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

[BMS]

I can't believe he doesn't vote. I will continue to watch his show, but he has just lost a lot of my respect. We worked day and night for months in NC, registering voters and knocking on doors and phonebanking to get out the vote, and it is disgusting to think that he does not accept the responsibility of voting. People have bled and died for the right to vote. It is the least he could do.

[Trill]

BMS...I love Keith Olbermann, but he is flat out LYING. He is full of it on that one. Yes, KEITH...To­day you are the Worrrrrrrr­rrrrrrrrrr­rrrst Person in the Worrrrrrrr­rrrrrrllll­llllllllll­llllld.

[Twinkie]

haha, it looks like he's sitting up on a baby-chair

[writer10027]

Wow. The View highlights this OLD news and suddenly a horde of people are shocked? At least Olbermann has reasoned though his choice and stands by his reason honestly.
.
The View is the most annoying show. They all talk over each other constantly. Barbara Wahwah yelling to Obermann to "be quiet" is absolutely ridiculous -- I think she's in her dotage.

[ChiGuy]

I have always disagreed with his policy of not voting.

HOWEVER, whether he votes or not, he's still an American citizen and taxpayer, and he has every right to demand the same things from politicians as anyone who does cast a vote.

[BMS]

No vote, no bitching. Plain and simple.

[RobHughey]

No, it's not that simple. He can say whatever he wants. By not voting, he can report or say anything about either side, Republican or Democrat, and then say "well I didn't vote ether way; I'm impartial.­" Like his said, it's only symbolic, as he's obviously a Progressive, but it does make a certain kind of sense.

Also, you gotta remember that he's a NY citizen. There is not even a CHANCE that NY would ever vote conservative.

[MerquiseOperatic]

Are you all serious? Really?

I'm trying to figure out how Keith not voting for whatever reason makes anything he says less true or less meaningful. I teared up when I saw his Special Comment on Prop 8 tonight. Reading this story doesn't change my feelings one iota.

It's not like his vote was going to tip the election anyways.

[shockmagog]

Olbermann's pretzel logic reminds me of this:

I recall hearing in the early '80's that Ritchie Havens said he never voted. I said "WTF" at the time.
http://www.spinner.com/2008/11/06/richie-havens-compares-obama-election-to-woodstock/

I wonder if Havens has changed his tune.

[Sloan48]

I'm shocked at the response here. This isn't the first time he said he doesn't vote. Bill Moyers interviewed him years ago and he went into detail as to why he does not vote. If you didn't know that Keith didn't vote and you're upset, you have only yourself to blame. Before you (blindly) follow anyone, do your research.

How Keith Olberman votes is irrelevant. He is a champion of the progressive moment for calling to task the Bush Administration. The question isn't how he voted... it's how YOU voted.

[jimspy]

I just wonder how he would feel if, say, 60 million Democrats withheld their vote this time around "as a symbolic gesture." It's the Categorical Imperative, stupid! (Not aimed at Sloan48)

[RobHughey]

60 million Democrats aren't television journalists wishing to have a symbol of impartiality to their otherwise partisan political discourse. He's set up a unique situation for himself, and he's allowed to vote or not vote as he deems fit. It doesn't make his words have less strength, it actually makes them stronger. He can say his admiration and support of Obama, and then support it all with "I didn't vote for the guy and I STILL feel this way."

[Steamboater]

I can't believe he doesn't vote. He's never objective anyway and we all know that and he doesn't have to be. He's not a news anchor nor a print journalist. Olbermann hosts a TV show where the republicans get what's coming and he should continue doing that but he should vote. This is really kooky.

[ravenman22]

WOW you don't vote?! Your reasoning is absurd and it highlights your ego as well. I have watched your show almost every eve enjoying your opinion except for the worst person.... as you seem to have a hardon for o'reilley (sp) I am very disappointed in ANYONE that does not vote.. you have become someone making money from your show with any honor from being a participating citizen. shame

[Rosey]

How shocking that he does not vote! I am pretty stunned...­.. Why should he be a voice for us Democrats if he does not participate in the whole process? Yikes! How sad, sad, sad......

[mairs]

Compare one Keith Olbermann who doesn't vote to one average citizen who votes. Who actually makes the bigger difference in all of our lives?

[verworn]

What a bummer! Kind of like a religious leader demanding sacrifice from his congregation only to be the only one not to drink the poison juice during the final sacrifice.

I'll still watch him, but maybe enough of us calling him out may change his tune.

[lukebenward]

You know they say those who do not vote have no reason to bi|tch about things that happen politically.

It seems Keith's a hypocrite. VERY disappointing!

[Jules2004]

Say what?!

[Odalisque]

It's pretty disappointing that he doesn't vote. It's every eligible American's right and responsibility. I often watch Olbermann's show, but there is no illusion of impartiallity. Voting should be a secret process. My brother is a journalist who works hard at avoiding bias. He does not advertise his preference with buttons or stickers. He does not campaign for candidates nor does he discuss his political opinions with sources. He does cherish his vote.