Rush Limbaugh is fully engaged in helping the Rethugs distance themselves

[cantstandbush]

from Bush in time for the elections. That means that Rush can hold the base together where Bush cannot and all will be well in lala-neocon land.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

1. Limbaugh is using the immigration thing as a "wedge issue."

Whatever people think of the "guest worker program," conservative Republicans think of it as "amnesty," and they DO NOT want it.

I don't care how it's "sold," what kind of pretty paper and fancy ribbon is tied around the box.

As long as the "guest worker program" remains in ANY "reform" package, they will see it as granting amnesty to between 12 and 15 million immigrants who broke the law.

That's Limbaugh's "talking point," and you make a very astute observation here.

Rush can sing the praises of Bush all he wants, but when all is said and done, he needs that daily three hour show. Make no mistake...if / when Bush faces REAL trouble...say, if Rove gets indicted and his safety net disappears, and he's still trying to push the "guest worker program" to an angry "base"...then Limbaugh will be doing three hours a day on how Bush let the base down.

GUARANTEED.

[Canuckistanian]

2. Ah, so this is the Great Schism of '06?

A way to hold the troops in reserve while the next Gruppenfuehrer is groomed for power?

They won't get off that easy.