Keith Olbermann Does The View: Explains Why He Doesn't Vote, Says Sarah Palin Has TV Future

Keith Olbermann, who just signed a 4-year contract extension with MSNBC, visited the ladies of "The View" Monday morning, where he discussed, among other things, Sarah Palin's future and why he doesn't vote.

"For my political point of view, I hope she stays exactly where she is," Olbermann said of Palin. "Because she's an unending font of material."

Olbermann also said that the former Alaska sportscaster has a future in the TV business.

"I think she's gonna wind up in television, and she's gonna kick all of our butts," he said.

The ladies also pressed Olbermann on his decision not to vote.

"I don't vote," Olbermann said, saying it is the only thing he can do to suggest journalistic objectivity. "It's a symbolic gesture."

Watch as Joy calls him a bad role model for not voting, while Barbara says, "Forgive me, master...I just don't want to be the Worst Person this week."

Comments

[ResistanceisFutile]

What? This changes my opinion of KO. It is his reponsibility to be an informed voter and to vote.

This is as bad as Bill Frist's statement, that he had never voted because he was to busy being a physician. He made that statement waiting on line to vote for himself to be one of Tennessee's Senators.

[AZTrueBlue]

For someone who appears so thoughtful, the symbolic gesture of not voting, just seems silly and childish. However, it is his right. I just wish I didn't know this about him!

[dagdavid]

Keith, are you effing kidding me?! I am a huge fan, dude, but to say you don't vote out of some kind of bs objectivity is just unjustifiable! Keith Olberman - Today's WORST PERSON IN THE WOOORRRLLLDDD!

[steeler5]

I've always believed this guy is no different than O'Reilly. Both stir the pot and when confronted to stand behind their rhetoric the true coward steps forward. "it's a symbolic gesture"? Actually his "vote" would be a "symbolic gesture" as it would confirm his completely one sided views. I did not vote for Obama but I am proud of the privilege to be able to vote. Also unlike many that did not vote for Obama I support him. He is my President and want him to succeed as I am an American first and foremost. Hey Keith here is my "symbolic gesture" as I pledge my support for President Obama on the Huffington Post!

[aquarharris688]

I can understand Keith's point of view about not voting. I may not agree with it, but I can see his point. He doesn't want people to claim that he is not being objective in doing his job as a journalist. Keith, everyone's vote counts and I vote to continue watching your show. Perhaps one day you will realize that you can be objective and also vote. Thank you for bringing uss the truth!

[Chris]

His show is proof enough he is not objective.

[zkazan]

What a hypocrit. If you don't vote, you've given up the right to criticize. What a jerk. This was hardly Barbara Walters' shining moment either. Time to retire?

[bluekatz]

Why is he a hypocrite for not voting? It is his right to vote or not too. And the way the current system of voting is manipulated i really cannot blame him. Until there is a paper trail with your voting choices then the system is subject to question.

[cmarmonhalm]

I'm disappointed that he doesn't vote.

[popples]

Well, I take him even less seriously than I did before. Why the hell would I want to hear about the election from someone who doesn't even participate in it? Old school or not, I find it distasteful.

Go commentate a football game, Keith. I'm sick of hearing from you.

[OneLiberalLady]

I wish Olbermann would stop demeaning himself with juvenile tactics. "Billo the Clown" is getting old, and it is embarrassing to watch with someone who may not completely share that view, such as another family member. He'll never make it into the big-time if he continues to be so childish. I also feel that some of his special comments go over the top....and I agree with him most of the time!

[projectgirl]

I am a little sick of the talking heads and journalists saying that they don't want Sarah Palin to go away because she's so entertaining. I think this kind of thinking falls under the category of "this is why they hate us". This is adding to the circus and is definitely not helping.

Keith Olbermann, although I agree with what you say in your editorials, this business of speaking on national TV at this time, after this election and announcing that you don't vote is both bone headed and tragic.

SHAME ON YOU KEITH OLBERMANN. Stephen Colbert is right about you. Maybe McCain is also.

[NewChelle]

Being a citizen of this country gives you the right to speak -- period. To say anything else is to say some people are more deserving of the basic rights of our citizenship.

It's not like Olbermann is too lazy to vote or takes no interest in the political process; he opts not to vote for reasons that are important to him. Whether or not we agree with those decisions doesn't actually matter. "I don't agree with his decision and therefore he has no right to speak" is something that is shocking to read from anyone who cares about the best parts of being an American.

It's one thing to say, "if you don't like how things are going, you should cast your vote," and another to say, "you have no right to complain if you don't vote."

[nickaholic23]

I'm going to exercise my right to speak my mind, and I think he's very irresponsible for not voting.

[NewChelle]

Okay, That's fair even if he thinks his reason for not doing so is valid. It does seem to he has a more reasoned opinion than most of the people who don't vote -- at least he is very informed and involved in the process.

My point was never that people can't find it lame for him not to vote, but to argue that he should be silent makes no sense to me. You don't exercise your voice here and so you can exercise it nowhere, well, that isn't how it works.

The man, whether or not people like him or agree with him, does a lot by the nature of his job to honor the cornerstone values of this country. His voice is more influential than his vote, even though most people agree that voting is important.

[PJC27]

Watching this show in one minute clips is more than enough.

[RobertAndropolis]

I will look at Keith Olbermann differently now. And I'm a big follower. I believe all that patriotic sappy mush about people dying for our right to vote; thought Keith did too. His anchorman explanation for not voting is anachronistic and frankly, disappointing.

[FrancesP]

I agree. I cannot understand how a journalist that appears to be so one sided (I am not complaining since it is my side as well) will not vote because it will appear biased. Keith Olbermann does not appear so credible to me anymore.

[WaltD]

I'm disappointed with Olbermann. That's a lame excuse. He needs to be a role model to others in our country and exercise his right to vote. Voting does not cause one to be biased toward one candidate or another. If it does, he is not a professional journalist.

[airlick]

How exactly does voting not make one biased toward one candidate over another? Isn't that kinda fundamental to voting for candidates?

[michyh]

Too bad about this show. They forgot to let their guest talk again.
Let alone go into depth about the thinking behind his positions.
Oops, again!

[RTIII]

You are SO right. I was thinking the same thing.
.