Disgraced NBC newsman Brian Williams — who will now
move to MSNBC after admitting he lied about some of his reporting — has at least one cheerleader among the huge field of Republican presidential contenders.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry tells
Newsmax TV it's time to forgive and forget as Williams attempts to revitalize his career following a six-month suspension.
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"I'm about second chances. This is a country about second chances," Perry said Friday on "The Steve Malzberg Show."
"We give kids second chances in Texas with our criminal justice reforms. Brian Williams made a mistake. He's admitted he made a mistake. Come back and reform."
Williams, whose "NBC Nightly News" was the nation's most-watched evening newscast — came under fire last January for fake stories he told about coming under fire during a helicopter ride while covering the Iraq War in 2003.
On Friday, the 56-year-old journalist — who will not return to his NBC anchor job, but instead anchor at NBC's low-rated sister network MSNBC — told Matt Lauer on the "Today" show that
his ego drove him to puff up the story.
"Looking back, it had to have been ego that made me think I had to be sharper, funnier, quicker than anybody else, put myself closer to the action," he said.
Asked by Steve Malzberg whether he would agree to be interviewed by Williams in the future, Perry said: "I probably would."
Lester Holt, who replaced Williams on "NBC Nightly News" will stay put.
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