RACHEL MADDOW Comments on Olbermann Situation - 'Different from Fox'

[Hissyspit]

Run time: 07:03 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpCEDOOWERw   Posted on YouTube: November 06, 2010 By YouTube Member: MOXNEWSd0tCOM Views on YouTube: 13   Posted on DU: November 06, 2010 By DU Member: Hissyspit Views on DU: 8203

 
MSNBC The RACHEL MADDOW Show - 5 Nov. 2010: Rachel points out what Fox "News" Network does on a regular basis in her response to the suspension of Keith Olbermann today.

MADDOW: "Hey, so, uh, this happened..."

SEAN HANNITY (VIDEO): Joining me now with reaction is Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. Congresswoman, welcome back."

MICHELE BACHMANN (VIDEO): "Sean, thank you, always a pleasure."

MADDOW: "That was from Sept. 17th of this year. The host of Fox News Channels' 9 p.m. show interviewing Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, two and a half weeks after that same host donated $5,000 to Michele Bachmann's political action campaign. Mr. Hannity's donation to Ms. Bachmann was noted at the time, it was reported on, by Salon.com in the article you see here.

Fox News executives responded to the ethical quandary pointed out here by telling the St. Paul Pioneer-Press in Minnesota that Mr. Hannity would disclose his $5,000 donation to Michele Bachmann's political action committee on the air to his viewers when he interviewed Ms. Bachmann.

Despite Fox News Channel's assertions that the host would disclose on air when he interviewed her that he had made those donations to Ms. Bachmann's political action committee, the host DID NOT make that disclosure.

The same host also maxed out his personal political contribution to a Republican New York State congressional candidate named John Gomez. The host then interviewed Mr. Gomez after the campaign donations in late September of this year.

Fox News have also explicitly endorsed Republican candidates, just from this election cycle. Here's one:

- snip -

Presumptive 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is also a host at Fox News. He hosts a show there I think that is on the weekends. Making explicit political endorsements is essentially Mr. Huckabee's full-time other job. Besides being on Fox, when he is not making explicit political endorsements, Mr. Huckabee, the Fox News host, is appearing at political fundraisers for Republican candidates. Fox News. Republican fundraiser. Fox News. Republican fundraiser. That's what he does as a Fox News host.

Same goes for Fox News host Sarah Palin... Fox News. Republican fundraiser. Fox News. Republican fundraiser. It's what she does as a Fox News host.

- snip -

Sometimes, Fox News hosts save the travel budget and they just hold these fundraisers for Republican candidates right on the air."

GLENN BECK (VIDEO): "How can I help you raise money?"

MICHELE BACHMANN (VIDEO): "Well, people can go to michelebachmann.com. I need the help."

- snip -

SEAN HANNITY (VIDEO): "...we cannot afford to lose that race."

MADDOW: "Also, those nickels and dimes. In case it wasn't clear enough, this is from Mr. Hannity's own website, from his photo album on his website. The website brags that this is Mr. Hannity headlining a National Republican Congressional Committee fundraiser. That fundraiser reportedly raised $7 million for Republican House candidates. Earlier this year, that took place. Raising money for the NRCC. $7 million dollars, earlier this year. $7 million.

You may have heard today that my colleague and friend Keith Olbermann was 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 that resulted in 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 o.k. That is what I understand happened with our morning show host's political donations in 2006 under previous manangement.

For the record, this rule applies to us hosts here at MSNBC and to NBC News staff. CNBC is not under NBC News, so CNBC staffers are not bound by the same thing.

I understand this rule. I understand what it means to break this rule. I believe everybody should face the same treatment under this 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 all the right-wing cackling, and the Beltway old media cluck, cluck, clucking about this. This is what I think is missing.

Let this incident lay to rest forever the facile, never-true-anyway, bull-puckey, lazy conflation of Fox News and what the rest of us do for a living.

I know everybody likes to say: 'Oh, that's cable news. It's all the same. Fox and MSNBC. Mirror images of each other.' Let this lay that to rest forever.

Hosts on Fox raise money ON THE AIR for Republican candidates. They endorse them explicitly. They use their Fox News profile to headline fundraisers...

- snip -

They can do that because there's no rule against that as Fox. They run as a political operation. We're not.

Yes, Keith's a liberal, and so am I, and there are other people on this network whose political views are shared openly with you, our beloved viewers, but we are not a political operation. Fox is. We are a news operation and the rules around here are part of how you know that.

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 New's water-carrying role for the Bush administration. He was one whose point-of-view journalism exposed and put exclamation points on the problems in the political-operation-disguisde-as-news-network model embraced by the guys across the street at Fox.

Now, weirdly, once again, it is Keith who is illustrating the difference between what he does on TV, what we do here at MSNBC, and what goes on across the street.

Good night."

NOTE: Short (very short) glitch at 5:50-5:56.

[greenmutha]

1. Proud to be the first Rec!

I didn't think it was possible, but I love Rachel even *more* now.

[DallasNE]

36. I Was Interested To See What The Chilling Effect Might Be

Rachel Maddow shows herself to be a giant here by not backing off so I share your sentiment regarding Rachel. You go girl!

[Raoul]

48. Oh yeah??

Well I love her even MORE than you!!

Seriously, she is simply great and has more courage than all of those little MSNBC management wimps combined!

[opihimoimoi]

2. KnR #8

[bjobotts]

22. Since candidates must pay for airtime to advertise shouldn't FOX have to list all as donations to re

[opihimoimoi]

28. The GOPer Masters play loose with the Rules....now more so than ever...even arrogantly

[pattmarty]

3. Now that's what a true liberal does, defend a friend (who did nothing wrong) EVEN with........

..........the potential loss of job or income. Hooray for her.

[avaistheone1]

17. RACHEL is a special human being.

Sometimes she absolutely awes me. This is one of those times.

:kick:

[pattmarty]

42. I agree, but my point is a "liberal" is someone who stands up for.............

...........PRINCIPAL and not just money or job. Does anyone think that (at the potential loss of job or income) Hannity or O'Reilley would have done the same? HELL NO they wouldn't have. I watched intentionally her show yesterday because I had a hunch that either she WOULDN'T be on or she would say something about the issue. She is a real American.

[AlbertCat]

49. defend a friend (who did nothing wrong)

Uh..... that's not what she did at all. She admitted that Keith DID BREAK THE RULES and that everyone at MSNBC got it and he should be reinstated now.


But what this piece is ABOUT is how MSNBC is not Fox News so everyone can stop conflating the two. MSNBC is not a "liberal Fox News" and this very incident shows that clearly.

That's what she did. She defended MSNBC and its integrity against accusations that it is "just like Fox News".


The lack of comprehension here is sometimes staggering!

[WorkingClassDemocrat]

57. Thank you!

I have to agree with you. It was amazing how fast Rachel kissed the hand that feeds her. And, as you point out, it's amazing how well some people read what they want into a situation. This is exactly why progressives are such political beasts.

[AlbertCat]

66. It was amazing how fast Rachel kissed the hand that feeds her.

No it's not.... nor do I think that's what she is doing. Her personal feelings about the Olbermann situation are beside the point and not for her news show. She is merely using the incident to deflect misconceptions about her show.... and Keith's. I didn't get any "gotta save my ass" vibes from her segment at all.

Everyone wants to read things into what she said. Just listen to the words.

[pattmarty]

67. Amen.

[SemperEadem]

76. wow your comprehension of what she said is way far afield

she by no means kissed the hand that feeds her.

She pointed out how fux and msnbc are as different as apples and oranges.

She made her point clearly and concisely.

[Jamastiene]

4. Hmm...

She said "temporarily" suspended. Does that mean he could possibly be back?

[sasha031]

6. he'll be back

[haydukelives]

52. I wounder

if he wants to go back.
KO should tell them to FO

[vanbean]

79. He was fired. They call it a suspension without pay as a means to keep from having

to pay his contract. Or at least as a bargaining tool. What upsets me so much is not only did KO put his money where his mouth is, he was within his !st amendment rights. If corporations (such as Fox),can donate unlimited amounts of cash, why can't Keith? It is because NBC is owned by GE.

This situation literally makes me sick to my stomach, to the point of vomiting.

[pacalo]

9. I don't get the impression that even Rachel knows.

She said her personal opinion was that the point was made & Keith should come back.

I agree.

[backscatter712]

29. I hope so. MSNBC does have financial motive to bring Keith back - he's still a big cash cow.

[sasha031]

5. She is wonderful,

I'm still disgusted with Stewart for even suggesting that MSNBC is anything like faux. Never, ever have they put out lies and misinformation. They are fair and accurate, I love Keith and Rachel.

[sabrina 1]

23. Yes, Jon Stewart was so wrong to do that. And it didn't

make Rachel happy either. I'm glad she mentioned it.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. K&R! Thanks so much for posting this!

I missed the end of her show... :( :fistbump:

[Grassy Knoll]

8. I wish she wouldn't have......

taken her foot of the pedal at the end, somebody please explain to me
what her last sentence even means.

[suzanner]

11. Excellent capitulation

(the last sentence just says that Keith stuck his neck out a bit and >chop<. In reality it is akin to someone like me putting a tenner in the salvation army bucket and not telling the boss. Just a reminder: we're under the boot like Bush's reign but worse- thanks to Rove.)

[oldhippydude]

77. that was my thought

that it was more in the spirit of myself tipping at a restaurant.. sorta thanks for the service!!

[pacalo]

12. I transcribed the end of her commentary. What part confused you?

Before it was politically safe to do it, Keith Olbermann attracted the ire of the rightwing & a lot others besides when he brought to light & raged against what he saw as the errors & sins of the previous presidential administration.

Keith was also the one who brought to light Fox News' water-carrying role for the Bush administration. He was one whose point-of-view journalism exposed & put exclaimation marks on the problems in the political operation disguised as "news network model" embraced by the guys across the street at Fox.

Now, weirdly once again, it is Keith who is illustrating the difference between what he does, what we do here at MSNBC, & what goes on across the street.

[JDPriestly]

32. Fox lets all its employees exercise their First Amendment rights

while MSNBC categorizes employees as "newscasters" and "opinioncasters" and then allows the opinioncasters to give to their favorite candidates but does not allow those categorized as newscasters that same right.

Of course, MSNBC conveniently categorizes the liberals as newscasters and the conservatives as opinioncasters.

How clever.

[nonoxy9]

10. Absolutely awesome!!! Rachel is THE BEST!

:woohoo: :applause:

[onehandle]

13. 'temporarily' nt

[spicegal]

14. Kudos to Rachel, but she better be careful, as her days may be

numbered. Trust me. The right wingers hate her. They will look for a way to silence her voice. This feels like a shot across the bow to me. The corporate media controls our lives. Someone(s) wanted Keith out of there for other reasons having nothing to do with his donations. I hope he fights this.

[rhett o rick]

75. She is no good if she has to "be careful". Rachel must stand and fight as must the rest of us. nm

[AC_Mem]

15. Thanks for posting this

I was in Rachel withdrawal since I will not put on MSNBC until KO is back.

She is awesome, we need our liberal news people - we really need them to bring us the truth.

[Mosaic]

16. I have a hunch

That MSNBC is doing this to illustrate how they are different, and more ethical, than Faux's employees who get away with shady political contributions. Also to gain the respect of the Comcast Ceo coming in soon. Keith should be back soon as Rachel and the temp host both mentioned.

[JDPriestly]

33. I have a hunch they are doing this to warn their lefties to toe the corporate line.

[Cosmocat]

39. When they suspend Scab ...

it will be a universal move ... If it is just Keith, yeah, telling the lefties that they are nice and all, but they need to know their place ...

It could be worse - see Phil Donahue ...

[NuclearDem]

18. Thank God for Rachel

I don't know what we'd do without her and Keith

[mzmolly]

19. Very well stated. Diplomatic as heck. She managed to defend Keith

and MSNBC, while taking a shot at Faux. Not many could accomplish that.

[DebJ]

20. Thanks Hissyspit! My COMCAST DVR crapped out half way

through Rachel and then again, at the end of Real Time with Bill Maher (when my HBO subscription suddenly vanished for 5 minutes then came back).

[jonthebru]

21. OK

OK I get it.

[Douglas Carpenter]

24. kick and recommend!!

[lovuian]

25. its ok for Republicans to donate thousands but not

for Democrats

[Hekate]

26. Bless her and long may she broadcast. "The point has been made" (they're not FOX)...

Hissyspit, TY a bunch for posting this here, because I missed Rachel's broadcast tonight.

:hi:

[AtheistCrusader]

27. That was EXCELLENT.

Good aim, Rachel. Very nicely done.

[ut oh]

30. wow!

I just wish more people could see this and really hear it

[Kablooie]

31. What a coincidence that MSNBC has a new chief who was a key Bush fundraiser.

From rawstory:

On September 26th of this year, Comcast announced perhaps the most dramatic shift, replacing longtime MSNBC chief Jeff Zucker with Comcast executive Steve Burke. Burke has given generous amounts to both parties — providing cash to outgoing Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) as well as to Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) and other top Republicans. But as Public Citizen has noted, Burke has deep ties to the Republican Party. Public Citizen’s report reveals that Burke served as a key fundraiser to President George Bush, and even served on Bush’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology."

Not much of a surprise there, huh?

[JDPriestly]

34. The attack on Keith is just the first step.

And Rachel is a fool to make this speech about how this horrible act on Comcast's part shows how good MSNBC is. Nonsense.

[bonnieS]

41. I agree with you

I think she sat down and told herself she had this brilliant idea of how to eat her cake and have it, too. It reminds me of my disappointment when Mike Malloy was fired from Air America, and Sam Seder, his prodigy, made a very lame statement in his defense. This is the kind of statement that ensures she keeps her job.

I was disappointed that Cenk in two hours of guest hosting made no mention of it, but I was not surprised that Chris Matthews did not mention it--he would love it if Keith were gone. But I am wondering if Ed will mention it at all next week and betting "NO." There are certain things MSNBC hosts do not even mention, liberal or not, and that is called censorship, which has been enforced as long as I have been watching.

I watched Rachel's whole show and she kept teasing that she was going to say something. By the time she got around to it, after the all important "cocktail moment," it was the end of the show, I got her first two sentences, and then it went over to "Lock Up." I was annoyed that she did not think to put it in the middle of the show or at least skip the cocktail moment if it was so important and was so long that it would run over--apparently I am not the only one that happened to, given other comments.

[Swede Atlanta]

47. I hope you are wrong but.....

It would not surprise me if this new chief begins to apply the GOP litmus test to MSNBC and strive to make it another Faux News. Hopefully he understands that doing so would be competing for the same dollars as Faux but these ideologues will stop at nothing to silence anyone who doesn't share their views. Remember the tenacity of the right wingers when anyone with even so much as a Kerry bumpersticker on their car were hauled away from Bush events.

[Montauk6]

35. On a tangent, I have to agree with her little slip-up at 1:23 (Freudian?)

F**K FOX NEWS!

[Enthusiast]

37. No question, Rachel is wonderful.

I consider her to be number one, NUMBER ONE. Unfortunately I will miss her terribly if MSNBC doesn't reinstate Keith. Okay, Keith messed up. But in the face of this past election and the effect of the Citizens United decision I think there should have been some leeway and understanding on the part of MSNBC.

[1776Forever]

38. OK Rachel did a good job BUT are Keith, Ed & Rachel allowed to voice their views now?

I read the same thing "Not like Fox" in a LA Times article - Seems to be a Comcast "line". Sounds at first like it is a good thing but think about it - Are they (Comcast MSNBC) going to try to be just another NEWS reporting station? What makes MSNBC so great is that the commentators can speak for us and for them! I do not want to see them turn into vanilla NBC, CBS, or ABC! Come on man, say it isn't so!

Here is the LA Times article:

On Keith Olbermann's suspension: Don't cover the candidates you contribute to
Patrick Goldstein
November 5, 2010 | 5:25 pm


http://www.latimes.com/search/dispatcher.front?Query=Olbermann&target=article&sortby=display_time+descending

..."The Olbermann mess simply highlights the dilemma MSNBC faces as it plays second fiddle to the Fox News juggernaut. If it wants to be a liberal advocacy network, fine, then it can reinstate Olbermann and start shaping the news to benefit liberal causes, the way Fox does on the right. But if it wants to be taken seriously as a real news network, then it should make Olbermann serve a suspension, make sure its other anchors understand the rulebook and, most important, say loud and clear: Unlike our competition, when we say we practice independent journalism, we really mean it."

..........

If true why didn't they buy up NBC?

[WorkingClassDemocrat]

58. In other words, lie? n/t

[PSzymeczek]

78. Keith has never said word one

about Gabrielle Giffords, just, deservedly, about Jesse Kelly.

[Carolina]

40. K&R

[PatrynXX]

43. I took it different. I feel she's taking her marching orders from Phil.

Although clearly she did say okay made your point. Better be back Monday. But the rule is an NBC News rule, not MSNBC. so it's a gray area. Whether Keith knew he broke a rule .. well I keep waiting for a tweet and nothing so until Keith says we should watch MSNBC, well glad some watched Rachel but after the above I can't trust the station now.

[julian09]

45. Skip that time slot on msnbc then watch Rachel

They will watch the ratings drop then go back up for Rachel
and so will the sponsors.

[WorkingClassDemocrat]

59. KO probably on extended phone call with lawyer

And laughing his ass all the way to the bank.

[idrahaje]

73. So did Dan Rather although not quite laughing

he had a hard fight but CBS really rucked up on that one. Dan Rather is the only one alive thats trustworthy. Maybe Bob Shiefer (sp) CBS was the first obvious one to go corporate after the Jefferey Wigand Scandal in which the PR really went out the window and they were forced to air it. So if MSNBC doesn't handle the PR right here, they could go for a Lowell Bergman quits trick after it airs. (Is he still on Frontline?? )

Dan Rather's stuff is on itunes for $1.99 SD.

[dotymed]

44. If President Obama would

have (and he can) the FAIRNESS DOCTRINE reinstated, .....ALL of this propaganda bullshit would stop.

[Red Knight]

46. All this fair and balanced bullshit

is just that.

There's right and there's wrong. Period.

Fox lies its ass off night after night. They are just an arm of the Republican machine and say whatever it takes to help the machine.

MSNBC spends a lot of time sorting out those lies but because it doesn't agree with the bullshit on Fox--it's considered biased--leftwing, stuff.

WRONG!

There is right and wrong. Facts and fantasy.

If the facts come from the left--report it. Too bad if the weeping righties want equal time for their bullshit. Sorry.

I am so tired of the equal time crap. Just report the truth.

If that happens to be on the left--so be it.

That's what news is SUPPOSED to do.

[artofnoise]

50. U go Girl

“Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose.”

[tavalon]

51. Damn, I already broke my boycott

But I just couldn't resist hearing what she had to say. It was surprisingly fair and balanced. Yes, I meant that.

[azmouse]

53. Rachel is a treasure.

She is so spot on with her comments. No one could have said that better.
Bless you, Rachel!

[Riley18]

54. Hard for me to imagine that I could have any more respect

for Rachel than I already did, but she is an outstanding individual.

[DemocraticPilgrim]

55. Rachel is truly genius. N/t

[Johnny2X2X]

56. Not about FOX

I am disappointed in many people here. This is not about FOXNEWS!!! What they do is totally wrong, but real news organizations should be held to a higher standard than FOX. The day FOX news becomes a standard to measure behavior by we have all lost.

Olberman is a biased commentator, we know that, but once he starts giving cash to candidates, he then has a dog in the fight. I don't think he should lose his job, but it's something of a concern.

The worst part is the Right will spin this to reinforce the Liberal media Bias paradigm they and their listeners adhere to religiously. Don't put yourself or your Network in that position Keith, you are better than that regardless of what happens at FOXNEWS.

[WorkingClassDemocrat]

61. So you're saying that journalists have no right to donate?

Not sure that one will pass the test of constitutionality. There is nothing unbiased about KO. No reason he should fake it to make you feel better.

[Johnny2X2X]

82. Against the rules

Unfortunately for Keith, NBC has a clause in their employee contracts that they cannot donate to political campaigns. It's a good policy IMO.

[theFrankFactor]

60. NBC is SHIT oaky?

Let's understand something - NBC is SHIT oaky? Business is business, these pricks, Comcast and Rupert Murdoch use "one cup" if ya know what I mean.

[RoccoR5955]

62. This makes Rachel NUMBER ONE in my book

She handled that the best that anyone could have. She stood up for her friend, and her employer, while zinging it, big time, to the opposition.

[Mad_Dem_X]

63. Thank you, Rachel!

She really hammered home how FOX is nothing but the GOP Channel.

[furgee]

64. Here is my take

I can understand a corporation making you sign an agreement that you cannot go and work for a competing company or you cannot open a business that would compete with the company you just left. But what Keith did was a personal issue. He didn't announce it on his show. He didn't politic it in any way over the air. What he did in no way affected what did or didn't do on his show.
On the other hand did the corporation ask the employees how they felt if they donate to the RNC or to any political campaign. Right now they don't even have to ask their stock holders if it is OK. Plutocracy is now in America and Fascism is not far behind.

[big lu]

65. K&R and thanx for the transcript

[styersc]

68. I recently signed the online petition, but now I waffle.

RM made the point tha MSNBC is NOT Fox. The left has standards, the right does not. I hate to say it, but KO should not come back unless thoroughly and openly punished for the infraction.

[Powdered Toast Man]

69. Isn't that kind of what just happened?

Point made. Bring him back.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

70. Keith wasn't trying to raise money on the air

and that's the big difference.

[Kyad02]

71. I thought her response was weak and self protecting

Why not mention Scarborough and Buchannan who donate to republican candidates and are on MSNBC. That is much more relevant to the Oberman situation then what the Fox fascists do. And why wait till the end of the show? This was THE story of the day.

[timefortherevolution]

72. Chris Matthews got Bush elected in 2000 courtesy of

Matthews used his show for almost a year to get Bush elected.

If he wasn't talking up Bush jr., he was bashing Gore.

I find this situation to be a personal attack on Olbermann, nothing more.

[MrMickeysMom]

74. DO YOU HEAR THIS, JOHN STEWART?

You do?

Bloody fucking good, motherfucker. Now you can amend what you said at the rally for sanity, and get back to having some sense of what is and what ISN'T on fucking cable t.v., motherfucker..

[Mkap]

80. Taking money from people who don't even live in Ohio

That video with Kasich's smug look makes me even more pissed that Strickland lost. Kasich recieves money from people like Sean Hannity who don't even LIVE in the state of Ohio!! Why didn't Strickland use that clip in his attack ads?

[briteleaf]

81. Rachel protecting her job.

Rachel is my absolute favorite political commentator. Her presentation was well written spun a shining image of the difference between MSNBC and many of it's competitors. There were two things she left out:

1. No employer has the right to rescind any american's right to support the political party/candidate of their choosing. Foreign governments and corporations have donated record amounts of money to influence and support candidates/parties that will help them. Now MSNBC wants to violate an individuals right to make a donation?

2. Keith supported you long and strong Rachel. You could have stood up for him and taken a stand for him. YOU DID NOT!!!!