Dear Rush Limbaugh
First of all, congratulations on becoming the leader of the Republican Party, at least according to Democrats. That must be pretty heady stuff, especially for someone who has never actually held any kind of political office. But with 15-million ultra-faithful listeners ready to follow you into battle, you’ve got as much right as anybody on the right to be the boss. Well, not OFFICIALLY the boss, but you know what I mean
But as the de facto party poobah, I’m not sure you handled it right when you said a couple of weeks ago that you hope President Obama fails. Oh, you have every right to disagree vehemently with his policies and proposals, especially on his plans for dealing with the economic crisis. But, geez… you hope he FAILS? You put your fellow Republicans, the ones who actually do hold office, in a tough place with that one.
You had a chance to modify (I know you hate that word) your position at the big Conservative conference in Washington over the weekend. Instead, in your keynote speech, you doubled down:
“The dirty little secret ... is that every Republican in this country wants Obama to fail, but none of them have the guts to say so; I am willing to say it.”
That opened the door for progressive bloggers and even the White House itself to urge the media to find Republicans willing to say they want Obama to fail. Here’s a reporter’s exchange with White House press secretary Robert Gibbs on Monday:
Q: What is the White House's reaction to Rush Limbaugh saying again that he wants the President to fail, specifically on his economic plans? And how does that bode for bipartisanship in the future, working with Republicans?MR. GIBBS: Well, I think the question is a good one. I think that -- I think maybe the best question, though, is for you to ask individual Republicans whether they agree with what Rush Limbaugh said this weekend. Do they want to see the President's economic agenda fail?
That question is going to work for the Democrats at this point in time, Rush, not for you. Because even though you have your rabid following, you’re not popular across the board, and identifying the GOP with you, and vice versa, is playing right into Obama’s hands. If a prominent Republican says he or she hopes the President DOESN’T fail, as RNC Chairman Michael Steele said last weekend, you flame them on your show, and make them crawl to you and apologize. If they say they hope he DOES fail, they’re as much as saying they hope the economy keeps wiping people out. I don’t think it’s such a good strategy to paint your political allies into a corner like that.
And then there’s the matter of the polls. They’re showing large pluralities willing to give Obama's economic plan a chance, thinking, perhaps, that huge problems require rather large and bold solutions. The president himself has his highest approval ratings. It’s safe to say those folks hope the President succeeds, because they want to have things like, you know, jobs and houses.
Regardless, you must be loving all the attention. You are unquestionably a major force in Republican politics. But I’m sure many in your party are wondering at this point if that’s going to end up helping the Democrats even more.
| Search Blog
|
Comments: 34
Rush is a lot thinner in the photo you used because it was taken was back when he was on the oxycontin.
Rush is a lot thinner in the photo you used because it was taken was back when he was on the oxycontin.
Does Rush have sawdust in his brains? Anyone who wants the President to fail must have. Smoke your old cigars and shut your mouth. This guy Rush (what a name, by the way), is a real piece of s**t.
Yes, I think he is a rabid animal. You said the word Jim, he is rabid, and his following is no better.
And furthermore, it is unAmerican to want the President to fail. Should everyone lose their jobs and their homes? Should the middle class go into ruin?
According to this so called "man of the Republican Party", he would like to see everyone in financial distress.
God, what kind of job did his mother do on him?
Being such as he is, HOW CAN HE SLEEP AT NIGHT?
Limbaugh is a pri*K. He likes to get the masses up in arms against our Prez. Well it should backfire in his face. He should look in the mirror, and see if he likes what he sees. I doubt it. Lee's sister called it. Obama is doing his best, and his advisors are trying their best to get this economy and world, back to an even keel.
Are we getting into the whole political correctness game again??? I am sure many hope Bush fail.
While I pray that Obama has wisdom and follow God's guidance to lead the nation, I surely hope he fails to push his socialism and big gov agenda, nothing wrong with that.
You obviously did not listen closely to Rush Limbaugh's words.
Like most democrats, and most media people, you cherry-pick a phrase or slogan from hours of dialogue, and decide to ignore the context in which the words were spoken.
Limbaugh wants the philosophy to fail - not the country or the president. He simply, and justifiably sees Obama as someone who resents successful people and wants to punish success and create a society of entitlement that will no doubt diminish our country's entrepeneurial spirit.
I suggest you listen to Rush's show once in a while. You might actually hear something you agree with. Then let's see if you are unbiased enough to blog about THAT.
You obviously did not listen closely to Rush Limbaugh's words.
Like most democrats, and most media people, you cherry-pick a phrase or slogan from hours of dialogue, and decide to ignore the context in which the words were spoken.
Limbaugh wants the philosophy to fail - not the country or the president. He simply, and justifiably sees Obama as someone who resents successful people and wants to punish success and create a society of entitlement that will no doubt diminish our country's entrepeneurial spirit.
I suggest you listen to Rush's show once in a while. You might actually hear something you agree with. Then let's see if you are unbiased enough to blog about THAT.
What's funny are all the liberals up in arms about Limbaugh's comments, when we should all be raisin' hell with the MASSIVE SPENDING SPREE our "Prez" and his partisan Congree is on to get everything they've ever wanted funded. We'll say, "give him time", "give the man a chance" and "he's trying his best" like he's a grade school kid trying to learn math. What about the other half of the country that DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS TYPE OF SPENDING IN THE NAME OF "CHANGE"? I guess I'm better off falling in line with Democrats, so I can stop paying my mortgage, quit my job and wait for my freebies & gov't health care? When will St. Obama descend upon the masses and multiply the fish & loaves, I wonder? Or maybe we could find out why nearly every one of his appointees to a cabinet position have unpaid tax bills that magically get cleared up once they've been tapped. Or conflict of interests. Or were previously lobbyists. No, Obama's not breaking his campaign promise of no lobbyists. He's trying his best. But you're right, we should focus on Rush Limbaugh. You all got your wish; you have all the power in every branch of government. Now it's time to show us why the Democrats are the best party. Give everyone everything they want, no matter the cost, or the squeeze that it puts on those who break their ass everyday just so you can take our money and "try your best". Sadly, it won't be good enough.
Nice propoganda Jim! Rush wants socialism to fail if you would not be so determined to take his words out of context. You should be more con-cerned with his never ending selections of tax cheats that have been appointed to his staff. Let us not forget Ayres,Wright and that wonderful Chicago group that he has been associated with. Unfortunatly we will learn all too late that the economical problems will come a distant second to the shift to big government. Face the facts, if Barak was a Republican, he would have been trashed long ago!
Nice propoganda Jim! Rush wants socialism to fail if you would not be so determined to take his words out of context. You should be more con-cerned with his never ending selections of tax cheats that have been appointed to his staff. Let us not forget Ayres,Wright and that wonderful Chicago group that he has been associated with. Unfortunatly we will learn all too late that the economical problems will come a distant second to the shift to big government. Face the facts, if Barak was a Republican, he would have been trashed long ago!
I'm concerned because I'm not sure if he is being racist, ignorant, or truly just republican in his comments. How can any American want to see the country in ruin and distress just to have the pleasure of saying, "ha ha, see I knew Obama was no good." Rush's rhetoric is genuinely scary and his followers need to take stock in whom they decide to march behind. Rush is part of the problem and the republican's need to muzzle their growling dog. Freedom of speech is nice, but just because one can say something doesn't mean one should say it.
it was all right for the dem's wanted Bush to fail in Iraq. Jim you should be upset for a father of a autistic child this Pres did not pass one bill. Wake up America
Hilarious to see the flailing of the illiterate dittoheads.
Congratulations! Your dope addled bigot Messiah is in charge of the GOP! You should be exuberant! Surely a sooper genius like Rush can lead you out of irrelevance! lol
F.U.C.K. YOU RUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Jimbo. I thought the 20-second delay from click to post was all about screening out the filth from these comments. You didn't know this subject would attract it like F.L.I.E.S.? And isn't your filter sophisticated enough? I guess it's "no" to both - SHAME!
question:
Jim, do you the blogger do housekeeping on the comments? Why those naive people don't know (or care) about online rules and manners be allowed to say curse words and bad languages?
I am sure you won't read out those comments in the news at 10 time.
Just like other commenting areas, or forums, when no mods are managing, the place will go bad as time goes.
Who was the great American that said something along the lines of "I don't agree with what you are saying, but I will fight to the death to protect your right to say it." It seems applicable here. What makes our country strong. Rush can say whatever he wants; he is another entertainer, in the same vein as Howard Stern, who also has a dedicated, somewhat loopy fanbase. Having said that, how anybody can defend this bloviating, hate-filled, idealogue, who is attempting to pass his schtick off as some sort of valid political point, is beyond me. Fear of Socialism? Really? That's the best the oppostion party can muster?? That was meaningful fifty years ago, MAYBE. Just shows how backwards looking the Republican party is. Our president is actively, creatively trying to solve HUGE problems that will only fester and get worse if we sit on our collective cans and do nothing, as we have for decades. It's not like he's, say, starting an unnecessary war in which tens of thousands of innocent people are killed or maimed. If the Democrats, or one of their reasonable simulacra, had said anything similar with a Republican President in power, they would be labelled as domestic terrorists.
why is everyone paying any attention to a DRUG Addict? He did say all addicts should go to jail, so why is he still slithering around? He must still be on the stuff. Tune him out, now!
Since we are touting the right to freedom of speech, allow me to exercise my freedom by saying that Mr. Limbaugh does not sound too bright to me. It seems to me that wishing for President Obama's failure and using a powerful medium like syndicated radio as the conduit for his venom tantamounts to hoping for the failure of our nation. I mean really it is not a math test. If the President fails we all fail democrat or republican! While every citizen is entitled to their opinion and a platform in which to express it, Mr. Obama is entitled to an opportunity to try to correct what is wrong with this country, and the grace to make some mistakes. In like manner, the American people do need or deserve two failed presidencies.
THANK GOD FOR RUSH LIMBAUGH!
When you criticize a misrepresentation of someone's position it is called a "straw man", and it is a kind of fallacy.
Rush's point is that Obama is trying to radically redesign the US in a bad way. Rush hopes he fails to do this.
So to say that Rush wishes for more economic failure is actually the opposite of the truth. If you listened to him at all you would know this.
Either you are ill informed or are disingenuous.
I think if (... and that's a big IF) the President fails, Rush will be out of a job. He (Rush) actually is prayng for his own job loss. What an idiot!
hey jim, wise up because you're falling for the same thing as Rush. it's all a plot by carville, begala & steinberg since last fall to annoint rush as the de facto head of the GOP. it's good press for everybody, as you've found out, except the actual GOP.
this story's been out for a day or two, also, so please, man, get hip to keeping up with the web's news cycle. by not knowing this you show your inability to keep up thus making you like most of the rest of the traditional media, who soon won't have a job because no one likes days old news, unless of course you watch wpix..
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19596.html
Jim - love your show and the human touch you bring to it. But you gotta lighten up on the makeup - you look like you ate a field of carrots with all that orange cake on your face.
Now the burning question - I haven't seen you at the gym lately, and more distrubing, I haven't seen that hot trainer you used. I hope she hasn't left the builidng. She was the best motivation, which I don't need to tell you.
If Obama's program "succeeds", the economy will of course survive - but in much more of a top-down centralized form. I'm not judging that outcome, I'm just stating a fact. Any media person who publicly assails it, even market-watchers like Rick Santelli and Jim Cramer, are seen to threaten that outcome and are aggressively denounced in efforts to silence them. But if it "fails", the Democrat majority in the House and perhaps the Senate will be lost in the 2010 election. That too is a fact. Their attempt to blame Limbaugh's prayers for the failure will look ridiculous since everyone knows he lacks such divine influence. (even if HE doesn't know it!) Blaming the Bush "inherited" deficit will look equally ridiculous after a year-and-a-half of quadrupling of same under Obama's watch. Whoever Emmanuel, Carville and Begala name as head of the Republican party, that person will be ignored by the voters, who simply aren't THAT stupid!
BOTTOM LINE: This is a spurious "Page Six" topic, since events, and only events, can hurt either party. R.U.S.H. is just a diversion to the liberals who think they have found in him some secret repository of blame for THEIR failures. Oh yeah, the reason I placed periods in his name was to get it past Jim's newly installed obscenity filter. LOL!
I am shocked at the number of people supporting Limbaugh! He, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter (to name just a few of the over the top moronic assholes out there)are simply hate mongerers. If a Democrat said they hoped Bush would fail or his policies would fail, they would instantly be branded as un-American. I vividly remember the last eight years, people. They don't even see their hypocrisy, even when it is directly shown to them. The Republicans of old are gone. The "leaders" of the new Republican party are just about intolerance, ignorance, and hate. I wish people would wake up and smell the bullshit.
Jim, How about Objectivel reportung the News and how about You stop drinking the Kool aid for a guy that hates this Country. That is correct I am talking about BARRACK HUSSEIN OBAMA. Everything that he does and all proposes falls into 2 categories it hurts the average american law abiding citizen and It rewards law breakers with Posts in his administration and oh don't forget Do what he ( obama ) tells You to do even if it doesn't apply to Him! What Rush said and all conservative Republicans need To get out to the masses and so called obective News achors like Yourself need to get out there is simple, Since Obama policies will harm our Country immensly I have to along with other hope and pray to the high heavens that his schemes fail and fail horribly so We can than try to fix our Country once again! Oh, One last thing if Obama is a different kind of Politician how come He says nothing about Charlie Rangel, Barney Franks, Chris Dodd and Chuck murtha who use their Positions to steal from the taxpayers and why even after finding out that Folks like Geithner are tax cheats insist on appointing these folks to high level Government Positions, Oh yeah the average person with the help of a very left wing news media like You, JACK CAFFERTY , KEITH OLBERMAN, CHRIS MATTHEWS ETC.. ARE totally cluless about what is really going on!
way to go jim typical liberal media response. I want these policies to fail because they are pure socialist policies. where was your letter to all the dems who wanted Bushs' iraq polict to fail? I will add your news program to the liberal media column reporting democratic obama liberal propoganda. nice job
All your supporters in above comments use very colorful language by the way
I praise Rush...He tells it like it is. Why won't B. Hussein debate him? I'll tell you why. Because Hussein would be exposed for the liar and fraud he really is!!!!
It's amazing how the Limbaugh supporting knuckle-dragging idiots come out in droves to spout off terms they don't even understand, like socialism. Your hero Bush bankrupted this country, your hero Bush ran up the deficit through the roof, your hero nationalized banks and AIG and he started a dumb war that will cost this country $3 trillion before it's over. Why don't you go back to your mom's basement, play Halo, listen to Rush (it's apparent you don't have jobs) and let people with an IQ higher that the temperature outside discuss matters.
Bravo Jim and that comes from a life-long registered Reprublican who voted for John McCain. "Rush" does not speak for the Republican Party. He is neither a member of its national leadership like Michael Steele nor an elected official. He is just an overpaid blowheart who makes his money hawking goods on his radio show.He has never,to the best of my memory, even been asked to address the nominating convention. In fact,"Rush" regularly attacked John McCain. He chooses his words to achieve the maxium heat & public attention he can garner rather than for a reasoned opposition. Praying for the "failure" of the President is simply praying for the failure of the ntion whether is for wanting Prsident Bush to fail in Iraq or President Obmama to fail in getting a handle on our declining economy.Be critical of specific policies, after all a vigorous debate benefits all Americans, but a blanket wish of failure is frankly anti-American (does Rush want Obama to fail in Afganistan as well for example). As the Republican base shrinks it is not beneficial for the party to be seen as the extension of the ramblings of a self-confessed drug abuser.For the Republican Party to regain a position of leadership, it must be seen as a positive force in American life, a party offering constructive alternative policy proposals or working in a bipartisan way to help recraft partisan proposals from the administration in a way that benefits all Americans. When Republicans act in a positve way people respond. The Democrats have been handed a weapon against ALL Republicans by Rush and they have been quick to exploit it and will continue to do so. Republicans must make clear that he is NOT a spokesman for the party and that he speaks merely for himself & his followers who are members of both parties. Rush should have the integrity to publically state that he is not a spokesman for the Republican Party but merely expressing a personal view.
dear Jim: I watch you and kaity everynight...here again you slanted the comment about Rush Limbaugh hoping Pres.Obama fails..c'mon Jim...I thought you were right on>>>Rush Limbaugh doesnt Hope he fails as a president..In fact he gave Obama high marks and I consider rush an educated person is why I even consider his thoughts...He was hoping he fails at one particular thing...so please dont enrage people by saying things like this...really we dont need to add fuel to an already heated situation
To use a phrase from the Rush Limbaugh show, I am a "ditto head" of Pete Moss above and I am also a ditto head of Alan that wrote on MArch 5.
To all of you vehement supporters of Rush, I HAVE TRIED to listen to his show and all I can garner is that he is a nasty frustrated middle aged man. You are not respecting yourself for considering him to be a good, educated (oh please...you really think he is educated?!) person. He is nasty, self centered and can't figure out why he's so unhappy. If he had a good family life, a loving relationship, true friendship...you would see a much different person. Come to think of it, you might not even hear him at all on the air! But at least he would be happy.
I am a moderate sort of person, and I love to be around other moderate people. So, I think the Repubs need to build on a base of SMART folks such as Bobby Jindal as their frontrunner...(Sara Palin was an embarrassment) Bring him, and folks like him into the arena and it will be a real good thing for our country.