Election coverage review

[Donna Halper]

>it was said--
>
>You didn't give your opinion of Keith Olbermann, but the very next
>night he endeared himself to former "Bob and Ray" fans by quoting
>the text of the famous Ray Goulding concession speech.

In my rock and roll fantasy, I leave my husband, Keith leaves his 
girlfriend, and Keith and I live happily ever after.  Shhh.  Don't 
tell anyone. :)  My own opinion of Keith is that for somebody who 
used to be known basically for having a big ego and being a bit of a 
wise guy, he has truly found his voice on MSNBC-- even the critics 
who don't like him agree that he has become one of the most 
insightful and thought-provoking anchors out there today.  His 
special commentaries-- whether one agreed with him or not-- display a 
courage rarely seen in modern journalism, and have truly motivated 
many of us progressives over the past few months.  It is not 
accidental that his ratings have increased nearly 70% over the past 
two ratings periods, such that he is even beating CNN in his 
daypart.  I know our right-wing friends hate him, but as an 
entertaining yet informative host, he has transformed "Countdown" 
into must-see TV for many of us.  In a world of bland, in a world of 
politically correct, in a world often dominated by conservative 
tallkers (over 90% of talk show hosts are still identified as 
conservative, according to Talkers magazine), Keith has become the 
spokesperson for moderates, progressives, and even lefties.  He isn't 
afraid to criticise both right wing excesses and left wing excesses, 
plus he has a wry sense of humour I miss since Aaron Brown got 
replaced.  It's nice to see an anchor who isn't afraid to speak out 
and who stands up for what he believes, even when to do so gets one 
called "unpatriotic" or "un-American" in some quarters.  But I say, 
somewhere in Journalism Heaven, Edward R. Murrow is smiling.