Brokaw: Economic downturn deeper than anyone anticipated

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Have all the back to Hannity and you could hear from former President Bill Clinton a and we will bring of that speech as soon as it happens but first we're joined by the author of a terrific new -- the time of our lives which is now out in paperback NBC news special correspondent Tom Brokaw -- you -- John I'm I'm very long programming -- but we really appreciated that and I loved the book we just talk about Tim Russert didn't and big -- and in the books that he wrote how successful they were and I love the greatest generation was also awesome.

You -- a lot of conventions covered a lot of conventions.

We saw a pretty unique scene on on the floor earlier today.

Where you know they had taken out of the democratic platform a reference to god and Jerusalem.

Was not the capital of Israel and the -- -- -- -- what did you think of that.

Well I don't follow how that kind of thing happens is beyond me I must say -- this is -- little puzzled last week although I know a lot of people liked it.

But what Clint Eastwood got on stage and begin wandered around and doing the -- that he was doing.

So these things to be tightly scripted applause -- but something always gets life why the Democrats would do that to themselves is.

Beyond me and -- having especially because they had these references and right or -- that would take it out you know you cover conventions and I've watched you a lot over the years when.

It's always going to be a simple 101 question.

Are you better off than you were four years ago.

And you see the answers that have been flying around little no may be yes by every measure in complete support.

What I reduce it to this size that on the -- right here's what I think the campaign is gonna come down to governor Romney's gonna say about Obama -- -- -- W.

And the president's gonna say about Romney look what he's going to do to you.

So I think that's probably going to be the intersection -- -- I will say this Sean I do think.

If this downturn was deeper and wider that anybody anticipated including Republicans and Democrats.

-- would you look at the numbers having a pretty significant yeah I'm sure you saw the ABC you know Washington Post poll but 69% say that the country is on the wrong track.

Others -- -- we -- what probably what 31% of voters believe that we are in the a better shape now that we were four years ago very -- reelection conditions for anybody.

Absolutely and in fact I've raise those are questions with dollar jury today on morning -- permitted to say that that is sure of course as.

-- -- we have we talk about that because she was obviously giving which you hope would be the positive Obama.

Message of what we -- federations that but.

69% of the country says we're headed on the wrong track I've been all over the country after another reporter -- main street have been throughout my adult career.

And what I hear on main street at this point.

Is a lot of wariness about the promises that are made.

Actually by both sides because they've been burned so many times -- and in the last -- -- extended well.

War itself with the recession and whether everything that they were sure it would not happen in fact did happen and if you look at the last three years alone.

The first -- looks really promising everybody gets excited about the economy second third quarter it goes back in the tank could -- The president was very clear -- it was the worst economy since the Great Depression when he was campaigning.

And then he said that he would cut the deficit and a half for this would be a one term proposition to set it on NBC.

They also said there's -- have shovel ready jobs we have fewer Americans working five point four trillion in new Obama debt.

When we wouldn't everything all the clutter is put aside does it come down to that are you better off.

Four years ago five trillion dollars in gotta go I think it's less of.

But the debt that are that it is about employment and about the confidence in the future I really do part of that debt was on border wars are that that was proposition.

What my own impression of the buses and have been doing it for a long time.

We all got -- together to one degree or another.

They don't have a lot of consumerism it was no time we turn our backs on the people who went to war both administrations that we've plus 1% of our population.

Take -- harder for some of the bullets come home body bags come all emotionally troubled.

Their families were left behind here with no one reaching out to them I'm trying to find the support services that they need.

That happened in both administrations we finally are beginning to catch up put.

-- my my really strong impression is that sizzle longing in the country.

-- to find a big idea that we can all rally.

You know fit in the course of my career I've been very fortunate got to know union and I get along very well I'd I'd really love Tim Russert I really thought he was probably -- the -- Best at what he did in his profession obvious not an anchor like you but.

I knew Peter Jennings Peter Jennings came in in -- -- radio studio once it read my book cover to cover underlined and it that I almost every point.

Dan rather and maybe -- -- like me so much but.

Long story there.

Media's changed a lot -- -- moreover this -- but does the Internet does Fox's cable there is NBC it's ever.

For the better for.

Course.

I actually think it's for the better.

One.

Strong arguments that I made when I go before -- audience in America what are their ideological makeup is you can order -- couch potato.

If you want to be a good news consumer you've got to get aggressive you got to figure out what works for you and what doesn't -- and not -- -- for -- but what can you count on what has integrity.

And that you need to apply -- same person that he wouldn't be -- -- short or flat screen television or new -- are almost any need to research at all you -- -- -- and I -- there was a time when you -- the -- in the morning on the front -- -- -- -- -- The Today -- -- the evening news and -- the late local -- that's no longer good -- there -- too many -- -- And there are too many other people -- cross the spectrum.

Who were trying to manipulate you in some fashion all the bloggers that are working left to right and back again.

So -- you need to take it be growth and have got a responsibility here.

Myself too much valid in my -- think we get to a point when you when you look at the ratings in the old days ABC NBC CBS you guys kind of had a bit of a monopoly or -- not just a bit of a muscle you.

Thought about what are out Vietnam is being charitable it will likely you are that -- that.

Apartment isn't as it getting to the point they may not be at these conventions for 812 years from now I think that the convention themselves may not be exactly in the same form shot I actually wrote something times a week ago saying it's time to reexamine.

How we do this how much money is spent here.

Everybody who has arrived here this week everybody who arrived last week.

It was shaken -- if they knew what was gonna happen they had their candidates at the top of the ticket the platforms have been written advance the speeches have been vetted.

The delegates were all told word is that when -- then I'd like to say it was so exciting that that was unanticipated cause unanticipated.

Is there with conservatives like myself for years -- pointed out media bias.

Do you understand why we say that when I don't hold why do an example every week we do media -- that we -- show the mainstream media in particular right and we show examples of just how -- they are and I think -- One of the reasons Fox's popular is because of that twenty gas supplies to the right so I think that -- probably only conservative and outspoken conservative here.

But locked up but but I do I've taken and I think that Roger when he put this together I'm notable long time you know -- -- exactly what it was doing he knew that there was a big audience out there who want it to have their points of view.

Reaffirmed on a daily basis or on an -- base that sure from time to time there will be people funded time more about it right -- -- after the bias is the wrong war what sort though.

The right word is trying to have a big picture of what is going on overall long period of time you can take a moment and say well that was biased reporting I got -- -- you what the reporter found out at that time.

That's what the interpretation seem fair to everyone at the moment and that -- five out over time.

Look up I've been doing this for a long time during the 1960s in the civil rights movement I was called a Communist I was -- a reporter for profit because -- was -- civil rights.

And after all interest at five it was good to -- and I do love the book as -- I don't -- -- -- thanks for have a -- thank you hope it.

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Brokaw: Economic downturn deeper than anyone anticipated

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