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Countdown Thursday: It's the Economy, Cupid

Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2008 8:59 PM by Countdown
Filed Under:

Claiming Names: Nine days after Super Tuesday and New Mexico has finally reported. Senator Clinton has won -- by two delegates. Our fifth story on the Countdown: we await official word as to whether or not this stops Senator Obama's winning streak. From whom, I have no idea.

Water Slide: In the Senate chambers last night, a vote on water-boarding sent Senator John McCain's Straight Talk Express hydro-planing sharply, smack into... John McCain. Our fourth story on the Countdown tonight... a McCain milestone: his vote protecting the CIA's ability to torture suspects. At issue... a bill that would make every American interrogator follow the Army Field Manual... which just happens to ban water-boarding.

ODDBALL: Heart Piggie and a love mug...it's good.

Bush Bluff: Democrats in the House of Representatives are closing the shop down tonight, until a week from Monday... leaving President Bush twisting slowly in a wind of his own creation. Our third story on the Countdown: the FISA bill -- and the retroactive immunity for the telecom giants that helped Mr. Bush illegally eavesdrop on Americans -- will thus just sit there, unacted upon, not even a temporary extension which the Republicans and Mr. Bush refused, despite the President's threats that if the bill isn't passed by Saturday, there'd be a breakdown in counter-terrorism surveillance and plagues of locusts and stuff.

Only time for worsties...see below

WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD: Tom Sullivan, Laura Ingraham, and Ann Coulter vie for tonight's top honors.

Richard Lewis Tonight:   We've had Democrats standing up to President Bush... A Special Comment... Worst Persons trying to compare Barack Obama to Saddam Hussein and Adolf Hitler. Our number one story: Who in the hell could follow that? My friend, the Prince of Pain himself...

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Comments

Keith's Special Comment on the President and FISA tonight was so hot I'm smoking a cigarette. Thank you for speaking for so many of us!

Ronnie Ann, Brooklyn, NY (Sent Thursday, February 14, 2008 9:24 PM)

A great special comment on an amazing time in history. When we got rid of Nixon, I thought we'd sent a message, but the Nixon domestic espionage was just "the shoulders of giants" to the Bush43 crowd.

PBCliberal (Sent Thursday, February 14, 2008 9:28 PM)

Tonight's special comment:  FANTASTIC!!!!!!

Disgusted, TX (Sent Thursday, February 14, 2008 9:47 PM)

Hi Keith:  I am one of the millions(?)of your unseen viewers/listeners here in America.  I am 84 years old--a retired university professor and my wife and I watch your show regularly.  Your commentary tonight was outstanding.  We do appreciate your speaking out the way that you do

Prof. Maron (Sent Thursday, February 14, 2008 9:51 PM)

Did Keith Olbermann really just call Bush a fascist and a liar on Countdown?  I stood and applauded in my own living room.  Thank god there are some real patriots left in the media.  

Wade Turnbull (Sent Thursday, February 14, 2008 9:52 PM)

great comment tonight. john mccain and roger clemens have more in common than their politics. they both have acted against their own self interest in the last two days. they will both now be found guilty in the court of public opinion. john forget the white house, roger forget the hall of fame. not smart!

roger lake tahoe ca (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 12:51 AM)

Thanks for the Special Comment (is it me or have the Special Comments been getting better and better?) and for the great laughs provided by Richard Lewis.  The greatest commedians have great insight into people and and their foibles,  He not only has that, but an excellent grasp on the state of our nation.  I hope someone gives this one to BushCo - he could learn a few thousand things.

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 1:19 AM)

If it weren't for Keith, I would not watch news anymore.  I look forward to see count down every night.

Thank you!

Edward Rynearson (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 11:27 AM)

Thank You Kieth .... you are intelligent, thoughtful American that in your editorial speeches speak for faceless Americans.

I thought your FISA comments were appropriate and right on target.  What prevents the telecom communications from taking the next step, censorship,if we are not vigilant and hold them accountable when they break the law.

Jane, Austin TX (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 1:52 PM)

Racism VS. Sexism-Like it or not, these two "lovely" features of American life and culture have reared and will continue to rear their ugly rears throughout the Presidential campaign. I thought this article was pretty interesting, so I thought I'd share it with you:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/15/kaye.ohioracegender/index.html

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 2:14 PM)

Keith, How AWESOME are you?  You and your courage have given the American People the freedom to shed the shackles of fear. Like the " I am Spartacus " moment, you will have millions of Americans feeling the relief of freedom from fear!!  THAT is how awesome you are!  
Thank you for what you do.... I adore you for it!

Cris - dallas texas (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 2:37 PM)

As always Keith's Special Comment was amazing.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 3:32 PM)

Check out this:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9089532722810348478

Now tell me that these animals deserve any kind of Geneva or even human rights.  Of course it's not these guys that FISA bill is supposed to help catch and stop.  

scott henderson nv (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 4:05 PM)

Keith
I concur with what Mr. Lewis said about you.  Thank God you are in America's ball park.  Keep fighting the good fight.  Thank you so very much!

Vicky Shore, Gilbert, AZ (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 4:07 PM)

Keith Olbermann is my new hero. I typically don't watch tv news, depending on liberal AM radio like Air America, or the websites of newspapers like The Guardian UK.

I am now a convert, and will be watching Countdown!

KLC (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 4:20 PM)

thank you Keith for telling it like it is on your special comment last night! I came home to find my hubby rooting you on! I read the transcript and felt a sense of relief that finally somebody is carrying our voice! We love your show..keep up the good work and holding these criminals in our government accountable! FINALLY a news show that we can relate to and one that represents many of us out here!

Kristal, Seattle WA (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 4:36 PM)

Keith Olberman is in the realm of journalist greats Edward R. Murrow and Bill Moyer.
Go Keith, Go!  


A Veto of the FISA Bill Endangers Americans
By Keith Olbermann, MSNBC Countdown,Thursday 14 February 2008

Ronald L. Nelson (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 4:49 PM)

The best "Special Comment" yet!  Keith hit the nail right on the head.  I can hardly wait until these screw-ups are gone.

Jan, Topeka, Ks (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 5:09 PM)

Your critique of President Bush and his  party regarding the FISA situation clearly exposed their hypocritical posturing based on falsehoods designed to play on fear. It is becoming clear that the fiscally irresponsible Republicans'(so-called) attacking nature is decaying and destroying their party. They sow poisonous doctrine and harvest from other lands when their plot fails.  Too bad we Americans will be paying for their mistakes for a long time. By the way, it surprised me to find such candid commentary in a regular media outlet most all of which I gave up on, oh, just about 17 years ago and a month ago. Now, maybe you could lend an extra lumbar to the Democrats?

Curt Larson, Ex-pat in EU (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 5:59 PM)

I agree with Ronnie Ann's comment. Boy Howdy did he light it up under the President--are there any chance or possibilty of reprisals against our Keith the Soothsayer---that is my "fear", that the blistering appraisal of the President and his cabal shall derail the in your face critique? Certainly hope that this fiery oration by Mr. Olbermann continues... anything to light a fire under the somnabulent public. Fire away, Keith, keep it coming. What a magnificnet performance.  

Urzula K, Spokane, Wa (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 6:10 PM)

I agree with Ronnie Ann. Also, as far as I know, Keith is the only analyst who has taken a look at previous the polls in OH and PA. Keith is the only one focused on what everyone out here in the real world is talking about -- how incredible Obama's "Mo" is, whether we're for him or agin' him. The other pundits, who are talking about what the Clintons have to do to beat Obama, are totally missing the point! They can't beat Obama because of the tide of popular support. Let the era of community organizers come to Washington!

We just got cable a short while ago, and Keith is by far our favorite, and MSNBC gets most of our viewing time. I can't imagine going a day now without the latest.

Nancy Castleman, Olivebridge, NY (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 6:40 PM)

Another "on target" special comment!  I am so grateful that someone is willing to stand up and speak freely about what is really going on with our president and our government.  When did we all become so afraid to speak our minds???  Thanks to Keith, I think we will all find our voices...and hopefully will use them for the powers of good November 2008!

Vicky Cincinnati, OH (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 7:29 PM)

Thank you, Keith, for saying so eloquently what so many of us have yearned to say to the sorry SOB of a president.
I think we should all chip in to send him that Hooked on Phonics package as a retirement present.
He is and always will be such an embarrasment--Natalie (Dixie Chicks) was so right the first time.
D Ann

D Ann, Portland, OR (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 7:42 PM)

I've been reading the few comments posted today. Am I to take it that only posts praising Keith's Special Comments (excluding scottie) are going to make the cut in future?

Nanalinda, San Antonio, TX (Sent Friday, February 15, 2008 7:49 PM)

I also stood and applauded and wept with joy at Thurs.Special Comment. Then I pinched myself to make sure it wasn't just a dream. By gum, he really did just call that lying scoundrel a facist. Yea! And like my favorite bumper sticker, Kieth pointed out again that blind obedience to the corporate agenda is neither loyalty nor patriotism.  

Karen BurkeHanner Vista, Ca (Sent Monday, February 18, 2008 1:22 AM)

I can see it now, Russian bombers buzz our aircraft carriers, Hussein Obama says he “hopes” Putin won’t do it again.  Maybe he “hopes” that Iran will discontinue it’s pursuit of nukes.  He “hopes” that al Quada will see the light and stop bombing innocent people.   He “hopes” that overtaxing business will improve our economy.  Hussein Obama  sure puts a lot of faith in “hope”.  I hope that the American People can see through this bs, but judging what I’ve seen so for I don’t have much faith.

scott henderson nv (Sent Monday, February 18, 2008 10:14 AM)

NO, Nanalinda ... just type something and hit the submit button ... like ... THIS ... no need for any praises ;-)  

Ralph, Chicago (Sent Monday, February 18, 2008 3:15 PM)

I just love Keith Olbermann!  You speak the truth and you tell it like it is!   The truth seem to be strangely missing from mainstream media.   Please keep up the good work.   Your show is refreshing to say the least.

Heck, why not Keith Olbermann for President!!!

PK

P. King (Sent Monday, February 18, 2008 5:14 PM)



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