CAP's Sort Of Response to the Olberman Suspension

Helen Whalen Cohen | November 05, 2010 4:21 PM

I was curious to see the Center for American Progress response to Keith Olbermann's suspension. At first it seemed that they would be stuck between a rock and a hard place-was Olbermann wrong to donate, or was MSNBC wrong to suspend him? Either way, they would have to turn against one of their favorites.

Or not! Instead, the answer was (brace yourselves) to blame Fox!

Meanwhile, Steve Benen observes that, while Olbermann made his donations in a personal capacity, News Corp. — Fox News’ parent company — “made multiple undisclosed donations to the Republican Governors Association, totaling at least $1.25 million, in addition to a $1 million contribution to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for its pro-Republican election-year activities. Fox News has helped GOP candidates raise money on the air; Fox News personalities are featured guests at Republican fundraisers; while other Fox News personalities continue to help generate financial support for Republican candidates now, even after the elections.”

And...? MSNBC had a donation policy. Olbermann violated it. News Corp chooses to have a different policy.

Complaining about News Corp's donations is a red herring. If somebody doesn't like that one corporation donates, they can lobby the other to change it's policy. In the meantime MSNBC has the right determine it's own employee governance.