"...Olbermann generally does not book conservative or Republican guests, saying he doesn't want to stage "talking point" debates with liberal pundits."

From the last link above. A bit of an understatement, wouldn't you say?"

There is nothing wrong with the idea of "host as referee of a talking point food fight" is a lousy deal for the host. But what people like Olbermann mean by this is avoiding a "fight" by simply ignoring the other POV, not booking guests that do not share the hosts liberal POV or having on guests from the other side but either confining the discussion to non-political topics. Of course, the best way to be a GOP guest on Olbermann is to ATTACK the GOP in some way. You can rest assured Scott McLellan will be quite welcome to appear on Countdown - so long as he will bash Bush.

KO's concern with "food fights" might wash if he had a policy of having just one guest at a time and then alternating between GOP and Dems or left and right. Also, if he did not allow ANY guest to come on his show and use talking points instead of discussing an issue or if Keith was asking probing questions or challenging any of his guests.

Of course, he does not do that which is why Countdown is a "preaching to the choir" kind of show. It's a show for people who want to wrap themselves in the warm cocoon of unadulterated far-left liberalism.