ABC: Limbaugh Anti-McCain Because Senator Won't 'Answer To' Him

ABC: Limbaugh Anti-McCain Because Senator Won't 'Answer To' Him

By Brent Baker (Bio | Archive)
January 30, 2008 - 21:41 ET

An ABC story Wednesday night attributed conservative opposition to John McCain not to McCain's more liberal positions on many issues, but to how McCain “basically is not going to answer to anybody, especially the conservative pundits or the conservagentsia. And they don't like that.” That claim that resistance to embracing McCain is a petty personal matter came from former Bush-Cheney campaign strategist Matthew Dowd, now an ABC News political contributor. ABC reporter Ron Claiborne buttressed Dowd's explanation, asserting: “And that has drawn attacks from the likes of radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh.” Viewers then heard an audio clip of Limbaugh: “He is not the choice of conservatives, as opposed to the choice of the Republican establishment.” (MP3 audio clip, 23 secs.)

In contrast, over on the CBS Evening News, reporter Bill Whitaker accurately attributed the opposition to McCain's policy positions: “McCain is routinely savaged by Rush Limbaugh and other conservative stalwarts for breaking ranks on immigration, taxes and global warming.” Two weeks ago, CBS's Bob Schieffer was as off-base as ABC, insisting opposition to McCain from the right is because “he's always been willing to challenge the authority and a lot of Republicans just have not forgiven him for that.”

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My January 15 NewsBusters item, “Schieffer: Republicans Anti-McCain Because He Challenges Authority,” recounted:

Asked by Katie Couric Tuesday night [January 15] why having Republicans dominate the Michigan GOP primary, as opposed to independents and Democrats, is bad for John McCain, CBS's Bob Schieffer didn't cite any of McCain's views -- such as on immigration, tax cuts and freedom of speech -- where he's out of sync with most Republicans. Instead of realizing how McCain is too liberal for many conservatives who are the majority in the GOP, Schieffer contended Republicans just don't like him because he's "willing to challenge the authority," insisting: "John McCain has always been sort of a maverick. He's always been willing to challenge the authority and a lot of Republicans just have not forgiven him for that."

A transcript of the second half of Ron Claiborne's story -- from the site of the GOP debate at the Reagan Library -- about the GOP race following Rudy Giuliani's departure from it, as aired on the January 30 World News:

RON CLAIBORNE: What's remarkable is that he [McCain] beat Mitt Romney in a closed primary, where only Republicans could vote. No independents, who provided him winning margins in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Today, Romney told Good Morning America's Robin Roberts that he would remain in the race.

MITT ROMNEY ON GMA: In a two person race I like my chances.

MATTHEW DOWD, ABC NEWS POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: He basically is not going to answer to anybody, especially the conservative pundits or the conservagentsia. And they don't like that.

CLAIBORNE: And that has drawn attacks from the likes of radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

AUDIO OF RUSH LIMBAUGH: He is not the choice of conservatives, as opposed to the choice of the Republican establishment.

CLAIBORNE: Some analysts say the objections of members of the Republican right may not matter so much now as long as McCain is winning primaries, chalking up delegates and endorsements. And California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was heaping praise on McCain earlier today. He could be the latest in the parade of elected officials backing McCain. That could come, Charlie, as soon as tomorrow.

—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center

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Boy, are they ever throwing

January 30, 2008 - 22:02 ET by Chris Norman

"He basically is not going to answer to anybody, especially the conservative pundits or the conservagentsia. And they don't like that."

Boy, are they ever throwing gas on the fire. Was this supposed to be designed to reel conservatives in or rub it in?

McCain who:)? i sure am

January 31, 2008 - 11:34 ET by TruthMonger

McCain who:)?

i sure am reeled all right

ooh, help - the rino is getting some good press! run for your lives everybody:)...

“McCain is routinely

January 30, 2008 - 22:04 ET by motherbelt

“McCain is routinely savaged by Rush Limbaugh and other conservative
stalwarts for breaking ranks on immigration, taxes and global warming.”

Gee, conservatives don't like McCain because he's supposed to be a conservative, but doesn't hold to conservative principles.

Weird.

Logic

January 31, 2008 - 01:19 ET by KC Mulville

There you go, injecting logic into the race ... good catch, MB.

Would Dubya be the choice of

January 30, 2008 - 22:03 ET by balboa

Would Dubya be the choice of conservatives if he were running?

I don't think so. Not now.

January 30, 2008 - 22:06 ET by motherbelt

I don't think so. Not now.

Knowing what we know now -

January 30, 2008 - 22:06 ET by Chris Norman

Knowing what we know now - probably not. Plus it all depends who he was running against. Bush or McCain? Still Bush. Do you think Bush is an unvarnished conservative?

It just struck me that some

January 30, 2008 - 22:24 ET by balboa

It just struck me that some of the things that people don't like about McCain -- spending, immigration, environment -- are also sticky wickets for Dubya.

That's what many don't

January 30, 2008 - 22:29 ET by Chris Norman

That's what many don't understand or deliberately misunderstand. Rush has been very critical of the Bush Administration on a lot of their proposals and policies. So have a lot of conservatives.

Ditto. I have been upset

January 30, 2008 - 22:38 ET by motherbelt

Ditto. I have been upset with Bush over a lot of things. Got into a big go-around too with someone here about Rush carrying water for him, making excuses because he was "taking the issue"(s) away from Democrats. By doing their bidding, IMO.

And Chris, please don't jump on me that Rush wasn't "carrying water for him." That was the big argument I was in before. In my opinion, he was. (I think that's changed). Someone else saw it differently. Matter of interpretation.

mb, I have no problem with

January 30, 2008 - 22:40 ET by Chris Norman

mb,

I have no problem with that. On many occasions, I have defended Bush (when I probably shouldn't have) because of who the attackers were and the nature of their attacks. It becomes sort of reflexive for many - including, I think, Mr. Big.

I didn't mean that as a

January 30, 2008 - 23:00 ET by motherbelt

I didn't mean that as a personal jab at you, Chris; (sorry if it came across that way). I just wanted you to know that I didn't want to have that discussion again; it seemed futile.

Naw, I wasn't offended. I've

January 30, 2008 - 23:07 ET by Chris Norman

Nah, I wasn't offended. I've been in my fair share of futile discussions...

Yeah, I've definitely heard

January 30, 2008 - 22:49 ET by balboa

Yeah, I've definitely heard him be critical of Bush. The comparison just struck me as everyone was talking about McCain.

I think what your reading

January 30, 2008 - 23:00 ET by Chris Norman

I think what your reading and hearing is years of disappointment, betrayal, and dashed hopes that were pent-up as frustration and exasperation, now erupting as bitter anger. It's totally understandable.

I can imagine. "Rush Rage"

January 30, 2008 - 23:07 ET by balboa

I can imagine. "Rush Rage" is probably pretty formidable. :-)

That's what we like about

January 30, 2008 - 23:13 ET by Chris Norman

That's what we like about Rush. He gets his point across with humor (sometimes sarcastically bitter) and manages to make serious points while not taking everything too seriously. That's what separates him from all the wannabes. For instance, Hannity is too literal and leaden. To use a dance analogy, Rush is tap dancer, while Hannity is a clog dancer, stomping around.

I think of Hannity as the

January 30, 2008 - 23:22 ET by balboa

I think of Hannity as the annoying kid walking around banging cymbals together, while Rush trips the light fantastic on the accordion.

Uhhhhhh, yeah. That's it. I

January 30, 2008 - 23:30 ET by Chris Norman

Uhhhhhh, yeah. That's it. I think.
I've been trying to come up with a term that describes Hannity, who can't describe something with a word or a term so lists out everything in a long literal litany - sort of what I just did.

I forget who it was, but I

January 31, 2008 - 06:17 ET by motherbelt

I forget who it was, but I heard someone describe Sean as being "so darned earnest." I think that fits him. He's like a kid despeately trying to impress the teacher with how hard he's working.

Don't get me wrong, I love Sean, Rush too; but both can be annoying at times, just like everyone else.

bal, maybe because when we

January 30, 2008 - 22:34 ET by Blazer

bal, maybe because when we elected GWB he was a hot air ballon and now he's just a fizzled out piece of plastic one may find underneath a table at a McDonald's playland. (terrible analogy I know)

Awwww, bal seem's to think that all of us here are enamoured with GWB, or what bal think's for that matter, aint' he sweet.

Smoooooooooooootch !

"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "

- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.

" The Cake is a lie."

Blazer,

January 30, 2008 - 22:44 ET by R D Helm

...when we elected GWB he was a hot air ballon and now he's just a fizzled
out piece of plastic one may find underneath a table at a McDonald's
playland. (terrible analogy I know)

Actually, Blazer, I think its a great analogy.

However, I now equate GWB with belly-button lint.

None are so hopelessly enslaved as those who falsely believe they are free. -J.W. von Goethe

Bal, what you say is true

January 30, 2008 - 23:05 ET by FastEd

however, for the right side of the aisle, GW was a better choice over algore or Kerry (he served in VietNam). I keep thinking, going back to 9/11, and thinking, "algore must really be glad he ain't pres", and I'm convinced that what the pres has done, in toto, is far better than what mr global warming or mr lurch would have done, even higher taxes and spending, no tax relief (for anyone), tax on death tax, no child left alone (all in govt pens/classrooms) etc, etc.

So having mr Scooter pilot in the Oval Office, we can only see what might happen - open borders, drain on manufacturing due to global warming missmanagement theories, more dependence on foreign oil, let in the "common man's" pocket, and more eople with their hands out, getting them filled with govt green. Sorta like Soylent Green. "It's people!", 'cept there won't be any more money.

There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V

Based on how hated he is by

January 31, 2008 - 09:34 ET by mattm

Based on how hated he is by brain-dead liberals, yes. Based on his tax cuts, and his strong stance on the WOT, yes. Based on his kowtowing to the enviros, the immigratios and the educrats - no.

Now, can we get back to the point of this entry?

More like McCant's a cat

January 30, 2008 - 22:07 ET by Blazer

More like McCant's a cat burglar in the night robbing all that's left of the vestiges of conservatism, hoping the Sherrif (Limbauagh) wont' catch him.

"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "

- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.

" The Cake is a lie."

The Terminator

January 30, 2008 - 22:10 ET by CT

Now there's a real conservative intellectual equal to Juan McCain.

Was anyone really shocked

January 30, 2008 - 22:14 ET by Blazer

Was anyone really shocked when the Chulupanator endorsed McCain ?

"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "

- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.

" The Cake is a lie."

Or the NY Times? They were

January 30, 2008 - 23:02 ET by motherbelt

Or the NY Times? They were magnanimous...they actually forgave his "occasional tactical panders to the right"... I think that's how they put it.

Liberals do not get McCain or Rush or Republicans

January 30, 2008 - 22:39 ET by Lame Cherry

Conservatives do not like John McCain because he is a prick who hangs around with other dinks who are attached to liberal hosts who are communists.

John McCain is Gerald Ford. I will repeat that. John McCain is Gerald Ford in being a moderate.
He is not a patrician like Bush 41 and he is not a Cubano Republican like Bush 43.

John McCain is a moderate and just as Conservatives did not like Gerald Ford or his Rockefeller leanings........that is the reason.

I still would like Mr. McCain to retire, but the rest of America will choose him as the horse to ride so I have to start forming policy to spur John to do what is right for America.

*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS

the story

January 31, 2008 - 03:13 ET by Wesen

It's too bad Rush has become the the story. The real question is who brings what the Country needs.

It's the Democrats that are

January 31, 2008 - 00:47 ET by rbosque

It's the Democrats that are in turmoil. Rush only question's McCain's "reagan-esque" credentials. McCain votes like a Democrat.

It bears repeating that

January 31, 2008 - 01:41 ET by ConservativeRex

It bears repeating that there is a place for McCain's views, the Democrat party. The MSM would like to marginalize conservatives, in a sort of "conservatives should feel guilty for hammering McCain" on his liberal positions.

I am thinking on the contrary, it can not be brought up enough on how he has abandoned conservatives. In my area there is an Ed Kennedy/Juan McCain minute on the radio for God's sake. Any one working that close to the enemy is not to be trusted, ever. The endorsement from Billy Jeff, that McCain and Piaps can have the most civil election in our history should keep conservatives awake at night.

All the red flags are there for conservatives folks, do not buy a single thing that McCain comes up with. There is not a dimes worth of difference between McCain and Piaps.

We have been warned. I for one, will pay attention.

The Line

January 31, 2008 - 01:44 ET by KC Mulville

In every negotiation, you bring principles, plus some willingness to trade. However, strategically, you set a bottom line, beyond which you will not cross. To negotiate past that line is a violation of your principles. McCain is a legislator who starts with conservative principles, but he has no bottom line. He begins with solid conservative principles, but in the desire to pass the bill, he is willing to violate those principles. In fact, he undermines the ability to negotiate as a conservative bloc, thereby giving the liberals the advantage in the negotiation.

The "Gang of 14" is the classic example. Imagine going into a negotiation to buy a car. The salesman gives you a "rock bottom" price, and you decide to walk away. But just as the salesman is about to crack, your wife (or husband) undermines your leverage by saying loudly, "but we really need a car!" That's McCain.
That's what the "Gang of 14" did. The conservatives had drawn a line and said they will not cross it. They were willing to use the nuclear option to show that they would not cross it. And at the very moment that they were drawing that line, McCain and his "Gang" undermined them. The Gang wanted a deal more than their principles.

McCain wants to be president, and yet he still treasures "reaching across the aisle" over conservative principles. Don't get me wrong, he's a thousand percent better than the Democrats, but his refusal to set any bottom line is disastrous.

Jeez haven't we learned our

January 31, 2008 - 06:18 ET by motherbelt

Jeez haven't we learned our lesson with Bush as "a uniter, not a divider."

Keep thinking SCOTUS judges, guys! McCain would be a disaster!!! Pat Leahy would pick them!

You know, I'm starting to

January 31, 2008 - 02:25 ET by fitzfong

You know, I'm starting to enjoy hearing all these Bush acolytes bashing Rush and speaking up for McCain. The more of that, the better it is for Romney.