It was Keith Olbermann's idea

That's according to the Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR2008090800008.html?nav=rss_print/style

Olbermann and Matthews will remain as analysts during major political events, and officials at both networks, who declined to be identified discussing personnel moves, said Olbermann had initiated the discussions to clarify his role. They said Olbermann's influence at MSNBC would in no way be diminished and that the shift would enable him and Matthews to offer more candid analysis during live coverage. Olbermann confirmed yesterday he had initiated the discussions. "Phil and I have debated this set-up since late winter/early spring (with me saying, 'Are you sure this flies?' and him saying, 'Yes, but let's judge it event by event') and I think we both reached the same point during the RNC," Olbermann said by e-mail.

That's all he has to do.

But I know that Gregory isn't going to do straight reporting...he's going to wrap every bit of reporting in a bouquet of right wing talking points. There are other anchors who would have been better than him, even anchors that lean to the right...David Gregory is the worst. Do you guys have any suggestions over who would be better than Stretch? I think that Chuck Todd, David Shuster, even Norah O'Donnell and Andrea Mitchell, though they were notorious Buch cheerleaders, would be better than David Gregory. He manages to both bore and infuriate me.

"was tarnishing their reputation for fairness. Tom Brokaw, the interim host of "Meet the Press," said that at times Olbermann and Matthews went too far."

what a load of bullshit. well they are bias, but brokaw isn't some hard hitting journalist of truth. what a cry baby.

And MSNBC is held by NBC under a Jack Welch ownership.

Right. Sure. Yep. Objectivity.

I will never forget the look on his face as well as Brian Williams' face immediately after Obama's speech at Mile-High. They were very distraught and proceeded to trash the speech. I believe that Olbermann probably did initiate this because I think Brokaw and Williams and the more conservative NBC news don't like these "upstarts" taking their thunder. Hate to tell but broadcast news is almost a thing of the past...CBS, ABC anyone? I for one, will watch the debates on C-Span...follow the debates on MSNBC, muting Gregory anytime he talks and get my overall world news from the BBC.

everyone shills for money...

Fuck MSRNC otherwise.

Olbermann confirmed yesterday he had initiated the discussions. "Phil and I have debated this set-up since late winter/early spring (with me saying, 'Are you sure this flies?' and him saying, 'Yes, but let's judge it event by event') and I think we both reached the same point during the RNC," Olbermann said by e-mail.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR2008090800008.html?nav=rss_print/style

Gregory's no hack. He's given Bush fits in the past. He just isn't that talented.

oh he IS taking over MTP

The NYT article did however, cover all the kvetching by Al Hunt, Tom Brokaw, Brian Williams, and other old white
Republican men at the station: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/business/media/08msnbc.html

Brockaw and Williams ain't it. Besides, they're as boring as watching paint dry as they both try their best Brit Hume impersonations.

I propose Dan Abrams for MSNBC election coverage, and for that matter as the permanent host of MTP.

Call me a cockeyed optimist, but just maybe KO was rather hamstrung by the role of straight-down-the-middle election anchor. He needs to be in the role of news analyst, similar to Rachel, to counter Pat B. and the other right-wing clowns they put on their election coverage.

Of course, the ideal would be for MSNBC to become the liberal counter to Faux News, but that just ain't gonna happen as long as they're associated with the NBC news camp.

Personally, I love Keith, but I thought that some of his fawning over the various speeches was too much. I mean, did EVERYONE hit it out of the park?
Where is there to go when you're already at the top of the mountain?

Tom Brokaw is an absolute shill for the RW. He'll provide the same "objectivity" that NBC was famous for in their non-questioning
of bushco during the run up for the illegal war. However, he presents a more-objective anchor face for MSNBC, even as he continues
to shill for the RW, and that's what they want from Gregory - the guy who loved dancing with Rove.

The power of the anchor is that they get to decide which panelist/commentator gets to speak and for how long. I expect that with
Gregory in charge, Pat Buchanan will be allowed to talk over people and shout down the opposition as he has for years.

It will be up to Chris and Keith to insert themselves into the discussion, along with Rachel.

Look at the up side - MSNBC will now have TWO openly liberal commentators on their panel - Rachel and Keith, with Tweets liberal on the
days when the wind is blowing left. Not bad. And, the night-after-night conventions were the big plum. The debates and election eve
themselves give the anchors very little to do, while the commentators on debate nights can help to swing public opinion.