Could Olbermann possibly be more worthless?

[Karmadillo]

Describing a conversation with Jonathan Alter, the Daily Howler expresses displeasure over Olbermann's failure to point out the media's role in the trashing of Al Gore. Interesting discussion.

http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh051806.shtml

<edit>

Could Olbermann possibly be more worthless? For an even more perfect example, try to believe what eventually happened when he started to pose his third question to Alter:

OLBERMANN: You said that we don`t necessarily have the same kind of second acts in American politics that we, that Richard Nixon took advantage of. But what, the 2008 election–if Al Gore ran in 2008 as the Democratic nominee, there would seem to be two groups that would have an opportunity to get a do-over...

Omigod! Our analysts sat up in their chairs! Surely, Keith was going to say it! Given that lead-in, here was the obvious question for Alter–the question we assumed Keith would ask:

ALTERNATE UNIVERSE OLBERMANN QUESTION: If Al Gore ran in 2008 as the Democratic nominee, there would seem to be two groups that would have an opportunity to get a do-over. One, of course, Jonathan, would be your own press corps. You guys hounded Gore during Campaign 2000, inventing a long string of attacks on his character which everyone pretty much now concedes were unfair. “Invented the Internet”–which Gore never said–was just one of many, as everyone knows. Wouldn’t you guys get a chance for a do-over–a chance to report a bit more fairly about Al Gore as a candidate?

<edit>

<my summary: but Olbermann doesn't ask about the role of the media>

Of course! The public could get a do-over, Keith said–and maybe Gore could even do better! Translation: People like Olbermann never break faith with the people who pay them their millions. By light-years, the most remarkable conduct in Campaign 2000 was the gross misconduct of the press corps itself. But people like Olbermann never say that! Olbermann is pure Standard Issue–and you are the people he plays with.

Why couldn’t Olbermann ask the obvious? Why couldn’t the great man ask if the press corps couldn’t do better? First, he probably doesn’t understand the subject. But second, Olbermann follows Chris Matthews on MSNBC–and Matthews was cable’s greatest offender in the press corps’ two-year War Against Gore. Any discussion of press conduct would have to turn to Matthews quite quickly–so Olbermann will never prompt that discussion. Instead, he and Alter told the Standard Story: Al Gore failed to reach the White House because he ran such a lousy campaign. They’ve said it over and over again–because it obscures what actually happened. Tuesday, we heard it one more time–as we got played for pure fools.

more...

[thereismore]

1. Expect a lot of flame. I am firing a first shot. Posts liek yours are

WORTHLESS. Nobody is perfect.

[al bupp]

3. No flame here

I too, will defend Keith on this one. Not sure I see what he did that's so bad. And even if he did transgress, for all else that he's done, not the least of which is endlessly giving O'Reilly a hard-time, I'm willing to give him a pass.

[Karmadillo]

9. I don't care, but flame away

if it makes you feel better. I think the key to progressive forces gaining control of the empire depend on confronting the "liberal" media about their complicity with the forces of darkness. Al Gore was trashed and trashed again by the press and the cost of this has been huge. The Moron King, on the other hand, was given a free pass--the kind of guy you'd like to drink a beer with, a compassionate conservative, a man of faith etc etc etc. This isn't an issue of being perfect. This is an issue of Olbermann failing to address the real facts allowing the media created fictional "Al Gore is a joke/liar" facts to go unchallenged. Any interview reagarding Al Gore's prospects in 2008 that fails to address the role of the media in the trashing him in 2000 is worthless.

EDIT: Tried to make my next to last sentence more accurate. I don't think Olbermann is as bad as the Howler claims, but I think Olbermann does himself and us a disservice when he is forthright about the media's role in all of this.

[shadowknows69]

34. Because bottom line

You don't shit where you eat.

[NYCGirl]

2. I was disappointed in the exchange, but I'm certainly not going to call

either Olbermann or Alter "worthless" because of it.

[BigBearJohn]

4. Better buy a good asbestos suit

[KoKo]

5. None of the MSCable Media will ever admit it. But not blaming KO

for this. Wasn't he back to doing sports when Gore was running? I don't rememer him being around then doing the show he does now.

Also, KO has brought out more about the RW and their tactics in his Entertainment style show than any other Cable...including Tweety. We just don't have any media that reports for our side or will criticize themselves appearing on these shows. KO couldn't do what he's managed to if he wasn't in an "entertainment" style format.

So...I can't dump on KO when he wasn't responsible for the "Trashing of Al Gore."

[Karmadillo]

15. I don't think he was saying Olbermann was responsible for the trashing

of Al Gore. I think the column is focusing on Olbermann's failure to bring it up in a context that was screaming for it to be brought up. If Olbermann is really deserving of the praise he receives on the board, it doesn't seem completely unreasonable to expect him to address basic facts with media representatives. The media played a major role in foisting the Bush plague upon this nation. Surely they should be confronted with that fact.

[skipos]

6. Gore would run a better campaign in 08, so would Kerry.

Everyone learns from mistakes, and both of those candidates made them. How many mistakes they made is up for debate.

[Freddie Stubbs]

43. And the GOP nominee wouldn't run a better camapign than Bush did

:shrug:

[kysrsoze]

7. Olbermann is worthless because he doesn't do EXACTLY what I want

This is why people label us as looney liberals.

[AlCzervik]

8. Olbermann always corrects the "Al Gore invented the internet" bs, he

always makes sure that the correct facts about that come out and thats far more than any of the media does.

[gizmo1979]

10. keith rocks!

If keith doesn't report it for us it doesn't get reported.Who do you have in mind that's better?

[walldude]

11. Yeah Olbermans worthless...

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes:

Anyone want some popcorn?
:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

[RevCheesehead]

31. Yeah, I'll take some.

I was just gonna microwave a batch before reading the rest of the thread.
:hi:

[Little Star]

12. Tomorrow we are having Ted Kennedy for supper and you are invited.

Anyone else you would like to eat? This kinda stuff is not right! Do we really want to make it left? Gimme a break, KO is only human.

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

13. Olberman doesn't walk on water. Let's string him up!

[Bucky]

14. BREAKING NEWS:Olbermann ignores vague tangent to my pet issue, is pondscum

Less than worthless. His wife and children should be tortured and then be forced to watch Olbermann eating alive by rabid alligators. How dare he ignore the only possible substantive aspect of a Gore candidacy, whether Gore actually said he invented the internet years and years ago!

[Karmadillo]

16. Vague tangent?

The interview was addressing whether or not Al Gore might run for President in 2008. Raising the role of the media in his 2000 "defeat" and how that same media might serve as a barrier to a successful run in 2008 seems fairly on point.

[gratuitous]

17. This is the Howler's personal bugaboo

Bob Somerby, God love him, is obsessed with the unfair shake Al Gore got from the media during the 2000 campaign. He has exhaustively catalogued the sins of the media in its mistreatment of Gore, and his point is irrefutable: The mass media, aided and abetted by the Mighty Republican Wurlitzer, succeeded in turning the 2000 election topsy-turvy, making Gore seem like a bumbling incompetent and Bush look like a tuned-in, wonked out, policy superman. Echoes of that unfair treatment resound to this day, for example in the recent execrable South Park episode depicting Gore as a swishy, lisping nut, obsessed with a fictional creature, the manbearpig.

And the worst news of all for Somerby is: The ship has sailed. There’s nothing that can be done to call it back to port, re-run the 2000 election, or get the media to own up to their despicable behavior. Yeah, it would have been great to see Olberman take Alter to task for the media’s sickening toadying, but it’s been six or seven years. And the media have stubbornly refused to examine themselves, and indeed have excelled themselves in turning things even more topsy-turvy. How else to explain the 2004 election, where they made Bush look like the war hero, while Kerry looked like the deserter?

Somerby should realize, and I hope the day comes soon, that the bell can't be unrung. Move on. The media haven't confessed their craven actions, and they aren't going to. Hold them accountable. But you're never going to get the Perry Mason moment of breaking them on the stand or getting a confession from the gallery.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

18. We're Eating Our Own...

Olbermann is far and away the most Liberal newscaster out there. And we're bashing him? What a load of horse manure.

K.O. is the only one who made a serious effort to discuss the FRAUD which took place in the '04 elections. He talks about the stories nobody else will even bother to cover. I guess since he can't cover everything, or point out all the details, then he's worthless.

We love Keith, and he's as close to a liberal viewpoint as we're going to get anyways, so enjoy him.

[Jane Austin]

33. I don't know if I'd call Olbermann "liberal", but I sure would call him

accurate. He's much more accurate and interested in accuracy than most other teevee people.

[Clovis Sangrail]

19. perfect example

of somebody spoiling for a fight.

This is the sort of "eat your own" stuff that makes progess difficult.

Olberman transgressed by not showing enough fealty to one of the Howler's holy cows ... so they parse every word he says, question his "loyalty" and denigrate him at every possible turn.

Sorry, but in this case the Howler sounds like the batshit insane rantings you hear from any number of holier than though wingnuts.

[Catherine Vincent]

20. Bite your tongue!

I'm sending in your name to Keith's "Worst Person of the World!!!!!!"

[Sydnie]

21. Olbermann once named himself (and his staff) as a member of the

worst person segment of his show for a mistake that they made on air.

How can a person that is that fair, be worthless?

Proud member of

[RevCheesehead]

32. Sydnie!!

How are ya, fellow vixen?? :hi::hug:

[Sydnie]

41. Hanging in there Rev!

:hug: :hug: :hug: Missing your wit too!


<ps .. I borrowed your pic ... :blush: hope you don't mind!>

[RevCheesehead]

42. Why on earth would I mind?

It's CC's artwork, not mine! :rofl:

[Sydnie]

45. Around here today ... you can never be sure what will set someone

off. I never really thought that you would mind.

How's things with you? Good I hope.

Hey, has there been a Sparky sighting lately? I was thinking about him the other day and your sig shout out reminded me again.

[RevCheesehead]

48. Nah, he's been busy with real life for quite some time.

We do e-mail occasionally - I'll be glad to send along your greetings.

I'm doing OK, all things considered. Most days, I'm fine, but some days I miss my mom something terrible. Last weekend, I spent Mother's Day with my dad (which was good for both of us).

I hope you're well. We miss seeing you in the KOEB! :hug:

[Marie26]

22. I hate Oddball

& those dumb sports stories, & the pop culture stuff he throws in w/a superior sneer that his producers are "making him" cover it. Olbermann's show is one of the few liberal outlets that's allowed in TV news, & I feel like he wastes it a lot of the time.

[mdmc]

23. yes

he could be worth much less. he is a treasure.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

24. Sure, He Could Be a Lot More Worthless

He could be light years more worthless. Maybe because, oh, he has a TON of worth?

:eyes:

DTH

[lies and propaganda]

25. you, my friends, are BANANAS

Keith is a damn savior, he is the ONLY DAMN fragment of a 'liberal media.'
You will bash who tries but not the fucks who truly blow? You a Faux News fan?

[stopbush]

26. KO does well to not ask the leading or rhetorical question, a la Faux News

He opens the door a little bit more with every show. A smart interviewer knows that you look like
an idiot when you ask and answer your own questions. And a smart *journalist* like KO realizes
that certain stories need time and space to come out. Not every question is answerable through
a soundbite or a single news cycle.

KO is playing for the longterm here...and good for him!

I prefer his was to Potatoe Boy's "gotcha" line of questioning ("Senator, back in 1961, you said THIS
on MTP. Why have you changesd your opinon?").

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

27. Wow, What An Absolutely Worthless And Absurd Article That One Was.

[GHeatter]

28. Or maybe diplomacy starts at home...

I mean we could accuse KO of using Weapons of Mass Disinformation and loudly denounce him for it, OR we could civilly express our disagreement with his handling of this particular interview, while acknowledging it really is a minor matter.

[drbtg1]

29. Bob Somerby is a hypocrite!

In a previous column, Somerby trashed Mr. Olbermann by saying that he shouldn't be moonlighting on ESPN since that takes prep time away from the MSNBC job. Meanwhile, Somerby has spent many moons dividing his time between media stuff and his pet project about schools.

pot, kettle. kettle, pot.

[NNN0LHI]

30. OK Keith needs to stop saying segue so effing much but other then...

...that he does a bang up job.

Don

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

35. You should kiss the ground Keith walks on. He showed most of Gore on SNL

and it was fantastic that so many more people got to see it! The monologue was so well done that it will make people think about what they lost out on when Gore was robbed by the Supreme Court. It also made one very aware about all of the damage that the Shrub has done to our country.

[WolverineDG]

36. Sure, because we all know

that the ignoring of the role the media played in how Gore was portrayed is WAAAAY the fuck more important than KO's classic "City of Louisiana" rant or his outing of the Administration's use of scare tactics whenever shrubbie's poll numbers dropped.

:eyes:

dg

[heartofthesiskiyou]

37. I'm not going to say

SHUT THE FUCK UP

or the Mods would get mad at me.

[blondeatlast]

47. What you didn't say... I agree with 100%.

:evilgrin:

BTW, it's still here!

[Patsy Stone]

38. It's clear that Bob is angry

Perhaps he would have been better served putting these thoughts in an e-mail to Keith, instead of throwing a tantrum over a question not asked. He responds to the antagonistic ones, especially when called a Nazi.

Yes, Bob. He could be so much more worthless.

[Berry Cool]

39. I don't know what it is about Bob. I have seen him rail against KO before.

And I sit here going "Huh?!?" :shrug: He really, really seems to just plain have it IN for Olbermann. I have no idea why.

It certainly makes no sense at all to rag on Keith for how Gore was treated in 2000. Keith was indeed back doing sports by then. And now, he's supposed to hold all his media brethren accountable for what they did to the guy years ago, or he's worthless?!?

Color me puzzled, too, at this "Olbermann isn't banging my personal drum so I have no use for him" crap. I have seen it said in various contexts by now--"He's not doing enough stories about Iraq/election fraud/Katrina/etc. and too many stories about baseball/celebrities/goofy animals, so therefore I am washing my hands of him. He's just another MSM whore carrying the water for Bush."

Frankly, I can't think of anyone who deserves that kind of treatment less.

People can watch whoever they want to watch, obviously--but I think someone who wants to watch news that DOESN'T carry the water for Bush could do a lot worse.

And you could say a lot worse about him, too, than that he doesn't criticize Tweety because they work for the same network. Please. Keith's already been down the road of getting in hot water for not being a network team player back at ESPN. He's learned his lesson. It's not going to kill me if he doesn't hang Tweety from a gibbet.

[Shakespeare]

40. Somersby has been a worthless asshole for eons now.

I've been BEYOND done with him for quite awhile now. And I see Olbermann contributing far, far more to our cause than anything Somersby is able to do with his feeble little blog.

Somersby would be wise to get the hell over himself.

[Doctor_J]

44. Could he be more worthless?!?

yes, he could be like Norah O'Donnell or Andrea Greenspan or Joe Scarborough or Chris Matthews ar Leslie Blitzer or Paula Zahn or Bob Schneider or anyone at Fox.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

46. Keith isn't always perfect - he's still pretty good though....

n/t