Olbermann Defends His Criticism Of Obama: ‘I Am Not… Any President’s Spokesman’

Keith Olbermann‘s criticism of President Obama’s Oval Office address last night took many by surprise, not the least of which was Twitter user @jawillie, who wondered whether Olbermann would choose as a Tweet of the Day one that questioned his disapproval. He ended up choosing that tweet in particular, and reiterating on TV as well as on Twitter that, while he would be sad to lose viewers over it, those who leave were “watching for the wrong reason.”

Olbermann had tweeted out his response earlier, but expanded upon it on air. He reiterated his support of the president, calling him “easily the smartest political leader I’ve ever seen” and wondering whether it had happened before that America elected what was clearly, according to him, one of the most intelligent people in the country as President. He also noted that the passage of health care reform, among others, was an example where the president had succeeded despite criticism from Olbermann, and hoped he was wrong again. He concluded with a cold goodbye to viewers who are too angry with his comments to continue watching the show:

“[The speech] was not up to his standards, nor did it express his mastery of policy, and if you would stop watching this news hour because I said that, I’ll be very sorry, but you will have been watching for the wrong reason because I am not, have not been, will not be, and am not supposed to be any politician’s, or any president’s, spokesman.”

Video from tonight’s Countdown (and the comments from yesterday that led to his response) below:

And last night’s criticism of the Oval Office Address: