As you may have heard today, Keith Olbermann has been temporarily suspended from his job hosting Countdown on this network, because he made three personal political donations to candidates in this last election cycle. The reason for Keith's suspension is that here at MSNBC, there is an explicit employee rule against hosts making contributions like that.
You can do it if you ask in advance and management tells you it's OK. That's what I understand happened with our morning-show host's political donations in 2006, under previous management.
But if you don't ask in advance for an exemption from the rule, you're bound by the rule. (For the record: the rule applies to us here at MSNBC and to NBC News staff. CNBC isn't under NBC News, so they're not bound by the rule.)
I understand the rule. I understand what it means to break it. I believe everyone should face the same treatment under that rule. I also personally believe that the point has been made and we should have Keith back hosting Countdown.
Here's the larger point, though, that's going mysteriously missing from the right-wing cackling and old media cluck-cluck-clucking: I know everyone likes to say, "Oh, cable news, it's all the same. Fox and MSNBC -- mirror images of each other. But if you look at the long history of Fox hosts not just giving money to candidates, but actively endorsing campaigns and raising millions of dollars for politicians and political parties -- whether it's Sean Hannity or Glenn Beck or Mike Huckabee -- and you'll see that we can lay that old false equivalency to rest forever. There are multiple people being paid by Fox News to essentially run for office as Republican candidates. If you count not just their hosts but their contributors, you're looking at a significant portion of the entire Republican lineup of potential contenders for 2012.
They can do that because there's no rule against that at Fox. Their network is run as a political operation. Ours isn't. Yeah, Keith's a liberal, and so am I. But we're not a political operation -- Fox is. We're a news operation. The rules around here are part of how you know that.
Back before it was politically safe to do it, Keith Olbermann attracted the ire of the right-wing and a lot of others besides when he brought to light and raged against what he saw as the errors and sins of the previous presidential administration. Keith was also the one who brought to light Fox News's water-carrying for the Bush Administration; he was the one whose point-of-view journalism exposed and put exclamation points on the problems of disguising a political operation as a news one, the model embraced by the guys across Sixth Avenue, at Fox.
Now, weirdly, it is Keith who is once again illustrating the difference between what he does at MSNBC -- what we do here -- and what goes on across the street.
UPDATED: Keith Olbermann will be back Tuesday night. Closing comments on this thread.
are you kidding me!!! Keith and all the liberal journalist are under fire by the right wingers!! double standards are the norm!!! and your so right racheal it's because you are really journalist!!! i knew msnbc has work place rule and i'm sure keith knew of them. he should have tried to change them not break them BUT REALLY!!!!! do we let the right crash are nation with their greed i think not. so we fight with knowledge and truth. we stand are ground and know that truth and honesty always wins, so that they fall because of their lies and greed so are nation can go forward and grow stronger for all americans!!!! would you do me a favor and read the definition of liberal and conservative on your show qnd a short comparative so all can see the truth about the differences. there are lots of positive adjectives for liberal!!!!
Keith Olbermann privately donated personal funds to 3 political candidates. The optimum word here is "privately". He made no public announcement of this fact, made no attempt to promote these candidates on the air, nor sway public opinion in print. As an American citizen, he had the right to "privately" donate to which ever candidate he wished. As such, for MSNBC/NBC to deny him the same right and privilege as any other private citizen is, simply put, sad and, I dare say, un-constitutional!
Jean B, the U.S. Constitution does not address what a private company can or cannot require of its employees. Thus while NBC's action may be upsetting it cannot be unconstitutional.
Dear Ms. Maddow - It is sad if you, Ed, Lawrence, and especially Keith don't understand that you have the power to change America and its spiral descent by standing down and not broadcasting until Keith is restored to his slot. I'm not saying you all quit, I am saying that you 'self-suspend' because there is a flaw in this policy stating that MSNBC must be pre-informed of your personal campaign contributions. Since you are all working under contracts it is likely this 'rule' or so-called 'policy' arguably violates or contradicts the terms of your contract's severance clauses. In fact, by rationalizing going along with it, you're probably setting a dangerous precedent, not only for our freedom of speech, but for the rights you already claimed in your contract. Naturally you're all ambitious, and thinking, 'well Keith is an egoist' and perhaps MY VOICE, my clear thinking can shed the light. Don't be seduced by the oldest drug of all, that's what the suits upstairs are depending upon. IF ALL OF YOU STEPPED ASIDE RIGHT NOW UNTIL KEITH WAS PUT BACK ON ALONG WITH ALL OF YOU IT WOULD BE A GAME CHANGER.
You Got Me Excited..... "Rachel etc.. Have the Power to Change America & Its Spiral Descent..." ..... But Then You Stated This Power Should be Used to Put Keith Back on the Air... I Too Think Policy Sucks & Keith Should Return.... However, I Feel Every "News Organization," Including MSNBC is Doing the People of America a Great Injustice Playing "Partisan Politics" for One Political Party or Another........ They Could USE their POWER to Find the Solutions to Our Problems via Suggestions from the Entire American Population. But what do They Do.?? Attack one Party or Another, Stirring Up Controversy to get Ratings Which Bring $$$$$. Especially Political $$$ During Campaigns.
Brava Rachel
I think Keith will recognise you stood up for him bravely...and as a fellow LGBT, I wasn't suprised by you being a fierce friend....we're like that,,,,yeah we are.
P. S. I didn't mean to omit Chris Matthews from my list. Chris you more than anyone.
OK, point made. Now let's get Keith back on Monday. How about coming down on the governing bodies for allowing Fox to get away with it? What happened to equal time?
The problematic common denominator here is the president of MSNBC, Phil Griffin.
Summing up all of his recent 'power plays' it is clear that he is not working for the best interest of network.
Suspension is way over the top, and this guy once again is way outside reason and logic in his decision-making. He is willing to bring down the entire network in an effort to show that he is the boss.
Maybe it's time for the "Mother Ship", GE to step in and replace this alien presence, and put someone in there who doesn't have his audacious 'power-hungry' ego.
It is actually 'past' time to fire Phil Griffin. It ‘is’ time, to hire a person who will be willing to work ‘with' his collogues, rather than someone who has a problem with inappropriately wielding his sword of power. Sounds as though he thinks he's the Rupert Murdock, of the left.
If GE makes the right decision here, it would also be a "Good Thing" to bring back the previous victims of 'Phil's Power Play' rampages, David Schuster, Donny Deutsch, Markos Moulitsas.
Bring Keith back immediately! Fox, CNBC even CNN are so biased toward Republican's and bashing Obama, Pelosi and Reid no matter what they accomplish on behalf of the American people. MSNBC was the only place I had get a liberal view, yes liberal, it's NOT a dirty word! Reprimand yes, IF he missed on policy, suspension w/o pay is clearly unfair and appears designed to silence his voice. A policy review is in order MSNBC!
Am I the only person who is concerned about the First Amendment implications of MSNBC's policy? Yes, I can understand the policy from a journalistic integrity perspective. But it also comes dangerously close to infringing on hosts' freedom of political association. (If it weren't journalists involved, I'd be comparing the situation to the recent McDonald's shenanigans in Ohio.) Frankly, I was disappointed Rachel didn't make this point on her show tonight. I was also somewhat bemused that the main "difference" between Keith's treatment and that of Fox hosts who shill for candidates on the air was MSNBC's principled stance in requiring its hosts not to engage in such behavior. I would think the more appropriate distinction would be to differentiate between Fox hosts who actively solicit campaign funds in their official capacities on the one hand, and an MSNBC host who privately donated to candidates without using his position to fundraise on their behalf on the other. It's apples and oranges.
The violations of Mr Olberman's rights was my first problem with this as well.
It's not a free speech issue. You try bad mouthing your employer in public and see if they don't exercise their free speech right and fire your butt. Most contracts limit the signer in many respects. Don't sign if you don't want the limitations.
Ok seriously guys... any regular viewer of Rachel or Keith should know that unless the government is the one restricting your speech... your constitutional rights are not being violated!!
The constitution doesn't give you the right to a six-figure contract with a TV news organization... fer cryin' in the mud bobby!!
I believe that Rachel and Keith have reiterated this fact, verbatim, at least once in the last month!!
Rachel made the point perfectly tonight - msnbc is not fox because of that clause in their contract!!! Let's just hope Jon Stewart et al. were listening.
hi rachel,i hope that you will send me a note when keith comes back,as i can`t watch msnbc
again until they return him.thanks joe thompson roscommon mich jdt48653@yahoo.com
P.S. i will miss your show!
Will Keith be back, I suppose comcast is looking for a sign... his many fans crying for the return of "The Worst Political Commentator Ever"
Awww shucks! Cjhtx's msg. confirms it. Some people just can't admit what truth is! As for Rachel, she's a thorough researcher and journalist, as is Keith, and if what they find in their research seems incredibly unbelievable, it's probably because the commentators like the ones on that "other" stations (I can't call them journalists or newsmen), haven't a "clue" to what truth is! Bring Keith Back Soon!!! Hang in there, Rachel! We trust you!!
Oh you done it now, girl.
Huge Rachel fan and no friend of Fox but silly to turn an internal NBC problem into a Fox rant. A sleight of hand that Rachel typically exposes rather than participates in. Hopefully it turns out Chris Hayes actually took a position.
Obermann broke the rules at MSNBC! Obviously Fox and CNN have other rules for their employees. I am sick of the whining at MSNBC about Fox. You are saying that you don't have a point of view that your network promotes? I know if I want a more left point of view I watch MSNBC. Right I watch Fox. That's what the Channel changer is for. Now the attacks on your own...Scarborough and Buchanan. Keith Obermann is a mean vicious man. And Rachel be careful or you may go with him! Comcast is watching!
And again people seem to have totally missed her point. See post above (but not on the first page)
I do love your show, Rachel, but I will go to extreme measures to get Keith back, even if it means boycotting MSNBC. He is the reason I started watching that station and, unfortunately, he may be the reason I stop.
I will only watch Rachel's show and nothing else on MSNBC, PERIOD. I am thinking about writing to MSNBC's sponsors and telling them so for what it's worth.
What Keith did is hardly the crime of the century, so just slap his hand and let's move on.
Besides as someone above said, since when do you have to give up your civil rights for a job? Piss off MSNBC- the more I think on it the madder I get.
enjoy the beer...ya earned it,
hey, have 2
Thanks Rachel and crew for supporting Keith. My apologies for my temper; however, I couldn't help myself. I AM <<BLEEPING>> MAD!!!! I sent the following already to 'Mr. Griffin', yes say it with boiling scarcasm.
WTF!!! First, you people got rid of my David Schuster and now Keith. Y'all are getting on my FN nerves with this silly suspension bulldookie. My language may not be any indication; however, we the committed viewers of your network, are smart enough to know when your hosts are making commentary and when they are reporting the news unlike the buffoons who watch that other station. For you people to get rid of Keith for doing something ANY citizen over the age of 18 has the Constitutional right to do, is the most ridiculous playing into the hands of your nemesis that I have ever seen/heard. If you wish your rating to surpass Murdoch’s GOP sponsored FOX, you have another thing coming by playing these 'taking the higher ground' games. Any child knows the best way to beat your enemy at their own game is to play it BETTER than they can. I will start another FACEBOOK boycott of your 8:00pm time slot if Keith isn’t brought back and soon. I love Tamron Hall, but when you got rid of David you got rid of me between 2-5 as well. What is wrong with you people? SHAME ON YOU PHILLIP GRIFFIN! DO YOUR DAMNED JOB PROPERLY AND BRING KEITH BACK!
Exactly!
Rachel... I Commend Your Defense of Keith Olbermann.!!! Though I Rarely Agree w/Either of Your Political Opinions, I Find You Both Intelligent & Worthy Debaters. That Said, You Must Think Your Viewers are Stupid, to Say MSNBC is a "News Organization," and "Fox" is Not... We, the Independents, Know that Neither Fox or MSNBC Even Come Close to the Definition of "News Organization." I Don't Want to Call You a Liar, But as Yet, I Have Found NO NEWSCASTS on MSNBC or FOX. Be Truthful.!!! Your Faithful & Many of Us Independents will Still Tune in to You & to Keith When He has Served His Suspension.
Exactly which newscasts on MSNBC were untruthful?
Seriously, Keith needs to be brought back as soon as possible! I look to MSNBC for all my daily news....Ed, Chris, Keith, Rachel, and now Lawrence are a nightly staple for me. Keith Olbermann has done so much good for working people....not only with his voice but with his position and yes, probably money....think of all the people who have gotten some basic health care just due to Keith Olbermann's efforts on their behalf in raising funds for those free clinics! I can't believe they've suspended him! Speaking of injustice!
His Special CommentS give me chills....such a great voice should not be silenced based on a few dollars!
HOW CAN WE GET KEITH BACK ON THE AIR?????!!!
PLEASE MSNBC RETHINK THIS DECISION!!! THIS IS A REALLY WELL LOVED AND WELL RESPECTED MAN!
Am I right to say that this is only a suspension, not a firing...yet. MSNBC is not saying this is over and done with, are they?
The president said he was indefinitely suspended but Rachel said temporarily so I don't know @Rob. It may have been wishful thinking or insider knowledge on her part?
Well, temporarily and indefinitely are essentially the same thing until the suspension ends.
I thought that "without Pay" part was really stupid...as though the man does it for the money. The suspension was beyond stupid. There are other solutions to contract problems...Keith made contributions not OK in contract..... so take away his favorite chair and tell him to write I am sorry 100 times or something.
So this reads like a kid would write.....guess I am just that angry.
Can't these corporate types recognize class when they see it??????
Rachel, I remember the day they brought in Jerry Springer and I heard you make the announcement on the air......I feel the same today.
Rachel, to start, I think you are the best journalist out there today.
That being said, I do take issue with the powers at MSNBC. It seems that all news organizations are standing in fear of being politically correct these days - look at the recent over reaction by NPR with Juan Williams.
MSNBC is facing FOX news, which is the media arm of the GOP. Look at the list you of their on-air talent who made contributions to political campaigns.
Keith Olberman made MSNBC, and gave YOU the opportunity to join the team and end up with your own show. For them to hang him out and 'suspend' him without pay is just playing into the fear mongering that Fox & friends are promoting. Hopefully you will continue to fight for him.
If Keith isn't brought back with an apology, I will no longer watch any programming on MSNBC (as much as I love your show).
Very sad that with all of the other trash that we have to fight against these day, MSBNC becomes one of the opponents.
To MSNBC - good luck finding anyone who brings you the same success as Keith.
Obsession w/FOX is a Ratings Ploy. FOX Plays it vs MSNBC as Well. Those of You That Think Either Organization Cares About You, the Person are Fooling Yourselves at Best. To be FOR or AGAINST one Political View or Another Is what Got Us Here. ALL Politicians Have Already Started the Next Campaign for Re Election, & Their Sidekicks, the Media are Already Stirring the Pot. Wake Up. Think for Yourselves. Look Behind the Words. Seek the Reasons for the Opinions. Most are Self Serving at Best.
Any other NBC viewers out there old enough to remember when Jack Paar walked off on-camera during his show? Nope, I don't think it is fair to you or your fellow employees to expect the same kind of action, Rachel. Not the same issue, but it came to my mind immediately. Your last segment eloquently and clearly said it all---up to this point. After everybody rests up over the weekend and recovers from this testy Election week, we are all going to watch how your Management deals with it. I only hope everybody, viewers, employees and owner/managers, can remember how to talk the talk and walk the walk when it is needed.
hey, I was watching Jack Paar that night and thought it was stupid then.
Stay where you are Rachel and fight the fight. If you and the rest leave. We will have lost out big time.
Keith on MONDAY night!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, you're right jeanie, I will tune in. Hope you're on, Rache, Still I have this dream... how totally satisfying it would be to see every on-air MSNBC commentator and/or newsperson read the teleprompter up to the point where Keith's news story comes up. Then just shut up, clip off the mike, stand up and walk to the elevators.
Let's have a good old wildcat ice skate party/labor action in Rockefeller Plaza! Wouldn't that be fun? I'll bring hot bagels, you bring hot chocolate! Even some Fox folks on coffee breaks might come down (those party animals) to help sing folk songs with us!
Nice fantasy, I almost forgot.. the Plaza IS private property, so that's out.
....still, I bet they would do this in France.......
(Thinking a lot about Jessica Savitch lately, does anybody remember HER?)
Well as the man would say. Today is a day that will go down in Infamy. Sorry Rachel, I don't think you can fight what faux is doing to America alone. Keith was the reason I got a cable package in the first place. I wouldn't be posting this at all except for the fact that I can't post anywhere else with msnbc due to a server error?
I have to say that I'm deeply dissapointed in the networks decision to eliminate a man whom if in my opinion didn't contribute to the cause he so greatly endorses would be nothing more than a fraud like the drones at faux. I personally am proud of his decision, I hope he would do it again if given the chance. This is the America that's vanishing. Certain people are still expected to live in line with rules and regulations, while the people who have no ethics, morals, or shame run this country into the ground. I give up, you can't have a debate with a tea party member or a republican. They believe everything they are told and will say the most disgusting and astonishing things in public and on camera and go unpunished in the public eye. I'm tired of driving by tea party rallies in my town and seeing elderly women holding signs with our president in a noose that read "lynch Obama, save our country now!" and it's only getting worse. There is no social order any more. People don't care how bad they make our country look when they say things. To this end I am giving up my fight. This voting cycle will be the last that I will be involved in. It's become to money controlled and the few people we have in the media who expose that such as Keith and yourself are being tossed to the wayside. I refuse to watch it happen anymore.
Watching Real Time atm, Rachel if you see this, watch it!
I am in shock! Living in HI, we always get the "news" later than anyone else! I don't always agree with everything Keith says, but only about 1/8th of a % of the time! I schedule TV time every afternoon to see Chris Matthews, Keith Oberman, The Ed Show, and Rachel Maddow and now Lawrence. So when just ONE of them is missing, I know that I AM MISSING another viewpoint, and more FACTS (something FOX is unaware of) so that I can be better informed. I am soooo sad that Keith is suspended!! FOR HOW LONG!! Gosh! I'm am in total depression! BRING HIM BACK...PLEEEEEEEZE!!