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Let's Help Obama Build Up Rush Limbaugh
Now why would any of us want to do that? Shouldn't we be attacking him instead?
Yesterday, the Obama administration continued their effort to paint Rush Limbaugh as the head of the Republican Party. Here's Rahm Emanuel on Face the Nation.
The conventional wisdom is that you shouldn't respond to operatives of lower stature. Political analyst on both sides of the political spectrum have characterized these engagements as misguided. They question why the administration would want to elevate the radio talk show host to such a high level. Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs did the same two Fridays ago when he responded to Rick Santelli's tirade on the Chicago Stock Exchange floor, over the housing mortgage bill proposed by President Obama. Some liberals blasted MSNBC's all-day rebroadcasting of Santelli's rant. Political analyst again labeled Gibb's engagement a mistake. Personally I think the analysts are wrong now and were wrong before.
In my opinion, there are more pertinent questions to ask regarding these engagements, questions that acknowledge the Obama administration may be steps ahead of the pundits and the media, again. First, will Rush be able to handle the leadership role that the Obama administration is attempting to place upon his shoulders, or will he collapse under the pressure? Will he accept that role or will he publicly disclaim any claim to leadership.
Here's why I think this administration presses on with building up Limbaugh. Republicans are floundering without a leader or a message. It helps to be able to single out your adversary when it comes time to battle. Limbaugh has a message, albeit a highly unpopular one, that closely mirrors those professed by congressional Republicans.
An October 24, 2008, poll conducted by the Democratic research firm Greenberg-Quinlan-Rosner
had Rush Limbaugh enjoying a public-approval rating of just 21 percent among likely voters, while 58 percent have "cold" feelings toward the right-wing radio-talk-show host. Limbaugh's cold rating was higher than that of all the political figures the firm polled. It was seven points higher than Rev. Jeremiah Wright and eight points higher than former Weather Underground domestic terrorist William Ayers ... Limbaugh is so unpopular that only 44 percent of Republican voters reported "warm" feelings toward him. (paraphrased)Gallup conducted a recent poll asking voters what they thought of Limbaugh.
As you can see Limbaugh does poorly with Democrats, Independents and 23% of Republicans. Where Republicans are likely to obstruct, having Limbaugh as an
adversary and the messenger will help Obama among Democrats, some
Republicans and particularly among Independents. Building up Limbaugh as the voice of the Republicans Party helps to highlight how far right the Party has become, helps to further marginalize Congressional Republicans, and helps the administration build a non-partisan coalition of main street supporters.
Should Obama supporters trash Limbaugh? No need to. Limbaugh self destructs every time he opens his mouth. Ad hominen attacks are counter productive because we don't want the attacks to become the news. We want Limbaugh as the new Republican Leader to be the news.
We can help Obama build up Rush Limbaugh as the Republican Party leader, by simple referring to him like as "Rush Limbaugh, Republican Party leader, ..." and by talking up his leadership position, wherever possible.
Update: Steele and Limbaugh are at each other's throats. Thanks for the heads up .
If you found this post of interest, provocative, or believe others might benefit from reading it, please recommend. Thanks.
Should Obama supporters trash Limbaugh? No need to. Limbaugh self destructs every time he opens his mouth. Ad hominen attacks are counter productive because we don't want the attacks to become the news. We want Limbaugh as the new Republican Leader to be the news.
We can help Obama build up Rush Limbaugh as the Republican Party leader, by simple referring to him like as "Rush Limbaugh, Republican Party leader, ..." and by talking up his leadership position, wherever possible.
Update: Steele and Limbaugh are at each other's throats. Thanks for the heads up .
If you found this post of interest, provocative, or believe others might benefit from reading it, please recommend. Thanks.
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Well, Christians have never feared talking about the devil. And God knows that puts the fear of the Lord into people!
Likewise, I think you're onto something!
(not that I believe in the devil, but somebody's got to do it!)
March 2, 2009 9:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's such a fab.
March 2, 2009 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
I liked how Rahm complimented Rush a few times about being "honest" when he says that he wants Obama to fail. In other words, all Republicans (ahem...those in Congress who voted against the stimulus) feel the same way, but only Rush is honest enough to tell you.
March 2, 2009 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Showcasing Rush as a nutjob is a good thing at this point. A lot of Americans know that it's crucial to get SOMETHING done right now and if they start associating Rush with obfuscation then it'll put some pressure on the GOP.
At any rate, I'm thinking that can only be kept up for so long. It will only take someone proudly bellowing at a debate "I am not Rush Limbaugh, nor is my party" to probably get a soundbite that would be played for days say in 2012.
March 2, 2009 11:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
You know, maybe it would be best to just DO IT like most of us were doing, and not try to orchestrate it. This almost seems like an attempt to underhandedly expose our strategy, rather than promote it.
Why talk about it at all? Just DO IT! Keep reminding the fence-sitting R's that the wingnuts have taken over their party and The Lump is their new fearless (oxycodone does that to ya, doncha know?)leader.
Seriously, this post is terribly naive, because it is stating aloud what most of us were doing without anyone's prompting. Or was really it intended to serve notice to the wingnuts that the game is afoot?
So, as for comments here, it might be better just to proceed with the Limbaughing of the Republican Party, rather than planning it aloud. Sorry to be paranoid, but this seems to me to be an attempt to draw out the gamesmanship and get TPMers to UNWITTINGLY CONFESS their strategy.
It is like stating the obvious.
March 2, 2009 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
"This almost seems like an attempt to underhandedly expose our strategy ... Or was really it intended to serve notice to the wingnuts that the game is afoot?"
I think you post is naive.
"The Lump is their new fearless (oxycodone does that to ya, doncha know?)leader."
How does this help build up Rush?
March 2, 2009 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like Keith Olbermann is also a republican/conservative plant. He too is revealing you secret.
March 3, 2009 5:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
By plant I don't mean potted but like a double agent.
March 3, 2009 5:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/gregorzap/2009/02/rush-limbaugh-leader-of-the-go.php
The above-noted post was put up 2/18. The meat of the post is this, until someone steps up and refutes that Rush Limbaugh is the head of the Republican Party, he is. I have only heard one republican disavow Rush and he begged Rush's forgiveness on live radio directly to Rush within 48 hours. Yes, Rush is the Godfather of the Republicans.
March 2, 2009 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Steele has said (a) Limbaugh is not real leader of party (debatable), no, Steele is (WTF?!), and (b) Limbaugh is a mere entertainer, albeit an incendiary and ugly one. "Incendiary" you can spin as a compliment (*maybe*), but not so much "ugly"!
Either they both have to be extremely cautious and philosophical, and execute jointly a detente strategy, or the fat drug addict will likely unload on Steele.
That either of them could be in contention (think of it, a shock-jock who never held office!) to lead party of Lincoln is a sad commentary indeed.
March 2, 2009 2:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Soory to post twice, but I did not open the video before I posted the last part. I have been hot on this notion for a while.
We should keep in mind that Rush has nothing more then a knife to bring to the gunfight happenign right now. He's dropped out of college and he wants to be Leader of the Republican World? If that's all they have, that and Sam w the Plumber and Sarah, I went to several colleges to be a TV personality, Palin, then Dems will be in charge for a while.
It was almost humorous how moderator, Bob Shiffer(?) was trying to take Rahm off publicizing Rush as the Leader of the GOP. He's an embarassment and he's what brought the GOP to believe in Sarah Palin, a woman utterly bereft of the high performance mind/person we need as President.
March 2, 2009 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
dont forget to add paper waight
March 2, 2009 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please ignore this comment. My 9 year old son's attempt at metaphorical humor. He likens Rush to a weight around the republican party.
March 2, 2009 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Limbaugh is a dinosaur, groaning and flailing as he sinks in a tar pit. So, of course, let him stand up before the American public and don the mantle of leader of the conservative movement and Republican party. Let Democratic leaders acknowledge him as the face of the opposition. Then when he sinks, he takes his party and dying movement down with him.
March 2, 2009 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
The dysfunction of the GOP seemed to become most clear as Obama reached out to them. All of a sudden independents and moderates who couldn't separate the behavior of the two parties, can now.
It follows that anything that helps to highlight GOP irrationality furthers that success. Bringing attention to Limbaugh as the head of the GOP does just that. Barack and Rahm are shrewed pols.
March 2, 2009 3:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
From what I see over at Huffpo, Limbaugh and Steele are at each other's throats as they call each other names and battle for the titular head of the party. Oh. This is fun to watch!
March 2, 2009 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
.
Fun? ... Oh Really?
CPAC and Rush? ... I Like Pie!
~OGD~
March 2, 2009 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Putting Rush in the spotlight is a good plan since it shows people who exactly the republicans are listening to and when they find out, they wont like it.
March 2, 2009 5:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Sunlight is the best disinfectant."
March 2, 2009 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mike Steele came back at the end of the day to beg Rush's forgiveness. You cannnot make this stuff up. Unbeleiveable. I wonder what he's holding over these guys? Does he have secret files like Hoover?
March 2, 2009 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's holding the base of the party. Problem is, the is a rabid bunch of destructive anti-American zealots. Their loyalties lie strictly with their extreme right-wing ideology (and by extension, Limbaugh) but not to the U.S. Constitution or their fellow Americans.
March 3, 2009 8:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Old Limburger`, was J. Edgar Hoover`s " boy toy"....
Yep ... J. Edgar left all the dirt to his protege`, Rush " the druggie " Limbaugh . It would`nt surprise me if old J.E.Hoover also beqeathed his treasured female wardrobe to old Rush . I`m sure Rush just loves the prance around in front of his full-length mirror wearing his " prized " spike heels, fish net stockings, false eyelashes,blonde wig,and ofcourse, one of those short, short mini skirts borrowed from one of those hookers on the Fox network .......
Yes it would be prudent to expect that old Rush has embarrassing material on his republican menions....
March 2, 2009 11:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes - it all fits like a glove. RL is Republican Leader.
March 2, 2009 11:56 PM | Reply | Permalink