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

[TKI]

Where are the pollsters in all of this? It's common knowledge that only the really really dumb vote Mc Cain, as they show up occasionally on this blog, but it would be even more revealing seeing it confirmed by poll.

[CaptainVideo]

It should be quite positive to demonstrate a positive correlation between student intelligence and support for Obama. One should not have to have to apoligize for making factually correct statements.

[Yovovi]

Jason: There is no such thing as "an alumni". Alumni is plural.

You are either an alumus (male) or an alumna (female). Do you get paid to write? Please stop butchering the English language!

[jbartel]

I'm not disputing your pedantic point (I noticed the same thing), but isn't "alumnus" Latin? I think Jason is perfectly justified butchering Latin.

[bdd]

GO LUKE.
He should be the host of Meet the Press.
PS: I'm a white 57 year old male.

[lilylin]

He had it right the first time......­..the kid has good instincts.­....

[sstv]

Indeed!

[smokeystover39]

Ok let's say it like it is. We all loved Tim Russert and he paid his dues to rise to the top of his game. Those dues are not like an inheritance from your daddy. They are NOT transferrable. Bottom line?? He's riding on the celebrity of his daddy and that does not sit well with a lot of us. Luke Russert is probably a nice kid, but he needs to start in the mail room - gaffes there won't tarnish his dad's memory.

[barackobama4prez]

you think that was big enough to tarnish his dad? puhlease.

[smokeystover39]

Think of it this way: who is the first person you think of when you hear the name Luke Russert?? It's Tim of course. If Luke says something for which later he has to retract through an apology it does reflect on Tim. Just look at the posts generated over what I thought was a minor gaffe. Why? 'Cause his last name is Russert.

[OrganOfThought]

Nothing can tarnish Tim's memory.

His life is as is and what it was. It is a closed book, only to be occasionally revisited, not rewritten.

[lovethesinner]

If you read his statement in context, he wasn't saying what he is accused of saying. And what should we think of him if it were true? If those kids were smarter, and they were going to vote en masse for Obama, is he supposed to not say that so he can MAINTAIN THE IMPRESSION OF IMPARTIALITY?

When media do this, they put their bottom line before the truth. That's how INFOTAINMENT NEWS got started, and that's all we'll ever get if NO ONE HAS THE BALLS TO TELL THE TRUTH.

CBS got it's reputation for being the BEST NEWS because they operated the news department AT A LOSS. They could afford to, because they had such high ratings, elsewhere. If America is even going to get HONEST journalism back again, it's going to have to do it the same way.

Someone should buy a news department, and operate it at a loss. It's more important than lots of things rich people subsidize.

[Rendon76]

He is 100% right, but he's not allowed to say that.

[Rictracee]

I aggree with you.. Luke was right .. SMART PEOPLE know not to vote for that McCain/Palin ticket .. that is like national suicide if they get elected into office.

[hmmmmmer]

Why apologize for the truth, anyone voting for McSame and Palin have probably experienced a lobotomy.

After the Couric interview anyone who thinks Palin is ready for much of anything has probably got a stick stuck up their butt that has punctured their brain.

[obamasOHangel]

You said it right the first time Luke. Smart, just like your papa. Much love kid!

[talktoalisha]

And Many smart kids like me go to other Virginia Schools like Old Dominion University!!! Go Monarchs!!

Virginia has one of the best higher education systems in the country and we are just full of intelligence!!

That being said, this election will turn Virginia Blue!! We know where our best interests lie because we read and process rather than use pure emotion and "talking points"

[meltingpot101]

Good job Luke, no apology needed,

Sometimes the TRUTH hurts.

[snesich]

However, the data is pretty clear on this and has been for years. There are very some smart college kids who vote for conservatives. And there are some average and below average college kids who vote for liberals and progressives. But, in general, the students at the most competitive colleges---the ones that are the hardest to get admitted to---vote overwhelmingly for Democrats and left-leaning candidates.

We first saw this trend in 1984: That year, over 60% of all college students, nationwide, voted for Ronald Reagan. Among the Ivy League colleges, Reagan received only 16% of the vote. The data was very similar at other colleges of this type, like Stanford, Williams, Amherst, etc.

The brightest students in the country are overwhelmingly progressive. (I know. I went to one of these schools. The main fissure on campus was "liberal" vs. "radical"; I endured a lot of criticism given my leaning towards the former---at least at that stage in my life.)

I know it upsets some conservatives to hear this. But it's true. Don't worry, Republicans, the frat houses and beer boys are still overwhelmingly right-wing, especially in the south.

[skepticalindenver]

Like his dad, he has an honest streak a mile wide and deep. Unfortunately he learns early about the truth not always viewed as a "balanced and unbiased" opinion. Honestly, I can't understand why anyone with a functioning brain could bring themselves to vote for McCain. Do I like all of Obama's ideals? heck no, but McCain? Come on people.

[ruffmama]

love ya Luke!

tell them all to SHOVE IT!