Olbermann: Fox News Watchers Are Paranoids and Racists

August 26th, 2009 12:14 AM

Did you know that Keith Olbermann's "Countdown" on MSNBC is the highest rated news program on cable?

You didn't?

Well, it is according to Keith Olbermann.

Honestly.

Even worse, in his view, folks that watch Fox News are "tin foil hatters, conspiracy theorists, paranoids and racists."

He said so Tuesday evening, so it must be true (video embedded below the fold, relevant section at 0:52, h/t NBer Brad90956):

KEITH OLBERMANN: I hate to intrude with the facts but ours is the highest rated cable news program viewers 35 and younger and the highest rated cable news program for all viewers not on Fixed News. And since Fixed News has since now migrated completely over to serving propaganda to tin foil hatters, conspiracy theorists, paranoids and racists it is not a news organization making this show the highest rated cable news program, period.

Yes, and the Toronto Blue Jays are the best team in Major League Baseball if you ignore all those situated in America.

Nice try, Keith. 

Could you BE any more of an embarrassment to your industry?

For the record, on Monday, these were the top cable news programs:

The O'Reilly Factor - 3,440,000 viewers
Hannity - 2,937,000 viewers
Glenn Beck - 2,810,000 viewers
On The Record w/ Greta Van Susteren - 2,450,000 viewers
Special Report with Bret Baier - 2,066,000 viewers
Fox Report w/Shep Smith - 1,860,000 viewers
Countdown w/ K. Olbermann - 1,114,000 viewers
Larry King Live - 1,063,000 viewers 

Exit questions: if it's wrong for a conservative talk show host to call the President racist, isn't it wrong for a liberal talk show host to accuse millions of Americans of being similarly prejudiced?

Will the advocacy group founded by the President's green czar Van Jones petition Olbermann's sponsors to stop advertising on his program due to these deplorable comments?

If not, why not?

*****Update: Further for the record, this recent claim by Olbermann concerning his popularity with people 35 and younger is just another movement of the goalposts to flatter himself. Last year, despite being trounced by virtually every prime time show on Fox News, he used to refer to his prowess in "the demo" which is folks aged 25 to 54.

Unfortunately, quoting such numbers no longer works for Olberman, as on Monday he was beaten in this demographic by O'Reilly, Beck, Hannity, Baier, Smith, Van Susteren, and even HLN's Nancy Grace!

In fact, even "Fox & Friends" beat Olbermann in Monday's demo.

So keep moving those goalposts, Keith! We're sure your ego needs it.

*****Update: O'Reilly strikes back!!!