Keith Olbermann Suspended Indefinitely by MSNBC

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Nov 5th 2010 02:50PM

MSNBC has suspended prime-time host Keith Olbermann indefinitely without pay for contributing to the campaigns of three Democratic candidates this election season. Olbermann acknowledged to NBC that he donated $2,400 apiece to the campaigns of Kentucky Senate candidate Jack Conway and Arizona Reps. Raul Grivalva and Gabrielle Giffords.

NBC News prohibits its employees from working on, or donating to, political campaigns unless a special exception is granted by the news division president - effectively a ban. Olbermann's bosses did not find out about the donations until after they were made. The website Politico first reported the donations.

"I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night," Phil Griffin, MSNBC's chief executive, said Friday. "Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay."

Olbermann was not immediately available for comment.

His "Countdown" show, which airs at 8 p.m. ET, is MSNBC's most popular program. His on-the-air transformation from the host of a straight news program to a liberal commentator led the network itself to go in the same direction, filling its prime-time lineup with left-leaning hosts and doing better in the ratings than anytime since its 1996 launch.

Olbermann was a co-anchor of MSNBC's election coverage this week. The network's performance drew some criticism, particularly with Chris Matthews' contentious interviews with Republican Reps. Michele Bachmann and Marsha Blackburn.

Chris Hayes will fill in for Olbermann on Friday's program, the network said.

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Comments

(115)

Friday 05 November

By Mr Saturday Night

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Give me a break if Fox News allows this, why is msnbc concerned about. It has to be something more, you can bet your sweet azz it has everything to do about the ratings dropping through the floor.

By green

Thank God this hate monger is off the air.

By TS

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And I'll be even happier when Glenn Beck - obviously your hero - is off the air.

By ruddell1

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I am a huge fan of Keith Olbermann and Countdown as well as of Rachel Maddow and her show. I understand the need for proper discipline in any organization, but please get Keith back on the air as soon as possible. He is the reason I started watching your network. It was so refreshing to hear someone who was intelligent, funny and who had not bought into the right wing nonsense. I try to catch his show every week night and will really miss his presence, starting tonight!

By margaret daniello

Keith Alberman was a voice for the non-neocons. I will miss him. His views on the corruption of this country stemming from corporate/lobbyists financing legislators campaigns concur exactly with my own. If a democrat didn't squeak into office occasionally, we'd be in the financial shape we're in now, permanently.

By tj

It couldn't have happened to a better jag.

Monday 08 November

By Arthur Hansl

At last! Keith Olberman was ridiculously biased. The worst peron in the world? Keith olberman imself. With rachel Maddow looking over his shoulder in the mirror!

Thursday 11 November

By Helen

Unfortunately, the "reprobates" have won again. Keith was an excellent voice countering the rhetoric spewed from the voices on the extreme right. Although nothing in this vitrolic and misleading political climate should surprise me, I am yet stunned that corporations can buy an election with the help of the Supreme Court and a citizen cannot make a donation.

By DeidreLee

I hope they extend this leave forever.

By OHRW01

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FoxNews has such a high audience because it's the ONLY news network for those who lean to the right. People who lean to the left has CNN, CNN Headline, & of course MSNBC for the fanatics. Every election CNN & MSNBC covers include a panel that is 90% left-wingers. Face it folks. None of the networks are fair or balanced. Get over it!

By The Big The Bad The Bedo

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fox news tells lies all lies they arent just right wing they lie cnn isnt left wing what a joke and msnbc is left wing but they dont lie fox lies stop drinking the kool aid!

By cynth217

So he should declare himself a corporation, then legally contribute to any campaign he wants!

By ccn

I'm just shocked anyone watches msnbc. Why?

By wbischo

I watch "all" the media channels, and it is repeatedly pointed out, and made very clear to me, just how evil the right leaning media IS. They aren't just anti-Democrat, they are anti-Democracy, and anti-American. I will miss the insights of Keith Olbermann, and hope to see him back in the media mix very soon.

By Scooter

Dude....put down the pipe!

By ronoct12

Wacko!!

By Al Davis

How unfortunate. I think at some point I fell in lust with Keith. (It was the hairy arms and knuckles that did it for me) I hope they wise up and bring him back. Just have him contribute the same amount to the RNC and call it even. Ha!!

By Andy Barges

He can always go to the FOX network. There're "Fair and Balanced", RIGHT???!

By Jim

Ahh...that would be "they're" cowboy. Stupid liberal.

By ljl

you mean FEAR and balanced...right?

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