Perhaps you ve heard about this controversy involving political commentator Keith Olbermann? For those that have been living under a media-deprived rock today, the talk-show host was yanked from his position as host of the MSNBC show Countdown after he acknowledged that he had given political donations to three Democratic candidates in the recent mid-term elections. He is currently suspended without pay. We present a user's guide to what you need to know.
SO WHAT EXACTLY DID HE DO WRONG?
NBC News guidelines state that it's employees cannot donate money to political campaigns unless the action is pre-approved by top brass. Olbermann did not tell his bosses he was donating money to the campaigns of failed Kentucky Senate candidate Jack Conway and Arizona Reps. Raul Grivalva and Gabrielle Giffords.
Said MSNBC President Phil Griffin: I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay.
WHO'S REPLACING HIM AT THE MOMENT?
Though Chris Hayes, the Washington editor of The Nation magazine and an MSNBC contributor, was originally tapped, MSNBC has since changed its mind. News anchor Thomas Roberts is instead filling in on Friday night.
WHAT IS OLBERMANN'S DEAL WORTH AT MSNBC?
In Nov. 2008, he signed a four-year, $30 million contract extension with the network.
WHO BROKE THE STORY?
Politico reporter Simmi Aujla a 2009 graduate of Brown University posted a story early Friday morning that Olbermann had made campaign contributions to three Democratic candidates running for office.
HAS SOMEONE REALLY CREATED A PETITION TO SAVE OLBERMANN'S JOB?
Yes, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee is hosting an emergency petition to MSNBC on their website to save the host's job. The Huffington Post reports it's up to 55,000 signers.
WHO ELSE WANTS OLBERMANN TO KEEP HIS JOB?
Why, none other than the Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol, who writes: He's not a reporter. It's an opinion show. If Olbermann wants to put his money where his mouth is, more power to him.
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