GOP Fights Back Over Criticism Of Limbaugh

Washington Post: Senate Republicans Accuse White House Of Cynicism, Hypocrisy

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Washington Post Staff Writer Howard Kurtz.

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By one measure, Rush Limbaugh is a clear winner this week: His ratings have nearly doubled since his feud with the White House burst into the media limelight.

But the Obama administration's strategy of trying to elevate the conservative radio commentator to leader of the opposition has prompted a vigorous counterattack, with a key Republican senator saying the move is an "outrage" that "reeks of hypocrisy coming from a president who campaigned against these very cynical political tactics last fall."

That letter from Sen. John Cornyn (Tex.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and a Washington Post opinion piece by House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), also accusing the White House of cynicism, underscore the GOP's attempt to make President Obama pay a political price for the rhetorical assault on Limbaugh.

Asked at a briefing Wednesday whether it was "hypocritical" for him to go after the talk radio host and criticize cable commentators, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said he would "plead guilty" to being "counterproductive."

Limbaugh said this week that White House officials are "targeting" him because "they need a demon to distract and divert from what their agenda is." He said Obama aides are "going after private citizens" in a manner reminiscent of Richard M. Nixon's "enemies list." He also challenged the president to a debate on his show.

The media have feasted on the story since Limbaugh told a conservative conference Saturday that he wants Obama to fail because he opposes the president's big-government policies. The next day, Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, told CBS that Limbaugh is "the voice and the intellectual force and energy behind the Republican Party."

Limbaugh has a 60 percent favorable rating among Republicans, while 23 percent have a negative view, according to a Gallup poll taken last month. But 63 percent of Democrats view him unfavorably, compared with 6 percent who view him positively. Independents see him negatively by an almost 2 to 1 margin.

"The people who love him are a very small segment of the public," said Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers magazine, whose research indicates that Limbaugh's weekly audience has spiked from 14.2 million to about 25 million since the controversy escalated. "A lot of people still think he's a shock jock, a hatemonger, a right-wing radical, or hold his personal baggage against him."

Still, Harrison said, the White House attacks have effectively transformed Limbaugh from an entertainer "into the spokesman for the Republican Party," adding: "It's been a self-fulfilling prophecy of media hype."

While some Republicans have distanced themselves from Limbaugh's rhetoric, others, such as Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.), chairman of the House Republican Conference, said they agree with the radio host's denunciation of Obama's policies.

Not to be outdone, the Democratic National Committee has created a Web site to solicit slogans for an anti-Limbaugh billboard to be erected in his home town of West Palm Beach, Fla.

Mark McKinnon, a top adviser in President George W. Bush's campaigns, acknowledged the value of picking a divisive opponent. "We used a similar strategy by making Michael Moore the face of the Democratic Party," he said of the documentary filmmaker. "That's why we gave him credentials to cover the 2004 convention and then turned the spotlight on him."

But, McKinnon said, "whatever you think of Rush, he is one of the most effective political communicators in history. So I don't think turning up his microphone is necessarily a wise way to go." For Obama, he said, "a fistfight with a brawler like Rush only drags him down to the street."

Democratic strategist Chris Lehane called Limbaugh "the perfect foil" because of his popularity with the Republican base. "The media won't cover a fight if it's not perceived as a fair fight. It's a win for the Democrats and Obama, a win for Limbaugh because it enhances his stature with his audience, and probably a loss for the Republican Party."

This is not the first time Limbaugh has bedeviled a Democratic president. In 1994, Bill Clinton lashed out at conservative talk show hosts, saying that Limbaugh "has three hours to say whatever he wants" with "no truth detector." Limbaugh helped galvanize support for the Republican takeover of Congress that year.

After the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, Clinton attacked "the purveyors of hatred and division" for "reckless speech," prompting Limbaugh to respond that liberals were trying to foment a "national hysteria" and "use this tragedy for their own political gain."

For nearly two decades, the radio host has masterfully inserted himself into political disputes by pushing the usual boundaries. In last year's Democratic primaries, he tried to derail Obama with what he dubbed Operation Chaos, urging his followers to cross over and vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Two former Bill Clinton advisers and CNN commentators, James Carville and Paul Begala, have long targeted Limbaugh. As Politico reported, Carville and Democratic pollster Stanley Greenberg commissioned a survey last fall that showed Limbaugh with high negative ratings. Carville and Begala, who are in regular contact with Emanuel, another Clinton White House veteran, have declined to say whether they urged him to single out Limbaugh.

"People are misapprehending that this is some White House strategy they sent Carville and I out on," Begala said. "I don't work for this president. I say what I say because it's what I believe. I don't like Rush."

Emanuel could not suppress a chuckle when asked in an interview why he went after Limbaugh. "I was complimenting him," he said. "But he is the head of their party."

[tugar04]

This man; (Rush Limbaugh) with all of his HOT-AIR, really does run the GOP folks. And this is indeed a sad and very dangerous situation for our nation.

Our country is facing some very serious issues right now with the economy staggering to come back, our foreign policy issues, not to mention: Our military troops in combative situations, ie wars in (2) countries. And imagine being led by John McCain and Sarah Palin right now. God forbid, and help us all.

We surely would be at war with Russia right now if J. McCain had gotten into ofc., over Russia's Georgia invasion that took place just before our 2008 elections, which by the way, seems to have been resolved in a diplomatic way, without J. McCain's help, thank you

But John McCain's response during the Rick Warren Presidential debate, when he was asked how he would handle that type of a situation was: "You confront it."
In other words, send our young men and women in, John wasn't going anywhere, mind you.

Let President Obama do his job, which by the way he's handling quite well so far. The Republic Party with its Limbaugh leadership are finally being seen for what they are: Uncooperative, grown men and women with child like attitudes when it comes to working together with anyone to bring about something positive and constructive for anyone.

[babooph]

The party encouraged following this mess of a man,now it is trying desperatly to distance itself-Dr. F did not enjoy his monster in the end either.

[mariannpepit]

When a commentor talked about Rush being on drugs how about the media's report that 55% of college students are on drugs and booze. I don't agree with Steele apologizing to Rush but I agree with Rush what he says about Obama and the country going downhill. You know it and the whole US knows it. He never had experience in politics or foreign policy and right new he is a learner. He fooled the public with his change campaign telling them he was going to change Washington only to bring Washington back to the white house. How dumb could the public be. It appears that Pelosi and Reid are running this country not Obama. I didn't vote for Obama and have no regrets.

[mariannpepit]

When you start running down Rush think about who you put in the white house that doesn't know which way the wind is blowing. The only reason he wanted the presidency is to show America that a half black/white man can be elected. He is as dumb as they come and will never match Bill Clinton. Pelosi and Reid are two of the most underhanded democrats of the party. Rush is right in a lot of ways about the democrats but its this generation of college students that didn't wake up yet to find their mistake in voting. For those that don't like Rush he will have the last laugh when the bottom falls. And believe me its coming. Obama can never fix the economy but he certainly duped the public into thinking he can. He is a slick tricker and tricked all of you.

[lakemtnman]

well rush limbone is showing that he really only cares about his own vanity and cares nothing about the republican party or america and if he hopes america will fail then he cares nothing for the people that listen to him,this seems like a ploy or political angle to his audience ,but for me it is his very real thoughts and wishes, I have worked with recovering drug addicts for years and doom and gloom along with suicidal thoughts never really leave the minds of the severely chronic patients like rush limbone

[actornaught]

...let's stop talking about him. ...
Posted by Sharkdog2000 at 1:03 AM : Mar 8, 2009

Nah, the more undecided types hear what kind of creep and liar rush is, it'll just be more people in the blue column. So what if he gets his 12% or so that might be entertained, or worse, agree with him.

Knowledge will set you free, and the more that know what kind of anti-american scum rush is, the better it will be for the country.

[vetsence]

I say let him keep up his "hype." He has already destroyed himself among those who think for themselves. Only those who are "drunk" to reality listen to such blatant foolishness and nonsense. You can hear the man contradict himself over and over if you really listen. I wonder how many ultra rich people are keeping him on the air.

[Sharkdog2000]

Here's an idea - let's stop talking about him. That is, after all, what he wants...to be SO obnoxious that he gets headlines, both from those who agree with him & those who know better. Let's try giving him our best shot of indifference & silence! He deserves that little.

[actornaught]

... listen to him for a few days? Then decide for yourself.
Posted by maconboy at 2:53 PM : Mar 7, 2009

I've listened to rush for more hours than probably any other kind of entertainer. He would always say that you had to listen to him for months before you "got it". I listened for a few years, for no knowable reason. Then the hate and lies totally got to me.

The only time rush isn't lying is when he's trying to set you up for a Really Big Lie. Another easy way to tell if he's lying is if the sentence has the word "liberal" in it.

[maconboy]

noloyalisti
Why would you want Rush, Sean, Bill, Ann and Michael killed? They have already been born.

keithle1
As I asked one of my friends that criticizes Rush, why not just listen to him for a few days? Then decide for yourself.

[poeticaintit]

It was precisely the rhetoric and the dog eat dog mantra, encouraged by right wing radio pundits such as Rush Limbaugh that instigated people like Madoff to take the public to the cleaners. From ENRON to AIG, the economic free for all that exploded around financial markets were solely the work of Republican two timing shylocks like Rush.


Hahahahaaa,,,,,,libs love to think it just takes ONE man to bring a country down...until you start talking about their demi-goggle Obama....and then it's HE INHERITED THIS...HE IS JUST ONE MAN TRYING TO UNDO ALL THE DAMAGE ONE MAN DID....what hoooey. Keep it libs and eventually you're going to go full circle and run right smack into the truth whether you want to or not....okay...here's a hint....

IT'S GOVERNMENT!!! YEAH...you libs don't want to accept the fact that government did this....while the government is trying to steer you toward corporate this and corporate that to hate....THE GOVERNMENT HAS THEIR BIG FAT NOSES BURIED IN CORPORATE AMERICA'S AZZ!!!! Buy you books and buy you books and you still can figure s.h.it out on your own. Well don't expect public education to bale you out...it's GOVERNMENT RUN TOO!!!

[poeticaintit]

At least the Republicans only need one set of b.alls to run their party...unlike Pelosi and Reid running the Dems. Whew...that Pelosi has one big sac.

[keithle1]

What's so great about Limbaugh? I don't see it. Enlighten me.

[blitzder]

It was precisely the rhetoric and the dog eat dog mantra, encouraged by right wing radio pundits such as Rush Limbaugh that instigated people like Madoff to take the public to the cleaners. From ENRON to AIG, the economic free for all that exploded around financial markets were solely the work of Republican two timing shylocks like Rush.

Rush has always been a mere spokesman for military and corporate schysters and is massively financially supported by these groups, to spout his oratory and malign fair economic principles which kept the country on the path to financial progress.

Rush's demonizing of Obama is just one more defensive ploy to blur the awesome destruction of the last 8 Bush/Cheney years, on American and world financial markets.

[tamericanpie]

Boy you liberal socialists must really afraid of Limbaugh or it wouldn't be on the top of your list of things to talk about. How about publishing a daily running list of Obama's accomplishments. Then show us where he stands of his campaign promises.
Where is the line by line pork checks? Didn't happen.
Where is the transparency promised? Didn't happen.
Our new leader is just another inept, lying poltician.

[alanrobisch]

The Republican Party has lowered itslef to the level of the Gangsters and Drug Lords. It's only fitting that their current leader is a drug addict who shops doctors for illegal prescriptions like Elvis.
Posted by mcliar at 5:18 PM

Your name matches your comments. Typical uninformed liberal trash talk

our name apes your opinion

[noloyalisti]

Shouldn't Limpballs, Hannity, O'Reilly, Coulter and Savage be put to death for being treasonous?

[ioweign]

Limbaugh has prepaid his funeral costs and they only have arranged for two pallbearers - only two handles on a garbage can...

[karenbe111]

Oh, this is rich...the Republicans accusing the Democrats of hypocrisy! Ha, ha, ha, ha. What a joke the Republicans are! Limp berger needs to be silenced - his rantings and the Republicans following him have practically destroyed this Country!

[VTchemist]

Nearly 75 years ago, a longwinded conservative rose up in a European country and railed against the ruling party in power. He drew people to him with his message of how the fatherland would just be better if they just listened to him and adopted his policies. People flocked to him and chanted his name in unision whenever he would speak.

Of course, you know the contempt he held for those not like him.

Deja vu?