Richard Valeriani was an NBC News correspondent for 28 years, covering the White House, the State Department and such major stories as the assassination of JFK, the Civil Rights Revolution in the South and the War in the Falkland Islands. He was also the Washington correspondent for the Today show when news was news.

Blog Entries by Richard Valeriani

Dec. 14, 2009, news update

Posted December 14, 2009 | 10:52 PM (EST)


President Obama goes to Norway to accept Nobel Peace Prize.
Unique experience-only black guy in Oslo.

Shortly after sending 30,000 more American troops to Afghanistan, Obama defends just wars in acceptance speech. Then accused of snubbing Nobel Committee and King of Norway by skipping town before dining with them....

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Dec. 7, 2009, News Update

Posted December 9, 2009 | 09:24 AM (EST)


This way to tabloids-Car crash in Florida, Party crash in Washington, Levi Johnston.

This way to mainstream media-Urge to Surge, Health Care Reform.

President Obama can't resist urge to surge, announces 30,000 troop increase in Afghanistan, with withdrawal of American forces to begin in 2011-or not. Guarantee: American force there...

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Nov. 30, 2009, News Update

Posted November 30, 2009 | 09:38 PM (EST)


President Obama hosts first formal White House dinner, Indian Prime Minister honored. My invitation apparently lost in mail.

Thought about crashing until I heard meal was vegetarian. Besides, there's no way in hell you can crash a White House dinner with all that Secret Service Security in the Age of...

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Nov. 23, 2009, News Update

Posted November 24, 2009 | 11:35 AM (EST)


NOV. 23, 2009, NEWS UPDATE

President Obama meets with President of China. Who's the President of China? That's right. What's right? Hu's the President of China. That's what I'M asking. And the answer is, Hu's the President of China. Oh Forget it! (With apologies to Abbott and Costello).

Obama...

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Nov. 16, 2009, news update

Posted November 17, 2009 | 11:00 AM (EST)


President Obama visiting China...wants to get close-up view of U.S. economy.

Obama meets with Russian President Medvedev. Seeking advice on exit strategy from Afghanistan?

President says we need "clear mission" in Afghanistan. Generals say we should stay until we get the "job" done. Would be nice to know what the...

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Nov. 9, 2009, News Update

Posted November 9, 2009 | 11:07 PM (EST)


NOV. 9, 2009, NEWS UPDATE

House passes historic health care insurance reform. Louisiana Congressman Cao pulls an Olympia Snowe-only Republican to vote in favor. Bipartisanship Lives! You CAN be a little bit pregnant.

Rare example of Republican in Congress putting good of country ahead of party lock-step. What, you...

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Oct. 26, 2006, News Update

Posted October 26, 2009 | 11:17 PM (EST)


After recount shows thousands of fraudulent ballots in presidential election, Afghan President Karzai agrees to run-off. How surprised will you be when he runs off with the run-off?

While contemplating new strategy in Afghanistan and planning withdrawal from Iraq, Obama Administration declares new war-against Fox.

President says he's "not losing...

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Oct. 18, 2009, News Update

Posted October 19, 2009 | 10:05 PM (EST)


OCT. 18, 2009, NEWS UPDATE


Senate Finance Committee approves sweeping health care reform bill by vote of 14-9 -- including, gasp, a Republican. That makes it bi-partisan. Bi-partisan, just like President Obama said. It's like being a little bit pregnant.

Republican voting in favor was Sen. Olympia Snowe...

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Oct. 12, 2009, News Update

Posted October 12, 2009 | 06:12 PM (EST)


President Obama wins Nobel Peace SurPrize ... Shock and Awe! Shocking and Awful?

Supporters claim well deserved. Critics cry "premature adulation."

Obama says "I feel I don't deserve to be in the company of past winners." You are not alone in that sentiment, sir. Expression of humility accepted. But...

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Oct. 12, 2009, News Update

Posted October 12, 2009 | 05:14 PM (EST)


OCT. 12, 2009, NEWS UPDATE

President Obama wins Nobel Prize. Shock and Awe. Shocking and Awful?

Supporters claim well deserved. Critics cry "premature adulation."

Obama says "I feel I don't deserve to be in the company of past winners." You are not alone in that sentiment, sir. Expression...

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Oct. 5, 2009, News Update

Posted October 5, 2009 | 04:21 PM (EST)


President Obama and wife Michelle fly to Copenhagen to help Chicago come in last in bid for 2016 Olympic Games. Something rotten in the State of Denmark?

White House hopes he does better on health care reform while staying at home.

Critics complain about wasted trip. Supporters...

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Sept. 28, 2009, News Update Updated

Posted September 28, 2009 | 09:40 PM (EST)


President Obama makes first address to UN General Assembly, amazingly does not make health care reform pitch.

Obama gets Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to shake hands. Whoopee! Peace is at least at handshake if not at hand. What's needed is not a shaking of hands...

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Sept. 21, 2009, News Update (delayed)

Posted September 23, 2009 | 10:32 PM (EST)


Obamathon ! President Obama appears on five-count'em-five Sunday morning talk shows to pitch health care reform.

Wonder if he knows that time period is known in the TV World as the "Sunday Morning Ghetto"?

Five shows included Univision. When the President is interviewed on a Spanish-speaking...

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Sept. 14, 2009, News Update

Posted September 14, 2009 | 11:38 AM (EST)


President Obama pitches Health Care Reform in major speech to joint session of Congress. Coverage hijacked by Republican terrorist Joe Wilson, South Carolina Republican, who shouted "You Lie," as Obama spoke.

Wilson easily wins "Congressional Jerk of the Century" award despite intense competition.

House Republican whip Eric Cantor seen tweeting...

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Sept. 7, 2009, News Update

Posted September 7, 2009 | 06:07 PM (EST)


SEPT. 7, 2009, NEWS UPDATE

President Obama resumes interrupted vacation at Camp David. Lot cheaper than Martha's Vineyard.

President gives speech on education. For all those children left behind.

Unemployment reaches 9.7%. The only good news is that it includes George W. Bush.

Fraud alleged in Afghan election. Who...

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Aug. 31, 2009, News Update

Posted September 1, 2009 | 04:48 PM (EST)


President Obama on vacation, Congress in Recess. Sen. Ted Kennedy Dies... Not a good week for humor...

Jack Kennedy... Charismatic. Bobby Kennedy, inspirational. Teddy Kennedy, effective.

Teddy dies (not passes away, dies). End of a Dynasty, End of an Era, End of Liberalism? "The Dream shall never die."

Obama interrupts...

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Aug. 24, 2009, News Update

Posted August 25, 2009 | 12:14 PM (EST)


President Obama goes on vacation on Martha's Vineyard. Did health care reform go with him? Why doesn't anybody know why it's called Martha's Vineyard?

White House floats trial balloon suggesting public option need not be included. The terrorists have won.

Another balloon indicates White House may proceed on health care...

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Aug. 17, 2009, News Update

Posted August 17, 2009 | 12:59 PM (EST)


President Obama on the hustings, pitching health care reform. Anybody catching?

Town hall meetings on health care reform....Debate or Debacle? Media make sure squeakiest wheels get the grease.

Meetings degenerate into melees. Do you have the right to shout "ire" in a crowded town hall?

"Nazis," "Death Panels, "Socialism"....Ah, the...

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Aug. 10, 2009, News Update

Posted August 10, 2009 | 12:07 PM (EST)


AUG. 10, 2009, NEWS UPDATE

Sonia Sotomayor confirmed as member of the Supremes. Story front-paged by the Post....the Washington Post, that is. Not the New York Post....maybe they don't know she's from New York.

Thirty-one Republican Senators vote against. Some of them actually wanted to vote in favor, but they've...

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Aug. 3, 2009, News (?) Update

Posted August 3, 2009 | 04:56 PM (EST)


The News Story of the Week: Health care bill floundering...Rising toll of American deaths in Afghanistan...Accelerated withdrawal of American forces from Iraq...Recession receding...Republican sex scandal....? No, it was:

The Beer Bust at the White House, The Brew Brouhaha, the Summit of Suds, the Cold (One) War, where racial confrontation came...

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