Time Critic: Olbermann's Special Comment Shows He's "Just Another Of The Cable Gasbags He Used To Be A Corrective To"

Last week on "Countdown," Keith Olbermann gave a special comment blasting Hillary Clinton for her remark that Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June, which she claims was a historical referenced intended to show that the length of this primary is not unusual but which many took as an implicit announcement that she was staying in the race in case Barack Obama was assassinated.

The special comment was intense, and the video can be viewed below (transcript available here).

At least one critic thought Olbermann crossed the line regardless of the appropriateness of Clinton's comments. Time's media and television critic James Poniewozik wrote of Olbermann:

Even if we concede his argument--that Clinton was at best callously and at worst intentionally suggesting she should stay in the race because Obama might be killed--every time he turns up the volume to 11 like this lately, he sounds like just another of the cable gasbags he used to be a corrective to.

Read Poniewozik's entire column, which includes an interesting analysis of what it means when a viewer is "annoyed by someone you used to constantly agree with" here, and let us know what you thought of Olbermann's Special Comment in the comments below.

Comments

[DocGreen]

Keith is terrific.

[mbrownNY]

He used to be, but his melodramatics are a bit much. Also, what happened to the show's content? It has become very tabloidesque.

[TravisMay11]

Olbermann rules, screw that Time guy.

[tfred]

Keith O is the only commentator willing to stand up to the Clinton War Machine. When will people realize that she will DO or SAY ANYTHING to get the democrat nomination. She will run over small children, kick old people and puppies to the curb, drown bags full of kitties, ANYTHING to get that nomination. She will even remind a racist nation that in the good old days people used to assassinate people they didn't like when they ran for president.

I'm telling you, if she gets this nomination I WILL NOT VOTE FOR THAT _itch. I won't vote for McCain either, I'll just sit this one out.

[JDJase]

and the only way for people to beat the Clintons is to make up pathetic, ridiculous things like "she kills puppies"

Grow up you nazi freak.

[Plutodog]

That's what we call hyperbole, JDJase...or extravagant exaggeration to make a point. Hillary wouldn't kill puppies as long as they didn't have beautiful dalmatian fur...and then she'd want to let them grow up to maximize the fur yield!

[Indubio]

At times Olbermann is over the top but mostly he's guided by facts not fantasy. We may think of him as the left's answer to O'Reilly or Limbaugh but I think he's several cuts above right wing gasbags. The biggest problem for me when I listen to pro-right gasbags is their teleological view of reality. O'Reilly and his compatriots live in a world of "ought to bes". They describe and support an American society that doesn't exist any longer and an America right or wrong approach to world affairs that seems more at home in the 1950s then a complex multi polar world where the US is just one voice. Furthermore, their economic views have been repeatedly proven to be unsustainable in the long term. Yet... their tune never changes to changing reality and so they ignore it. Olbermann may pontificate and blow off steam but for the most part his presentations are usually based on reality and facts. This separates Olbermann from his counterparts on the right. Olbermann, O'Reilly, Limbaugh. and the rest should speak out if they see and hear things that outrage them but; I have a problem when media personalities use their positions to inflame or incite one part of society against another or nation against nation. I have no objection to partisan behavior but anything said should be fact based not simply made up to make opponents look bad.

[littleblackcat]

I would agree that some of Olbermann's speaking habits need to be toned down and a bit less emphasis please! "Bushed!" being one of those things needing a trim. However, he still makes excellent points for the most part and isn't afraid to call people on the carpet. I thought a little less anger at Clinton would have put the point across equally well, although not for one minute do I think HRC's comment was appropriate. Those "hard-working WHITE people" upon whom she is basing her claims of being more electable happen to have far too many of those who are proud of their ignorance and bigotry, who by age 6 refer to people of colour as niggers because it makes them seem in their own eyes superior because they are "white", and who don't have the necessary sense of right and wrong to keep them from acting out a fantasy that they would be helping HRC if they killed Obama. Barack Obama is in very real danger, his secret service protection evidences this. We don't need experts in spin putting ideas into any heads.

[UnrealitycheckDotCom]

I think Time's critic, like most of the Democratic Party, has just accepted the role of angel of the house, a dear, ineffectual, passive presence who only really puts her foot down when someone breaches etiquette. Frankly, he's just alarmed to see a liberal show some stones, but there are a great many people on the fence who might come over from the dark side if they thought there were half a dozen people in the Democratic party who have retained their testes. Olbermann has the good sense to realize when he is in a street fight. He showed his Obias, and I guess Time's critic probably showed his preferences, but we need more brawlers. We also need to get Olbermann in the same room with O'Reilly, because O'Reilly will look like a shrimp next to him. Then maybe Olbermann can kick O'Reilly's ass like he has been begging for for so long.

[rob515]

I wonder if you realize how sexist your comment is with all of it's references to male organs as symbols of power? Surely, you must be a member of the "hard working White" class that Hillary was referencing in her speech.

[Sandra1234]

I think the comment was well written and had no problem with the references. I'm a white, professional female and fervently hope we've not reached the sad day when any reference to male or female is viewed as non p.c. Many of our greatest writers will have to be pulled from the shelves on that day.

[fitconnection]

We could use a whole helluva lot more of Olbermann's right now. We on the left are STILL in dire need of voices of reason in our cable, tv and print media.

Especially in light of the fact that cable and tv news pundits STILL refuse to admit their complicity in the runup to the Iraq war. Additionally, they STILL coverup the fact that PAID propagandists from the Pentagon were allowed on various shows and news programs to help pump up the administration's position before the war.

It's a sad day when we're decrying the existence of Olbermann on MSNBC. And let's be honest, the only reason this Time article is appearing is because Olbermann has consistently called Clinton on her bullshit. Clinton supporters haven't liked this one bit. It's funny that the acceptable news outlets for Clinton supporters has become an ever-shrinking pool due to the fact that the majority of news outlets have called out Clinton for her reprehensible campaigning. It's gotten to the point that the only friendly voices for the Clinton camp are CNN and Fox - two of the worst news sources in our country.

Here's hoping we get 10 more just like Olbermann tomorrow!

[northcoast]

I think it is absolutely amazing that a major cable news host speaks out so openly and forcefully.
Go Olbermann.

[RobertAndropolis]

Olbermann's sarcastic bombastic voice immitating O'Reilly dialogue is juvenile and distracting. If he would simply read in his normal voice what idiocy O'Reilly said that day, it would more successfully communicate to the viewer what a jackass O'Reilly is. Olbermann's technique reminds me of something the idiotic class clown would do in seventh grade for a laugh. Juvenile and beneath his intellect.

The3 program is five years old. Typical longevity for an entertainment/infotainment show.

[whisperswen]

Not sure he has intellect to share..he's about ratings only

[mediamarv]

Please note:
None of the above is true.

Just wanted to set the record straight.

You're welcome.

[Mike O.]

"...he's about ratings only"

And he fails miserably at that!

[littleblackcat]

I really like Keith Olbermann but like you, Robert, I do find a few things tiresome. The thing with O'Reilly is one of them, and the "worst" and "best" people in the world, others. I REALLY wish anyone who wants to be taken seriously would forever swear off wasting time with the antics of Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears and others like them. If I want to know what Brad & Angelina name their twins, I'll Google that information when I have time to waste. News, and what is going on to try to get the country back on track. These are the things I watch t.v. for.

[Sandra1234]

Can we pretend I said that? I couldn't have said it better, littleblackcat and Robert Andropolis.

[Nisey01]

Time Critic: Olbermann's Special Comment Shows He's "Just Another Of The Cable Gasbags He Used To "

He's "Just Another Of The Cable Gasbags He Used To "Be when speaking the truth of the entire matter, in which it was in the case with Hillary and her little assassination escapade. She has once again initiated such unflavorable distaste to the American people and people abroad, all Keith did was put a cap on it.

[elan4444]

When is it time to retire "The Worst Person in the World " denotation?"About five months ago, ifyou ask me. I used to find Keith reasonable and for the sake of our soldiers, thought it was great he took issue with the President's war policy. But I'm not one to hang on to something when it's served its purpose, and Keith has made the mistake of getting into a rut and not getting out. It's easy, just like Chris Mathews, to be in one's own little world, if you don't get out of the studio or the area where you live, and test the waters of global and public opinion. Like, we're really tired of the Bill O'Reiley thing - it is taking up space that needs to be used covering something of worth. O'Reiley is not that formidable anymore, people have got his number, so ranting on isn't going to change things at this point. People who watch the guy want to. Clinton's remark was merely a statment about past election events, and I honestly don't think she realized the implication until she had uttered it. So why take it where it doesn't need to go? You're losing, me, Keith. . .

[whisperswen]

Finally people are waking up to this windbag. His childish rants and insincere staring in the camera as if to say what a patriot he is is so phony. He forever pats himself on the back and his "worst" person in the world is so childish. All of MSNBC is anti Hillary and a discgrace to balance reporting.

[Plutodog]

All this talk about KO being phony in his presentation display, IMO, either a misunderstanding that this IS KO's personality and that he really feels, believes what he so demonstratively says, or they are pretending to misunderstand it for political reasons -- one or the other.

[Mike O.]

Olbermann will be looking for a job before too long. His opinions are not shared by the majority of Americans which is borne out by the fact that his ratings are horrible.

[Plutodog]

"Clinton's remark was merely a statment about past election events, and I honestly don't think she realized the implication until she had uttered it. So why take it where it doesn't need to go? You're losing, me, Keith."

Elan4444 -- In view of the fact that this was NOT the first/only time Clinton uttered that garbage AND in view of the fact that her whole argument was based on the specious idea that this primary cycle is the same as previous (rather than starting way early) AND that Bill hadn't already effectively wrapped up his nomination in '92 well before June. And finally in view of the despicable record of the Clinton camp's dogwhistling to bigots and those who fear the voting power of bigots -- Just how the heck can you honestly NOT think that Clinton's remark was merely a statement about past election events and how can you NOT see that Clinton was attempting to dishonestly inflame the fears of delegate and superdelegate folks about an assassination nullifying their vote if they do not vote for Clinton?

I don't believe you are that thick. So I have to wonder if you are simply defending your candidate at any cost.

[Plutodog]

My apology for the following error which I will now correct. I said:

"Just how the heck can you honestly NOT think that Clinton's remark was merely a statement about past election events "

and I meant to say:

"Just how the heck can you honestly NOT see that Clinton's remark was NOT merely a statement about past election events "

[joeinvt]

P-dog: Here is what Clinton said in Sioux Falls

CLINTON (5/23/08): Between my opponent and his camp and some in the media, there has been this urgency to end it. And you know, historically, that makes no sense, so I find it a bit of a mystery.
SIOUX FALLS ARGUS LEADER: You don't buy the party unity argument?
CLINTON: I don't, because, again, I've been around long enough—you know, my husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June, in California. You know, I don't understand it.

The point she was making seems quite clear and has nothing to do with the possibility of Obama being assassinated. You, Keith, and other Obama-loving, Clinton-hating folks can mischaracterize what she said for political purposes, but that is morally wrong.

In your defense, however, you may have been mislead by the shoddy research of others intent on giving Clinton's comments the worst possible interpretation. For example

“Clinton Secures Party Nomination” was the front-page headline in the Washington Post on June 3, 1992—the morning after the California primary. The day before, on the New York Times’ front page, Johnny Apple wrote that a bad showing by Clinton “may stir some fresh speculation within his party about an alternative candidate.” (Front-page headline: “CLINTON IS FACING A DIFFICULT HURDLE IN CALIFORNIA VOTE.”)

[dolphinlikr]

I am sure she meant that it was okay to kill obama and that was the only reason to stay in the race. kithe is just an angry moron with nothing to say except bad hillary blah blah blah. btw check the electoral college map and obama will be hammered by ron paul . I used to love kiteh, but he is insane with hate. ever since david schuster said the "pimp" thing about Chelsea, keith has been nuts with revenge. I haven't watched him in months and I no longer TIVO his show. by wacko special comment guy!

[huffy2001]

in view of the despicable record of the Clinton camp's dogwhistling to bigots and those who fear the voting power of bigots

______________

Thanks for the words of unity, Obamabot.

[huffy2001]

He's a goofball that couldn't make it as a sports caster and found his audience by launching emotional tirades that appeal to the worst in the left. He stirs up the same emotions as Bill O'Reilly, and capitalizes on them. Ridiculous statements like "but his tirades are limited to one segment in his show" are not only stupid...they are false.

What's his deal with "Bill-O," anyway? O'Reilly is a brute and a bully. Olbermann's obsession with him is unseemly and childish, and simply draws attention to him. I am sure Fox and O'Reilly are extremely grateful for the free hour of advertising the get from MSNBC each evening.

KO/ CM and company is one of the biggest reasons our party is so badly divided.

What we need is healing and reconciliation. Not pompousness and animosity. I admit fully to buying into the latter. But with all the poison coming from Obama's supporters toward my candidate... especially with their unwillingness to look beyond Obama's pretty face, sometimes it's just too tempting and easy to hit back. I'm weak...I admit it.

I wish I could be perfect like you Obama people (oops...there I go again!).

[RobertAndropolis]

Sarcasm is a mask for contempt, and your use of it in criticism of Obama supporters is as "unseemly and childish" as that to which you accuse Olbermann and his O'Reilly obsession. The "poison" you speak of emminating from Obama supporters toward Clinton is in actuality a defensive response to her brewing of said poison, Hecates-like, with which to cast upon and besmirsh Obama.

You're probably one of those unconscionable stubborn women over fifty, staunchly behind Clinton, who would chose to cast your vote for McCain than for Obama should your demographic hero not prevail. Damn, now I'm using sarcasm.

[huffy2001]

You guys are just too easy. I love it when you rise to the bait.

[Plutodog]

"I wish I could be perfect like you Obama people (oops...there I go again!)."

Huffy -- Obama supporters do not claim to be perfect, but thanks for resubmitting that hoary straw-man. You could, though, be reasonably intelligent if you'd actually use that thing sitting on your shoulders.

[Plutodog]

I should add, Huffy, that the thing crowning your shoulders was meant to keep that thing pounding away in your chest out of trouble. It is that critical team effort that would get you a heck of a lot closer to where you claim you want to be ("perfect")

[huffy2001]

Oh...but they do. They claim to be superior in every way. How many times have we heard that the "more educated and affluent" are Obama's supporters.

Well, I am highly educated and affluent. I have been a staunch and loyal democrat for almost four decades. And never in my time have I seen a more arrogant and insufferable bunch than the people who proclaim to be for the "uniter" candidate.

And to RobertAndropolis, I happen to be a man, over 50, who has seen a lot more of this life than I expect you have.

[jennifer Vizzo]

KO is more than OK. He's sometimes over the top, but he's usually dead on, and when Keith makes a mistake, he admits it, which is more than we can say for the usually choleric Billo and the equally uninformed Rush (where's my Oxycontin?) Limbo.

[ReggaeFan]

What I like most about Keith, is that he quotes the specific source of his information, reads the transcripts, etc. That way, I can go to the original source and read or watch it in context.

[damnadamson]

We need more loudmouths spouting off on our side ... to keep the playing field fair ... keep it up Keith !!!

[HPotamus]

Keith is awesome. Hillary needs to shut her mouth and go away. Her hysterical, deluded campaign is doing nothing positive for the Democratic party.