Apparently, the grandstanding by Edward R. Murrow-wannabe Keith Olbermann during his performance as co-moderator of the May Republican debate won the support of the AFL-CIO. On its blog, the union announced the big news that Olbermann will also moderate the August 7 Democratic debate, which the powerful union is sponsoring.
It looks like the man who once stated that “the leading terrorist group in this country right now is the Republican Party,” will have the responsibility of questioning the Democratic candidates' positions and challenging their statements.
July 17, the AFL-CIO Now blog promoted Olbermann's new moderator gig, and since the site didn't mention Matthews' name or anyone else's, it looks as if Olbermann will fly solo (via Inside Cable News, emphasis mine throughout):
Keith Olbermann, whose biting, pull-no-punches commentaries on MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” have been known to spike the blood pressure of their targets—ask Fox News’ belligerent right-winger Bill O’Reilly—will moderate the AFL-CIO Presidential Candidates Forum in Chicago on Aug. 7. The forum, with the seven leading Democratic candidates, will be broadcast live from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. CDT (7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. EDT) on MSNBC and XM Satellite Radio.
Of course, O'Reilly is labeled a “right-winger,” while Olbermann is not given an ideologically left-leaning label. Granted, it is the AFL-CIO, and the union is promoting a certain world view in this post.
Considering Olbermann's bizarre partisan performance in the Republican debate and his weeknightly one-note political flea circus on MSNBC, is it possible for a man who frequently calls Republicans some form of Nazi or fascist and equates them to terrorists to treat the Dems with the same skepticism and question their talking points with the same vigor that he showed in the GOP debate?
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney praised Olbermann, saying, “Keith’s wit and political savvy will ensure a lively and substantive discussion about the issues working families care about most.” I guess Republicans don't have “working families.” Note that Sweeney didn't include “non-partisan” in the "Countdown" host's description. He must have caught Olbermann's act before.
The uber-objective Olbermann responded to his selection by saying he was “honored”:
…[for the] opportunity to question the leading Democratic presidential candidates about the key issues of this race. This is a critical time in our nation’s history and I look forward to helping our viewers better understand where each of the candidates stand on the issues.
Well, after Fox News' Brit Hume was considered too partisan for the union-backed John Edwards and his fellow Democrats to be moderated by, I guess this announcement explains their definition of “fair and balanced.”
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Democrats
July 18, 2007 - 10:01 ET by iveseenitallThe Democratic candidates and Keith Olbermann under the same roof. Will there also be a bearded lady, a horse with two heads, and Tom Thumb? I love it when the circus is in town.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
And to think some perfectly
July 18, 2007 - 10:12 ET by Ran56And to think some perfectly fine village is missing their IDIOT!.. And he's with the AFL-CIO!
Yes the AFL_CIO who brought
July 18, 2007 - 10:40 ET by Free ThinkerYes the AFL_CIO who brought us the proposed bill to ban secret voting so they could intimidate workers. Seems fitting that an anti-American like Oberman would be picked to host their "debate". The question is, will anyone even watch?
I think the question is,
July 18, 2007 - 11:28 ET by motherbeltI think the question is, will Keith Olbermann shut up long enough to let any of the candidates speak???? Because he does love the sound of his own voice, and is amazed by his own intellect.
I'll accept your
July 18, 2007 - 13:34 ET by Challenger GrimI'll accept your bet.
He'll only be quiet when he's drooling over one of his favorite canidates.
I'll also bet you that we'll learn more about olbermann from this debate than we will anything about the canidates.
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
I've got your Fred Thompson Fact Right Here!
July 18, 2007 - 13:42 ET by Free Stinker:-)
_______
Fred Thompson and Ann Coulter walk into a bar. The bar is instantly destroyed because that much awesome cannot be contained in one build
Some of my favorite
July 18, 2007 - 13:46 ET by Challenger GrimSome of my favorite facts
The Jedi’s lightsabers are a technological effort to capture the power of Fred Thompson’s gaze.
To Voldemort, “He-who-must-not-be-named” is Fred Thompson.
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
We're still waiting for
July 18, 2007 - 10:11 ET by KC MulvilleWe're still waiting for Keith to have a guest on his show who might possibly disagree with him. Every segment is Keith interviewing some in-house "expert" (Jonathan Turley, Dana Milbank, John Dean, etc.) where Olbermann asks a long-winded question filled with every whacko-left assumption, and then the "expert" begins with, "You're right, Keith ..."
Every Olbermann show is a rerun. They're exactly the same.
Put Ollie North in the same studio with him, and let him be snarky about the military. Measure the jetwash as Olbermann flees the studio.
Spine
July 18, 2007 - 10:23 ET by cvgbuckeyeWhatever spine that Olbermann has is the color of yellow. He does not have the courage to have anyone like Ollie North or any other MAN on his SHOW or they would knock him on his cowardly rear-end AND HE KNOWS IT!
DAN MILBANK, JOHN DEAN, etc.;..pshaw;;; there isn't a shred of manhood in the whole lot;;;;like the host and a lot like the afl/cio.
"We're still waiting for
July 18, 2007 - 10:28 ET by jasper1"We're still waiting for Keith to have a guest on his show who might possibly disagree with him"
amen! ...yes, he just invites parrots on his show, at least Oreilly puts on opposing viewpoints.
msnbc is a total joke. and so is the Democrat party, moving further and further to the left....This is good in a sense....
oh, you forgot about David "scooter libby" Shiester
You are wrong, there have
July 18, 2007 - 11:29 ET by Chidi NwachukhuYou are wrong, there have been folks on the show that dissagree with Keith. Countdown isn't an idiotic shoutfest like the Fox shows. If you are looking for a show that features worthless bickering, you won't be watching Countdown, you'll be watching Hannity and Colmes. Exhitbit A is the "Boxing Match" Al sharpton "debate". And Ollie North? C'mon. I guess Keith could thank Ollie for selling arms to IRAN and helping create a marketplace for hostages. Thanks Ollie!
Now go ahead and spin your rebuttal Rolodex, but skip all of the Bill Clinton tabs.
Keith Overhimself as was
July 18, 2007 - 11:47 ET by Gat New YorkKeith Overhimself as was said doesn't have a shout fest because he has his usual posse of toadies who ape each other for an hour. He is too incredibily ignorant to hold a discussion with anyone who remotely disagrees with his warped perspectives. Basically he is a clown and the Democrats are the circus he will be part of.
So if there is someone like
July 18, 2007 - 12:45 ET by Chidi NwachukhuSo if there is someone like Michael Ware on to talk about the War, then he's supposed to have someone on the show to yell at Ware and say, you didn't see that? Makes perfect sense.
Not sure if you are
July 18, 2007 - 11:49 ET by contraryNot sure if you are trolling, probably though...
Your comments make little sense as Keith's content on "Countdown" should have little to do with Hannity and Colmes. (I agree with your assessment of Hannity and Colmes by the way.) Don't get your reference to Ollie and IRAN. Keith has a proven track record of bias, and lack of skill with asking questions, which have been documented here. The guests he chooses to bring on his show tend to reinforce the agenda he wishes to project as news. Having someone like Oliver North with a different viewpoint on, say Iraq, should be irrelavant as it is Keith's JOB to be a JOURNALIST, and report the news, not inject opinion.
I brought up Ollie North in
July 18, 2007 - 12:25 ET by Chidi NwachukhuI brought up Ollie North in response to KC Mullville's comments. I bring the Iran arms trading for hostages becuase i find it perverse that the guy still has a platform. I compared H & C to Countdown because they are both Primetime News/Opinion shows on competing networks, with contrasting styles.
Olliver North Derangement Syndrome
July 18, 2007 - 12:35 ET by Free StinkerI have finally figured out the root cause of ONDS - Olliver North Derangement Syndrome
He came up with the idea to US Navy F-14's to force down the escaping Achille Lauro hijackers into the hands of justice. I should have realized sooner that things like that anger Liberals to no end - Terrorists being killed or arrested. Now wonder Liberals hate Ollie.
_______
Fred Thompson and Ann Coulter walk into a bar. The bar is instantly destroyed because that much awesome cannot be contained in one build
Chidi, so, Iranians didn't take hostages until RR was in office?
July 18, 2007 - 12:53 ET by Dave RChidi,
Ahh, I hate to have to point this out, but I can't let your thinly veiled attempt here to imply that Ronald Reagan was responsible for introducing the idea of "hostage taking" to the Iranian Islamic horde.
They had already had plenty of practice long before Mr. Reagan was first elected.
And whatever mistakes may have been made by the Reagan administration in their dealings with Iran, they pretty well pale into insignificance when compared to Billy Joe Bob Bubba giving them the technology they are currently using to create a nuclear weapon.
Help Fred defeat the RINOs, along with the Hitllary-Obama Axis, & win the White House in '08.
Glad
July 18, 2007 - 12:53 ET by cvgbuckeyeShidi:
I am so glad you are an Olbermann fan. You sound like that is right where you belong. Stay there.
Oh I'm sorry, it was Chidi. Is the CH like SHHHH and is the first I in IDI long or short and is the last I pronounced like EEEEEE? Just wondering.
"You are wrong, there have
July 18, 2007 - 13:07 ET by KC Mulville"You are wrong, there have been folks on the show that dissagree with Keith."
Like who? Every time I stop on MSNBC (usually on my way to baseball) it's the same echo chamber. Keith is in the left box, the official Agree-person is on the right, and it reminds me of the Cone of Silence from GetSmart. At least the Cone was meant to be funny. With Olbermann, though, they're just trying to out-snark each other.
BTW, the Iranian hostage affair ended in 1981, about five years before Ollie got involved with the Iran Contra deal. He didn't create a hostage market ... Carter did. And, do you know how I can tell you're a liberal?
TANGENT ALERT! Anyone
July 18, 2007 - 13:42 ET by Challenger GrimTANGENT ALERT!
Anyone else seen the trailer for the upcoming Get Smart trailer?
I can't wait. I think Steve Carrell has FINALLY found a suitable vehicle for him.
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
Didn't hollywood already make a Get Smart Movie?
July 18, 2007 - 15:26 ET by SQL_SamI think it was called the "naked bomb" or something like that - ohh man that was terrible. But I am soooo excited about Will Farrel doing a TV show to a movie on Get Smart - just look at Bewitched that was AWESOME!! </sarc off>
Yes, there was a previous
July 18, 2007 - 15:32 ET by Challenger GrimYes, there was a previous Get Smart movie.
But what's up with your Will Ferrall rant? I can't find him in any of the credits.
Instead we're looking at:
Steve Carell
...
Maxwell Smart
Anne Hathaway
...
Agent 99
Alan Arkin
...
Chief of CONTROL
Terence Stamp
...
Siegfried
The Rock
...
Agent 23
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
Anyone want to help me get
July 18, 2007 - 13:40 ET by Challenger GrimAnyone want to help me get my show idea on fox?
It's called "ClockRun" (though I'm also partial to "Rebuttal"). The host (preferrably me but it can be anyone) has complete control over ALL microphones in the area.
Whenever someone asks a question, they will get 1 minute (subject to increase) to respond with a visual clock in front of them counting down. As soon as it hits zero their mic is off. The person can say whatever they want spin or whatever but if they don't make their point in 1 minute or less, tough.
Then an opposing viewpoint (which might even be the host) has the exact same amount of time to respond.
The show will build cred by having a "countdown clock" run even on the host who is silenced as soon as he hits 0:00 (probably enfourced by the control room).
Certain debate rules will apply, all guests will be notified of them as will the audience and failure to adhere to them will result in a 10 sec muting. (such as going above a certain volume in your voice)
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
By the way
July 18, 2007 - 18:20 ET by KC MulvilleI thought about it, and decided to do a little research. I went and checked the Olbermann show transcripts for the last week. I checked the last seven, since two of the shows had a substitute host. I gave up after that, since a week proves my point.
I couldn't find a single instance where a guest disagreed with Keith's conclusions, or even questioned Keith's assumptions. Plenty of left-wing questions, plenty of impeachment and conspiracy talk -- not a single instance of someone suggesting an alternative view. If anything, the guests were even more left wing than the host.
That, my friend, is an echo chamber.
KC... I went and checked
July 18, 2007 - 18:26 ET by bigtimerKC...
I went and checked the Olbermann show transcripts for the last week.
I thought I was bad, you must have the patience of a Saint!
Dems don't want 'tough' debate
July 18, 2007 - 10:57 ET by SouthJersey1953No surprise here. The Dems proved a while ago that they do not want to be asked any real (let alone, tough) questions at their debates.
No RINOs in '08 - Thompson/Hunter would be a good ticket; Thompson/Steele would be a great ticket
Kook Olbermann is an intellectual coward.
July 18, 2007 - 11:32 ET by NforceJust like all liberal Dems are. I'd like to know why they think it's perfectly ok to have a liberal extremist wingnut freak like Olbermann co-moderate (modern Democrats and "moderate" in the same breath is laughable) Republicans, yet those same pinheads on the left went ape $hit when FoxNews was going to be hosting a Dem debate and ran tail-tucked. Let's also not forget that rabid flaming liberal Chris Matthews (Hardball only for Republicans) was the moderator! All who believe the Dems would have allowed Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly to moderate a debate raise your hands! (Not that O'Reilly and Hannity have such insignificantly low ratings and are comparable to the likes of Kook Keith on PMSNBC). The Republicans are grown ups, however, and don't wet their beds when things don't go 100% the way they want them to. The spineless left in this nation on the other hand lives on a one way street and it's either THEIR way or NO way. They are without question the biggest hypocrites and intellectual cowards on this entire planet.
Olby
July 18, 2007 - 11:38 ET by Mulligan22To anyone who has ever watched this guy with his "special comment" segment, it makes you wonder if it's all for show. I mean it doesn't take much to refute him so he must be trolling for the knuckle dragger set.
You would think so,
July 18, 2007 - 12:19 ET by GrammyYou would think so, wouldn't you, Mulligan22?
Take a stroll over to http://www.olbermann... and if you have a strong stomach read some of his defenders. I warn you though it is the wild west there.
Or for a different type of treat check out http://keitholberman... and do visit the Estrogen Brigade. Fantasy land.
Grammy
Grammie, why in the world
July 18, 2007 - 13:44 ET by Challenger GrimGrammie, why in the world can't olbermannwatch ever have debates like...
http://www.nationalr...
*sigh* there's so little civility nowadays.
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
I copied this
July 18, 2007 - 12:08 ET by GrammyI copied this from:
http://insidecable.b...
"Gee, I wonder what the questions will be like…
“Why are the Republicans so terrible?”
“If you had your way, what matter of imprisonment would you give Karl Rove?”
“Should we impeach all the republicans now?”
“What is your strategy for getting Bill O’Reilly off the air?”
Predictable. Uninformative. Pathetic.
But hey, on the bright side. This might be the first time O’Reilly goes after Olbermann by name. That should be fun, no?
Comment by ImNotBlue — July 17, 2007 @ 2:45 pm"
ImNotBlue could be a speech writer for the deplorable KO.
Grammy
Olbermann uber alles!
July 18, 2007 - 13:19 ET by j17ghsWhere's the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" when Americans need it? Oh, that's right, the Orwellian-named "Fairness Doctrine" is about suppressing free speech. Olbermann uber alles! Really, though, what sociopathic disorder makes useful idiots like Olbermann such mindless hatemongers?
You just as well have
July 18, 2007 - 13:44 ET by well99You just as well have Howard Dean be the moderator.
"Keith Olbermann, whose biting, pull-no-punches commentaries on MSNBC’s “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” have been known to spike the blood pressure of their targets—ask Fox News’ belligerent right-winger Bill O’Reilly—will moderate the AFL-CIO Presidential Candidates Forum"
Guess it is ok to label BOR but not Olbie.Well the Dems apparently need a left wing fanatic like Obie to give soft questions and gush at them.Olbie is perfect for the job.He will probably bring baby wipes to make sure when he is done kissing their butts no drool will be left behind.
Slow Pitch
July 18, 2007 - 13:59 ET by orlandocajunImagine the slow pitches Olberman's going to be lobbing over the plate for the liberals. The closing song has to be cum by yah!
Orlandocajun I think he
July 18, 2007 - 21:54 ET by well99Orlandocajun I think he will ask some tough questions.
1#Did you have a good breakfast this morning?If you didnt wasnt it Bushes fault right!
2#Arent the Repulicans to blame for everything?Includeing the destruction of Pompei!
3#Wasnt it the republicans that used wiretaps against MLK?Opps telepromper is out.
Troll departs...new talking
July 18, 2007 - 16:42 ET by Army BratTroll departs...new talking points needed....crickets chirping gets louder... After visit to leftist websites new rantings. Jeez.... Same old crap.
As for Olbermann "Fox interviews fellow foxes regarding theft of chickens from local farmer." Happy Trails...
These looney leftists are
July 18, 2007 - 16:50 ET by bigtimerThese looney leftists are not really going to understand why they are going to lose again in '08 .
I am serious.
These people are not just sick they are brain-dead.
These same groups along with Move0n.org really make a dent don't they like they did last night with the Senate vote/all-nighter.
Silly little creatures that are not even politically savvy in the least....but I hope they stay that way....heheheee....
Thompson?Hunter '08