Liberal New York Times reporter turned liberal nytimes.com blogger Timothy Egan's latest rant against conservative talk radio giant Rush Limbaugh, "Fears of a Clown," was propped up on the front page of nytimes.com on Thursday for the delight of the paper's liberal audience.
Last February, Egan called Limbaugh "talk radio's leading gasbag." Today, after lamenting about the ubiquity of Limbaugh on the radio, Egan piled onto the White House-driven bash-Rush bandwagon, focusing on Limbaugh's speech to the recent Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), which was broadcast live on FOX News and CSPAN.
As someone who spends a lot of time on the road, I used to find Limbaugh to be an obnoxious but entertaining companion, his eruptions more reliable than Old Faithful. But now that Limbaugh has become something else -- the face of the Republican Party, by a White House that has played him brilliantly -- he has been transformed into car-wreck-quality spectacle, at once scary and sad.
Behold:
The sweaty, swollen man in the black, half-buttoned shirt who ranted for nearly 90 minutes Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. He reiterated his desire to see the president of his country fail. He misstated the Constitution's intent while accusing President Obama of "bastardizing" the document. He made fun of one man's service in Vietnam, to laughter.
That "man" would be Sen. John Kerry, who ran for president against Bush in 2004. Why Egan didn't utter Kerry's name is a mystery, except perhaps to avoid getting into Kerry's exaggeration of his heroism during the war, not to mention his outright untruths (Christmas in Cambodia?), as exposed by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
After evasively accusing Limbaugh of an obsession with race, Egan launched some sly comparisons of the radio host to Joe McCarthy:
For Democrats, this is all going to plan. It was James Carville and associates who first cooked up associating Limbaugh with the opposition, as Politico reported. Then on Sunday, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said Limbaugh was the "voice and the intellectual force and energy behind the Republican Party."
Limbaugh played his role, ever the fool. A brave Republican could have challenged him, could have had a "have you no shame" moment with him, giving the party some other identity, some spine. Instead, they caved -- from Steele, to the leaders in the House, Eric Cantor and Mike Pence, to Gov. Bobby Jindal, who would be ridiculed by Limbaugh for his real first name, Piyush, were he a Democrat.
You could almost hear their teeth clattering in fear of the all-powerful talk radio wacko, the denier of global warming, the man who said Bill Clinton's economic policies would fail just before an unprecedented run of prosperity.
But Limbaugh has a fear of his own. If people see him purely as an "entertainer," as Steele suggested, he will be exposed for what he is: a clown with a very large audience.
—Clay Waters is the director of Times Watch, an MRC project tracking the New York Times.
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Comments Policy
Just wow
March 5, 2009 - 13:40 ET by Defector01You needed six years of college and grad school to write this piece of garbage? I could write that with a hangover, but then again I'm not an elitist decider
I have only ever made one prayer to God, a very short one: O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous. And God granted it - Voltaire
Defector01
March 5, 2009 - 13:47 ET by sherylsimsI read this comment elsewhere and think it is appropriate here...
I could eat a bowl of alphabet soup and poop out a better article.
LOL!!
March 5, 2009 - 13:52 ET by dborschjr68“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” -Winston Churchill.
F**K Socialism. -Me.
The Tolerant Left
March 5, 2009 - 14:18 ET by allanfLet's engage in a little neologism and coin the term intolergensia to describe the over caffeinated, brie-chomping leftists who believe an ad-hominem attack constitutes reasoned discussion. These bastions of diversity have in recent days called Limbaugh:
Thank heavens liberals are so tolerant!!!
Not only do these display
March 5, 2009 - 16:31 ET by DJEddleNot only do these display great tolerance, but they demonstrate the superior debating skills of the left. If this is what you learn from "Ivy League" schools, then I'm glad I didn't waste my money.
Rational Liberty: Where Reason and Government Collide - The best website ever!
Question forTimothy Egan...
March 5, 2009 - 13:50 ET by Clear thinkerQuestion forTimothy Egan... when was the last time you signed a contract for over $1,000,000 dollars? Dope!
California Is Insane
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
"But now that Limbaugh has
March 5, 2009 - 13:51 ET by dborschjr68"But now that Limbaugh has become something else -- the face of the
Republican Party, by a White House that has played him brilliantly..."
------------------------------------------------------
Really? Are ya kidding me? Do you think the GOP has acknowledged Mr. Limbaugh as their official face? Or is that what you have been telling folks, over and over again, until eventually you will believe it yourself? And the WH couldn't play jack-sh*t, quite honestly. If anything, the WH is doing exactly what Mr. Limbaugh knows and knew they would do.
...and to think this passes for journalism.
“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” -Winston Churchill.
F**K Socialism. -Me.
denounce the nyt!
March 5, 2009 - 14:20 ET by TruthMongerthe nyt is just entertainment
is wonder - why won't any dems denounce them?
Tried and done before...
March 5, 2009 - 13:54 ET by TexndocI believe within 48 hours of the Oklahoma federal building bombing years ago that our President and his administration were out there using Rush as their boogey-man to blame, hoping the public would turn against elRushbo, and it really worked well, huh - 400 million dollar 10-year contract.
Poor wittle leftists..this
March 5, 2009 - 13:59 ET by bigtimerPoor wittle leftists..this is what they do in unison when they have great fear of someone who may tip their little boat over as they dog paddle looking around for their life-vests they didn't put on beforehand.
Rush
March 5, 2009 - 14:04 ET by doug1950must really keeping these pinheads up nights. If they are not laying in their water beds worrying about what is happening and they covered for BO then they are dreaming up crap like this to write about in their little blogs, snickering like beevis and butthead about how clever they are. Just think of all the good things their parents could have used that college tuition for instead of sending them off to college so they could produce birdcage liners.
Rush is keeping writers up
March 5, 2009 - 14:08 ET by nwahsRush is keeping writers up like a goldmine keeps a miner up.
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
~Somebody's spoiling for a fight today
March 5, 2009 - 14:14 ET by choselife3xLook who's purring and grooming himself on the other side of the fence.....Arf Arf Arf Arf Arf!!!!!!!!!
Feel better? ;-)
Hope and Change= Despair and Socialism
Moi?
March 5, 2009 - 14:32 ET by nwahsI doing nothing but basking in private citizenship :)
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
~He purred
March 5, 2009 - 14:43 ET by choselife3xAnd twitched his striped tail provocatively.
Arf Arf Arf Arf!!
Hope and Change= Despair and Socialism
On No You Didn't!
March 5, 2009 - 16:02 ET by stratmanChoselife3x:
I must commend you for politely saying "grooming" instead of the vulgar "licking yourself". I, however, have less reservation.
Your two posts were on the floor, laugh to tears funny!
Even though it is still early, thank you for what will probably be IMO the post of the day on NB's.
:-)
~My pleasure strat
March 5, 2009 - 16:06 ET by choselife3xI have seen a number of posters proudly declare that they are not here to entertain.
I have no such reservations.
Hope and Change= Despair and Socialism
Humor?
March 5, 2009 - 19:28 ET by nwahsGood heavens!
You sure you're a true conservative? :D
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
~Come now
March 5, 2009 - 22:22 ET by choselife3xLibs are about as funny as a burning orphanage. (except for Jer. Jer is much funnier than a burning orphanage.)
Hope and Change= Despair and Socialism
The socialist writers will
March 5, 2009 - 14:25 ET by KarmaThe socialist writers will have a hard time selling their pyrite to the discerning.
Healthcare...Food...Education...Housing... - What sprouted as free for some is maturing into a free-for-all.
Well you know what they say..
March 5, 2009 - 14:06 ET by nwahs"All publicity is good,( except an obituary notice)."
Yes. Timothy Egan, Chris
March 5, 2009 - 14:45 ET by maggieqpublicYes. Timothy Egan, Chris Matthews, David Shuster, James Carville, et.al., are absolutely desperate for Rush Limbaugh to engage them individually. Then they might find out what it’s like to have substantial numbers view or read their material.
I hope that Rush continues to keep the focus of this pitched battle on the man who engaged him by name…. Obama. Some of us think that the President and his staff have more important issues to occupy their time. But on second thought, it would be great if Obama abandoned his legislative program and spent more time attacking a wildly popular radio host.
I guess
March 5, 2009 - 19:14 ET by nwahsI guess some people multitask better than others. For Limbaugh to hurl bricks and whine when someone hits back, well its downright sissy.
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
This coming from the
March 5, 2009 - 19:27 ET by fitzfongThis coming from the biggest brick hurling, whining sissy going.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." -Winston Churchill
That verges on plagarism
March 5, 2009 - 19:31 ET by nwahsThat verges on plagiarism. But thanks for reading;)
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
Yeah, I suppose it was too
March 5, 2009 - 21:26 ET by fitzfongYeah, I suppose it was too much to ask for you to grasp irony.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." -Winston Churchill
Well, OK, you think Rush
March 5, 2009 - 21:19 ET by maggieqpublicWell, OK, you think Rush Limbaugh is a whiny sissy. He strikes me as a man who is having the time of his life by taking on the President.
But then, what do I know. I was certain that Barack Obama was unelectable because of his passive milquetoast demeanor and his ‘yes mother’ performance in the Hillary Clinton debates. I’m still trying to figure out who is the puppeteer behind this marionette we have occupying the White House
bass-ackward shawn,
March 5, 2009 - 21:21 ET by R D HelmLOL-You think Rush is whining?
Sounds to me like the man is having the time of his life.
-Dave
This coup gone on long enough. The time to put it down is NOW.
If he's having the time of his life
March 6, 2009 - 02:08 ET by nwahsWhy are all the dittoheads whaling "Leave our Rush alone!" ?
Heth a privath citizen!!
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
Well,
March 6, 2009 - 02:13 ET by BlondeI don't see that, exactly.
"Whaling"? Learn to spell, total-talking-point.
Sheesh...why don't you get an education and then come back here with your talking points.
It wouldn't be quite so humorus....but we might (maybe) take you a tad more seriously.
Oh, BTW...if you're gonna try to parody Rush...try this:
He'th a pwivath cwiti-i-thewn.
Get it right, would'ja?
I hope he fails, too.
You spell checking the internet?
March 6, 2009 - 02:16 ET by nwahsThats a nutty thing to do.
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
No, upedefucht shawn
March 6, 2009 - 02:21 ET by BlondeOnly spell checking you.
Your lack of education is showing there, fella.
Pull up your pants!
I hope he fails, too.
Welfare check late again?
March 6, 2009 - 02:03 ET by JWFHow did that whole hopeychangey voting fer the One work out for ya? Feelin' stimulated yet?
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
What a d--khead
March 5, 2009 - 14:11 ET by Lord ErondJust another no-talent hack wishing he had an eighth of Rush's talent. Snore....
"Wherever there is a jackboot stomping on a human face there will be a well-heeled Western liberal to explain that the face does, after all, enjoy free health care and 100 percent literacy."
More Delusion
March 5, 2009 - 14:15 ET by rammingspeedFirst: The economic boom of the '90s was because of the Republican congress that forced Clinton into signing the proper legislation. That is on record. How many times do idiots like Egan need to be told this before they listen? Oh, that's right; liberals don't listen to things that go against their agenda.
Next: Egan thinks the WH played Limbaugh? Jesus H. Christ, this p***-for-brains twit couldn't be more stupid. The WH should be properly tending to the country's business and not the least bit distracted by some radio personality. That they are shows their failure, their playing Limbaugh's game - who, by the way, is reaping the benefit of more publicity and followers than ever because of this brouhaha.
Obama et al and his sycophants in the MSM are overplaying their hand. They'll pay a price, while Rush Limbaugh gets paid more money than ever.
rammingspeed...
March 5, 2009 - 14:31 ET by dborschjr68I truly enjoyed this post. Thanks for writing it!
“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” -Winston Churchill.
F**K Socialism. -Me.
It's all part of the same
March 5, 2009 - 14:18 ET by DJEddleIt's all part of the same old game. You know, those wacky right-wingers, with their guns and religion, their global warming denials, their failed capitalism, their individual liberty and responsibility nonsense, their intent to uphold constitutional law...they are only worthy of condescension, ridicule, slander, and libel.
But hey, the joke's on them. When the "liberals" (fascists) think they're safe to continue carrying out their current revolution, they will be rudely awakened by those wacky right-wingers who truly understand their natural rights. It's just a matter of time now. And the best way to speed up the process? Attack the largest opposition voice, his audience, and the supporters who all share the same fundamental principles.
By the way...if you're wondering how everything may unfold, give this a read: Revolution? It Can't Happen Here
(And be sure to get your Daily Rations from the site below.)
Rational Liberty: Where Reason and Government Collide - The best website ever!
Lefties have all the maturity of a 12-year-old...
March 5, 2009 - 14:33 ET by wnaegeleSigh!
Who's Egan?
March 5, 2009 - 14:53 ET by StarAZAt least I have heard of Rush.
According to plan
March 5, 2009 - 15:08 ET by slickwillie2001The White House scheme going along according to plan. Who else will make it onto the Liar-in-Chief's Nixonian ememies list?
Tim Egan
March 5, 2009 - 15:23 ET by Edward CropperI could feel his hands trembling as he wrote this worthless piece of crap.
He and liberals like him are shaking in their boots because of Rush. They are
the new brown shirts trying to bully and intimidate anyone who doesn't follow
their fascist BS. They know Rush will not back down and they are whistling
through the grave yard.
I saw the name Timothy Egan
March 5, 2009 - 16:20 ET by Karinin the intro and so ignored the article. Non-entity.
Somehow, I think that in
March 5, 2009 - 16:49 ET by fitzfongSomehow, I think that in Rush Limbaugh's inbox of personal attacks, this one falls to the bottom of the pile...not worthy of his consideration...down the shredder.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." -Winston Churchill
Hey! Timothy Egan!
March 6, 2009 - 02:55 ET by BondPlainBondYou're an hour late and a dollar short, Buster.
♪♫The (Use Limbaugh as a Diversionary Tactic) Party Is Over♫♪