"COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN" (8:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M. ET)

Host: Keith Olbermann

Topics/Guests:

• MITT ROMNEY DROPS OUT OF THE 2008 ELECTION: Dana Milbank, Washington Post national political reporter and MSNBC political analyst; Pat Buchanan, author of "Day of Reckoning: How Hubris, Ideology, and Greed Are Tearing America Apart" and MSNBC political analyst
• 2008 ELECTION: Eugene Robinson, Washington Post associate; Chuck Todd, NBC News political director ROGER CLEMENS ON CAPITOL HILL: Howard Bryant, ESPN reporter and author of "Juicing the Game"

The Republican nomination; Mitt Romney quits! John McCain's to lose. Quick booing and forced applause. Long clip of booing. Mitt drops out to reduce the chances of an "evil Democratic President." Mind you, he never said that. "Willard" played the terror card on the way out. Mitt says he hates to lose, Keith chimes in, "Well, get used to it." Zinger. The Democrats, not enough delegates to nominate someone. Keith praises Dems fund raising. Lou Dobbs attack for "criticizing" the Anti-Defamation League, you know, the same on that criticized Olby? Dobbs should ask for a pro-defamation league. Clemens.

#5: The SS Romney sinks. "Quit" Romney! Listen to the booing at CPAC. Oralmann quotes a CPAC person who wants to be better than Democrats and prevent booing of Sen. McCain. Obviously, that did not work. Clip of booing CPAC attendees which strikingly includes a fair amount of applause. Huckabee made his way to the Tyra Banks show hoping for Mitt's supporters to support him. Enter Dana Milbank sans adorned accoutrements. According to Der Fuhrer, the best thing Mitt could come up with was the (with funny voice) "Vote Democratic or you die" slogan. Was that his (Romney's) application into the 2012 club? You have to hit a paraplegic on the way out? Slander half the population too according to Olby. It was all a hobby, according to Milbank. Ann Romney was upset with the $60 million he was spending on that hobby. Serious reporting. Milbank coughed up a few more non-zingers zingers (hand of god touching Huckabee and the sort) before being Great Thanksed.

The "self-described" conservatives on radio don't like McCain. Monkeymann's lackeys managed to bring in the one "conservative" that usually dislikes all other conservatives. Buchanan praises McCain for the most part. Buchanan says that Romney did the smart thing in dropping out and wants a "major convention speech" like Reagan in 1976. Shockingly, I can hear Herr Olbermann murmuring "Oh jesus.." as Buchanan speaks. Guess what this got him? Thanks. No Great Thanks. Stunning.

#4: Democrat love fest time. The "Great Race." Discussion of the Obama delegate prediction spreadsheet. Clinton in "classic underdog mode" asking for weekly debates. Keith mentions he'd do another debate. More softballs waiting in the wings? The ever bemused Eugene Robinson comes in to have fun with mathematics. Keith mentions he'd be happy to do another debate. Hillary does better in debates. Thank you.

Hauptmann declares "Mister" Cheney crazy.

#3: John McCain might be a "stiff." Fat Ass is clearly worried that the split decision of the delegates damaging the prospects of Democrats in 2008. Chuck Todd chimes in on do-overs in Michigan and Florida. What could Howard Dean do?

#2: Keeping Tabs

#1: Clemens and 'roids. The only subject that Keith kind of knows anything about. He collects baseball cards. Did you know that?

In the Hillary Clinton's Media Matters minute, Republican (naturally) Con. Lamar Smith of Florida via ThinkProgress for claims about public support of waterboarding. He knows this because he watched 24, asserts Olbersturmfuhrer. Republican + Fox = winner! Silver: Fox Noise [Ding!] identifies John McCain as a Democrat by mistake. Fixed News [Ding!] twice Fixed News [Ding!] thrice Fixed News [Ding!]. It's a conspiracy, they did it to Arlen Specter and Mark Foley! Lou Dobbs gets the gold for calling the ADL a joke (he actually called a specific woman a joke after he clarified who at the ADL is a joke - left out on Olby Planet and Media Matters). Duh.

Tonight's MisterMeter reading: 1 [LOW] This, the 642nd day since the declaration that "Karl Rove will be indicted."