First Day of Operation Redemption – Rush Limbaugh
As President Obama makes his way through his first full day on the job, a familiar voice reemerged from the depths of the river Styx, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh. For the last eight years, aside from a public pain medication addiction, Mr. Limbaugh and most of the conservative talking heads have been relegated to proving air cover for President Bush. Now, with a new Democrat in the Oval Office, their role is in the process of changing once again: the job of apologist is over and new venom can flow out of their mouths once more.
During the primary, Operation Chaos was Limbaugh’s attempt to derail Obama from winning the Democratic nomination. As always, Limbaugh’s antics were not really designed to hurt the Democrats, rather it was a attempt to put himself back in the spotlight. Here is what I wrote about Limbaugh’s self-promotion strategy back in June:
“If McCain is the weaker candidate because of the reasons listed above let’s take a look at where Limbaugh could benefit from Operation Chaos in the long term. If Obama is elected Limbaugh has a new target in the White House. Limbaugh will be relevant once again as he regains his status as the leader of the “vast right-wing conspiracy.” On a side note, maybe he will even resurrect his failed TV career; probably not.
The bottom line is that Limbaugh does not care if McCain wins in November, in fact, it would be counter-productive to the possibility of revitalizing his career. If Obama wins Limbaugh will have better ratings and earn more money. So, congratulations “ditto heads”, you have achieved Rush’s goal…the only cost to you is victory in November.”
Limbaugh’s statement of “I Hope Obama Fails” clocked in at exactly three days before Obama took the oath of office. My prediction: Obama is well aware of Limbaugh’s ability to manipulate information that will come from his administration. Obama will be able to positively utilize Limbaugh’s flair for theatrics to point the American people away from divisiveness and to get rid of “childish things” such as partisanship for its’ own sake.
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11 Responses to “First Day of Operation Redemption – Rush Limbaugh”
Tony, I didn't think the goal of “operation chaos” was not “to derail Obama from winning the Democratic nomination”; wasn't it to protract the dems' nomination process and embitter the two camps, regardless of which ultimately won?
More importantly, can you explain what exactly the problem is with saying he hopes Obama fails? He isn't saying, as the transcript makes abundantly if prolixly clear, that Obama will fail to keep the nation safe or anything like that; he's saying that Obama's agenda is bad for America (in his view, and I happen to agree), and that it would be better for America if an agenda that is bad for it isn't put into effect. What's the problem with that, other than that you disagree with Rush's view on the likely effect of Obama's agenda?
Simon,
It's not that I disagree with Mr. Limbaugh's statement; it's just that I think first and foremost, Limbaugh only cares about himself and his career. President Bush has spent more on domestic policy in increasing the national debt (prescription drug benefit among others) than any Democratic president since Lyndon Johnson. Where was Mr. Limbaugh? Defending Bush. If you are fiscal conservative, then be one all of the time, not just when it's convenient or profitable for you to do so.
I, for one, am very concerned about the Obama Presidency. He has already been in office over 24 hours and the litany of failure is already huge:
We are still in Iraq
Guantanamo Bay has not been shuttered
Bush and Cheney have not been impeached
The economy has not recovered
There is still racism in the United States
Don't ask. don't tell is still in force
The education system has not been reformed
Fossil fuels have not been outlawed
Global warming has not been reversed
Universal health care still doesn't exist
The list goes on and on. It is obvious that this Presidency has failed.
p.s. – for those who are humor-challenged, yes, this is in jest. I actually am holding out high hopes for Obama, as his early steps, overall, have been very productive. Also trying to disprove the new meme that there is no way to mine humor from Obama.
Well, of course I agree that Bush's record on spending is liberal to the point of indefensible; I don't listen to Rush, though, so I'm left to wonder if he did actually defend that record. Has he? Or has he simply defended other aspects of the administration? I'm sure Rush cares about his career, but given his audience, he would hardly be hurting himself for criticizing the Bush administration's record on that front, since most conservatives (I had thought) think it was Bush's signature failing.
AustinRoth, you have true wit.
Tony and everyrone here, I think for me as an Independent, I was amazed to see RL fire into his own troops at will, over and over without anyone tempering or returning fire to stop him; he made a day after day campaign for the destruction of John McCain.
When through whatever twist of fate, Sen. McCain became the Republican candidate for the presidency, RL had already damaged him beyond repair in all usual Repub constituencies, esp the religious groups. What shreds were left, Newt Gingrich, pummeled as well.
The US Catholic Bishops even came out at the very end for McCain in an unprecedented public set of warnings to their 65M flock in the US that to vote for Obama was sinful (and perhaps means for excom. was the subtext) and against Catholic principles (for, I believe, Obama being not in their camp re abortion).
I cant say I've ever seen such –as the disgusting phrase goes, 'friendly fire'– and relentlessly and publicly in broadcast on radio and television and in print by Repubs toward one of their own. Usually, it's quite the opposite.
dr.e
AR,
You forgot to mention he screwed up his oath, and two senators almost died within hours of his inauguration.
Start the impeachment proceedings before it's too late!
AustinRoth:
I also appreciate your humor. I know it is well intended. But, sadly, some will very soon say (perhaps they are already saying them) very similar things and mean them.
Talking about Rush Limbaugh, I believe that this very “funny” man was blaming the economic crash on Obama, a few weeks ago, saying that the prospects of an Obama presidency had caused/were causing the financilal meldown.
Now, I don't think that was funny or well-intended.
And in his post, I believe that Tony doesn't see Limbaugh's words that way either–and with a lot of reason.
I feel deep sympathy for poor Rush. All those years of drugs have taken their toll on this poor souls brain function, be kind to him. He reminds me of my old senile Uncle Louie.
Talking about Rush Limbaugh, I believe that this very “funny” man was blaming the economic crash on Obama a few weeks ago, saying that the prospects of an Obama presidency had caused/were causing the financilal meldown.
No, it doesn't belong on Obama…….as equally as it did not belong on Bush, McCain, Gramm or the Republican Party. I've tried to locate where you came to the latter's defense when that accusation was all the rage here on TMV, but I am having a difficult time locating your post. Would you be kind enough to point it out to me?
I will certainly try to provide you with Limbaugh's words, blaming Obama for the financial crisis.
As to my post defending “Bush, McCain, Gramm or the Republican Party…when that accusation was all the rage here on TMV, ,” please give me a little more time–like eternity–as I don't think I ever defended that quartet when it comes to our economic disaster.
I have it before elsewhere, permit me to say it again, “Rush Limbaugh is a traitor who deserves to be executed.”