NEW YORK — MSNBC is replacing Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews as co-anchors of political night coverage with David Gregory, and will use the two newsmen as commentators.
The change reflects tensions between the freewheeling, opinionated MSNBC and the impartial newsgatherers at NBC News. Throughout the primaries and summer, MSNBC argued that Olbermann and Matthews could serve as dispassionate anchors on political news nights and that viewers would accept them in that role, but things fell apart during the conventions.
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It's easy to see which side of the political fence that Olbermann rests on. I have been a fan of Olbermann's since his days at Sportscenter on ESPN.
With that disclosure out of the way, I also know that Keith is more commentator than "down the middle" anchor. The one distinction that he has - as opposed to those who attempt to malign him as some far-left ego-motivated zealout - is that he is honest with his viewership. Should he make a mistake, he's going to point it out, he's going to apologize, he's going to correct himself.
Now, this isn't to say that Olbermann is completely free of any pride in his work. But, again, where Olbermann operates is a far cry from the blind, lemming-like existance of people such as Bill O'Reilly, Michelle Malin, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbauigh, et al. These people would toss away any semblance of individuality, perhaps even sell their very souls - if in fact they have one - if just for the reason of continuing the conservative meme. They would sell their savior for 30 pieces of silver if it continued to make them money, garner them more fame, if it gave them an audience to further manipulate.
No doubt, Olbermann knew what he was talking about when he made his statements regarding the Republican Convention "9/11 Tribute". He knew what we was doing each time that he called out they hypocrisy with in the Republican party. He knew that he would probably get removed and put somewhere else.
This is, unlike the opposition mentioned above, what sets Olbermann apart from those that decry him.
Whereas someone else might sit by in idle silence while someone used the memories of the dead at a political tool, or someone might completely change their views on an issue they claim they hold dear, Keith Olbermann took a stand for what he believes in.
If for nothing else, those that watch his program should be thankful. Even if you don't agree with everything he says - and I have found myself in that position more than once - you should be able to recognize that he will not be swayed simply because someone else tells him to.
Some might say, "How can you be so sure, you only know him from television".
This is true. But, I also only know O'Reilly and Sean Hannity from radio and television and it is readily apparent that they have lied, manipulated, and gone against things they have raged against all in the interest maintaining the conservatvie script.
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