Olbermann Donated to 3 Democrats

'Countdown' host appears to breach NBC ethics rules

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 5, 2010 4:30 AM CDT

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Olbermann Donated to 3 Democrats — This April 25, 2010 photo shows Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., to whom Olbermann donated $2,400. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Keith Olbermann donated $2,400—the maximum individual contribution—apiece to three Democrats before Election Day, apparently breaking NBC rules, Politico reports. The MSNBC host, who has acknowledged the contributions, gave to two Arizona representatives the day one of them, Raul Grijalva, stopped by his show (the other was Gabrielle Giffords); he also gave to failed Kentucky Senate candidate Jack Conway. Like many news outlets, NBC bans its employees from giving to campaigns.

“I did not privately or publicly encourage anyone else to donate to these campaigns nor to any others in this election or any previous ones, nor have I previously donated to any political campaign at any level,” Olbermann said. He has complained about Fox News’ parent company, News Corp., giving $1 million to the US Chamber of Commerce.
(More Keith Olbermann stories.)

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