Gibbs: ‘I was a little surprised’ by the speed of Steele’s apology ‘to the head of the Republican Party’
Gibbs: ‘I was a little surprised’ by the speed of Steele’s apology ‘to the head of the Republican Party’
Within 24 hours of calling Rush Limbaugh “incendiary” and “ugly,” RNC Chairman Michael Steele had bowed down before the radio host, declaring, “There was no attempt on my part to diminish [Limbaugh's] voice or his leadership.” When Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked about the episode today, Gibbs suggested Steele’s reply proved that Limbaugh is in fact the head of the Republican Party:
GIBBS: I was a little surprised at the speed in which Mr. Steele, the head of the RNC, apologized to the head of the Republican Party.
Watch it:
Yesterday, Gibbs suggested the media ask other Republicans whether they agreed with Limbaugh’s hope that President Obama fails. ThinkProgress asked a few at last week’s Conservative Political Action Conference; view their replies here and here.
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Why was Gibbs surprised?
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:54 pmNo actually rush represents the other end, not the head.
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:55 pmOkay, let’s not push the Rush thing too hard, or it might backfire.
Let Rush’s ego take over and eventually explode on its own.
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:56 pmLoved it….Gibbs is the man
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:56 pmThe GOP is just in total disarray. The extreme lack of any common sense in the party or not simply thinking before you say something is just incredible.
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:58 pmI say keep pushing Rush and the GOP, over and over. The repubs are very good at repeating things, let the Dems learn from that strategy.
The GOP IS Rush Limbaugh. Say it loud, say it proud.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:00 pmask them who the head
of the party is…?
:)
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:00 pmjoe cantwell Says:
ask them who the head
of the party is…?
:)
They don’t know the answer to that…that’s how bad it is :)
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:03 pmAn entertainer is the head of an entire party? It’s one thing if he ran for office, but he’s just a blabbermouth.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:05 pmGIBBS: I was a little surprised at the speed in which Mr. Steele, the head of the RNC, apologized to the head of the Republican Party.
The Obama administration is playing the Cons like a fiddle.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:06 pm:-D
To think that people were worried that the late night comedians wouldn’t have anything to make fun of after Bush!
This can’t end well.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:07 pmhi zoo ;)
*
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:09 pmSteele should double down, and resume attacking Limbaugh.
I don’t think the pubbies have fully gamed out the possible scenarios, if they decided to replace the face of black leadership, within the party.
If they were to dump Steele, independent voters would treat them like a diseased skunk, and get as far away as possible.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:10 pmHi, joe.
Wanna set the date? ;)
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:12 pmIf the Republicans want to be led by a drug-addled fart zeppelin, then who are we to criticize? I say let them. I want to see them stay marginalized and out of the White House for the next 20 years, at least.
The “we weren’t conservative enough” nutjobs still appear to be in complete control. The party may finally hit bottom in 2012 when they field a completely insane candidate for President.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:13 pmSteele was “truly sorry.” How pathetic and weak. Sickening.
Moderate Republicans better get their mojo back and figure out what they stand for. Even Democrats want them to get their game face on. The country needs good ideas from everyone, but they are not going to come from politicians who are beholden to the stone-age mentality perputated by Limbaugh.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Limbaugh fired back on his radio show Monday, saying the RNC chairman appears to be supporting President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He said Steele appears “obsessed with seeing to it President Obama succeeds.”
“I frankly am stunned that the chairman of the Republican National Committee endorses such an agenda,” Limbaugh said. “I have to conclude that he does, because he attacks me for wanting it to fail.”
Now hear this all Republicans. Stand up, raise your right hand, and say, “I want Obama to fail!”.
Because, if you don’t, Rush has declared that that means that you are obsessed with seeing to it that Obama succeeds!
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:18 pmNotice how Gingrich is silent as a sphynx regarding this whole dust-up?
Steele was his point, I’m betting, and now that he’s more a corkscrew, Newt will find another. I’m also betting this sets off a big battle between the paleos and the neos.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:18 pmHe couldn’t bend over fast enough for Rush, eh?
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:18 pmGIBBS: I was a little surprised at the speed in which Mr. Steele, the head of the RNC, apologized to the head of the Republican Party.
We weren’t, we gave it less than 24 hours.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:18 pmThe GOP enjoyed the ride with GWB and didn’t question the lack of sanity in what he was doing. So now, they get to stew in the results. They didn’t have courage to stand up when it counted and again, they don’t have the courage to stand up to an out-of-reality entertainer who only wants more money so he says as many nasty things about the Dems as he can dream up.
It is one thing to never question a somewhat sane repub when that person is disagreeing with the Dems, but when a person (bush/cheney/rumsfeld/rush) is an idiot then it is time to stand up and disagree. Don’t expect to see that happening anytime soon.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:18 pmI give this guy 6 more months tops.
You give Steele THAT long?? Very optimistic.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:19 pmI really hope that Mr. Gibbs has learned to be very careful speaking with his tongue so firmly planted in his cheek. I don’t want him to accidently bite his tongue and hurt himself.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:20 pmGOP insiders are already hinting Steele’s days are numbered.
I say they go with Alan Keyes next.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:25 pm“I hope he fails”
Hang that sign around their necks and put it on every single political commercial for at least the next couple of elections.
And when the country is in recovery, remind them that they were not part of the effort – they were part of the problem.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:27 pmI’m sorry, but even though this is funny, I really haven’t been very impressed w/Gibbs. He seems like he’s struggling for the right lie or spin (like ALL of Bush’s Press Secretaries) when he really doesn’t have to lie about anything at all. IMHO
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:28 pmSteele. Do try to keep up.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:30 pmWhy bother? When Steele slinks off, just put Rush in. He already has the defacto position, make it official.
Then stand back and watch the fun begin.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:31 pmWhat a party! Just think who they have speaking for them. An airhead from Alaska, Joe the non licensed plumber, and a former addict, alcoholic and fired sportscaster. They are in such deep trouble. And they have only themselves to blame.
I for one was not surprised at the speed of the apology. Can you imagine how Rush must love this? Can you imagine the contempt he feels for those who kiss his ring? And can you imagine the surge of power he gets each time those in power themselves fall over one another to curry favor and apologize for things that need no apology?
This physically gross, fat, loud mouthed, man who believes in nothing. He is filled with such self loathing it is written all over his face. A first year psychology student could analyze this man and be correct. He is like all bullies. He is so filled with dislike and repressed hatred, the only way he feels alive is by making others as miserable as he is and always was. Without his power, his pills and his food he is less than nothing. What is worse is the only party he has is a party filled with those same hate filled people.
They say each person seeks like water, it’s own level. This party and these people that bow to this man, are truly frightened soul mates.
When these people look back a few years from now and read their own words and remember their own humiliation in doing and saying what they did regarding this man, they will be so embarrassed. How far they have fallen.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:33 pmI hope Limbaugh succeeds.
The more he talks, the more the radical right fringe alienate themselves from the main part of the GOP as they make their choices on who to follow. And they should ALL be asked “Do you agree with Rush Limbaugh, or will you publicly repudiate his statements?”
I hope he keeps talking all the way through the next few election cycles. It’ll insure that the neoconservatives remain irrelevant.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:34 pmPerhaps it is time for a McCain hug. Steele, put your head on Limbaugh”s chest, right next to his opiate built breasts, and give a big hug.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:35 pmbarack obomber Says:
I give this guy 6 more months tops.
Who? Rush Limbaugh? Unfortunately, he will be here ruining what is left of our great country. I do wish he would disappear – as you are suggesting. You are suggesting that Rush disappear, right?
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:37 pmSNAP, Mr. Gibbs is quick with his tongue, and he makes sense, and it’s actually quite refreshing.
The Rush portion of the GOP is bringing down the whole party. Inasmuch as I truly loath the GOP party, they shouldn’t crumble like this.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:39 pmI don’t know if this has been posted before, but it’s too delicious to simply tempt with a taste:
Republicans appear to be bowing down left and right to conservative pundit Rush Limbaugh, even though most Americans view the radio talk show host unfavorably.
In fact, polls by Gallup in February show that Limbaugh has less favorable ratings from the mainstream public than former President George W. Bush. But while members of Congress and presidential aspirants spent most of the last two years trying to run away from Bush, Limbaugh’s power seems to be expanding.
“In a February Gallup poll, 45 percent of respondents said they had an unfavorable view of Limbaugh, to 28 percent with a favorable opinion. The partisan divide was steep, with Republicans favoring Rush 60-23, while Democrats disapproved 63-6,” Howard Kurtz writes in Tuesday’s Washington Post.
ABC’s Jake Tapper also noted Limbaugh’s low numbers with the general public hours after Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele apologized for calling Limbaugh an “entertainer” after the radio host excoriated him in return during his Monday program.
Tapper wrote, “Our polling director, Gary Langer, points out that according to a Gallup poll completed Feb. 1, 28% percent of Americans view El Rushbo favorably, 45 percent unfavorably. The rest, 27 percent, express no opinion.”
“That’s a 28/45 favorable/unfavorable rating, which is not great,” Tapper adds, before noting that his “fave-unfave is 60-23 among Republicans.”
DNC chair Tim Kaine quickly took advantage of Steele’s apology: “I was briefly encouraged by the courageous comments made by my counterpart in the Republican Party over the weekend, challenging Rush Limbaugh as the leader of the Republican Party and referring to his show as ‘incendiary’ and ‘ugly.’ However, Chairman Steele’s reversal this evening and his apology to Limbaugh proves the unfortunate point that Limbaugh is the leading force behind the Republican Party, its politics and its obstruction of President Obama’s agenda in Washington.”
The most recent Gallup poll of Bush’s approval ratings, conducted in early January, showed that his favorably rating had risen to 40.
While Bush’s unfavorable rating at 59 crushed Limbaugh’s 45, previous Gallup polls show that despite a highly unpopular war, myriad political scandals and a recession, the former president’s favorable rating never fell as low as Limbaugh’s 28.
Media figures keep asking why President Obama and other Democrats keep mentioning Limbaugh. Based on polling numbers alone, they would be insane to ever stop.
[...]
This means that Bush, whom all conservatives don’t consider to be a “true” conservative, is polling better than a true conservative.
Rush is becoming over-exposed, and soon will be the latest in a long line of entertainers, whose schtick became stale.
Think Bobcat Goldthaite.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:39 pmNow would be the time to oh-so-easily infiltrate the Republican party while they’re scrambling to find they’re way, rise up within the ranks and destroy it from the inside once and for all. Now is the time and they deserve nothing less. I don’t personally have the fortitude to put up a front long enough, but any takers out there?
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 pmbravo mr. gibbs,
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:42 pmmake sure your message sticks
Zooey Says:
Hi, joe.
Wanna set the date? ;)
*
let’s meet the parents first!
*
mary,
it’s been fun but
we’re finished.
good luck.
**
kestrel,
i want chubby-ubby to
succeed too.
what a gas!
**
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:42 pmoops, make that “Goldthwaite”
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:43 pmi just saw the democratic party chairman on 1600, a clip of a statement he made, called limpball “godfather”… thank you.
but, where’s he been hiding? has kaine got 2 jobs now?
i miss seeing howard opine on these happenings…
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:43 pmThe Druggie, Criminal Rush says he has guts. He is right, he has one big, fat gut and one little small brain. He is the perfect poster boy for the RepubliCon Party. They are in self destruct mode!
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:47 pmI found this. I thought it was hilarious.
Democrats call Rush the leader of the Republican Party.
Rush says something stupid.
Republican elected leaders distance themselves from stupid Rush comments.
Nutty conservatives go batty and go after elected Republican leaders.
Elected Republican leaders beg Rush’s forgiveness and show who leads the Republican Party.
Democrats call Rush leader of the Republican Party.
Rush says something stupid……..
…
…
…
…
…
Vicious Cycle.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:50 pm
TP,
Please correct the wording in your article. Michael Steele did not call Rush “incendiary” and “ugly”, he called the kind of entertainment Rush provides “incendiary” and “ugly”. Check for yourself, I’ll quote from a previous TP article:
STEELE: Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer. Rush Limbaugh, his whole thing is entertainment. Yes, it’s incendiary. Yes, it’s ugly.
The difference may be subtle, but it is important. Thank you.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:52 pmDid anyone see the clip of Letterman talking about Rush’s outfit for his speech? Said “he looked like an Eastern European gangster” and wondered what was up with the unbuttoned shirt.
Letterman:
“Oh yah, because when you think Rush Limbaugh, you think ooohhhhh, let’s see a little flesh!”
Katie laughed.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:57 pmLink for that clip of Couric on Letterman last night if you’re curious.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:59 pmThe difference may be subtle, but it is important. Thank you.
I think you’re splitting hairs, Wayne.
Within 24 hours of calling Rush Limbaugh “incendiary” and “ugly,” can be inferred from “he called the kind of entertainment Rush provides “incendiary” and “ugly”, since he referenced no other entertainer of like kind. He was speaking of only one person. If he’d said “he called the kind of entertainment Rush and Hannity provides “incendiary” and “ugly,” then you’d have a case for misquote. But this is just a logical inference from the original quote.
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:02 pmraynman Says:
Okay, let’s not push the Rush thing too hard, or it might backfire.
i’m with you there…
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:04 pmit’s starting to worry me… like it’s all scripted…
i hope i’m wrong…
speaking of scripts… tom delay is writing his own version of history…
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:10 pmof course, it’s all the dems fault… everything…
katy Says:
speaking of scripts… tom delay is writing his own version of history…
of course, it’s all the dems fault… everything…
I flipped over during a Simpsons commercial and heard delay going, blah, blah, blah and then Matthews referred to some poll results he saw this morning in which 84% of those polled said they felt that Obama inherited the financial crisis. Only 8% said that Obama’s policies caused it.
Now I’m watching the Simpsons again…much funnier.
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:12 pmOT
Limbaugh has charged CNN’s Ed Henry with being Obama’s butt boy – and he has said that Jake Tapper is not a butt boy.
The brown matter he has for brains keeps him spewing sh!t from his mouth every day – he will eventually alienate so many people he may finally disappear from the news.
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 pmMatthews also said that Steele waited all of 512 minutes to get on the phone to rush to apologize. 52 minutes! To quote Nelson Munch “HA HA”>
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:51 pmgood lord, my typing has been really bad today, even for me… that should be 51 minutes, not 512 or 52…
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:52 pmThe new Pigbaugh-led GOP CPAC marching orders are:
* “Obama must Fail”
* “American Policies must Fail”
* “We Do Not Need Policies” (Rush rebuked Newt)
* “Winning Elections is all that Matters”
So “Country First” was merely another convenient campaign lie, obviously, as you pretend to ignore the carnage you created and instead adopt the new GOP war anthem to hope, plot and push American Policies for recovery and rebuilding our Country actually towards failure!?
The Obama plans are exactly the opposite of the Republicon Party’s Policies which always and most recently have all been designed to destroy America, Government, the Middle Class and Economy and all proven to exactly succeed …in Failing America!
If actions do speak louder than words; Republicons all crave failure, suffering, war, killing, debt, poverty and hate by selling it during election time under the demonically twisted mask of the opposite …“compassionate Christians”
If every instinct the Republicons have is wrong, then the opposite must be “Right”.
Republicons have turned America into George..!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiwIeJlQGzs
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:55 pm“GIBBS: I was a little surprised at the speed in which Mr. Steele, the head of the RNC, apologized to the head of the Republican Party.”
lol Best comment from Gibbs. Gangsta Steele bowed down to his master “da man” Limpbaugh. And even Jindal said that he was pleased that Steele apologized to the chief gasbag of radio and the grand poobah. Steele is just the reversed version of Homey the Clown.
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:12 pmMichael “The Magic Repuplican” Steele has 2 choices before him:
1) He can resign and admit that he is not the leader of the facist, racist scum that populate the RePugniScum Party. And say, “Sorry massa, sorry massa…” as he backs out the door.
2) Grow a spine, a pair of balls or a sturdy gut and stand up to a loud-mouth, racist, facist, drug addicted, boy molesting, mysoginist, hate spewing moron who appeals to the very lowest and stupid among us.
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:25 pmGOP to Michael Steele: Quiet About Rush Limbaugh or You’re Fired
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2009/3/3/gop-to-michael-steele-quiet-about-rush-limbaugh-or-youre-fired.html
And this sums it up.
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:32 pmbarfly, ooooh, I am sooo pleased to find you have discovered the perfect name for them: pubbies.
From now on, unless you have a copyright, I shall refer to them as you say. C’est wunnerful.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:09 pmlimbaugh:
s’all bout de dead preznits, amirite, mike?
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:13 pmGibbs is fantastic! So far, he speaks for us in our own language: SARCASTIC & STINGING!
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:29 pmThat the Republican party is showing more loyalty to a shock-jock than to the popularly elected President of the United States, says it all.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 pmI lol’d.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:41 pmif anyone can find a better creepy picture of Jeff Christie / Rush Limbaugh you win +1000 internets.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:42 pmMaybe we can use FOIA to request a copy of the Jeff Christie arrest docket.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:44 pmthe brown acid Says: @63
Wow. You are right that picture is creepy. Limbaugh and a little boy in a picture is beyond creepy. Especially with a clown picture.
Think John Wayne Gacy. Bet he was a proud Republican.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:47 pmThis is way too funny from the DCCC!
http://www.dccc.org/content/sorry
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:48 pmI lol’d.
–
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:06 pmSo it is more comic and less spacey acid?
dbadass, to be fair, when I lol’d it was more an uncomfortable and awkward lol. I challenge you to find a creepier pic of Rush / Jeff
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:15 pmThere shouldn’t be any surprise about the speed of Steeles apology. All Rush the Hutt has to do is reach into his pocket and give Steeles testicles a little squeeze, and BANG, here comes the mea culpas. The Hutt has the entire republicon party’s balls in his pocket. After all, why be a leader if you can’t cause a little pain, right?
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:35 pmGibbs is so on point. I love him.
check it out repugs: look how cool and calm Gibbs i. No stiffness in his gestures, no ticks; just the facts and always the truth. He is there to unite with the people. LOOK! This happens when one tells the truth. They act natural and normal. Understand repus?
#
limpydic doesn’t scare me. he’s the biggest fool on earth. he should go to Germany and draw supporters like President Obama.
limpydic believes he’s up to par with President Obama. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…wait…hahaha…wait…hahaha…falling off my chair…hahaha
that fat, sloppy, sweating, greasy, insane fool is headed straight to a major heart attack. he better not get saved and become a dem. he’d better not.
BTW — when limpydic berated steele on his s99itty show…I know limpydic wanted to call, wanted to refer to steele as the “boy.” Bet.
Git ta gitting!
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:37 pmI find it funny how the barry sotero/obama’s “press secretary” puts out “questions” for the liberal/progressive media to ask people they “interview”.
With the long history of liberal/progressive fascism, even this would make a clinton blush.
So, who is it again in the liberal/progressive media that get their talking points from that clintonista pardoner holder?
Stephanopolous or parkacarcus and I forget that other media mouthpiece.
Fascism. Truly the orwellian home of liberal/progressives.
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:44 pmHistorically so.
Now that is some stupid assed shit. Can we start about with some sort of topic free of your weird agenda?
March 4th, 2009 at 12:03 amOh, I’m sorry, Chowda. At first i thought you had a point to make.
My mistake.
Do you know anything about fascism?
Doesn’t appear so.
March 4th, 2009 at 12:11 amFraming Rush as the head of the Rushpublicans is the greatest strategy I’ve ever heard! Brilliant.
March 4th, 2009 at 12:16 am.
Watch out for the bumps in the road, GOP…
… ‘Cause it’s Steele throwing Steele under the (R)ushpublican LimpBUS!
.
March 4th, 2009 at 12:28 am.
#74 Chowda,
Or should I say, Jonah Goldberg, what with your talking points parroting revised history and all.
If you did have a clue about Fascism, it would inform you that Liberalism is opposed by Fascism. See, historically, Fascists tend to stamp out Liberalism, free speech, and the free exchange of ideas. You know, the Liberal characteristics our Founding Fathers established this great Nation upon.
But that’s just me blowing hot air…
… YES?
What, with me addressing a Fascist sympathiser I know I seem out there, leftfield, a wacko and all…
… But really, think about what you’re proposing here.
Is it really in line with our Founding Principles?
I mean, for the last EIGHT YEARS, talking points were all the media got from the GOP and the Bush(R) Administration. Have you not read the other threads today?
BUSH SOUGHT TO SUSPEND THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO CURB FREE SPEECH!
In other words, talking points ONLY!
But of course, I’m blowing hot air up a Fascist sympathiser’s skirt…
… NO?
.
March 4th, 2009 at 12:39 amI’m apologizing to Rush because I’ve never publicly called the old high schooler an oopportunistic, prejudiced, windbag, and thus giving him yet another chance to rant and rave, and make millions. Sorry, GOoPer leader.
March 4th, 2009 at 8:15 amGibbs is brilliant. He always says the right thing without insulting the press.
March 4th, 2009 at 9:45 amThere must be innumerable analogies to elucidate the Republican mantra that they “wish Obama will fail”. How about the family drives a Ford but some member is contemptuous and wishes the brakes will fail.
March 4th, 2009 at 10:43 am