On Friday’s The Situation Room on CNN, Jack Cafferty used his regular "Cafferty File" segment to attack Rush Limbaugh and other conservatives, citing Colin Powell’s recent words criticizing Limbaugh’s role in speaking for Republicans. After he quoted Powell’s remarks, Cafferty clarified that Powell was "talking about that gasbag Limbaugh," and posed the question for viewers: "Should Republicans stop listening to Rush Limbaugh?" Later in the program, all the viewer emails he read were harshly critical of Limbaugh, with one even comparing him and Sean Hannity to the Ku Klux Klan. Cafferty, reading email: "Connie in Chicago: ‘Yes! Limbaugh is a far-right agitator of the worst sort with a 1950's mentality of what values 21st century America should reflect. I expect him and other like-minded Sean Hannitys of the world to step out of their closet and display their white sheets and dunce caps. Limbaugh is a bad joke.’"
Cafferty, whose regular "Cafferty File" segment itself is far from being a unifying feature of CNN’s The Situation Room program, read emails that accused Limbaugh of "hateful rhetoric," "sociopathy," "inciting hate and fear," insulted Limbaugh’s listeners as "ignorant," referred to Limbaugh "taking his happy pills," and suggested that moderate Republicans should "scrape" the conservative faction "from their shoes."
Below is a transcript of relevant portions from the 6:00 p.m. hour of the Friday, December 12, The Situation Room on CNN:
JACK CAFFERTY: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is critiquing members of his own political party, and he’s not mincing any words. In an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Powell said the Republicans’ attempt at polarization for political advantage backfired in the most recent election. You’ll recall that Colin Powell crossed party lines and actually endorsed Barack Obama before the election, and he has since said that he’s not interested in a position on the Obama team. Colin Powell said that Republicans have to, quote, "stop shouting at the world and at the country," unquote, saying the party needs to "take a hard look at itself." Powell said he was impressed by a recent article by Mort Kondracke in the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call that asked the question, "Can we continue to listen to Rush Limbaugh?" Powell asked if this is the "kind of party" the Republicans really "want to be, when these kinds of spokespersons seem to appeal to our lesser instincts rather than our better instincts." Talking about that gasbag Limbaugh. So here’s the question: Should Republicans stop listening to Rush Limbaugh? Here’s a hint: Yes! Go to CNN.com/CaffertyFile to post a comment on my blog. His currency, I think, in the wake of these recent election results has probably gone down a little bit.
WOLF BLITZER: I wonder if his ratings, though, have gone down.
CAFFERTY: I don’t know.
BLITZER: He does really well, you know, with those listeners.
CAFFERTY: And his paycheck hasn’t gone down.
BLITZER: No.
CAFFERTY: What, did he sign a $400 million contract to peddle that malarchy that he puts out every day?
BLITZER: He’s got a lot of money.
CAFFERTY: Yeah.
...
CAFFERTY: Question this hour is: Should Republicans stop listening to Rush Limbaugh? Gina in Racine, Wisconsin: "If they want to stop being distracted by misplaced hatred and hyped up stories that turn their attention away from our country’s real issues and if they want to come together and unite to make this country better, they will stop listening to Rush, Hannity, O’Reilly and Coulter.
Annie in Georgia writes: "It’s only the most ignorant of them that put any credence in Limbaugh’s hateful rhetoric, and sadly they can’t help themselves, so they won’t. But they should. He’s toxic, and that becomes dangerous in such difficult times."
Ryan in Illinois: "I never thought of sociopathy as good entertainment, but Limbaugh does get paid a lot of money for inciting hate and fear. Basically, I just feel bad for those who listen to the man. Even after just a few minutes of him, I always feel dizzy and a little nauseated."
Connie in Chicago: "Yes! Limbaugh is a far-right agitator of the worst sort with a 1950's mentality of what values 21st century America should reflect. I expect him and other like-minded Sean Hannitys of the world to step out of their closet and display their white sheets and dunce caps. Limbaugh is a bad joke.
Joyce in Florida: "Other than Hannity and O’Reilly, I didn’t know anyone did listen. Most people prefer to actually think."
Cynthia writes: "They ought to have done that a long time ago, especially when they found out about him taking his happy pills."
John in Massachusetts: "Telling a Republican to stop listening to Rush Limbaugh is akin to telling Pat Robertson to discontinue his alleged conversations with God."
And Jim in Vancouver, British Columbia: "Rush Limbaugh, always good for a laugh, but his followers now form the basis for a waning right-wing political faction. Moderate Republicans should scrape this faction from their shoes."
—Brad Wilmouth is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.



















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Get Smart
December 15, 2008 - 09:26 ET by allanfDespite their supposed keen intellects, liberals are incapble of grasping the nuances of Rush Limbaugh.
...or...
December 15, 2008 - 09:36 ET by AJBOR... since there is not great consensus on reimplementing the newspeak Fairness Doctrine, they're doing a full-court press to smear and hurt them so they can proceed at a later date.
AJB... Nail squarely on
January 18, 2009 - 02:15 ET by bigtimerAJB...
Nail squarely on head.
You said it all.
All msms leftists have an agenda...they are the enemy within.
He must have forgot the KKK is
December 15, 2008 - 11:14 ET by 10ksnookerThe terror wing of the Democrat party. Just like Jim Crow and segregation, all Democrats.
Cafferty is calling someone a gasbag?
December 15, 2008 - 09:31 ET by theduck6Bwaaaa Haaaa Haaaa STOP IT!!!
Hey ,in many ways Rush is truely a gasbag but this is the pot calling the kettle... If you can wade through the self agrandisement and bravado you will get things you will NOT get from the likes of Blitzer and Cafferty. You know those silly things called facts that don't support the liberal agendae of the leftie loonies ant the MSM.
His self proclaimed accuracy rate notwithstanding, he is correct an awful lot of the time.
OOOH and Gen Powell. Not even rising to the level of a RINO IMHO, why would anyone listen to a man who sold out the party strictly on racial lines? Unless being a CG turned him into a Socialist, what other reason could there be for his endorsement of Obama ...and the timing has a malodorous tinge as well. What took him so long?
I was and remain extremely disappointed with McCain and his campaign but it was the lesser of two great evils.
Powell
January 18, 2009 - 02:10 ET by RowanePowell isn't a RINO he's an opportunist
wow, jack calling rush and
December 15, 2008 - 09:37 ET by JIMMY1660wow, jack calling rush and sean KKK. jack then should be considered for a role with the communist party??I'm sure this is all driven by the fact BHO is going to tank, big time. and the need to blame someone other than BHO and his followers.
nice try jack, rush makes more sense in two words than you do writing a book. take away the MSM bias and your BOY BHO is exposed for the non qualified candidate he is. you have one shot at the white house better take good care of America, or your a$$es will hang from a tree.
allow me to Love America
Jack Cafferty
December 15, 2008 - 09:40 ET by larry on LIone who is constantly testing the bounds of a unalcoholic lifesyle
You know this moron..
December 15, 2008 - 09:41 ET by ConservativeFLJoyce in Florida: "Other than Hannity and O’Reilly, I didn’t know anyone did listen. Most people prefer to actually think."
Is actually incapable of thinking, comments are right from the silly place between stupid and the MSM talking points. I belive if she did think for herself she would not voted for the Messiah and his BS.
I am really starting to buy into this idea that liberalism is a mentral disorder, the are so hateful.
"Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats believe every day is April 15." Ronald Reagan
ConservativeFL
December 15, 2008 - 10:21 ET by littlemissmuffin"I am really starting to buy into this idea that liberalism is a mentral disorder, the are so hateful."
See this article: Liberals Clinically Mad, Concludes Top Shrink:
http://worldnetdaily...
"If we conservatives moved to those seven non-existent States, the government couldn’t find us and tax us to death!"
The link itself isn't very
December 15, 2008 - 10:57 ET by ThatDudeThe link itself isn't very conclusive, but I'm very curious to read the book. His opinion certainly resonates with conservatives, but it would take a more in-depth read of his reasonings and facts to truly support the conclusion. I've had so many arguments with people explaining through psychology and sociology that liberalism is a mentality that fails in the real world. I'm interested in reading this to see how much his arguments coincide with my own and the facts he would choose to use in support of the conclusions. Till then, the article itself is an opinion that can't sway opinion unless the base arguments resonate with one's own logic.
Jack "Hit and Run" Cafferty
December 15, 2008 - 09:48 ET by ArminiusIs part of the reason CNN has lost so many viewers. Blitzer and the other reporters cover serious issues in The Situation Room, and then they have this boob Cafferty come out and hurt their credibility with his court jester routine.
They may cover serious
December 15, 2008 - 10:19 ET by Scuba DudeThey may cover serious issues, but the biased and inept way that they cover them has already destroyed whatever credibility they once may have had.
KKK okay
December 15, 2008 - 09:49 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsPerhaps Cafferty should compare Democrat Senator Robert Byrd to the KKK. Oh, wait, Robert Byrd IS the KKK.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Let's bombard him with comments
December 15, 2008 - 11:04 ET by mattmhttp://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5t.html
PROFESSIONAL JEALOUSY PERHAPS?
December 15, 2008 - 09:53 ET by timzankI don't like Cafferty, so guess what? I don't tune in to listen or see him. I have choices like everyone to listen to what I like. why is it so difficult for liberals to grasp the most basic of concepts.
Rush makes gazillions because enough people like to listen to him, Cafferty makes a sh%tload less because not that many people choose to view him.
It's more jealousy than anything else. If Cafferty had a message (or CNN for that matter) that huge numbers of people were "in tune" with, they'd have huge ratings and huge salaries. Sorry about your luck, Jack.
El Rushbo Rules
December 15, 2008 - 10:04 ET by rightwingchefLibs are always scared of what or who they don't understand. The truth really does hurt.
I've got to hand it to
December 15, 2008 - 10:08 ET by HockeyKidI've got to hand it to Cafferty. His ratings are so much bigger than Limbaugh's--it's clear which one resonates with the American public.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Today, the sky may fall on Powell
December 15, 2008 - 10:13 ET by pocomocoRush’s opening monolog, today, should burn up the airways.
One does not dis’ Limbaugh without him returning fire.
Another Cable Lib trying to ride the Rush train...
December 15, 2008 - 12:23 ET by Chris NormanOr Limbaugh pointedly ignores the attackers or doesn't mention anything about it until late in the show or several days later - then pretends to not know who they are exactly - which puts them in their place.
I see the propoganda machine is in full force
December 15, 2008 - 10:19 ET by SQL_SamI read today that Russia arrested government critics this weekend too. The liberal's are creaming in their pants when they can do that and STILL have the MSM not say a word - just give it time.
Isn't it ironic that the left want to tell the right what to do?
December 15, 2008 - 10:23 ET by c5thenRush is "Eveel" and "full of hatred" yet he welcomes people calling in with other view points and will let them have their say and discuss/argue with him. The lefty shows will not allow any dissenting view to be aired on their show. Rush, Hannity and the others all make logical arguments for their views and ecourage folks to find out and get informed about the real facts of any issue. The left just want people to do what their told and would prefer if there were no disenting viewpoints.
Cafferty never ever reads any viewers comments that are critical of his topic or his views. O'Reily often reads viewers comments that call him names and tell him he's an idiot. Who is being disingenuous and who is being "fair and ballanced"?
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
Alan Keyes / Sarah Palin - 2012
Get this throug your thick
December 15, 2008 - 11:02 ET by mattmGet this through your thick skull Laugherty:
The KKK were (are) DEMOCRATS!!!!
cafferty vs. Rush
December 15, 2008 - 10:54 ET by east tennessee johnLet'r see, who gets 20 million plus listeners a week and who doesn't? Who takes calls or reads mail that are opposite his position? Cafferty is a complete nothing compared to Rush on just about any level you wish to compare them. This is nothing more than a well designed MSM plan to attack talk /religious radio before they try and reinstitute the censorship doctrine like good authoritarians do. So much for free speech and the 1st Amendment. Afterall, POTUS-elect Marxist thinks it's a "negative" right anyway. He who goes untainted or uninfluenced by the Communist, "Uncle" Frank; he who goes unlearned by 20 years of listening to Rev. Wright and the racial anger/hatred of black liberation theology and goes unaffected by its class warfare and Marxist economic beliefs; he, as part of the "Outfit" in Illinois politics, goes "untainted" and "unknowing" about what was going on around him on a "Daley" basis. What does that say about his powers of preception or his courage to do what's right, when surrounded, if not knee deep in a cesspool of corruption? He takes his job and looks the other way. This man is going to determine, by Presidential appointment who I'm going to be able to hear on the airwaves? What an Orwellian joke that is.
Just what is it that Jack Cafferty contributes to anything?
December 15, 2008 - 10:54 ET by ThalpyJust what is it that Jack Cafferty contributes to anything? His comments that "Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is critiquing members of his own political party, and he’s not mincing any words" is a joke! Colin Powell is a fair-weather "Republican" at best, and his juidgements about Rush Limbaugh are without merit. As it happens, Limbaugh is more insightful than Powell, Cafferty, and Blitzer combined--many of Rush's listeners are as well. I suppose Cafferty has to say something, but to whom?
All these Rush wannabes
December 15, 2008 - 11:05 ET by FirmwormAll these Rush wannabes (Olberman, Maddow, Cafferty) are looking for is some free publicity in an attempt to boost their dismal ratings. Just mention Rush's name in a nasty smear and hope he discusses it on his show.
I hope Rush will not even mention this juvenile crap!!
Rush has more listeners during a commercial break....
December 15, 2008 - 11:31 ET by JTPthan this clapperty clown has when he is speaking. You are gonna need a bigger gun jackie to bring down this elephant.
"I need more cowbell!" SNL
when will conservatives figure it out?
December 15, 2008 - 11:59 ET by SouthJersey1953If you disagree with the liberal mindset, you are an ignorant, intolerant, hateful, racist.
Pretty simple. No wonder the libs get so upset when we don't follow their shepard.
Luke 23:34
PALIN/Jindal '12
Moderate Republicans should scrape....
December 15, 2008 - 12:32 ET by ckbennetttnModerate Republicans should scrape this faction from their shoes.
No, real Conservatives should run RINOs out of the party. Over 20 million people listen to Rush-on radio. How many watch Cafferty? I'd be surprised if it was a tenth of Rush's audience. Case closed!
“I am the latte-sipping, New York Times-reading, Volvo-driving, no-gun-owning, effete, politically correct, arrogant liberal.” --Barack Obama
Incoming, General Powell
December 15, 2008 - 12:32 ET by pocomocoWas I right or was I right?
Rush had a not-so-nice 25 minute monolog about Powell.
Powell is now, officially, irrelevant
December 15, 2008 - 12:34 ET by ckbennetttnHe should just go ahead and be a dimocrat and stop giving Repubs advice. On the other hand, we have some advice for Powell; Step off!
“I am the latte-sipping, New York Times-reading, Volvo-driving, no-gun-owning, effete, politically correct, arrogant liberal.” --Barack Obama
Free Advertising for Rush
December 15, 2008 - 12:52 ET by Mike76If an ignorant old hatemonger like Jack Cafferty is slamming Rush Limbaugh, it'll probably result in a ratings spike for Rush. I have faith that people are smart enough to figure out that if a liberal says something is bad, it means it's probably good in reality. I have faith that some people do, anyway.
Then again, maybe not, as who takes anything Jack Cafferty says seriously? That is, if anybody is listening to him.
Does anyone watch or listen
December 15, 2008 - 13:24 ET by doug1950Does anyone watch or listen to this blithering idiot?
Uhhh, No. I leave it to
December 15, 2008 - 13:28 ET by Scuba DudeUhhh, No.
I leave it to you folks with a better intestinal fortitude than I to watch that drivel.
Ladies and gentlemen...
December 15, 2008 - 13:50 ET by gregfaheyI introduce to you:
Mrs. Wolf Blitzer
Dear Mr. Jack (Ass)
December 15, 2008 - 15:54 ET by semolina_filcherDear Mr. Jack (Ass) Cafferty:
Conservatives like myself would rather tune you out than stop listening to Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. Your ilk and your various mean spirited media colleagues are so out of touch about Amerika that you would help someone that is relatively inexperienced and has questionable past associations to be your president. You are supposed to be, by virtue of your profession, an objective individual. I am a proud American and I question yours and your minions' loyalty to America, the greatest nation on this God's green earth.
I'm a Conservative and I
December 15, 2008 - 19:50 ET by RR GOPI'm a Conservative and I don't listen to Rush...or any talk radio shows for that matter. I don't complain about Liberal talk radio shows. Why should I? I could care less what they say, and I certainly respect other adults' rights to listen to whatever they want.
What gets me is that these Marxists find it unsettling that somebody somewhere is saying things that are Conservative and probably pro-American/Patriotic in nature. They find it disturbing that people's minds are being 'poisoned' with counter-revolutionary, Bourgeois ideas.
Pretty simple really...don't tune into those shows (or any other kind for that matter) if you don't like what they have to say in them, and don't complain because other people like them.
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
more libs telling cons
December 15, 2008 - 20:08 ET by porpoiseboywhat they ought to do. "be more like us", "then we won't hate you". all the while not a peep out of the left on huffington & the koz. so typical of the empty headed elitist class. btw, i don't even listen to rush...but i do keep up on what he is saying. and i know his ratings are more than double anyone on the lefts who is in radio. it's really just jealousy wrapped up in "advice".
"Here comes the orator! With his flood of words, and his drop of reason" Ben Franklin
Ecclesiastes 10:2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left
Wow. Jack Cafferty
December 15, 2008 - 20:17 ET by fitzfongWow. Jack Cafferty calling anyone (including Chris Matthews) a "gasbag" is quite rich. But then again, the only people who are ever concerned about that lush Cafferty are New York City bike messengers.
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
fitzfong.blogspot.com
Give me a shoe
December 15, 2008 - 21:43 ET by WorriedI want to hurl it at gasbag Cafferty. It is actually embarrassing to read what some of the pathetic liberals say about conservative talkers on radio. If I didn't detest them so much I would feel sorry for them.
The left is taking every opportunity to blast conservatives and their "hateful" rhetoric so you know Obeyme will implement some sort of Unfairness Doctrine one day. I hope my fellow NB bloggers and conservatives everywhere unite to fight the silencing of free speech. I picture a "Million Conservative March to Protect the 1st Amendment" in the near future.
Get Cafferty off the air.
December 15, 2008 - 22:20 ET by GeoGolfGet Cafferty off the air. That old friggin blowhard with his shirt sleeves rolled up like he's some hard working "reporter".
You are a 60's Burnout, Jack. Get in the box. Rush has more folks on his audience during 1 commercial break- than watch you during the whole week.
I disagree, Geo. Cafferty
December 15, 2008 - 22:33 ET by Trix RabbitI disagree, Geo. Cafferty should be kept on the air so that any and all can see this hate-filled, over-stuffed colostomy bag wallow in his own putrid mendacity.
Liberal: a power worshipper without power. George Orwell
Ooh, nice one! From
December 16, 2008 - 00:15 ET by fitzfongOoh, nice one! From gasbag to colostomy bag, I like it! You really kicked it up a notch! Bam!
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
fitzfong.blogspot.com