The real reason Keith was reinstated so quickly? Money talks

[sufrommich]

and corporations listen to money. It wasn't an attempt to silence the left as so many here reported( if that was the case Rachel Maddow packs more of a punch than Olbermann does ,in my opinion.), it was a miscalculation on the part of his boss who didn't expect the result he got. As soon as the corporation felt the suspension may actually cost them profit, it ended.

[tabatha]

1. Did you make this up? or do you have a source?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9512767

It seems that less money talks.

[sufrommich]

3. Olbermann's contract doesn't expire until 2012. I haven't seen any

proof that he was asked to take a paycut.

[Nite Owl]

2. I think that they expected a lot

of grumbling and not real action. They got a surprise!

[sufrommich]

4. Yep. I also think this was more a pissing contest

between Keith and his boss.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. Exactly and it is very common with a new incoming 'boss'

dealing with very powerful and highly compensated contract employees. Same thing happens in non political areas as well. It was not about the donation, but the provision that it be cleared. Not so they could say no, but so they could be asked.
Additionally, I will say that Keith knows all of this, and the whole thing sure came down to his advantage, with the additional gravy of spotlighting the policy, and the differences in policy at the competition.
I'll also say that in organizations like networks, it can be useful to break an inconsistent or vague policy just to make the company define it, defend it, or adapt it for modern times. This has happened before and it will happen again.

[AnArmyVeteran]

6. And we were the wind that blew his boss's piss right back at him.