The long-running awkward bromance between NBC’s Today show weatherman Al Roker and President Joe Biden continued on Friday as the White House named the climate-crusading media personality an “emissary” to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Roker received a personal note from President Trump and was given an informal congratulation letter by Dr. Rick Spinrad, NOAA Administrator.
After bringing on Dr. Spinrad to supposedly discuss NOAA’s Hurricane Preparedness Week, the Biden administration official interrupted: “But you know what, Al, that’s not why I’m here….And we think we have a surprise for you that you’re probably not prepared for….So we are announcing today that Al Roker is the first-ever NOAA Emissary.”
Roker’s surprise reaction was: “What the heck?…What?!…What’s going on here?!”
The letter was partially as follows: “For decades, millions of people across America have trusted you to share the science and wonders of our planet, the dangers of severe weather, and the challenges created by our changing climate. Your reporting has educated us all on nature’s power and fragility…”
Spinrad said: “And on behalf of all 12,000 of our NOAA employees, let me tell you, Al, we couldn’t be happier to have you part of the NOAA family. I look forward to working with you…”
Continuing to gush over Roker’s presidential prize during the 3rd Hour Today show at 9:00 a.m. ET, co-host Craig Melvin hailed: “In case you missed it, just a few minutes ago, Al was named the first ever emissary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA….NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad surprised Al with the honor, which included a letter from President Joe Biden thanking Al for raising awareness about climate change.”
Roker praised his and his coworkers’ dedication to pushing a leftist environmental agenda. “You know, it’s a great honor.One that was unexpected. However, I am grateful to all at NOAA. all of our hard-working folks here at the NBC News Climate Unit who, you know, help push – help us bring the story of climate change every day.”
Melvin came in to help: “Well, it’s become part of his [Roker’s] legacy. It really has become, raising awareness about climate change.”
Melvin then eagerly set up a flashback in an effort to get a TodayShow clip taken eight years ago “President Biden, he may have actually dropped a hint about this way back in 2014 when he was vice president. Listen to what the president said during Al’s 60th birthday celebration.”
Roker was shown listening to Biden, then-Vice President at that time. “I want to appoint you to head up NOAA. [Laughter]…. Look, if I were running the administration or the next one, I’d have you in it.”
Following the clip, Melvin declared: “First of all, lots of foreshadowing there. A lot of foreshadowing. So the President kept his word.”Roker responded: “He did. He did, so this is very nice.” He then described the letter from Biden: “It’s very lovely and all the challenge coins of NOAA and the National Weather Service, just really very, very special. So a special day for me.”
The cozy relationship between the liberal media and Democrats is notorious, but this sycophantic display might even make some of Roker’s network colleagues cringe.
National Car Rental and Princess Cruises presented Roker with praises from the president. These advertisers can be criticized for sponsoring content like this.
Today
8.19 am ET
AL ROKER NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter aircraft visiting JFK airport yesterday and I got to get an up-close look at these amazing planes. They’re 50 years old, but they are packed with the latest technology. The latest technology allows forecasters to forecast hurricane seasons using the most up-to-date information.
Joining us now, NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad. Thank you, Dr. Spinrad.
DR. ROCK SPINRAD [NOAA ADMINISTRATOR]: Thank you, Al, it’s a pleasure.
ROKER: I was there yesterday with you. What’s the difference that these aircraft make in helping build the models that we use to forecast hurricanes?
SPINRAD: So it’s about the aircraft, but it’s also about the crew, the people that fly them and collect the data. The data we get from these flights has actually helped us improve our forecasting of the track, intensity and the cone of uncertainty.
ROKER: It shrunk.
SPINRAD – This shrank by 30 percent.
But you know what, Al, that’s not why I’m here.
ROKER: Why?
SPINRAD- We do all of this so people can prepare for any unexpected.
ROKER: Yes.
SPINRAD: And we think we have a surprise for you that you’re probably not prepared for. [Laughter]
CRAIG MELVIN : This is amazing.
ROKER: Oh, what the hell?
SPINRAD – Today we announced that Al Roker was the first-ever NOAA Emissary.
ROKER: What?!
SPINRAD: A NOAA Emissary – an emissary, as you know, has a responsibility for going out on special missions. You’ve done it all your professional career. This sash is reflective of the responsibilities and roles you have, we are thrilled to share it with you. And it has the patches from our satellite launches, from our aircraft –
ROKER: What’s going on here?!
MELVIN: You’re an emissary!
SPINRAD: This is your emissary.
MELVIN: But, there’s more.
SPINRAD: There’s more, absolutely. We know that you’re not going to wear the sash when you’re in your office.
ROKER
SPINRAD: We also offer a collection of NOAA Challenge Coins.
ROKER – Oh my goodness!
SPINRAD: There is the NOAA Coin, Aircraft Operation Center, National Hurricane Center. We know every time you look at that, you’ll remember your emissary role.
And I’ve got to point out, I know that back in 2014, then-Vice President Biden shared with you that he would really like for you to be the NOAA administrator. I’ve to tell you, for my own job security, I’m glad you turned that down. However, we were delighted to send you this letter by the President in which we thank you for your assistance.
And on behalf of all 12,000 of our NOAA employees, let me tell you, Al, we couldn’t be happier to have you part of the NOAA family. While I’m looking forward to working alongside you, I also enjoy sharing hair-care tips. [Laughter]Al, thank you!
ROKER: Dr. Spinrad, thank you. Wow!
HODA KOTB – Al, how do you feel? This was just a slight left hook.
ROKER: Well, you guys – that’s pretty good!
MELVIN: Here’s to the new emissary.
ROKER: Wow. Thank you so much. It’s an honor. This is because we do it all for our customers, so please thank them.
KOTB – Al, We Love You.
CARSON DALY: Cheers, Al, you deserve it.
ROKER: I’m grateful.
KOTB – By the way, great job.
ROKER – Well done! You did a great job, Dr.
MELVIN: So does this mean we have to now refer to him in Emissary Roker terms?
SPINRAD: Absolute, absolutely nothing less. [Laughter]
MELVIN: Okay.
ROKER: It makes me want to show you a bit of respect. [Laughter]
MELVIN: Take a look at this!
KOTB – Al, congrats, it was truly amazing.
MELVIN: Well deserved.
DALY – Dr. Rick, we are grateful for your kind words.
ROKER – Thank you Dr.
The 3rd hour of the Today
9:01 AM ET
CRAIG MELVIN: And this, of course, if you weren’t watching last hour, this is Emissary Al Roker. Emissary.
JILL MARTIN: Yes, let’s take a moment for greatness.
MELVIN: Yes, yes. [Applause]
Al, in case you didn’t see it, was just named the first ever National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) emissary. They may now be calling upon him to perform special missions. Al was shocked when Dr. Rick Spinrad (NOAA Administrator) surprised him with this honor. President Joe Biden also wrote a note thanking Al and acknowledging his work in raising awareness about climate change.
[TEXT OF BIDEN LETTER:
Dear Al,
For decades, millions of people across America have trusted you to share the science and wonders of our planet, the dangers of severe weather, and the challenges created by our changing climate. Your reporting has educated us all on nature’s power and fragility and has underscored our shared responsibility to preserve, protect, and restore our one and only home – Planet Earth.
On behalf of a grateful Nation, I thank you for your continued advocacy for science, your support for careers in STEM, and your talent in bridging our understanding of this planet and the everyday actions needed to preserve its natural beauty and protect lives.
Sincerely,
Joe Biden]
You’ve had a few minutes for all this to sink in, your emissary-ness. What does this feel like, all sash?
MARTIN : Okay, so what should we call you and how should we address your concerns?
ROKER: “Hey, you!” [Laughter] You know, it’s a great honor. This was obviously not what I had expected. But I thank all the folks at NOAA and all of our hard-working folks here at the NBC News Climate Unit who, you know, help push – help us bring the story of climate change every day.
MELVIN: Well, it’s become part of his legacy. It has really become a way of raising awareness about climate change.
ROKER
MARTIN
MELVIN: Oh, he was –
ROKER :
MARTIN: There were tears in your eyes.
ROKER :
MARTIN: But there’s nothing like seeing your friends succeed. And someone like you, who’s so authentic and so passionate about what you do. I mean, it must have felt – I saw you try to deflect but.
ROKER: Well, you know, it just didn’t compute because – I should have known something was up. Pete Breen was our executive producer and he allowed me to actually interview Dr. Spinad.
MELVIN: Yes, it was sold by Dr. Spinrad.
ROKER: He’s very good.
MELVIN: He was like a – like a stage actor.
ROKER: No, that’s not true.
MELVIN: But here’s the thing, we know you were surprised. However, President Biden may have given a hint back in 2014 while he was vice-president. Listen to what the president said during Al’s 60th birthday celebration.
JOE BIDDEN [2014]:…And, by the side, before I go on as a co-host I would like to appoint to lead NOAA. [Laughter] And we’ll work that out after I’m out of this job or whatever job I’m in next.
ROKER: Do you have anything to share with us, Mr. Vice-President?
BIDEN: Absolutely, man. Look, if I were running the administration or the next one, I’d have you in it.
MELVIN – First, there is lots of foreshadowing. Many foreshadowing. The President kept his word.
ROKER: He did. It’s very sweet.
MELVIN: Yeah.
MARTIN: The letter. You haven’t had the chance to look it over yet.
ROKER: Yes. It’s very lovely and all the challenge coins of NOAA and the National Weather Service, just really very, very special. It was a very special day for us.
MELVIN: I’ll teach you during the commercial break, they’ve showed me the proper way to salute Al now.
MARTIN: I thought you were going to curtsy. And Deborah, how is she going –
ROKER: Well, I’ve been working on my wave. [Laughter]We are grateful. When I get home – when I get home, this won’t matter.
MARTIN: Deborah Roker – yes.
ROKER: I am your friend. [Laughter]
MELVIN: No, “Take that sash off!”
MARTIN: That’s what he’ll look forward to.
ROKER – Between Nick and Deborah, no one cares.
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