Well now we know what some of us have suspected for some time. This attack on Rush Limbaugh is an organized and pre-emptive attack and it is even being facilitated by some in the White House. (See: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19596.html). However, this is not going to be the battle that the White House is hoping it will be. I have been a faithful Rush listener for years and if there is one thing I know it's this: Rush is way ahead of them already.
I had a feeling when Obama dropped his name in a press conference that he was signaling that Rush was going to be the new "enemy" and sure enough he didn't let me down. It wasn't long after that when they started to float the idea of the "Fairness Doctrine" being reinstated. Then once they took Rush's "I hope he fails" soundbite out of context they were off and running. However, I suspect that Rush set this trap knowing precisely what they would do and predictably they took the bait.
But here's the thing. If I knew The Dems, Obama, etc, was going to go after him then Rush already knew. In all the time that I have listened to him I have not always agreed with everything he's said but I have learned that Rush is extremely politically astute and he knows how to play the game. He has often predicted what would happen 2 years down the road with a particular policy or situation and darn if if didn't play out exactly as he described.
Obama would do well to remember that Rush is the MOST popular talk radio show host in the history of talk radio. He has over 20 million loyal listeners and they stick with him no matter what. Frankly, it's like his own army. Rush has the power to marshall this army in a moments notice and will do so if necessary.
I know what Obama is trying to do but and I know why. However, I also know that it was not his idea. Old Rahm and Crazy Carville bullied him into it and now he is stuck. You see, they are still pissed that Rush got the best of them in the Clinton years so now it's payback time.
This is a mistake and will only serve to strengthen the Conservative movement and assist the GOP to re-build it's campaign coffers for the next election. Rush will do what he did in 1994 and rally the "troops" to bring back Congress to the GOP. He already sounded the clarion call this weekend with his speech at CPAC. The plan is in motion and the General is moving his troops.
If Obama and his minions pull out now before it get's bloody they stand a chance. If they persist they will bear the brunt of the Rushbo. The White House and the Dems will be inundated with faxes, emails and phone calls from the Rush Army and it won't be pretty. Just today Rush challenged Obama to a debate on his show, one-on-one so Obama could have his shot at Rush and explain to the American people why HIS ideas are better for the country. So Barry, the ball is in your court now. Rush is waiting.
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TruePatriot1
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Comments
Can you answer this simple question:
Why doesn't Reverend Moon...excuse me, wrong cult......why doesn't Rush Limbaugh ever debate anyone?
My answer is because he's a twit, and can only survive by creating his own political reality for those dimwitted enough to not know they're being stroked, not informed.
However, I'm sure you have a different answer, so, what is it?
Two things: This White House thing I think is a distraction. Something to keep the media and peeps busy with a side issue to keep them from really examining the poophole they're building out of the country.
The only reason they're going after him is because he's effective. Why bother with someone who's unimportant and not influential? The fact that they're doing this bespeaks their concern.
I also agree that this is a diversion. After all, by their own admission, some Senators and Congressmen are just now starting to learn waht was in the Omnibus Spending Bill they voted for. Increadible.
He doesn't debate. He won't even appear on a show unless he's interviewed alone.
This has been well known for years. He won't debate, formally or otherwise on anyone's show. He was challenged to a debate as recently as a month ago.
"I don't believe" may be honest, but it doesn't answer the question.
So, do you have a realistic answer...or not?
Democracy Corps, a democrat polling firm, found he had 11% favorables with people under 40. Not among Republicans.
His ratings on the radio would tell a different story.
I don't think the government needs to give him the time of day frankly. I do listen to him in the car occasionally. I don't know that the "left" really has the equivalent of Rush out there. The closest I ever heard was a woman named Randi Rhodes on Air America. Even Olberman and Matthews are not quite like Rush, since they do actually invite opponents on their shows.
What, exactly do you think Obama is trying to do by "engaging" Rush Limbaugh? You allude to it, but do not pinpoint what you think he is trying to achieve. Putting Limbaugh off the air? Some darker, more sinister purpose?
"It is said, if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you know yourself, but not your enemies, you will win one and lose one; if you know neither you will wallow in defeat every time"...Sun Tzu
You REALLY don't know what Obama is doing? Really? Ok, then I'll lay it out for you. He is using Rush and a focal point that will afford him a diversion. You see he is causing people to get caught up in this instead of paying attention to what is really going on: the advance of bigger government and socialist ideas. As long as they have an enemy (they can't blame Bush anymore) the will be united in their cause. This is what unites the Dems right now. Basically, it's classic Obama using the philospohy of his mentor: Saul Alinsky. Alinsky taught in his Rules for Radicals: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions. (This is cruel, but very effective. Direct, personalized criticism and ridicule works.)
As far as knowing the enemy is concerned I know them very well which is why I usually know exactly what comments I will receive when I post something here. It's predictable. I usally take in CNN (Lou Dobbs ), MSNBC and some NPR. I know exactly how you think and why you think it. That makes me prepared for the liberal arguement.
I just find it remarkable that you can't see that "your side" uses the very tactics that you decry as "radical". As a "dittohead", perhaps it isn't obvious to you that those very things: Isolating from support, going after "individuals" because it is cruel and it hurts worse...are exactly the tactics I hear practiced on the right as well.
There is not even a pretense of a reasoned debate on a Rush Limbaugh radio program. He pontificates in the same way that the vilified "liberal media" does.
I, personally, do not think that anyone in the administration should address Mr. Limbaugh at all. His place is as a partisan commentator, not a leader OF the Republican party.
I found it repulsive that some Republicans carried monkeys to McCain rallies in order to represent Obama, but I also found it repulsive when liberals in the media sunk their teeth into Sarah Palin with such delight and vigor.
ANY faction, your own included, unites more cohesively when they can denigrate an "enemy". See, these are TACTICS, jarhead, not objectives. Tactical engagement without a sound objective is a waste of energy and resources.
I find both sides of the political spectrum to be at their worst when mindlessly assuming that they know what the other side thinks, and that it must, of right, be "evil"...
Reasoned commentary with verifiable facts or even personal anecdotal evidence always convinces me more than insults and hyperbole.
In sum, I don't agree with your supposition that Obama's administration is trying to distract the people from what it is doing. WE lefties WANT to have government intervene more in social arenas such as health care, and less in the realm of personal choice. Republicans, generally, wish the government to spend on defense and order, and to regulate the personal morality of people more closely (abortion/homosexuality), while keeping their hands out of your pockets!!
We're not distracted, we're relieved. I don't think Obama is like the Wizard of Oz...and we're being instructed via the distraction of Rush Limbaugh baiting to "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain." We are not ignorant of his intentions...we just happen to agree with him.
What amazes me about this statement is that you don't see that bigger government actually takes AWAY your personal choice.