CNBC's Lawrence Kudlow donated to a Republican, and in doing so violated NBC's "ethics policy"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Friday, Nov 5, 2010 16:46 ET
War Room
CNBC must suspend Larry Kudlow (and a couple others)
By Alex Pareene

http://www.salon.com/entertainment/tv/nbc/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2010/11/05/nbc_larry_kudlow



CNBC's Lawrence Kudlow, host of the Kudlow Report, donated $1,000 to former Republican congressman Chris Shays in May of 2009.

Unless Kudlow got explicit permission from the president of NBC News, this places him in direct violation of the NBC News ethics policy that led to the indefinite suspension of MSNBC host Keith Olbermann today:

"Anyone working for NBC News who takes part in civic or other outside activities may find that these activities jeopardize his or her standing as an impartial journalist because they may create the appearance of a conflict of interest. Such activities may include participation in or contributions to political campaigns or groups that espouse controversial positions. You should report any such potential conflicts in advance to, and obtain prior approval of, the President of NBC News or his designee."

The Shays donation is one of multiple Kudlow has made since joining CNBC.

Update: Both of the hosts of CNBC's "The Strategy Session" also made political donations this cycle. Gary Kaminsky gave $1,000 to Mitt Romney's "Free & Strong America PAC" and David Faber gave $1,500 to Republican candidate Nan Hayworth, who beat Rep. John Hall in New York's 19th.

[WCGreen]

1. Old Baldie is an anchor of the mid session segement on CNBC..

Which is why I don't watch CNBC between 11:00 and 1:00...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Can they spell hypocrisy? Nope...

Thanks for the find, my dear Amerigo Vespucci...

:hi:

[gateley]

3. I would guess they did get that 'explicit permission' otherwise they'd open themselves

up to a lawsuit from Oblermann. I'm also guessing they knew where they stood legally on this before taking action.

[madmax]

4. Larry go back to snorting some blow

you looked better, too.

[KharmaTrain]

5. Don't Even Get Me Started On CNBC

The conflict of interest at that place are thicker than any other network. In the go-go dot com boom the the 90s it was almost common knowledge that you could buy your way onto that network to talk up a stock...and many did. The strategy was to peddle junk as some hot IPO...wait for the suckers to rush in and move onto the next scam.

While the outrage is understandable the fact remains that it appears that Keith violated the terms of his contract and this is the basis for his suspension. All the rest is conjecture and nothing more.

[MiniMe]

6. According to CNN, this is their policy:

The contributions may have violated an NBC policy that requires employers of the news organization to obtain permission ahead of any political donations or activities that could be deemed as a conflict of interest. CNN institutes a similar policy.


I don't know if Kudlow is considered an employer or not, or if he is considered part of the news organization.