Keith Olbermann Signs Off From MSNBC

In a move that can only be described as shocking. Liberal lightening-rod Keith Olbermann announced that this was the last episode of Countdown. I suspect Comcast's approved purchase of NBC/Universal was a major factor. I'm really saddened by this announcement and look forward to his return somewhere. There's really nothing else I can say.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Leaked Document Confirms Republican Scare Tactics

Yesterday, the RNC accidently confirmed what seemed obvious. An internal fundraising PowerPoint presentation was leaked disclosing that the GOP‘s fund raising plan was a simple one and not at all out of character for their party: raise money by capitalizing on fear of President Barack Obama and by promising to save the country from socialism. According to the letter,the small donors who are the targets of direct marketing are described under the heading “Visceral Giving.” Their motivations are listed as “fear;” “Extreme negative feelings toward existing Administration;” and “Reactionary.” Major donors, by contrast, are treated in a column headed “Calculated Giving.” Their motivations include: “Peer to Peer Pressure”; “access”; and “Ego-Driven.” Here's a surprise -- Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele claimed he was unaware of the document. This guy is either really stupid, thinks everyone else is, or a little of both. It's actually kind of comical, it's not just those of us "on the other side" who think many Republican and/or Conservative voters are reactionary rubes...even the Republican officials think that!  They should all give a big fat thank you to Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly for the nightly propaganda feed, thereby dumbing down and scaring their constituents. Every loyal right-wing voter we see on television is a picture of reactionary.  Frankly, this idea isn't a shock. They've been using fear of the "black guy' since Obama was elected. What is somewhat surprising is that they were careless enough that their tactics were leaked and confirmed on a somewhat "official" RNC fund raising document. Let's see if the Democrats have enough brains to use this against them....but don't hold your breath.

Last night on Countdown (guest hosted by Lawrence O'Donnell), Howard Dean appeared to discuss the obvious lack of respect the party has for its own voters. Later Rachel Maddow also took a look at the Republicans latest dip into the world of bizarre with this latest round of hysteria including how they will save the country from “The Evil Empire” which is apparently President Obama, Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid. They go on to depict Obama as the Joker from “Batman,” while Pelosi is depicted as Cruella De Ville and Reid as Scooby Doo. What will they come up with next?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Anthony Weiner Calls Out Fox News for Lying About HCR

This guys legend is growing! Last week he took on the GOP on the House floor, today Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) took the hosts of "Fox & Friends" to task criticizing the ongoing Fox campaign to "lie" and spread "disinformation" about health care reform. After co-host Steve Doocy asked why Democrats whose districts oppose health reform should vote for it, Weiner turned the question back on the ill-prepared hosts. This is the kind of thing Democrats should've been doing all along. Weiner, along with Rep. Alan Grayson, Senators Al Franken and Sherrod Brown are giving me a little hope for a more progressive Democratic party in the future.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rachel Maddow Delivering 2010 Smith College Commencement Address

Last night during the toss to TRMS, Keith Olbermann decided to share video of Smith College seniors reacting to the news that Rachel Maddow will deliver the commencement speech at their graduation May 16, 2010. I know, it's been a Rachel kind of week on my blog, but I thought the reaction of the students in this video was a pretty impressive statement as to the "rock star" appeal Maddow commands at this time. Every once in a while Keith does something like this to slightly embarrass the always humble Rachel. Seems to me his fondness for his one time protégé is genuine. Read more from The Smith College Sophian

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

One more thing I'd like to add as reported by Danny Shea of Huffington Post:

'Meet The Press' Ratings Burst With Maddow Appearance
Meet the Press has benefitted from another Maddow Bump. The NBC Sunday morning program moderated by David Gregory averaged 4.162 million total viewers for first place. That's the show's highest total viewer delivery since March 22, 2009. Gregory interviewed Vice President Joe Biden and the roundtable included David Brooks, Rep. Aaron Schock, Harold Ford, and Rachel Maddow. Maddow's first appearance, in August, brought the show its highest numbers since April. She battled Schock in a particularly memorable clip on this Sunday's episode. It can be viewed from my Sunday blog post.
Meet the Press beat CBS' Face the Nation (3.025 million) by the widest margin since May 17, 2009, and it beat ABC's This Week (2.508 million) by the widest margin since December 7, 2008. The 2.508 million total viewers represent ABC's lowest total viewer delivery since August 23, 2009. FOX News Sunday averaged 1.208 million total viewers in its FOX broadcast.