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

[dragbunt]

The "We forgave you's" in Keith's rant is what the rant was all about. I counted a total of 18 and still Keith left out a few. "Obliterate Iran?" I think the point here is the short attention span of the American public, which seems to be well represented here. People seem to react only to the last thing that happened. We as a people do not care much for context. I will agree that keith foamed and frothed a bit too much. But for me it is like Kobe taking too many shots. He's the reason I'm watching and I know he's trying his best. I will allow for Keith to go over the top because he cares about truth on an emotional level. That's why I like him. Being emotional about truth and justice pretty much defines the democratic party. We should speak to it more.

[StephenJK]

Keith care about the truth? AND justice?

Excuse me.....

HAHAHAHAHAHAH

And if by truth and justice you mean mo money, mo ratings, mo viewership, mo pandering, mo women half his age......well, then, you would be correct.

[knighthowl]

It appears that you have confused Olberman with O'Reilly. Point by point.

[Lolasmom]

Stephen JK- GET A LIFE. You are an IDIOT A---HOLE!

[larchibald]

Its blogs like this that confirms how uneducated, uninformed, and intellectually bankrupt the average American is. That is why China and India will be the leaders in two decades. I feel so sorry for you.

[JGL58]

Olbermann ROCKS - all the time.

His critics SUCK - all the time.

[StephenJK]

I see his intelligence and wisdom is rubbing off on you.

[knighthowl]

It appears that O'Reilly's lack of intelligence and wisdom is rubbing off on you.

[VOTER]

Keith is the BEST and the only reason MSNBC is still on the air.

TRUTH telling WORKS!

We, viewers, have always known. Pundits and their bosses still don't.

[libsareidiots]

MSNBC is really laging in the ratings since libs like Olberman don't report the news accurately. Check the ratings, FOX dominates. The only other good program is Glenn Beck. Check the ratings, O'Reilly, Hannity & Combs(Even though Allen Combs has to lie for the libs every night. I feel sorry for him, he looks like a complete Moron trying to argue illogical points), and Beck have the best ratings. I think PMSNBC is bringing up the rear in ratings. They should just do us a favor and get rid of it, put Olberman out of his misery so he can go back to Sportscenter.

TRUTH telling does work, ask Bill O'Reilly, Shawn Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Rush Limbaugh. They seem to have the biggest audiences. The dems have to try to bring back the "fairness doctrine". Nobody is keeping far left radio programs from being broadcasted. The problem is that nobody wants to listen to them. People can choose for themselves what to listen to, the government does not need to dictate what programs are on.

[ffjason]

libsareidiots,
Just out of curiosity, which part(s) of the anti-poor, anti-black, anti-gay, anti-environment, anti-choice, pro-war Conservative platform do you support?

[loonylobo]

Why don't you learn to spell before sharing your "ideas" with us? True Rush's ratings are great...because there are a bunch of dumb crackers who believe in him (mistakenly). Was Fox not joking about killing a senator last week? That isn't news, that is terrorism.

[shockmagog]

Imbecile, never mind that you and many other Republicans can't seem to tell the difference between quality and quantity, but the next statement you make is false, and therefore negates your argument:

"Nobody is keeping far left radio programs from being broadcasted."

First of all, there are no "far left" radio programs on commercial radio. If you don't believe me, try to find just ONE. Secondly, liberal radio (and liberals) are anathema to corporatism, so therefore, it is much more difficult to gain the trust (and the gamble) of multi-station-owning corporations to allow them on their airwaves. Oh, by the way, it is not "our" airwaves--just in case you didn't know that one either. The airwaves that WE gave to them belong to the corporations now.

[LAcarlito]

Glenn Dreck? Bill Orally? Limp-paw? Hanky-panky? You really believe these clowns?

I have a pool of sub-prime mortgage loans to sell you too since Fox keeps trying to call a bottom in the housing market. You game?

[ObamAtomic]

The biggers Dumbfounded ,ask Bill O'Reilly, Shawn Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Rush
and Kevin James,Rush a drug user,O'Really,ranting,sexual harasser,Hannity
idiotic character,Beck knowledge about social issues moron at best, last
KevinJames the poster man of the Republican party at worst.(Appease)
FOX dominates? Can help *mcCain* with the Domination.
Adulation leave your nose Brown.

[americanalien]

Keith's exclusive interview with Scott McClellan is repeating tonight (5/30/08) at 11pm eastern/8pm central time on msnbc. That's immediately following Countdown's regular repeat at 10pm. Apparently, Keith's groundbreaking interview with McClellan last night was a ratings bonanza. Keith just announced on tonights program that Countdown beat O'Reilly by a whopping 26% last night. No wonder Billo had another meltdown on his program that night, it's really getting to him. I've always been a big fan of Keith but I never know that he would balloon into the powerhouse that he is today. He is my hero and I am proud to say that.

[Gayleann]

I am not sure many will understand this but, Keith actually simmered many of us who were so outraged at Hillary for her reckless comments. It was as if he turn off the boiling tea pot. Why? Because even if we gave Hillary the benefit of the doubt before she apologized, it's after the apology where the total disrespect screams loudest. She is a smart woman. She actually had time to think about her comments, and still chose to ignore the slap towards Obama, and yes, everyone who supports him. So, at least Keith addressed it in a way that brought it to the surface, and that was a load off my mind. Thank you Keith.

[oldlakelady]

Countdown is the only MSM show I watch anymore. Thank you Keith for speaking truth to power - where it is to Bush or the Clintons. Thanks for being my voice.

[libsareidiots]

I'm no Hillary fan, since every other statement she makes is a lie, but she has been getting hammered by the left wing news organizations. Is Olberman an unbiased reporter or an Obama cheerleader?

First off, I think he needs to go to an anger management class. The comment she made was fairly classless in they way she put it, but it was clearly intended to show the length of primaries and was not focused on assassinations.

Why would Olberman get so mad? Hmm....let's think. Could it be because he is in the bag for Obama? From what he said, he seems to be more upset that she hasn't dropped out than about what she said. Olberman is mad because Hillary is hammering Obama and his stock drops each time.

Unfortunately, none of the news organizations will report accurately on Obama besides Fox News and Glenn Beck. PMSNBC is the worst with Olberman leading the pack. I don't know how anybody can look at them as a reputable news organization. Even Saturday Night Live, which is on NBC made fun of them. Hmm...very interesting. Oblerman is a jackass at its finest.

[realityrules]

Hmmmmm. Maybe I will give Olbermann another chance.

[libsareidiots]

Another chance for Olberman will only be until the next time he is on TV, since this is a regular for him. Will you give him another chance after every show he does? He should have stayed on Sportscenter.

Maybe you can get him to go to anger management since he gets so irate about such a small thing. I thought he was going to have a heart attack.

[Kencleanersystem]

Run off to Townhall.com now, you little fascist. Guillotines coming soon to a neighborhood near you!

[Mike O.]

You call him a fascist, then threaten his life because of his beliefs...

Who's the fascist again?

Jackass

[wasataylor]

Keith is sharing to the world the thoughts of all of us still feeling human being. It seems like everyone has lost the caring, heartfelt American bravo, and tell it like it is that made America great! Now we walk around people who say and do things that aren't acceptable, and we take it, and take it!

Stand up America!

Thanks Keith for being our voice!

[macintoshsauce]

Keith Olbermann is one of the last true journalists in the United States. I love watching his newscast...

[StephenJK]

Excuse me.....

HAHAHAHAHAHAH

"Last True Journalist"? Is there a special pen that goes along with that title? I know there are special comments. I know there is righteous indignation that comes with it. Hot sauce?

[scaulk]

wanj.....where have you been for 30+ years? The Clinton's (both) are NOT RACIST's...when Senator Clinton states that white middle class are voting for her in WVa, KY, why haven't you been following this campaign, the news casters, everyone, separate statistics this way every time there is a primary. I am sure they will do this in the fall election.....you jerks, just want to bash the Clinton's so you do it! You are not TRUTHFUL when you say this is your biggest problem with her!

[OmegaJamie]

No, Clinton isn't a racist: but how is it okay that she labels it a strength that she's getting the "white vote" over Obama? Why would she make that an argument for her campaign? Doesn't that sound like she's taking advantage of racism for her own campaign? It seems she's trying to capitalize on the racism of some of her constituency. That's an awfully odd tactic. Well, not odd -- downright sleazy.

[StephenJK]

"It seems she's trying to capitalize on the racism of some of her constituency. That's an awfully odd tactic. Well, not odd -- downright sleazy."

Ohhhhh. I see. However, it's okey dokey when Obama is getting 95%+ of the African American vote and isn't saying a word about it. He's smart, shrewd and deft politician. He knows to keep his mouth shut about the racialist BLACK vote. And he also knows everyone will keep THEIR mouths shut about it as well. If you're going to accuse Clinton of being "downright sleazy" for stating facts about who's voting for her, at least have the decency to extend your courtesy to Mr. Obama and his African American voters.

[Kencleanersystem]

Maybe she is not a racist, but she is a lying, pandering, corrupt nepotist. That's enough to be worthy of my contempt, I don't need to add racist to the mix.

[killlthekingg]

I as well used to love countdown but his excessive anti-clinton rhetoric is just down right dirty. I do not understand how Keith can bash clinton for being negative with even more negative comments. He blasts fox news for being 'biased' yet Kieth is obviously in the corner of obama. Am I the only person who sees the blantant hypocrisy in his 'fight fire with fire' mentality? He often cuts up Hillary's/campaign quotes to make them sound worse than they really are.

[StephenJK]

You are not alone. I see it plain as day. Keith Olberman is a reject in so many ways. Look, he has to get involved with women half his age. HAHAH What a loser.

[realityrules]

I used to worship at the altar of Olbermann. Then the Hillary bashing started. For a while, I made a game of how long it would take before the Hillary bashing would begin in each program. Then I would just turn the channel when the Hillary bashing would begin. Now I don't watch him at all. Too bad. About the only place I know to go for commentary anymore is Thom Hartmann.

[StephenJK]

good for you. I recommend everyone have your objective attitude and the fortitude to change the channel. Good on you!

[Kencleanersystem]

Dude. Hillary DESERVES to be bashed. Figure it out.

[BrendanOMaidian]

Poniewozic...hmm, is that a real name or some kind of Polish sausage? Mr. Olberman was, indeed, very intense with his disgust of the former First Lady, and why not? Mr. Pony-woe-is-sick, must have gotten a call from the Hill/Bill camp, and maybe a few bucks, too, to excoriate an honest and sincere attack against someone who has lost her way...in a major way...hey!
It seems Mr. Po-Knee-Vo-Zilch, is jealous, or, perhaps, disgraced that he (Mr. Time critic) hasn't done as much to hip the American public on the dubious jive this woman and her former prez hubby are spieling because they are so spoiled and narrow-headed to understand that someone out there (Senator Obama) has cooked their goose with some chafalfa sauce. Even a McCain barbeque can't match this juicy rendition.
Poor Mr. Pony-whatzis.

[libsareidiots]

Are you kidding? Olberman has again showed that he is not a reputable reporter. He and the rest of the left wing media have stabbed Hillary in the back just because Obama the socialist is more left wing than her. She is getting the same treatment that they give Republicans. I am not a Hillary fan by any means. I think she lies for political gain every chance she gets, but Obama is not different, other than being better at it.

I can't comprehend how anybody can watch Olberman to get accurate reporting. He needs to go to anger management. The libs are just mad because the longer Hillary stays in, the more people learn the bitter truth about Obama.

[Kencleanersystem]

The bitter truth about Obama? Maybe bitter for you, and other Hillary supporters. The "truth" part being that HE WON. Sweet for us. You lose. Get over it. Big baby.

[StephenJK]

Your attempt at clever or anything relevant: Fail, Epic. End of transmission.

[Artoo45]

Yes, but he's MY gasbag and I love him.

[americanalien]

Exactly, Artoo45, I couldn't say it any better.

[StephenJK]

Are you a woman half his age or maybe just turned 18, if so, Keith loves you too.

[atila]

for a lot of years we've been bullied by faux news and now when this brave guy stands up and raise his voice mr poniewozic is upset???...i don't give a sh**t what this guy thinks,keep raising the voice Keith!!!...