'Let's Wrap Him Up': Olbermann Tries To Get Rid of Republican Murphy

'Let's Wrap Him Up': Olbermann Tries To Get Rid of Republican Murphy

By Mark Finkelstein (Bio | Archive)
Wed, 08/27/2008 - 21:50 ET

Few Republicans have made it onto MSNBC air during the network's Dem convention coverage, but even that is apparently too much for Keith Olbermann. As Chris Matthews was interviewing GOP consultant Mike Murphy in the interlude between Bill Clinton and Joe Biden tonight, Olbermann could be heard off-camera angrily demanding "let's wrap him up, alright?"

It was Murphy's surmise that, in the privacy of the polling booth, Bill and Hilary would pull the lever for McCain that seemed to set Olbermann off, prompting him to call for the hook.

MIKE MURPHY: I think Hillary and Bill Clinton are the happiest people in town because they came, they both crushed in good speeches, and they left. And now they can go do what I would bet money they'll do which is quietly vote for John S. McCain. I believe that. I believe it. I believe it.

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The crowd booed lustily.

HAROLD FORD, JR.: I think Mike wants to rattle this crowd and rattle us here, on set.

After Ford gave his take, Matthews challenged not merely Murphy's prediction, but his reputation.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: Let me ask you Mike: are we to, to place the credibility of you as a pundit on your belief, that you've just asserted, that the Clintons will vote for John McCain?

MURPHY: Absolutely. I really believe Hillary Clinton will vote for McCain. Look, they're friends. [Crowd boos]. Ah, come on, don't shout me down: let me talk. I mean come on, this is, you guys are so in the tank we ought to be filming this on a submarine. The fact is, Barack Obama, to his credit, has moved closer to Hillary Clinton and John McCain on foreign policy, Hillary and John McCain have worked --

MATTHEWS: That's an argument -- that's not what I'm asking you.

MURPHY: I really believe --

MATTHEWS: Mike, let me get back to --

It was then that Olbermann could be heard angrily off-camera.

KEITH OLBERMANN: Let's wrap him up, alright?

Perhaps Chris didn't want to be outdone in insulting his guest:

MATTHEWS: I want to ask this question, Mike. You say the audience out there is biased. Where would you find an audience in sane America who would agree with you?

This is not the first time this week that Olbermann has been heard editorializing off camera. As NewsBuster P. J. Gladnick has noted, Olbermann was caught on an open mic dissing Joe Scarborough earlier this week. As MSNBC tilts ever further left, has Olbermann effectively become its Executive Producer and Director?

Note: According to this cached version of a NY Post story, Olbermann has had it in for Murphy, angling to keep him off the air all week. H/t Politico.

—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.

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It is getting mighty fun

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:02 ET by RESTLESS 1

It is getting mighty fun watching this group melt down. Their reputations are going to take a beating, and I don't mean just chrissie's and bathtub boy's. All of NBC's news operations are going to be laughed out of existence if this keeps up. Like I said, I can't wait to hear these two idoits next week.

"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008

I watched this...

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:05 ET by unkeeaf

I thought Olby was totally out of bounds - a real d#ck head that one. However, Mathews comment about "sane" America was so far out of bounds it was unreal.

Unfortunately, Murphy missed an opportunity to really hammer him on that comment. After the comment, there were several seconds of cheers supporting Mathews comment. He left himself wide open for a comment like this from Murphy: "Nice unbiased comment there Chris. You call yourself a journalist and then come at me with something like that? You should ashamed to hide behind the mantle of objectivity. Pathetic."

One point that was not made in the article was that Harold Ford really came to Murphy's defense when Mathews took the cheap shot at him. I gained a great deal of respect for Harold tonight, though I don't agree with him politically. He showed himself to be a stand-up guy.

MSM = PR firm for the Democrat Party

not in the tank?

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:05 ET by Andante

MATTHEWS: Mike you're a Republican and I want to ask this question because "sane" America wants to know; is it true that you've stopped beating your wife?

"Why can't I just eat my waffle?" -- Obama

Hey c'mon these guys have

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:05 ET by MidAmerica

Hey c'mon these guys have a right to be cranky. They're just plain hungry. I've heard them complain all week that they aren't getting any red meat from the democrats.

Holy Cow! Now Olbermann

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:07 ET by motherbelt

Holy Cow!

Now Olbermann not only thinks he doesn't have to have any guests on his show who disagree with him, he thinks he doesn't have to listen to ANY opposing opinions, no matter where or when!

He's really starting to go around the bend.

mb... Starting to go

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:15 ET by bigtimer

mb...

Starting to go 'round the bend...heck he has past that point long ago...lol!

Btw...Murphy is absolutley right...

The Clintoon Brigade will never vote for The Chosen One!

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

Absolutely BT,

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:18 ET by RESTLESS 1

Hillary want another shot in four years, not eight. She knows if obama wins, she is toast.

"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008

Olbermann's Hubris

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:16 ET by MikeknaJ

There is NO EXCUSE for a man like this to be hosting coverage of an event like this. If he wants to be a partisan commentator, fine. But it's an absolute joke that he is given a reporter's position like this and allowed to anchor a political convention - and will be allowed to anchor the GOP convention on top of it. He can't play it down the middle and now he can't even allow an opposing viewpoint to be spoken w/o blowing his top.

Someone should give their own Special Comment on how Keith Olbermann is sullying the name of NBC News - and men like Russert, Brokaw, and others who at least attempt at fairness - to the point of dirt. Journalism in America has sunk to all-time new lows this week. For all of its imperfections, FOX News is the personification of fairness compared to the schlock that MSNBC is airing.

"The shadow proves the sunshine" - Switchfoot

http://www.xanga.com/mikeknaj

Olberfilth

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:09 ET by Rexzeitgeist

Olberfilth is a sick animal and instead of getting him the help he needs, NBC uses him, and allows him to run amok. Keith subconsiously wants to be hated, he pushes it the limit of badtaste and partisanship to get fired, but instead of getting fired this time, he is getting more power at a news network out of control.

NBC allows this mentally ill animal air time, shame on them.

Why???

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:16 ET by txco

Why did Keith Olbermann show up on USA during the US Open tonight giving a convention update...Please, for the love of God, keep his face off sports programs...He is just to caustic to put out in the general population...!!!! Is USA part of NBC or something?

Subplot #1) Keith Olbermann's Breakdown On National TV

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:10 ET by rammingspeed

The feces flinging punk can't take his own medicine. Well, Keith, now you know what it's like to be challenged. Ain't it a hoot? Brings out the real you. You might just take MSNBC down along with that submarine Murphy alluded to.

It is past time that

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:10 ET by bigtimer

It is past time that Olbermann is frog-marched...

Matthews needs to follow closely in his foot-steps as far as I am concerned.

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

Not yet

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:28 ET by Gat New York

I am enjoying the meltdown of MSLSD and of Bathtub Boy.

I could see this happening during the GOP convention, but now???

I thought this was to be a lovefest for these creepy people who have been in the tank for Obama. But Bathtub Boy is losing it again (it happened at ESPN) and Scarborough is remembering what party he is from and not taking crap from Schuster, Tweety, or Bathtub Boy.

This meltdown has to be good for McCain.

Also, I think the Veep will go to Romney but a real game changer would be Kay Bailey Hutchinson. She would secure the base, attact those Hillary PUMAs, and force Biden to mind his manners or appear as a male chauvinist pig.

How would Hutchinson secure

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:33 ET by MikeknaJ

How would Hutchinson secure the base? She's pro-choice. She'd have the exact opposite effect, methinks.

"The shadow proves the sunshine" - Switchfoot

http://www.xanga.com/mikeknaj

Just a heads-up for you guys

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 06:13 ET by motherbelt

Just a heads-up for you guys and a lot of others in case she does get the spot...there is no "n" in the middle of her name....it's Hutchison.

Thanks mb

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 06:18 ET by Cool Arrow

I like her better than Pawlenty, but I'm a Texan too.

Torches & Pitchforks

But humanity is determined to spell it with an "n"!

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 06:21 ET by sarcasmo

Hell, even the overseas odds site has the same error! :)
JMR

The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.

I bet they have more

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:24 ET by buzzbee

I bet they have more democrats on next week than Republicans in The Twin Cities!

I need my "F*** Olberdork" 10 foot banner to take down there tomorrow.

Drill here, Drill Now!

buzzbee, I was thinking

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 11:08 ET by MassConserv

buzzbee, I was thinking along the same lines. Actually, I was thinking they'll only have Dems on during the GOP convention. I figure they'll rationalize it as, "Well, we had some Republicans on during the DNC convention, it's only FAIR!"

MSNBC Prez on Keith

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:27 ET by MikeknaJ

Phil Griffin, MSNBC's president, on Keith this week:

“Look, when Keith anchors, he plays it straight down the line,” Griffin
said. “This is our team. They’ve served us well. We love ’em, and we’re
going to be at the Republican convention, and it’s going to be great.
And I don’t have any hesitation.”

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12900.html

ROFLOL

"The shadow proves the sunshine" - Switchfoot

http://www.xanga.com/mikeknaj

fast and furious

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:37 ET by sawing batta

these clowns are coming unglued faster than predicted.

If you're on the Left and you hear this type of reaction - crowd and anchors - to the mere mention that someone might cross over, what do you think of your party?

I know the Clintons just gave speeches to the contrary, but they've been known to lie on occasion. nuff said.

But the Lefties on MSNBC can't even hear it...their heads twitch like that guy in Talladega Nights when the Jazz music comes on the jukebox and he thinks he's hearing a recording of something dying....

If we watch a bit longer, their heads might just explode....perhaps their strategy to get us to watch...

The tank

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:43 ET by kd5463

The "You're all so in the tank we could film this from a submarine." line was awesome!

OMG...I just watched the

Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:49 ET by bigtimer

OMG...I just watched the video of this...Olbermann is absolutely showing who says and does what with his power...if somebody doesn't take this man down...I don't know how msnbc can be made nothing but a joke in the real world.

Just who in the hell does he think he is...how can anybody stand to work with him, eventually people like this with their arrogance and so-called power they think they have do them own-selves in...but my gosh enough is enough...

The left is proving they don't need a Fairness Doctrine...they are making it...if this doesn't demanded to be stopped by the people we have no hope for fair and balance and freedom of the press, pathetic as it is anyway.

We are coming to a huge cross-roads in this country with the press of all venues...and it is about time...thank God for the internet.

I know the msm is in desperation mode because of the polls... but enough is enough

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

The problem for the msnbc

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 08:15 ET by general company

The problem for the msnbc host is, this is the last stop for them. Who in their right mind would pick up anyone from this group?

"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg

Well, if Air Amerika hasn't

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 10:51 ET by Davester65

Well, if Air Amerika hasn't gone out of business yet. I'm sure there's a place for him there.

It's a nice con Hickey . . .

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 00:04 ET by gkm1959

Do these two gullible idiots, Olbermann and Matthews, know of whom they are talking? It’s Bill and Hillary. The biggest grifter duo to hit the national stage since Paul Newman and Eileen Brennan.

When will these two learn that in Democrat politics, all matters revolve around the Clintons. Don't listen to what they say, watch what they do. Maw and Paw Kettle are old hands at this and will try to subvert the Obama campaign through the most covert actions and with a deft touch.

Don't believe me, just take a look back at the sources and methods of Clintons.

1.) You just been elected and you want to replace the White House travel administrator. Do you do the decent thing and just fire him. Hell no, you trump up embezzlement charges and have him indicted. Which by the way a jury dismisses in less than an hour.

2.) You want to dig up dirt on political enemies the sly, good as done. You hire an ex bouncer to be the White House Office of Personnel Security Director. You get caught, go fall on the sword for us Craig.

3.) You hire the former National Security director to pull a B level heist of classified documents you don’t like at the National Archive

4.) You want to hatch a scheme to fleece Asian’s of illegal campaign contributions, Call Johnny Chung and Charlie Trie.

5.) You get caught with an intern smoking your double corona in the Oval Office pantry, no worries mate. You lie to your staff and cabinet members, make them incur large legal bills and when it’s all over, you sale pardons to finance your legal bills and the old lady’s senate campaign as you are walking out the door.

The Clintons biggest challenge in what may be their greatest con to date is not Obama, it’s McCain. Obama is an easy mark for these two pros. McCain on the other hand, could easily forfeit any chance he has in this election by means of a verbal gaffe or with his selection of VP. And that will create a serious impediment, even for the best of bunko artists.

What a striking contrast!

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 00:05 ET by Ted Clarke

There is something so beautiful about that whole clip. On one side, we've got:

1) Obama's amazingly life-like talking twin sock puppets

2) Lib. mouth piece and Obama Wannabe, Harold Ford

3) The entire in-the-tank MSDNC operation

4) A hostile crowd of brainwashed Obamacans.

And 5) The DNC Convention army

On the other side we've got:

1) Mike Murphy

Which of these two sides projected the brighter, happier and more positive image? Which side looked darker, angrier and more negative? The contrast is so striking. Mike Murphy looked happy and relaxed there amidst all those angry, hateful Leftists. And the angry, hateful Leftists looked well...angry and hateful. Panic time is setting in. These folks may be crazy, but they're not blind. They can see that there is trouble in River City....And trouble is spelled with a capital "C" for Clinton.

MSNBC TV contact page on website seems to be gone

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 00:08 ET by Parker1227

Guess they really, really don't like hearing opposing POVs.

Like Pravda, they are purging everything that doesn't agree with the party line.

Chris Matthews is a clown.

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 00:14 ET by Ted Clarke

MATTHEWS said to Mike Murphy, "I want to ask this question, Mike. You say the audience out there is biased...."

Hey Chris! He's not saying the audience is biased. He's saying you and your pathetic network are biased. But of course an obvious point like that would go right over your head.

Great job, Murphy

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 01:54 ET by DaMav

Talk about Daniel in the lion's den. Nice job.

Objectivity

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 06:17 ET by Kansasgirl

I can't wipe this grin off my face. What an election.

Thanks kansasgirl

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 06:19 ET by Cool Arrow

I'm lather ploud of it. BWAHAHAHA

Torches & Pitchforks

I bet Rush never thought

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 07:11 ET by FishFace222

I bet Rush never thought operation chaos would reach into the bowels of MSNBC.

I can just imagine what the

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 12:10 ET by marpel

I can just imagine what the conduct will be next week for the GOP's convention. I wouldn't be surprised if they stop their coverage at 9pm for the "doc bloc". Those doc bloc shows want you to feel sorry for criminals in prison... The GOP convention would not be interesting to MSNBC unless they hear of a gaff from McCain or his running mate.

God, I hate MSNBC...I know I'm not supposed to hate, but I can't help it. I'm human...

Did you notice, though, that

Thu, 08/28/2008 - 13:14 ET by Kimberly

Did you notice, though, that Matthews gestured at something off-camera with his left hand? I think he was trying to get somebody to tell Olbermann to "shut the Hell up", as BathtubBoy so famously told President Bush in one of his "Special Comments".

MSNat'lBarackChannel is imploding right before our eyes. I feel almost like I felt in watching the Berlin Wall come down. We are witnessing the true results when liberalism goes too far.