The 2008 election isn't to select an American Idol or the winning duo of Dancing with the Stars. Coverage of and response to Palin, the newly-minted celebrity, would suggest that urgent and complex social, environmental, economic, technological and foreign policy issues are just too brain-cracking to think and ask about.
Ref: MSNBC's decision. Chris and Keith will survive the "demotion." Their evening shows are an antidote to corporate NBClite and yes, they are mouthy. So?

Sent by lynninnc | 11:36 AM ET | 09-08-2008

Here you go again!!! Ho Hum Ho Hum!! Death to Olberman and Matthews...Long live Limbaugh and Hannity!! Mc Cain gains the presidency and Palin pales him through his first term and in 2012 our economy is in dire straits. And ya think the self professed culture warriors would allow Mc Cain to rule the country without getting their word in? He would not only be faced with a democratic controlled congress and Senate but an all too Palinesque republican establishment forcing Mc Cain to take out his veto pen angrily time and again. That old dude may have been a former POW but that is no match for this. By the end of his first term Mc Cain will already be four years older than his Mother!!

Sent by Nandhu | 11:37 AM ET | 09-08-2008

After we witnessed the way journalists distorted and outright lied when "quoting" Hillary, if I were Palin, I would only do interviews with journalists who have the integrity not to distort what she says...if such journalists exist anymore. The RFK assassination reference, the LBJ-MLK reference are just two of her utterances I recall that were purposely distorted to arouse voters' anger toward Hillary. The media's treatment of Hillary, and their daily reminder to us of Obama's race (which can cause a voter to wonder if perhaps we need an administration that is more globally focused) are just two reasons why the media may have unintentionally caused us to have four more years of Republican administration.

Sent by Maya Anderon | 11:37 AM ET | 09-08-2008

Of course David Gregory, the man who danced with Karl Rove, is a much better choice to anchor the debate and election coverage. Where is that liberal media we hear so much about? I am reminded of a quote from Kafka, "There is hope but not for us."

Sent by Jackie Wicks | 11:37 AM ET | 09-08-2008

I have never really understood the criticism of Olbermann, at least in the context that he isn't providing a balanced perspective of the news.

We have entire news stations featuring right wing zealots, no one has really questioned the purpose of that. Why the uproar over an unabashed liberal on the media airwaves?

Very disappointing decision by the NBC heads.

Sent by Leigh Cutler | 11:39 AM ET | 09-08-2008

McCain will, in the short run benefit from all the attention, positive or negative, focused on Palin. Obama will suffer from the lack of attention.

It's incumbent on the press to insisit on an adversarial relationship regardless of what the Republicans want for Sarah Palin, This is particularly important since they don't want her cornered.

The RNC does not hestiate to throw not only an adversarial by downright biased network (FOX) and blogosphere at the opposition. They claim immunity from equal and opposited treatment as if they are the voice of God, beytond question, reason, or human judgement.

Don't bring her family into the spotlight. They've already taken the posture that her family is to be held up for reverence but is not assailable. Don't question experience. Too much experience get a smooth and jaded leader, not an innovator.

Instead, ask any and every question that's asked of Biden and insist on concise answeres from both. When you hear a soundbite, make them add detail. If questions are pre-screened by the candidates' organizations, make an explicit note of which questions they are and keep asking. Ask them of McCain and Obama, as well. Hit all the candidates with the questions of policy and vision that they hesitate to answer. Don't be a patsy for either party.

It's time for the press to get independent and tough.

Sent by Harold Lewis | 12:20 PM ET | 09-08-2008

I'm so happy for Olbermann and Matthews.
They now have a chance to reflect on their childish political antics and perhaps go into a local bias rehab center and become part of conservative community.

Sent by Richard Marksberry | 12:25 PM ET | 09-08-2008

I WAS a fan of MSNBC. Past tense. It seems that "what they are looking for" in political correspondents are RNC talking heads!

Sent by Ellen Mink | 1:25 PM ET | 09-08-2008

It is interesting that I don't hear one comment that the actions of a very few and our current administration is not just a little scarey! Remove journalists to be replaced by a whitehouse appointee! Will my job be replaced by an appointee of the Whitehouse becuase I deal with international collegues around the world? We should all be concerned! Praise for NPR to continue the honest and unbiased reporting.

Sent by Maire Montgomery | 3:19 PM ET | 09-08-2008

Olbermann and Matthews are not journalists, they are sensationalistic entertainers on a par with Maury Povich. Good riddance.

Sent by Pam | 3:58 PM ET | 09-08-2008

I am not too patiently waiting for SOMEONE to analyze the candidates positions on ISSUES. There is a 15-page position statement on education on Obama's website. I've not heard ONE word about it or the Republican stance. How about some real work from MSNBC?? Are Olbermann and Matthews not capable?

MusicAce

Sent by Music Ace | 4:35 PM ET | 09-08-2008

Sorry Richard and Pam: Olbermann and Mathews will still be analysts and will still do their shows and I'll be watching them and not the right wing hacks on Fox. Mathews is the one guy who doesn't let anyone filibuster his questions and right wingers can't stand Olbermann because he is incredibly witty and skilled at skewering their lies and hypocrisy. They are true journalists who question authority and pompous windbags, unlike the echo chamber of right wing clowns like limbaugh and his ilk.

Sent by Mike Fleissner | 4:45 PM ET | 09-08-2008

MSNBC should just rename itself FOX News Lite. NBC buckels again to Rupert and friends. Show some gumption. I will not be tuning into MSNBC.

Sent by Ted Lewakowski | 4:56 PM ET | 09-08-2008

Let us look at how polls performed recently. Polls showed that Senator Clinton led in Iowa primary, but Senator Obama won that primary. They also showed Senator Obama had a huge lead in New Hampshire, but the former First Lady won with waving banners. Haven't pollsters learned any thing yet? Some polls are but pure products of imagination with a purpose of telling American people what to follow. But American people are not stupid.

The point is: We want change. If polls do not reflect the change we want, we will prove that they are wrong once again.

Sent by Kim | 7:05 PM ET | 09-08-2008

Yup, Yup, the voters do have some questions for Palin. Some nerve, McCain and camp. Caribou Barbie with outdated hairdo, must be brain-frozen by Alaska's frigid weather. No respect for Palin, it is already submitted that her responses in any interview will be staged and rehearsed. No doubt on that, the Independent voters, like myself, can not trust this performance. It has been negative for those of us outside party camps. Politicking that we can't trust.

Sent by Jeff | 9:05 PM ET | 09-08-2008

Unfortunately with 24 hour coverage these outlets have decided to add "opinion" to the mix to fill time. OK for those who want to listen to mouthpieces. If you want to be taken as a serious news organization then you can't have the opinion clowns act as "facts only" anchors. Olbermann and Mathews definately proved that.

Sent by Angela | 10:21 PM ET | 09-08-2008

I agree with Ted, MSNBC has once again caved. Keith was right, those images of 9/11 was wrong, even though it demonstated just one more example of the Republican party trying to scare the american people. So agree or not Mr. Olbermann, has many of supporters in this case, of which I am glad to be a part of.

Sent by Antoine Davis | 10:27 PM ET | 09-08-2008

McCain and Palin will win the Wal Mart vote but anyone who cares to take enough time to listen to the candidates will see the stark contrast between the two parties. The Republican party has nothing to offer the American public except a pretty face and spin. Please America do not be fooled again by the RNC, enough already.

Sent by John | 7:53 AM ET | 09-09-2008

I view the media's 180-degree turn to Palin watching may rob Obama of air time, but it's easy to forget how much media overexposure had really begun to hurt him. Sharing the spotlight for a few weeks is a small price to pay, I think.

Sent by George | 7:56 AM ET | 09-09-2008

Gov. Palin said in her VP speech that parents of special needs children would have an advocate in the White House. Why did she then cut the 2007 budget for services for special needs children? No one is asking this question.

Sent by Douglas J. Deaville | 7:17 PM ET | 09-09-2008

I Agree With you Mike Fleissner and I'll be watching MSNBC not the right wing form FOX.

Sent by Sarah Leon | 7:48 PM ET | 09-09-2008

Obama is not living up to his lofty rhetoric of being the agent of change, hope. He was fallen from his throne, by once again re-living the sexist vilification on Sarah Palin. I didn't like it with Hillary and have had enough of Obama to last a lifetime. I was one of the 18 million but refuse to vote for this sexist left wing plutocrat. He is not a Democrat my grandparents and parents would proudly support. I will vote for McCain and Palin. Courage, integrity, tenacity, straight shooters, mavericks, country first Politicians. A breath of fresh air.

Sent by Toni | 2:24 AM ET | 09-10-2008