Was Palin's unhappiness with MSNBC host behind delay in interview?

New York, Oct 24 : NBC anchor Brian Williams Williams suspects that the Republican ticket's unhappiness with liberal-leaning MSNBC host Keith Olbermann was a factor in the 55 day delay to interview Sarah Palin.

A "Nightly News" spokeswoman, however, denied that Williams was upset about the delay.

"Brian made it no secret that he has wanted this interview since Palin was announced, as he stated on numerous occasions with humor," the Daily News quoted her, as saying.

"Was he irritated or annoyed? No. Is he a competitive and aggressive journalist? Definitely," the spokeswoman said

Brian Williams had to wait 55 days to interview Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, and he's not happy about it.

Williams appeared on NBC's "Today" show on Thursday morning to tease his "Nightly News" interview with the Alaska governor and mentioned twice that he had to wait almost two months for the opportunity.

"Well, let's be very blunt. We have waited patiently 55 days since Sarah Palin was named to this ticket to get this interview, since her naming as vice presidential nominee."

ABC News' Charlie Gibson was the first to interview Palin, on September 11, followed by Katie Couric of CBS on September 28.

Williams went on to say that the Republican campaign insisted that John McCain be present during most of his sit-down with Palin and that he had only about 28 minutes to ask the governor "weeks' worth of pentup questions."

NBC's "Nightly News With Brian Williams" has aired the Palin interview over the past two nights and will wrap it up tonight.

Williams' mood yesterday seemed in sharp contrast to his appearance on "Late Show With David Letterman" this month, when the anchor joked about the delay.

ANI