TAP: Limbaugh now in charge of bullying Republicans...large and in charge.

madfloridian

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Tue Feb-03-09 11:14 PM
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TAP: Limbaugh now in charge of bullying Republicans...large and in charge.

Interesting article from today's American Prospect. It points out how it is really a benefit for President Obama to have Rush Limbaugh become the titular head of the Republican Party. Which he is right now. There is no clear leader, and he has the loudest bully pulpit.

Limbaugh vs Obama

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

At a giddy Capitol Hill ceremony in December 1994, Rush Limbaugh was declared an honorary member of the 104th Congress, so grateful were its ascendant Republicans for the radio host's assistance in winning majorities of both houses. Limbaugh told the assembled members to remain "rock-ribbed devoted in almost a militant way to your principles." And indeed they did.
The ensuing years had their ups and downs for Limbaugh. Though his radio program continued to prosper, there was a divorce (his third), his arrest for "doctor shopping" to feed his prescription drug habit (including allegedly sending his housekeeper out to procure drugs for him -- so classy), and the development of a condition that left him almost deaf. But the biggest problem Limbaugh had was the success of the politicians he supported. With Republicans in control of all three branches of government from 2001 to 2007, Limbaugh found himself forced to defend the prevailing order, which is neither as compelling nor as fun as assaulting the powers that be.

But now with a new Democratic administration and Democratic majorities in Congress, Limbaugh is just where he wants to be -- on the outside, decrying the perfidy of the president and bullying fellow Republicans who fall out of line. And he's getting a big hand from President Barack Obama, who recently told congressional Republicans, "You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh" if they want to accomplish anything. It might have seemed beneath the president of the United States to take a shot at a radio host. But rest assured, Obama knew just what he was doing.

McCain doesn't get it.

At least one person couldn't figure it out, though. Demonstrating again the razor-sharp political acumen that served him so well last fall, John McCain couldn't fathom what Obama might be up to. "I don't know why he would do that. Mr. Limbaugh is a voice of a significant portion of our conservative movement in America," McCain said. "I don't know why that the president would take him on. He's part of the political landscape, and he plays a role."

I agree with Paul Waldman. McCain just doesn't get it. The more people who see the true colors of Rush Limbaugh, the wider the exposure about his 38 million dollar a year contract, the wider the exposure about 5 Palm Beach homes, and 6 cars worth half a million each...the more people will start to think Aha!!. Maybe he is not what we thought he was....I think many will think that.

For example, we drove to the house from the studio, Limbaugh at the wheel, in a black Maybach 57S, which runs around $450,000 fully loaded. He had half a dozen similar rides on his estate.

“I have these cars for two reasons,” Limbaugh said. “First, they are for the use of my guests. And two, I happen to love fine automobiles.”

He also loves space. There are five homes — all of them his — on the property. The big house is 24,000 square feet. Limbaugh lives there with a cat. He’s been married three times but has no children.

The man who can make politicians like Phil Gingrey grovel before him on air..begging his forgiveness will perhaps get more attention than he likes.

But when the congressman for Georgia’s 11th district sounded off this week about Rush Limbaugh - saying it was easy for him “to stand back and throw bricks” while elected officials provide leadership - Gingrey had little inkling of the uproar his remarks would create.

Within hours of criticizing the popular right-wing talker, the GOP lawmaker’s offices were bombarded with phone calls and e-mails from outraged constituents and Limbaugh devotees known as “dittoheads.”

By the next morning, a humbled Gingrey was phoning in to Limbaugh’s show to apologize.

“I just wanted to tell you, Rush - and all our conservative giants, who help us so much to maintain our base and grow it to get back this majority - that I regret those stupid comments,” he said.

Gingrey’s grovelling mea culpa is being heralded as evidence to support two emerging views of the conservative movement in post-George W. Bush era - that there’s a Republican leadership vacuum in Washington, and that Limbaugh, the great tormentor of liberals everywhere, is stepping in once again to fill the void.

And in reality that is true.

In a party in which Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin are strutting their strut and pretending to be the bosses....Rush will have the bully microphone.

Best thing that could happen to our intelligent and well-spoken President Obama. They look pathetic beside him, and the public will not for very long be able to rationalize the presence of the three musketeers, Rush, Sarah, and Joe.