Accustomed to playing defense, MSNBC president Phil Griffin finds himself in a worn-in seat prescribing euphemisms toward his embattled network. With the in-fighting between Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough, and David Gregory taking a backseat to the assumption that Griffin & Co. caved to right-y criticism that the network's coverage leaned too far to the left — thus resulting in K+M moving back to pundit-only chairs — MSNBC now finds itself again defending its internal decisions. If only criticism of the cable news network, then, were coming from Fox News and sites like Olbermann Watch. In fact, for months it's been NBC News insiders who've besieged the ears of Griffin, NBC News president Steve Capus, and GE chief Jeff Immelt, begging for change. So who's been complaining?
Andrea Mitchell
At a NBC News party in August was Washington D.C. media hangout Café Milano, the veteran NBC News correspondent seized on the open table Immelt himself set up. In front of dozens of colleagues, Mitchell raised concerns about how Keith Olbermann was dominating the MSNBC image, and that his anchoring of DNC coverage only fed fire to the argument the network leaned left. Where, Mitchell openly wondered, was the separation between news and opinion that existed just a few years ago?
Tom Brokaw
Famous for saying Olbermann and Matthews had "gone too far" in front of audience members in August at Harvard's Shorenstein press center forum, Brokaw has openly criticized the MSNBC hosts, on- and off-camera. Brokaw, the much-liked and well-respected former Nightly News anchor and current special political correspondent, often fielded loaded questions from Olbermann and Matthews during RNC and DNC coverage, which set up Brokaw to agree with their left-leaning assumptions. But like a true down-the-middle newsman, Brokaw openly disagreed with their assertions, and insisted on offering both sides of the situation. It's no secret Brokaw would rather not have to be the answer guy for K+M, but with them dominating MSNBC's programming, Brokaw's hand is forced.
Brian Williams
The current Nightly News anchor hasn't been as vocal as his predecessor Brokaw, but Williams hasn't kept quiet, either. His now infamous Daily Show appearance illustrated he wasn't terribly comfortable with discussing internal matters in the public eye — where everything ends up on YouTube and is endlessly dissected — but he's been more vocal inside 30 Rock, where everyone from his producing team to Immelt and Capus have heard his concerns. Williams biggest fear isn't necessarily that MSNBC is seen as left-leaning, but that it's connection to NBC News paints his own broadcast, and he, as a liberal when he tries very hard to stay above the fray.
David Gregory
This guy is an interesting case. Since he's feuding with Brian Williams — who doesn't let him on Nightly News these days — he's more apt to take K+M's side. But he also benefited nicely from Griffin "demoting" the pundits; it was Gregory who ended up in the anchor chair, and will be MSNBC's supposed go-to for presidential debate and election night coverage. And aside from his own Race to the White House, it was during Olbermann and Matthews' convention coverage that Gregory scored significant airtime, which he is always after.
Chuck Todd
A more passive player in this charade than many. By default, Todd is on the Williams-Brokaw team, and thus doesn't want MSNBC turning into a liberal cesspool. The NBC News political director could have easily started veering left with Olbermann and Matthews, siding with them on all their liberal points. But he doesn't go that far, and still maintains the air of neutral analyst. This is an important role for Todd to maintain, anyway, if he wants to end up in the Meet The Press moderator's chair anytime soon.
Editorial Director
Interesting development; After bringing the viewing audience up to respectable levels, and answering a need to bring a more liberal view of the news than FOX news, the business end of MSNBC have decided to "clip the wings" of these men, the only ones in the media able to ask incisive questions and not be deterred by hype and PC. With Tim Russet gone, no one other than these two have shown any gumption to seek out the truth. Certainly, CNN has gone far over to the right to not allow any other point of view of the news than permitted by the administration or the establishment. Thank God for Jon Stewart on the Daily Show, probably the only "true" interprtation of the news. With the expected "watered down" MSNBC news from now on, it probably won't be worth watching. Good luck to these heros Olberman and Mathews.
David Katz,
You have got to be kidding me. You actually believe that there is a need by MSNBC to counter Fox News? Fox News is all alone in the world, MSNBC is among many many leftist organizations. Fox News does have some conservative shows, but its anchors play straight down the middle. Plus, even in its right leaning shows there are always counter points, in fact Hannity and Colmes (which is always named by those who wish to stop any opinion other then the leftist one as an example of Fox NEws) has both a conservative and an outspoken liberal on it. Fox News is probably the only source of news where you can hear both sides.
Keith Olbermann as an anchor was a travesty. MSNBC doesn't want to report the news and let the public decide what to think, they want to force their opinions down the public's throat. They want to choose the president and tell us "ignorant" viewers what to believe.
Only a side that is completely wrong could be so afraid of opposition that they refuse to acknowledge it. This is the tactic of Scientologists and other cults. Do not answer questions, when attacked attack back without answering. MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have no credibility left. If you are stupid enough to enjoy this prgramming then you are a simple minded fool who wants to sit back and be told what to think.
Keith Olbermann is a bad, boring joke who has trashed NBC's once stellar reputation.
Ditto.
NBC's reputation is ruined, and MSNBC is still, dead last in the ratings.
K+M are hotheads! Letting them anchor was a disaster waiting to happen. Just look at their body language together. It was pathetic.
There has been recent evidence that FOX gets its spin "briefs" from the Bush administration, and they repeat catch phrases and labels throughout various shows to emphasize the Bush views and perspectives. It isn't real journalism. At least with Olbermann you get a thinking human being who can formulate thoughts and ask real questions. This administration needs some scrutiny, they have wreaked a lot of havok without much media oversight. And we need some counterbalance to the hate mongering and extreme views of people like O'Reilly. I think Olbermann is an important perspective and one of the few courageous news men left in the country. I will continue to support shows where he can be heard.
I watched Keith Olbermann Special Comments this evening and must say in this writing that it was one of the best Commentaries I have even watched on cable news network. He hit all the points that needed to be heard and his comments hit the nail on the head. Isn't is great that we have a candidate(John McCain) with a secret way to capture Ben ladin??? Good work Keith!!!!!
I don't watch WNBC that often but pleased I watch this one of Keith Oberlmann!!!!!!
Keith Olbermann is the most honest man in news.He is exposing the corrupt Bush Administration and the McCain camp for all of their lies and dirty Karl Rove politricks.Keith does not let the blatant lies by these politicians slide as is the rest of the MSM who are obviously not doing their job to cut through the spin and campaign tactics.To the rest of the so called journalists , REPORT THE FACTS AND STOP IGNORING THE LIES BY MCCAIN-PALIN.YOU ALL ARE DOING THE AMERICAN VOTERS A GREAT DISSERVICE ! PALIN IS A FRAUD AND A GOP MARKETING TOOL AND SHE NEEDS TO BE EXPOSED FOR WHO SHE REALLY IS …DICK CHENEY WITHOUT THE EXPERIENCE.
Keith Olbermann has finally cracked… His close to foaming at the mouth ranting tonight confirmed he's lost it. Only a totally clueless individual could have composed such a bunch of garbage. The title of his show, "COUNTDOWN" is appropriate for his apparent demise.
Since his demotion, the evil smirk and patheic fake laughter are gone. He now puts on the "serious" journalistic guise and tries to be a professional.
What's that old saying, You can put lipstick on a pig, but its' still a pig…. Priceless !!!!!
His commentary tonight may also have been his obituary.
Priceless and its' about time……..
Don't let the door hit you on the way out….
They trashed Sen. Clinton at every opportunity. I hope they enjoy the solitude that comes with being a loser.
"THE LIES BY MCCAIN-PALIN"
Well, Palin/McCain is going to win and send the dope with hope home. GOOOOOO Palin!
Yes, the Olbermann Matthews team took license from their position at the debates, the primaries and the conventions, as though they were unassailably couched in the catbird seat and could throw down the most unbalanced and prejudiced opinions, interpretations and "analysis" for the education of their less enlightened viewing audience. I'm sure they are surprised at the critical reception but we, the Manyheaded, were offended and insulted at being served partisan absolutes by this presuming bumptious pair of pundits. The very notion that they could succeed at this could not go unchallenged.
How cowardly is the news media? It is more and more apparent every day. They don't have the courage to stand up against Karl Rovian antics and techniques and criminal behavior. They are like dogs on a leash, waiting to be lead around by the very noose the Republicans are tying around their limp necks; no courage, no conviction to what's honest and right. Whatever makes them have a greater share of the watching public's eye, no matter how dispicable, disgusting and ludicrous the tactics are, that's what the media leads with. You're nothing more than tabloid journalism for TV. I am insulted to think that the media and John McCain thinks that the American people are so ignorant and apathetic to allow this type of politics to continue. People see through this charade, and you all know it is and why it is a charade. The Republicans have about as much morals as Satan, and this is extremely evident in all of the low grubbing dirt they throw. No real child of God would drag anyone to the depths that they have during this and previous campaigns.
Keith Olbermann, and also Chris Matthews to some extent, were definitely far above the fray. It takes courage to stand up for the truth, what is right. The management of NBC I thought had a true conviction for the truth and a concern for the knowledge that the American people need in order to make intelligent choices in this political process. There is so much negativity coming off of the air waves slighted toward one party that all we hear is the negativity that one party perpetrates upon the American people, feeding nothing but lies, innuendo and negativity to sway people's thinking.
The American people deserves to have clear and concise debate between the parties. But when one party doesn't have a leg to stand on, the take the low road, and this is what becomes newsworthy to the media. The media that succumbs to this manipulation is just as guilty as the Republican party for actually placing the best interest of the American people at the bottom of their agenda, in order to put up smoke screens to distract the intelligence-challenged people of this country. We deserve more than this! If they don't have policies and agendas to address this country's problems, don't give them any air time at all, period.
I just as millions of other Americans wants and demands to have balance in news reporting. Keith Olbermann by far was one who balanced it out. He did not fall for all of the gaming and attacks, he rose above all of the mud, and presented clear, concise facts and presented them in a manner that anyone could digest and comprehend. I've learned more from his show than any other on MSNBC, NBC or CNN. He showed no fear of the "powers that be", which is what made him so honorable and passionate.
SHAME ON THE MANAGEMENT OF MSNBC. It seems you too have fallen victim to the trickery and divisiveness of the party of Slime, the Republicans.
Jackie, you're a complete loon………
Matthews & Olbermann standing up for the truth???
Who's truth…the truth according to the Democrats??? They can't even spell it.
Balanced reporting…. you have better odds at wininng the lottery than they can be called balanced…
Olbermann is the cable tv news shockjock version of Howard Stern.
Make it as ridiculous and outrageous as possible and people will watch it….for a short period of time……Notice "COUNTDOWNS" fall from grace in the ratings…..and their still falling…..
After he stops foaming at the mouth and his eyes stop bulging from one of his rants, did you notice the little smirk???? Good acting job…..
If he really believes all that he spews, he should be measure for the white jacket and hauled away…..far ….far….away….
What we want, is stop all the BS, name calling garbage and just tell us what you really think that you can do…not what you think we want to hear….
Let's see when you say 'today's media' and the words 'fair and truth' you are not in this century. Tragically for the liberal I find the far right has many more loud, foaming at the mouth supposed journalist/gossip hounds keeping our entire news media in total fear of truth or contradicting anything this administration and white collar crime has done over the last eight years. I am forced to go to public stations or the BBC to get the accurate stories. Shame on all the News Channel Owners, and the people like Phil Griffin for folding in, GIVE US TRUTH AND HONESTY AND THE BEING FAIR WILL COME TO LIGHT.
Give me a break. This bullshit US media has accused THIS ADMINISTRATION of everything from hating black people to blowing up our own buildings. Tear yourself away from socialist media carnies and get some independent thought.