OLBERMANN REDUX: Joe Scarborough Suspended Over Political Donations

As they did with Keith Olbermann, MSNBC has suspended commentator Joe Scarborough over his political donations.

MSNBC said Friday that it is suspending “Morning Joe” co-host Joe Scarborough for two days after he acknowledged giving eight previously unknown $500 contributions to friends and family members running for state and local offices during his tenure at the network, a violation of parent NBC’s ban on political contributions by employees without specific permission from the network president. “I recognize that I have a responsibility to honor the guidelines and conditions of my employment, and I regret that I failed to do so in this matter,” Scarborough said in a statement. “I apologize to MSNBC and to anyone who has been negatively affected by my actions,” he said, adding that after he was made aware of some of the contributions, he called MSNBC President Phil Griffin “and agreed with Phil's immediate demand of a two-day suspension without pay.”

RELATED: Scarborough has been rumored as one-half of a potential 2012 presidential "odd couple" independent ticket with NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg as his running mate. The top name on that ticket changes depends on which rumor you're reading.