MSNBC drops Olbermann and Matthews from election night anchor chairs
By SilentPatriot Sunday Sep 07, 2008 6:00pm
I guess the whining from the McCain campaign has finally paid off.
MSNBC tried a bold experiment this year by putting two politically incendiary hosts, Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, in the anchor chair to lead the cable news channel’s coverage of the election.
That experiment appears to be over.
After months of accusations of political bias and simmering animosity between MSNBC and its parent network NBC, the channel decided over the weekend that the NBC News correspondent and MSNBC host David Gregory would anchor news coverage of the coming debates and election night. Mr. Olbermann and Mr. Matthews will remain as analysts during the coverage.
The change — which comes in the home stretch of the long election cycle — is a direct result of tensions associated with the channel’s perceived shift to the political left.
John Amato:
All MSNBC has to do is keep their lineup intact. Hardball, Countdown, The Rachell Maddow Show and then go to Gregory just before and after the event. I think Tom Brokaw might be a little less cranky and they still cover it without blocking out six hours of time.
Login or Register to post comments.
Who needs Tweety? Who needs teevee. **** 'em.
GE caves to the trolls. Money talks. America is screwed.
Please tune in to Rachel's debut tonight. Let's show the network and their sponsors that they have a large audience (of potential consumers) to deal with.
The Utube wingnuts are beside themselves over this.
Here is Glenn Greenwald.
Explaining once again why McCain is even close - corporate media does not want a democrat to rule.
I have a feeling it wasn't the McCain campaign on this one. It was probably Joe Scarborough's huwt feewings over that "shovel" comment Olberman made. And I'm betting the person who's MOST sore about this is Tweety, since he appears to be collateral damage.
When does a similar revamp take place at Fox news?
I SMELL A FACIST
Well Gregory's got to promise- no more dancing.
This is news?
I've been reading stories about this for two days.
Pressure from McCain for sure, but people like Brokaw didn't help.
And what's the deal with Brokaw these days? I watched him on Sunday and it's as if the man is senile. He kept asking Biden questions that were answered in full, then basically asked the same question again.
And of course, he had to have yet another discussion of...The Surge.
Apparently having those two provide analysis was too incendiary but cutting from Dems speeches to have Rudy say "It sucks" and Mitt say "[Deleted-Sitemonitor]" during the Democratic convention was just fine.
Seriously?
Can't say I didn't see that one coming.
Powkat @ 5:
Moreover, they will not allow it to happen. "Diebold is committed to delivering the vote to George Bush and the Republicans." (2000)
Gregory is nothing more than a Bush apologist, and always has been.
He also reminds me of Barney Rubble.
I love Keith Olbermann, but I can't believe that this has to do with McCain's party and "whining." I think it has to do with the fact that Matthew and Olbermann both illustrated a certain level of partisanship and unprofessionalism that was simply unacceptable for a station that wants to be something better than, say, FOX News.
Very cool - this way, when any serious questions need to be placed at the footsteps of power and corruption, David Gregory can just put on his dancing shoes and shake his ass with karl rove.
Way to stick your thumb up your own ass, msnbc.
So do you think that we can get everyone thrown off of Fox News? Just an empty set, broadcasting 24/7.
Powkat @ 5:
Well THAT part goes without saying. There is only one remedy for this situation. Do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING NECESSARY to win this campaign, and then, once the Democrats are in control, return the FCC FAIRNESS DOCTRINE. That will break the stranglehold of conservative hate-radio and conservative fake news on the American political discourse for good.
Once balance and fairness have been returned to the airwaves, and American voters have access to unbiased reporting, we can return to a civilized political dialogue, and leave wedge issues and culture wars in the trash can of history, where they belong.
I saw a headline on my yahoo this morning that said that John Bush was ahead in the polls. Now what kind of voodoo would make a reporter say that? Unless he was looking at a Diebold poll of course. I just don't trust any of the news lately. I'd like to bury my head in the sand until it's time to vote. I'm so so tired.
No big deal. This will leave Keith with even more flexibility to speak his mind. He and Rachel still have their shows. I am more concerned about the coverage than the event itself though. Even the Gray Lady is framing opposition to the president as "a shift to the political left." You don't have to be a DFH to oppose what this administration has done, but watch out for news outlets that try to suggest that questioning Bush makes you part of the far left.
I'll check out Rachel but Gregory won't be bending my ear.
Truth Ragle @ 16:
Mathematically speaking, they are already pretty much the empty set.
Good riddance, those two have become unbearable partisans. They are better off solo.
Though I must say that watching paint dry might be better than watching Gregory.
If only they had the guts to build a liberal base and stick with it instead of backing down all of the time. They really could rival FOXNEWS in the ratings. Instead they compete with CNN and the networks trying to kiss everyone's asses and getting nowhere. I feel sorry for them.
All this means is even more material for Stewart and Colbert, the only real sources of news. It'll be spectacular watching Gregory trying to put lipstick on so many pigs.
Meat @ 14:
Maybe. That is, you may have a point there. I must admit that my kneejerk reaction was to say something snarky about how biased FuxNews is, but two wrongs don't make a right. I'd like to think that NBC is shooting for a higher standard, but I must be forgiven for my pessimism and leeriness of their motives.
Still....the truth has a liberal/lefty bias, so are these guys (mostly Olbermann) are being taken off the case for leaning too truthfully?
Rachel! Rachel! Rachel! Rachel! David Gregory is a boob. I don't know if he's the left one or the right one but I doubt he's in the middle.
So what is GE afraid of. McCain is that powerfull? Bullsh*t! GE and all the corporate masters love Repugs. Think of all the tax cuts McCain will bestow to them .
Apparently Olbermann is 'far-left' because he attacks the far-right in America. Funny, but it never seems to work the other way around.
Nice of MSNBC and NBC to admit Gregory is a suck-up to the right .........Not that that wasn't well-known already
That was the worst experiment since New Coke! Now maybe they can get back to being more of a true news channel and try being a little bit more fair and balanced.
Want a choice?
Vote for McCain or Obama.
Many will tell you there is a difference.
If there were a difference, the evil power structure would make sure there was no difference.
Be a hardcore Con shill and you can keep your job. Lean a little to the left and...
Fuck, I hate the "news" companies.
I understand people not wanting partisan coverage....but since when is being hard and questioning on the utter crap that gets fed to us by these felons considered partisan? If you question lies, deception, and corruption are you partisan? Do you have to be liberal to question ill-gotten authority, or can you simply be American and do your job as a journalist and not let b.s. artists get away with saying whatever they want, and be damned the facts?
This was a terrible move, and if I have to see Gregory's fake smile one more time...MSNBC lost a viewer (and many more I suspect).
I don't know anyone that Gregory appeals to on the Right or the Left. But since they've made that decision, they should balance it out with a class act like Rachel Maddow.
Question: If Palin cannot even handle the press, (Fox News even), how can we expect her to handle the responsibilities of being VP or Presidient. What a coward. It angers me that the MSM has been vitually silent on this. Had a Dem refused to talk to the media or been sequestered in this way, we would hear 24/7 analysis and judgment on it; we would feel the full wrath of the media and the Republican party.
I'm on Matthews and Olberman's side of the issues but they didn't do much anchoring. They did argue and hassle with each other. And they did mess around too much with personal views. It's not a matter of taking sides or presenting one point of view. It called "anchor" for acting as referee and guiding the show.
David Gregory will anchor and Mattthews and Olberman can comment. They'll be better for it.
I have been boycotting all MSM for the last six years, I urge you all to do the same. I get all my news from Blogs, it’s a new world if you can retort to a story then its not news its just a biased opinion.
The timing of this thing does not bode well for Rachel. Gotta do the corporate shuffle for the folks that count. Look for GE getting a fat military contract soon.....
I have to agree. These guys were in danger of becoming an Obama version of Fox. When even Jon Stewart and Bill Maher are laughing at Keith and Chris it's time to pull the plug.
Meat @ 15:
Of course the bush/mccain sycophant gregory doesn't lean. What an insult to Keith Olberman. I think that'll about do it for buying any products GE sells.
And if you don't like it, contact them: letters@msnbc.com
All Praise to the Lord!
I can't stand either Tweety or Keith-O.
MSNBC is still struggling to find it's footing.
They should stick with a niche audience and think more long term growth rather then fumbling around showing everyone the door at the first sign of a ratings slip.
Busyness as usual in the year 0008.
Here's a test.
Suppose McCain wins.
Question: To what real extent will Obama act as an opposition senator in the Senate?
I saw Fox last week and O'Reily, Hannity and all of their favorites like Laura Ingrahm etc were on. When do the Democrats get one chance to play like the Repubs. Mathews is not "liberal", he just asked hard questions, but major corporate owners can't have that happen. This deserves a "special comment".
We all need to brush up on our GOOSE STEPS.
VietVet8666 @ 44:
Dems can at least take both Houses.
As far as what they'll do your guess is as good as mine at this point.
So another corporate media outlet caves to the demands of the Party of the Corporate Media, and everybody's scandalized.
Chuy, people. They're Corporate Media. They're not independent, they're not unbiased, they're not objective, they're not honest, they're not fair, they're not balanced, they fucking CORPORATE...
C'mon folks, get a grip. Nobody ever got gold from a turnip...
Testosterone is the problem. With Olbermann and Matthews, is forming puddles on the stage (there's an image for you!)
But since Gregory doesn't have any - they don't have to worry about it.
*
L.A. Confidential @ 47:
And that's worked out so well, these last coupla years, innit?
We'll be a lot better off if we put aside dreaming altogether for a couple months and start focusing on reality instead.
Mike @ 40:
Olberman wasn't just leaning to Obama. He was full out shouting support for him (and hatred for not only the Republicans but also Hillary). He was an inappropriate anchorman for an election night news show. He still has Countdown where he can express his views but he's not the right person for what NBC was promulgating as an objective news show.
woody, tokin librul @ 50:
Oh yeah just great. Most Americans are at the stage of being drowned in the bathtub financially good job Dems.
L.A. Confidential @ 51:
Do that, and you'll end up trying to relocate to Canada or Coast Rica...(Take me with you, willya?)
woody, tokin librul @ 54:
I hear ya.
If both were to much why didn't they just dump one (preferably Tweety) and let Keith run captain the ship? He is the one with good rating after all.
I always felt Mr. Olbermann presented an unbiased view from the centre. The Republican party is just so tactful that anything sensible has to do with being too liberal. Common sense doesn't bide well with the GOP. Mr. Olbermann is a sensible commentator but I can't disagree that he hasn't been opinionated while hosting the convention. I clearly saw him giving his opinion but who wouldn't when you dislike so much being said in the RNC. Quiet frankly speaking, I wanted some journalist to atleast call spade a spade and not do roudabouts of something that is pretty obvious to everyone. Given the fact that anchors are suppose to provide an unbias and not spew opinion, Mr. Olbermann is wrong, but in this vile world of media propaganda and so much venom being spit, who would stand up and say what I want to say as a common person watching the event with heavy heart and not being able to say those things. Forgive my ignorance, but Mr. Olbermann deservers kudos what he did hosting a clearly rhetorical, issue-disoriented, hateful propaganda at the RNC. Thank you Mr. Olbermann.
Meat @ 15:
I agree actually. Olbermann is awesome, but MSNBC's coverage was kind of embarrassing with their ego clashes, etc. I like to have straight reporting from the anchor, and then editorializing done on the side, panel guests etc. Problem is, nobody is that great at the former, especially at MSNBC. I believe that only Cspan should carry the conventions then all the cable channels can have at it afterward.
Olberman ASKED for this change. He didn't think this format was going to work. [Deleted. Do not be rude to our contributors. I suggest you take your own advice-Sitemonitor]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR200809...
They don't want too much truth getting out during an election. What a bunch of hooey.
L.A. Confidential @ 47:
L.A., FWIW
my view is that Obama is an Establishment politician. Therefore, I don't expect him to deviate from Establishment goals.
Well its up to us to make sure they don't take Matthews, Olberman, Maddow off the air. That is the only news shows I try to watch faithly.
i saw keith olberman reporting sports, does he always do that?
David Gregory is just a tool. Of the right I mean ;)
I would like to see Maddow personally and hopefully this is a step in her direction. I like Olbermann. Alot. But he can have a caustic rub to him that may turn off moderates, etc who are undecided ( I on the other hand appreciate his style). Rachell has a charisma, speaking style and skill that is a true asset to MSNBC. I just realized I may have a crush on her. :p
richard @ 52:
So Faux news does this, the world needs an offset to the lies, and we almost had it. But no the lies will be told by Faux and the Repubs with sensitive fair-mindedness in response.
ProudLiberal @ 39:
Riiiiiiiiight. So calling a spade a spade for some of you "proud liberals" is now an act of vicarious partisanship.
Funny how the both of you ignore the fact that if "neutrality" had been the MO of MSNBC for the firing of Olbermann et al, that it does make little sense to replace them with an obvious right wing shill... whose last "feat of journalism" was to rap live with MC Rove.
If you're going to criticize Fox (and we should) then especially Olbermann's unprofessional behavior - although not as bad and disingenuous as Hannity for example - should concern anybody who values unbiased news coverage. I support Obama, but I can't watch Olbemann because he's so blatantly in the tank for him. From a journalistic standpoint, I'm glad he got slapped on the hand. He is becoming more of a pundit; he shouldn't cover the election night. I used to like Olbermann, now I can't stand him anymore. He needs to calm down. Rachel, tell him to calm down! We don't need a left wing version of Fox: it's going to bite us in the ass.
Gregory is a 'no show',so is Brokaw.
I will not watch these two rightwingers in disguise.
But I will watch new Muddow's show and Olbermann's.
Chris Matthews is not bad..he shows brains and experience; and I'll watch Matthews any day over Gregory and Brokaw...
isnt it obvious that Obama is gearing up to lose this election
how hard is it to put out an AD reminding the public of "four more years"
what have you heard from the Obama camp lately
nothing!
barrett d @ 63:
This is a joke, right? Ever heard of Google, or Wikipedia? sheesh...
richard @ 52:
Isn't that what they get to do on FauxNoise every damn day? So it's OK to be biased or partisan if you back the neocons? The point is, K.O. is the only liberal mainstream media anchor. Why can't he report from his liberal view when we are being overwhelmed by those that are constantly spewing their RIGHTWING view 24/7?
And remember: The truth has a liberal bent :)
This move is utterly ridiculous. Olbermann's statements are easily verifiable and come MUCH closer to the truth than anything FOX puts out. Is anyone who speaks the truth considered "liberal" now? Is the next move to declare him a "terrorist?"
Cal-el
It seems to me that the progressive blogs really jumped the gun on this one, especially Greenwald who's otherwise excellent post I respect highly. I posted the following over there and it's been ignored.
Howard Kurzt reported this morning:
Olbermann and Matthews will remain as analysts during major political events, and officials at both networks, who declined to be identified discussing personnel moves, said Olbermann had initiated the discussions to clarify his role. They said Olbermann's influence at MSNBC would in no way be diminished and that the shift would enable him and Matthews to offer more candid analysis during live coverage. Olbermann confirmed yesterday he had initiated the discussions.
"Phil and I have debated this set-up since late winter/early spring (with me saying, 'Are you sure this flies?' and him saying, 'Yes, but let's judge it event by event') and I think we both reached the same point during the RNC," Olbermann said by e-mail.
I hope KO responds to this tonight. He needs to clear the air.
David Gregory is a terrible choice. He is much too biased towards McCain. Sometimes I wonder if he's actually on the McCain payroll. He often cuts off Obama supporters while they're slicing and dicing Crash McCain.
If you haven't noticed, watch him favor McCain
every chance he gets.
Spread the truth about McCain's mediocre military record. He was a terrible pilot and a skirtchaser during his entire military career.
http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan08/mccain_military_record.htm
David Gregory, the Republobot and Dance partner of KKKArl Rove, is supposed to be unbiased?
It's all about the McCain/Bush bully the media machine.
I stopped watching both of them when they couldn't get their Hillary sexist speak out fast enough.
So, NBC wants dems like me to watch again, and I will.
Those are consequences for dividing the Dem party, Tweety and Keith. I hope your actions don't put McCain in the white house.
I just hope Gregory has some cajones and asks the hard questions. Tweety couldn't get a bruise if any of his supposed tough questions hit him on the head.
He doesn't need to. It's already well-known to anyone who takes the trouble to be informed, that Olberman ASKED for this change. He didn't think this format was going to work but agreed to try it out under the condition that they would revisit it after the conventions.
Case closed. sheesh...some people...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR200809...
kit wilson @ 2:
Sometimes money Trumps ... Peace.
I forget who said that....
oh yeah, President Bush
clabber grrl @ 59:
Hmmm... I don't know. That really sounds more like Keith saving face. I'm not convinced.
richard @ 52:
So I guess it is OK to have a majority of the anchors out there getting literally orgasmic grins when referring to Sain POW McCain, but god forbid if we have anyone saying anything remotely positive about the uppity black guy.
I mean, when I think of impartiality, I always think of Gregory "MC Rove" mad skillz.
As an adult with the ability to think critically I would never dream of getting my "news" from the tv. Other than their ability to get camera a crew from one place to the next, they have all the redeeming qualities of a gang bang.
Television is a DRUG.
I love KO; never been much of a fan of Tweety.
One of the ironic things I find about KO's show, however, is that BillO the Clown always bashes NBC/MSNBC, without mentioning KO's name....but you know BillO hates KO. The ironic thing is that BillO is constantly bashing NBC and saying how low in the ratings MSNBC is, especially during the time slot (KO's show) his is in. If they're so low in the ratings, why does BillO even bother bashing them?
I think KO did get a bit out of control during the convention coverage, but so what. Those damned Fox people are out of control all of the time.
But, let's let Keith get back and concentrate on his own show, which I think does a most excellent job on exposing the GOP and their network, Faux News.
Sent this to MSNBC,
To the EDITOR:
With Keith Obermann and Chris Matthews out of the political scene. I guess that Rupert Murdoch has gotten you by the balls. At least he stands up for his staff. MSNBC is pretty whimpy. The old saying, "no guts, no glory". If you wanted civility on the show, ask Pat Buchanan to quiet down, instead he rant and rave with no control, that goes for MR. Caffine Joe.
Gregory... yeah, I saw him today... One on One... he asked Michelle Obama's Chief of Staff if she thought that Palin was a "feminist". WTF? Are you kidding me? Gregory, She stands for nothing that helps women in any way. Palin is No Feminist.
David Gregory is not worth watching
Click MSNBC
Gee, let's see, I can believe Keith Olberman, or I can believe Helen Wheels. What to do, what to do.
If Olberman didn't have any credibility, he wouldn't be where he is. Why would he start compromising that at this late date
HelenWheels @ 78:
Frankly, I think working so closely with Matthews during the conventions left a very bad taste in KO's mouth. We could see the tension. Matthews is such a syncopantic, snivelling little anti-intellectual twit, I'm surpised KO didn't punch him out a few times. Their new roles are probably better for everyone. Thank god for people like KO who have had the guts to speak the truth at a time when finding truthtellers is a rare commodity.
Frankly, I don't care who is in the anchor seat. What I care about is integrity and we've seen less and less of that from all of the MSM.
So, NBC, prove you've got what it takes to inform the public, to do your job and ask the tough questions of ALL the candidates.
I'm so sick and tired of fluff, of reporters scared to confront or insist on straight and cogent answers from interviewees that I rarely even watch the news anymore.
What happen to the responsibilities of the Fourth Estate for heaven's sake?
Why are we, American viewers, so enamored of the personality of our anchors and reporters that we get caught up in indignation about Olberman or some other person being slighted?
Shame on us.
We should demand and expect more of our journalists in both the print and electronic media.
CONTACT MSNBC ABOUT OLBERMANN AND MATTHEWS
I am appalled, but then again, nothing about McCain / Palin surprises me anymore !
Phone: 212-664-4444
FAX : 212-664-4426
clabber grrl @ 76:
I would agree except I've been following this all day and am amazed at how crazy this story has gotten. People screaming about KO being fired (not true) and wanting to boycott MSNBC or locked out (not true) or replaced (not true). It's taken on a life of its own. I hope he comments on it to finally put it to rest.
clabber grrl @ 70:
right... like i'm going to wiki keith olbermans career! lol, good one!
Call me tin foil hat paranoid if you like, but pulling Olberman makes me susoicious that GE knows the fix is in - or in the process of being arranged, and that they don't want anybody they can't trust to spew the scripted party-line propaganda when the time comes on election night.
Harley @ 88:
Contact them and say what? That Olberman didn't want to do this in the first place, but they convinced him to try it out, and he tried it out, and then said no, I don't want to do it?
I think they already know that.
Pari @ 87:
Excellent!
I love it!!!!!!! K.O.'s back to form tonight......already had mentioned BillO the Clown when he based Lynn Spears for having a baby at 16!!!!!!!!
Go Keith Olbermann!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KO got tossed because he apologized for a tasteless viewing of the grossest political grand-standing ever tossed out by a political party in the history of this country.
HOW MUCH MORE DISGUSTING CAN YOU BE? To show images of our embassy personel being held captive by Iranian students - "They're the enemy! The enemy that wants to KILL you! They'll be here if we don't fight them forever!" Using 9/11 to sell a campaign, you disgusting pigs! I know where I was on 9/11. I remember the day vividly and I also remember a President who read "My Pet Goat", who promised to go to the ends of the Earth to find the masterminds, who went to war in Iraq, a country that WAS NOT responsible for the tragedy, cost the lives of 4000 young men and women, who damaged the lives of thousands more, killed how many thousands innocent Iraqis and displaced so many more, all the while running up huge tremendous national debt. "All fear, all the time!" and the media gives John McCain a pass because he's old, he's a POW, he's a Maverick and if he is, was and still was, he wouldn't have picked the inexperienced, lying, sanctimonious, Governor of one of the smallest states in America.
That's why KO was removed from commentary. Media has been hijacked by the GOP.
LOL! rumor has it that Joe Scarborough didn't show up for work because he has been passed up...Again!
blockquote>Because, just maybe, Scarborough thought he was better suited for the job than Gregory?
He didn't show up for work this morning, claiming illness, we're told. Possibly, he is sick, but conspiracy theorists — like Chuck Todd, who makes the case here on Morning Joe that with fewer than 60 days to the election, it's important for a show host to actually be on the air — would argue he woke up at his usual early hour, saw the Times story (or got word it was coming), blew up in a typical fury, and refused to get in the town car for 30 Rock
{ Please do not post in all Caps or in all bold lettering. It's yelling. Thank You. SiteMonitor}
I'm going to tell them--no Keith, no viewers. I ain't gonna watch a GOP Shill show. Tweety I can live without, but a lack of Keith, makes it a deal breaker.
oh I forgot the link!
http://www.jossip.com/phil-griffin-thought-he-was-saving-msnbc-from-itself-maybe-he-was-wrong-20080908/
My politically regressing father just saw this, and brought this up to me to further the claim about how liberal the media is.
I said, "yeah, it's ok for O'Reilly and Hannity to be biased, but not Olbermann, huh?"
To which he responded, "What are you talking about? O'Reilly? Biased? It's fair and balanced for a reason. It's like they say, we report, you decide."
I just responded with "it's as plain as the grass is green, and the sky is blue."
He just looked at me.
That would be funny if it weren't so freakishly stupid.
To those who say we shouldn't fight for Obermann, I'd remind you of 2000. Faux had Bush's cousin, who called it for Chimpy McClusterphuck and we've endured misery, as a result.
David Gregory? The nation's No. 1 pro-Repubicant Wuss wins spot No. 1 on MSNBC election coverage? The odor in NBC's headquarters's building must be whelming, one way or the other. Does something smell all over the world here?
Ron Russell @ 97:
Oh no! They've lost you and Helen Wheels! I bet they're really scared! Meetings will be called! Heads will roll! Blog commenters waking up and shaking the world, right on!
It's more proof that the media wants MsSame and his church lady...finally tweety had some good to say about a Democrat and of course Olbermann speaks truths so they gaged them and will replace them with right wing 'anchors' like David 'dancing with Rove' Gregory and other right wing assholes!
If we want non-biased hosts, FOX Noise will have to subcontract for election night.
Fuck you NBC! You can stick Scarborough, straight up your ass! The rest of the bunch INCLUDING Matthews are softball lobbing water carriers. May you rot in hell and get cancelled.
PS...Tom the republican Brokaw has lost my vote long ago...that ass don't even try to hide his preference!
ALD @ 103:
It's more proof that you people don't know how to read a news story, or can't be bothered. Olberman didn't want to do this in the first place. He tried it out and then he told them he wasn't going to do it any more.
Unless, of course, you believe that --- Keith Olberman is LYING about why he's not doing it any more. If he's lying, then he's lost all his value, hasn't he? Uh, yeah.
These two needed to be benched a long time ago for their partisan antics. They did all they could to influence the Democratic primary. Let them sit on the side with all the other pundits there to share their POV.
BAC
I guess the whining from the commentators finally did them in.
Actually, I know that for a fact.
This dude I know @ 98:
I think I finally figured out what Faux News means by "balanced." Faux News thinks that the so-called "mainstream media" is liberally biased; therefore, they try to balance that by having right wing conservative talk show hosts. Therefore, Faux News is biased by definition. Last week, I saw Britt Hume tell BillO the Clown that Faux does have more conservative commentators than other networks.
They'll lose election coverage viewership, it will plummet . They'll beg for them back. GE prefers $ over Rick Davis tears .
Sorry I'm not be watching monkey-face Gregory. There's CSPAN and the series of tubes.
I promised myself I would try not to watch BillO the Clown for awhile; he makes me sick.
Unfortunately, I broke that promise just now, but only for a minute or two.
That idiot was arguing about Obama's tax breaks for the middle class. He made some comment that "chances are, if you make less than $45,000 a year, that you don't pay any income taxes." WTF???? His point is that he thinks that many people won't benefit from Obama's claim that the middle class will get a tax break. B.S.
I turned him off again.
VietVet8666 @ 44:
Hopefully a lot...since we can't let him give another tax break to corporations, we can't let him continue this war 100 more years, we can't take his disrespect of the environment...we can't take a government supported (since he was born) fluncky anymore. McSame as bush has the blood of 167 sailors from the USS Forestal on his soul (Adminral Daddy quickly got him off the ship to save him from his fellow sailors), we can't take a man that says he hates pork yet takes it hand over fist....we can't take a member of the Keating 5 that truely had fiscal investments with the man and got a 'hero' get out of trouble POW pass (how many times can he use that card, really) I could go on, but then his ....his pick of Sarah the church lady that thinks God put us in the war and wants us to drill for oil while making rape victims have a baby regardless of their risk to their life. A women that lies to the people...she was for the bridge even built the road to the bridge she claims she never supported....a LIAR! both of them!
clabber grrl @ 107:
You don't even answer my statement, you can pass go and collect a repubican cookie!
Randy @ 68:
Ditto!
Mathews has always supported Mccain. I would like Nora O'Donnell to report along side with Gregory.
On the lighter side: It is a wise decision that KO is out, or he would surely offend the liberals every time he mentioned the name "Sarah."
General Jack D. Ripper @ 110:
Indeed.
I must say, kudos to the current crop of Republicans and conservative pundits.
Willing to go a notch lower than the rest since 1994. Continue the tradition!
Meat @ 15:
No.
walkaway @ 24:
exactly
I found Mathews and Olbermann to be refreshing, and they were my ONLY choice for watching the two conventions. Now they have been pulled.
Disgraceful!
NBC has no balls whatsoever. FAUX-News continues merrily along while NBC capitulates to the right. America seem to be in far more trouble than I ever thought.
God HELP America... sigh...
None of the "news" celebrities mentioned on this thread could hold a candle to Walter Cronkite. When Kennedy was assassinated I was working in a factory and we heard that he had been shot. I immediately ran down to the department where my mother was working and told her because she didn't have a radio.
After work, we both came home and got dinner ready, my father and brother came home, we ate supper and then turned on the news.
Walter Cronkite told us that Kennedy had died. He took off his glasses and tears were streaming down his face. He spoke for us so eloquently with that show of sorrow.
There are no adults left on television news.
I like Keith. He speaks the truth.
What's the difference between Chris and Keith sitting side by side and Hannity and Colmes? Only with Chris and Keith, at least the partisanship is real. Colmes is Hannity's hand puppet and that gets old. But these two, well frankly, I tuned in to watch them as much as anyone. I LOVED their bantering and honest partisan assessments - it's what makes the news and opinions truly balanced. I will not tune in to watch the closeted Republican David Gregory say anything. He's boring, predictable, a clone of Matt Lauer and a righty. MSNBC and NBC have caved in to the McCain and Palin whining and that's very unfortunate, especially for MSNBC.
Excuse me now, I have to go make 300 phone calls tonight to potential Obama supporters, as FAST as my fingers can do the walking!!!!!!!!!!
barrett d @ 90:
Keith Olbermann worked for many years at ESPN, he was on sportscenter for like forever.
It would be as if you asked if Regis had a morning show...
What The? @ 31:
Yeah, fair and balanced in the FOX sense, right?
clabber grrl @ 85:
"Saving face" helps you get credibility.
BillO the Clown seemed rather pissed tonight. There was an editorial in the Atlanta Journal Constitution about BillO blaming Jamie Lynn Spear's baby on her parents and calling him a hypocrite because he doesn't blame the Palins for Bristol's daughter. BillO had sent one of his thugs to question that AJC reporter who stuck by her story that BillO is a hypocrite.
Then BillO also expressed his disdain for Jon Stewart because Jon Stewart also made fun of the same issue.
Both times, he used the "out of context" excuse. Out of context, my ass.
Poor BillO.
IanToronto @ 120:
clabber grrl @ 102:
I'm still a huge Keith fan & am enjoying Rachel Maddow's debut right now. Chill pill?
These brave executives at NBC, and their betters at GE - a bunch of tough guys with an ideology so tissue-paper-thin, so completely discredited, that they're too chickenshit to have anything critical of the myriad failure of an administration they've supported. So strong are their beliefs that they can't brook dissent.k
I'll say it again: Chick. N. Shit.
Too late to mute the criticism now, boys. NEWSFLASH: The cat's already out of the bag that Conservatism is a complete regressive flop.
In the second coming debate October 2nd at Belmont University/Tennessee,NBC Tom Brokaw will be the moderator for the debate between Obama and Senator McCain.
According to the agreement between the two camps,moderator Tom Brokaw will be calling on members of the audience, and will be drawing questions from the Internet.
Can we trust that Brokaw will find the right Internet and audience questioners? !!
Remember when ABC anchorman Charles Gibson in a debate between Obama and H. Clinton showed a guy on video tape questioning Obama patriotism for not wearing a flag pin...
As a result, ABC was excluded from debates... but we still have Tom Brokaw in disguise.
SO HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE BEFORE DEMOCRATS CANCEL THEIR TV SERVICE IN PROTEST?
CAN'T YOU GO WITHOUT YOUR G.D. TOYS FOR THE SAKE OF THE COUNTRY?
COME ON NOW. GROW THE PHUCK UP.
HIT THEM WHERE IT HURTS. CUT OFF THEIR MONEY. CANCEL YOUR TV FEED UNTIL WE WIN.
Actually I did, you just don't know how to read. My statement answers everything you said.
ALD @ 114:
It's you who needs to answer mine -- do you think Keith was lying when he said he didn't want the job? Just answer, don't duck it.
<
I BELIEVE KEITH!!!
There are two camps here - those who believe Keith when he said he didn't want the job, and those who say he was lying.
Personally, I have more respect for him than to think he's lying. Especially without any evidence.
Those who think he's lying: what's your evidence? Or are you like the Creationists, you just prefer a certain fixed belief to evidence?
sorry...
a typo...2nd debate in on October 7th, instead of 2nd.
I thouroughly enjoyed watching Keith during Obama's big party in Denver. The WHOLE CREW seemed to be impressed with Obama on Thursday night. Last week, in Minneapolis, when Keith APOLOGOZED to viewers for airing the Republican "tribute" to 9/11... I thought to myself at the time... WHEW... his conscience has probably just KILLED his career!
I do hope he will be given an opportunity to comment on the debates, and I do hope his show, COUNTDOWN, goes on forever. On the other hand... for TWEETY... I could not care LESS what happens to that GASS BAG.
Oh, yea... GREGORY is a complete SHILL for the Republicans and McCain's campaign.
What, the fact that every single network on TV but MSNBC having nothing but conservative hosts isn't political bias?
The ONE network dares to try and even the balance and whining bring it down.
It's sickening.
Meat @ 15:
I mostly agree with this statement. I love Keith, but he especially should have known better. He should have held his tongue during the conventions and did his opinion oriented material on Countdown. I think his 9/11 video comments probably sealed the deal (even though he was right) on this decision. It would have been better had they told Olbermann to calm down the rhetoric during election coverage, and just dump the ditzy Matthews altogether.
Anchors and journalists (except these days) are supposed to be neutral and present fact-based information, not cheerlead a point of view. I hate it when anyone on a national newscast or special event just CHEERLEADS, no matter for any side. I can make up my own mind, just lay out all the facts -you don't have to lead me by the hand.
But that's the MSM these days. Create sides, have each side fight over non-issues dressed up in whiz-bang fancy graphics, and then make "news" by dropping cheerleaders from one broadcast while letting them stay on others.
And Tom Brokaw? Puh-leeze. Never was very good IMO. The best ones were driven out years and years ago by corporate barons who were paving the way for controlled delivery.
Facts can be checked and I intend to check them. All of you who don't think the reality-based community is real, see me.
I think this is complete BS. However, I am swinging more towards the exclusion of Matthews tonight after listening to the Hardball podcast in which Tweety suggested that Obama's credentials as a "community organizer" had too much of an "Al Sharpton" ring for middle America. He came a little to close to suggesting that community organizer = troublesome radical black man. I'm basing this on more than Matthews' linkage to Sharpton, but his further comments during the course of the segment.
As for Keith O. . . . Fight the good fight, KO. I'm in your corner!!
How about having some real journalists host the political coverage?
Unfortunately, there aren't many left on television. They've all become opion pushers.
Both on the right and on the left and in the middle its all about feelings and ridicule and gaffes and "how its going to play in Peoria" and who is more appealing, etc...
I can't even think of a single television journalist I would trust to do a good job any more.
Jon Stewart isn't a journalist but he's been the best so far.
LOL! Good one, MSNBC.
Matthews and Olbermann crap on Hillary Clinton and worship before Barack Obama all during the primaries until they finally get their way; the weaker Democratic candidate got the nomination and will face the Republican nominee.
But now that we're into the general election, they replace those two shamelss Obots with notorious Republican ass-licker and sometime Karl Rove dance partner, David Gregory.
How very clever of you. "Liberal media", my ass.
Phlipper @ 75:
Well said.
What happened to the Clintons courtesy of these two was incredible.
Congrats to HuffPo and MSNBC for dividing the Dem Party.
You know what? CNN has much better coverage anyway! I only watched for Keith Olbermann! I guess NBC expects McPain to win and they are already brown nosing the bastard!
good riddance to the both of them........maybe tweety can go writher up obama's leg and ober can go on another diatribe against hillary. i used to watch regularly until they started going after hillary .......fcuk them both
OBAMA 2008
biketowork @ 20:
To who...the choir?
L.A. Confidential @ 47:
I would rather have the repukes win both houses if McInsane wins. Let the morons reap what they sew.
Apparently, there is still too much middle class prosperity for the idiots not to be fooled once again by the republican snake oil show. I am now convinced, that nothing short of the 2nd republican great depression will snap the idiots in this country out of the GOP self abuse party they so love. I am astonished at the total ineptness of the democrats, and the gullible retardation that has infected so many voters.
"Uppity" Bonkers @ 26:
Heh heh. Like I said, I love Keith. (In his interview with Obama above, he asks, while discussing McCain's dirty tactics, "Have you thought of getting angrier?" That question alone represents why he's a necessity - he's an angry liberal, and we need more of those.)
Nonetheless, he can seem like quite the egoist at times, and his off-hand remarks to other pundits on MSNBC have been somewhat awkward, even when I agreed with them. Some of his remarks about conservatives in general have been a little snide or arrogant.
And I doubt we have to discuss Tweety or his temper tantrums.
That being said, we all know that FOX News should have been disqualified as being a contender as a legitimate news source years ago. Unfortunately, in the US, that's unlikely to happen. Whenever I start to feel confident about Barack Obama being President, I remind myself that America voted in George W. Bush - not once, but twice.
snewp @ 58:
Actually, you said it better than I did. This was "ego clashing" to the nth degree - and like I said, I say that as someone who agrees with Olbermann's worldview about 99% of the time!
Login or Register to post comments.