In the meantime, you can watch President Bush's news conference at 1 p.m. ET here. First Read remains active with updates in the Montana and Virginia Senate races, as well as reaction around the country. And in case you haven't found them yet, here are the full national results.

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Viewers' guide to Decision 2006

It's Game Day for those of us who cover politics -- and that's not just a reference to our use of the NBC Sports set for tonight's broadcast, though that choice was apt. So much about sports and politics is similar that frankly, it's surprising it took so long for someone to come up with a "Fantasy Congress" league. There's the endless score keeping, the emotionally intense build-up, and of course, the thrill of victory and agony of defeat. And even though there's always a next year in sports, and a next cycle in politics, that's no consolation for passionate fans and voters who see immense stakes in the outcome at hand.

Also as with sports, election coverage isn't complete without its particular stats, rules, and language. Which brings us to the exit polls.

CONTINUED »

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Decision 2006

There is little to say here, as we are all waiting on the news of the day. Americans will make history tonight. Each election is one for the books, and we're waiting to find out exactly how they chose to do it.

It has been a day of non-stop meetings and plans here, and all that is about to stop. It is overcast here in New York, which will turn to rain while we are on the air tonight. It's a good night to be indoors.

Our coverage begins with your first local airing of NBC Nightly News tonight, and will continue all night long. While "plans" call for us to unhook our earpieces and microphones at some time after 2 a.m. local time, I'm doubtful, prepared for anything and ready for the long haul. All I have to do is clear a pile of books off the couch in my office, and I'm ready for the restorative power that two hours sleep can offer.

Election nights are great nights in America. There is, once the shouting is over, a great majesty to what we are about to do here. I started my day by voting, and I will end it by analyzing the collective will of my fellow citizens. Tonight we've assembled the best team in the industry. We hope you will join us.

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