MSNBC Prez Phil Griffin: Keith Olbermann's Pole Dancer

Why is MSNBC president Phil Griffin still justifying, rationalizing, and minimizing the behavior of ratings-flaccid, acid Keith Olbermann?

Griffin laid on "Morning Joe" Scarborough after he criticized (but not by name) Olbermann's unprofessional, ideologically colored, rabid reax to Repub Scott Brown after he won Teddy Kennedy's Massachusetts Senate seat.

Griffin danced around the elephant in the room in a memo directed at Scarborough: "We do not publicly criticize our colleagues. This kind of behavior is unprofessional and will not be tolerated."

It is on-air behavior that was exhibited multiple times during the 2008 presidential campaign which Griffin swept under that same ratty rug.

Media scribe Jeff Bercovici wonders if Olbermann's allure has worn off now that the Dems control Congress and the WH:

Bercovici quotes Griffin dismissing the January ratings drop in a  month of international news:  "Keith has been our tentpole. I watch the show every night. It's a great show. It's as smart and clever and fun as any out there, and I'm pleased with where we are."

Uh, Phil, I wouldn't touch that with a ten-foot pole...