MSNBC Suspends Odorman

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  • Cougar Bait
    SBR Posting Legend
    • 10-04-07
    • 18282

    #1
    MSNBC Suspends Odorman
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    MSNBC suspends Olbermann over political contributions
    By Michael Calderone


    MSNBC suspended "Countdown" host Keith Olbermann Friday after the news that he donated to three Democratic candidates. "I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night," MSNBC President Phil Griffin said in a statement. "Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay."

    Olbermann gave the maximum individual donation of $2,400 to three candidates in Tuesday's election: Arizona Reps. Gabrielle Giffords and Raul Grijalva and Senate hopeful Jack Conway, who lost in Kentucky to Republican Rand Paul. (Grijalva appeared on Olbermann's "Countdown" on Oct. 28, the same day the host donated to his campaign; Conway was last a guest in May).
    Olbermann, in a statement to Politico, said that he "did not privately or publicly encourage anyone else to donate to these campaigns nor to any others in this election or any previous ones." Also, Olbermann said he had not "previously donated to any political campaign at any level."
    But the revelation raised clear ethical issues.

    Olbermann, a liberal commentator, gives his opinions each night on the air. But NBC News editorial staffers -- like journalists at most news organizations -- are forbidden from giving to political candidates. Also, Olbermann anchored election coverage Tuesday night without disclosing that he'd given to candidates who were running for office. By punishing the network's biggest star, Griffin showed how little tolerance there is for hosts to make undisclosed political contributions while covering those political races.

    An MSNBC spokesman told The Upshot that The Nation's Chris Hayes, an MSNBC contributor who has filled in before for Olbermann and Rachel Maddow, will host Friday night's show. Hayes has spoken publicly before about donating $250 to a friend's Congressional campaign in Alabama. He made the last donation in 2009, before becoming an MSNBC contributor.

    MSNBC already attracted criticism this week for having its liberal hosts and commentators anchor election night coverage. Typically, nonpartisan journalists anchor major news events—such as election results—while commentators like Bill O'Reilly (Fox News) or James Carville (CNN) offer analysis.

    It's ironic that Olbermann gave to political candidates after criticizing Fox News because its owner, Rupert Murdoch, gave $1 million donation to the Republican Governors Association. "Fox News has put its money where its mouth is," Olbermann said in an August segment that questioned the network's impartiality.

    In October, Olbermann again raised the issue of Murdoch's donations, during an interview with Democratic Rep. James Clyburn. Olbermann asked whether there was "a legislative response to the idea that there is a national cable news outlet that goes beyond having a point of view and actually starts to shill for partisan causes and actually starts to donate to partisan groups of one party."
    Attached Files
  • MartinBlank
    SBR Hall of Famer
    • 07-20-08
    • 8382

    #2
    The cynic in me says they did this to booster ratings, meaning it is staged drama

    How else could you explain it? Is it really a surprise to anyone that Olberman supports the democratic party? and how can they let Joe Scarborough donate to GOP candidates and suspend Olberman?
    Comment
    • stealthyburrito
      SBR Posting Legend
      • 05-12-09
      • 21562

      #3
      does that mean he will be a no show for football night in america as well?

      is he even still on that?
      Comment
      • mmike032
        SBR Hall of Famer
        • 09-11-08
        • 8905

        #4
        of all the talking heads regardless of their agenda he is by far the most annoying IMO.
        the dyke would be a close second
        Comment
        • statnerds
          SBR MVP
          • 09-23-09
          • 4047

          #5
          great

          now what the fukk are those 36 people going to do for that hour every night?
          Comment
          • pavyracer
            SBR Aristocracy
            • 04-12-07
            • 82837

            #6
            this is good news because I don't watch MSNBC
            Comment
            • QuantumLeap
              SBR Hall of Famer
              • 08-22-08
              • 6880

              #7
              He gave money to a man (Grijalva) that called for a boycott of the businesses of his own state. What a piece of shit.
              Comment
              • THE PROFIT
                SBR Posting Legend
                • 11-27-09
                • 17701

                #8
                I didnt know a commentator couldnt donate to a political party. He doesnt own the network, hes not the CEO, just a commentator. WOW!! This sounds kinda communist. Its not like he hides his views, he is a liberal democrat like Rush & OReilly are conservative. This is fukin stupid. Can he not donate to homeless people either? Whats the fukin difference?
                Comment
                • jjgold
                  SBR Aristocracy
                  • 07-20-05
                  • 388179

                  #9
                  Who cares

                  Means nothing
                  Comment
                  • Cougar Bait
                    SBR Posting Legend
                    • 10-04-07
                    • 18282

                    #10
                    Originally posted by statnerds
                    great

                    now what the fukk are those 36 people going to do for that hour every night?
                    WINNER
                    Comment
                    • yahoop144
                      SBR Hustler
                      • 02-13-10
                      • 54

                      #11
                      olbie is a fukkin psycho that brings the dems down.

                      he is their rush limbaugh.
                      Comment
                      • BobHarvey
                        SBR MVP
                        • 07-08-08
                        • 3987

                        #12
                        He knew the rules. I'm surprised he did it.
                        Comment
                        • sportscardheaven
                          SBR Rookie
                          • 10-27-10
                          • 46

                          #13
                          Does anyone on this site watch that boring ass channel?
                          Comment
                          • Reno Paul
                            SBR MVP
                            • 02-11-10
                            • 1647

                            #14
                            Sean Hannity donated to Republican candidates and Fox News probably praises him.

                            Oh yeah....Fox News is fair and balanced.
                            Comment
                            • zert
                              SBR MVP
                              • 09-22-09
                              • 1274

                              #15
                              I agree who cares can not stand him.
                              Comment
                              • THE PROFIT
                                SBR Posting Legend
                                • 11-27-09
                                • 17701

                                #16
                                I watch MSNBC
                                Comment
                                • MadTiger
                                  SBR MVP
                                  • 04-19-09
                                  • 2724

                                  #17
                                  Originally posted by yahoop144
                                  olbie is a fukkin psycho that brings the dems down. he is their rush limbaugh.
                                  LOL at 8:11AM Hhahahhahaha!
                                  Comment
                                  • statnerds
                                    SBR MVP
                                    • 09-23-09
                                    • 4047

                                    #18
                                    Originally posted by Cougar Bait
                                    WINNER
                                    and I thank you sir
                                    Comment
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