Rush Limbaugh Appeal Strains House Phone Lines

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Health Care

(Credit: AP)

For the second straight day, conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh Wednesday pushed his listeners to flood the House with phone calls expressing their displeasure at the possible passage of the health care bill.

"This makes Watergate look like Romper Room," Limbaugh told his listeners Wednesday of the health care reform push, according to Time. He said there is "no question at all" the calls they made on Tuesday "had an impact" on the process.

While it's impossible to tell if that's true when it comes to how lawmakers will vote, there is no denying the calls had an impact on the House phone lines: The Hill reported Tuesday that the House lines were near capacity amid "an extraordinary volume" of calls. There was also a "very significant" spike in e-mail traffic to lawmakers.

"I think it is pedal-to-the-metal time, and even if you have been e-mailing and faxing and calling, I think it's time to intensify it," Limbaugh said on his show Tuesday. "You call the local offices. You call the Washington office of these people, the Democrats and so forth. The Republicans are like Martians: They can't stop this. The Martians couldn't stop it, the Republicans can't stop it. Not with votes. They don't have the votes to stop it, but you can...I normally don't do this, but time to throw down the gauntlet here and really ratchet it up, to go along with all the other pressure that is being brought to bear elsewhere throughout the rest of the media."

The talk show host even posted the Capitol Switchboard phone number on his Web site.

And if that wasn't enough pressure on the House phone lines, there was the prospect of an additional deluge Wednesday thanks to an email President Obama sent to supporters in which he encouraged them to call their representative and push them to support the bill. The email, organized with the Democratic National Committee, includes a link to a page that gives the phone number of each person's representative, along with a script to follow and tips like "be polite, respectful and clear."

Jeff Ventura, a spokesman for the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, suggested to the Wall Street Journal Tuesday that the call volume likely won't be decreasing before the end of the week.

"We're probably going to experience this volume all week until they have their vote," he said.

More Coverage of the Health Care Reform Fight:

Republicans Have Used "Slaughter Solution" Many Times

Dennis Kucinich to Vote Yes on Health Care

Countdown to Health Care Vote Spurs Final Push from Dems, Opponents

Door Closed on Health Care Protesters

Cloudy Skies Start Clearing For Dems

GOP Tries to Block "Slaughter Solution" in Health Care Vote

Explainer: How the House Could Pass Health Care Reform with One Vote

Liberal Groups Turn on Dems to Pass Health Care Reform

Groups Seek to Influence Health Care Debate Without Disclosing Donors

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by from_the_north March 19, 2010 9:56 AM EDT: Oh my God, are these people that stupid? Not only do they listen to this pill popper but they DO what he tells them to do!!!! Lemmings without a any thoughts about what they are doing. Can they all afford health care the way it is today?????????? I think not.; Reply to this comment


by hawkinsr25 March 18, 2010 2:02 PM EDT: I heard Rush is no encouraging people to send an overnite letter to any member of Congress to vote no on the healthcare bill. He said this would jam up the traffic in DC, just like the jammed phone lines.; Reply to this comment


by John_Merritt March 18, 2010 9:01 AM EDT: Healthcare is a non-partisan issue that impacts everyone, one way or another. I applaud Rush, in this case, for all people to vent their frustration and concerns regarding the passage of the bill, as it stands, to their elected representatives.; Reply to this comment


by TVO1CITW March 18, 2010 8:42 AM EDT: Ditto, Rush! Go baby, go.; Reply to this comment

by afmcalax March 18, 2010 8:28 AM EDT

Limbaugh's trash and his audience is white trash. The Democrats would be better off not even trying to appeal to these morons. A combination of Democrats and progressive Independents will maintain control. So giving the raised middle finger to Limbaugh and his lemmings would send a strong signal that nobody really cares what he thinks.

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by Mortar_29 March 18, 2010 8:59 AM EDT: Wow...a bigot.


by sleepyric March 18, 2010 7:53 AM EDT: i can't believe anyone listens to what this turd has to say. People are idiotic.; Reply to this comment

by thesevenveils March 18, 2010 7:26 AM EDT

All the Limbaughbots do as he says. Thinks as he says. Acts as he says. Good little Republicans, nice little Republicans, have a trickle down bone treat.

Roll over, now act scared. good boy!

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by Mortar_29 March 18, 2010 9:00 AM EDT: Do either of you ever have a clue?


by michaelm07 March 18, 2010 7:10 AM EDT: "We The People" should:

Remember, remember on the second of November,
The Government's Treasons and Plots,
I see no reason
Why the Government's Treasons
Should ever be forgot.

'V' for VOTE on the first Tuesday in November,
Throw them out

(Please cut and paste and send this everywhere); Reply to this comment

by two-cats March 18, 2010 12:13 AM EDT

Of course, the devoted Rush listeners are going to pick up their phones because he told them to. They listen to his lies and do his bidding because they are too trusting of this vicious man who has no humane impulses at all. He could care less whether people go without health coverage or how much average Americans have to pay for health care. After all, he is rich and he sits smugly in his mega-million dollar home and laughs at the chumps who hang on his every word!

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by wtcmedicdidntforget March 18, 2010 1:56 AM EDT: you are clearly writting about liberals as well. saint obama...


by USSAmerikan March 18, 2010 12:07 AM EDT: I guess this article just highlights the fact that, well, like any good thesis, the hard left swing of the pendulum is generating its own antithesis. Unfortunately, in these good old USA, we seldom end up with a good synthesis, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton being the only exceptions. The reality is that if the Democrats shove this multi-trillion dollar bill down our collective throats, the country will vote overwhelmingly for the party that can overturn it. If the bill passes, the Republicans will have the Senate and the House before the end of the year and Obama will sadly not be forgotten among the same dusty pages of the history books noone reads as Millard Fillmore. Rather, he will be remembered for a very long time as the worst mistake we've collectively made since George Bush...; Reply to this comment