Keith Olbermann did not vote. You think this is:

[Occam Bandage]

http://gawker.com/5082235/keith-olbermann-enrages-view-ladies-by-not-voting

[Ian David]

1. How many voters did Keith INFLUENCE compared to his one vote? n/t

[FloridaGrl]

2. He can vote and also influence people

[Occam Bandage]

3. I do not think either has to do with the other.

[bluedogg]

5. Apparently, he failed to influence himself

And by that logic, Obama was justified to not vote since he influenced millions.

[Name removed]

53. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

61. The least logical post

of the day.

[ecstatic]

41. And how many times did he show the long long lines of regular working people

sacrificing by waiting in lines for up to 8 hours just to be able to vote for change. Meanwhile, Mr. Rich guy couldn't make time. It's his life but it just strikes me as... irresponsible and disconnected.

[Mike Daniels]

57. It's more laughable that he tries to pass off not voting as some standard of "integrity"

for journalists as a example of being impartial.

First, Olbermann isn't a journalist, he's a commentator and no-one is going to confuse him as being the former anytime soon. Second, Keith Olbermann would only be considered impartial in a world where every concept has the direct opposite meaning from what it has on Earth.

Keith Olbermann: A pompous blowhard trying to inflate his sense of self-importance.

[Medusa]

76. He used to claim he was a journalist

and then the "I don't vote" meme kinda, sorta made sense but not anymore.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

82. Great post.

[rebel with a cause]

92. I like watching Olbermann but I have to agree with you.

Having been related to and knowing journalist, I know they have to stay impartial in what they report but they vote anyway they want. His reason for not voting is a bunch of hooey. Like you said he is not a journalist - any more than Bill OReily is. They are both commentators. They give their opinions on everything they cover.

I like Olbermann but he is clearly wrong on this point and owes his listeners an apology.

[Not the Only One]

134. agreed

This is what the SNL spoof was about. Olbermann doesn't seem to be self-aware of what he is-- a commentator, an entertainer. He fancies himself as Edward R. Murrow.

[Mike Daniels]

135. I thought the SNL spoof was dead on target

For all his supposed "influence" that his defenders like to bring up what percentage of people watching any television between 8 and 9 p.m. or 10 and 11 p.m. on weekday nights are NOT watching Olbermann?

[targetpractice]

88. If one has a true opinion and yet sacrifices their vote...

... I would think their reporting may become even more biased toward their opinion to compensate.

Meh... I'm grasping at straws... still trying to wrap my head around this.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Why did he mention it?

[hamsterjill]

101. Exactly!

Why did he even bring it up at all?

To vote or not to vote is a private matter. He must've had some motive in making his decision public, but I think he would have been better off leaving the subject as private.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. A lame excuse for laziness.

Just like the same ones the other 40% of eligible voters come up with.

[tekisui]

19. Yep, I lost a lot of respect for him.

[ecstatic]

38. Yep. No vote= vote for McCain.

:mad:

[Yes We Did]

50. Oh come now... You know better.

How many times did we say "if you aren't voting Obama just don't vote" to displaced Hillary people? It's not the same thing.

[Name removed]

55. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DefenseLawyer]

81. And to think Obama lost New York by one vote and thus lost the election!

Damn you Keith Olbermann!!!!!!!

[EstimatedProphet]

106. So if a Repub stays home and doesn't vote, he still votes for McCain?

:wtf:

[Yes We Did]

44. You have to be kidding.

It is not unique for people in his position to not vote. You cannot claim to be unbiased and then go ahead and vote.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

48. Nonsense.

"It is not unique for people in his position to not vote."

There's no excuse for anybody not to vote.

"You cannot claim to be unbiased and then go ahead and vote."

Sure you can. Nobody's under any obligation to state who they voted for.

[Yes We Did]

49. No you can't.

You cannot be unbiased about politics and vote. It would by hypocritical to do so. Many journalists do not vote. Sorry if you can't understand this, but that just how it is.

[targetpractice]

84. All humans have opinions and biases...

True journalists strive to be neutral while doing their jobs. Who cares what they think or do while off the clock?

I'm gay, but wouldn't claim to be otherwise just because I've been celibate for awhile.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

104. Sure you can.

There's no bias in voting.

Unless maybe against people who don't vote, which is a very stupid argument.

"Many journalists do not vote."

There are a lot of people of all professions. All of them lazy fools.

[last_texas_dem]

107. The thing is

that I doubt Olbermann would ever claim to be unbiased about politics. He is as much a commentator as he is a journalist. The "not voting" thing could perhaps be justified a bit more easily coming from a journalist who never attempts to let his or her political views come through in their work, but that is not the case at all with Olbermann; in fact, it can be argued that much of his popularity comes from his practice of passionately stating what he believes in.

[mollymongold]

123. whether you vote or not, you're going to be biased because you still hold your views

just because you don't vote doesn't mean anything....

[Mike Daniels]

58. Olbermann is as impartial as Hannity or Rush Limbaugh

Any attempt to present Olbermann as anything other than a partisan is laughable.

[GOTV]

65. I don't believe anyone is unbiased ...

... in fact if they are unbiased about politics then they are probably not competent to cover it.

[targetpractice]

85. Well said! n/t

[kerry-is-my-prez]

87. There are a lot of journalists who don't vote to show they're impartial.

in Keith's case, however, that's a little hard to swallow.

[Quantess]

108. In what parallel universe?

"You cannot claim to be unbiased and then go ahead and vote."

I bet Rush Limbaugh votes. He has every right to.

[targetpractice]

7. He's not a journalist...

I'm a Olberman fan, but he's not a journalist... He's a political commentator. He argues politics. I generally prefer to listen to political arguments from people that vote. I know this is old news to some, but not to me. I'm disturbed.

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[lisa58]

8. What he did.

[PunkinPi]

9. His choice. nt

[RepublicanElephant]

i guess that will stop any fox news "he voted for obama! how can he be fair and balanced" crap.

however, it would be nice to hear an explanation from keith himself.

[SmileyRose]

10. I don't think it's reasonable OR pretentious

The man should vote. Voting is too sacred to give it up for any reason. I understand why he does that, but IMHO he's wrong.

Now, financially supporting anyone is another thing. But voting, being a private matter, has no potential to compromise him as a "journalist" or "reporter" - although I would classify Olbermann as more of a commentator.

[Curtland1015]

11. You can tell by watching KO that he has a "hard on" for being like the old timey muckrakers of yore.

Perhaps at some point in the past he told himself that becoming a serious journalist meant that he gave up his right to vote. Some sort of ethics thing.

Personally, while I admire his sticking to his guns, it's kind of pointless. You like a candidate? Vote for him or her.

[tekisui]

15. He is more an editorialist than a journalist.

[Curtland1015]

17. I agree. But is that how he sees himself?

(he might... I really don't know!)

[Ozma]

20. Keith is not the first person in journalism to do this.

Much as I disagree with it, much as I think it is find to attempt to be objective, (not that Keith is EVER so), I respect his right to choose to do so.

I like Keith's viewpoints on most every issue, this one I don't agree with him upon. That's ok with me, it's a minor disagreement, seeing that he doesn't live in Missouri, Virginia, North Carolina, of Florida, where his vote would have meant something. He could have voted for his local alderman, selectperson, or upon the initiatives on the local ballot even in NY state, so I don't agree with his point and actions here.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

83. Keith is not a journalist, by any stretch of the imagination.

[targetpractice]

25. Pointless is right...

Does anyone or has anyone ever expected that journalist not vote?

[MagickMuffin]

12. None of the Above

Keith Olbermann has stated in the past that he does not vote so he can remain objective.

The late great George Carlin didn't vote either. If people don't want to vote then that's there choice.

[Beacool]

28. Remain objective????????

That's a joke, right????

:rofl:

I do remember George Carlin saying it too. I miss him!!! I would love to hear what he would have said about this wacky election.

:cry:

[tekisui]

13. No one is TOO IMPORTANT to vote NO ONE.

It tells me how wrapped up in his ego he is.

He lost a lot of credibility with me. Sure, he rails against B*sh, but he wouldn't vote against him?

If he lived in California, he wouldn't have voted against Prop 8.

I will likely never watch him or take heed of his words again.

[Lilith Velkor]

121. Maybe he was convicted of a felony

and the "journalist" thing is just an excuse. :shrug:

[ben_meyers]

14. If he didn't vote, he can't bitch!

He isn't a journalist, and he certainly can't claim to be unbiased.

Maybe it's his old head injury and he forgot.

[inthebrain]

16. Who cares?

I don't. So the chosen demagogue didn't do his sworn duty for the flock. Some get a dose of the fact that this thing has to be fixed by the "great unwashed" and not some mythologized media figure.

[Pyrzqxgl]

18. I remember Jack Paar used to say "I don't vote, it only encourages them"

I remember thinking at the time that they need some encouragement.
Maybe Keith needs some encouragement too. News people probably feel
they need to keep how they vote to themselves. If that is so, why
tell people that you didn't vote?

[Lucky 13]

21. Many journalists do not vote.

I'm surprised that Keith was one of them though. Many do it so that they don't feel they have some PERSONAL stake in the politics that they must report on. Keith doesn't seem to have an issue with that though.

It's not laziness. It's not irresponsibility. It's just what some journalists do and I respect that...

[Mike Daniels]

62. Excerpt that Olbermann is not a journalist and he hardly keeps his opinions to himself

Anyone who thinks Olbermann is impartial is deluded beyond reason.

[liberalpragmatist]

22. What was his reason?

Was it that he thinks it's pointless or something?

[Lerkfish]

23. depending on the News org, anyone who comments on politics is not allowed to PUBLICLY announce

a preference or a vote.

many newspapers, for example, will not allow their journalists to contribute to any political cause, display political bumper stickers, etc. They can be reprimanded or fired for doing so.

sometimes, a journalist will bend over backwards to avoid even an APPEARANCE of conflict of interest.

[Occam Bandage]

24. Keith Olbermann does not appear unbiased/impartial to anyone on Earth, I think. nt

[Lerkfish]

27. I'm speaking in generalities about journalists.

However, I would agree that the issue would seem to be moot with Olberman, but then again, I don't know what MSNBC rules are that govern that.

[ErinBerin84]

26. he said that he would vote if he lived in a swing or red state

but I still think it's pretty weak...I know that some other journalists do this out of "principle" too, but I just don't see the point. Just register as an independent to keep the illusion of objectivity.

[Zombie2]

29. Didn't Moyers say he doesn't even talk with....

....his wife about who he's voting for. Something about she doesn't want to know because she's afraid she'd lose respect for him.

Odd.

[cyndensco]

30. I was surprised when he announced his (non)voting status.

He apparently thinks it is noble - noble enough to announce it - but I found it somewhat disappointing. Knowing how much time and effort so many of us put to GOTV, I am glad most of his audience did not follow his lead.

[gizmo1979]

31. What's with Huffington and Keith

They've been ripping on him for weeks.Jerks.

[DU GrovelBot]

32. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

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This week is our fourth quarter 2008 fund drive. Democratic Underground is
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[Sebastian Doyle]

47. GROVELBOT DIDN'T VOTE EITHER !11!! DEATH TO GROVELBOT !11!!11!!

Just kidding, mutant cousin of C3PO :)

[TheKentuckian]

33. I'll agree with the lame lameness

and probably an outright lie.

I like Keith but my bullshit detector is going off and it is usually pretty accurate.

I don't care if you are a legit journalist (and Keith is not), that doesn't negate your rights and responsibilities as a citizen.
If Keith didn't vote then I think he's a lazy, unpatriotic dumbass and if he did but wants to play like he didn't in a vain effort to look like a modern day Cronkite then I just think think he's an ass (which is much better though far from desirable).
.

[mokawanis]

34. What the hell???

No way would I not vote because of a job. I'm amazed to hear this.

[jenmito]

35. I was very disappointed in hearing him say he doesn't/didn't vote. He may

criticize Dems. when they do something wrong, but we ALL do, don't we? It's no excuse not to vote.

[crossroads]

36. It's his business, not mine! nt

[ecstatic]

37. Was it the Bradley Effect?

No wonder journalists kept talking about it! :mad:

[xochi]

39. I suppose he has a right not to vote, whatever his reason is, but...

I don't understand why he didn't. I don't see what being a journalist has to do with it; journalists aren't Vulcan, they have opinions just like the rest of us, and they have a right to express their opinions in private in the voting booth, over the backyard fence with their neighbor, or in op/ed essays. They just shouldn't let their opinion get in the way of practicing journalism, reporting the news objectively. I'm a fan of his, and I'll continue to watch his show, but if he didn't vote "because he's a journalist," I think that's hogwash. "Symbolic gesture," my ass! That's why voting booths have curtains; he could vote and not let anyone know who he voted for, for crying out loud. Just what is he trying to symbolize here? That even journalists can sometimes deserve being nominated for "Worst Persons in the World!"?

[Perky]

40. I think it is asinine and hypcritical for him not to vote after he railed on Bush/ McCain and Palin

as he has for the last 2000+ days.

Now I understand that he lives in the tri-state which means the states were deep blue and his vote is inconsequential... None the less. It is shameful.

[ecstatic]

43. I'm glad all blue staters don't feel that way... otherwise their states

could easily become red! It's only blue if people actually vote!!!

[Kalyke]

42. I think it's ridiculous that many of you on this board didn't know

he didn't vote - ever.

He was interviewed in 2005 and said so then.

Old news, imho.

[Occam Bandage]

51. Many of us do not follow the personal lives of journalists with such rigor. nt

[Name removed]

54. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[targetpractice]

79. Link to the interview?

It's not "old news" to me.

[cherokeeprogressive]

45. Other: His right as an American citizen.

To add, a post upthread said "if he didn't vote, he can't bitch". Oh yes he can. There's this little thing called the First Amendment.

[Mike Daniels]

63. He can bitch but if he didn't make the effort to change things through a vote

why should anyone give a shit what he has to say?

[cherokeeprogressive]

72. All of the people I know voted. Plenty of them have opinions I couldn't give a shit about.

Hardly the issue. His right not to vote, and his right to voice his opinion. Last time I read it, the First Amendment didn't say anything about the validity of anyone's opinion, or that those who encounter it have to give it merit.

[msallied]

73. Actually, his reporting probably influenced millions of votes.

So he did make an effort to "change things." I give a shit about what he has to say because he's often right about what he says. And he was a brilliant spokesperson and advocate during this election.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

119. If he can bitch, so soes everybody. Including bitching about him not voting.

Because, you know, there's this little thing called the First Amendment.

[Secret_Society]

46. That really pisses me off

I encourage everyone to vote, Democrat or Republican.

[Bonn1997]

52. Until reading this thread, he was my favorite TV show host

Now I lost too much respect for him. Maybe I can still look up to Rachel at least. I hope she doesn't come out next hour and say that she doesn't vote either.

[Exilednight]

56. If most journalists had integrity, then they wouldn't vote. We often complain of conflict .........

of interest, and when someone does the right thing to prevent a conflict - what do we do? - we demonize him.

[Bonn1997]

67. Did he say the reason he doesn't vote is to avoid a conflict of interest

or are you creating that explanation on your own?

[Exilednight]

70. Actually, that is Keith's explination as why he has never voted. This has been .........

a well known fact about Keith for some years.

[Bonn1997]

80. Usually conflict of interest is when YOU'RE GETTING SOMETHING.

in return for favors. It would be a conflict of interest if Obama was paying Olberman, for example, so that Olberman supported him. I don't get how KO voting privately would be a conflict of interest. Likewise, I've never heard someone who complains about the media's conflicts of interests claim that reporters should stop voting.

[Exilednight]

126. You've never heard that reporters voting is a conflict of interest? Sounds kind of strange ........

It's one of the big memes behind the left wing media conspiracy that Rush and the like keep pushing. Maybe it's just my age showing.

[Bonn1997]

129. They don't object to reporters voting per se

They object to reporters being liberal. At least that's my understanding.

[MadMaddie]

59. We live in America where every man and women is free to choose

what they will or will not participate in.

This is his choice, and it's not for me to judge his choice.

[liberal1973]

64. Yes it's reasonable

Yes it's reasonable..and clearly up to him.

Countdown was great tonight.:)

[RTFirefly]

66. OMG I hate him so much now!

Okay... not really. I tried to get a rage-on when I heard he doesn't vote, but couldn't bring myself to do so. His choice, free country. I know we're all supposed to be like "voting is your most important civic duty" and all, but frankly, what he does counts for a lot more than my one ballot did.

Keep up the good work, Keith. Keep calling the right wingers out on their bullshit, and I'll keep watching.

[DangerousRhythm]

94. "frankly, what he does counts for a lot more than my one ballot did"

Exactly my thoughts on the matter. It's a free country, he can do as he wishes AND he lives in NY, so it's not like a major thing to me.

[Danger Mouse]

68. I think it's kind of stupid. We all know he's not objective...

still, that's his choice.
I think EVERY American should vote, though.

[annabanana]

69. his business. . . . . n/t

[Mike Daniels]

97. It is his business but he tried to wrap it up as some noble cause

of being impartial.

Anyone who's ever watched 1 minute of Countdown knows that Keith is just as partisan as Hannity or Bill O. At least Hannity doesn't try to fool anyone into thinking he's anything other than a partisan hack.

[Medusa]

114. He wants the brownie points or the pat on the back or something

attention maybe? His self-centeredness and big ego are big turn-offs for me. While I think everyone should vote, obviously you don't have to in a free country but how can you present yourself as a politically-involved human being and NOT vote?

[annabanana]

125. at least Olberman doesn't deal in clear and blatant falsehoods...

I'll take my hacks from the truth-telling shelf, please.

[msallied]

71. Um, isn't this old news? Sorry, but the outrage here is silly.

And I know I'm being repetitive, but a lot of journalists don't vote. And despite people saying that Keith Olbermann is not a journalist, he still works in the media and though his commentary leans to the left when he's casting asparagus at people like Bush and Sarah Palin, Keith has not always been a hard line lefty.

[Teaser]

74. does other=="I don't fscking care?"

.

[Berry Cool]

75. I can't believe people are attributing this to laziness, wealth or pomposity.

As if he doesn't vote because it's too much trouble to get to the polls, or because he's "rich" ((huh?!?!), or because he's "pompous" (double huh???). Nah, I think it's because he's somehow decided he can't personally live with his own knowledge of how he voted and then bring himself to criticize those he voted for. I don't know why. I would like to see him vote, too. But it doesn't destroy my entire image of him, nor did it years ago when I learned about it. Jeez.

[Reader Rabbit]

77. Other: None of my damned business.-n/t

[progressiveforever]

78. I can understand many things...but not this...why Keith?

His answer makes no sense whatsoever. None

[democrattotheend]

86. Interesting. That makes sense for some journalists, but not for Keith

I could understand someone like Tim Russert who tried to be objective not voting, but Keith is clearly partisan already, so I don't see why he doesn't vote.

I had a professor who was a writer for USA Today, and she voted, but she insisted on being a registered independent even though in DC the Democratic Primary usually is the election, because she did not want her political leanings to be a matter of public record. That seemed like a reasonable stance to me.

[targetpractice]

89. Should journalists vote? Yes, no, sometimes.

Here's a few opinions from various journalists...

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=0FCB13EF-3048-5C12-00C2A2AF6266972E

[fed_up_mother]

90. STUPID stunt - there's nothing about his program that's unbiased

which is great for our side, but the idea that he thinks we fall for this stunt makes me.... I don't know....some how think less of him. It's as if he's demeaning our intelligence.

[Samantha]

91. People have a civic right to abstain from voting should they so choose

And it is really not our concern any more than it is his concern who you voted for. Personally, I voted for Obama/Biden, and I was proud to be able to do so. But I certainly don't question the motivations of those who chose not to ... except those who showed up to support McCain/Palin, of course.

Sam

[targetpractice]

95. Agreed...

KO can do whatever he wants. Apparently, this is old news to everyone but me.. I've watched and loved KO for the last couple of years, but have not known this important fact about him.

Non-voters have the right to free speech and opinion, but as a courtesy, I would like to know if anyone engaging in political discourse with me votes or not. I think it's a waste of time and energy to entertain or debate politicos who choose not to vote.

[Samantha]

124. I proudly voted for Barack Obama and Joe Biden

and personally could not wait to do so.

Sam

[LittleClarkie]

93. Other. None of my damn business

.

[1corona4u]

96. Other--I was very disappointed to hear that....

seems hypocritical to me...

[Afikpo Chic]

99. I am very disappointed in KO

What a betrayal. What was even his point in mentioning it? Was it to disuade others from voting? What an idiot.

[NYCGirl]

117. Dissuade others from voting? Do you ever watch Countdown? NT

[MadBadger]

118. Welcome to DU!

:eyes:

[bunnies]

98. Does NOBODY here watch his damn show?!

On countdown that same night he said that he *did* vote. But just told them he didnt for whatever reason.

geezus people. come on.

[K Gardner]

100. One who speaks with such a loud megaphone SHOULD have the courage of their convictions.

However, it is his choice. He is the one to live with his nonaction.

[EstimatedProphet]

102. Other - I think this is his business.

[demokatgurrl]

103. A "REASONABLE THING FOR A JOURNALIST TO DO"?

Are you KIDDING? It's an unreasonable and irresponsible thing for ANYONE to do. Why is a journalist special? Shouldn't doctors, lawyers, SAHMs, construction workers, social workers, editors, hairdressers vote?
What kind of idiot goes on national TV and makes gobs of money spouting his opinions and political venom, and doesn't VOTE?

If this is true I am sorely disappointed.

[electron_blue]

105. I've been coming to the conclusion that KO's ego is bigger than the state of Texas

and this just proves it.

If he's so concerned about being impartial, his broadcasts would be different. His impartiality is the main reason I've enjoyed his shows, so I'm not in favor of him quitting, but he's just putting on an act right now if he claims not voting is him being impartial.

[budkin]

109. Lame... but he obviously knew that his vote in NY wouldn't really be much help.

[enigmatic]

110. I don't care

I really don't. He's not the first journalist/editorialist to not vote, and he won't be the last.

This is what I care about, as does Keith:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x238120

[Alter Ego]

111. His choice.

Ultimately Keith's choice whether or not he'll vote and who he'll vote for.

[Eyerish]

112. For anyone who thinks

that KO was the one to bring this up they are wrong. It was brought up by Joy Behar on "The View" and Keith responded. It's not like he walked out onto the stage with a big "I DIDN'T VOTE!!" banner and a balloon drop. I don't think it was anything he was hiding but if someone asked the question he was going to answer. I don't think what anyone does or doesn't do in the voting booth is anyone else's business.

[thenam]

113. KO could have come up with far better reasons

I think that he could have articulated solid reasons to not vote, but the reasons that he gave just reek of empty elitism.

[slackmaster]

115. Other - A personal choice that I think was a poor one but respect

And as someone who DID vote I actually like it when other people don't, because it makes mine count more.

[Occam Bandage]

120. Is it really "personal" when you brag about it on a TV show? nt

[slackmaster]

122. I don't see why not

He chose not to exercise his right to keep his vote secret.

[Bjorn Against]

131. He didn't brag about it, he was asked and answered honestly.

I watched the clip on the View and it was hardly an example of bragging, it was clear that it was an issue that he would have never brought up if he had not been asked as he did not appear comfortable talking about it. His choice is not a choice I would have made if I were in his position, but it was his choice and I am sure he had his reasons for it whether we agree with those reasons or not.

[Phoonzang]

116. It was something he probably should have never mentioned

whenever he mentioned it the first time. Because it sounds stupid.

[Maru Kitteh]

127. It fits. He's an idiot and a joke.

[MadBadger]

128. How so?

[BeyondGeography]

130. Other/sad

[windbreeze]

132. His choice...and he loses his right to bitch...n/t

[iamthebandfanman]

133. this is mind boggling

just because ur a journalist , doesnt mean you can go cast your PRIVATE vote. he didnt have to say who he voted for.

[Guava Jelly]

136. I like him,but this makes him out to be a hypocrite when he opines

on matters regarding votes and elections.
My stance is if you don't vote,don't bitch.
George Carlin was another one who didn't vote.