Posted on 11/05/2010 11:29:56 AM PDT by Senator Goldwater
Keith Olbermann has been suspended indefinitely from MSNBC for making campaign contributions to three Democrats.
Phil Griffin, president of MSNBC:
I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay. Read the MSNBC policy on campaign donations.
* * * *
MSNBC host Keith Olberman made campaign contributions to Democrats, one of whom appeared on his program, "Countdown with Keith Olbermann."
Olbermann donated the maximum allowable amount to failed Democratic Senate candidate Jack Conway in Kentucky and Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona. Olbermann donated to the Arizona lawmakers on Oct. 28 - the same day Grijalva appeared on Olbermann's show. Grijalva won another term, while Giffords appears to be leading in her race for re-election. Conway lost his Senate bid to Rand Paul.
In a statement to Politico, Olbermann said, "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. I also donated the same amount to the campaign of Democratic Senatorial candidate Jack Conway in Kentucky." Olbermann went on to say 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, nor have I previously donated to any political campaign at any level."
The news comes in the wake of Olbermann's harsh criticism of Fox News parent company News Corp., which donated to Republican-leaning groups. MSNBC president Phil Griffin also issued an open challenge in light of the News Corp. donations, saying to The New York Times in October, "Show me an example of us fundraising."
(Excerpt) Read more at voices.washingtonpost.com ...
Worst person in world
Alan Grayson will host his new show there starting in February.
Yes!
Icing on the cake!
An alternative way of giving him time off to have his post-election exploded head repaired.
This just keeps getting better and better!
The meltdown has begun on Democratic Underground. As usual, the more reasonable are expressing shock at this ethics violation while the crazies are moving in to crowd them out. Never fails, lol!
Ed Morrissey of Hot Air writes, "Let's not pretend that this somehow proves Olbermann's bias. Despite NBC's insistence on calling Olbermann a news anchor, he's one of the most obvious opinionaters in the cable news industry."Exactly. Not to take Olbermann's side or anything, but the rule is pretty stupid and pretty lame. As if "not contributing" somehow keeps journolisters "objective".
It's BS. I'd rather let them contribute. Then they are publicly proclaiming their bias instead of hiding behind a false wall of "objectivity".
Good news.
I won’t get excited about this just yet. He could be back again in a couple of days.
This might be all a dog and pony show.
christingles is doing the happy dance right about now.
Olberman = Rabid Liberal Maxx Headroom without the brain. Oh! Maxx wasn’t a homo, either.
Wow!!!!! We are so lucky. If these contributions were not uncovered the public would never have known Olbermann leaned towards the Democrats. ROTFL!!!!
MSNBC isn’t liberal.
What on Earth makes you think they are?
You’re just an ignorant racist.
/sarc
MSNBC isn’t liberal.
What on Earth makes you think they are?
You’re just an ignorant racist.
/sarc
“Suspended indefinitely without pay”, Hmmmm... Is it “mean-spirited” to say ‘FIRED!”?
He should have no problem finding work at PBS or NPR or if Gibbs decides to step down at the WH.
NPR will hire him for their enlightened and balanced coverage of politics. I hear they have recently opened up a slot over there.
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