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We heard about this whole "blogosphere" business from Tom DeLay, and came to the immediate realization that we too, "needed to become involved" in it.

So here it is. Covering the big news, the small news, medium-sized and irregular, The News Hole strives to bring everything you love or hate about Countdown to the internets.

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**The News Hole's "Best of the TV Awards" 2006



Countdown Friday: Democrat Abroad

Posted: Friday, July 18, 2008 8:59 PM by Countdown
Filed Under:

Where in the World?:  The Presumptive Democratic Nominee's Magical Mystery Tour is underway, with an unprecedented level of secrecy, and of touchiness about the secrecy. In other words, in our fifth story on the Countdown...where in the world is Barack Obama.

Bushification:  If there is one concept... one general principle on which John McCain has reversed course, changed his mind... in baser terms "flip-flopped"... it is on whether he is... or is not... essentially the same as George Bush. In our fourth story tonight, as McCain works to Bush-ify his campaign... The media starts responding in kind.

ODDBALL: A granny kicks a guy's rear, and  Senator Larry Craig returns to the headlines.

Election Defection:  He is lifelong Republican, a former advisor to Ronald Reagan, and one of the authors of the Contract With America.  And he is voting for Barock Obama.  Our third story on the Countdown, one man who could make a dramatic difference in the campaign. It was Dr. Larry Hunter's unlikely and vocal support of a candidate with a domestic policy platform that was quote, antithetical to everything he believes in -- that shocked colleagues. To say nothing of his Op-Ed in New York's Daily News. He'll be my guest in a moment. First, parts of the Op-Ed.

Worsties...see below.


WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD: A drunk airline passenger, Bill-O and swift boater Bud Day vie for tonight's top honors.

The Powers That Be:  One does not need a degree in psychology to understand the equation. You and I go to super-hero movies... Because we'd like to have super powers. So, in our number one story on the Countdown, let's cut to the chase: Can science give them to us... And how soon. Dammit.

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Comments

Definition of aspirate:   to suck in.  
Aspirational horizons:  Haven't we already been there, done that?

As always, I laughed, I learned.
Kaku was fascinating.   But an invisible Keith?   Bad idea.    

G N, Norman, Ok (Sent Friday, July 18, 2008 9:18 PM)

Hey Countdown --

Great #1 story, but you failed to answer the REALLY pressing question of our times ...

Can a certain (used-to-be) dark-haired, near-sighted journalist really fly?  

Anna Molly (Sent Friday, July 18, 2008 9:37 PM)

Where were you Friday night?  Comcast in Lexington, MA has MSNBC only on HD cable, not regular cable. Has MSNBC changed its content?  Are you on a different network?  Also Hardball?

Robert Lurie, Lexington, MA (Sent Friday, July 18, 2008 10:13 PM)

Special Comment:
I loved the way Keith went after former Senator Phil Gramm as a McCain advisor, even before Gramm imploded with the stupid comments about recession whiners.  But why don't you follow the trail of the story about Mrs. Gramm and her role as a Director at Enron.  She was a member of the Audit Committee of the Board, taking some $400K per year in fees, and was unaware of the massive fraud perpetrated under her nose?

Charles W. Sydnor, Jr., Midlothian, Virginia (Sent Friday, July 18, 2008 10:21 PM)

Nice tie.  I don't believe I've seen that one before.

R. NorCal (Sent Saturday, July 19, 2008 5:02 AM)

Just ask McCain where's Obama.  He'll tell you and the whole world.  And the MSM will think that's so cute:  McCain is just being McCain.  I don't think it's cute, it's just plain stupid or calculated. Naw, stupid--he did graduate 894 out of 899, doesn't know Shia from Sunni, and his senior moments are more like senior hours.  We don't need another confused, clueless leader who releases information when it suits him.

Caye2 (Sent Saturday, July 19, 2008 7:59 AM)

I am not 'privy' to the information that lead to the use of the word 'privee' in the McCain quote om Friday's show. You need someone to spell check for you who has some knowledge of the English language beyond the simple homophone.

Mary Ellen Poulos, Milwaukee, WI (Sent Saturday, July 19, 2008 12:21 PM)

I enjoyed the visit with Dr. Larry Hunter. However, he should look up the words "venal" and "venial". I think he used the opposite of the one he meant.

Colleen Thompson, Jackson, Wyoming (Sent Saturday, July 19, 2008 1:01 PM)

Keith I'm so glade you're back. I hope you enjoyed your vacation. I was beginning to panic because I didn't know whether you were on vacation or had decided to leave MSNBC. But now that you are back I can relax and look forward to your nightly countdown. You are quite brilliant & I always enjoy your show.

Faye Rone, Upland CA (Sent Saturday, July 19, 2008 2:53 PM)

Regarding the passenger who tried to get off, I appreciate that Keith is a baseball fan (me, too) but I think he could have mentioned that the New England Revolution team was on that flight and that three members of management helped apprehend the passenger (see http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/news/index.cfm?ac=latestnewsdetail&pid=32706&pcid=115)

Al

Al Barten, Conway, MA (Sent Saturday, July 19, 2008 5:32 PM)

Let's play the game "To Tell The Truth" ... for a change.

Full Moon (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 6:39 PM)

This used to be an interesting and informative, albeit at times contentious,site. What happenened when the only comments allowed are those singing the praises of KO or of denigrating those who dare to disagree with him?
This isn't a blog, it's a fan club!

Used to be a fan of Newshole (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 7:58 PM)

Many thanks for acknowledging the great Dr. WG Grace. Americans should have a better awareness of cricket, as it is not only baseball's "elder brother" and the second-most-popular game in the world, but nowhere near as dull as soccer. Its low profile in the US is due not insignificantly to the astounding ineptitude of the governing body here, covering which would give Keith the opportunity to say the name "Gladstone Dainty." Just a thought.

G B Tiede, Oakland CA (Sent Monday, July 21, 2008 8:15 PM)

Keith, I visited Belfast, Northern Ireland last month and arrived one day after Bush had left. The people of Belfast had constructed HUGE, HUGE letters mad of stone, on the side of the hills overlooking the city which said "NO BUSH". This was similar to the famous HOLLYWOOD sign in California. If you like I can send photos. This should have been a big story and yet I have not seen anything about it.

Ray Pfeiffer, Lutz, Florida (Sent Tuesday, July 22, 2008 2:44 PM)



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