Olbermann on Campaign Finance Ruling

MSNBC host Keith Olbermann delivered a special comment Thursday on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that lifted limits on corporate spending in the political process. He suggested the far-reaching decision could embolden evangelicals and lead to bans on same-sex marriage.

"In short, the First Amendment -- free speech for persons -- which went into effect in 1791, applies to corporations, which were not recognized as the equivalents of persons until 1886," said Olbermann. "In short, there are now no checks on the ability of corporations or unions or other giant aggregations of power to decide our elections."

The 5-4 ruling by the Supreme Court is expected to have major consequences on the campaign finance process, beginning as early as the November midterm election.

Olbermann predicted what it could mean for the long term.

"Be prepared, then, for the ban on same-sex marriage, on abortion, on evolution, on separation of church and state," he said. "The most politically agitated group of citizens left are the evangelicals -- throw them some red meat to feed their holier-than-thou rationalizations, and they won't care what else you do to this corporate nation."

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