NBC's Luke Russert Apologizes For Suggesting "Smart" UVA Kids Lean Obama

NBC's Luke Russert has apologized for remarks he made on the Today Show, in which he implied that students at the University of Virginia are breaking toward Obama by dint of their being smart. Here's the statement he made on First Read:

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.

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.

As an alumni of the aforementioned University -- where all students express their shared bond of elitism by referring to the campus as "the Grounds" and in which students fight to live in a bunch of dilapidated dorm rooms that require them to walk outside to use a toilet -- this obviously hits me pretty close to home. Russert is right to make the correction: based upon my experience at the University (that's how we refer to it! Elitists, remember?), there are plenty of conservatives there enrolled as students. Smart ones, too! So it's just incorrect to label the school as a hotbed of liberalism...though I'd still wager the student body, on balance, will likely break for Obama.

But is it fair for Russert to imply that UVA is a "smart school?" (And is it helpful? We are after all, in dire need of a quarterback right now!) Here's a story: in 1992, on the eve of the election, I had a fellow student tell me, in all seriousness, "Let me tell you. Tomorrow, Americans are going to go to the polls. They are going to ponder their choices, think about the issues that matter to them, think about the values they hold dear, and you watch -- in massive numbers, they are going to pull the lever for Ross Perot."

Also, George Allen is a alumni. So, if we're being honest, let's face it: the University of Virginia enrolls plenty of dumbasses. (Yes, commenters, probably myself included.)

Watch Russert's UVA report ("smart" comment at the tail end of the segment):

Comments

[CaptainKrunch]

Mr. Linkins,

You are an alumnus, WE are alumni/ae. WE as the smart alumni/ae will vote for Obama in an elitist block of voters seeing to it that "Mr. Jefferson's" democratic vision for the country continues into the future - cosmopolitan and self-assured as we are, sometimes elitist, sometime humbled, but always smart.

[justfine]

Jason, you most certainly are not one of the "smart" UVA alumni. You refer at least twice to yourself as an "alumni". You are not an "alumni", Jason. Your are an alumnus.

I shall now add UVA to the list that includes Andover, Yale and the B School which give degrees to illiterate, uneducated morons who have never read a book in their lives, i.e. (that means is est, Jason) including America's President.

We're you a legacy at UVA? Legacies died after the 70's, so I fear that you were admiited on "merit". Incredible.

P.S. (post script, look it up) I'm actually a fan, but appalled at your lack of literacy.

[AbigailPosts]

Ironic that you condescendingly take Linkins to task for his "lack of literacy" and you then go on to spell "Were" as "We're" (as in "We are a legacy at UVA?"). Cute.

[3verest]

As a college student at UF I find a significant inclination for Obama here. I just hope all of us myself included actually go out and vote. I'm pretty sure I will though, this is a very important election.

[JonathanLatroy]

Well, the "smart kids" ARE voting for Obama. As are the smart adults. No mystery there. Obama's getting the smart vote, and McCain's getting . . .

[levelshot]

Hey, you gotta give it to him - the kid is right. Tim Russert raised a very smart & bright son.

[Nonamnesiac]

Luke did not make a mistake by suggesting that the smartest students at the University of VA support Obama -- except he stated the obvious. McCain graduated with a class rank of 894 out of 899 in his war college class at Annapolis -- below the bottom 1%. And he only got into Annapolis and graduated there because of his father, a well respected Admiral, not because of McCain's own accomplishments. McCain was the typical stupid bully in high school who periodically beat up other students when his temper was triggered because he was too stupid to understand what that student was talking about. Only the US media could take someone as stupid and unstable as McCain and build him up into a legitimate candidate for President of the United States. Only the US media can allow McCain to show his cowardice by ducking out of a debate he couldn't win and also get his even more stupid running mate out of her debate too without pointing out both of their records of stupidity.

Luke Russert knows the smartest students at virtually all colleges see through McCain and know he's stupid -- too stupid to be President. He shouldn't have to apologize for making a point the media bigshots won't make. Way to go Luke.

[Nonamnesiac]

Luke Russert did not make a mistake by suggesting that the smartest students at the University of VA support Obama -- except he stated the obvious. McCain graduated with a class rank of 894 out of 899 in his war college class at Annapolis -- below the bottom 1%. And he only got into Annapolis and graduated there because of his father, a well respected Admiral, not because of McCain's own accomplishments. McCain was the typical stupid bully in high school who periodically beat up other students when his temper was triggered because he was too stupid to understand what that student was talking about. Only the US media could take someone as stupid and unstable as McCain and build him up into a legitimate candidate for President of the United States. Only the US media can allow McCain to show his cowardice by ducking out of a debate he couldn't win and also get his even more stupid running mate out of her debate too without pointing out both of their records of stupidity.

Luke Russert knows the smartest students at virtually all colleges see through McCain and know he's stupid -- too stupid to be President. He shouldn't have to apologize for making a point the media bigshots won't make. Way to go Luke.

[RoonToon]

Luke, if any apology be needed, it would be only in that your surmise is too modest. I am appalled that the McCain campaign spectacle has drawn any concientious, logical, balanced person's support in light of it's third rate frattish good ole boy's jerk around stunts. Obama, on the other hand should awe us all in light of his total package brought forth with honestly, clarity, fairplay, dignity, deference, intelligence, knowledge, strength of purpose, dedication, and all around good neighbor qualities. Barack is a man of peace; not war. Barack is a man of truth; not falsehoods. A man of forthrightness; not spin. A man who is uniquely qualified to lead our country especially at this time because of all that life has graced him. Don't beat up on yourself Luke. Please be simply your authentic self, seasoned well from family experience, and explicity from your own unique perspective and experience. And we thank you because you, too, have an extrodinary door opened to place and purpose.

[jsinclair]

I'm sure a majority of politically interested college students support Obama--just like a majority of well-educated people in general do.

Nothing controversial there at all, that I can see.

[necer65]

Luke, you are new to this whole thing...an­d I think you are doing an excellent job following in your dad's footsteps. You learn everyday. Your dad would be proud of you.

[spitar1]

Why apologize for being correct?

[derekc06]

this whole thing is stupid...

[CalliDem]

Nepotism ...pure and simple.

[Sandi7552]

Crass comments like yours are what causes people to not speak out and stand up for what they believe in. I can see where you would think Nepotism is bad considering it got us W, but give the kid a break and find a grown up who didn't recently lose his father to insult.

[Melissa]

I heard this yesterday morning and It did not surprise me one bit. NBC is in the tank for their choice of President.

[BrazilJiujitsu83]

luke shouldve never apologized­....ive never heard an apology from sean hannity for implying over and over and over that liberals hate american troops....­..

[Sandi7552]

AMEN 4 !!!

[Mattjoe]

Implying there are obtuse young Republicans in the U.S. is as ridiculous as suggesting some of them also cling to guns and religion.

But give it a few months.