Those who bother analyzing the drivel regularly emanating from MSNBC’s “Countdown” never cease to be amazed by how low the star will go each night.
On Tuesday, Keith Olbermann moved ever closer to journalism’s abyss.
In his “Worst Person in the World” segment, Olbermann gave the gold medal to Accuracy in Media’s Cliff Kincaid for his coverage of Sen. Joe Biden’s potentially racist comments concerning Barack Obama (video available here)
The following is Olbermann’s nonsensical screed:
But the winner, Cliff Kincaid of Accuracy in Media, who in a piece posted today, this afternoon, writes, the coverage of presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden's racist remarks about Sen. Barack Obama demonstrates a blatant media double standard. If a Republican had condescendingly referred to a black person as clean, bright and articulate, he or she would have been branded as a racist and banished from public life.
Same day as Biden's comments came out, President Bush said about Senator Obama, “He's an attractive guy. He's articulate.” So Mr. Kincaid, you're saying the president should be branded as a racist and banished from public life? Yikes! Cliff Kincaid of Accuracy in Media, it's a brand name, not a description, today's Worst Person in the World.
This analogy between the comments made by Biden and those offered by President Bush demonstrated either an unimaginable addle-mindedness on Olbermann’s part, or a Clintonesque disingenuity level.
After all, the President didn’t say that Sen. Obama was “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate.” He just said the senator was articulate.
If Olbermann can’t see the difference, whether due to intellect or honesty, he should not be hosting a cable news program. Furthermore, if Dan Abrams doesn’t understand this, he’s not qualified to be MSNBC’s general manager.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Neil, about your headline...
February 8, 2007 - 00:51 ET by nkviking75Mr. Sheppard, why is there an "or" in your headline? Olbermann is clearly capable of both simultaneously.
Olby, there's obviously nothing racist about what the president said, and you know it. Obama IS articulate. That's often the first thing we hear about him when someone describes him, albeit not always with that particular word.
NKV
February 8, 2007 - 00:57 ET by Noel SheppardNKV,
Well, he is capable of both -- but not at the same time, right. In this instance, he's either too stupid to recognize the difference in what Biden and Bush said, or he's lying about it. And therein lies the real disgrace, as MSNBC is presenting him as a journalist.
He's neither. He's a sad clown with a decent vocabulary that has been thrust upon the American population as if he should be taken seriously. And, because he speaks to the ultra-left, which MSNBC seems to feel is it nitch, he gets to continue making a mockery of what at one point in this country was a noble profession. ns
KO
February 8, 2007 - 01:01 ET by nkviking75I think he knows what he said is a load of crap. He's all snark, no bite.
Oh but....Dan Abrahams does u
February 8, 2007 - 00:57 ET by bigtimerOh but....Dan Abrahams does understand this Noel...that is why he is msnbc's general manager..plus his Daddy, connections and all.
Did Keefy have an ice pack wi
February 8, 2007 - 03:12 ET by old croDid Keefy have an ice pack within reach from the thrashing he took from Mark Levin the other day? I was sure it would leave a mark, but I do not have the stomach to watch the show myself to see.
"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."
-Muhammad Ali
Did you guys watch the follow
February 8, 2007 - 03:34 ET by liberal_bug_zapperDid you guys watch the following vids? My god, they're on a roll trying to frame the Iraq debate as it is a complete failure, a debacle and that anyone who made the decisions was practically criminal. It's insane... do you get this all the time??? I'm in Taiwan, so I don't really get the US news much.
____________________________________________________
"These are the times that try men's souls." ~ Thomas Paine
Daily. Hourly, even
February 8, 2007 - 09:53 ET by MentalrushDaily. Hourly, even
Expecting intellectual hone
February 8, 2007 - 06:30 ET by motherbeltExpecting intellectual honesty from KO is like expecting a reasonable discussion from a 2-year-old.
As KO has the highest rated M
February 8, 2007 - 07:37 ET by King of the BritonsAs KO has the highest rated MSNBC show on the air today (even the worst teams have their best player), MSNBC will never say or do anything to KO, so long as he is able go on the air (and that would include work release). MSNBC doesn't care about news, they need ratings. Too bad they are miserable failures at both.
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!´´
--Patrick Henry
King
February 8, 2007 - 08:58 ET by Noel SheppardKing,
If 600k to 800k viewers is what MSNBC is striving for, I agree with you. However, given BOR's 2M to 2.5M, I can't imagine this is the goal.
Despite assertions by a fawning liberal print media, MSNBC is a joke. I doubt that's making GE and NBC bigwigs happy. ns
Loofa-boy's average viewer ag
February 8, 2007 - 12:37 ET by blarsenLoofa-boy's average viewer age range is 71-81yr, so most of his audience should be expired by the next presidential election. Well, when the President does it, that means that it is not illegal. -Richard Nixon
Blarsen
February 8, 2007 - 12:48 ET by Noel SheppardBlarsen,
Do you ever speak in facts? Or, do all of your errant opinions emanate from that which is anatomically designed for eliminating solid waste?
With that in mind, as you can see from Tuesday's tally supplied by Nielsen Media Research (assuming that you can actually grasp viewership data which might not be the case), BOR typically garners twice the 25-54 demographic as Olbermann does.
Alas, I'm sure this won't alter your opinion; facts don't seem to have an impact on your ilk. ns
So if O'Lielly's ratings are
February 8, 2007 - 13:31 ET by blarsenSo if O'Lielly's ratings are SO high and Olbermann's SO low, why do you even waste your time with it? I will admit to watching Mr. Paris Business Review from time to time for yucks, and my dad and his cronies who are all 85-90 really love him. Maybe he does have viewers in the 25-54 demographic, but so did "The Love Boat".
blarson, maybe you should spend more time with your dad.
February 8, 2007 - 13:42 ET by acaiguanablarson, maybe you should spend more time with your dad.
It certainly sounds like you could benefit from it.
By the way, if you could at least use O'Rielly's real name here as most of us use the real names of media darlings we don't respect, it would go a bit further. But that isn't your style, is it. That 'jerk' seminar must have really taken with you.
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
YOU should at least learn to
February 8, 2007 - 14:04 ET by blarsenYOU should at least learn to spell your idol's name correctly.
BTW, my dad saw through Bush during his first term, as did most old school conservatives who believe in fiscal accountability.
So, that's it? Spelling lesson from you? Sad.
February 8, 2007 - 14:08 ET by acaiguanaSo, that's it? Spelling lesson from you? Sad.
Why don't you ever say anything worth while? That would be my question. My point was you don't. And you also seem obsessed with making little cute rudeness out of thin air.
My question still stands. Did you learn all this cute Liberal BS at your seminar on how to be a jerk?
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
ACA-The ultimate lib melt-dow
February 8, 2007 - 14:20 ET by ghotifunACA-
The ultimate lib melt-down is when they bitch about how we spell...
What liberal BS are you talki
February 8, 2007 - 14:39 ET by blarsenWhat liberal BS are you talking about? Do you mean the liberal BS that elected a Democratic Congress or the liberal BS that gives Bush a 30% approval rating? Perhaps your referrring to the liberal BS that is investigating Scooter Libby or the liberal BS that put Duke Cunningham and Jack Abramhoff behind bars? Maybe it was liberal BS that Halliburton "lost" $1.8 dollars in Iraq. Wow! I never realized there was so much "liberal BS" going around! And that is but a fraction and I would guess there is a lot more you'll see in the future. LOVE THAT CUTE LIBERAL BS!
How about Teddy "the Swi
February 8, 2007 - 15:05 ET by ghotifunHow about Teddy "the Swimmer" talking to the KGB in 1983?
How about Dirty Harry Reid's windfall real estate deal?
How about Hillary's windfall beef deal?
You libs want to talk about the supposed culture of corruption. Talk on, lib-boy!
Thanks for bringing up that b
February 8, 2007 - 15:31 ET by blarsenThanks for bringing up that behemoth of story that just won't go away...the story all liberals FEAR...the story that will haunt her to her grave...the DREADED HILLARY WINDFALL BEEF DEAL...OH MY GOD!!!
Refresh my memory. I must of missed that when it was on the cover of Time. What is the Hillary Windfall Beef Deal? Hereafter referred to HWBD.
blarsen- You prove a point
February 8, 2007 - 16:44 ET by ghotifunblarsen-
You prove a point that this blogsite is all about...liberal bias in the media. None of the aforementioned "misjudgements" (libs, of course, don't ever break the law) have really ever made it big in the media.
But on to your request...
In 1992, or so, Hillary supposedly invested $10,000 in beef commodities and then liquidated that investment eleven months later for $100,000. On NBC, the main source of my news back then, this windfall investment was only alluded to a couple of times and then dropped. To the best of my knowledge, this windfall investment of about 1100 per cent annual profit rate was never investigated. She was just "really" lucky in her investment abilities. At least we didn't have to deal with endless insider trading investigations on the nightly news.
It's interesting that you focused on the issue with the former first lady and didn't comment on the other two...
I remember now...guilty of be
February 8, 2007 - 17:05 ET by blarsenI remember now...guilty of being a capitalist! How full our jails would be if everyone who took a profit in the stock market were put there. Here's a confession. I, too, have made money, a lot, in the stock market. Lock me up.
How about Bush? He was investigated three times by the SEC.
No, not guilty of being a ca
February 8, 2007 - 21:26 ET by ghotifunNo, not guilty of being a capitalist, suspected by many to have made a phenomenal return on a modest investment in a short time by questionable means and assistance when your husband is the POTUS and you are required to disclose financial dealings (transparency) but don't.
I, too, have made money, a lot, in the stock market.
Congrats to you. 1100 per cent?
Hers wasn't in the stock market, hers was in cattle commodities, a world of difference, especially in 1992.
How about Bush? He was investigated three times by the SEC.
So, he was investigated. Good! At least he was forthright in responding to the SEC's requests for information pertaining to those investigations, unlike Hillary. Transparency, remember!
WOW - your dad is really smar
February 8, 2007 - 14:31 ET by florida_chadWOW - your dad is really smart. I guess it skips a generation huh?
oh, then--you're implying
February 8, 2007 - 13:44 ET by tumbler_2007Larsen-san,
Are you insinuating we waste our time on Lawrence Welk reruns?
Maybe; (sniff.) But they're ten times more entertaining than Krazy Keith and Chris Matthews.
Hey, I love Neil Levang and e
February 8, 2007 - 13:58 ET by blarsenHey, I love Neil Levang and especially Jo Ann Castle!
"Thanka you boysa. Drinka Geritol. I rilly think you shood".
man, but he was lame
February 8, 2007 - 14:28 ET by tumbler_2007Welk had a unique flacciddity, yeah. Cannot see how he ever became a multibazillionaire.
He was a shrewd business man
February 8, 2007 - 14:57 ET by blarsenHe was a shrewd business man who paid his musicians lower than union scale. Believe it or not, Wal-Mart built their business model on Lawrence Welk's business practices.
yeah they could play a little
February 8, 2007 - 15:00 ET by tumbler_2007I guess a jug of champagne helped them play a little.
Noel,But, if MSNBC did or sai
February 8, 2007 - 13:30 ET by King of the BritonsNoel,
But, if MSNBC did or said anything to their top rated personality/show, wouldn't they then have to put their entire programming line up on notice? I agree that the 600k viewers every night is paltry, but if that 600k is the most of any show you have on your network, then you either must support it or get rid of the network. This doesn't even address any idealogical desires on the part of execs., which I am sure plays into it in some way. I am sure that they use their low ratings as evidence that they report unbiased news regardless of the cost in viewship - that this is somehow a demonstration of their integrity and high standards. Nevertheless, I agree that the entire network is a joke.
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!´´
--Patrick Henry
King
February 8, 2007 - 15:41 ET by Noel SheppardKing,
Don't agree. Let me give you an analogy: if the best batter on your last-place baseball team, who happens to be hitting .200, misses mandatory team practices, do you let him slide?
MSNBC is in last place. This network is a disgrace. And, you don't let one of your team misbehave all because his sub-par performance is your network's best.
Furthermore, as the last-place network, shouldn't you be striving to improve standards of behavior rather than encouraging distasteful ones? At what point should you as the GM conclude that it is this kind of behavior that is reflecting negatively on your entire operation and discouraging viewers? ns
Perhaps he and Chrisy shoul
February 8, 2007 - 08:19 ET by Right2thePointPerhaps he and Chrisy should move in together to better compare notes.
I only say this because Rosey is taken.
Noel - the comment about b
February 8, 2007 - 09:11 ET by Dee BunkNoel - the comment about being articulate couldn't be racist when GWB admits that he is not. I think to be racist you have to think that someone is beneath you - not above you.
Notice how Olbermutt also sim
February 8, 2007 - 09:31 ET by MentalrushNotice how Olbermutt also simply ignores the "clean" comment? Does no one on the left see how this is the insult, not articulate? Does no one on the left see that this implies that the rest of blacks in America aren't? Of course they do, that's why they're dodging it, and the stooges in the media form that lockstep line to distract people from it.
I'm starting to think we've all been misunderstanding this "worst person" thing he does. It's his inept way of trying to find a friend on his level.
"Qualified" is not
February 8, 2007 - 10:29 ET by iveseenitall"Qualified" is not a word which should be associated with this dumb ass Olbermann. He's an ignorant clown . He ,Matthews, Blitzer, and Scarborough should start a male version of The View. They'd make even more undeserved millions with that one.
NEVER, NEVER trust a liberal
If it is true that Olbermann actually reads NB, we are winning.
February 8, 2007 - 10:51 ET by acaiguanaIf it is true that Olbermann actually reads NB, we are winning.
But, there is no contest, really.
Olbermann is odorous as a so-called 'news' person. His 'worst' person of the world award is about as stupid as anything can get. MSNBC is the resting place of shallow minds; and Olbermann is the shallowest.
I encourage people to watch one episode to get a clue about the vile hatred of the Left nutcases with respect to our military, our President and the American dream in general. In this respect Olbermann is an example of how even white trash can get to the top.
He reminds me of the iconic figure of the redneck on the Liberal Left. He's prejudiced, callow, shallow and dull. In a dictatorship Olbermann would shine as the guy with the swagger stick, a couple of bodyguards with sub-machine guns and a dippy blond. Children would cower behind their frightened parents when he came around. His stretch open air limo with machine gun toting jeeps in front and behind would be his trademark as he tooled through the streets sending dust devils up behind the caravan.
He's the only person I know about alive today that actually causes me to want to spit when I hear his name.
Sorta like that odor one smells occasionally that requires you to spit in order to clear your sinuses.
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
KO is the last person that
February 8, 2007 - 13:18 ET by mlongKO is the last person that should be saying anything about racist comments by others...afterall this is the same guy who was condemmed by the ADL for using the nazi salute while attaking Bill O'Reilly and then he called Chris Wallace who is Jewish a monkey.
Absolutely. Playing fast an
February 8, 2007 - 21:45 ET by harrylimeAbsolutely. Playing fast and loose with quotes is exactly what Olbermann condemns on a nightly basis. You can't do that unless you come to the table with clean hands.