Rep. Tiahrt Backtracks, Bows Down: Limbaugh ‘Is A Great Leader Of The Conservative Movement’
Rep. Tiahrt Backtracks, Bows Down: Limbaugh ‘Is A Great Leader Of The Conservative Movement’
Last week in an interview with the Kansas City Star editorial board, Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) risked alienating thousands of ditto-heads by giving his honest opinion of whether Rush Limbaugh was the “de facto leader of the GOP.” “No, no, he’s just an entertainer,” Tiahrt said.
According to the Wichita Eagle (via Kansas Jackass), Tiahrt’s office is now also rushing to apologize:
Asked about the episode and resulting Web buzz, Tiahrt spokesman Sam Sackett said Tiahrt was not speaking negatively about Limbaugh but was trying to defend him against the suggestion that Limbaugh could be blamed for the GOP’s woes. “The congressman believes Rush is a great leader of the conservative movement in America — not a party leader responsible for election losses,” Sackett told The Eagle editorial board. “Nothing the congressman said diminished the role Rush has played and continues to play in the conservative movement.”
As ThinkProgress has noted, other Republicans have made similar courageous statements, only to eventually back down in the face of Limbaugh’s great power.
RNC Chairman Michael Steele: On March 1, Michael Steele went on CNN and said, “Rush Limbaugh, his whole thing is entertainment. Yes, it’s incendiary. Yes, it’s ugly.” The next day, he backtracked and told Politico, “My intent was not to go after Rush — I have enormous respect for Rush Limbaugh.” On Jan. 27, Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) noted that Limbaugh and other conservative talkers are able to “stand back and throw bricks” instead of offering “real leadership” in the middle of high-profile public policy battles. The very next day, he went on Limbaugh’s show and offered his “sincere regret” for his comments.
Republicans should be careful — looks like that “foot-in-mouth disease” is contagious.
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So he is their leader. I have been asking but no one seems to know for sure…
April 20th, 2009 at 5:54 pmActually, seems like more of a case of “lips on behind” disorder than foot-in-mouth disease…
April 20th, 2009 at 5:54 pmA typical GOP coward ; that species seems to be over-abundant .
Whatever happened to population control over mindless animals ?
April 20th, 2009 at 5:56 pm“The congressman believes Rush is a great leader of the conservative movement in America — not a party leader responsible for election losses,” Sackett told The Eagle editorial board. “Nothing the congressman said diminished the role Rush has played and continues to play in the conservative movement.”
The role Rush has played in the conservative movement is exactly why he’s responsible for election losses — if they’d stop listening to Rush and started using their brains, they might win the occasional election. As it is, they’ve painted themselves into a corner.
April 20th, 2009 at 5:58 pmAre these guys all participating in Fox’s new reality show -”Kiss El Rushbo’s Ass”?
Watch as the contestants race to fellate, fluff and otherwise humiliate themselves on camera.
April 20th, 2009 at 5:58 pmWow this guy is a hero…he held out for 5 days before kissing Rush’ rear end.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:00 pmCan you picture Democratic politicians saying that about Olbermann? About anybody? The fact that they are regularly forced to kiss those blubbery buttocks demonstrates not only his de facto leadership, but the nature thereof.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:02 pmTodd Tiahrt is a weenie and always has been. He’s a political lightweight who got his start in politics by kissing up to the Koch family. He wants Sam Brownback’s Senate seat and I’d bet he’s done this for the media attention it will spawn in the major KS newspapers…..sorry newspaper.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:04 pmWell, did anyone NOT see this coming ?
April 20th, 2009 at 6:07 pmSpinelessness is not a surprise.
No one can knock Jeff Christie and get away with it…uh uh no way buddy….
April 20th, 2009 at 6:09 pmDoes Rush have an army of private investigators on his payroll that spend all their time digging up dirt on repugs that say anything negitive about his fat a$$. How can such a pompous a$$ have such an influence on these repugs.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:09 pmWe should take up a collection to award a prize to the first republican official who holds out a full week before caving to Limprod. Not sure what would be an appropriate prize though. A set of monogrammed “R.L.” knee pads? An apple and polishing rag?
April 20th, 2009 at 6:10 pmDear Rush,
Stupidity is not entertaining; bullying is not entertaining; racism is not entertaining; corporate greed is not entertaining; smearing is not entertaining; endless US imperial occupation is not entertaining; torture is not entertaining. Are you catching my drift yet?
April 20th, 2009 at 6:11 pmAfter all the back and forth of the past couple of months, to deny that Lintball is the defacto leader of the repugs is just ridiculous — he IS the party’s head (and its as too).
April 20th, 2009 at 6:12 pmRush’s behind sure must be getting chapped with all the butt kissing going on.
Fcuk the Republicans
April 20th, 2009 at 6:12 pmtypo at #14 — should read and its ass too.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:13 pmIt seems as if not only is Rush Limbaugh the leader, de facto , of the GOP, But it is a TOTALITARIAN organization. You are not even allowed to voice an opinion. This Guy’s just like IDI AMIN (both in appearance, a fat piece of sh*t, and in the way that fat ass carries himself).
April 20th, 2009 at 6:15 pmThe Republicans have no balls, maybe that’s why the couldn’t understand the tea bag double entendre. NO BALLS!
A great leader ? Of what ? What responsibility does dimbulb have exactly ?
Oh and Mike, it took 5 days because, well Kansas is a bit slower, you know.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:17 pmThe GOP is the party of the drug addled gas bag who chases teenaged hookers in the Domincan Republic. Nothing has changed.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:17 pmI’m waiting for a journalist to say to the next person that disses Rush “why don’t we save some time and you can apologize right now.”
April 20th, 2009 at 6:22 pmbwahahahaha!
The GOP is just one big joke!
April 20th, 2009 at 6:25 pmThe Republican Party …………..Making the idea that jellyfish are spineless a little less believable on a daily basis.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:25 pmRep. Tiahrt Backtracks, Bows Down: Limbaugh ‘Is A Great Leader Of The Conservative Movement’
– - Oh fer cry eye, Auntie Em.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:27 pmRepublicans are showing their true colors (maybe pink and purple). They have no problem thumping their chests when it comes to firing missiles, dropping bombs or sending soldiers to any theatre of war with guns blazing but, when it comes to Rush Limbaugh, they cower in fear and beg to kiss his ass like the absolute pussies they really are. I’ve never seen anything more pathetic in my life.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:30 pmThis would be equivalent to claiming Glen Beck is a great leader of the conservative movement.
I can certainly think of one movement that reminds of him.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:32 pmRush’s brand new Apology Booth/Confessional/Glory Hole is really getting a workout. He’s going to have to replace the kneeling pad if the heavy traffic keeps up. Rumor is that Rush had an industrial sized drum of lip balm installed along side the baby wipe dispenser. Mark my words– he’s going to try to write off the expense on his taxes.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:37 pmCongressman Tiahrt released a subsequent announcement praising Great Leader Limbaugh for his wisdom and generosity and humbly requesting that perhaps the Congressman could have his testicles back two Saturdays from today as it is “date night” with Ms. Congressman Tiahrt.
That is, if Great Leader Limbaugh isn’t using them for additional top-secret teabaggery research.
Great Leader Limbaugh was, of course, available for comment, but couldn’t be clearly understood as his mouth was full.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:37 pmBETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA
In order to gain the political control they’ve enjoyed over the last ten years, Republican moderates and fiscal conservatives made a pact with the devil (faux Christians, bigots and misanthropes) to achieve the numbers they needed to defeat Democrats. They made a strategic decision to manipulate and exploit the ignorance, fears and hatreds of dysfunctional and vulnerable voters in order to win elections rather than lose them by being intellectually and morally honest.
Today, those who conspired with the devil are caught between wanting to disassociate themselves with and or casting out the devil they empowered and the karmic reality that they don’t have the numbers to hold on to or regain power without continuing to accept and “advocate” the immoral values, hypocrisies and corruptions that are dividing and destroying their party.
The survival of today’s shrinking Republican Party has become so dependent on extremism that they have no significant power left WITH or WITHOUT the support of America’s increasingly pernicious lunatic fringe.
The idiom “caught between the devil and the deep blue sea” is certainly appropriate as Republicans are facing the dilemma of choosing between two equally undesirable alternatives that both result in Republican impotence in mainstream American politics. They are suffering the consequences of their treachery.
Their irresponsible propping up of George W. Bush cost them their credibility, and their disgraceful and shameless licking of Rush Limbaugh’s storm trooper boots is costing them their viability.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:38 pmfoot in mouth disease?? more like head up ass disease and there seems to be no known cure
April 20th, 2009 at 6:40 pmHas the Republican Party ever considered trying to find out what percentage of the country would support Rush as the leader of either their party or their country? Or do they just assume that because Rush claims to have the most listeners (based on dubious data), that he speaks for a majority of Americans?
April 20th, 2009 at 6:47 pmLimbaugh is an entertainer. He’s also considered a leader of conservatives. But, he doesn’t hold political office. So, is Rush the leader of the conservative movement? What do you consider leadership? Formal leadership like a President or a committe chair. Or informal leadership?
Additionally, there should be some clarification on whether the conservative movement and the Republican party are one and the same.
With the Republican party trying to find itself after their political defeats of the last two cycles, I think the answer to who’s their leader is difficult to answer.
When a republican makes a comment of whether Limbaugh is (or is not) the leader of the conservative movement, the left broadcasts it as either an indictment of conservatives or an indictment of Limbaugh.
Just like the question: “Have you stopped beating your wife?”, republicans would probably be better off not answering.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:47 pmNever heard of this guy…….any way who cares, the Republicans will not even exist as a party in a few years so each and every one of them are irrelevant Harry Reid, Chiss Dodd, Barney Frank and Nancy Palosi are my great leaders and I believe everything they say. Along with Pres Obama and his new friend “strong man Hugo”. With this lineup we cant lose, what a great day to be a progressive, rejoice, rejoice my great friends. PEACE!
April 20th, 2009 at 6:47 pmHa ha ha ha ha! What was it? It must have been less than 72 hours before his apology to Boss Limbaugh was offered.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:48 pmObviously these plantation republicans continue to show that they have no balls. What a pathetic bunch to have Limbaugh as their leader. Frankly its damned unpatriotic and Un-American to have these so called lawmakers who determine our present and future being directed by a truth distorter such as Limbaugh. Limbaugh is an entertainer and makes a lot of money playing to a segment of mindless people much the same as “professional wrestling” plays to a segment of dunderheads. The behavior of these republicans in Congress is basically treasonous for taking their marching orders from Limbaugh.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:49 pmThey apologize to Rush Limbaugh. Witness the world according to Rush. What in the hell is going on. These Republicans aren’t allowed to speak for themselves. Todd Tiahrt, what comes first, the people you represent or Rush. I guess you better make up your mind or the voters will make it up for you. The conservative Republican Party appears to be scared sh–less of the old fat boy.
Todd, better start thinking for your self and your constituents. I’m sure that the last 8 years were caused by this rational of follow blindly, even off the cliff. We the voter are looking for better leadership!
April 20th, 2009 at 6:52 pmRepublicans are weird.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:54 pmWell, Tiahrt lasted longer than the others. I’m beginning to suspect blackmail by Rush? I don’t understand why or how someone who is a drug and food addicted, divorced 3 or 4 times, low-life f*&kup have so much power over the GOP? He’s a fake a$$ conservative. Anyway, let Rush remain the unofficial leader of the repugnicans – it will ensure that the GOP will continue to lose elections.
April 20th, 2009 at 6:54 pm“Hey, he’s gonna get you too, another one bites the dust”
It wasn’t to long ago that Republicans were saying things like: “If you cant do _____ how the hell you gonna stand up to AL-Qieda”.
Now how in the hell can I trust them to take on anything if they cower from a fat, draft dodging, radio host.
Pathetic
RIP
April 20th, 2009 at 7:02 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
Kudos to the TPers who predicted his retraction/apology/fellationic exercise yesterday…
April 20th, 2009 at 7:03 pmAnother issue is whether these responses are apologies or clarifications. If someone makes a comment about Limbaugh and the left uses it questionably to try to create division between Limbaugh and republicans, that person may feel the need to make a clarification.
It happens. Here’s an example of a clarification of a statement that had been stretched for political purposes.
http://thinkprogress.org/oreilly-campaign-responses/
Tiahrt’s response could be considered an apology. It could also be considered a legitimate clarification of a misrepresentation of his comment.
April 20th, 2009 at 7:07 pmIt’s not hard to figure out Rush’s power over the jellyfish who call themselves republicans. I can answer it for Backup in a nutshell. Limbaugh is the leader the same way a drum major is the leader of a marching band. He stands out front and directs the movement. However, in Rush’s case, he doesn’t use a baton, he uses a microphone. LOUDLY! If the repubs don’t march to his tune, he gets on the air and tells his “legion” what a bunch of anti-American, fascist, communist, nazi left-wing tools they are. Sadly, there are enough Dittoheads out there who believe his crap that they can swing a primary election. So, the weak-kneed girly-boys march along in lockstep. Thankfully, there usually aren’t enough to swing a general election, unless it’s south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
April 20th, 2009 at 7:12 pmBachup,
April 20th, 2009 at 7:13 pmWhat the hell have you been drinking! Just kidding though.
flight. Well, I could apologize or clarify, but instead, I think I’ll head to the fridge for another cold one.
April 20th, 2009 at 7:20 pmTiahrt’s response could be considered an apology. It could also be considered a legitimate clarification of a misrepresentation of his comment.
Unless of course it’s not.
April 20th, 2009 at 7:21 pmThen you can call me Ray.
Or you can call me Jay.
Or you can just call hey!
Do the republicans realize they’re worshiping a closeted gay guy who weighs the same as a baby rhinoceros?
April 20th, 2009 at 7:25 pmThat’s funny.
My new goal is to not endlessly pollute the threads.
I’m out.
April 20th, 2009 at 7:26 pmMapleStreet Says:
Well, did anyone NOT see this coming ?
For some reason, I kind of thought maybe he’d be the first to get away with it.
I hope the media keep the pressure on all Republicans – at all times, ask them whether Rush is the leader of their party, report what they say and then sit back and watch the asskissing commence.
.
fire _ant_chavis Says:
Well, Tiahrt lasted longer than the others. I’m beginning to suspect blackmail by Rush? I don’t understand why or how someone who is a drug and food addicted, divorced 3 or 4 times, low-life f*&kup have so much power over the GOP?
Typically his fans (”Project Chaos”) lock up the phone lines, spam email, and black-fax the offices of anybody who says anything less than complementary of him.
.
Mathazar Says:
I can certainly think of one movement that reminds of him.
Bowel?
April 20th, 2009 at 7:29 pmOkay, who had Monday afternoon in the pool?
I had Saturday morning at 10. Tiahrt lasted longer than I thought.
April 20th, 2009 at 7:31 pmIt amazes me how a hateful radio host such as Rush has complete control over the Republicant’s.
April 20th, 2009 at 7:35 pmBut in all honesty I knew he would “bow down” to his “daddy” Rush.
April 20th, 2009 at 7:37 pmbackup Says: “My new goal is to not endlessly pollute the threads.
You had a goal previously?
April 20th, 2009 at 7:37 pmbackup Says:
——————————————————————————–
What the hell have you been drinking! Just kidding though
flight. Well, I could apologize or clarify, but instead, I think I’ll head to the fridge for another cold one.
hey backup
April 20th, 2009 at 7:42 pmNo apology expected, and have one for me!
I posted this before but a great many people still don’t realize it:
“Free manure for the taking….”
April 20th, 2009 at 7:50 pm40. backup Says: Another issue is whether these responses are apologies or clarifications. If someone makes a comment about Limbaugh and the left uses it questionably to try to create division between Limbaugh and republicans, that person may feel the need to make a clarification.
Yes, of course, just as racist watermelon jokes sent via email are actually just “a comment on race.“
April 20th, 2009 at 7:56 pmNice one, hanshiro.
b-cup should never be allowed to live that one down.
April 20th, 2009 at 8:05 pmSo it’s settled.
The RePugniScums have picked, by dickless default, Rush “Hitler” Limpballs, the boy toucher and drug addict to be their UNELECTED LEADER.
Sweeeeeet…
So is it Rush-Palin in 2010? I can’t wait for that loser pair!!!!!
April 20th, 2009 at 8:10 pmHehe. he said “limba is a great leader’
April 20th, 2009 at 8:21 pm… not a party leader responsible for election losses,” Sackett told The Eagle editorial board.
…but powerful enough to keep me from getting elected…and so I must kiss his big fat ego….
April 20th, 2009 at 8:27 pmLeader huh?
I wonder what Rush would say when the martians come to great him…
More importantly, i wonder how Rush would respond to the pressure when the next false flag event takes place…
If he’s napping with a copy of the threat report in his lap the way bush did, he’s liable to over react the same way bush did, and cause no end of harm. The republicans haven’t got a clue about legislation, or anything else.
April 20th, 2009 at 8:32 pmAs ThinkProgress has noted, other Republicans have made similar courageous statements[...]
“Courageous”?
I would call them obvious, self-evident, or no-brainer…
April 20th, 2009 at 8:37 pmA great leader ? Of what ? What responsibility does dimbulb have exactly ?
Oh and Mike, it took 5 days because, well Kansas is a bit slower, you know.
I can attest to this. I live in Tiahrt’s district! OH THE SHAME! >..> It’s really kind of sad. Needless to say any phone calls I make to his office are met with condescension and giggling in the background.
April 20th, 2009 at 8:45 pmWOW – unbelievable. I actually thought this guy was going to stick to his guns. I feel so foolish and naive!
April 20th, 2009 at 8:46 pmWingnuts on parade……talk about spinless piles of crap laying on the side of the road…just goes to show ya how worthless these people are….
April 20th, 2009 at 8:47 pmGOP party leader/icon = drug addict, child touching loser with only a high school diploma. It’s truely amazing people actually listen to this lunatic and take what he says seriously.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:02 pmEvery time an elected official in the GOP discusses Rush “to judgement” Limbaugh, it plays like a well-known movie:
Welcome to Groundhog Day.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:05 pmmy bad. hanshiro.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:06 pmhansiro and ralph. I looked back at your link:
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/02/27/watermelon-resign/#comment-5521570
I can honestly say, I still don’t get it. But, judging by the reaction to my comment, I’ll concede that I said it the wrong way.
Sending a racist stereotypical e-mail is not merely a comment on race like it’s part of a discussion. What Grose did was offensive, he was right to resign. I was trying to make a broader point about why white people avoid the topic of race, but it failed miserably.
Uncle.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:06 pmbackup Says:
Another issue is whether these responses are apologies or clarifications. If someone makes a comment about Limbaugh and the left uses it questionably to try to create division between Limbaugh and republicans, that person may feel the need to make a clarification.
Sure, sure. I don’t disagree. But “just an entertainer” doesn’t really need any clarification. It’s not a rebuke, not even a disagreement, but rather an underscore of the line between public servant and private pundit. We weren’t making up any division. But when this is what, the fifth guy in a row to have to kiss Rush’s butt after making such an innocuous statement, then the amount of power he’s demonstrating against everyone in the Republican party itself becomes worth commenting on.
This is particularly true when it comes to Steele’s comments: “Yes, it is incendiary. Yes, it is ugly.” Obviously, Steele actually doesn’t like Rush, or feel that he positively adds to the debate. And yet, even he felt the need to run directly to Rush’s show to bow down and kiss his corpulent ass the next day.
No matter how you slice it, there is some definite disingenuity on display here.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:11 pmDittohead=Low information voter! Rush is to the low information voter what Big Bird is to the pre-school demographic. The only difference is that Big Bird does some good.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:20 pm69. backup Says: I can honestly say, I still don’t get it. But, judging by the reaction to my comment, I’ll concede that I said it the wrong way.
You’re an a$$hole.
I was merely making a proctological comment.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:29 pmElBruce,
You have crafted your words well. You make the case very well. Not only is it disingenuity, the behavior provides insight into current thinking with in the Republican Party.
I don’t see any original thinking, any criticism or genuine interest in the countries present circumstances. The only thing that is of interest is their ratings.
Thanks for the good piece’
April 20th, 2009 at 9:35 pmflight
LibertyLover
your post @ 60 sums up exactly why he had to apologize, great post :)
April 20th, 2009 at 9:36 pmAnd Gingrich complains when the President smiled at Chavez?
Nose, meet brown.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:43 pmThe Republicans will keep returning over and over again to the only demographic that they are sure of. Rush is like their comfort food. They know it’s not good for them but he brings them a warm, comfortable feeling and reminds them of more carefree times. Kind of like if you were addicted to oxycodone.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:43 pmGot predictable…?
April 20th, 2009 at 9:52 pmElBruce. Rush does have 20 million listeners. It cannot be denied. Even if these guys can’t stand Rush, there would be the temptation to placate his audience. Agreed.
This is a little conspiratorial, but humor me.
Limbaugh gets in trouble for making racially charged comments. And he comes off as a bigot. But, he articulates a pro-capitalist message well.
The left would rightfully like to be able to silence him. On all counts.
Here’s the bind that Republican’s find themselves in. They are leaderless. So the left can ask what I have argued is kind of a ‘have you stopped beating your wife’ question as to whether Limbaugh is the leader of conservatives.
On the one hand, he is not. He’s an entertainer and he’s not elected to any formal position. On the other hand, in their leaderless atmosphere, he is one of, if not the, strongest conservative voices.
If the Republican says Rush is an entertainer, that comment is spun as a slight to Limbaugh and the 20 million. It’s true, but it would be spun as a schism among conservatives resulting in ire directed at the Republican.
If the Republican says Limbaugh is a conservative leader, the left projects his reputation as a bigot across all conservatives, (although, I suggest his conservative support comes from his pro-capitalism articulation and not his reputation for bigotry.)
It’s a win/win for progressives. A great strategy. I just think Republicans are foolish for playing.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:58 pmCan I see a show of hands of all prominent Republicans who have criticized either Rush Limbaugh directly OR criticized the neocon aspects of the Republican Party OR both?
OK, I see a few hands. Now, all those who have gone groveling to Rush Limbaugh within a week after speaking your mind, you may put your hands down.
I still see one hand. It appears to belong to Meghan McCain. Brava, my dear. Even though you have never criticized Limbaugh directly. And even though you don’t have a political career to ruin. Yet. I hope that having warmed up on Laura Ingraham and Ann Coulter, you will eventually tell us what you think of Limbaugh. And then stick to your guns, the way you did with Laura. And I hope that if you DO ever have a political career, you won’t spend it with your lips firmly attached to somebody’s ass.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:59 pmback up’
I think your conclusion is correct concerning Linbaugh. Linbaugh personifies the Republican. This is done without any political capital. In my opinion it also eats away at the Republican base. Win/Win
flight
April 20th, 2009 at 10:08 pmmy problem is this. I’m relatively pro-capitalist. After the rounds of bailouts from Republicans and Democrats alike, there aren’t many that can, or are willing, to make the capitalist case.
Rush is myopic, but let me put on my concern troll hat.
There.
If we successfully eliminate the pro-capitalist voice, are we in jeopardy of becoming myopic anti-capitalists?
That was even too much for me. I’ve got to do some other stuff.
Republicans are in a bind unless than can find a clear voice to let Limbaugh go back to entertaining.
Good nite.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:16 pmWhy don’t they just put a golden statue of Rush in the RNC lobby and let them all do prostrations daily?
April 20th, 2009 at 10:18 pmThis is becoming really hilarious. These apologetic goons are so funny. So predictable. As soon as any Republican “maligns” king Rush, you know– I mean you really, really know– they will backtrack & grovel. That’s why it’s so very, very funny.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:19 pmYou have to ask yourself– what does Rush have to blackmail all these people? Why do they all have to backtrack & grovel immediately after being honest about Rush? Is Rush the Devil? Is he the anti-Christ? He seems to have that sort of power over the Republicans & conservatives.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:22 pmbackup Says
April 20th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
__________________________________________________________
That was probably one of the more thoughtful hypotheses I have read regarding the pull Limbaugh appears to have over the Republican Party. The scenario you paint is certainly plausible.
Which led me to ask myself — who was OUR leader from 2001 to 2007? During that six year span, Republicans controlled the White House, both houses of Congress, and pretty much the SCOTUS.
So who was our leader? During the 2004 campaign, it appeared to be John Kerry. But that was only for short period of time, and he pretty much faded back into obscurity after the election. There were also the minority leaders of the House and Senate. But I don’t recall them having much sway outside Capitol Hill (and they didn’t have much sway there, either).
We had pundits. Columnists. And entertainers of our own. Paul Krugman. Keith Olbermann. James Carville. Michael Moore. Jon Stewart. And, until she passed away, Molly Ivins. And we enjoyed listening to what they had to say. But the very idea of any one of them — no matter how good they were at their job — being our “leader” would be absurd.
We also had blogsites. Like ThinkProgress. And most of us had like-minded friends we could commiserate with. But I never saw any of these as “leaders”.
We had Howard Dean officially running the party after 2004. And he did a good job. But I saw him more as a strategist for the party instead of someone who drove the ideology.
After racking my brain, I think the answer is that we didn’t have a real ideological leader. In fact, I don’t think our party has ever had one during times when we’ve been out of power. But you know something? That lack didn’t create a power vacuum.
Maybe this is a fundamental difference between the parties. Perhaps the GOP needs a leader, because there’s a perception that the party must be kept marching to the same drummer to stay strong and viable. I don’t think our party has the same need, because even WITH a leader, it would be futile to attempt to get us all in synch (Obama vs. Clinton primary, anyone?). We’re a pretty diverse bunch. And because of that, we’ve learned to think for ourselves.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:24 pmWait a second… Isn’t this what Rush normally says about himself though? I don’t see Rep Tiahrt said that was “courageous” about him… he’s an entertainer and that’s true, unfortunately.
The other guys who have backtracked have said things like he was bad for the republicans or they didn’t agree with him or something like that… then they backtracked, but this doesn’t seem like backtracking.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:29 pmIf this keeps up, two/thirds of the Republicans in Congress will be able to testify as to the presence of an anal cyst with running afoul of the heresy rule.
April 20th, 2009 at 10:58 pmbackup Says:
Here’s the bind that Republican’s find themselves in. They are leaderless. So the left can ask what I have argued is kind of a ‘have you stopped beating your wife’ question as to whether Limbaugh is the leader of conservatives.
On the one hand, he is not. He’s an entertainer and he’s not elected to any formal position. On the other hand, in their leaderless atmosphere, he is one of, if not the, strongest conservative voices.
You make an excellent point. The only difference between our positionso n this is that I’m really enjoying the show.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:00 pmHey, this took one day longer than I expected. Other than that, it proceeded exactly as expected. Note that not even McCain’s daughter will go after Rush. She has only gone after Ann Coulter and Laura what’s her name.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:49 pm.
Well, well, well…
… That stench on Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) breath is nothing but the Oxy sweat from a good ‘ole (R)ushpublickin’.
.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:32 amShe also called Karl Rove creepy.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:39 amWait for it. Wait for it. Here comes the apology or the softening and the old back tracking.
There it is. Rush must really get a rush out of this kind of thing. A former drunk, a former addict, and a fired sports caster. This man has found his niche. The take down of the powerful. Viagra is a thing of the past. He gets off on apologies. Another one bit the dust.
There is not a collective back bone in the GOP. And that is why Rush is the leader. As intellectually lame as he is, the rest of the conservative movement is worse.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:58 amSlappyMoron
I see. Once you realized that your credibility as LushMoron had sunk lower then a snakes tesitcles you decided to change your nick. Well too bad. You already mined us for our pity for too long. We are no longer willing to give you MORE pity just because you are such a pathetic ignorant moron. We KNOW you have no brain. We KNOW you are sick twisted and pathetic but we have known that a long time and you dont try to be a decent human being. No more pity for you even though you are a pitiful piece of shite indeed. It wont work. We know nothing we do will allow you to find self respect and you will just keep coming back begging us over and over to pity you. We know you are addicted to our pity for your stupidity. No amount of our pity will be enough to wean you into trying to distance yourself from being a pathetic, ignorant moron.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:59 amIs there no one who has the cojones to take on Jabba the Rushbo? What a bunch of mealy-mouthed cowards the Republican party is……….all of them with their lips planted firmly on his gigantic butt.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:43 amAnd, BTW, as all the Republicans are rushing (excuse the pun) to condemn Obama as an apologist to the rest of the world while on his foreign trips…..seems the Republicans bowing down to the Rushster could teach him a thing or two about aplogising. They seem to be getting pretty good at it.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:47 amSlappyBastinado Says:
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Never heard of this guy…….any way who cares, the Republicans will not even exist as a party in a few years so each and every one of them are irrelevant Harry Reid, Chiss Dodd, Barney Frank and Nancy Palosi are my great leaders and I believe everything they say. Along with Pres Obama and his new friend “strong man Hugo”. With this lineup we cant lose, what a great day to be a progressive, rejoice, rejoice my great friends. PEACE!
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Desperation is a beautiful thing.
April 21st, 2009 at 5:29 amgraceland9 Says:
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WOW – unbelievable. I actually thought this guy was going to stick to his guns. I feel so foolish and naive!
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Guess Elvis HAS left the building, huh?
April 21st, 2009 at 5:35 amWow. A “leader” who’s a racist, who hates women who want equal pay for equal work, who drummed up support for a war based on lies, who wants Obama to fail, who never was elected by ANYONE and whose show claims to have ratings that are dubious at best. No one can question this “leader” in a supposed democracy; if they do, they quickly backtrack, as did this Congressman. I’d like to know what shadowy forces installed Rush in his talk show seat, then demanded that little stations across the country take his show. Who are these people? And why do they hate democracy?
April 21st, 2009 at 5:46 amWhy don’t the repugs once a month lineup in front of limpdick and just give him a blow j ob or at the very least kiss his ass . That way if they say anything negative about him they have already paid the price and then they would be even.
April 21st, 2009 at 8:35 amThis is what you get when you have a mobster-type hit man like Boss Limbaugh running the show. It was apparent by his appearance at the CPAC–he dressed his part, tapped his cigar and gave them an Edward G Robinson tough guy talk… yah,see?
The true colors and motives of the GOP are right out there in the open; these are no longer political leaders but stereo-type movie, gang land made-men with skinny loud-mouth women on their arm who think just like them.
April 21st, 2009 at 9:13 amIf the Republicans can’t stand up to Rush Limbaugh, how can we trust them to stand up to bin Laden?
This has to be one of the Democrats’ major messages.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:19 amIt’s pretty simple: Rush gets criticised, his producer calls some high-up Republican leader or leader’s staff contact in the Congress, that leader (like back in the Tom Delay days) threatens the errant Republican with funding someone more to the right than him or her during the next primary and withholding campaign funds from the RCCC, and spending them instead on the primary challenger, and an apology is forthcoming.
April 21st, 2009 at 1:16 pmYou can’t get more to the right than Tiahrt. I don’t really know what is the leverage that Rush has. But there is no way you could primary Tiahrt from the right. Maybe these guys are just insecure and cannot deal with Rush trashing them on the air.
April 21st, 2009 at 4:18 pmDo they have to kiss the actual anal cyst that got (chickenhawk) Limbaugh out of the Viet Nam war or do they just kiss the fleshy part of his arse?
April 21st, 2009 at 4:21 pmWell it is pretty clear who runs the repuck party, there just a bunch of splineless cowards. Lets get rid of that party just vote for anybody of your choice but not a republican after to more elections were be through with that pack of jackass,s May be then we can have more then 2 party system like 4 or 5 party that way they cant afford to buy them all out.
April 21st, 2009 at 5:43 pmWhat is with all the fat & gay bashing? I despise Limburger as much as the next progressive, but as a pleasantly plump gay guy could we please refrain from using fat and fag jokes to disparage El Limpbo. There are plenty of other areas to poke fun at the MahaRushie. For starters there is his drug use and failed marriages. And he’s a racist. He called President Obama: “Barack the magic negro”. He calls women ‘Feminazis’! I can’t believe how intolerant this yambag is. How can he still be on the radio? He and his ilk need to be silenced. Intolerance should not be tolerated. Leader Pelosi and Leader Reid need to push the fairness doctrine so that more progressive voices can be heard and these conservative meatheads are banished to somewhere like Alaska or Idaho. Sorry for the rant but the fat jokes were just too much for me tonight. And the gay bashing. I thought we were all cool about that. I really do need to lose weight. Sigh.
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:33 amHey folks, not all of us Kansans are slow. Im a “blue dot” out here in Western Ks. I sported my Obama-Biden circular magnetic sticker on my SUV with PRIDE, at great risk for keyings or tire slashings. I wear a bright blue shirt to vote and the looks i get-lol!
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:30 amAnyway, i find it quite humerous that Dick Cheney speaks of PO being weak, but casts no comments to these Limp-bag butt kissers? Id like to see Cheney asked about the bloviator-itll never happen if all he gets interviewed by are Faux folks.
BTW, were getting a great Secty in Gov Sebelius, shes survived being the Gov surrounded by both Red houses, and done well, standing her ground and surviving most, not all, veto override attempts.
demo-Dont take it too personal, i think the stones were cast at blov, not anone else. Dems love the outcasts, the oppressed, the unloved, like no other.
Somebody mighty powerful in the GOP must want Limbaugh to remain as a guide for whooping up the “base” into a froth of fury. Those who have chosen to be honest about him are quickly chastised into submission. Who is the main Republican applying most of the pressure on the GOP? No one knows, but I’d guess it’s Cheney.
Limbaugh serves a strong purpose. He’s not a politician, and so nobody can call for his impeachment or an investigation into his political activities. He can be referred to as “only an entertainer.” Yet Repubs who DARE criticize him always are forced to back WAY down, and practically crawl, begging for pardon. Besides, what entertainer spends ALL his time entertaining the public with diatribes, often false accusations, against one particular political party – and spewing REAL hate? A real entertainer will give a finger in the eye to ANY politician. A real comedian won’t get serious trying to push a political agenda, particularly one laden with hate. Rush isn’t trying to make anyone laugh – except at the full expense of the people he hates.
Nobody in the GOP has yet learned that hate has no part in politics, particularly the partisan kind. It’s why the GOP dove headfirst into the sewers in the last election, and kept on doing so, even after the rational backlash hit them in the face. It’s because they don’t know of any other way to win an election. They can’t win on the merits, so they must use a variety of hippocrisies to gain their ends. They drove out virtually every responsible conservative – they couldn’t stay in such filth any more, so many became homeless, while the rest migrated to the conservative end of the Dems. Kinda sad, because it leaves the conservative “base” with only the least worthy of its constituency.
They’re trying now to rebuild their party – but without having to change a single one of their malevolent and greedy attitudes. It can’t work, of course. The GOP is too mired in muck.
I hope a new conservative party emerges soon – not with any of the so-called “independents,” because they, too, are way off base and are limited to one or two “platforms” and lack any broad spectrum on issues. It’ll have to be done by the more reasonable and fair-minded conservatives. All five of them (joking). There aren’t many, though, and few other conservatives would switch to them. But America NEEDS at least two viable and responsible political parties, BOTH of which refuse to pander any more to these greedy and malevolent special-interest groups. Without a new and viable conservative party, the Dems will begin deteriorating. I don’t want to see that. Right now, the GOP caters slavishly to the lowest common denominators in American society. Unless that stops, unless they find the backbone to tell them to shove off, it’ll continue swimming in sewage.
So Rush isn’t an entertainer at all; he’s a political tool. He stirs up the muck in the moral sewers and makes the “base” glad to eat it. He’s even been honored by being asked to speak at GOP events, as though he actually had a position of authority.
If I was inclined along conservative lines, I’d be responsible about it, and somebody like Rush Limbaugh would shame me. I’d be embarrassed for my party to grant him so much status, when he’s obviously a worm, a BLOT on America. He spews hate and intolerance everywhere he goes. But the conservative “base” to which he addresses his commentary, is worse. He’s just there to tell them what they’re already SLATHERING to hear. He puts a stamp of legitimacy to their motives which would otherwise have none at all, and makes them enthusiastic about those motives. He shows them the way to get what they want – through hate, dishonesty and mindblowing people. And they lap it up – it must be good, if Rush says it is.
Yeah, Rush is a real piece of work. But the Republican base that listens to him and says “oh, yeah!” to everything he spouts, is the real threat to America.
THEY want the torture of prisoners.
THEY want America to become a theocracy.
THEY hold the fascist values of the neocons that guided the last 8 years in America and robbed us of basic rights.
THEY want the rape of America’s economy to go on unimpeded.
THEY are the ones who want the rich to have huge tax breaks and let the rest of us pay for it.
THEY are the ones who put our country in hock to China.
THEY are the warmongers.
THEY are the ones who think it’s unfair to make owning an AK47 illegal.
THEY are the ones who treat anyone who disagrees with them like enemies of the country.
THEY are the ones who think only they can define who is a REAL AMERICAN and who isn’t.
THEY are the bulk of the racists in our land.
Rush is merely their cheerleader.
Rush isn’t the problem; the conservative “base” is. He’s only a mirror reflecting what THEY want, and his job is keeping them whooped up and wrathful.
Obama’s idea of unity is great, but with greed-centered, mindblown people like this, it’s purely a pipe dream. I’m glad, though, that he is willing to try anyway.
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:53 pmI think it won’t be long before this “great leader of the conservative movement” will insist on being dubbed “Dear Leader.” He’s kind of full of personal “movements,” which he emits during every show, thus requiring a bevy of Republicans to lick clean the residues. As their “Dear Leader,” it’ll be a privilege to give him a hand, you see. Or else.
What’s really sad is that almost half of our population has become enamored with greed, hate, guns, fascism and trumped up, brainwashed religious absolutism. There are so many of them, taken collectively, that they can often decide who our leaders will be. THEY are the worst threat to democracy that we face – far worse than from any terrorist group. The last thing we need are more legislators who are “Hot for Jesus,” and demanding a new McCarthyism.
I can’t imagine anything more threatening to democracy than a base of constituents comprised of people like that – and in large numbers, large enough to tell a whole political party what to do.
Democracy means little to them; getting their way is all that counts, and the nation be screwed to get it. Some actively seek to destroy democracy, like the mindblown theocrats, the racists and the neocons. Others, like the gun mavens, may know democracy will suffer terribly or die under Republicans, but they don’t care – all they care about is their assault weapons. As for the greedy mega-rich, democracy is more of an impediment than anything else.
Their favorite tactic is to blame the Dems for things they themselves have done, are doing, or want to do. It’s a way of diverting attention from THEMSELVES.
Thank heavens for the Internet, where their cheats, tricks, lies and smears can be dismantled and fully understood. If not for the amplidtude of opportunities to “check it out,” the Republican cheats, lies, smears and tricks might actually have succeeded, and McCain would now be our president, with Palin pushing her whacked-out faith on the whole country, and demanding witchhunts along with a new McCarthyism to determine who is truly a REAL American and who is Anti-American.
The Internet came, just in time. So did Obama. This man is no messiah, no savior, no superman, but compared to what we might have gotten, he can easily look like one. He’s got what it takes to clean up the Augean Stables of our government. He’ll make mistakes, but will admit and correct them. Though he now possesses some genuinely valid “top secret” information, he’s being as transparent as he possibly can be with us. He already HAS followed up on his campaign promises – for the simple reason that he believes in them, and MEANT what he SAID – for a change. He’s a scholar, which means he studies up before taking a position on an issue – he’s the antithesis of a “cowboy diplomat,” whose policies are usually purely visceral. He’ll go along with ANY suggestion from the right, if his study of the matter shows it to be valid. It’s hard to get better than that in any politician.
The GOP still has no other tactic but to employ smears and character assassination, lies and cheats, because they can’t hold up in a rational discussion of pure merits on any issue. Thanks to the Internet, though, the whole world can now see through their methods, which only makes their filth more visible to all. They are a failed party. If they ever regain complete control, America will become a failed nation. We almost did.
There IS such a thing as a responsible conservative viewpoint, but none in power in the GOP has it. Nor is that likely to change. I urge such people to start a new conservative party. One that shuns the special interests of the present GOP “base.” Ain’t gonna happen, though, because there isn’t enough “base” left for them to woo to their new party. It’s a great loss to our democracy, because it means the Dems will be the only one with a shred of responsibility – and that’s not enough. They could gain absolute power, which we all know will surely corrupt absolutely. For balance, we need at least TWO responsible parties.
Let’s try to find those responsible conservatives, the ones who retain some reasonableness and flexibility, along with a nice dollop or two of wisdom and maturity – people who wouldn’t kiss up or brownnose anyone in their constituencies. A conservative Obama, sort of. Let’s give them a hand in forming this new conservative party – because it is in ALL of our best interests to do so. All except that large segment that is our lowest common denominator, that is. Leave THEM to be the homeless ones, not the responsible conservatives. Let’s excise all lobbying, and return to campaigning solely on issues, not on mudslinging, funded solely from individual voter contributions. Let’s get some solid legislation against religions (including their subgroupings) meddling in politics and prohibiting religious leaders from holding public office – and backing it up with enforcement. Religion belongs in the heart, the home and the house of worship – nowhere else. Since it doesn’t want to stay there, we need to legislate to keep it where it belongs and can do the most good. Unleashed, ALL religions will become oppressive, or even genocidal. We ought to know this already from history.
America will be stronger for having two responsible parties. Stonger, even WITHOUT those malevolent people, no matter how many of them there are, or what their special interests may be.
Just think of it! A world without a Limbaugh spewing venom over the airwaves! Nobody actively trying to make half of our population hate the other half! Bliss.
But not bloody likely – not in our lifetimes, at least. Hate and vitriol are too popular.
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:37 pm