Baltimore Sun: RATINGS RISE WITH OLBERMANN's ANGER

[kpete]

Ratings rise with Olbermann's anger
Broadcaster's commentaries, full of disgust and outrage, bring more viewers to MSNBC
By Matea Gold
Originally published December 3, 2006

.....................

The longtime sportscaster, who doesn’t vote and eschews any political identity - “I may be a Whig, possibly a Free-Soiler,” he quipped - has nevertheless become an unexpected folk hero for the frustrated left. One woman approached him in a New York restaurant recently and burst into tears as she thanked him.

“People just think, ‘He speaks for me,’” said Jane Hamsher, a Mill Valley, Calif., author who runs a liberal blog at firedog lake.com. “There was no resonance within the media for their perspective, and suddenly Keith came on the scene and gave voice to these long-simmering feelings of disgust with the war.”

Olbermann said he never set out to court disaffected liberals.

“But there’s a time when what you’re covering ceases to look like news and begins to look like history,” he said. “And you say, ‘Well, it doesn’t matter how people might brand me or respond to this - I feel as if something very important is not being said.’”


more at:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/custom/aetoday/bal-ae.spotlight03dec03,0,7274847.story?coll=bal-aetoday-headlines

[blue cat]

1. That's my man....

Any time Keith, any time.

[Bitwit1234]

2. That's why he is so listened to

For more than the six years since bush stole office, we have not had a voice in the media. The only people who speak for the real live American people are drowned out by all the republican owned newspapers, network and cable TV hate spewers.

You are correct...along came Keith Oblermann and then wonders of wonders we have someone on TV that speaks for us...Thank God and may be stay forever. We need more of him. Someone not afraid to speak the truth to tell the world about the corruption that is BUSH AND HIS HENCHMEN.

[Horse with no Name]

3. While some don't think it is important

It is. It is very important for the rest of the world to see Americans rebuke the government (the elections)and the media (more viewers watching Keith, fewer watching O'Lielley).
The rest of the world understands that we are in the clenches of dark times. Most of their countries have already been there (they know this because they spend time studying history instead of how to blacken circles because that fills the coffers of another Bush).
I am starting to believe, that BECAUSE of Bush, when it is all over and we take out the garbage, that American's will be more participatory in their government and hopefully, will not let a cabal like this darken our doors again. However, the truth HAS to come out first so that American's will realize how close we came to the abyss and be terrified that they didn't know about it because the media didn't report it.

[blue cat]

4. I agree with you

Well put Horse.

[ellenfl]

7. i, too, am hoping for more participation by fellow

americans and i am particularly pleased that keith will hold dems' feet to the fire. we all need to do that. the recent election is a beginning, not an end.

ellen fl

[Obamarama]

5. Keith doesn't VOTE????

That's sort of stupid, but I still love the man to pieces.

[Horse with no Name]

6. Compare Keith to Tweety

Tweety doesn't have a problem letting you know he voted for Bush.
It comes through in every syllable he spews.
However, I like my news to be unbiased and would prefer the message deliverer not to have a horse in the race.

[Stinky The Clown]

10. In fairness, he also said he voted for Kweisi Mfume in the MD senate Dem primary

.... which may give even more weight to the theory of schizophrenia.

[williesgirl]

8. k&r

[buddysmellgood]

9. He is a patriot. It's sad to say that speaking the truth can qualify one as a hero.

[Morgana LaFey]

11. I feel as if something very important is not being said.

Amen! And thank God he feels a responsibility to fill the void.

[opihimoimoi]

12. In my house, he is a National Treasure and HERO...

[Manifestor_of_Light]

13. love him!

Beauty and brains and righteous anger.....what a combo!!! :loveya:

[pacalo]

14. Speaking of Keith's longtime sportscasting duties...

The fact that Keith is known to my husband & my oldest son as a former ESPN announcer is why they will listen to what he has to say on "Countdown". We usually watch Keith when we're all together eating supper. It's the only program that my husband will watch with interest that involves politics (he's a Democrat, but he's very cynical when it comes to politicians). In addition to Keith, my sons both watch the Daily Show & the Colbert Report.

I'm so happy that Keith is getting the recognition he deserves. :loveya: