An Open Letter to Keith Olbermann

It seems to me that you owe it to your viewers, and to yourself, to make a special commentary Monday night regarding Sen. Clinton's speech today where she officially dropped out of the race.

I'm a long time fan of Countdown and I enthusiastically supported the two special commentaries you made in regards to Clinton over the course of these primaries. On Saturday afternoon, however, it seems that you misread her speech. Jeremy Gerard writes at the HuffingtonPost: "...Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews started spinning the speech. Their first words were concerned with the number of minutes Clinton spent 'patting herself on the back' before mentioning Obama, and whether her endorsement would be perceived as strong enough to send her supporters into the Obama camp."

Admittedly, I didn't see you or Mr. Matthew's commentary on the speech live. Immediately after it was over I was on the phone with my father talking about what a surprisingly wonderful speech it had been. "More than I had ever expected," my dad noted. "Perfect," I replied, "and impressive." I figured that everyone would agree with that assessment and, for the most part, I've been correct.

Then I read Gerard's piece and was shocked to learn that you had been so wrong during your initial commentary. I was shocked because I'm a huge admirer of your political instincts. I don't often think that you're wrong but in this case you clearly was. And I think you should own up to it.

A special commentary about this on Monday night, directed either specifically at yourself or a more general "pro-Hillary" commentary to thank her for her speech today, would go a long way in keeping my level of respect for you high. One thing I've always liked about you is that you've always been quick to admit when you're wrong.

Today, you were. Hillary gave a wonderful speech. I'm not sure I'll ever forgive her for some of the things she did during the course of this campaign, but before this speech I was certain I never would. Now I have to admit there's a chance I will. After speaking with pro-Hillary supporters the feeling seems mutual. They seem more likely, after this speech, to support Obama then they had been before.

In other words it was a successful speech, Mr. Olbermann. You and Matthews were wrong in your initial assessment of it. I think it'd be a wonderful thing if you aimed that special-commentary gun at yourself this time, or at least used it to give Clinton the thanks she deserves.

Sincerely,
jmk

P.S. If, of course, Gerard misrepresented your initial commentary after the speech (like I said I never watched it live) you should instead put him on your "worst persons" list. If you do that, though, make it the bronze.