Keith Olbermann suspended temporarily from MSNBC for political donations

It was announced on Friday that Countdown host Keith Olbermann has been suspended from his show indefinitely because of three campaign donations he made to Democratic candidates. Via Daily News:

His suspension came after Politico reported on Thursday that Olbermann made the maximum legal donations of $2,400 apiece three politicians including Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva, the day Grijalva appeared on “Countdown.”

As Rachel Maddow’s segment explains, MSNBC has a policy against campaign contributions by it’s hosts and staff. Olbermann’s fans have participated in huge droves in a petition to bring him back on air.

It’s hard to argue with the facts that Olbermann violated his company’s policy by not asking permission in advance of the donations. But Maddow makes the more important point in her segment on the issue, when she so clearly illustrates how MSNBC’s counterpart, Fox News, has no such policy. Instead, their hosts frequently help Republican candidates fundraise on air, in addition to generously supporting them directly. How’s that for “fair and balanced?”

For all the dirty details, check out this Maddow segment.

Update: It was a short suspension, he’ll be back on air tomorrow.