Limbaugh Limbo: How Low Can You Go?

Minnesota Democratic Senator-elect Al Franken, the former television comedian from Saturday Night Live, wrote a best-selling book entitled Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot. You would think that just about says it all about the radio talk show super mouth of right wing conservatism. Limbaugh was recently the star attraction at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where his declared wish for “Barack Obama to fail” drew enthusiastic cheers from the audience. As a consequence, Democrats gleefully labled Limbaugh the leader of the GOP. In the absence of serious challengers. The Republican National Committee chairman used the words “incendiary” and “ugly” to describe the radio talk show star, who rejoined that the new chairman was “off to a shaky start.” The chairman immediately issued apologies. Just to make it clear who is the boss.

Paul Begala, former strategist for President Bill Clinton, hopes that Rush Limbaugh will be seen and heard as “the bloated face and drug-addled voice of the Republican Party.” Begala’s telephone calls to the White House are answered by his former Clinton buddies. He says, “Along with lots of others, I intend to continue to turn up the heat until every alleged Republican either endorses or renounces Rush’s statement that he hopes our president fails.”

Rush Limbaugh has tried to clarify that he wants President Obama's policies to fail, not the country. “So what is so strange about saying I want Barack Obama to fail if his mission is to reconstruct and reform this nation so that capitalism and individual liberty are not its foundation?” he asks. Gee, I wish Limbaugh had been protecting capitalism and liberty during the eight years before Obama became President.

Some Republicans are doing some fancy steps dancing around Limbaugh’s comments. “I know what Rush Limbaugh meant,” House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence of Indiana told CNN. “Look, everybody wants America to succeed, but everyone like me, Rush Limbaugh and others who believe in limited government, who believe in conservative values, wants the policies this administration is bringing forward … to fail.” However, not everyone agrees that it is that simple. David Frum, the “axis of evil” speechwriter, acknowledges that “if you’re a talk radio host and you have 5 million who listen and there are 50 million people who hate you, you can make a nice living. If you’re a Republican Party, you’re marginalized.”

Limbaugh challenged President Obama to come on the radio and debate. It is a call-in show. The President would not even have to leave the Oval Office. Safe to say, chances for such a Limbaugh ratings pot of gold are slim. However, I, Paw Paw Bill, hereby challenge Rush Limbaugh to a duel. In keeping with the dignity of his office. He can choose the weapons: cream pies or seltzer bottles.

Copyright 2009 by William C. Cotter

Dear Senator Shelby

Get a life. Even better: Get a brain.

Maybe you are just an old fool and missed all of the 885,000 entries listed by Google on the web about this subject. Here is only one.

Copyright 2009 by William C. Cotter