Olbermann Takes White House To Task For Seeming Like 'Amateur Left' (VIDEO)

Keith Olbermann isn't sure that he's part of the "professional left," a term used in a moment of frustration by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. But he is sure that the Obama administration hasn't started many negotiations from that position, either.

Acknowledging that his frustration is understandable, Olbermann then assailed Gibbs for setting up the "professional left" rather than the "professional right," which he argued the administration has been catering to. That weak posture, Olbermann said, has made the White House seem like the "amateur left."

WATCH:

Comments

[Artemis34]

10:02 PM on 08/26/2010

You don't surrender before the first volley is fired. You don't cede territory before the battle is joined. And when you do, it does seem "unprofessional."

One definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different outcome. The Republicans will never work with Democrats or the president even if the country is in flames. I don't know how many times the president has to touch the bi-partisan stove, and get burned, to know that it is hot, but there seems to be some kind of very specific learning disability involved here. Just go to the "nuclear*" option or ram it through reconciliation (as the Republicans did) with 50 votes + the VP Mr. President!

* see: End filibuster with 51 votes
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/07/how_to_end_the_filibuster_with.html

and Reid promises senate reform
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/03/reid_promises_filibuster_refor.html

[Artemis34]

09:53 PM on 08/26/2010

Absolutely correct.

[winstonian22]

03:00 PM on 08/15/2010

Its pretty obvious this guy's problems with Obama are rooted in racism. Who is this guy anyway? Ive never heard of him.

[jmyoung666]

09:05 AM on 08/16/2010

No, Keith's criticism has a basis in reality unlike the criticism of the Tea Partiers

[publicedukated]

10:36 AM on 08/15/2010

Olberman is the only person in america who has thinner skin than obama.

[Jeff Cunningham]

12:55 PM on 08/14/2010

I applaud Keith, one who is usually prone to emotional outbursts and over-the-top histrionics, for delivering this Special Comment with a sort of calm. He makes several salient points; it befuddles me to see the administration continuously trying to placate a vocal and angry minority that will never respect this President regardless of what he does.

But I think the problem of the "professional right" goes beyond simply the Republican Party and Fox News. Yes, there is a political party that has fallen in lockstep against everything the administration wants, and there is a cable outlet that serves nothing but that need. But these constructs are so vast, so powerful, that they have infiltrated the Democratic Party and the rest of the mainstream media. Think of politicians like Ben Nelson, Joe Lieberman and Blanche Lincoln. Look at what's happened to such media properties as CNN and the Associated Press in recent years. Democrats enjoyed sweeping electoral wins in 2006 and 2008, but the balance of power has shifted to the right -- in part because the administration allowed it to happen.

But what of the grassroots support for the President? Everyone salivated over the grassroots and how they helped elect Barack Obama, but where is that movement now? How many of those first-time voters woke up the day after the election and thought things were going to be okay because Obama won? We need them to become the professional left, or at least push Obama that way.

[collettethehedgehog]

04:42 AM on 08/14/2010

Thank you Mr Olbermann, for once again speaking truth to power.

[mrpuddles]

02:32 AM on 08/14/2010

He's correct.

[dwightmlee]

03:13 PM on 08/13/2010

Olbermann is a one-trick-pony = the right is so so so bad and the left is so so so good - and no amount of logic or fact or truth will change his mantra...!
Poor Poor Keith... you're a character Mr. Olbermann! A piece of work!

[hoagie76]

06:19 PM on 08/13/2010

better to be a one trick pony than a no trick pony, can't even sit can ya booboo?

[collettethehedgehog]

04:47 AM on 08/14/2010

In my family being a character was always a compliment. Means you think for yourself and are the opposite of someone who sleepwalks thru your role in life. Apparently such a person was not respected in your family. Better to be a stock stereotype from Stepford? The first part of your "argument" was definitely phoned in. The point is he is criticizing the administration. Do you get paid by the pointless post?

[NewRiver]

01:37 PM on 08/13/2010

Seeming? The correct term is BEING.

[ACMallet]

12:52 PM on 08/13/2010

Olbermann's criticism of Obama seems rooted in racism.

[MyNameIsJames]

06:29 PM on 08/13/2010

Say's who - you? Who are you?

[hidenout]

08:16 PM on 08/13/2010

because anyone who disagrees with him is a de facto racist...I mean, I've been reading that here on these threads for months now. It must be true.

[jmyoung666]

09:05 AM on 08/16/2010

Why?

[Eartha]

12:18 PM on 08/13/2010

Great special comment once again. Thanks, Keith.

[publicedukated]

10:35 AM on 08/13/2010

Sorry keith the white house didn't see this, they were too busy watching o'reilly.

[Tony Owusu]

10:16 AM on 08/13/2010

Great comment by Keith. Cenk Uygar is another that will say the truth on Ratigans show. President Obama wants to be Jesus. He wants every one to love him. The High Priests are like the Repubs and Conservatives of today. Why he continues to give a lick about theother side is beyond me. They will never like you EVER!!!. Why won't he get it through his head?. They don't want you as President and will never respect you.

[Eartha]

12:18 PM on 08/13/2010

He would have a better chance of walking in the footsteps of Jesus, if he was a principled leader, just as Jesus was.

[collettethehedgehog]

04:58 AM on 08/14/2010

Obama's unprincipled this I know-cause-unprincipled-people-who've-re-written-the-Bible to-make-an-unprincipled-Jesus-who-loves-Big-Business tell me so....

[Tony Owusu]

10:06 AM on 08/13/2010

Keith rules. Problem with Obama is that he picked all his buddies for positions like it was recess at school.

[Sos the Rope]

04:30 PM on 08/13/2010

Like it.

[2Hope4ever]

10:53 PM on 08/12/2010

KO don't even vote. If you don't vote, then you can't complain.