NBC's 'Today' Cheers: 'Crowd Went Wild' for Obamas Kissing at Basketball Game

July 17th, 2012 1:24 PM

Offering some pro-Obama fluff on Tuesday's NBC Today, news reader Natalie Morales gushed over the President and First Lady getting caught on the "Kiss Cam" at a basketball game during a "date night." After the First Couple initially just waved to the camera, Morales excitedly told viewers: "Not to worry, they got a second chance when the 'Kiss Cam' found them again. So this time he delivered, planting a very presidential pucker on the First Lady and the crowd went wild."

Co-host Matt Lauer followed up: "That's a good moment....If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." Weatherman Al Roker joked: "Mr. President, get a stadium." Co-host Savannah Guthrie remarked on one of the Obama daughters urging the kiss: "And what teenager girl's encouraging their parents to kiss in front of everybody? Good for you, Malia."

Here is a full transcript of the July 17 supposed news item:

7:02AM ET TEASE:

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: And then later on we will show you what happened when President Obama and the First Lady ended up on the dreaded "Kiss Cam," not once, but twice last night at an exhibition basketball game. And yes, they finally did kiss.

MATT LAUER: It's one of the most embarrassing moments you could ever have. We'll talk more about that.

7:08AM ET SEGMENT:

NATALIE MORALES: And date night for the President and the First Lady, got the crowd at the USA basketball exhibition game hot and bothered. The pair were minding their own business when daughter Malia spotted her parents on the "Kiss Cam." Michelle Obama looked shocked and the two just smiled and waved. The disappointed crowd there booed. But not to worry, they got a second chance when the "Kiss Cam" found them again. So this time he delivered, planting a very presidential pucker on the First Lady and the crowd went wild. And Savannah, Matt, and Al, in case you're wondering about the game, well, Team USA beat Brazil. But I think everybody was focused on that, clearly.

[LAUGHTER]

LAUER: That's a good moment.

AL ROKER: Mr. President, get a stadium.

[LAUGHTER]

MORALES: Exactly.

LAUER: Alright, Natalie, thank you very much. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Even took the jacket off for the second time.

GUTHRIE: And what teenager girl's encouraging their parents to kiss in front of everybody? Good for you, Malia.

ROKER: Very nice.