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The Fix Is In, And Keith Olbermann Is Out
By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 8, 2008; Page C01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR2008090800008.html?hpid=topnews
MSNBC is removing Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews as the anchors of live political events, bowing to growing criticism that they are too opinionated to be seen as neutral in the heat of the presidential campaign.
David Gregory, the NBC newsman and White House correspondent who also hosts a program on MSNBC, will take over during such events as this fall's presidential and vice presidential debates and election night.
The move, confirmed by spokesmen for both networks, follows increasingly loud complaints about Olbermann's anchor role at the Democratic and Republican conventions. Olbermann, who regularly assails President Bush and GOP nominee John McCain on his "Countdown" program, was effusive in praising the acceptance speech of Democratic nominee Barack Obama. He drew flak Thursday when the Republicans played a video that included a tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, saying that if the networks had done that, "we would be rightly eviscerated at all quarters, perhaps by the Republican Party itself, for exploiting the memories of the dead, and perhaps even for trying to evoke that pain again. If you reacted to that videotape the way I did, I apologize.”
The corporate neocons have succeeded in silencing the truth once again. The McCain/Palin machine’s whining about “liberal bias” has had its intended result, and MSNBC, and the rest of the MSM, has cowered to their corporate might. You will notice that Faux News’ rabid Republican propagandists remain in their positions, and that seems perfectly fine with Tom Brokaw and NBC. Also notice that the DLC had its grimy hands in this affair as well, agreeing with the McCain camp’s whining:
MSNBC's more liberal outlook has boosted its ratings, though it remains the third-place cable news channel. But both parties began castigating its coverage last spring. Steve Schmidt, McCain's top strategist, called the network "an organ of the Democratic National Committee," and Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe said Matthews was "in the tank" for Obama.
With a viewership of over 1 million, I sincerely hope that Keith will not take this attempt to shut him up, lying down. Truth, like Justice, is blind, and has no bias -- it just is.
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We're with you Keith and Chris
mommapanther
Run
Rethugs, run. I also watch countdown, and after this will start watching hardball as well. I always knew that Keith was a liberal, but Chris has always been conservative. Apparently, he's not conservative enough for the republicans. I can't wait to see their shows tonight, should be interesting, don't you think?
A real head shaker.
Real journalism is on the way out. That way we can watch more fluff on tv and not be bothered by what is really happening in the world. By the way did anybody see that the Russian navy was in the southern carribean today doing naval maneuvers with the venezualan navy. was not covered on any of the main 3 networks.
1984 has arrived
This is so sad.
KO is one of the last great anchors on primetime TV.
I too hope he doesn't change his MO and will still deliver
his intelligent,truthful and accurate commentary.
Yeah, but did you see how he ripped the network anyway
Did you see how he ignored their bias, and put Obama on to explain better. That's a aggressive progressive in action. He and Rachel will be bringing up the ratings soon enough.
Democrats Rule for the People, Yea!
mommapanther
Olbermann & Matthews should cover election!!
I see NO difference in the Olbermann & Matthews coverage than the GUYS at FOX ...
PUT THEM BACK !!! IF NOT I WILL WATCH CNN FOR COVERAGE!!
I see your point to an
I see your point to an extent, they do seem to be FOX's counterbalance. But there is a difference....Keith and Chris at least make an attempt to be truthful in what they report. I've even seen Keith feature himself on his "Worst Persons..." segment a couple of times when he found out that he had reported something that later turned out to be not quite right. I don't think that will ever happen over at FOX.
And don't go to CNN...they're just one step removed from FOX.
Keith and Chris
I agree wholeheartedly! Put them back on or I, too, will watch CNN for coverage. I can't imagine why you would try to stifle them when you know that they are compassionate people who have their hearts in this very important election. America has been fooled in the last two elections. Please do not stifle what little truth there is in the media! This is OUR TIME! They are fair people, and I am so proud of Chris when I see him making guests answer his questions when they try to change the subject. These two are indeed great journalists and you at MSNBC should stand up to any critism about your people and defend them, not replace them!!!
Are you kidding me?
I am constantly amazed by the evil doings of the suits, who think they can shut up or shut down truth. Keep pushing suits, and will hit you with more truth!
Don't let my glasses fool ya!
Keith Olberman is honest and speaks truthfully
I watch multiple talk shows to gain and understand what is being disseminated to the public as news and reporting. It has been clear that Keith Olberman has by far presented a clear and honest accounting of the facts. Keith is not afraid to state the facts. Many other reporters have gone into hiding for fear of castigation of the current administration. Facts are this administration has requested reporters to be in the audience. I have seen over a period of the first two years that reporters have backed off asking difficult questions as they are no longer asked to be in the loop as others which serve up a slow pitch to the speaker to not catch them off guard and allow them to deliver half truths. Keep Keith Olberman front and center. I will continue to evaluate the speakings of Sean, Krauthammer, Bill O, Rush, Glenn and others which clearly offer their opinions of without facts. They are often caught in their own blowhard schemes and spew lies. Even these reporters are paid by the one billionaire who wants his agenda put forward by them as it benefits his bottom line financially speaking. Wow, how things have changed in 40 years! Where is decency, honesty, integrity and morals in our reporting? I offer you can at least find respite from all the chaos by choosing to listen to Keith Olberman.
Keith Olberman
I couldn't agree with daltenburg more!!! He said it like it is. Keith and Rachel help keep me sane -- and I can count on them to tell the TRUTH! I am tired of so many media persons repeating the Republican lies as if they were the truth.
Bring em back
One of the few anchors who actually say what so many feel and you silence them , this is absoulte crap. Fox fabricates blatants lies regularly and now you have no counter, nobody to actually tell honest truth, Not beat around the bush, bring em back you bunch of cowards.
If everyone was as honest as KO
This wouldn't be an issue. Bring back real journalism. Base it on facts, not image!!!
He tells the truth!
I hardly miss a day of Countdown since it's been on. It's so refreshing to hear KO call a spade a spade and speak the truth. It's about time for us liberals! Too bad if Republicans don't like it. I've never appreciated the lies and crap from Limbaugh, Billo and Fox crap news. What a shame people want to silence Keith and Chris. The truth scares them! They need to get over themselves.
Keith and Rachel
Keep on tellin it like it is! LOVE IT!
A true journalist
I adore Mr. Olbermann and admire his ability to cut through all the trash and clarify the real issues. I watched the so-called 9/11 tribute and was sickened by the GOP's crassness and insensitivity. Mr. Olbermann's comments were completely appropriate and I respected his strength of character for making them. His warmth and compassion touched my heart. He constantly demonstrates that he's no-one's mouthpiece but a man of true integrity and superior intelligence. Obviously these qualities intimidate the corporate media establishment and the Bush/Cheney administration. I'll keep watching "Countdown" and will start watching Rachel Madows'(sp?) program but that's it for me for MSNBC. I was also impressed by Rachel's insightful commenting at both conventions.
People Love a Carnival
I've enjoyed Olberman's show also. I just watched Rachael's show yesterday and like it. The only other time I've heard Rachael is on Air America as we drive through the desert! Even in the San Francisco Bay Area I don't think we can receive Air America radio channel. I've tried to find it but not successful. I'm glad they gave her a t.v. show.
I hope Keith Olberman's show continues to tell the truth. I actually rely on watching it. The Jon Stewart Show and Stephen Colbert Show are also on the top of my list. Those two are sarcastic comedy and we love it! It's amazing to me how even the Democratic Party seems a little afraid of Stephen Colbert and won't send people from The Party to be his guest very often. But Howard Dean has been on his show.
At this time in history the world does seem to be very crazy. Especially our own citizens who find the barracuda woman so interesting. She is the side show right now that throngs of people have to see. At the same time the medicine man has been showing his magic medicine that works wonders, duping people to buy it all. We need people like Keith Olberman to tell it like it is.
Keith Out?
As usual...they silence the truth-tellers. It's always been that way. But Chris, I know he expressed his joy from time to time during their DNC convention coverage, but I've always considered him pretty much a moderate.
Keith & Rachel are my lifeline to sanity at this point.
Keith and Chris
Here we have "Disgusting Mouth Pill Popping" Rush Lumbaugh whose '"talent" is on loan from God (how sick is that, I'm sure God is really proud of him) Sean Hannity "A Good American" who lies everytime he opens his "Better Than You" mouth, Bill O'Reilly the "Want-a be" but Blew It Sex Offender" and Chis and Keith are removed? You could tell that Keith was extrememly moved by that film, I guess that's cause Dem's have feelings, the Republicans have the most feelings and love for themselves!!!
Keith and Chris
I only watch PBS for objective reporting. Chris and Keith seemed to have deep negative feelings about Sen. Clinton. I voted for her and stopped watching them months ago. They were too loud, rude and strident. When they were against the present administration, they were strong; but when I saw them being less than objective about Sen. Clinton, they lost me. HOWEVER, at their very worst, they were prophets compared to FAUX NOISE. Truth tellers are always silenced. This cannot be news to any of us. Obama is trustworthy and McPalin is terrifying.