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Keith Olbermann Doesn't Vote So as to Remain Objective

November 14, 2008 11:03 AM

This week on "The View," MSNBC's Keith Olbermann said he doesn't vote because "It's the only thing I can do that suggests even that I don't have a horse in the race."

"I know it's very idiosyncratic, but I would feel just a little hesitation, just a little drag on the airflow, if I went to criticize somebody, especially a president, for whom I had voted," Olbermann went on to say in a statement to Portfolio. "It is driven by the same thing that used to make me keep my distance from the athletes I covered. I don't want anything, even that tiny bit of symbolic connection, to stand in between me and my responsibility to be analytical and critical."

Thoughts?

- jpt

November 14, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (65)

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I used to watch him every night but stopped after he proudly announced on The View he didnt vote. Lost all his credibility and my respect. What if all his "fans" followed his example!

Posted by: Marilyn | Nov 18, 2008 12:31:23 PM

I used to watch him every night but stopped after he proudly announced on The View he didnt vote. Lost all his credibility and my respect. What if all his "fans" followed his example!

Posted by: Marilyn | Nov 18, 2008 12:31:22 PM

I am really disgusted by this. I used to set my tivo every night for Countdown but not anymore. He is about as fair and balanced as Fox News! So to hear that he does not vote discounts his opinion completly and I will no longer watch him.

Posted by: Stacey | Nov 16, 2008 4:54:22 PM

I wrote my own special comment on the matter. I'm disgusted that he doesn't vote. What a joke.

Posted by: Nico | Nov 16, 2008 6:27:44 AM

What a disappointment. I used to get a kick out of Keith Olbermann and his observations. If it is true that he doesn't vote - I don't want to hear a word he says. There is "Freedom of the Press" - which affects him directly - because people voted.

I hope he is joking.

Posted by: Erlinda | Nov 15, 2008 9:05:15 PM

When I first read this I thought: "My, I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often."

Oh wait, that's the other moron... my mistake!

Posted by: Cult Of Personality | Nov 15, 2008 6:49:15 PM

There is not a single human being alive more guilty of everyday journalistic malpractice than Keith Olbermann.

Who, in God's name, does he really think he's fooling with this ridiculous jibberish? Only, I imagine, himself.

Posted by: Thank God for Karma | Nov 15, 2008 4:34:53 PM

Does anyone actually believe a word that comes out of Olbermann's mouth?

Keith Olbermann is the most biased, most prejudiced, most unbelievable idiot in the news today. Only Chris Mathews comes close to Olbermann's inability to think objectively.

I hope if Obama's buddies bring back the so called "fairness doctrine" that Rush Limbaugh gets equal air time on MSNBC to counter these small-brained blowhards Olbermann and Mathews.

Posted by: Chris | Nov 15, 2008 2:55:49 PM

Keith: Vote early (and often).

Posted by: Billy Baroo | Nov 15, 2008 12:59:39 PM

I think journalists should probably refrain from donating to political causes, but it's everyone's responsibility to vote.

Posted by: Danny | Nov 15, 2008 12:20:03 PM

Keith you still can vote and stand on your principles and also be objective. That is a lame excuse.

Posted by: Ms. G | Nov 15, 2008 11:25:54 AM

"Keith Olbermann Doesn't Vote So as to Remain Objective"

Thoughts?

Sure.

MORON. IMBECILE. LIAR.

Mostly, fatally self-absorbed.

And let me thank you also for the giggle.

Posted by: drjohn | Nov 15, 2008 9:24:34 AM

Overbite Objective thanks for the laugh!!

Posted by: spock | Nov 15, 2008 12:42:07 AM

Keith Olbermann, haha, what a Tool.

Posted by: aden | Nov 14, 2008 11:54:55 PM

Unbelievably idiotic. With reasoning like that, I know never to take him seriously in the future. What, the whole population of journalists in the US should stop exercising the right to vote? Good heavens.

Posted by: Jean | Nov 14, 2008 9:26:07 PM

Oh, my lord, could Keith Olbermann get any more ridiculous, self-indulgent and self-serving!

It's good to know that Olbermann has maintained his journalistic distance from Mr. Obama, so that he will be able to yell "Resign!" or "Shut the hell up, Mr. President!", should the occasion arise.

I think we're all fairly aware that the only way Olbermann would actually give his time, energy, and interest to marking any ballot is if it had his own name on it, or if it was a vote to send one of his enemies to hell.

Posted by: Eve | Nov 14, 2008 7:57:57 PM

Yes, yeah I "watched and was entertained" by his unbiased 'news' but became fed up real early.
Kinda like an unbiased Gergan and Murphy, er uh, campbell brown commentary during the RNC
Way ta go KO. You've made me a believer... NOT!!

Posted by: JeffPlumber | Nov 14, 2008 7:04:35 PM

What a total idiot.

Posted by: Tina From Florida | Nov 14, 2008 5:56:32 PM

Olberman is great, though he's old style Thespian with both the drama and the comedy. I prefer him to Charles Gibson anytime, who looks like he could be the farmer with the pitchfork in the painting, The Establishment. I guess you could say both have a certain classic quality about them.

Posted by: kat | Nov 14, 2008 4:55:51 PM

Ohlbermann is a terrific guy with the most decent morality I've ever seen on TV. His integrity in not voting is commendable, but even if he were to vote, which I think is every American's duty, he'd still have a right to criticize those who do what is wrong. He just needs to mellow a bit and not be so hamhanded in his style because his preaching sometimes gets annoying. Other than that, I enjoy his show since he's always so right on about the national debate of the issues.

Posted by: buzziea | Nov 14, 2008 4:28:17 PM

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