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Friday, November 05, 2010

MSNBC Suspends Keith Olbermann (And Chris Mathews) For Giving Campaign Contributions To Jack CONway And Others. Watch News Video.



Update: Olbermann suspended for donations to Conway, others
By Joseph Gerth

MSNBC host Keith Olbermann was suspended indefinitely on Friday for contributing to three Democratic candidates, including Jack Conway, in the closing days of this year’s campaign.

According to required daily filings that Conway’s U.S. Senate campaign made with the Federal Election Commission, Olbermann contributed $2,400 to Conway on Oct. 28.

Olbermann hosts the show “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” which focuses on politics and current affairs.

MSNBC suspended him without pay for violating NBC News’ policy, which prohibits employees from donating to political candidates or causes. Many news organizations, including The Courier-Journal, prohibit such contributions.

MSNBC President Phil Griffin issued a one-sentence statement that said: “I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay.”

Olbermann’s contributions became public Friday morning when the Website Politico reported that Olbermann had contributed to Conway and to two congressional candidates in Arizona.

Conway, Kentucky’s attorney general, lost to tea party-backed Republican Rand Paul in Tuesday’s election.

Olbermann also contributed $2,400 each to Arizona Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords. Grijalva won, while Giffords’ race is still too close to call.

All three candidates have appeared on Olbermann’s show this year. Politico reported that his contribution to Grijalva came on the same day the Arizonan appeared on “Countdown.”

In a statement, Olbermann told Politico that this was the first time he had contributed to a political candidate and that he has never encouraged others to contribute.

“I did not privately or publicly encourage anyone else to donate to these campaigns, nor to any others in this election or any previous ones, nor have I previously donated to any political campaign at any level,” he said.

Others who contributed to Conway in the closing days of the campaign included Don Henley, a founding member of The Eagles rock group, and Kate Capshaw Spielberg, an actress and wife of director Steven Spielberg.

Editor's comment: Commentators and news Anchors and Journalists MUST NEVER claim the higher ground and claim to be FAIR and/or BALANCED or IMPARTIAL when they make campaign contributions to one party, candidate against another.

I guess I can say that those who do, like Keith Olbermann, lack sufficient ethics and morality to be trusted with the news and be taken seriously.

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