Over the past few weeks, several men have been jockeying for control of the putrid little tidal pool of inbred mutation that was once the Republican party. The two men at the moment who seem to have the most momentum are wife-with-cancer-leaving former House Speaker Newt Gignrich, and rotund radio personality Rush Limbaugh. With Ronald “the great communicator” Reagan dead, and everyone with even a passing connection to the Bush administration essentially rendered radioactive, it would seem they are the last two men standing. Newt, as the last known Republican to have articulated a somewhat cohesive vision for the party, made the cover of Time this week. And, Rush, the party’s most affective propagandist, was given the closing keynote address at CPAC (the Conservative Political Action Conference) this weekend… Some had hoped that perhaps a new star would rise within the party, but with Romney’s poor showing in ’08, and Jindal’s bizarre performance after Obama’s speech before the joint houses of Congress, there doesn’t seem to be anyone with a shot at it.
And, there at CPAC, among some 4,000 of the nation’s most rabid conservatives, including the likes of Ann Coulter, Phyllis Schlafly, and Karl Rove, Mr. Limbaugh took the reigns of the party tightly in his heavy hand, and jumped through the proverbial rabbit hole, pulling everyone else along with him on his fantasy train. If you can believe it, he even went so far as to warn of the impending “bastardization of the U.S. Constitution” under Obama, ignoring for the moment, I suppose, that he cheered on the Bush administration as they abducted people and took them to secret prisons without even the promise of due process, and so much more. So, he stood up there, in front of the slogan chanting masses, betraying not even a hint of irony, while vilifying the current administration for its unsustainable fiscal policies, as though the last eight years, during which the rich got richer and the poor got poorer, were ones of widespread prosperity and evenhanded economic policies. And, in perfect doublespeak, he made the case that Obama wants the poor to fail, and that tax cuts for the most wealthy Americans are in the best interests of us all.
I’m rambling, but it was bad. You can watch the beginning of the speech here:
We’ll have to see if what’s left of the rank and file of the party stay with him. There’s been some push-back from the head of the RNC Michael Steele, but it’s hard to imagine that he has enough control over the party to sideline Limbuagh… I’m trying to think of an appropriate metaphor, but it’s impossible. In what other field of endeavor, would people be so desperate as to migrate toward the likes of Limbaugh, a radio entertainer who, to my knowledge, has never offered a constructive solution to even the most minor of problems facing the country. It would be like if the CEO of your company disappeared one day, and everyone began gravitating toward the angry custodian who, if nothing else, was always good for a laugh, and consistent in his rage. It’s mind boggling.
30 Comments
As a custodian, I’m taken aback. Service workers don’t have the relative power or access to it that Limbaugh has had for so long.
It’s much more akin to the former CEO’s old buddy who would regularly make visits to the shop floor and point fingers every which way in a downward direction. Custodians’ rage is much more understandable and justifiable than that asshole’s.
Great point, Tom. I suck at metaphors… You’re absolutely right. He’s more like the drunken golf buddy of the CEO.
Imagine my suprise when I tuned into CNN the other day, and saw they were airing almost 2 hours of Rush Limbaugh’s speech, LIVE ON AIR, as if he were an important head of state, or an official candidate for office. Unbelievable the ammount of coverage he has received. He doesn’t deserve it.
I must admit, this conference scares me. If Rush had a little black mustache,
and an armband, it would remind me of Germany before the war. Tow the party line, walk in lock step, no differing opinions, and everyone blindly pays homage to their leader! Now thats democracy!
I am so grateful that we have President Obama, and not McCain. I cannot imagine John McCain and Palin handing this crisis. The sad fact is: the Republicans right now are out of step with the country, and out of step with the world. They are the MINORITY for a good reason.
I’m happy that Limbaugh is the new spokesman for the GOP. It makes their irrelevance hard to ignore.
Michael Steele capitulates–and fast (from “Steele to Rush: I’m Sorry”):
There’s more of the mealy-mouthed backtracking at: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19517.html.
Steele is now begging for Rush’s forgiveness:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19517.html
So it seems to be official now.
Mark, your analysis of Rush Limbaugh’s big government, anti-Constitution hypocrisy is spot on. He is all talk. Any Republican who still buys into the neocons’ con job has no excuse at this point, after 8 years of being lied to, betrayed, and shit on. Ron Paul on CNN regarding Rush’s coronation.
I can’t believe that people in the GOP are so spineless that they have to apologize for calling this idiot on his shit. Seems like everyone that says anything bad about this guy has to retract it the next day.
Bullies are craven.
John Stewart on The Daily Show:
“CPAC consisted of the deriding of veterans, open calls for presidential failure and the annihilation of an American city all to save the United States from unpatriotic Democrats. Apparently the only time you have to love this country is when it’s controlled by Republicans.”
http://blog.indecision2008.com/2009/03/03/the-daily-show-sam-bee-explains-twitter-to-old-man-stewart/
Rush is a moron.
If, by “moron,” you mean a power-hungry man who gets off dressing like an adult baby and being spanked, then, yes. Yes, he is.
Gretchen,
I am not very descriptive or creative with my words, but you just took them right out of my mouth
The Democrats couldn’t have chosen a better standard barer for the GOP if they had done it themselves.
At FiveThirtyEight.com, there’s a sharp analysis of why the Obama White House is giving so much attention to the Rush L. story, and the upshot of that analysis is that Rush being depicted as Mr Republican makes it hard for moderate Senate Republicans like Specter in Penn. and the two ladies from Maine to oppose the President. Rush ain’t gonna be winning over any independents and those Senate moderates need them.
Those poor two ladies (I’m not poking fun, Mark H., I swear–I like your post a lot). What will it take for people to remember their names if taking a mighty stand against their party doesn’t make ’em stick?! So many people refer to them as “those two ____.” I think they should just switch parties, and in no time we’ll be like, “Olympia this, Susan that . . .”
Gretchen, that was priceless. Thank you.
John Stewart isn’t done with Rush:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=220240&title=a-party-in-limbaugh
Wonkette has something too:
http://wonkette.com/406748/limbaugh-gop-just-comically-walking-into-every-trap
Oh thank you, Meta! Really good medicine at both sites, and the apologize-to-Rush form letter via wonkette is hilarious.
Today on his radio circus side show, drug addict and sex tourist, Rush Limpbaugh challenged President Obama to a debate.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/04/rush-challenges-obama-to_n_171879.html
It would be stupid for Obama to agree to it, but it would be great fun. I’d definitely buy a ticket.
And I like that John Stewart has found a way to stay relevant in a post Bush world.
I’m sorry to bring this up, but my inner drawer of semi-horrible thoughts keeps wanting to open (remnants of a flu–no, on second thought, the thought of Rush L.), and I read the thing about that creepy man challenging the president to a debate and remembered Saddam challenging Bush. Can you imagine avoiding the whole war but watching that debate?
And one more bit from the drawer (sorry). I remember reading in the Sydney Morning Herald a blog by a reporter in Baghdad who decided to write about daily life in the city on the eve of probable war. She said there were so many fatal car crashes around the city because people were panicked and trying to leave. That was always so moving to me because those people died even before the war but because of it.
More brightly–I liked that old ad for Air America Radio: “Don’t worry–there’s no Rush.” Perfect mantra now–even if it’s willful head in sand.
Oh, and another very bright thing. Thank the good Lord that asteroid didn’t get us the other night.
Has anyone calculated the kind of damage an asteroid that big would have inflicted on the planet?
And I like that John Stewart has found a way to stay relevant in a post Bush world.
Boy howdy! Speaking of hypocrisy and double talk… Jon Stewart on Obama’s Iraq policy.
Judge not…
I haven’t watched the clip yet, BA, but, if Stewart is calling Barack out for changing direction on Iraq, and breaking his campaign pledge, I think that’s great. Just because I voted for the guy doesn’t mean I don’t think he should be confronted when his words and actions don’t agree. We need a vigorous press. We’ve been without one for far too long.
You’re a good man, Mark Maynard.
My apologies for, to whatever extant, assuming otherwise or implying same.
You aren’t the only one with ideas as to what gets Rush off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F7Q7BkAbCk
Have you seen these photos of Rush Limbaugh’s apartment? It’s totally Sopranos.
http://www.thevileplutocrat.com/bile/articles/rush_limbaugh_is_a_closet_francophile/