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). The broadcast brought on NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad for an impromptu ceremony in which Roker was donned with a beauty pageant style sash and given a personal congratulatory letter from the President.
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 offered a surprised reaction: “What the heck?...What?!...What’s going on here?!”
Spinrad explained:
A NOAA Emissary – an emissary, as you know, has a responsibility for going out on special missions. You have done this all of your career. We are so excited to share with you this sash, reflective of your role and responsibilities. And it has the patches from our satellite launches, from our aircraft....So we also have for you a coin collection of NOAA challenge coins....We have the NOAA coin, the Aircraft Operation Center, the National Hurricane Center. We know every time you look at that, you’ll remember your emissary role.
After presenting all of those awards, Spinrad also referenced Roker’s longtime infatuation with Biden:
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. But we are delighted to share with you a letter from the President thanking you for all of your service.
In part, the letter read: “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...”
It’s no surprise Biden would express such gratitude given how Roker hailed the administration’s radical climate plan as “visionary” and was thrilled that the President was willing to impose such policies by fiat.
Spinrad added: “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 touted how he and colleagues have steadfastly pushed a left-wing environmental agenda: “You know, it’s a great honor. Obviously one not 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 chimed in: “Well, it’s become part of his [Roker’s] legacy. It really has become, raising awareness about climate change.”
Melvin then eagerly teed up a flashback to a Today show clip from eight years earlier: “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.”
Then-Vice President Biden was shown telling Roker at the 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. Lots of foreshadowing. So the President kept his word.” Roker replied: “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.
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Here are full transcript’s of the May 6 segments:
Today
8:19 AM ETAL ROKER: We want to mention, this happens to be Hurricane Preparedness Week from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 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. Cutting-edge technology that helps forecasters bring us what we need to know when forecasting during the hurricane season.
Joining us now, NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad. Dr. Spinrad, thanks for being with us.
DR. RICK SPINRAD [NOAA ADMINISTRATOR]: Thank you, Al, it’s a pleasure.
ROKER: You know, I got to be out there with you yesterday. 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. And the data that we collect from these flights actually has improved our ability to forecast the track, the intensity, and also that cone of uncertainty that we have.
ROKER: That shrunk.
SPINRAD: That shrunk by 30%.
But you know what, Al, that’s not why I’m here.
ROKER: Why?
SPINRAD: We are doing all this to make sure people are prepared for surprises.
ROKER: Yes.
SPINRAD: And we think we have a surprise for you that you’re probably not prepared for. [Laughter]
CRAIG MELVIN: Oh, this is great.
ROKER: What the heck?
SPINRAD: So we are announcing today that Al Roker is 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 have done this all of your career. We are so excited to share with you this sash, reflective of your role and responsibilities. And it has the patches from our satellite launches, from our aircraft –
ROKER: What’s going on here?!
MELVIN: You’re an emissary!
SPINRAD: You are an 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: Well, you never know.
SPINRAD: So we also have for you a coin collection of NOAA challenge coins.
ROKER: Oh, my gosh!
SPINRAD: We have the NOAA coin, the Aircraft Operation Center, the 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. But we are delighted to share with you a letter from the President thanking you for all of your service.
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, I also look forward to sharing some hair care tips. [Laughter] Thank you, Al.
ROKER: Thank you, Dr. Spinrad. Wow!
HODA KOTB: Al, what do you think? That was a little bit of a left hook.
ROKER: Well, you guys – that’s pretty good!
MELVIN: Here’s to the new emissary.
ROKER: Wow. Well, thank you very much. It is an honor. Because we do this all for you folks, so thank you so much.
KOTB: Al, we love you.
CARSON DALY: Cheers, Al, you deserve it.
ROKER: Thank you.
KOTB: By the way, brilliant job.
ROKER: Well played! Well played, Dr.!
MELVIN: Does this mean that we now have to refer to him as Emissary Roker?
SPINRAD: Absolutely, nothing but. [Laughter]
MELVIN: Okay.
ROKER: There you go, it makes you want to treat me with a little respect. [Laughter]
MELVIN: Look at that!
KOTB: Al, congratulations, that was really awesome.
MELVIN: Well deserved.
DALY: Dr. Rick, thank you for that.
ROKER: Thank you, Dr.
3rd Hour Today
9:01 AM ETCRAIG 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]
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. Which means they may be calling on him for special missions now. 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.
[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. How does it feel, sash and all?
MARTIN: Yeah, what do we call you, how should we address you?
ROKER: “Hey, you!” [Laughter] You know, it’s a great honor. Obviously one not 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 really has become, raising awareness about climate change.
ROKER: Well, thank you.
MARTIN: You seemed sincerely surprised, right?
MELVIN: Oh, he was –
ROKER: I was shocked.
MARTIN: You had tears in your eyes.
ROKER: I was shocked.
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. For our executive producer Pete Breen to let me actually interview Dr. Spinad during the show.
MELVIN: Well, Dr. Spinrad also sold it.
ROKER: He’s very good.
MELVIN: He was like a – like a stage actor.
ROKER: Yeah, no, well played.
MELVIN: But here’s the thing, we know you were surprised. But 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.
JOE BIDEN [2014]: And, by the way, before I come on and be a co-host, I want to appoint you to head up NOAA. [Laughter] And we’ll work that out after I’m out of this job or whatever job I’m in next.
ROKER: Is there something you want to tell 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 of all, lots of foreshadowing there. Lots of foreshadowing. So the President kept his word.
ROKER: He did. He did, so this is very nice.
MELVIN: Yeah.
MARTIN: And the letter. Did you have a chance to read it yet?
ROKER: I did. 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.
MELVIN: I’ll teach you during the commercial break, they’ve showed me the proper way to salute Al now.
MARTIN: Oh, I thought I was gonna curtsy. And Deborah, how is she going –
ROKER: Well, I’ve been working on my wave. [Laughter] Thank you, thank you. When I get home – when I get home, this won’t matter.
MARTIN: Deborah Roker – yes.
ROKER: Trust me. [Laughter]
MELVIN: No, “Take that sash off!”
MARTIN: That’s what he’ll look forward to.
ROKER: Between Deborah and Nick, nobody cares.
