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Countdown Friday: Days of Blunder

Posted: Friday, July 11, 2008 8:59 PM by Countdown
Filed Under:

Flag on the Play: And if the election were a football game...It appears that Senator John McCain just ran the ball into his own endzone. Our fifth story on the Countdown:  McCain tells a Pittsburgh television station that he recited the names of the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line while under interrogation in north vietnam. One problem with that remarkable anecdote? Every other time McCain has told that story... He's named the Green Bay Packers instead. Unnecessary Pander! Ten yards! Ahead, we'll have political analysis from Richard Wolffe. And we'll go to the go-to guy you always want to go *to* when politics and sports combine...Someone who also knows a thing or two about Countdown... Who was perhaps hoping to have the entire day off.  But first, tonight... the details.

Gramm's Slam: Barack Obama was handed a political gift -- one that had the potential to keep... on... giving. Our fourth story on the Countdown, the Gramm slam that Obama is not hitting out of the park. Since yesterday, many Obama supporters are baffled as to why we have heard nary a peep from Obama's campaign about Phil Gramm's suggestion that economic woes are basically a figment of our collective national imagination.

ODDBALL: A baseball manager gone wild, a flatulant cow experiment and a bunny that opens letters with its mouth.

War Crimes: Among the many things Americans couldn't have imagined before the Bush Administration, is the fact that the word "torture" comes up frequently in our political discussions now. We've gotten used to saying it. How about the phrase "war crimes" though? Prosecutions for "war crimes". In our third story on the Countdown... The specter of Bush Administration officials being prosecuted for war crimes, for approving torture, has been raised by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Tabby Time: Jose Canseco says Madonna wanted him to impregnate her, Rupert Murdoch loses his wedding ring, and Michael Jackson may come back with the New Kids on the Block. 


Pigskin Pandering:  It's only a matter of time before Senator John McCain's gaffes and flip-flops fill entire college courses... In Politics... Government Affairs...Public Speaking. Not to mention the 'Saved-by-Joe-Lieberman-during the-press-conference' seminar. But in our number one story on the Countdown, Senator McCain told a story that cuts to the very core of who he is and why he says he ought to be president. As we told you at the top of this newshour... McCain conveniently dragged the wrong football team... into the tale. For a violation encompassing both politics and sports, we could think of only one definitive guest, who will join us presently.

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Comments

I cannot comment because it is ten PM and we turned on Countdown and it is not on.  What happened?

We are unhappy, to say the least, at missing our favorite program.  

Robert Burditt, Summerville, SC (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 10:29 PM)

#4 Figment of our collective national imagination?

Exactly.   My imaginary retirement account lost an imaginary chunk of money last month that totally boggles my imagination.  This will, in turn, extend the time I still have to work before I retire by an unimaginable period.

And yes, I'm whining.  

Anna Molly (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 10:40 PM)

Keith, next time you call in from a crowded venue on a day off do us all a favor and move away from the crowd while you are actually on the phone. We couldn't hear anything you said. Rachel was too sweet to mention it to you.

Mike Medeiros, Fall River, Ma. (Sent Friday, July 11, 2008 10:57 PM)

Thank goodness McCain made those statements, otherwise, Friday's episode could have been skipped altogether. Jesus, find something noteworthy to harp on, could ya?

jimmy sampson, kansas city, mo. (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 12:15 AM)

What was up with all the background noise at the ballpark?  One would think Keith Olbermann has a private skybox. Or at least a phone with some noise-canceling capability.  That commentary might better have been left for Monday, when Keith is back.  I could understand less than half of what he said.

R. NorCal (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 4:13 AM)

It just goes to show you that people running for office will say anything to sound and look good, whether it is true or not.  That has been the norm for all of them since I can remember.  It just depends on who can pull it off more successfully.

JoAnn, Moundsville, WV (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 8:38 AM)

Thank you for the cow story... it made me smile... and as a Steeler fan... it wasn't a smiling kind of news day!

Nancy, Auburn, Washington (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 12:12 PM)

Please come back Keith. I can't stand watching Rachael. She can't say 'Bushed' right.

allen Chernack (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 1:26 PM)

This is from your Tuesday, March 27, 2007 transcript, Keith. -

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17831647/

Bush:  "My message to Tony is, stay strong.  A lot of people love you and care for you and will pray for you.  And we‘re hoping for all the best.  I‘m looking forward to the day that he comes back to the White House and briefs the press corps on the decisions that I‘m making and why I‘m making them."

You:  "We here echo the president‘s words wholeheartedly.  This may seem improbable, but Tony Snow and I are e-mail correspondents.  Baseball has been our primary topic.  But he says he watches this newscast, says he enjoys it, and can even resist the temptation to yell at the screen."

"And we are honored to have him.  His comments about Elizabeth Edwards last week could not have been more perfectly suitable."

"Do whatever you can to get better, sir.  If yelling might help, we will be honored by that too."

----------------------------------
Yes, most of the time his poltics were infuriating to us.

But sometimes his humanity was undeniable.

RIP, Tony.

blzbub, chicago, il (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 2:57 PM)

Whenever Keith returns it's going to feel quite out of place and his return of worst persons in the world segment instead of Keeping Tabs. At least Keith will be well rested up and ready to report the news again. MMMM eye candy again =D.

Stephanie L (Sent Saturday, July 12, 2008 7:09 PM)

change countdown rebroadcast back to 9pm in san diego.

johnp, sd,ca (Sent Sunday, July 13, 2008 7:23 AM)

nice work folks. this is the first time in a long time that i've seen evidence of anyone working on the weekend. hope that's not hurting your social life ;)

PAUL (Sent Sunday, July 13, 2008 12:43 PM)

Rachel did a great job. I always look forward to a different tone when Keith is on vacation.However,  Welcome back!!!

Shirvonne Metcalf, Brooklyn, NY (Sent Monday, July 14, 2008 12:58 PM)

What I am curious about is who allowed Bill-0 to put ads on MSNBC,especially during Countdown ? Why are you putting ads on for FOX Noise anyway ? Keith,get back here and straighten these people out !!!!!!

Arlene Christensen, Murrieta, CA (Sent Monday, July 14, 2008 10:13 PM)

Where is Keith Olbermann and when is comming back?

Stan Quist-Grand Rapids,Mn (Sent Wednesday, July 16, 2008 5:34 PM)



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