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

[favian]

I wanted to hear his explanation as to why he doesn't vote, but this entire sewing circle started whining and yelling and jumped to conclusions, wow i feel just awful for him. He looked uncomfortable there. I wanted to hear his explanation.

[DontBeFoolish]

KO, you don't vote! What the Hell? Why?

[RTIII]

He tried to tell us but the gossip circle talked over him.
.

[longislandlol]

Her career in journalism will be the new rise of the faux news---or maybe a show on at 10a.m. called, "Morning from Wasilla"--complete with recipes for moose chili and all the other fixins ya can come up with that versatile moose meat.... maybe --the morning show she hosts can be called "Moose Beat"

[ThirdSection]

I suppose that by not voting, he can put himself above the people whose votes he seeks to influence. All hail his magesty, Keith I !!!!

[Darwinita]

why so worried about people setting themselves above others? Could it be an innate conviction of your own inferiority?
ps, it's "majesty."
Nitpicky maybe, but it's one less thing for Keith to look down on you about...

[ekwbowen]

This is just old school anchorman stuff. The not voting thing is the way it used to be for all of them. Olbermann must have heard about it from some old-timers and it stuck with him.

My father was one of those old-time guys. He started out in radio before television existed and ended up anchoring on tv. He never voted and rarely expressed political opinions. But he just did the news, he didn't get into the whole op-ed end of things. Since Olbermann is already involved in the op-ed pieces, he may as well vote.

[robin50]

What the hell is the air head blond wearing in this clip? Did she decide to wear her PJ's to work?

[rockyb26]

looks awful.

[MDHutchinson]

By choosing not to vote, Keith is clinging to a relic from the days of journalism past when reporters felt voting would cloud their objectivit­y...either that or they were too hungover to make it to the polling booth.
But Keith should recognize that these days are long over and the symbolism no longer holds in the world of cable news.
Repent Keith, and thou shalt be saved. Explain the rationale behind the conscious decision not to vote, then ask yourself if that rationale still holds. If it doesn't, just admit you were wrong on this one. If, instead, you feel like sticking to your guns, then you have some 'splaining to do, because as the saying goes, if you don't vote, you don't get to complain. Or the more crass version I was brought up with, "Don't vote. Don't bitch."

[Bob H]

I'm sorry he's made himself irrelevant. He didn't vote.

Lame.

[Wilsonv]

No, news people in the old days didn't vote. If he wasn't doing political news, he would vote.

[rudyinbama]

At the New York Times a reporter may not appear in political rallies or wear partisan buttons - but not voting?
That is ridiculous.

[RobertAndropolis]

Late night talk show host and Scotsman Craig Ferguson became a U.S. naturalized citizen last February. In early October he spent the entire first half hour of his program passionately imploring people to vote. His manner is to look directly into the camera, and his tough love diatribe was directed at all citizens but particularly to the youth. He quoted some shocking statistics on the millions of young people who didn't vote last election. It was a riveting call to action. He closed it by saying: "You've got two candidates who love their country. Now go out and do some research, then do me the honor of being your fellow American and vote!"

I think that naturalized citizens understand in their veins just how special it is to have the freedom to vote. He said: "As a youth growing up in Scotland, America was the beacon of everything that is good, everything that is attainable­."

Mr. Olbermann, I will remain a fan, of course; but in my opinion, you squandered a hard-fought piece of your freedom.

[rw97]

It was a funny line by Keith about the concussed Quarterback who said he could see Russia from his house.

[pipp]

Elizabeth's husband is/was a quarterback. Maybe that's why she looked like she had the cramps.

[rabiddog6708]

Even in this election, there were millions of Americans that do not vote. I vote and believe that more Americans hould, but I don't look down on those who choose not to. Too much judging of othes in this world.

[nanton29]

Keith may not vote, but he sure as hell made a lot of people decide who to vote for. Hey nobody is perfect...­.........

[Mattie]

is that his job as a journalist (his word not mine) to decide who people should vote for! I would prefer he do his job as a journalist, and than perhaps he could vote privately and be a good citizen instead of a fraud. What a fraud!

[Darwinita]

Or perhaps it's his right as an American to do whatever the hell he want to with his vote.

[Bozwellian]

... Perhaps Keith influenced some to THINK, but he did not MAKE folks vote OR vote one way or another, that was THEIR choice...t­he fraud is if you really think HE forced them OR perhaps you figure folks are just blindeyed fools who continue to be fooled time after time after time with inability of their own to assess and decide according to preferences they agree or disagree with. Some prefer to consider that OTHERS are mere dolts, mere followers who are easily swayed..th left thinks that a righteous right attitud, the right thinks that applies to th lefties...­Time for more of a real reality check.

[Beca]

I like Keith, I just don't get the no voting thing. I sort of understand his rationale for it--he supposedly believes that by "not picking sides" as in voting, that he is being more objective in his job. I don't quite agree with that though. One thing is your job, the other is your personal civic responsibility.
Oh well, to each their own.

[puffhost]

If you don't vote, you can't complain! That is what my mom always told me.

[chronic]

Well at least he hasn't criticized anyone who does not vote.

[whatsthatsound]

What hogwash! Does he think voting is for the little people that don't have a national pulpit? Sorry, KO, but you are today's WORST Perssooonnnn in the WOOOORRRLL­LDDD.....!