MSNBC Suspends Keith Olbermann Over Campaign Contributions

MSNBC has suspended liberal political commentator and host of "Countdown" Keith Olbermann for campaign contributions he made to Democratic candidates. The contributions were in violation of the network's policy.

MSNBC president, Phil Griffin, issued a statement saying: “I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay.”

Mr. Olbermann told Politico that he made donations of $2,400 to the campaigns of Representatives Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona and Attorney General Jack Conway of Kentucky.

According to the New York Times, one NBC executive told a source privately that this was not a step toward firing Olbermann. Chris Hayes, the Washington editor for The Nation magazine, will fill in as the host of “Countdown” on Friday, an MSNBC spokesman said.