by Deb Cupples | Some years back, then-President Bush said that Rush Limbaugh is a "national treasure." Congressional Republicans seem to think it's A-okay for political officials to praise Mr. Limbaugh.
It's just not okay for officials to even hint at criticizing anything said by the raucous radio entertainer who has spent years trying to disguise himself as a competent and truthful political analyst.
Last weekend, during a speech at the so-called Conservative Political Action Conference, Mr. Limbaugh admitted that he hopes that President Obama's economic stimulus plans fail. Reportedly, a bunch of self-styled "conservatives" in the audience actually applauded.
Yes, that is rather like passengers on the Titanic praying that the captain and crew would screw up.
White House Spokesperson Robert Gibbs responded by challenging reporters to ask Republican politicians if they agree with Mr. Limbaugh:
"I can only imagine what might have been said a few years ago if somebody might have said that on the other side relating to what was going on in this country or our endeavors overseas....
"Do they [Republicans] want to see the president's economic agenda fail? You know, I bet there are a number of guests on television throughout the day and maybe into tomorrow who could let America know whether they agree with what Rush Limbaugh said this weekend." (The Hill)
I think Mr. Giibbs' question was fair, but congressional Republican leader John Boehner disagrees. Through an apparently straight-faced spokeswoman, Mr. Boehner responded:
"'What we are seeing is a desperate attempt by Democrats to distract attention away from a multi-trillion dollar spending spree taking place in Washington.... Creating a boogeyman to change the subject does nothing to alter the fact that there are 9,000 earmarks in the omnibus spending bill, that the economic stimulus bill contained no Republican input or that their budget would increase taxes on all Americans." (The Hill)
Where was Mr. Boehner inquiring spirit when a draft-dodging Rush Limbaugh was busy convincing his audience to support the U.S. invasion of Iraq -- while President Bush was preparing to lead our troops into harms way based on questionable (some say "false" or "manufactured") intelligence?
Where was Mr. Boehner's inquiring spirit when Mr. Limbaugh was persuading millions of working class folks to staunchly defend windfall tax cuts for wealthy folks and big corporations -- while working-class salaries were increasing at a snail's pace?
Refusing to respond to publicly and directly respond to Mr. Limbaugh's vast array of bizarre commentary has been a huge mistake on the part of prominent Dems like Nancy Pelosi.
It's about time that someone stepped up and questioned the specious (or downright false claims) of Mr. Limbaugh -- and I'm happy that said someone was standing in the White House when he did it.
Memeorandum has commentary.
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The captain of the Titanic didn't try to stop the leaks by drilling more holes in the hull. And I would hope that EVERYONE on board would "hope he failed" SEEING HIM SO TRANSPARENTLY ATTEMPTING TO DO SO!
Posted by: TruthHound | March 03, 2009 at 03:05 PM
Passengers on the Titanic probably would have wished the captain failed when he argued to increase speed.
Posted by: marc | March 03, 2009 at 03:32 PM
Marc and Truthhound,
You bring up good points, but it's my simile, and that's not how I meant it.
:)
Posted by: Deb | March 03, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Good job Deb! We can't stop talking, we must go forward with our chins up cuz we know we are RIGHT!!!
Posted by: sue | March 03, 2009 at 06:49 PM
I thought dissent was patriotic?
No wait paying taxes is patriotic.
no wait....
Posted by: freeta goodholm | March 03, 2009 at 08:12 PM
Hi Freeta,
Actually, both dissent AND paying taxes are patriotic.
As Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, "Taxes are the price we pay for civilization."
Of course, I do have a problem with wasting tax dollars.
Posted by: Deb | March 03, 2009 at 09:17 PM
Bravo!
Posted by: DAMOZEL | March 04, 2009 at 12:35 AM