We’re Back!!

Thanks to our loyal Olberblogging readers and commenters for holding down the fort while I enjoyed my relatives’ visit last week. We were so busy, I only glanced at my IPhone for updates and did not turn on the good ol’ Mac PowerBook for days!! A good time was had by all.

I plan to restart our regular Countdown and Keith highlights with tomorrow’s broadcast.

Now to some unfinished business…

Poll Results

Our recent poll asked what type of programming or whom you would like to see in the MSNBC 10 pm (ET) prime time slot. Here’s the results:

1. 1. Dan Patrick (live sports talk and interviews)  =  25%
   2. International News Hours = 17% (tie)
   3. News with Black or Hispanic host = 17% (tie)
   4. Luke Russert with a youth-oriented program 13% (tie)
   5. Other  (see below) = 13% (tie)
   6. Keep Countdown replay = 8%
   7. Sam Seder = 8%
   8. David Sirota = none
   9. Chris Buckley and liberal co-host = none

In the “Other” category, voters responded with progressive radio comedian Stephanie Miller (who just heated up cyberspace by suggesting Rush Limbaugh be executed for treason) and blogger Alan E. Moses.  I say, let’s not.

Although cable news started the 24/7 news cycle, many hours go by when cable news channels do not broadcast any up-to-the-minute news. That includes MSNBC, CNN, FOX and, worst of all in my opinion, Headline News created for just such a purpose. We have repeats not only of Countdown, but Nancy Grace, Larry King, Showbiz Tonight, and other non-hard news programs. Cable news abdicated the 24/7 news authority to the Web.

That’s why I feel pleased to see that voters favored international news and news with a minority focus as their second and third poll choices. While I’d love to see Dan Patrick come to MSNBC with a regular sports news program, I’d love to see an hour of topical international news or national news from a fresh angle. I now subscribe to the New York Times on my Kindle, and I cannot believe how much more international information I receive than on any broadcast (or local print) source. In these difficult times, more not less news reporting and analysis (from fresh perspectives) remain vital. That’s why Countdown and The Rachel Maddow Show became successful. I hope MSNBC (and other cable news networks) listen!

We’re A Hit!

I really do not know what blog “hit” numbers may be considered “good” in cyberspace, but I’m proud to announce that OlberBlogging hit the big 15,000 cumulative hits while I was away. We usually generate about 150 to 300 hits in an average week. We started our blog very late in November, so I’m glad we have gained some regular readership. 

Our most viewed day with 605 hits was on January 6 during the height of our OlberBlogging “Favorite Countdown Pundits Poll” (thanks Craig Crawford and Chris Cillizza for all the helpful publicity) followed by 531 hits on February 20 for the controversial chimpanzee cartoon. Interestingly, many of those visiting OlberBlogging came by way of searching for information about the treatment of poor Travis the chimpanzee who was killed during an attack. As someone who knows a few chimpanzees personally, I’m happy that they found us while researching great ape welfare issues (as well as Obama welfare issues).

So thank you readers, commenters, lurkers and contributers for making OlberBlogging successful. Nice to know that the electrons reach interested folks in the Cyberverse.

Pundit Poll Results — UPDATE

OlberBlogging had a few folks ask about the rankings of other Countdown pundits who didn’t win. 

I developed a chart listing all the winners, but found I made a couple of errors — which do not affect the final results.  So, I have revised the graph as well to reflect the change.

When rounded up, Chris “The Fix” Cillizza’s final percentage of votes equalled 33%, a tad closer to overall winner Craig “Trailmix” Crawford’s 35%. 

Eugene “Dance Man” Robinson actually received a total of 62 votes (not the 42 I originally listed) for 11% tally. I apologize to Mr. Robinson for my poor grades in high school algebra.  By the way, for those who asked, I chose “Dance Man” as Mr. Robinson’s nickname for those cool moves — along with Rachel and Uncle Pat — to music during the Obama nomination acceptance coverage on MSNBC.

So, below is the revised Favorite Countdown Pundit Poll Final Results graph as well as the new complete poll results chart.

 

We Have A Winner….

The final results of the OlberBlogging “Favorite Countdown News Pundits Poll” are in and we have a winner. Or at least we think we do.

More than 500 total votes were cast in our polls. Our initial poll, which ran from January 3-6, garnered 405 votes. Our “Final Answer” poll from January 6-8 reaped a less enthusiastic 163 for a total of 568 votes.  OlberBlogging feels honored and humbled by such a response.

But therein lies our quandary. In reviewing preliminary results of the two polls, we found they presented two entirely different results. In the first poll, Chris “The Fix” Cillizza was the run away winner with 174 votes (43%), Craig “Trailmix” Crawford trailing with 79 votes (20%) and Eugene “Dance Man” Robinson and Nate “Cool Geek” Silver far in the distance. The 11 other candidates barely rated a mention.

So, we ran the “Favorite Countdown News Pundits Poll — Final Answer” and the figures reversed. “Trailmix” Crawford broke away with 121 votes (74%) and “The Fix” 11 (7%) following behind “Dance Man” Robinson with 25 (15%). 

However, when I checked the results on Wednesday night, a day before the poll closed, I found an interesting trend. When I combined the totals for both polls, The Fix and Trailmix were tied!!

Here are the final totals as of Thursday, January 8 at 11:59 p.m. CST:

Chris “The Fix” Cillizza:  174 (poll 1) +  11 (poll 2) = 185 (total)

Craig “Trailmix” Crawford:   79 (poll 1) + 121 (poll 2) = 200 (total)

Trailmix bests “The Fix” by only 15 votes!

 

That’s the dilemma. With “The Fix” walloping 14 other contenders in the first poll and only 15 points separating the total top two vote getters in the follow-up poll, how could I actually in good conscience award the prize exclusively to “Trailmix”?  Especially since he spent more baloney in advertising? In addition, allegations of poll tampering from the “Trailmix” crowd tends to taint the his late-breaking grand slam. If the Senate won’t seat Roland Burris, and Al Franken and Norm Coleman battle for 225 votes, should a 15 vote piffle crown our favorite pundit?

Thus, OlberBlogging decides to award two Favorite Countdown News Pundit Awards. Based on sheer math (and also creative campaigning) Craig “The Trailmix” Crawford earns the rank of Favorite Countdown Pundit.  Chris “The Fix” Cillizza wins the “People’s Choice Countdown Pundit Award”

And since we have two winners, OlberBlogging will up the prizes ante. BOTH honorees will receive a beautiful handcrafted certificate, suitable for framing (or if they give me their addresses, I’ll frame it for them) and OlberBlogging (out of my lint-filled pocket) will donate $200 to the Houston SPCA animal disaster relief in both their names.  

I hope Craig, Chris and all their adoring supporters will be happy. I know that the many pets and wildlife who face danger this upcoming hurricane season (and Hurricane Ike refugees who remain in foster care) will be extremely happy.

OlberBlogging thanks all the Countdown pundits for putting up with this polling fun (whether they knew about it or not). And, although the Countdown folks nor MSNBC were in no way responsible or supported this pundit poll, I thank them for their understanding.

But most of all, I sincerely appreciate the participation, good natured support,  and extreme patience which Chris Cillizza and Craig Crawford showed during this silliness. Both gentleman promoted the poll on their websites, Facebook pages and Twitter feeds. That publicity helped our humble OlberBlogging grow from a measly 500 blog hits a week pre-poll to more than 1600 views so far this week alone.  On January 6, we recieved a whopping 605 hits on that day alone!! While we did not seek to market our blog with this poll, we do appreciate so much the attention you brought to it.

And to all the people who visited our community to vote your favorite pundit, thank you for stopping by.  We hope you have enjoyed yourself that you’ll  become a member of our friendly community. 

Thanks! And Congratulations to Craig and Chris!

Pundit Poll Closed

The OlberBlogging “Favorite Countdown News Pundit — Final Answer” Poll is now officially closed.

Please tune in tomorrow (Friday) afternoon to discover the winner.

Thank you to all who participated.  A special thank you to the participating pundits for putting up with our fun!

Pundit Poll Prizes

OlberBlogging sweetens the pot by adding some fabulous prizes to the heated “OlberBlogging Countdown Favorite Pundit Poll — Final Answer” contest.

First, the current stats:

• Craig “Trailmix” Crawford  74%
• Eugene “Dance Man” Robinson 14%
• Chris “The Fix” Cillizza 6%
• Nate “Cool Geek” Silver 5%

The winner, to be announced Friday afternoon (when I wake up!) will receive the following exciting prizes:

• A beautiful hand-crafted certificate plaque
• A $100 donation made in the winner’s name to the Houston SPCA animal disaster relief fund.

The Houston SPCA takes the lead across the upper Gulf Coast for both pet and wildlife rescue following both natural and man-made disasters. The HSPCA answered the call by Louisiana animal welfare groups who were overwhelmed when Hurricane Katrina hit. A month later, the HSPCA worked in devastated areas in Louisana and Texas when Hurricane Rita added to the disaster. Last year, HSPCA faced an onslaught when Hurricane Ike made a direct hit on the Houston-Galveston area. The organization along with its associated Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education group rescued not only thousands of stranded pets but many endangered wild species such as brown pelicans and cranes swept up by the storms.

So, your vote will really count for something. 

Craig Crawford launched an impressive campaign including an official policy statement. He has since released a campaign picture he sent to OlberBlogging as well as a comment about the new contest incentives:

I’m up for anything so long as the Illinois Secretary of State signs the certificate

Here is my official campaign photo, me eating a fried baloney sandwich at the Gold Dome Barbecue in Charleston, West Virginia:

 

I hope The OlberBlogger’s signature will suffice. I’m an Iowa native and that’s next door!

Chris Cillizza, Gene Robinson and Nate Silver all can send me photos, statements, campaign messages to OlberBlogging (Just e-mail me via the private contact us form or dropping a comment and I’ll get back to you).

So folks, continue to vote for your favorite pundit and help him help animals in need!!

Vote by  Thursday, January 8 at 11:59 pm CST

Countdown Pundit Political Posturing

Obviously, our Countdown’s political news pundits remain addicted to the adrenaline rush of the 26-month-long presidential campaign as our OlberBlogging Countdown Favorite MNBC News Pundit Poll has elicited an intense battle between two popular pundits and their fans.

The fighting supporters of Craig “CQ Trailmix” Crawford and Chris “The Fix” Cillizza gave our meek OlberBlogging site more than 600 hits in the last two days alone! Plus we have been linked in their blogs as well as others including Huffington Post.

The results thus far:

Chris “The Fix”  Cillizza   44%

Craig “Trailmix” Crawford 18%

Eugene “Dance Man” Robinson (Washington Post) 10%

Nate “Cool Geek” Silver (fivethirtyeight.com) 8%

Richard “The Brit” Wolffe (Newsweek) 4%

E.J. “Dapper” Dionne (Washington Post) 3% (tie)

Chris “Laid Back” Hayes (The Nation) 3% (tie)

Pat “Cool Shades” Buchanan (MSNBC) 3% (tie)

Jonathan “Bookman” Alter (Newsweek) 2% (tie)

Margaret “The Enforcer” Carlson (Bloomsberg) 2% (tie)

Howard “Fine Man” Fineman 2% (tie)

Laurence Bartlet’s Pa” O’Donnell 1%

Everyone else, less than 1%

Because of the intense interest this poll has raised from the Countdown, cyberspace and newsroom community, OlberBlogging posts the Countdown Pundit Political Poll – Final Answer with the top four contenders: Cillizza, Crawford, Robinson, Silver.

Each candidate also may make a statement regarding his campaign and why Countdown fans should vote for him.

Craig Crawford submitted this statement:

OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN STATEMENT FROM CRAIG CRAWFORD:

I am strictly running a front-porch campaign, keeping expenses down (and do not condone any cookie meddling or other compromises of the integrity of the ballot box). If elected my Administration will be known for the long overdue comeback of the fried baloney sandwich! Campaign slogan: “Baloney in Every Belly”

We will post other candidate statements as they are received (and we do know from whom they are sent).

Candidates and their supporters have until 12 midnight Friday to vote. After that we will announce the name of the OlberBlogging Countdown Favorite News Pundit. The winner will receive some prize thatwe have yet to imagine, but we’ll come up with something.

So, make sure you vote. Vote early. Vote Often

Remember, The OlberBlogging Countdown Favorite Pundit Poll – Final Answer is the sole responsibility of OlberBlogging. MSNBC, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Keith Olbermann, the candidates, their companies are not to blame for this mess!

Enjoy! Vote Early, Vote Often.

Vote For Your Favorite Countdown Pundit

Who is your favorite Countdown News Pundit?

We are not including Rachel, Keith, the legal eagles (Jonathan Turley or John Dean) or the “comictators”..just regular news folks.

Results will should be posted immediately. Only one vote per reader!

UPDATE:

SEE THE NEW “FAVORITE COUNTDOWN PUNDIT POLL — FINAL ANSWER” with the finalists:  Chris Cillizza, Craig Crawford, Eugene Robinson, Nate Silver.

Click here for new poll.