Rush Limbaugh stirs emotions
Is Rush Limbaugh “the voice and the intellectual force and energy behind the Republican Party,” as said by Rahm Emanuel, the President’s Chief of Staff?
The talk-radio pundit signed an eight-year deal worth $400 million, with a $100 million signing bonus, on July 3, 2008. The contract was the second-largest ever for a radio personality.
On Sunday’s Face the Nation, Rahm charged that Limbaugh was “praying for failure,” and that it was the Obama administration’s desire to partake in constructive discussions. Rahm stated that Limbaugh was on record from the beginning for saying that he wanted the President to fail.
Limbaugh was the final speaker at CPAC on Saturday. He spoke passionately about his belief in the basic principles of conservatism - limited government and individual responsibility. He argued that while Obama is “one of the most gifted men I have ever witnessed,” he is “wrong” for the country because he is seeking to create a welfare state. Limbaugh drew applause from the crowd.
“We don’t want to tell anybody how to live. That’s up to you. If you want to make the best of yourself, feel free. If you want to ruin your life, we’ll try to stop it, but it’s a waste,” said Limbaugh. “We look over the country as it is today, we see so much waste, human potential that’s been destroyed by 50 years of a welfare state. By a failed war on poverty.”
Limbaugh has always been and will remain a topic of conversation, so long as he remains a dominant media personality. What kind of influence should Limbaugh and other media personalities have on their respective political parties?
Is the messenger as important as the message?
The message is the most important thing but you need a messenger with charisma and skill with people to get the message to the most people possible.
I know that Rush has good conservative beliefs and principals but he’s not a good face and spokesperson for our party because people don’t like him. I mean, of course we conservatives like him, but (thanks to the mainstream media) the general public thinks of him as a loudmouth and a drug addict.
Let’s face it. We need someone young, intelligent, eloquent and reasonable to be the face of our party. We need someone who’s image hasn’t been tainted by the mainstream media. Rush is definitely not that person.
Rush has been here before and emerged stronger. He was the whipping boy of the Clinton White House and they tried the same approach and the Republicans took congress in 1994.
I think that the problem is that the Mainstreamers are trying to tarnish Mr. Limbaugh personally because they hate the message of real conservatism. He speaks eloquently and passionately for conservative principles. Most Republicans is Washington are cowering to President Obama. They are afraid to take him on. The president’s policies are a disaster for the United States. We need our elected leaders to say so, offer tried and true alternatives. If we do not, we get what we deserve.
That is why Rush is so important. He gives a voice to those of us fed up with the so-called conservative politicians that pay lip service but then cut deals with the other side.
And, maybe some of those who have really had it will make the choice to run for office.
@ What kind of influence should Limbaugh and other media personalities have on their respective political parties?
The key word in the question is should. In a perfect world, Limbaugh and other major anchors — conservative, liberal or anything else — would not have a serious influence people’s beliefs about public policy and social issues. At the most, they would direct the topics people are thinking about and help shed light on issues that are truly important to Americans.
In reality, a majority of people tend to take Rush (and other hosts) opinions as fact without following up for more information and checking primary sources. As boring as it can be, reading primary sources (court documents, legislation, police reports, etc.) is the only way to get unbiased news. How many people other than journalists take the time to do that?
Overall it’s a vicious cycle and is a reflection of the lack of civic education in America.
@ …a failed war on poverty.
He’s dead on; I’m not the biggest Rush fan in the world but it’s 100% true, but I really don’t care who the messenger is in this case. Take a look at the lives that were ruined by places like Atlanta projects like Bankhead Courts, Thomasville Heights, Herndon Homes, etc. — that’s a product of ‘progressivism’ and good for him for speaking out. Trying to undermine the president’s policies doesn’t mean you’re trying to undermine the president’s basic goals (i.e. national defense).
The reason the media likes to hold Rush Limbaugh up as the be-all/end-all of conservative discourse is that it is quite easy to dislike him. He is a caricature of what the media thinks a conservative is: rich, old, white and male.
That he is fat, pompous and prone to the occasional outrageous statement is icing on the cake.
The truth of the matter, though, is that he has millions of people who listen to him daily. His opinion and analysis of the world-at-large is imparted in large part on those millions of conservative listeners.
While he may not be the originator of many conservative ideas, he is the mouthpiece of red-meat conservatism. So while he is no doubt the “voice” of whatever movement there may be, he is by no means the intellectual force behind it.
I’ll confess that I don’t often listen to him or to Hannity, as I am not overly impressed by either of them. Their egos are just too much. As such, I think few outside the conservative die-hards can bear to listen to them, either.
So they can inform and rile the conservative base, but they sure-as-shit can’t open up the movement to middle-of-the-road folks.
The main reason the Maggots in the MSM don’t like Rush is very simple - they hate the competition; especially when it beats them to a bloody pulp every time! Rush beats them at their own game — NewSTAINment — News and Entertainment intertwined.
Rush has long been a leader of the conservativive movement, but this is not the same as being the head of the republican party. Unfortunately the conservative wing of the republican party has been watered down since 1994 when we took over the house and republicans have fallen away from several conservative principles. Rush has remained staunch in his views and I wish I could say the same for the republican party. Rush admits that he probably wouldnt get elected, but that does not mean that his ideas and principles are flawed. In an era when everyone is falling over themselves to follow obama Rush has remained an immovable barrier. Republicans could learn a lot from this man.
Rush and others like him served a useful purpose at one time. They have outlived their usefulness. They now stand as a barrier to broadening the appeal of the party. These are the gatekeepers, whose only task is to prevent entry.
Further, I would say that Rush does not represent “conservatives-at-large,” but rather a certain type of conservative.
As for the swing voters, I see them as more likely to be put off by Rush rather than swayed by his dialogue. There’s more to lose than there is to gain by making Rush the poster boy of the GOP.
That said, I don’t see him as the ‘face’ of the Republican Party. If the party needs a face that much, I would rather see it be someone like Ross Douthat.
But the party doesn’t have that face right now. The GOP is going through something of a shift in the power structure these days. I think that the libertarians will have greater voice for a time. Waiting to see how it works out. Exciting to be a part of it.
Rush’s speech was inspiring. That’s the type of conservatism that led to the Reagan landslides in 80 and 84 and gave the Congress to the Republicans in 94. It’s the platform (but unfortunately not governing policy) that led Bush to win two terms.
What got Republicans out of the majority was Bush’s breaking of his campaign promises to be a fiscal conservative and “working with the Democrats” on the federalizing of education, expanding medicare, continuing federal affirmative action loans to people for houses they couldn’t afford (leading to the housing bubble) and generally borrowing and spending while being weak on immigration. Bush’s pre-Petraeus weakness on the Iraq war also hurt him, and big-spending Republicans in Congress collecting earmarks for their districts damaged the Republican brand.
Mamby-pamby “moderate” Republicans like Bob Dole and John McCain don’t inspire people and don’t win elections. Rather than trying to compromise and pander, Republicans should model Rush’s confidence and ability to persuade people of the wisdom of limited government, free-market principles, equality before the law (not quotas or “diversity”), and the second amendment.
The message Rush gave was spot on, we need to take the Party back to it’s original principles of small government, lower taxes, and adherence to the Constitution. BUT, dogging a member of your own Party, a fellow speaker, at the same conference, IN PUBLIC, is both unprofessional and crude. Rush lacks class and respect, hence he would be a detrimental “face” of the GOP. I know, I know, it’s cool to go with the rebellious, and the way the GOP has been for quite a few years, it needs rebellion to change it, but not like that. Don’t wish the current’s President’s policies to fail, because that means our country, and WE fail. I dislike Obama as a President, BIG TIME, but hope our country prevails even under him.
If thou hast no class, then shut thy pie hole Rush…
Why, again, does the Republican Party need a single face? Let Rush be one voice among many.
Rush’s “speech” to CPAC was not really a speech with strucxture etc, it was more a monologue and ramblings. I saw the speech and know what I am speaking about.
Someone said people don`t like him because of various things including being offensive and a drug addict - noth of those are indisputable facts.
He has his placve but really not as the head of the GOP - no wonder we are getting the reputation as the no ideas/anti-intellectual party.
We do need people like Rush Limbaugh, a great deal of the Republican party are Rush-lovers.
However, he can’t be the face of it. We need someome fresh and different from what the Republican party has been serving up lately. Someone that would entice and interest the swing-voters and noob-voters.
Great, fall into that trap. Limbaugh is easy to demonize, which is what the democrats are up. Instead, keep the focus on Obama and his Marxist schemes. And please, use that word, that’s what it is.
Each second you debate this, the democrats get stronger.
If Obama’s policies mean that every aspect of education is controlled by the Federal gov’t, that health care is a Federal gov’t item, that banks and the financial system are micro-managed and/or owned by the Federal gov’t — then I oppose such policies and it’s good for Rush and all conservatives to oppose the policies.
Policies, not goals. The Reps that were elected in 1994 with a majority thru 2006 failed failed failed to create successful, smaller gov’t solutions for problems. Instead of clear and simple vouchers, Bush (& Kennedy) gave us No Child Left Behind; instead of Individual Health Care Accounts, we got more medicaid (with a donut hole of coverage and pages of legalese).
Instead of giving Iraqi cities guaranteed buyers of Iraqi municipal bonds, to be controlled by local Iraqis on projects chosen by those Iraqis and to be repaid by those Iraqis, we got big Halliburton / Blackwater Rep pork-fest controlled by Bremer.
Responsible people sometimes need help — it should be in loans, to be repaid, not in no-strings aid. Both Americans and foreigners (especially the UN).
If it’s not Rush, it needs to be somebody else. Sarah P? Mike H? Bobby J? (No, not yet on Bobby). Reps today don’t even agree on what the message is, much less who the messenger should be.
So Rush is one face, and possibly the most visible face, until there are more well known elected politician faces.
Like those who come to American Tea Parties in protest against the huge tax increases to be needed for Obama’s Big Gov’t programs.
I love Rush and all the boisterous Frat Party crowd at CPAC but it’s all very much a waste of time. Little is being done or said about the “great gulf fixed” between the former and estranged GOP voting Base. And how to bring them back and get them, again, enthusiastic about the GOP and Conservative Movement as a whole. Nothing is being done to carefully analyze what went wront on 11/7/06 and 11/4/08.
To his credit, Rush did touch upon it some but not nearly enough. It was just more of what we already know about the seditious, Constitution Hating democrats. Darvin Dowdy
NO radio personality should be the head/or face of the Republican party it should be an elected official. I saw Michael Steele on “DL Hughley breaks the News” I have only seen that show 5 or 6 times. I was flipping channels last night and saw Michael Steele there and I thought OH NO what are they going to do to him. Chuck D was with DL and of course hey were asking him how is the republican party going to help black people. Steele held his own (this democrat was proud of him) he said that before there was a Barack Obama there was a Michael Steele! He also said that it was a black republican who put affirmative action in place and he is trying to broaden the scope of how the republicans can help those in the inner city and teach them personal responsibility. DL felt that Michael was just a face chosen to combat President Obama and Michael said no thats not true. Michael said he became a republican when he was 17 because of the family values and responsibility and the things the party stood for. Many dont know (Im saying this) the Republican party was originally what the Democratic Party is now. Steele held his own and did well and DL gave him respect it was a good interview Mike says he is going to go into the inner cities whether they like it or not to explain their side and he is going to need people like Chuck D to help him.
I attended CPAC last year, and heard Tony Snow speak. Snow was dying, and it was as though he already had one foot in eternity; what he said was so uplifting, so positive, so full of hope for the good of mankind that it seemed at first as though he were a cheerleader, and it become profound only on reflection.
Rush Limbaugh is an entertaining and intelligent man, and deserves to be heard. His comments at CPAC this year were sound; but Limbaugh fuels anger, anger over the mistreatment of conservatives and ordinary people at the hands of liberals. Limbaugh represents a truth we ought not to forget, but much damage would be done if Limbaugh became the heart of the party. Snow was the heart of the party, or ought to be.
I believe that Rush is one of the prophets of our time. He is clear about the difficulties intrinsic to Obama’s decisions, and why Obama’s decisions undermine the desire regnant in every heart to do their best, learn and perform, undermines the strength of this country, compromises the Constitution -if indeed Obama defers to it at all- and directs people to what is antithetical to the very principles on which this country is based, and which alone, in the history of mankind, has moved him from substandards in living to desiring the higher, the good and the true. I wish Rush should run for President.
It is people like Rush Limbaugh that guarantee the GOP losses in every national election for the next 20+ years. Despite his appeal to the base, party bases only compose roughly 25% of the electorate, even less in the case of the GOP. Rush’s message of hate, intolerance, and hell-fire-and-brimstone only serves as an image on which others, namely the democrats, fixate and use against us. In short, though Rush can make 25% of Americans happy with his blatantly aggressive message, he will never be able to muster the support of a majority of voters in order to bring a win for the GOP. Without his support, however, no potential GOP nominee will be able to win a primary. So with his support, we lose the moderate/independent vote. Without his support, we lose the base. Either way, we lose.
Rush as the face of the republican party will only energize the democrat party
Rush Limbaugh holds alot of my own personal beliefs on responsibility of the individual, and the minimization of government. But, he is to coarse in his language, he epitomizes the current mindset of the public towards Republicans. A mindset that is Republicans are hateful, arrogant, and treat others with different viewpoints like intellectual idiots. I’m praying that Republicans will find their image in a better man, such as Mike Huckabee.
Rush should be representative of all Republicans, any republicans that denounce him are only liberals with an R after their names. He has 20 million listeners, so nearly 10% of people get their news, info, or opinions from him. It would be foolish to just shrug off a guy with that much power. He’s 28% of republicans favorite republican pundit. We need a conservative conscience and that’s who Rush is, not a moronic traitor like Brooks.
Rush provides the libs with a target. When a seemingly over the top statement is made the libs latch on to it and try to use it as proof that conservatism is outside the mainstream. And they can succeed with this because the media talking heads will assume it is true and ask people to ‘defend’ the statement instead of arguing the point.
One of the biggest tricks that the MSM will pull is to ask the Eric Cantor’s if they are basing policy on Rush Limbaugh. And when they say “no, he does not figure in to the policy making of the party” the headline will undoubtedly read “Rush rejected by Republican leadership”. Wheras the truth is that the things he articulates are (or should be) the principles that guide the policy makers. Just because they don’t ring up Rush and ask him what they should do, does not mean he is a pariah, which they would have you believe.
The question is, why don’t we start asking if Bill Maher, Keith Olberman, NOW, Code Pink Wackos etc are the spokes-people for the Democratic party. They say outrageous things on a daily basis but they are not held accountable by anyone.
Honestly…Rush has great conservative ideals and is very strong in those beliefs. I do not for one minute think that he is even remotely good for the Republican party except for invigorating the base members.
Democrats and Independants are turned off by this man and his radical approaches of forcing his ideals on others.
In the end though you have to look at his profession. He in the end is a member of the media and he is trying to ever increase the size of his audience. The truth behind it all is that radical approaches oftentimes have the most appeal. No one wants to listen to just your average monotone radio personality - there’s nothing interesting in that.
First off, I’m really baffled as to how the President and his cabinet continually lower themselves to discuss a talk radio host expressing his opinion. It’s unprofessional and classless.
Furthermore, Rush could not have been more complimentary to Obama personally during his speech, discussing how intelligent, well spoken and thoughtful Obama is. Yet, he said he hopes his POLICIES fail because they are clearly not in line with what we as conservatives believe in. The fact Emmanuel and Obama have so much time on their hands as to address a radio personality using his First Ammendment rights is utterly ridicilous. Don’t they have more important things to talk about? No one ever saw George Bush behaving that way. Liberals don’t care when its them throwing the punches and disagreeing with the “establishment” , but when its the GOP doing that, its apparently a big offense.
Obama and his cabinet should stop stooping to such a low level to discuss Limbaugh and at other times, Sean Hannity, and get to work.
John Derbyshire, who is a pretty cool writer at National Review, has an article about Rush at American Conservative:
http://www.amconmag.com/article/2009/feb/23/00006/
in which he expresses the opinion that Rush “wrecks the Right.” I disagree. We should make clear that conservatives are a Rainbow Coalition of our own. What we need in the conservative movement are varied and loud voices that can articulate the conservative agenda. There are some wonderful and articulate conservative politicians — Michelle Bachmann, Mike Pence, Eric Cantor — but they can’t be appearing on talk shows and giving out position papers all the time. They have to take care of their constituents. During the last election cycle I didn’t hear liberals saying that Arianne Huffington or MoveOn.org or the Daily Kos gave “liberals” a bad name. As with Sarah Palin, there are some conservatives who, as soon as liberals or the MSM start their attacks, immediately jump on board that ship. In the process, they break the Reagan 11th commandment and demoralize other conservatives. I think it was Mike Pence whom I saw being grilled by Nora O’Donnell about Rush’s wish for Obama’s “failure,” and he did not get defensive, as so many politicians do, but was instead able to turn the question around and get the focus on the main point, the bloated stimulus. Unforunately, most politicians are not as brave when the media grills them. Until another William S. Buckley comes along, we should be grateful to Rush. Unfortunately, our most articulate conservative at the moment, George Will, stays aloof from the conservative movement, perhaps out of some personal principle, but perhaps out of fear of losing his eminence. It strikes me that you used to be able to rely on comedians for pointing up hypocrisies, but now the comedians are on the Left (i.e., Saturday Night Live). It is Rush (along with Ann Coulter, Shaun, Laura) who points out the hypocrisies of liberalism and puts liberals on the defensive, instead of the other way around. More power to Rush, though I wish he would lose some weight. I’m afraid he won’t be around for long if he doesn’t take care of himself.
If you wanna see the face of the Republican party…. then Republicans, look in the mirror. Focus on the person you see in that mirror and not the people others want you to focus on. They try to convince you that these so called “faces” of a party, believe one thing, therefore, you have to believe it too, if you associate yourself with their party. Every person is too unique for that stereotypical thinking. Focus on what you believe and who you are instead of what others believe and who they are.
Aaron that was a great statement. I cant in all good faith think that Rush Limbaugh is the new face of the republican party. Here is a man who has been divorced three times, made fun of Michael J Fox when he had the Parkinsons (and he still does have it) Rush accused him of making it up and exaggerating his symptoms, and he dropped out of school. Im not judging him its just that when people hold you to a higher standard they are going to use that background or think about it. I know Rush is not running for office but there are people who remember these things and it makes the party look like a joke. This is why I say no radio personality should be their face an elected official who is well respected should Romney, Huckabee or Steele. Look Im a liberal and I think the perfect Republican ticket would be
Romney/Steele 2012!!!! Would I vote for them I dont know but they are both well accomplished and you never see them associated with wacko beliefs when it comes to the right. I didnt want Hilary Clinton in office because Im familiar with the baggage that would have come along with her and the media would never have left her alone and then we would have to hear about Bill and speculation of shady business dealings. I think she is accomplished but I was not ready for her to be president I wanted something different had it not been for Sarah Palin I was leaning towards McCain in the beginning when the campaigns first started. Barack Obama seemed like the logical choice to me when it came to leadership. We will see,
Rush is the conservative voice that( we conservatives) need to hear.
He a great in the role of Radio Talk Show..the very best..and that is
where we need him to be..NOT a politician..He would be lose his
“voice” as politician..He had the CPAC attendees full attention..
They seemed to love his speech..and couldn’t get enough..
in my opinion..
There are a lot of “faces” that represent the Republican Party, but our representation should be those who are elected. If Rush runs for office and wins, he will become a representative of the Party. Right now, he’s a personality within the party.
We have to stop letting Democrats define Republicans with their hand picked bias towards different conservative voices.
Personally, I believe Mike Huckabee is the face of the GOP. We need more leaders like him.
Thank you for inviting me to post my thoughts about The Speech.
I have thought long and hard about the Rush Problem, and I remember back when I became a “New Republican,” back when Ronald Reagan was running for office. Yes, we were so numerous and young! And voting for an old, rich, white guy! He was controversial, he was vilified by the press as an idiot. He was outrageously nonplussed by his opponents and selectively tone-deaf to inane criticisms that had nothing to do with the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It’s not that hard, dear New Republicans, to let the truth be the Truth. And here’s a tough one to hang onto for the duration: if you seek any compromise with the truth for the sake of appearance and popularity, you will lose you soul, and your nation.
Ask yourselves what ransom you would give to have your Liberty back? (thanks, Braveheart!) Those who worked for 30-40 years and had no time to teach Civics to young people have yielded their future to those who did. And we funded their ability to stay home and poison young minds with lies, easy fixes, and vile dependency. We ransomed our fears for a comfortable future and now its gone. What did it profit us?
And now you, young Republicans must do a different sort of work, if you can: teach.
You could do worse than allow Rush Limbaugh to teach old-fashioned Civics lessons to your children. It is no longer taught in public school, so someone has to tell little minds and uneducated adults how the political world works. Don’t leave it up to ACORN and PBS.
From my post on this, let me summarize:
“I don’t want Rush to be President, he’d be lousy at it. But I don’t have any problem with his discourse, his views, or his core beliefs. He laid bare the very soul of both Democrats and Republicans and stood up for Conservatism without once mentioning Jesus, (so Allahpundit can rest easy!) or abortion, or gay marriage. That’s more than any Conservative since Reagan has been able to articulate. And Rush can say it, because he is unafraid.”
Buck up, stop with the hand-wringing and the false belief that there is even ONE person on the Right that the Media can’t handily mock, belittle, vilify or denounce. Better to find ONE that they respect. Or fear. I know, that makes lesser hearts quake a bit, to think of someone finding something to fear in another.
But that’s not so bad as having an Executive that fears no one.
Question for later discussion: why does Blind Justice have a sword?
Huckabee is good man for the people because individuals can relate to him. He doesnt talk like a politician he speaks like a person who cares. If you watch his show it seems to me he really does care about country and people.
Rush is a pundit, just as people like David Brooks and other journalists and media personalities are.
They are not the policy makers of the party. They are not the political candidates of the party. However, political leaders who have the same principles and same beliefs get elected. Period.
Pundits are the medium, though, to get the message out to the masses. That is what Rush excels at, and what people such as Hannity excel at as well. Those who attack the messenger instead of the message just show how petty they really are themselves, because they cannot oppose the principles behind the message. Instead, they resort to ad hominem attacks against people due to insecurities. Witness attacks against Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin for examples of this.
Rush has always been subject to such attacks, and he weathers them constantly. Rush, though, will never be a political candidate. First off, he won’t take the pay cut, second he knows the personal attacks he’s subjected to now would multiply extensively if he did run for office.
However, until a candidate can articulate Rush’s message in a dynamic fashion, Rush is the target and the leader. Right now, I see no candidate that has been able to step up to the plate. Give Palin a couple of years and she might. Give Jindal a few years and better equipment and he might. Most others have no spine to stick up for the principles, like Rush has over the years. People forget, on the domestic side, Rush has been bashing GWB’s decisions for a long time. We should have, we did not, and now we’re looking like hypocrites to many because we’re attacking Obama for irresponsible spending.
I believe many of these posts are confusing the Republican party and Conservatism. The fact is that while the GOP has been in decline, he has become more successful. Why don’t we look at his core message to figure out how?
It’s personality and passion. It’s what the Republicans lack. Some can blame Rush for being a “caricature” of a Republican, but look at Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid, are they not old white guys? The difference is that Rush is a self-made man with a high school education. The most important thing is that he is positive about his beliefs and the issues that are in front of us, and that’s what the Republican party must do.
In the comments above someone thought that Rush was an example of “hate” and “intolerance”. I don’t think so. As a conservative myself I have felt hated by intolerant democrats. I think Rush has very good views and I agree with close to all of them. He is and should remain one of many voices for the Republicans.
I used to be an avid Rush listener, but as a Christian Conservative, I cannot tolerate him anymore. All of the marriages and divorces (womanizing), plus the drug addiction as well as somewhat losing touch with reality ($400 million contract and saying he’s a poor guy just trying to make it), I don’t think he embodies the moral conservative principles that I hold. He may be fiscally conservative, but how does that reflect a better character, which is what this country needs? I think he is a prime example of “pride cometh before a fall” - and if this is the face of the Republican party, I think a dose of humility and real problem solving is in order. I don’t have a problem with him making cash; I have no problem with him being famous; but it seems he’s got poor character, and it’s that what bothers me to no end. I don’t want him to speak for me - he’s lost his credibility by living his personal life in contradiction to the ideals he “embraces” on his show. I’m not a conservative because of talk - I’m a conservative because talk is so often cheap. Even if you can’t act politically, the least you can do is manage your life with integrity. Rush really disappointed me. Just goes to show duplicity is on all sides.
Without a target to attack, polarizing politicians would lose their constituents. Rush Limbaugh seems to be the current attack target for the Democrats. Newt Gingrich consistently offers superior argument. Sound arguments can gain more voting supporters than idle rhetoric designed to augument a welfare state that conditions dependent voters. Conditioned dependent voters have less desire/need to work hard for personal gain. So long as a majority of voters can be kept dependent, the party that perpetuates dependency can expect significant numbers of votes. Arguments of obviously sound logic are needed to augment emotional appeals designed to motivate voters away from welfare dependency. The promotion of opportunities for personal gain that are perceived by voters to be easily within their reach should find a receptive audience. Such incentives must be perceived as having greater value, thus having greater appeal, than continued dependency on welfare.
I surely hope not!!
Personally, I think we could do far worse. For now he is an in your face kind of person and we need that. One of the problems with the Republicans is they seem to not have the fortitude to take on these tail chasing Democrats. We need someone with a spine that “won’t back down”.
I have personally had enough of the ones who hide under a rock or do the turtle shell hide every time it gets tough. We need the spine and when the person comes along to lead he/she will need that and charisma.
We need college’s inundated with the message and the minorities educated in the purpose of our political message.
Don’t sacrifice principle’s but use Rush while we can for the position or he accepts it. He sure didn’t hurt us any and made the other side squirm. LOL
The messenger will ALWAYS be as important as the message. The ability to persuade lies largely with the speaker - an ineffective conduit of information spells trouble for an ideology. Some might say that was one of the issues of conservatism under Bush.
Rush is Thomas Paine in 2009
Talk radio is the ONLY mass communication medium in the hands of conservatives; of course they will attack it.
Republicans have a nasty habit of letting current whipping boys twist in the wind (Newt, Palin, Jindal, Delay). We must defend our own. Rush does espouse conservative principles. He does so passionately and articulately. Why not defend him.
This discussion is a response to a Democrat question and in letting them ask the question, we lose the argument. A better question is, who is putting America on the right track, Rush or O?
I think that tact was left out when Rush said he hopes that obama fails. I think, judging based on what i have heard him say in the past, that Rush hopes obama doesn’t succeed in deastroying the country and turning us further towards socialism (this seems inevitable based on the feelings/opinions expressed among most of our government officials and people i have spoken to). I don’t think it is important for liberal-minded people to like Rush. first they must accept the principles that our nation was founded on and strive to better themselves and their fellow citizen’s rather than begging for the government to take care of them. Until they do that I don’t care if they hate the man, they can all move to another country (please do that!).
Mark Thomas: “Let’s face it. We need someone young, intelligent, eloquent and reasonable to be the face of our party. We need someone who’s image hasn’t been tainted by the mainstream media. Rush is definitely not that person.”
I hear this all the time. Newsflash!!!! Anything that matriculates from the RNC/GOP will be tainted by the mainstream media. Go back to the RNC speech rebuttal by Bobby Jindal, Sarah Palin’s picked as the VP Candidate for 2008 Election. New “young” faces brought in to liven up the GOP. Both have been bombarded with the evil twirls of the ‘Fair-sided’ media with the attempt to crush thier integrity, thier personal lives and anyone attached to them. No matter who you pick (including ‘Joe the Plumber’-they tried everything to destroy him and he asked a simple, honest question of concerns that will affect his family and his life) it’s certain, if thier agenda doesnt follow the likes of the Democratic Party - the same wrath of ‘hate’ will be thrown in to silence the opposition. Here’s a good one for you - Look at all the people picked for cabinet positions in BH Obama’s administration. Tax problems and other issues; did you get innondated by Media garble? Why do you think they want to re-enact the ‘Fairness Doctrine’… these people on those stations are not even politicians… ie: Rush
We as Republican/Conservatives need to set aside what everyone (including the media) thinks and push forward the goal to recapture our Nation and bring it back to the Ideology that founded our Country.
Rush said it good - Its not about race but about the people. We (GOP) care about the people…
I felt Rush’s speech was spot on and was spoken with the same Rhetoric of our founding Fathers. It was TRUTH. The “Leftist” agenda media and side-stepping Dem politicians bark against this type of Ideology because it’s truth and powerful. The Dem’s dont want our country to ‘live’ as it had; Free [without any pre-conditions.] Thier greed for power, money and control make it hard to face the TRUTH in the ‘face’. (how they lay thier heads down at night, is beyond me)
Returning back to Rush’s speech (which is a great example) about B.H. Obama, hes an awesome speaker, most talented. The Dem’s have found thier savior; his eloquance will ‘lead’ our people, unfortunately not down the path of the real America. That should scare the crap out of you; cause it does me.
I remember when Rush Limbaugh was still in Sacramento. It was back when I was in grad school, sometime between 1989 and 1991. I was riding a shuttle to the farthest reaches of campus, the last parking lot, listening to some guy rant on the radio. I don’t remember what he was saying, but I felt myself growing angrier by the second and had a hard time understanding how anyone with an education could believe this guy. I still feel the same way. I don’t listen to him. I think he’s filled with hate.
I also believe that Limbaugh was wrong to say he wanted Obama to fail. I don’t want to smear anyone with the “unpatriotic” label, but Rush tempts me. Instead, I’ll say I think it was morally wrong for him to want failure. I realize the higher-ups in the Democratic party say that Rush’s statement is equivalent with wanting the United States to fail, and that’s just the way politics works, but when I heard Rush had said those words, I couldn’t help thinking the same thing and that was way back when Rush first opened his mouth. I’m against war on principle, but that certainly doesn’t mean I want either the Iraq war or the war in Afghanistan to fail. For me, that would be tantamount to wanting the decimation of American soliders and I don’t ever want that to happen.
If Republicans want to bring their party back, they need to look at someone like Governor Pawlenty. I probably don’t agree with him on many issues, but he’s well-spoken and he makes sense. Unlike many Republican leaders who stick to their own, (see http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29257143) he’s not afraid of going on a show like Rachel Maddow’s. Frankly, I wish Pawlenty was my governor because between our legislature and our governor, California is ruined. In his budget, Pawlenty wisely understated the amount of stimulus money Minnesota would receive and his state is getting much more. I don’t think much of Jindal for refusing the money because New Orleans is still falling apart. During the Mardis Gras parade, (see http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/two_people_shot_on_st_charles.html) seven people were murdered including a toddler. In early February, some acquaintances of mine (http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1233642016239700.xml&coll=) lost a dear friend, a bartender in the French quarter. The levees still haven’t been fully repaired, either, and you know there’s going to be another big one like Katrina. It’s only a matter of time. With things like that going on neither Jindal has no business refusing the stimulus money. In fact, I think if Jindal actually does refuse, it would be a crime against his own constituents.
The media is trying to brand Rush as the head of the Republican party because they see that they can take him out of context and make the whole group look radical. But if it wasn’t Rush it would be someone else. The fact of the matter is that Rush is in a good position to speak out because he isn’t running for office. He doesn’t have to be politically correct.
Anybody who listens even a little bit knows that what he means is that he wants Obama’s liberal policies to fail. He is not hoping for Obama or his family to meet with personal failure.
The face of the Republican party is still emerging and it won’t be a talk show host. The new voices will come but they had better be tough. Like Chopped50ford said look at what the liberal mainstream media did to Sarah Palin. They now see Bobby Jindal and they are trying to take him out early.
We can’t afford to throw out any voices that are speaking the conservative message clearly and effectively. Conservatives need to stop turning on each other and listening to each other because we are much stronger together. We need all the voices young and old to cry out together and form an army that will break through and reach people’s hearts and minds. If you are looking for young leaders look here. Steven and 13 others, mostly college kids, are looking to change things. Good job!
Question: Should Rush Limbaugh be “the voice and the intellectual force and energy behind the Republican Party”?
The short answer: He is a drama based radio personality in show business. Keep him there, and ONLY there. We need much better than that for the faces, voices, intellectual forces, and energy of our party. We need credibility. We need wisdom. We need political smarts. We need real solutions. We need leaders.
A few other thoughts:
Show business relies on shock, fear, extremism, and controversy. Politics and show business are usually indistinguishable. Every once in a great while, running our country gets to be about real people, real problems, and real solutions. Now may be such a time. Are we up for it? As the current minority party we may have our very best opportunity, but we are going to need credibility first.
I am a lifelong conservative, but too often when I read/listen to the so-called conservative message as delivered by the likes of Limbaugh I am reminded of the story of the boy who cried wolf. I agree, there is much to be concerned about in democratic plans, but if the democrats are ALWAYS the devil incarnate and the world is ALWAYS going to hell in a hand basket whenever they are in power, then conservative credibility is more than just a little in question. I am afraid that ‘devil incarnate’ tactic is about the only trick the conservative blogs, conservative mass emails, and conservative radio know anymore. I really have no credentials to give any merit to what I am saying, but I am quite certain that is not only the wrong battle to be fighting, it is a losing battle to boot. The left may be wrong, and the mainstream media may be biased, but you’ve got to give them credit for being smart. They are sure a heck of a lot more believable than that little boy crying wolf…
Let’s leave show business to the entertainment and the distraction arenas. Show business has it’s place, but it is not at the policy table and it is not as the face, the voice, the intellectual force, or the energy.
Is the messenger as important as the message?
Usually MORE important.
I agree with everything Joan of Argghh said.
The fact is that the left hates anyone who opposes their agenda. It doesn’t matter if it Rush, Bush, McCain, Palin, Jindal, Michael Steele or Mickey Mouse. They are going to attack and attempt to destroy them. Here are the questions you need to ask — Does the message resonate? Is the delivery clear and passionate? Does it give people something concrete to be for, not just against?
Rush Limbaugh is not a Republican leader, he is a spokesman for Conservative thought. There is a major difference, no matter what the liberal media might tell the public.
Rush is every bit as critical of Republicans when they stray from Conservative principles as Democrats. The left paints the picture of Limbaugh speaking to mind-numbed hordes who believe whatever he tells them to believe. In fact, Limbaugh reinforces the beliefs that millions of Americans already hold.
When he speaks about hoping that the policies of President Obama fail, he speaks for all Americans who understand how dangerous the massive growth and influence of government is to the erosion of our civil liberties.
Hey Mushroom I resent that. Ha. Im a leftie and I came to this board to learn and grow) can anyone say Bipartisan curiosity? I do listen to Jindal (when he is not following Obama) Steele (who is from my hometown) and Huckabee and Romney. Believe it or not you would be shocked at the number of dems who didnt want Hilary Clinton and who were for Obama and the number of Dems who wanted the John Mccain of the year 2000. If you get a SPEAKER and a leader who is clear and passionate this partys representation will be back on track. I got TONS of flack from friends of mine who thought I was crazy when I told them Sarah Palin is not stupid. I dont think she would have made a good VP not because she is a woman or because she doesnt have experience, I think that the situation we are in right now calls for logical thinkers the current POTUS and someone who has been there for awhile VP Biden. Palin speakerwise once she gets some knowledge under her belt could blow Jindal away. Palin is not a dumb woman and she has the looks to carry it off. I thought she was going to be horrible in the VP debates but she did well considering the situation. I also saw some tapes of earlier debates she has done and I think she is fine for Alaska and their concerns. Am I a fan of hers no but she will be in this party somehow in the front she is going to keep herself out there. I hate to say this but out of all the people you named in your last post Rush has tons of listeners and yes he can get the word out and keep the party active but can you imagine what you could do if the New republicans has Sarah Palin as the voice! I dont mean on radio I mean on TV you see what the reaction was towards her. Conservative men and women came together and gave the O a run for his money and I wont forget when McCain said the Mac is back. I didnt want McCain to win he was too tired. I hate to keep sounding like a broken record but Romney, Steele, and Palin are the best bets to keep the speaking part going without looking crazy like Rush makes the party look. I think Jindal should be behind the scenes with policy he is a highly intelligent guy.
Everyone:
We encourage civil-minded discussion, and I appreciate all of you for participating. Please do remember to keep a respectful tone. Thanks so much.
If he is the face of the Republican party, the Republicans won’t win another election for a long time. I think Rush says outrageous things because he knows it gets him attention. More attention for him means more listeners, more book sales, and more money. He’s a smart businessman.
Old school Republicans don’t understand that not only are the demographics of the country changing, but the ideological makeup of America as well. As a result of the economic crisis, people are moving away from the “government is bad” “government can’t do anything and is not the solution” mantra. People now are looking for government to step in and at least help. We know government can’t and shouldn’t do everything. But the ground is shifting beneath the Republicans and they are still standing in the same place.
Khalil you just proved my point he is a radio personality like Glenn Beck (but he makes more money) and if he was not outspoken he wouldnt make any money. One must act a little more reserved in what they do and say when they are a public official (it doesnt always make what they say right). I have to remember like some people on this board have said some of us are mixing up Republican and Conservatism. Im not a Republican Im a leftie -conservative if such a thing exists>
Rush Limbaugh is an invaluable asset to the conservative movement. It is important, however, to understand that his role is that of humorist, general analyst, popularizer, and communicator. He is not, nor should he ever be, an actual candidate. The best historical parallel I can think of is Will Rogers. He, like Rush, took jabs at both parties. He saw through the pomposity and foolishness of most politicians, and called them on it. Politicians and bureaucrats attempting to solve any real problem both amused and horrified Rogers. So he got people to laugh. To “lighten up” as we would say today. He was an astute observer of government who couched his knowledge in terms the average Joes could deal with while living out their own non-political lives.
Like Rogers, Rush Limbaugh knows that the average American has no depth of political or historical knowledge, so he uses his own knowledge to issue broadsides against the political class. He understands that the depth and seriousness of a Bobby Jindal doesn’t immediately register with the public the way the pompous faux intelligence of a skilled orator like Obama does. Rush does an excellent job of laying out the broad important political issues of the day with sardonic humor, paving the way for the conservative politicians to deal more seriously with the nuts and bolts of the issues.
He is therefore the most important stalking horse for conservative Republicans today. He is intentionally not “nuanced” so that the issues get out on the table for the candidates to deal with. If conservatives continue to drop the ball, it won’t be Rush Limbaugh’s fault. He sets the stage. It’s up to the conservative politicians to do the serious acting. He also does a great job of making it clear that politicians in high office are supposed to be our leaders, not our betters.
He is a divider, not a uniter.
While not spending alot of time listening to Rush I will say this for his speech at CPAC he has more BALLS than other freakin politician! He may be the way idiot liberals like to make the Republican Party seem BUT he is NOT ASHAMED to be RICH, WHITE or FAT….he is an unapologetic CONSERVATIVE and WE NEED MORE LIKE HIM!
As a female conservative I find his message to be powerful and direct he is NOT PC and I love him for it! I am sick to death of those “moderates” in our party who keep sticking their hand out to the other side ONLY to have it smacked and I suspect it would take the hand to fall off from gangrene to stop them from doing it….the Republican Party as it stands today has very FEW PRINCIPLED leaders and that is a SHAME!
Personally i think that Rush about 100% right most of the time however, I feel that he might be past his time and now because of his enormous popularity he has had such a negative backlash against him i dont know if he would be able to “convert” anybody over to our side. maybe somebody like glen beck could be better suited in bringing in new voters
Interesting question…
Rush is Rush, he holds the banner high, has no reason to compromise our values as he is not running and has no plans to run for office.
MSM is trying to frame him as the leader to discredit Republicans. He is a leader but it is his voice that leads and encourages us to carry on our values and beliefs.
Rush just threw a bomb in the heart of the entire Democratic politics. They are all running around doing damage control. Rush is more loved in this country then what we are hearing on the propagandist media. A lot of conservatives when confronted never defend the only guy out there that speak for all of us. I don’t care about his addiction to pain killing drugs. I know a slew of people hooked on these drugs. Rush is a giant in radio and he has set the Republican agenda for the RNC. Why Steele didn’t embrace Rush’s speech is beyond me. We are in this position because conservatives EAT their own. Rush has set the direction and the road for conservatives to take over congress in 2010 and the White House 2012. Rush is the best and greatest spokesperson for our ideals and movement than anyone out there.
He’s one man. One billiant man with great skills - but just one man. He is one of the better minds of conservitism on air - but he is just a man. He is Rush. Let him be Rush. He’s just a man
There is nothing that big labor and big business can do that big government can’t do worse and more coercively. That’s one of Rush Limbaugh’s big points, and it is well-taken. For those on this site who think that conservatives are obsolete because we believe that government is unnecessary, you have us mixed up with anarchists and movement libertarians. BIG government, intruding into every area of our lives is what we object to. Government that can’t balance its own checkbook telling us how to spend or conserve our own money. Government that votes itself raises telling us how much we should earn. Government that demands that banks give credit and mortgages to people who are totally un-creditworthy, then bashes the banks when the whole thing collapses. Government that tells us that we have to devote billions of dollars to send young people to college without realizing that their educational schemes have resulted in the necessity of getting a college degree to know what they should have learned in their previously wasted twelve years in school.
Rush Limbaugh fulfills the need for a gadfly with high visibility. He’s a goad. He’s a communicator. He’s a humorist in the Will Rogers tradition. That makes him a valuable part of the conservative world. He is not the voice of the Republican party, nor even the conservative movement. His is just a voice among many who has the advantage of a large national audience. He is an agitator par excellence. He doesn’t want to be a politician, merely political. And he gives this conservative hope because he just demonstrated that conservatives don’t march in lockstep. We know government has a role in our lives (as did the Founding Fathers), it’s all about what that role is. And Limbaugh has presented many good ideas. It’s up to the actual politicians to work those ideas out and make them palatable to the American people. And if they listen to Limbaugh, they’ll know that the answer for conservatives is not to sound more like Democrats than the Democrats.
When thinking about the voices that I would like to have leading my party today I have to look back at the Continental Congresses. They got the job done that America and the world desperately needed. Who were the members of those congresses? What were their personalities, and what were their positions? If I were to try to recreate a similar body using people alive today who would I attempt to recruit?
Rush Limbaugh would be one of the first people I would go to if I were trying to recreate the Continental Congress for the purpose of creating a new GOP. However, I would also go to Micheal Steele, Newt Gingrich, Bobby Jindal, Ron Paul, and even Susan Collins. The groups of people that that gave us the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights were at least that diverse in their opinions, temperaments, backgrounds, skill sets, and personalities.
So, “Is the messenger as important as the message?”
My response is that there are some messages that will never be heard without the right messenger. The having the right messenger is as important as having the right message.
Worrying about the messenger is a luxury afforded in good times.
When the house is on fire, I’ll listen to whomever has the blueprint for the exits.
Moreover, truth is truth, even if spoken by an ass. I know many don’t care to learn anything from old Bible stories, but believe it or not, the issue of the messenger was addressed in the story of Balaam’s ass. Regard for truth, first, can save your life.
Now, if someone of a different political persuasion can articulate for me the way out of this mess that is clear and direct, and proven, I’ll listen. To do less is to succumb to the confusion and disorientation and end in ultimate ruin.
Many are tempted to bow down to the cult of personality in the hope for group identity and leadership. If leadership does not arise from one’s self first, what hope have we as a nation? If we do not lead, as Rush said clearly we must, then who will our children follow? There is still much to hope for at the personal and community level, at the state level. Rush has pointed to the exits in a clear and commanding way, and left the rest to us.
True leadership equips people for success, and does not demand fealty, followers, or offerings of cash. Few poseurs of our political class measure up.
With 20+ million listeners, Rush Limbaugh obviously has his place on the national scene. Like him or not, he has just successfully spanned three generations with his speech at CPAC and turning noses up at that is not very strategic.
My father was a Rush zealot. I am not. Several of my son’s friends are. Let him do his thing for the base along with Coulter, Beck, Hannity, etc.
Meanwhile, 2010 is coming very quickly and I am focused solely on sharing a message with potential voters of why traditional American values are the only way to restore our nation to her original glory. If anyone knows of a sustained civilization that rivals America’s Republic I am more than happy to look at the model.
Until then, if it’s not Constitutional or Declarational then it should be gone from our landscape. I want government out of our way, the states to take back their rights to run their own educational, health care and social programs and for us to unleash the power of mainstreet entrepreneurs.
Joan Of A–really enjoy your posts. Did I see you also on Big Hollywood?
Steven–Congrats, this is a stellar discussion. Keep up the good work.
Rush Limbaugh is the least of the Republican Party’s worries. I started being an ex-Republican in 1994, when Gingrich shut down the government and Ken Starr spent billions trying to dredge up filth on the Clintons (to no avail, until Clinton climaxed on an intern’s dress). When it became clear that conservatives weren’t really about ideas, or in favor of the strength and IQ of the country as a whole, the party became disenchanting to me.
Fear-mongering haters like Coulter, Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, etc., will only continue to repel thoughtful moderates from the conservative camp. If that’s what y’all want, so be it.
“MSM is trying to frame him as the leader to discredit Republicans.”
No, the Republicans are doing this themselves. When every Republican politican that criticizes Rush ends up groveling at his feet for forgivness, it’s obvious to the American public who is leading the party now.
Jindal is glad Steele apologized: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImIAJFEqklE
Steele ends up apologizing: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19517.html
Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) apologized: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/18067.html
The liberal in me thinks this is great; let the Republicans and conservatives further drive themselves into oblivion. The pragmatic side of me thinks this is very sad; we need multiple parties to keep government healthy.
So many of you here are so fixed on ‘principles’ that I rarely post now; why discuss with a brick wall. However, I will tell you this: utopians rarely get elected, and when they do, they tend to cause damage. From libertarians to the American Heritage party to the fascists to the communists, history shows us this.
As a lifetime Republican, I cannot listen to the man. Rush is paid $20,000 an hour, folks! For that, he merely has to spout controversial opinions that feed paranoid kool-aid to the 20 million who like to drink it. Who among them are going to fact-check him? He may sing to your choir, but not mine! Not only does he not live the values espoused historically by Republicans, he neither speaks for me nor 20 million other moderate Republicans.
Yes, Virginia, there really are moderate Republicans in this country… along with about as many moderate Democrats, plus about as many registered Independents. Most of the posts here seem to feel the conservatives are the only members of the GOP. I’ll venture a wild guess that none of you are aware of being manipulated by long-time members of the Council for National Policy.
The TRUTH is that McCain likely would have won had he chosen Gov. Pawlenty. Too bad he was persuaded the conservative “base” needed to be energized (& exactly why was that?). He let the tail wag the dog for good reason… by that time, he’d been told by his key economic advisors the extent to which AIG & major investment banks were in trouble, which would send the economy into a downward spiral. Who could blame him for not wanting to have that albatross sink their presidency. Simple solution was Palin, who satisfied those farther on the right while alienating those moderates closer to the middle & causing Independents to switch their votes.
The TRUTH is the presidential campaign was not the whole show, folks. The GOP should have been able to take control of the House & Senate for no other reason than the balance of power especially when faced with economic threat of such magnatude. Instead the GOP lost even more seats in Congress. Like one of the posts here mentioned, Rush speaks for a small percentage of voters. The rest obviously were turned off.
A minor point of difference: Rush Limbaugh does not get paid in the sense of a “paycheck.” He earns his living as a contractor, and like many self-employed people would have us all remember that they never get a paycheck in the passive sense most think. . . as though some employer endows him. He charges what his market will bear, and it does not exclude him from the Conservative conversation. A conversation that is many things, but not controversial.
A point of agreement with you on the local nature of political change. That is why anyone looking to Rush, or McCain, or moderation or extremism will ultimately be disappointed. It is we, the People, who must lead.
Another minor point about the post of this title referring to the stirring of emotion. I do not know if it is meant as a subtlety, but I will address the thought it evokes:
There is nothing wrong with emotions being stirred. It’s the only thing that provokes action. Lots of great minds are sitting behind keyboards, quietly moderate, excruciatingly logical and reasonable, inarguably and tediously scrupulous and without blame.
And nobody reads or listens to them.
Even so, it seems that the inclination of moderates is to sacrifice many good people on the altars of perfection and its elusive twin, “intellect.” Much good may it do them.
This many comments, this much emotional regurgitaion, over a guy who gets paid to give his opinion? A guy with no college who has been doing his job longer than I’ve been alive (I’m 22)? Grow up, America. I like the guys show, I’m a fan, as well as a fan of Coulter, Hannity, etc. Just because I find them entertaining doesn’t mean I’d walk off a cliff after them. I think this just shows the stupidity of the Obama administration to take the opinion of a guy who GETS PAID TO CRITICIZE LIBERALS to heart.
“who GETS PAID TO CRITICIZE LIBERALS”
Interesting. I thought he was paid to sell commercials/air time, and there is a difference between what you are saying and what I am saying.
But perhaps you a telling more truth than people would like to admit…
“Grow up, America.”
Are you saying that the politicians apologizing to Rush are immature? Or the constituents that are pressuring them to apologize are immature?
Rush is no more the leader of the Republican party than Michael Moore is the democrat party. Rush is an entertainer first and a voice for the conservative movement. This is about distracting the American People from the intentions of BHO. It is a false issue. It’s also about marganilizing Rush. The truth is every conservative wants BHO to fail in inflicting his socialist agenda on america! That is no different than the democrats wanting the the war in Iraq to be lost! There is a big difference in the affect of losing in Iraq vs Obama losing the coming fight to inflict socialism on America. In the case of Iraq many more people would have died had their dream come true. In the case of conservatives wanting BHO to fail it would mean the US public and, arguably the world public, would benefit if BHO fails.
Rush is one of my talk show host idols… He is no Presidential Candidate. He would be a good Secretary of State. Or, a very good Secretary of Defense. I could see Rush leading the charge against countries who mess with us, but I could not visualize him at the desk where the big red button is located!
I TOO WANT BHO TO FAIL! Why? Because I do not want to live in a socialist country…
MomsHug I hate to tell you that Gov. Pawlenty or any other choice would not have saved poor John McCain. His failure rests squarely on his own shoulders and not on Palins. If moving to the middle was such a great idea then John McCain would have won. He didn’t have his base and yes that does matter.
McCain lost the presidency when he suspended his campaign and flew back to DC. After all the drama he just signed onto that first bailout. He didn’t come up with a different plan. He didn’t refuse to sign he just signed and came back to the debate looking like he had pulled a political stunt. That’s why he lost not because the conservative message is wrong.
MomsHugs thinks that Rush turned off enough people to lose both the house and the senate? Now that is powerful. I believe that would make even Rush blush.
The republicans are not in power because when they had the chance they did not live up to conservative values. They spent too much money. They voted for for the bailout. They got drunk with the prestige and the power. Shame on them because look at where we are now.
The message can’t change. But we need all the voices we can recruit. Let Rush talk to his following. Sean has a wide audiance and Beck has a unique voice so why not welcome them all. They can’t be our leaders but we need everyone to join.
Lets all support Jindal even if he has an off day. He is a brilliant, inspiring man. If Sarah runs in 2012 lets not destroy her. The libs and mainstream media will try to do that. Everyone who knows her personally says she is smart lets give her a chance to show it. We have Romney, Pawlenty and many others. Let’s include brilliant minds like Gingrich along with college students with good ideas.
For those who do not keep up with the news, Michael Steel is the leader of the Republican Party. Rush Limbaugh is an analyst who is also very entertaining. However, he is not a leader of any organization and does not desire to be one. If anything, he is the voice of the conservative movement, along with Hannity, Levin, Ingraham, and a host of others. Rush is the most popular because he is the best. I have been listening to Rush for twenty years.
I listen because he agrees with me, not because I agree with him. Rush validates the opinions of his conservative listeners, he might also inspire some but he does not “lead” them. True conservatives think for themselves.
Kevin - You sound just like a kid that lost in the marble game. Excuses, excuses. The Republicans would have lost this battle NO MATTER WHAT! I don’t care who would have ran on the Republican Ticket… The great Chicago Political Machine got hold of this one with all their crooked lawyers with their ties to organized crime. THEY JUST TOOK THIS ELECTION WITH THAT. There was too much corruption in the mixture not to mention Barack Obama being half black and totally something new to that side of the fence. Actually, if truth be known, a lot, I mean a lot of Republicans voted for BHO. Their excuse, CHANGE!
You see, I don’t see anybody from ACORN being punished. Seems they just forgot that little deal. That is only the tip of the ice berg. The reason we don’t hear of any of this stuff now is that the Main Stream, FAR LEFT, Media didn’t report it nor will they report it. They were much too busy bashing Palin and Bush.
Here is a good line up:
President: Sarah Palin
Vic President: Sean Hannity
Secretary of State: Bill O’Reilly
Secretary of Defense: Rush Limbaugh
And so on and so on…
I feel sorry for Mike Steele right now he shoud have NEVER apologized to Rush now. he is looked at as being weak by his own party (nobody on this board) but in the media!
For the nickel it’s worth… @Jerry, what a GREAT way to say it in a few words! As with any person or entity, our greatest strengths are also our greatest weaknesses.
It is intrinsic to the natures as Republicans and Independents to be the free thinkers of wisdom, compassion, understanding and flexibility that the far left tries to pretend they are. But our strong personalities naturally also give rise to conflict and debate. I.e. we don’t have the herd mentality.
@Bud, a GREAT description of the perfect storm of how a guy with such inexperience and so sorely lacking in understanding of huge things like the financial markets got elected to the highest office in the land.
Of course, there are awesome thoughts and points throughout this dialogue. Thank you, Steven, for creating the opportunity and conscientiously monitoring to keep it fair.
As long as we keep ”turning the prism” of consideration to see the different ways our ideas “refract in the light” our voices will get clearer and grow stronger.
The Republican Party is devoid of leadership at the moment, Michael Steele nothwithstanding. It is a party that its own affiliates don’t trust anymore to stand tall on landmark issues. It is a party of “mavericks” - had one as its presidential nominee - and a maverick is untrustworthy by definition.
Michael Steele proved he is not ready for primetime over the weekend. In a softball interview by comedian D.L. Hugely, Steele made two giant mistakes. First, he forgot both who he was, and what he represented. He got down to barber shop talkin’ with the two brothers, D.L. and rapper Chuck D. (of “Public Enemy” fame). He was going to make a connection with the young urbanites, and got called out for assuming Chuck D. was from the projects - oohh…loss of cred there, Mike. Then he agreed with D.L. that the Republican Convention looked like the Nazis meeting…something overlooked in the Limbaugh blow back. And, finally, he answered a Hugely statement without hearing it through - hurrying a defensive answer when one wasn’t necessary…and that’s when Steele dismissed Rush as an “entertainer.” See for yourself at my blog with link to the ENTIRE interview at marylandconservatives.blogspot.com.
The larger problem is that the GOP will pay for years for the unbridled stupidity exhibited by “Compassionate Socialist” President George W. Bush in September, 2008. If one recalls, he, not Obama and the Democrats, had to have the first bailout rushed to his desk by the weekend, or the world would crumble. The Panic Button was pushed by his Secretary of the Treasuty and the Sultans of Wall Street. Remember, he was admittedly sacrificing free market ideals to save the free markets. And, of course, it wasn’t enough…it never is…and never will be.
That first bailout ended the public’s trust that Republicans could better manage the economy. It effectively cut off any future principled debate over government intervention in private business - the President and his Republican Party lemmings tossed those aside in the rout…while Candidate John McCain wandered Washington aimlessly looking for any role in this charade after he suspended his campaign…while LEADING!
Who is the leader of the Republican party? Hell, it may as well be me for the hash the usual suspects are making of it. There is not a hot enough place in Hades for the “mavericks” of this party, and nothing sucks like an unfilled leadership vaccum.
Next time they elect an RNC chairman, “None of the Above” is the clear choice.
Rush Limbaugh, political commentator not any head of state and shouldn’t be considered the head of the Republican Party. His doesn’t legislate nor has any stake in political matters that House Republicans and Senate GOP members must contend with currently. Leave the matters of our party to elected officials. Not talking heads in the media that Limbaugh stated that GOP Chairman Michael Steele is pretending to be part of.
Okay, I am going to catch a lot of flack from the “Un-Godly” and other forms of “Ooze” not to mention the “Socialites” that has infiltrated our society here in America, but I am going to say this one more time… (I hope there are a lot of you that read this post.)
The Republican Party is no longer considered “The Conservative Party.” The Reputlican Party has eased to the left over the last decade so far that I consider them “Repubo-Crats.” I know there is no such word but there are very few real Consrevative Republicans left! Too any “Politicians” on both side turned our two party system into a “Battle Ground.” If they are for it, we’ll be against it… If they are against it, we’ll be for it… If we act more like them, we can get their voters. OUR WHOLE SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A POLITICAL BATTLEGROUND. The people are not even the shadow of that battleground. In the political world, the American people are the least of the politician’s worry today. They want power, and there’s nothing they (All Politicians.) will not do to get that power.
There is also an underlying movement in our society that feast on the weak, the poor and those power seeking politicians. The heart and soul of that movement is to get God our of all our schools, statehouses, public parks and anywhere one might be influenced by the word or the power of “God.” If an individual does not have a heavenly leader, they turn to the next best thing, in this case “Government.” The “Communist” party is led by the government, the “Socialist” party is led by the government. Power hungry politicians control our government, not the people anymore. From the highest seat down to the lowest. IT IS CONTROLLED BY POWER HUNGRY POLITICIANS. More so now than ever, PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR EVERYTHING!
To achieve the victory and be in a power position, THEY WILL DO ANYTHING GET GOD OUT OF THEIR WAY… God and the true “Conservative (Christian) Voice” is the biggest threat to power hungry politicians.
People need to take a strong conservative, “Godly” stand and try to get this society back on track. IT MAY BE TOO LATE…
@Bud…actually I think you’ve hit on the central issue. I caught Glenn Beck today and he made similar comments that bridged back to our founding fathers. With God first–country, family, finances and other areas fall into place. All for one and one for all works.
That isn’t just an ethereal hypothesis. I was the head of a $5M Dept. in a very secular environment where using Biblical premises allowed nearly 200 of us to take an ailing entity and turn it around completely…including improving on an inherited budget by $180K in about a year without laying off anyone and an union leader telling me I was the only director (of 12) who did not have a single complaint lodged against me. EVERYBODY WON.
Obviously many, if not most, of those in government today do not follow these kinds of “right” priorities. As the power creepers have voted themselves closer and closer to the throne of “God Power” they each so desperately crave “we” have been busy doing other things–like going to school, working, raising families, etc.
I seriously doubt our forefathers envisioned Ted Kennedy, John McCain and many others clinging to political careers in Washington that spanned decades. Term limits would help us tremendously to prevent ANY old guard from taking control again but we have to vote out the tarnished to vote in the more well-adjusted.
I don’t think it’s too late. In fact, I believe that God is allowing this freakish, perfect political storm at this time in our history to let the contrast between right and left become so stark that MOST of us really do get off our duffs and take back our country.
Thanks for your post, Bud!
@Bud
Have you ever gone on the walk to Emmaus? I highly recommend it. It will restore your faith first in God and then in his ability to change hearts. Even old crusty hearts. I’ve seen it.
I fully understand faith, my faith! My faith is not what worries me, my belief in God and a life here-after does not worry me… What does worry me is people like us that sit back and say “Have Faith, put it in God’s hands!” Faith without works it dead! I believe God can and will do anything he wants to - however, I equally believe you and I are suppose to do something besides sit on our cans and and say “Have Faith!”
I whole-heartedly agree. What works do you have in mind and what works are you currently doing?
I also agree that faith without works is dead. But faith in motion moves mountains! It feels like right now without a cohesive “Republican” Party there are four distinct groups of people among us:
1. The whiners who are going to complain no matter what.
2. The coaches who inform, encourage and give sound advice.
3. The defensive players who update and offer contact info to confront issues.
4. The offensive players who look ahead, plan and execute.
All four types of us can dialogue and go away better equipped to help lay a new foundation for ourselves. We can vehemently disagree with Rush, Ann Coulter, etc. but the truth is they are out there “doing” AND making a living at it.
I’m best on offense.
1. I’ve been exploring for a ”The Constitution Counts” Rally that is too big to ignore in the Midwest in late July 2010. So far, the enthusiasm and suggestions from people have been extraordinary. The idea is to SHOW the country what traditional Americans look like in motion–a huge celebration with entertainment, vendors, booths for causes, etc. I don’t buy that our country has moved so far left and believe that gathering en masse would greatly encourage those who haven’t voted or stopped voting to feel they really can make a difference.
2. As well, I have developed an idea for a reality TV show, “America’s Got Voice,” where liberal and conservative teams offer plans of action for people in crisis (experts are also involved…I’m just giving a quick overview) and America votes for the best plan of action via phone and text like “American Idol.” Again, I think people–ESPECIALLY 18-21–would be much more motivated to participate in the election process from local to national levels if they “see” their voices count.
Thanks for letting me continue to share…
Karen, AWESOME! Please keep us updated on those constitution rallies.
“We must all hang together or we shall surely hang seperatley.”–Ben F.
Faith, like everything else, will only move when something moves it! True belief in something is faith and that should motivate us to take the action. (Should) I don’t see that happening. I have visited hundreds of so called “Conservative Web Sites” and nearly all them have one thing in common — they are all leaching from the moment, selling conservative books and ads, etc. to make money. I’m not saying that’s all wrong but I can say from a personal point of view, it is hard for me to stay interested.
I would like someone to call me and say “Hey Bud, me and some good conservative buddies are meeting at the statehouse to protest. How about bringing a friend and joining us.” Has not happened. I would like to see a movement of “NOTHING BUT TRUE CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVES”. People who believe God is Real… People who believe Heaven exists… People who believe we should teach our kids Christian values and that prayer in schools is A MUST! People who believe homosexuality is a sin… People who believe killing babys is a sin… You know, those kinds of beliefs that have sort of gone by the way-side? (May I mention that you are sort of an out-cast now if you believe in all those things!)
I have checked out Hannity’s gatherings but there too, you must buy a ticket. So, who’s our leader? Somebody must be a politician with those kinds of values! REALLY?
Bud–I nominate you the leader. Now put your faith into action.
Bud–upon reading my post I realized it may sound sarcastic. It is not as I am absolutely serious. I hope you choose to lead a CC movement. The GOP is a mish-mash of ideas right now and the best will rise above the clamor and be assimilated. We need a strong conservative voice. We need an unashamed Christian voice. It seems that you are waiting for a leader, but I am here to adjur you, my brother, to take a page from our Founding Fathers. Stand shoulder to shoulder with the great men and women of our great nation and make a difference. In every way, in the very essence of the words–GO FOR IT!!!!!!
Thanks, Theo! I WILL update on the rally. It has been amazing how much positive response I’ve had (literally dozens of replies on another site that, given summer 2010, they would absolutely on board). So, we’ll see. We’ll know much more about where things are settling on all things political then.
The Tea Parties are being well-attended and it sure seems like Glenn Beck’s “We Surround Them” and now the “The 912 Project” is gathering tremendous steam. It will be interesting to see where that goes too.
As long as we keep sorting things through and lifting up one another I am 100% confident that God has HIS hand at our backs and that means we’ll be fine.
From: Karen C.
I also agree that faith without works is dead. But faith in motion moves mountains! It feels like right now without a cohesive “Republican” Party there are four distinct groups of people among us:
1. The whiners who are going to complain no matter what.
2. The coaches who inform, encourage and give sound advice.
3. The defensive players who update and offer contact info to confront issues.
4. The offensive players who look ahead, plan and execute.
All four types of us can dialogue and go away better equipped to help lay a new foundation for ourselves. We can vehemently disagree with Rush, Ann Coulter, etc. but the truth is they are out there “doing” AND making a living at it.
Karen, I think this makes more sense than anything I have heard so far in doing something positive and actually making a difference.
You are right, the ones that are making the loudest noises are making a lot of money. Take away the money and what would happen? Would we still have a leader in that person? Probably not. I am not saying that making money is bad, it’s just really hard to determine who is there for the money or our country. It seems it would be pretty easy to stand up for something if you are making a lot of money for it!
We need a leader that will stand up, NO MATTER WHERE, NO MATTER WHERE, in Washington, in the entire United States, in all the whole world and defend the values that made this Nation Great… That person should be able to introduce the constitution in it’s original form and stand with it. I am sure there are some among us that would step forward. I really think once we find someone like this and start having confidence in their TRUE LEADERSHIP, it will be like a snow ball rolling down hill, IT WILL GET BIGGER AND BIGGER.
I studied some literature once that was directed to TRUE LEADERSHIP. Your 4 point explaination was in that literature. To make it short, the percentage of REAL LEADERS fell somewhere under a mere 2% of the entire population of the world. The big problem in the whole senerio was that more than 10% percent of the population wanted to be leaders but wanted to lead through GREED and for personal gain. I wonder what those numbers would be today? I have seen very few TRUE LEADERS, even in our churchs today. They all seem to turn out like Michael Steele. NOT 100% TRUE TO THEIR FAITH.
He is too radical and has a huge ego.
Excellent points, Bud!! It IS such a struggle across the board to find those today who are true to their values while living them out, articulating them without denigrating others and/or not just hustling for their own gain. I find this just as true in areas of the Christian community as in the political arena.
Like you, I have no problem with anyone earning money. I like money. I like nice things. I’ve had periods in my life where I had plenty and periods where I had little. My balance comes from my faith so my sense of peace doesn’t falter but my comfort level sure does. :)
What I find difficult to reconcile, particulary with leaders who call themselves Christians, is that they aren’t consisitently demonstrating use of the only barometer they really need: Answering to the best of their human ability, “What would Jesus do in this situation?”
I can’t imagine Jesus prostituting himself like so many on both the left and the right do today in order to “sell” Christianity or to buy loyalty.
One night when I was changing channels on tv a religious service caught my eye and I stopped only to hear some woman giving her testimony about “…I got my holy water and within 48 hours I got a $25K check from back child support! Praise God! I tell everyone to get their holy water from brother…”
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!!
Brother so-and-so is nothing more than a charlatan who is likely living in a mansion and being driven around in a limo! He enslaves people by convincing them that God is little more than “Santa behind a Wizard of Oz Curtain.” The Lord must absolutely GRIEVE to see people use HIM as a marketing tool for their scams!
What makes that pastor different from Barack Obama and his cronies? Very little in my mind. They both “market their wares” in the name of “God” and their brand of social justice but their actions say simply, “I want power, glory and your money and I’ll do whatever I have to to get it.”
Years ago…proportionately, few in America owned slaves. They provided food, clothing and shelter to human beings in return for extremely hard work. Horrific idea…trafficking in human beings.
Today…proportionately, few in America (i.e. politicians) are executing an agenda that just as surely enslaves people by ”bailing them out” via welfare, foodstamps, housing assistance, medical and dental care and other social programs.
The differences in my mind? Today the “slaves” are of all races and creeds and instead of hard work the people are asked mostly just for their votes…or for a few bucks in donation for their holy water.
Horrific idea…trafficking in human beings…regardless of which side of the aisle or whether in church or in Washington.
Is there anyone seeing through all this Democratic Organized Crime that is going on in Washington right now? Obama going against our brave military individuals and the military as a whole! Palosi teaming up with innegal immagrents! Chris Dodd telling lie after lie about te bail out money! WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHY ISN’T AMERICA BURNING?
WE ARE IN A HEAP TROUBLE FOLKS! It is real, it is in America and it is here now… It seems the Dems can do anything they want and get by with it. Does it seem that way to you? WOW! My dad was a life long Democrat but I bet my shoes he is turning over in his grave this very minute because of the corrupt democrat party.
3mkMUZ comment2 ,
Rush is twice the man than any lefty will ever be. He stands for something and doesn’t talk in circles like the far left does. He is eloquent in speech, stands firm on his principles, has charisma, and is very popular among conservatives and closet lefty’s.
This man can speak in any situation and hold his head up and doesn’t need to belittle people like the failed, face lifted, has been congressional house members and senators I have been watching spew their vile mouths and vote to kill babies and then act like they could give a rat about people.
Oh yeah, and then there is ACORN..gee I wonder all you lefty’s, how close do the nuts fall from that tree on your side? At least we don’t have to pay for votes and Rush and the Republicans can raise more honest funds than anyone in the old nut orchard..
Oh please. Rush is nothing but a buffoon. Thousands of true conservatives feel humiliated and embarrassed by his ridiculous rantings. Some of us still include the value of dignity among our core beliefs, right along with state’s rights and free enterprise. If you believe that clowns like Limbaugh represent Republicans, then get used to the idea of a much smaller Republican party. We are better than that. We are smarter than that. Our character is stronger than that. Rush’s noise does us only disservice.
<i>We are better than that. We are smarter than that. Our character is stronger than that.</i>
Apparently not. We are an amalgam of high ideals and lesser realities, moral virtues and earthly expediencies. Our leaders need to be better people than we, better than Rush Limbaugh, better than I, or you. That’s why we honor them with the title of “leader,” a label which I have seen no one on this thread confer upon Rush. So get over yourself and stick to the point: Rush is stirring emotions. Cannot the self-righteous and better among the GOP suffer a bit of a gadfly for the purpose of stirring the inertia of the presumptive power-brokers of our party? Or must his little finger be properly extended while sipping his hot tea at the Patron’s Brunch?
THE DELIMA
What is Conservative? What is Liberal? What is a Liberal Democrat? What is a Conservative Democrat What is a Moderate Democrat? What is a Liberal Republican? What is a Conservative Republican? What is a Moderate Republican? (We can also insert the term Radical in with all these.) ALL THIS IS A BUNCH OF BS! Here is how we need to pick our party leaders.
Republican: Everyone that votes Republican.
Democrat: Everyone that votes Democrat.
Christian: Everyone that votes against Homosexuality, Abortion and sin.
Liberal: Everyone that votes for Homosexuality, Abortion and sin.
Radical: Everyone who votes against everything, pretends to be all these things plus will hack your head off or blow your ass up!
Socialism: The government takes part in running everything. It’s here and doing quite well.
Communism: The government owns and runs everything. Everyone works for the government. Will be here soon.
Guess what’s next? If your guess was Dictators with all the above! - you just scored 100 on your political test… You will have some of these characters mentioned above that will tell you THAT’S BS! I am here to tell you that is already happening.
And on and on! Get the point?
Both parties are now Liberal, Conversatives, Christian, Moderate, Radical, Socialistic, Communist, and just plain NOTHING!
THE $64,000 QUESTION: Tell me how we plan to pick a party leader? If you pick either one of the catagories above, all the rest are against you. THERE IS NO REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT PARTY ANYMORE! When you say the words, Democrat or Republican, those names include a whole bunch of nasty people, usually some or all of the above. These web bloggs are full of those nasty people.
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