Keith Olbermann suspended by MSNBC

Chalk this up to another twist in a long and occasionally wild career: Keith Olbermann has been suspended by MSNBC for contributing to Democratic candidates.

"I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay," MSNBC president Phil Griffin said in a statement.

Politico had earlier reported that he had donated $2,400 to the campaigns of  Kentucky
Senate candidate Jack Conway and Arizona Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords, per CNN.

No word yet from Keith O.

How long is "indefinitely"?

The word has a somber sound to it, certainly, but a week, a month . . .? Who knows.

As you are no doubt aware, the networks have strict guidelines about candidate donations -- strict as in, they are verboten. 

Here's the statement Olbermann gave last night to Politico after it uncovered his donations:

"One week ago, on the night of Thursday, Oct. 28 2010, after a discussion with a friend about the state of politics in Arizona, I donated $2,400 each to the reelection campaigns of Democratic Representatives Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords,” Olbermann said. “I also donated the same amount to the campaign of Democratic Senatorial candidate Jack Conway in Kentucky.”

In his statement, Olbermann said he wasn’t using his influence to solicit any donations for the candidates.

"I did not privately or publicly encourage anyone else to donate to these campaigns, nor to any others in this election or any previous ones, nor have I previously donated to any political campaign at any level.”