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US elections: MSNBC sidelines presenters Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann
The Telegraph ^ | September 8, 2008 | Alex Spillius

Posted on 09/08/2008 12:33:26 PM PDT by Schnucki

The MSNBC cable channel has sidelined two Democrat-supporting presenters from coverage of major political events, after months of concern that their political leanings were colouring their work.

Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews will now appear as commentators on big occasions such as presidential debates and election night itself on Nov 4, but will be kept away from the anchor's seats.

The change reflects tensions that have erupted during the presidential campaign between the freewheeling, opinionated MSNBC and the established, impartial NBC News, its parent company.

The tipping point appears to have come during last week's Republican convention, when Mr Olbermann criticised MSNBC for broadcasting a video about the September 11 attacks prepared by the party.

He also expressed little sympathy with Republican anger at rumours and smears on the internet about Sarah Palin, the vice-presidential pick of John McCain. Mr Olbermann remarked that Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, had endured similar treatment.

Amid several on-air tiffs between presenters, Mr Olbermann was heard on an off-stage microphone criticizing his colleague - and former Republican congressman - Joe Scarborough, while he discussed the benefits of Senator John McCain choosing Mrs Palin. "Jesus, Joe, why don't you get a shovel?" he said.

Both Mr Olbermann, and Mr Matthews, 62, who is rumoured to be considering a run for the Senate from his native Pennsylvania, will retain their daily shows, which network bosses consider fair milieus to vent their anti-George W Bush, pro-Obama views. Mr Matthews once said that he "felt a thrill going up my leg", when he heard Mr Obama speak.

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: democrats; matthews; msnbc; nbcnews; olbermann
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To: Schnucki
The first time I saw this Obermann was only a few days ago on Youtube. (Since I've lived overseas I've missed a lot.)

Needless to say I was shocked - never could I have imagined that the television networks could have sunk so low.

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

21 posted on 09/08/2008 1:16:39 PM PDT by expatguy (Support "An American Expat in Southeast Asia" - DONATE and Help Beat Obama)
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To: yazoo

“I suspect ratings and negative e-mail probably had a lot to do with it.”

We moved our GE investments (acquired when I worked for the company) OUT of GE for just this reason. I wonder how many others did similar.


22 posted on 09/08/2008 1:23:33 PM PDT by MayflowerMadam (Election '08: God is in control.)
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To: All

The MSNBC cable channel has sidelined two Democrat-supporting presenters from coverage of major political events, after months of concern that their political leanings were colouring their work.


Ya think?


23 posted on 09/08/2008 1:24:58 PM PDT by BOATSNM8
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To: MayflowerMadam

Immelt is no Jack Welch, that’s for sure (and Neutron Jack had his issues)

I really think if all the ‘hockey moms’ out there started avoiding GE for all their kitchen appliances and stuff, that might get his attention. They will claim “oh they are different divisions” but at the end of the day it’s all the same parent company, and stock, and investors who don’t like to lose money.


24 posted on 09/08/2008 1:31:29 PM PDT by xDGx
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To: Schnucki

I was surfing through channels and paused to listed to Olbermann’s commentary. He referred to Palin’s government expoerience as the mayor of small town Wasalia and neglected to even mention that she was a Governor. If this was the only news show a person watched, you would get a terribly unfair picture of Palin’s credentials.


25 posted on 09/08/2008 1:34:55 PM PDT by marsh2
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To: Schnucki

You gotta be kiddin me , I love those two objective dudes and the advances they’ve made in balanced journalism . Well I gotta great idea !!!,,, how about replacing both of them with Glen Beck . Glen has real blonde hair and he can bloviate for his favorite party choices .


26 posted on 09/08/2008 1:40:58 PM PDT by lionheart 247365 (( S.P.E.C.I A.L.= ,,,,,,,, Sarrah Palin's Executive Credentials Intimidate Angry Liberals ))
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To: Schnucki

This just means the two stooges will sit one chair over abd that the third stooge, Gregory can cut them off.


27 posted on 09/08/2008 1:42:44 PM PDT by School of Rational Thought (Pat Paulsen for President - He has campaigned the longer than Obama)
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To: School of Rational Thought

Hey Chris, what’s that running down your leg now?


28 posted on 09/08/2008 1:45:25 PM PDT by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
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To: xDGx

This YouTube bite shows how detached from reality 0by actually is . I don’t watch MSNBC and that’s why .


29 posted on 09/08/2008 1:45:49 PM PDT by lionheart 247365 (( S.P.E.C.I A.L.= ,,,,,,,, Sarrah Palin's Executive Credentials Intimidate Angry Liberals ))
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To: marsh2

Ask Oberdork about his experience as a Network Organizer , sorta like a community organizer I guess . Just words ,,,, Just Speeches ..............


30 posted on 09/08/2008 1:49:36 PM PDT by lionheart 247365 (( S.P.E.C.I A.L.= ,,,,,,,, Sarrah Palin's Executive Credentials Intimidate Angry Liberals ))
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To: marsh2

Ask the Olberdork about his experience as a Network Organizer , sorta like a community organizer I guess . Just words ,,,, Just Speeches ..............


31 posted on 09/08/2008 1:50:26 PM PDT by lionheart 247365 (( S.P.E.C.I A.L.= ,,,,,,,, Sarrah Palin's Executive Credentials Intimidate Angry Liberals ))
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

“Sidelined??” These two pathetic shills were sidelined? That’s great. Gotta love the Brits.

“He’s not pining...he’s passed on!”


32 posted on 09/08/2008 1:55:58 PM PDT by Oldpuppymax (AGENDA OF THE LEFT EXPOSED)
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To: Schnucki
Now for the trifecta... CBS would finally get rid of perky Katie.
33 posted on 09/08/2008 3:04:29 PM PDT by The Great RJ ("Mir we bleiwen wat mir sin" or "We want to remain what we are." ..Luxembourg motto)
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