MSNBC's Keith Olbermann made his support for Barack Obama even clearer Thursday when moments after the junior senator from Illinois accepted his party's nomination as president, the "Countdown" host assailed an Associated Press writer for having the nerve to not be as enthralled with the Messiah's address as he was.
In Olbermann's crosshairs on this occasion was Charles Babington who penned an article that largely mirrored the opinions offered on Fox News by liberal contributors Juan Williams and Nina Easton: the speech was short on specifics.
This didn't sit well with Olbermann who said the following (video embedded right) :
Mr. Babington got the length of the speech wrong by at least 7 minutes. And this is analysis that will be printed in many, many newspapers, hundreds of them around the country. It is analysis that strikes me as having born no resemblance to the speech you and I just watch. None whatsoever. And for it to be distributed by the lone national news organization in terms of wire copy to newspapers around the country and websites is a remarkable failure of that news organization.
Charles Babington. Find. New. Work.
For those interested, here were some of the points Babington made which, frankly, I quite agree with:
But instead of dwelling on specifics, he laced the crowning speech of his long campaign with the type of rhetorical flourishes that Republicans mock and the attacks on John McCain that Democrats cheer. [...]
Obama's aides have long complained that he gets too little credit for including detailed proposals in his stump speeches, because listeners seem to remember only his stage presence and lofty rhetoric. Obama, who earlier had promised a "workmanlike" speech in Denver, seemed to acknowledge the problem, saying he would fill in the blanks.
Mostly, however, he touched on major issues quickly and lightly. It's an approach that may intrigue and satisfy millions of viewers just starting to tune in to the campaign seriously. The crowd at Invesco Field cheered deliriously, but Republicans almost surely will decry the lack of specifics.
For instance, Obama said it's time "to protect Social Security for future generations." But he didn't mention his main proposal, which is to add a new Social Security payroll tax to incomes above $250,000 a year.
He said he would "cut taxes for 95 percent of all working families," but did not say how.
He briefly mentioned abortion, gun rights, gay rights and other hot-button issues without delving into their sticky details.
Frankly, that's what I saw, as did NewsBusters readers in our online chat. In fact, the liberal friends of mine that were communicating with me during this speech via e-mail were also disappointed with Obama's lack of specificity last evening.
But, Olbermann loved it, and anybody that has the nerve to disagree with him will be lambasted. It must be marvelous to feel you have such great power when you work for the also-ran in the cable news industry.
*****Update: Editor & Publisher has already reported this episode calling it "an unusually heated attack on a veteran political reporter by a cable news host."
Furthermore, Johnny Dollar makes the case that Olbermann found out about this article from Daily Kos's Markos Moulitsas.
Update 08-29 | Matthew Sheffield. Is it just me or does anyone else find it enormously ironic that Keith Olbermann, a sports anchor turned blow-dried anchorman is lecturing a veteran political reporter who is far more respected in the journalism business? That makes a whole lot of sense.
I'm sure Babington is fearing for his journalistic reputation now.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Noel
August 29, 2008 - 00:35 ET by SpockDon't you ever sleep? =)
Spock
August 29, 2008 - 00:36 ET by Noel SheppardSpock,
West coaster. Still early here, kind of. ns
Keith Olberman Rocks!
August 31, 2008 - 08:03 ET by allamericandudeKeith Olbermann is an American Patriot. How could our fragile Democracy ever
survive without him? Who else could save us from the wiles of this criminal Bush Regime? I honestly can't imagine what life would be
like without this great American hero. He is the only man in the media who is
willing to speak truth to power, even when it is
really inconvenient to do so. I will forever be grateful to him for
that.
All Americans have a reason to be proud of Keith. His
detractors are simply jealous of the fact that he stood up for average Americans against the big guns out there who want to destroy our civil liberties. He did this against incredible pressure from the status quo and managed to survive. In fact he more than survived, he came out
swinging. He is one of the greatest talents that American journalism
has ever seen. He is simply in a league of his own. His intellect is greater than Billo, Hannity, Limbaugh and all the other right wing pundits combined. This
man is more than a journalist, he's an American phenomenon.
dude
August 31, 2008 - 08:12 ET by Cool ArrowThis comedy spiel is getting old.
It was funny for a while when a few of our crowd fell for it, but you've taken it to its ridiculous end now.
When you posted "I love this man", it was obvious you were just trying to flame.
Torches & Pitchforks
IMO it's a cut & paste attempt to avoid responding to
August 31, 2008 - 08:23 ET by sarcasmoThis comment. :) Oops.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Yeah sarc
August 31, 2008 - 08:33 ET by Cool ArrowI read his post over there and your reply.
I think he might be a college kid showing off for his suitemate sitting in the corner on his stool.
Torches & Pitchforks
I predict deletion as "troll"
August 31, 2008 - 08:38 ET by sarcasmoBefore I get an answer, but in a way it's a victory for the "less government" side just to get people thinking about the relative sizes of taxes & tithes in terms of what to me looks like massive, rampant hubris. I know it's another minority view on my part, but I'm getting more and more used to it as I get older.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
Obama put me to sleep
August 29, 2008 - 06:57 ET by 10ksnookerYou notice how the 3.3% GDP growth didn't make it into Obama's soup line America? Odd he left that out and resorted to just lying instead.
The biggest story never told is how first Iraq, and now the economy didn't follow the doom and gloom script of the Democrats. Democrats are simply disgusting hate America socialists who need bad news to function.
The good news, the drive by media DNC parrot is nearly dead.
Better boxing!
August 29, 2008 - 00:36 ET by Kirk HallJust fight amongst yourselves. That is really going to work out for you losers.
Keith...
August 29, 2008 - 00:39 ET by AgentAmericanKeith Olbermann. Find. A. Straight. Jacket. And. Ball. Gag.
And I'm being nice.
Drill ANWAR
He also said at the
August 29, 2008 - 00:41 ET by bigtimerHe also said at the beginning for those of you who know who Babbbington is or whoever his is some-such...as if to dismiss him...(I know who he is) and then proceeded to make light of him to put it mildly, as if his opinion mattered not...
Well gee Keith...I agree with him, I think MILLIONS of us out here will and do.
<edit> I was so surprised that for once I completely agreed with Nina Easton..if I'm not mistaken her husband works for the McCain campaign too...I do not know his name but I've heard her say on Fox in the past before giving her opinions on the panel that in complete disclosure, my husband works for so and so.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Husband
August 29, 2008 - 08:59 ET by jakotaI believe her husband worked for the Romney campaign.
The Obama footage on the cutting room floor...
August 29, 2008 - 00:43 ET by mastersofdeceitWell,... can you?
mod... You got that
August 29, 2008 - 00:53 ET by bigtimermod...
You got that right...and then some...
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
mod, LMAO..
August 29, 2008 - 01:02 ET by upcountrywaterLiberals62%
IranianUranium
Mod - don't insult Cyrus that way!
August 29, 2008 - 01:06 ET by Dee BunkHe was much more qualified than Obama. ; )
I loved that cheesy movie. It's a classic.
Hee hee
August 29, 2008 - 01:15 ET by mastersofdeceitJust trying to lighten things up.
Oh, and it's just satire for any trolls that want to play a race card on me.
OMG...that's hilarious!
August 29, 2008 - 07:43 ET by motherbeltOMG...that's hilarious! Where does that come from??? (I lead a sheltered life, LOL)
MB, It comes from the
August 29, 2008 - 17:23 ET by mastersofdeceitMB,
It comes from the movie The Warriors
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080120/
7 minutes??!!
August 29, 2008 - 00:48 ET by tbbaxterA 7-minute discrepancy in the length of the speech is the ONLY thing that Olbermann can challenge the AP writer on? Is Olbermann that stupid and full of hate that he is willing to be even more of a laughingstock than he already is by passing this off as legitimate critique? I think we are watching the final meltdown of a no-talent media hack. Ratings or no, MSNBC needs to fire his a** or risk taking NBC down with it.
By the way, I hear that Barack is thrilled that his acceptance speech was seen in all 57 states.
Got that right Noel
August 29, 2008 - 00:54 ET by Cool ArrowSpecifics would sink this guy.
Torches & Pitchforks
Tonight
August 29, 2008 - 00:55 ET by DC2280No, you got that wrong, Noel and Cool Arrow !
DC2280
August 29, 2008 - 01:09 ET by Cool ArrowAnd obviously you're too embarrassed to give a more extended reply.
Sorry about what happened to you.
Torches & Pitchforks
How would you know DC2280?
August 29, 2008 - 01:10 ET by Dee Bunkcan you give us any?
'Cause he can dig it! DC,
August 29, 2008 - 01:25 ET by mastersofdeceit'Cause he can dig it!
DC, are you running a meth lab near Edwards AFB by chance?
MOD
August 29, 2008 - 01:27 ET by Cool ArrowWe've got our people monitoring him.
Torches & Pitchforks
CA, like the new tag line!
August 29, 2008 - 01:37 ET by mastersofdeceitCA, like the new tag line!
Thanks MOD
August 29, 2008 - 01:39 ET by Cool ArrowI've thrown in with Glenn Beck's band of patriots.
Torches & Pitchforks
CA, yeah I saw the profile
August 29, 2008 - 02:20 ET by mastersofdeceitCA, yeah I saw the profile of someone who should be monitored, living in the so cal desert. lol! My grandpa had property near Edwards, it just popped up in my head.
That was so incredibly in
August 29, 2008 - 01:24 ET by Mr. BishopThat was so incredibly in depth and specific... I hardly know the difference between your comments, and Obama's "speech".
__________________________________________________________
If homosexuality is genetic, then it must be a birth defect. If it is a birth defect, then stem cell research might provide a cure.
Good Call Mr Bishop
August 29, 2008 - 01:26 ET by Dee Bunkall his comments are very Obamaesque- no substance
Charles Babington, huh Keith?
August 29, 2008 - 01:08 ET by TexndocAddress? Phone number? Name of kid's school?
Communist Speech
August 29, 2008 - 01:12 ET by usbeefI turned on Obama's speech for about 30 seconds and I heard nothing but the ideology of a marxist. In the 30 seconds that I listened he talked about America being a place where everyone is entitled to the same success, that is marxist. He talked about large corporations not deserving the money they make and giving that money back to other people who "deserve" it, that is marxist. The last thing he said that made me turn the TV off immediately is this, "If I become president I will lower taxes for hard working families and I will not give tax breaks to company's that send workers over seas." Firstly no one will be getting lower taxes under Obama because with over a trillion dollars in new spending that is not possible and secondly the reason why those company's send workers over seas is because of taxes and yet he wants to tax them more? These libs are so brain dead to fall for this.
This man WANTS to inject tyranny into this country and his ideology is nothing more than a false promise in disguise to be a good intention. The comments he made in 30 seconds of listening to him were all marxist.
"Push back the liberal hordes!!" - Mark Levin
usbeef - he even contradicted himself on the corporate tax
August 29, 2008 - 01:18 ET by Dee BunkHe lied about McCain wanting to give tax breaks to companies for shipping jobs overseas and said he'd give them tax breaks for keeping jobs here. That is McCain's position. Stop taxing corporations so they don't leave the U.S.
Obama later stated in the same speech that he was going to tax corporations more. Which of course is and always has been his position.
Libs are brain dead and easily fall for this type of demonizing rhetoric that has no substance or truth to it.
That was funny Dee
August 29, 2008 - 01:25 ET by Cool ArrowI wonder how many of those adoring worshippers realized tax incentives to keep jobs here is another way of saying "tax breaks for the rich"
Change the words around and suddenly it's Obama's original idea.
Sheeeesh!
Torches & Pitchforks
Unbeef - he even contradicted himself on the corporate tax
August 29, 2008 - 01:26 ET by DC2280Is that it !
no lots more DC2280
August 29, 2008 - 01:29 ET by Dee Bunkyou're too brain dead to notice though.
That is it
August 29, 2008 - 01:31 ET by Cool ArrowThe structure of your sentence does not allow an exclamation point.
It only has meaning if followed by a question mark.
Torches & Pitchforks
I so wanted to say something
August 29, 2008 - 01:41 ET by Mr. BishopI so wanted to say something similar to that. In fact, I had written, "I'm sorry, was that a question?" However, I recall some liberal twerps on here some year or so back, that got their panties in a bunch when I would do that to them. All it did was cause them to look like morons for not being able to actually make a coherent thought translated into type.
__________________________________________________________
If homosexuality is genetic, then it must be a birth defect. If it is a birth defect, then stem cell research might provide a cure.
bishop
August 29, 2008 - 01:47 ET by Cool ArrowDC is a short term troll. He won't stay around long.
When he was on sea duty, 72 men set to sea and 36 couples returned. (Not that there's anything wrong with it.)
Torches & Pitchforks
Seinfeld line continues . . .
August 29, 2008 - 08:01 ET by Mica the Magnificentof course not. . .
wow
August 29, 2008 - 01:38 ET by usbeefI didn't listen long enough to hear any more lies because I simply could not stand what I was hearing and then have to listen to the cheers and claps of those fools is depressing. This is the first election that I have been able to follow in my life time as I am only 20 and I hope my concerns for the well being of our country never have to be this high again. I am confident that Obama will lose this election.
"Push back the liberal hordes!!" - Mark Levin
usbeef
August 29, 2008 - 01:42 ET by Cool ArrowPlease don't let that confidence keep you away from the polls.
This race is closer than you think.
Torches & Pitchforks
Nice to see a young person with a mind of their own
August 29, 2008 - 01:58 ET by Dee BunkIt's especially hard in this American Idol culture.
I'm not at all confident that Obama will lose though. There are so many people who buy into celebrity hype and just go with the crowd. I sure hope people wake up and use their heads.
Dee, good idea
August 29, 2008 - 02:55 ET by AgnosticThe GOP should release ads staying that everyone can call/text in their vote for their favorite candidate and perhaps many of the reality TV fans will think they have already 'voted' for Obama and stay away from the polls.
LOL, Agnostic!
August 29, 2008 - 08:28 ET by Mica the MagnificentExcellent idea. They would, like, think they, like, voted for 'change.' You know, change, like . . .. .whatever!
I see a ray of hope for the
August 29, 2008 - 08:22 ET by dscottI see a ray of hope for the future when young ones such as yourself can see through the propaganda and realize it's implications. My thanks, from one old Grumpy Right Wing Crank.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
Shot Over The Bow!
August 29, 2008 - 07:49 ET by ChasvsThis was a shot over the bow ( warning) to the Old Media from the New Left Media that anyone who doesn't follow the narrative of the Socialist message of the Democrat Party is going to be shut down!
If anyone thinks the left is going to tolerate dissent once they are in power, they need to wake up now while there is time.
Barry is out there shutting down dissent now on anyone who dare share his past with the puplic! It's how he got where is is today! This Marxist Thug MUST be stopped before he takes us down the road of Marxism!
Middle Class Tax Raises
August 29, 2008 - 08:02 ET by Lee BoggsOn the contrary, he did say how he would pay for it.
1. Close the coporate "tax loop holes."
2. Go through the budget, line by line, and remove the programs that don't work.
3. There was no three. He ran out of ideas.
No kidding. He spent 30 minutes talking about his socialist, government give away programs, and one minute about paying for them.
Students4Mac
August 29, 2008 - 08:10 ET by Mica the Magnificent1. Close the coporate "tax loop holes."
Which will be passed on to the consumer
2. Go through the budget, line by line, and remove the programs that don't work.
And replace them with NEW more expensive government programs that don't work.
Hi, I'm Karl Marx. I've been dead for decades. But I just had to come back to endorse Barack Obama. - - - Loosely taken from a comedy bit by Robert Klein
"And replace them with
August 29, 2008 - 08:27 ET by Hunter12"And replace them with NEW more expensive government programs that don't work" ... and that his friends can run. Bill Ayers will be glad he didn't blow up those government buildings when he moves into his new offices in one of them.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
In an Obama administration . . .
August 29, 2008 - 08:33 ET by Mica the MagnificentAyers will be in charge of Homeland Security.
Hillary will get a Supreme
August 29, 2008 - 08:43 ET by Hunter12Hillary will get a Supreme Court appointment and Bill will be in charge of procuring the call girls. Tony Rezko will be Secretary of Housing.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Don't forget the Rev
August 29, 2008 - 08:47 ET by Mica the MagnificentRev Wright will get to the Supreme Court. He'll find "No no no!God Damn America" in the Constitution.
I listened to the speech as
August 29, 2008 - 09:04 ET by marpelI listened to the speech as I was changing out my Glade Plug Ins around my home...While he is a very good motivational speaker, he says nothing of substance. The same generalities were there. He spoke with nuance. Nothing concrete. I used to like to listen to Bill Clinton speak. As long as you know that these guys are full of S&*T, they are fun to watch. But that's it. Nothing more.
This being said, McCain needs many more Saddleback moments. He was fantastic that night.
The relevance of MSNBC
August 29, 2008 - 09:05 ET by richardMSNBC is so NOT important here in western Pennsylvania, that the local cable network (Comcast) has recently removed them from their basic service lineup, which was available to all cable subscribers, and now make them accessible to only the higher tier subscribers.
Makes you suspect that they are saying, "If you want to watch the drivel coming from these left wing loons, your going to have to pay more for it." The only thing that would have been more appropriate would have been to eliminate them completely.
This is all just so very ummm, uuhhhhh, ya know?
August 29, 2008 - 09:59 ET by kdizzydazeOlbermann's wussified ranting aside:
The MSM has actually done a service to McCain by being so difficult with him and being so easy on Obambi. Their lefty bias has toughened up McCain and actually weakened Obama (if he could be any weaker).
The debates will be a grindhouse to Obama. No teleprompter (speaking from the hip is that guys achilles heel) and actually answering questions (even easy ones) off the cuff will umm, aahhhh, well, ya know, it's kind of, uuuuhhhh. Of course we will be able to count on Olberwuss and Chrissy and the rest of those dolts to blindly line up behind Obambi as the winner (why, because they say so, that's why).
I think the October surprise will be when people stop hearing Obama and start listening to what he is actually saying.
Are you sure Olberman isn't really auditioning?
August 29, 2008 - 10:45 ET by desertdweller... for his own version of SNL?
... Never mind.
it's right out of Saul Alinski's Rules for Radicals
August 29, 2008 - 12:26 ET by theduck6shout down anyone who opposes, questions or even hints there is an alternative. 'course old Saul was pre internet and alternative media. Thanks Al Gore!