Breaking: Olbermann Back On MSNBC Tuesday
By Noel Sheppard | November 07, 2010 | 22:57
It appears NBC management feels a two day suspension is all Keith Olbermann should get for violating company policy regarding political donations.
MSNBC's Phil Griffin issued the following press release moments ago (h/t NB reader Keith Hanson):
STATEMENT REGARDING KEITH OLBERMANN - SUNDAY, NOV. 7
From Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC:
After several days of deliberation and discussion, I have determined that suspending Keith through and including Monday night's program is an appropriate punishment for his violation of our policy. We look forward to having him back on the air Tuesday night.
After several days of silence, Olbermann posted the following on Twitter hours before:
More and more, this has the feeling of a publicity stunt, doesn't it?
After all, MSNBC's ratings were absolutely atrocious on election night, and media critics from both sides of the aisle came down on the network for its deplorably biased coverage.
Out comes the Politico piece Friday about Olbermann's untimely donations, he's quickly suspended, and the "Countdown" host is suddenly getting more publicity than he ever has.
Two business days later, and exactly a week after the horrible election coverage, he'll be back on the air probably telling his largest audience in history a nice little fairy tale about what happened.
I quite imagine I'm not the only one smelling a rat.
*****Update: Something that has bothered me about this story from the beginning was that I couldn't find anything at the FEC website about Olbermann's contributions. Go here, type in "Olbermann, Keith," and nothing shows.
Yet Politico in its article on this subject Friday reported:
POLITICO discovered the Olbermann donation to Grijalva in a Federal Election Commission filing, and when MSNBC was asked for a comment, it forwarded a statement from Olbermann:
“One week ago, on the night of Thursday October 28 2010, after a discussion with a friend about the state of politics in Arizona, I donated $2,400 each to the reelection campaigns of Democratic Representatives Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords,” Olbermann said. “I also donated the same amount to the campaign of Democratic Senatorial candidate Jack Conway in Kentucky.”
Under FEC rules, an individual donor may give only $2,400 to a candidate per general election campaign. The FEC filings for Olbermann’s contributions list an address that is a Mailboxes Etc. storefront in New York, and it also lists his occupation as a newscaster for NBC Television.
Where is that filing?
FEC checks of the candidates Olbermann gave money to also produced no results.
Here are individual contributors with last names beginning with the letters K through O for Jack Conway, Raul Grijalva, and last names beginning with O for Gabrielle Giffords.
No Keith Olbermann.
I sure would like to know what FEC files Politico discovered.
*****Update II: Further exploration of the FEC records uncovered the following at "A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE FOR GRIJALVA CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE":
Keith Olbermann
954 Lexington Ave
New York, New York 100215055
Employer: NBC Television
Occupation: Newscaster
Date Contributed = 10/28/2010
Amount Contributed = 2400.00
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Comments
Not so big an offense after all
Submitted by octavioj on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:03pm.
Two days suspension? That is hardly an offense, is it?
It would've been just one day, but . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 2:08pm.
. . . the suspension was doubled because of the involvement of performance enhancing drugs.
It's good to have the
Submitted by MidAmerica on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:03pm.
It's good to have the bile-master back. We want all of the Lefty Loonies in place to keep obama from shifting to the center.
Agree MidAmerica
Submitted by MaximusBraveheart on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 9:59am.
This will help in 2 yrs! M-B
-- Maximusbraveheart -- Is TRUTH knowable? Moral Relativism is the abandonment of Truth. Truth is knowable. Truth conforms to Reality. Reality is observable by evidence & witness in this day & from history. Relativism is Sesame Street play land.
rap.
Submitted by Chris Norman on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:08pm.
Crap.
Ranked by Sanity
Submitted by Caringwhiteguy on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:12pm.
What does it say that Chris Matthews is the number one MSNBC afternoon and evening host when ranked by sanity?
???
Submitted by Red Jeep on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 7:39am.
??? They are all crazy.
And you can bet it won't
Submitted by motherbelt on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:13pm.
And you can bet that it won't be a humble Olbermann who returns. We can probably expect a 40 minute "Special Comment" in which he rages against anyone and everyone he can think of, who all committed, in his mind, greater offenses.
If you thought his ego was big before, you ain't seen nothin' yet!
the SAME “offense”
Submitted by Injest on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:46am.
His “offense” was not telling his boss about the donations.
ONLY People who work at NBC/MSNBC.
AND made political contributions.
AND didn't clear it with the boss.
That's a fairly limited pool of possible targets who could have committed the SAME “offense” as Olbermann.
I never used the words "same offense."
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 8:07am.
I said things that were, in his mind, greater offenses. Keith has had a couple of days to do some research and come up with a whole list of things said and done by those evil bastards at Fox that he sees as far worse than making a cash contribution to a candidate.
Spot on, motherbelt
Submitted by Galvanic on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 2:12pm.
Maddow has already given us a hint of what we can expect from Olbermann.
It could take the form of "Fox News is to blame -- they are the ones linked to IG Farben and the production of Zyklon B, the deadly gas used in the Nazi death camps."
let me clarify
Submitted by Injest on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 8:01pm.
I never used the words "same offense."
motherbelt
Mother let me clarify.
Fox News is Fox News. Fox News has their own rules and guild lines. NBC/MSNBC is NBC/MSNBC. NBC/MSNBC has their own rules and guild lines.
The concept is called “Apples to Oranges”.
In order to make ANY comparisons that will pass the laugh test you have to have “Apples to Apples” or “Oranges to Oranges” Any valid comparisons of “greater offenses”must be “Apples to Apples” AKA “SAME”.
We know for fact NBC/MSNBC rules says he did a “Bozo NoNo”.
We do not know, nor can we assume that NBC/MSNBC rules are EXACTLY the same as FNC,CBS,ABC,NPR,CNN.
Any comparisons that Uberidiot makes that does not pass the “Apples to Oranges” test is foolish, childish. It will only make MSNBC look more pathetic (yes it's possible) than they currently do!
"Bozo NoNo"? I haven't heard
Submitted by Beukeboom on Tue, 11/09/2010 - 3:11pm.
"Bozo NoNo"? I haven't heard that used in YEARS! LOL!
If it wasn't a publicity stunt...
Submitted by MCLIJazz on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:12pm.
...then Phil Griffin caved in to far-left pressure. Let's just hope that he doesn't get a ratings bump. What am I saying? "The O'Reilly Factor" will dominate at 8:00 and 11:00, as it always does.
The only thing left to hope for is that Comcast will do what Griffin couldn't do: fire Keith. Please.
Maybe......
Submitted by tim413 on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:22pm.
Phil was threatened with a boycott from the Color of Change folks.
Stop federal judges from foisting their notions of "fairness" on the States. Amend the 14th Amendment! - tim413
I thought it was odd they let
Submitted by Van Halen on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:17pm.
I thought it was odd they let him go and not one of the really BAD performers like Sergeant Schultz or O'Donnell or Matthews, or really any of the others except Maddow who's gay so they won't touch her out of fear.
What a disgrace of a station. Fish or cut bait. Either he's gone or not. How ridiculous. Exactly what did MSNBC prove by doing this other than to look weak?
I'm stil not backing down from my prediction that they can one of the lesser figures there now that the elections are over.
Agreed
Submitted by KC Mulville on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 4:22am.
However, though this episode seems to be odd, I just can't bring myself to give them that much credit. These are screw-ups in an increasingly screwed up news operation. Given a choice between seeing this as a conspiracy versus seeing this as serial idiocy, I suspect serial idiocy is much more likely.
It works to MSNBC's 'advantage'
Submitted by Galvanic on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 2:15pm.
They will now tout that they are non-partisan and Fox News isn't.
That's nothing new...MSNBC has been absurdly claiming to be...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 2:57pm.
non-partisan and that Fox News isn't for years now, delusional fools that they are.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Correction, Prairie...
Submitted by Jer on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:17pm.
You must have missed this NB blog which noted Griffin's admission the network had a "progressive" tilt. It was also acknowledged by network execs back in 2007. The notion that MSNBC still claims to be non-partisan has become a conservative canard.
Jer
WRONG
Submitted by sentry_99 on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:21pm.
Maybe MSNBC as an org doesn't claim to be non-partisan, but they still have anchors?/commentators?/journalists(haha) claiming to be a "news organization". You should probably shoot them a line so everyone is on the same page.Then argue with Conservapedia, sentry...
Submitted by Jer on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 5:09pm.
That's where I located the admission made in 2007. But maybe you don't consider it a reputable source.
Jer
Good evening Jer
Submitted by cocodrie on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 5:24pm.
I see you're still splitting hairs. Maybe a good creme rinse would help.
Jesus loved you so much He died for you
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Hey, cocodrie...
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 11/09/2010 - 1:10am.
Empires have risen and fallen on the splitting of finer hairs than these.
[Probably not, but I thought that sounded pretty profound.]
Jesus loves you too.
Jer
I'm arguing with Maddow
Submitted by sentry_99 on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 5:36pm.
As I said, the people behind the desks at MSNBC think they are strictly a news operation. http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2010/11/07/rachel-maddows... I'm sure you don't think NB is a reputable source.MSNBC even says it themselves
Submitted by Denny Crane on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 9:07pm.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39507182/
Cable news network msnbc said Tuesday it is launching a two-year, multimillion-dollar marketing campaign, embracing its politically progressive identity with the new tagline “Lean Forward.”
"Lib free or die"
We Are The 53%
Hanlon's Razor
Submitted by Model850 on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 6:52pm.
"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed.
It proves either a) this was
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:05pm.
It proves either a) this was a weird, pointless publicity stunt of which both Olbermann and MSNBC brass were well aware or b) Olbermann has more stroke behind the scenes at MSNBC now than ever before and can do whatever the hell he wants without fear of serious reprisal.
Or both.
awful news
Submitted by grammajane on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:21pm.
Most of his time away took place over the weekend when he doesn't even have a show,. It is all a scam to get a bigger audience. The only problem, the audience will exit after Tues and olby will be back to his 20 or so viewers. Hopefully "Mr. Ed" will be the next big mouth to take a leave.
So now Griffin is lying...
Submitted by Desperado67 on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:22pm.
...given that his statement starts off with "After several days of deliberation and discussion ." Supposedly, according to his previous statements, Griffin first became aware of Olberwomann's donations on Thursday night - that was 3 days ago - but somehow he has had 'several days' to deliberate and discuss the situation???
Rob Binsrick
Louisville Economic Policy Examiner
I gotta think that there was
Submitted by killa37 on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:28pm.
I gotta think that there was some serious legelese being bandied about.................
A collective "CRAP!"
Submitted by AgentAmerican on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:31pm.
Suspended indefinately at MSNBC can mean just about anything...proof positive!
well now
Submitted by Calypso Jones on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:33pm.
we sure didn't see THAT one coming, now did we? LoL
Just when I thought we were finally rid of him...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:39pm.
So...The tiny little minds running the show at MSNBC have decided to keep Bathtub Boy on the air...For a brief time, I actually thought that they might have reached critical mass where it came to Olbertwit, and had finally ditched him.
I suppose in one way, this can be seen as good news...Having Olby on the air is like having Queen Nancy still leading the Dems in the House...Both are imbecilic lightening rods for the right, and will continue to no doubt motivate all those who can't stand everything that they represent.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Olbermann is like one of
Submitted by Chris Norman on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:39pm.
Olbermann is like one of those monsters in horror films. You think he's been killed, but he was only very temporarily out. Then, he jumps up - worse than ever.
Quick! Someone photoshop an
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:07pm.
Quick! Someone photoshop an old-school hockey mask on Olbermann's head and a huge machete in his hand!
This is now officially...
Submitted by bkeyser on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:40pm.
a stunt.
A stunt? To what end?
Submitted by PrairieSky on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:51pm.
To raise ratings? That's the only thing that I can think of, and even that doesn't make sense. Who else but the rabid, fringe left watch MSNBC and Olbermann anyway? Who else would they be trying to appeal to?
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Prairie
Submitted by bkeyser on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:56pm.
This is part of the "re-branding" effort of MSNBC. In this case, as indicated by Rachel Man-now, "We are not FoxNews. We are a news organization. FoxNews is a political organization. Lean Forward..."
It's getting them tons and tons of press.
It was a stunt.
Or to quote Rach, "Bullpucky."
bk..How does bringing Olbertwit back on the air possibly...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:09am.
help "re-brand" MSNBC? All this does is to reconfirm what we all already know...MSNBC is a leftist bastion and de facto propaganda arm of the Dems. This whole episode doesn't make them look any less pathetically left than they were before. Even other media outlets don't take MSNBC seriously anymore...It may be getting them tons of press, but what kind of press, and so what? If this has been a stunt with the intent, as you propose, to help them "re-brand" themselves, then it most definitely didn't work.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Prairie
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:24am.
Oh, it won't work. They won't see an appreciable viewership increase. I think that they have made a corporate decision, ahead of Comcast's takeover, to solidify their "progressive" brand. They're trying to assure their sheep that they are the serious cable news outlet and despite the massive losses in the midterms, people shouldn't "move to the center" for their choice of cable news suppliers.
There is no way this was a serious action when they first come out and say "indefinite suspension without pay" and then a day later issue a press release that it will indefinitely be two whole days. That in itself is ludicrous. It has to be about buzz.
I'm going with stunt. And apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so.
bk...What pitiful ratings MSNBC does manage to get...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:49am.
come from the hardcore, rabid fringe left...No one else wastes their time with this idiocy but those deranged fools. If this is a stunt, I am just mystified at what the point is...What good does a few days of increased press do them? MSNBC is not going to lose their viewers...Where are they going to go? Even CNN is more rational than MSNBC, and of course those loons would never go to FOX, which the unhinged left consider practically a satanic force in the world.
As far as solidifying their progressive brand, I think that's a given...No one with a brain doubts what MSNBC is and what its "mission" is. I have no idea what Comcast's plans for MSNBC are, or if they had any input in this whole episode...If they plan to truly try to return MSNBC to anything that resembles an objective news outlet, bringing Olbermann back isn' the way to do it. I am interested to see what, if anything, changes after Comcast takes over.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
I thought turkeys could fly
Submitted by Injest on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 4:12am.
That's so incredibly bizarre I think your right!
About as bright as "as God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."
"The turkeys were hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement," stated Les Nessman, who reported the event live for station WKRP from the parking lot of the Pinedale shopping mall.
"It was just terrible. People started to panic and were running around the parking lot screaming. One of the turkeys even crashed right through the windshield of a parked car."
Station Manager Arthur Carlson took full responsibility for the chaos caused by the Thanksgiving Day promotion, claiming that "as God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."
Aren't you cute?...And actually, turkeys can fly...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 11:40am.
for short distances. We have wild turkeys where I live, and I've seen them fly. ;-)
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
~Wild turkeys
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 4:28pm.
Haven't been fattened for slaughter. I guess it makes a bit of difference. Yikes. LOL
True... But whether they've been fattened for...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 9:54pm.
slaughter or not is kind of beside the point I think. The point is that turkeys, wild or otherwise, are capable of flight...That's all.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Sheesh. I read Wild Turkey
Submitted by Guttermouth's Return on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 10:30pm.
Sheesh. I read Wild Turkey and I thought you were talking about whiskey again! ; )
Prairie
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 10:04am.
Obviously we'll never really know if this was a stunt or not -unless someone at MSNBC admits to it- but it looks like more and more people are figuring it out. Ed Morrissey at HotAir has called it such in a column this morning, and I suspect more like this will pop up on the interwebs throughout the day.
If so, I'm taking credit for calling this race for NB! LOL Olbie in a stunt by a landslide!
bk...It would appear that the concensus is growing...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 10:53am.
that this may very well have been a stunt...Albeit a stupid, useless one. If so, game, set, and match go to you, bk, for being the one here at NB to call it! lol!
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Prairie
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 11:07am.
Looks like Mediaite saw it pretty early; this post by Tommy Christopher was around 3:00pm yesterday. But since I don't read Mediaite, I'm still taking credit for the NB call! LOL
Still, it's a loser for MSNBC. But they can't see that on their own -those blue goggles don't let much light in... (ooo, a photoshop idea...)
bk...A loser for them is right...They're just lost over there...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 11:13am.
Hopelessly lost in their own little libnut world.
As for the blue goggles, you're right...A definite photoshop idea...Get to work! ;-)
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Prairie
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:38pm.
How's this for a quickie?
Love it! Isn't he charming...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:53pm.
in those lovely blue goggles?? LOL!!
I have to admit that I'm a real novice when it comes to photoshop, so it's great to have someone like you here at NB who has the talent and knowledge of how to put things like this together...Keep 'em coming!
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
I think that the end result
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 11:13am.
I think that the end result will be a short term spike in ratings which will end up falling back to the low points that were in place before the "indefinite suspension" and perhaps falling even further. The more details of this "indefinite suspension" that come out the more it appears to be an orchestrated publicity stunt.
You could be right-I've never seen an "indefinite suspension"...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 11:36am.
last a mere 2 days...And as for the short term spike in ratings, if it happens, it won't last...This whole idea was problematic from the start. Who exactly is MSNBC hoping to draw in with this stunt? No one beyond the far left kooks watch that channel...The few viewers that are curious enough to tune in for a few days while this is all going on, won't stick around after the buzz is over...MSNBC will return to their pre-buzz numbers, which were and will remain, dismal. It's all pretty desperate and pathetic.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Who will O'Reilly have on his show Tuesday?
Submitted by Texndoc on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:43pm.
Please, anybody but the "body language" segment lady and the "culture quiz". This is your big time to kick him in the teefs, Bill-Oh.
Might I suggest the candidate he donated money against, Senator Elect Rand Paul? And Karl Rove, Liz Cheney, and, oh.....Sarah Palin.
Olbermann's Video Resume
Submitted by motherbelt on Sun, 11/07/2010 - 11:55pm.
Keith Olbermann in a minute
mb, you know I love you
Submitted by Blonde on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 1:21am.
But seriously, gf, you should have given the title of your link a bit more thought.
There is absolutely no way, no how, I'd ever click it. Nevah, evah, evah!
OLBIE IN A MINUTE.
Not going there. Not now, not ever.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 138 (and Counting)
Awww, come on, B!
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 9:10am.
You can do it! It won't hurt! It'll amuse you! It's a montage of his best moments!
As for the title, that's what it's called at Weasel Zippers, which is where I got it.
Take a big swig of coffee (swallow it first) and be brave!!
Considering how his boss
Submitted by rbosque on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:06am.
Considering how his boss Obama has left 8 million unemployed, I would say he got off easy.
I still think that if enough of us sign a petition, we can still get him committed to a nut-house.
rbosque
Submitted by well99 on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:15am.
What nut house would take him?Gitmo wouldnt take this horse's a$$.
well if they were using the formula that one phone call
Submitted by porpoiseboy on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:18am.
complaining about him being disciplined equals a hundred others who feel the same way, then they must have reckoned that the two calls they had meant EVERY viewer they had was pissed.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left
The best social program is a JOB...ronald reagan
Can anyone say PUBLICITY
Submitted by mostlymoderate on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:32am.
Can anyone say PUBLICITY STUNT? I fell for it.
If it means a couple more ratings points...
Submitted by Jer on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 1:45am.
Look for indefinite suspensions of Matthews, Maddow and Schultz in coming weeks.
Jer
Yup
Submitted by well99 on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 11:21am.
It was staged just to give Olby more quality time with his bathtub.Now wait and see MSDNC parade this around as them not being bias.
2 days??? How fitting...
Submitted by caiobabe on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:46am.
... that is, the number "two" and Keith Olbermann.
End Result...
Submitted by Tenebrous on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:59am.
...is that MSNBC looks like a joke. Yes, yes, I know you could argue that they were already a joke, but this makes them look like a joke on a professional level. I don't think we'll know if KO's boss is stupid, got pressured, couldn't get out of some legal trap, or something else, but the end effect is to reduce the professionalism of MSNBC one more step. If I was Comcast, I'd ditch their entire lineup in favor of someone -- anyone -- that could bring in viewers. People on the right have issues with O'Reilly. You could get somebody to take on his time slot.
Visions and Principles blog
Phil Griffin's days at MessNBC are numbered
Submitted by OxyCon on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 1:19am.
...and Olbermann won't be too far behind him.
Smells like Balloon Boy to me. i.e., A publicity stunt
Submitted by krendler on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 1:20am.
A two day "indefinite" suspension? Never heard of such a thing. The only thing that would be more ridiculous would be a one day "indefinite" suspension.
What was the point?
These people strike me as idiots. Did any of MSDNC's management come over from Air America, by any chance?
So, basically
Submitted by Chaitealover on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 1:24am.
his "punishment" equals what the regular working stiff only dreams of ... a four day weekend.
Meh
Chai
Olbermann redux?
Submitted by lgeubank on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 1:42am.
Both my parents were farm kids, and I've learned a lot of farm lore. And I happen to know, if you don't work a jackass for a period of more than a couple of days, he starts to forget how to plow. You gotta keep asses and mules in harness.
Wait And See
Submitted by txradioguy on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:00am.
I think it was done to let them try and wield a bigger club at Fox News.
Now they can indignantly point at Fox and go "SEE...see what WE do to our anchors when they openly show support for candidates! We have standards...WE are a news organization...Fox News is nothing more than a GOP House organ who lets their 'news' anchors openly and blatantly shill for politicians with no recriminations!!!!"
I fully expect to hear something like that from Maddow and company tonite.
IIIIInnnnnntttttteresting
Submitted by Denny Crane on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:20am.
Rumor that Olbie broke the rules, he gets suspended.
AB posts a clip showing racism at the NAACP, someone instantly gets fired.
I know there are a lot more examples of jumping the shark.....
just can't think of them right now...
"Lib free or die"
We Are The 53%
could be
Submitted by Injest on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:27am.
More and more, this has the feeling of a publicity stunt, doesn't it?
Hummm could be.
Or it could be Olbermann on his knees for 3 days with the Palin wig on his head!
How seriously does MSNBC take ethics?
Submitted by Peter on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 5:06am.
I guess we know how serious MSNBC is about ethics violations among its liberal staff. If they actually had someone who was moderate would they be as lanient?
"MSNBC" and "ethics" don't belong...
Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 11:00am.
in the same sentence together.
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan
Definitely a stunt
Submitted by jdtexas on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 5:33am.
I've been sitting on this since the story first hit, I thought maybe I was just crazy. Either he didn't donate to those candidates or they didn't report it in their FEC filings. It simply isn't there. I don't know how else to interpret it.
Is there something I don't know? Is there some way that an individual can donate to a political candidate without showing up in the public release of the FEC filings? I didn't just sort by the O like Noel here, I sorted by amount and didn't even find a Keith.
Media Matters?
Submitted by nicksmith112 on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 6:20am.
The save Keith petition website (http://www.saveolbermann.com) that allegedly had 275,000 signatures looks exactly like the the media matters website??!!
I'm a refugee from the Democratic Party.
Media Matters rooting for Olbermann???
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 9:15am.
I want to show you something. It's my shocked face
If they got 275,000 signatures, that's his entire viewership
How many of those sigs were
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 11:16am.
How many of those sigs were multiples?
None
Submitted by HockeyKid on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:51pm.
because there were no "sigs". MediaMatters just posted the entire interment list from Chicago's largest cemetery. They got it from Obama's campaign office."Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Olbermann/MSNBC
Submitted by sarge329 on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 7:47am.
I had heard, for some time, that Olbermann was off track in all kinds of ways. I consider myself fortunate, in that our cable provider does not offer PMSNBC. We are also not provided with FNC, so we might actually be " fair and balanced " . At any rate, after having heard all of the antics of the cast of of the farce known as PMSNBC over the last year or so, I would consider them to have " jumped the shark " . After all, isn't that what TV shows are said to have done when they exhibit storylines so bizarre that they are no longer credible for the storyline? I realize that I am talking about Hollyweird, but it is populated and run by liberals, is it not? That is a kingdom based on make-belief and fantasy, not real life. Therefore, it is one of the ideal breeding grounds for the liberal mindset. The other, of course, would be the Ivy League kingdom of academia, since they mistakenly believe that they are smarter than the rest of us and, there-fore, are obviously the best suited to run this country. He did, of course, espouse the party line and he brings in higher ratings than the rest of the cast. So, to save them, Griffin did his pathetic best, gave Olbermann the proper punishment ( a slap on the wrist ) and said, " OK , bad boy. Back to work " . Griffin, in his defense, was only following orders from the WH press office.
Reason why so soon?
Submitted by Thoreau on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 7:54am.
They tried to replace Olbermann, but all the viable people had contributed to the DNC.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=225125
No, I'm not kidding.
No big deal.
Submitted by johnsonl on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 7:57am.
He'll do something else stupid, because now he thinks he's bullet proof. The ax will fall in Jan.
Obama in India ain't Nixon in China
Submitted by Texndoc on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 8:19am.
Big whopping Keef headlines on Huff Po. But where's boy Barry? Oh, who cares.
I for one am glad he's back
Submitted by Ruths husband Ben on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 8:56am.
What would the world be like without clowns? I am sure that he has a great talent for bending balloons into weiner dogs.
I have a sneaky suspicion
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 9:04am.
I have a sneaky suspicion that this was a planned publicity stunt from the get-go. In the past whenever Olbermann was reprimanded and also when he left MSNBC and ESPN he whined and moaned and badmouthed a lot of people. His unusual silence should have been a clue. Expect Olbermann to be more bombastic than ever. I imagine this will cause a short-term spike in ratings but nothing else.
Monday night is W night on NBC
Submitted by Texndoc on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 9:08am.
Just saw NBC has a big George W. Bush interview at 7pm tonight which explains the Tuesday return. I hope O'Reilly is planning accordingly to kick his butt in the ratings.
Yep, this is all a publicity
Submitted by ParalegalGoddess on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 9:08am.
Yep, this is all a publicity stunt and really the end result is that EVERYTHING MSNBC does is a bit for the air. I mean really, even the stories surrounding this incident were covered under "entertainment". I really don't see how ANYONE could look to this network as a "trusted news source". It is true, never ever believe ANYTHING you hear. I sincerely doubt there was any ethics rule prohibiting him from making political contributions in the first place.
What is that strange whirring sound I hear??? Oh yeah, its Tim Russert spinning in his grave. I cannot help but wonder how different things would be at MSNBC right now were he still alive. Disgusting. Completely. Disgusting.
Keep it up, (MS)NBC!... Please!
Submitted by Cactus Kurt on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 9:22am.
I'm guessing that Republicans are happy for his return. Olbermoron (and his MSNBC ilk) produce free nightly campaign ads for conservatism. The political vitriol that Olby, Ed, Maddow, Matthews, and O'Donnell spew each night helped Republicans gain 60 House seats. Keep it up, (MS)NBC!
The publicity stunt will
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 9:52am.
The publicity stunt will most likely result in a short-term spike in ratings but not much more than that.
Suspended with pay?
Submitted by trahantg on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 10:02am.
They were paying this retard? Nuff said
FOX NEWS IS GUILTY, SIR...............
Submitted by Tomorama on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 10:24am.
Did Fox News even mention this on the air or on their website?
I know they are going to get blamed, just curious.
So, he had a nice rest, and
Submitted by marpel on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 10:44am.
So, he had a nice rest, and he'll be rarin' to go on Tuesday....I knew this would happen, and I do believe this was all a front for something else. MSNBC still doesn't get it, and never will get it, so good for the GOP... this should seal the deal for us in 2012...
"Deep within my heart lies a memory. A song of ol' San Antone..."
I KNEW IT!
Submitted by sometimesright on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 11:25am.
i knew it, i knew it! MSNBC played this silly little game to give the semblence and illusion that they really care about journalism guidlines. what a crock! at PMSNBC anything goes!
Glad he's back
Submitted by Whoa on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:29pm.
We need examples like him to point at and laugh
Fans?
Submitted by almostacowboy on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 12:47pm.
Hundreds of lunatics in asylums (Olby's audience) are estatic. Some say it's just the drugs.
whole lot of people?
Submitted by jdtexas on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 1:23pm.
"Update II: Further exploration of the FEC records uncovered the following at 'A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE FOR GRIJALVA CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE'"
That's funny because that really wasn't a lot of people...
The return of Bathtub Boy
Submitted by Mary Louise Turner on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 1:25pm.
Oh, great! I thought MSDNC would actually do the right thing and actually fire Bathtub Boy...Alas, it's not to be. Could it be that this slimy "suspension" was actually a clumsy sweeps-month promotion?
Ironic
Submitted by rgold on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 1:28pm.
I love the fact that he chose to list his occupation as "newscaster" instead of "commentator" while making a partisan political contribution.
Olbermann brands himself a
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:10pm.
Olbermann brands himself a "journalist" and "newsman" whenever it suits him and then denies it while claiming to be a "political commentator" when held to any semblence of journalistic standards. It's like trying to nail jello to a wall.
In the great scheme, this
Submitted by Guttermouth's Return on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 1:28pm.
In the great scheme, this makes the most sense. MSNBC needs Keith.
Like a terminal lung cancer
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:11pm.
Like a terminal lung cancer patient in his final hours needs a cigarette.
Thank you for beings so
Submitted by Guttermouth's Return on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:12pm.
Thank you for beings so predictable.
You're just jealous that you
Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 4:00pm.
ROTFL! You're just jealous that you didn't think of it first. My you're touchy.
My, you're predictable.
Submitted by Guttermouth's Return on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 4:00pm.
My, you're predictable.
~Deja vu..
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 4:11pm.
..Wait, didn't I just say that?
Stop trying to steal my line!
Submitted by Guttermouth's Return on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 4:15pm.
Stop trying to steal my line!
~My, you're predictable
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 4:24pm.
Oops. :-D
Is there a thread on The Bitter Half's foreign fashion disaster yet? Or should I start one? LOL
I know not of what you
Submitted by Guttermouth's Return on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 4:39pm.
I know not of what you speak.
But I will soon find out...
My, you're predictable.
Submitted by Beukeboom on Tue, 11/09/2010 - 3:20pm.
My, you're predictable.
Ratings move
Submitted by wingnut55 on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 2:12pm.
This suppension was just a move to get higher ratings. He was never in danger of losing his job. They were just hoping that on his return that a large number of people will want to see what he says. It is after all November, a big ratings month.
Ahh the bathtub has wheels....
Submitted by upcountrywater on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 2:31pm.
Private business can not continue, losing money forever.
Looking to be a cold 2011 tax season...
Looks like an obombic, stimulus package, ain't going to show up, anytime soon. Transforming them into govtv.
h/t ISSA
O'bama 0% capital gains @4:58 and so much more.
The funniest feedback
Submitted by HockeyKid on Mon, 11/08/2010 - 3:58pm.
on this story is that, when I mentioned it at the water cooler, my colleagues literally looked at me and said, "Who?" That, ladies and gents, is the bottom line on ol' Queef. More people know who Snookie and The Sitch are than have ever heard of Keith Olbermann. And that makes me smile."Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
NFL Jerseys *Bears
Submitted by Fans Jerseys on Tue, 12/28/2010 - 10:59pm.
NFL Jerseys *Bears Jerseys*
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Ben Roethlisberger Jersey Hines Ward Jersey James Harrison Jersey Troy Polamalu Jersey Willie Parker JerseyNHL Jerseys *Penguins Jerseys*
Andre Fleury Jersey Sidney Crosby Jersey Evgeni Malkin Jersey Mario Lemieux Jersey*Fans Jerseys*
Antti Niemi Jersey Brent Seabrook Jersey Patrick Kane Jersey Bobby Hull Jersey Jonathan Toews Jersey