Will Keith Olbermann Return to MSNBC?

[Dave From Canada]

Source: TV Newser

Add Keith Olbermann to the list of MSNBC hosts suspended for things they’ve said, done, or in Olbermann’s case, not done. He failed to tell his boss he was planning to donate money to the campaigns of three democratic congressmen.

The question many are asking: Will Olbermann return?

Insiders we’ve talked to say Olbermann won’t be back. The question is whether he’ll leave or MSNBC keeps him off the air.



Read more: http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/will-keith-olbermann-return-to-msnbc_b38467?c=rss

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This is bizarre. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. Ok, Keith may have donated small amounts to 3 candidates. I really don't think it's that big of a deal. MSNBC's policy sounds a little unconstitutional. But I just can't understand why Countdown would no longer exist over something that's pretty much small potatoes.

[slackmaster]

1. Dave, you must be doing pretty well if you consider 3 x $2,400 (US) to be "small amounts"

I've never donated anywhere near that amount to a candidate, and rarely given anything to a candidate to represent a state or district where I do not live.

[gateley]

4. I'm not Dave but I kind of thought the same thing -- in relation to KO, as I assume

he's making a good salary. NO WAY could I ever come up with anything more than two digits! LOW two digits! :hi:

[ProgressiveLiberal]

5. False equivalency - Olberman makes orders of magnitude more than "Dave" ....

So to him the contributions were indeed small amounts. When you make tens of millions - $7500 is like an expensive dinner.

[Plucketeer]

11. EXACTLY!

If I made Keith's salary, I'd have made max donations to every Dem running for office!

[kelly1mm]

15. Although those amounts may be small to Keith, they are the MAXIMUM

donations one can make directly to a candidate.

[tinrobot]

8. Corporations freely give millions thanks to the Supreme Court.

In comparison, a few grand is chicken feed.

[Dave From Canada]

13. I meant it the way others have already said. In that they're small amounts considering how much

money gets thrown around in election cycles. Personally, I think journalists should be able to donate to campaigns.

[slackmaster]

16. The issue is not about whether or not journalists are allowed to donate to campaigns

Almost everyone agrees that they are allowed to do so and should be allowed to do so. It is their right as citizens in our democracy.

KO was not suspended for making donations. He was suspended for making donations without obtaining prior permission from his boss, which is (according to what I've read) a condition of his employment.

My own job has similar conditions. I could be fired summarily if I disclosed my real name on this forum.

[Agent William]

2. I would be very, very surprised if KO was actually fired

If he was I could imagine that he would have a pretty health court case that would no doubt attract a lot of negative attention for MSNBC. Even if his hypothetical case is offset by contractual details, he could still potentially mount an aggressive effort to get pay back to his current employer.

In all I doubt they would fire the person that saved their prime-time line up.

[gateley]

3. I wonder who the insiders are, and if they're correct, if it's Keith's call or

MSNBC's. :shrug:

I'd surely miss him, and I would think MSNBC would miss the advertising dollars his ratings probably generate. I'd venture to guess It takes a while for an anchor to develop a strong following.

I think it's great it's receiving so much attention - it seems to be an acknowledgement of the popularity he enjoys, almost like 'our' Rush or Beck - in a good way, if you see what I'm trying to say.

[ProgressiveLiberal]

6. I seea whopper of a "Special Comment" When Keith gets back ;)

[groundloop]

7. MSNBC policy NOT unconstitutional

First Amendmant says the government shall pass no law...... (Ask Christine O'Donnel). An employer can terminate employment if an employee does something that causes that company embarassment or is against company policy or against something agreed upon in a contract.

Not that I support K.O.'s suspension, just sayin' MSNBC has the right to do it. We also have the right (duty) to email MSNBC and let them know what we think about it.

[Gin]

9. Cenk willl take his spot....I bet

[Cleita]

12. I agree.

I probably won't watch though. Hoping Keith shows up elsewhere. Maybe HBO will give him a show like they did Bill Maher.

[Swede Atlanta]

10. Actually he doesn't have the right........

Free speech, including political speech, can be infringed as long as the infringement is not done by the federal government (and by judicial ruling by the states and their subservients).

To me the question here is does the penalty fit the infringement? He gave less than $10K to 3 candidates without permission. I could see a financial penalty or week long suspension. But if this goes on and KO does not return MSNBC will be removed from my channel line up permanently. Bye-Bye MSNBC

[jeff47]

18. The problem for MSNBC is this now drifts into employment law

The ethics rule was NBC's rule. MSNBC has been treated as exempt from those rules. To suddenly apply the rule now invites lots of problems.

[Naturyl]

14. Normally, I'd say no, but this shitstorm seems to have legs

So yeah, he may just be back. Hopefully.

[ladywnch]

17. at the end of the day, he is too important to MSNBC's ratings.

he may chose to not come back, but they won't keep him off the air.... ratings equal money....the language of corporate america.