Have you wondered why there have been so many hit pieces lately about Rush Limbaugh?
Well, new revelations suggest that Democrats began a smear campaign against the conservative talk radio host last October, and now it's really caught steam.
Apparently, the Left feared its message would be muted without having George W. Bush to blame for all the world's problems, and Limbaugh made a nice substitute as the object of their disaffection to distract the public from real issues.
Given White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel's connections to key media figures such as ABC's George Stephanopoulos as well as CNN's Paul Begala and James Carville, disseminating the hate was a piece of cake.
As Jonathan Martin reported Wednesday at Politico (photo compilation courtesy Edward Cropper):
Top Democrats believe they have struck political gold by depicting Rush Limbaugh as the new face of the Republican Party, a full-scale effort first hatched by some of the most familiar names in politics and now being guided in part from inside the White House.
The strategy took shape after Democratic strategists Stanley Greenberg and James Carville included Limbaugh’s name in an October poll and learned their longtime tormentor was deeply unpopular with many Americans, especially younger voters. Then the conservative talk-radio host emerged as an unapologetic critic of Barack Obama shortly before his inauguration, when even many Republicans were showering him with praise.
Soon it clicked: Democrats realized they could roll out a new GOP bogeyman for the post-Bush era by turning to an old one in Limbaugh, a polarizing figure since he rose to prominence in the 1990s.
Apparently, the ball really got rolling when Limbaugh said four days before the inauguration that he wanted Obama's socialist policies to fail:
“It just cropped up out of how much play that comment was getting on the air,” said Brad Woodhouse, who runs the group and is about to take over as communications director at the Democratic National Committee. “When we did it and it generated so much press, it just started to snowball from there.”
Enter the Clintonistas:
By February, Carville and Begala were pounding on Limbaugh frequently in their appearances on CNN.
Neither Democrat would say so, but a third source said the two also began pushing the idea of targeting Limbaugh in their daily phone conversations with Emanuel.
Conversations and email exchanges began taking place in and out of the White House not only between the old pals from the Clinton era but also including White House senior adviser David Axelrod, Deputy Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Woodhouse.
After Limbaugh's "first ever address to the nation" from CPAC on Saturday, the Left is even more motivated:
David Plouffe, Obama’s campaign manager last year and a member of his inner circle still, will publish an op-ed in Wednesday’s Washington Post chiding Republicans for being “paralyzed with fear of crossing their leader.” [...]
“I want to send Rush a bottle of vitamins,” said Begala. “We need him to stay healthy and loud and proud.” [...]
“The television cameras just can’t stay away from him,” Carville said Tuesday, a day when cable news played images of Limbaugh seemingly on a loop. “Our strategy depends on him keeping talking, and I think we’re going to succeed.”
On Wednesday, Limbaugh, in response to Martin's piece, challenged Obama to a debate at his radio station. He'll even fly the president to his studio, feed him, house him, and pick up the whole tab so as to save the taxpayers the expense.
Stay tuned.
Of course, Americans -- even those on the Left -- should be deeply concerned about this use of the media by a president and his administration to smear a fellow citizen all because he disagrees with their politics and has the nerve to express such.
Is this really what the United States is becoming?
With government having already taken control of many financial institutions, and made investments in the auto companies with plans for universal healthcare as well as a tax on carbon dioxide emissions, if the White House also has key media outlets in its back pocket, what is the future hold for freedom, democracy, and liberty?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Personal destruction
March 4, 2009 - 13:10 ET by KC MulvilleThe moment you make the distinction between the president's agenda and the welfare of the country, you've unlocked the deception behind these attacks. The Obama Gang wants everyone to think that the only choices are the president's $2 trillion liberal agenda or total failure. The lie is in what they don't say, more than what they say.
And let's be clear - they're willing to destroy anyone to maintain the lie. Santelli? Cramer? Joe the Plumber? Rush?
You thought the Capone Outfit played dirty? These are graceless political thugs.
KC ........how right you are
March 4, 2009 - 15:46 ET by justathotBut it is so juvenile and unpresidential to have it coming directly from the WH via press conferences and interviews with Rahmbo on Meet the Press, not to mention direct from the POTUS.
One poster on another site quipped that Limbaugh, Santelli, and Cramer are the new "Axis of Evil". And if the One is so immature and petty to call them out because he cant stand being criticized, how on earth will he ever deal with the likes of Putin, Kim Jong Il, Ahmadinejad, and Bin Laden?
All of this would be amusing if there wasn't such a massive economic and political crisis going on. Just another attempt to distract the public from the real problems.
Childish. Immature. Pathetic.
Pen Pals
March 4, 2009 - 18:44 ET by ThisnThatI think we've already seen how Obama will deal with Putin, Kim Jong, etc. He sends secret Pen Pal letters, asking them to "please be my friend". Like Putin. "Dear Mr. Putin. What don't you like about us? Our missile defense, you say? OK -- we'll remove it --- BUT you have to promise to talk to Iran or somebody, ok? We'll remove our missiles now. Let us know when the talks are done. Love, BAM".
___________________________________
The challenge is to follow a consistent plan despite inconsistent prices - Sarah Palin, State of the State of Alaska speech
Mathletes on the warpath
March 4, 2009 - 20:33 ET by KC MulvilleThe idea of these guys gossiping on the phone together, especially since at least three of them are under five foot tall, really scares me. It's like the geeks from the Math Club are launching secret campaigns against their enemies.
→ Revenge of the nerds
March 4, 2009 - 20:39 ET by Cool ArrowAnd the American public sees no problem with this cross-species mating. We know the progeny cannot procreate, but they are having fun creating natural eunuchs.
We won the cold war! Why did we surrender?
Drones of the Left
March 4, 2009 - 22:20 ET by stratmanWhat else would you expect from breeding jackasses but infertile mule progeny.
Back Pocket Media
March 4, 2009 - 13:15 ET by BlondeOh yes, NS. That's exactly what they are.
Our fellow NB, Edward Cropper, has an excellent photo-shop of Rahm & his media flunkies on his blog.
As I said earlier, it's positively chilling how blatant this whole thing is. They're so fond of the fairness doctrine, how about putting you on the call, too?
I hope he fails, too.
Ha!
March 4, 2009 - 13:23 ET by BlondeThree minutes after I posted that about the fairness doctrine, Rush said almost the exact same thing. Well, except about putting you on their call, Noel.
I hope he fails, too.
Amazing
March 4, 2009 - 13:18 ET by iBlogThe cordination w/in the Dem party is unreal. They have already started to flood Limbaugh's phone lines with callers armed with talking points. Litterally, within 30 min of Rush's response to this the Dems are already hitting back. That's amazing.
I wonder what that means:
March 4, 2009 - 13:24 ET by HelenSI wonder what that means: that the mother-ship contacted all those drones and ordered them to start calling or that that many libs listen to Rush...?
Me - "The libs/dems of today are the Quislings of former years - the cowards who would vote a fraud into office in exchange for handouts from the devil."
Seminar callers
March 4, 2009 - 13:45 ET by iBlogI think it's already clear that groups like mediamatters, etc closely monitor everything out of his mouth and have the ability start the attack immediately. The politico article sheds further light on the topic. I think what happned here is that their is a whole script for attacking Rush- if he says "blah blah" then respond with "xzy". If Rush instead says- "Blee-Blee" respond this way. So no matter what they can start the attacks immediately, it's an incredibly efficient pre-game plan and all they need to do is match Rushs clvarious comments with the corresponding response. Republicans need to concentrate on developing a similar strategy.
Drones
March 4, 2009 - 13:45 ET by HypocriteHaterIt's the mother-shop drone option.
At least one of the callers I heard tried to give the false premise that Rush agreed with every one of Bush's policies. Anyone who regularly listens to Rush knows that not true (shamnesty, Medicare Part D entitlement, etc.).
Nixonian
March 4, 2009 - 13:26 ET by slickwillie2001This is no different from Nixon's enemies list, and that needs to be our lede: NIXONIAN. Obammy is attacking private citizens from offices within the White House!
Email, call, do what ever
March 4, 2009 - 13:41 ET by obxrayEmail, call, do what ever you need to do.I have been mailing abc,and cnn all day to tell them how wrong they are in allowing their employee's to work with the white house to smear private citizens.I know they probably don't care but if you pound it to them over and over sooner or later they will start to think about their bottom line.STAND UP AND FIGHT THESE MARXIST!!!
FOIA
March 4, 2009 - 13:44 ET by jbeeebIf e-mails are going in and out of the White House as stated in the article wouldn't they be available under the libs favorite, the Freedom of Information Act. Request all of Emanuel's e-mail records and if it is happening as stated won't that make a nice story (if anyone dares print it).
I don't listen to Rush, and
March 4, 2009 - 13:54 ET by Carl KolchakI don't listen to Rush, and I don't have any desire to start listening t him either, but if Gibbs and Friends are spending this much time worrying about Limbaugh and having to mention him in their press conferences and talking points, in my opinion it is very comical. They have many more important things to worry about than Limbaugh.
Welcome to "1984". The Ministry of Truth is hard at work.
Listen to Rush --you will enjoy it
March 4, 2009 - 14:49 ET by kevinm13Carl, You are missing out by not listening to Rush. He speaks the truth and his voice is more powerful than most in Washington. He is current and thought provoking and rarely wrong. Check him out or go to his website.
Exactly right Carl
March 4, 2009 - 20:50 ET by mvfreemanThey are using him as a distraction in an effort to portray republicans as hyper partisan and out of the mainstream.
I haven't listened to Rush since the late 90's. I even read his first book, but the "us vs them" mentality got old.
Like it or not we have a two party system and in order to accomplish anything compromise is going to have to be part of the process.
To me "bipartisanship" is not a dirty word.
Unfortunately whichever party is in power is going to run up the tab and do what it takes to placate their respective special interests.
That being said, O's (or rather Pelosi's) stimulus bill is pork of unheard of proportions.
Wouldn't it be interesting
March 4, 2009 - 14:03 ET by celatorWouldn't it be interesting to see the Obama political crime family put the same energy into addressing the real issues that need fixing as they do attacking Limbaugh?
Here's a few little items: securing the borders to prevent the growing drug cartel wars and murders spilling over into the border states; reducing the cost of doing business in the US so the economy would prosper; creating and maintaining the strongest military force possible; fixing the schools to kids can once again learn math, science and literature. There are countless more important issues, as we all know.
But Obama doesn't care about those issues.
The Government cannot give to anybody anything that which the government does not first take from somebody else.
Dr. Adrian Rogers
wasn't there
March 4, 2009 - 14:13 ET by rontalk in the media awhile back that rush was no longer a factor? if not, what does obama and friends have to fear?
Rush Limbaugh....irrelevant?
March 4, 2009 - 19:14 ET by timotheThat's how the mainstream media has been trying to portray him:
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/20/arnold.rush/
Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/19/AR2008011903187.html
Chris Matthews: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/scott-whitlock/2008/02/21/chris-matthews-derides-rush-limbaugh-irrelevant-mccain-story
Boston Globe: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2008/11/16/boston-globe-talk-radio-now-irrelevant
Ridiculous...
March 4, 2009 - 20:36 ET by mvfreemanThat Rush was portrayed as irrelevant and yet suddenly he is the de facto leader of the republican party.
This meme was started even before he gave his speech at CPAC.
I think we've passed the
March 4, 2009 - 14:24 ET by Chris NormanI think we've passed the point where the media, though allied with Obama, was still somewhat independent of him. Now, they are part and parcel of his political apparatus. How scary is this? Plenty. We've lost an independent press and have gained a propaganda ministry.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
According to Rush, they're helping him
March 4, 2009 - 14:29 ET by nwahsRush wrote :
"The administration is enabling me,” he wrote in an e-mail to POLITICO.
“They are expanding my profile, expanding my audience and expanding my
influence. An ever larger number of people are now being exposed to the
antidote to Obamaism: conservatism, as articulated by me. An ever
larger number of people are now exposed to substantive warnings,
analysis and criticism of Obama's policies and intentions, a ‘story’ I
own because the [mainstream media] is largely the Obama Press Office.”
Whats the problem? Rush seems cool with it as it helps him.
BTW the most profound line in there is " conservatism, as articulated by me"
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
oh sure backward shawn
March 4, 2009 - 14:31 ET by candanceSo Rush is finding a way to turn lemons into lemonade, and that justifies the White House launching personal attacks on people. Did you feel that way when Bush was president?
But acts of kindness and generosity must be free and voluntary; no man has a right to compel another to follow his conscience. This is a concern which lies between a man and his God.
-Richard Fuhrman, pro slave advocate, 1823
They're giving Rush a new audience
March 4, 2009 - 14:38 ET by nwahsThey're even enticing Rush to be a little more like Ann Coulter and debate someone. They've set up a web page just for people to get information on Rush Limbaugh. Man you can't buy this type of publicity! Rush is thanking them for this publicity. Why aren't the Rush fans?
Bush didn't like the publicity, but then again his shtick was national defense - not hyperbole.
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
just the start
March 4, 2009 - 14:28 ET by candanceBreaking the law to smear Joe the Plumber was just a taste of what these people plan on doing.
But don't worry, Joe deserved it because he wasn't licensed and Rush deserves it because he's a loudmouth, right lefties? Always an excuse to hide the fact that people are being attacked.
But acts of kindness and generosity must be free and voluntary; no man has a right to compel another to follow his conscience. This is a concern which lies between a man and his God.
-Richard Fuhrman, pro slave advocate, 1823
and who could forget...
March 4, 2009 - 20:12 ET by clinging to my guns and my religion...the ever-popular "sarah palin bashing"?
"i believe he will not stop until we are all jobless, homeless, hungry, and cold!"
a simple test
March 4, 2009 - 14:44 ET by sevenRush can call Stephanololis to talk about rush. i suspect George won't talk to rush about Rush but has to talk to rahm about Rush.
The left lose by demonizing Rush
March 4, 2009 - 14:46 ET by kevinm13Rush speaks the truth. It is difficult for the left to hear it and they are trying to shut him down. The more they try, the more relevant he becomes.
Twenty million listeners and counting. Keep up the great work Rush!
Quick thoughts...
March 4, 2009 - 15:48 ET by BKeyserI have to run out (as if anyone cares LOL) so I didn't have time to read all of the comments- I apologize if someone mentioned this:
This is a sophmoric attempt AGAIN by childish democrats- demonizing a prominent anti-democrat and trying to focus the public's attention away from their own misgivings. Just like they did with Joe the Plumber, (although the media along with McCain's Campaign elevated JTP- Rush is a far more eloquent and important as it relates to the spread of conservative ideals) the media lapdogs are doing as instructed by the WH, attack- attack- attack. Meanwhile, a new sure-to-fail plan is being rolled out almost daily to less scrutiny (outside of Wall Street) while the media is focused elsewhere.
So utterly Un-Presidential...
Just business as usual for the left
March 4, 2009 - 16:16 ET by Chaitealover1: Designate a well-known person as the enemy.
2: Take a comment out of context and repeat it over and over.
3: Do whatever you want, because you've successfully distracted the people from your agenda.
Chai
“When all government...in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided...” Thomas Jefferson
Then the conservative
March 4, 2009 - 16:30 ET by UtherpendThen the conservative talk-radio host emerged as an unapologetic critic of Barack Obama shortly before his inauguration, when even many Republicans were showering him with praise.
Who are these 'Republicans" they are using as an example??
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you>"
About the debate challenge
March 4, 2009 - 16:47 ET by nwahs"On Wednesday, Limbaugh, in response to Martin's piece, challenged
Obama to a debate at his radio station. He'll even fly the president to
his studio, feed him, house him, and pick up the whole tab so as to
save the taxpayers the expense.
Stay tuned."
Remember when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad challenged President Bush to a debate? How is this any less of a stunt? Why doesn't Rush debate someone else who can represent Obama's policies and if he doesn't want the networks to get rich, he can stipulate the proceeds go to charity. Its win / win /win. Rush can demonstrate the folly of Obama's policies, raise money for charity, and prove once in and for all he is more than a rehearsed act.
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
Shawn
March 4, 2009 - 17:05 ET by Noel Sheppard"Remember when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad challenged President Bush to a debate? How is this any less of a stunt?"
So you're comparing the most successful radio talk show host in America to a crazed, maniacal despot, and you're expecting a serious response?
Wow. ns
→ Maniacal despot?
March 4, 2009 - 17:12 ET by Cool ArrowOh, you mean Ahmadinajad. For a second there I thought you were talking about Obama
We won the cold war! Why did we surrender?
Me too. I was about to
March 4, 2009 - 18:26 ET by JerMe too. I was about to jump all over Noel, and then realized whom he meant.
Jer
Noel...So nwahs
March 4, 2009 - 18:34 ET by JerSo nwahs may have provided a flawed example. The remainder of his post makes a lot of sense and does deserve a serious response.
Jer
I appreciate the defense
March 4, 2009 - 19:12 ET by nwahsBut I don't think the example is flawed. The tactic is identical. Granted, one is a successful talk show host, the other a maniacal dictator, but the tactic is identical - its a bluff. Such an event would require the President demean the office, and both people who made that "challenge" damn well know it.
But I do appreciate the defense that the post isn't crazy.
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
→ You're right
March 4, 2009 - 19:46 ET by Cool ArrowWhen Obama singled out Rush Limbaugh as a target of his ire, Obama demeaned the office of President.
Good observation.
We won the cold war! Why did we surrender?
Demeaned the office of President?
March 4, 2009 - 19:58 ET by JerBecause he made a simple statement in a private meeting with Republican congressional leaders? Baloney.
Jer
→ You missed a spot
March 4, 2009 - 20:10 ET by Cool ArrowYou missed the part about if you guys want to get along with the Democrats and the Administration.
But I can see where this wouldn't fit so comfortably into minimalizing the statement as a casual aside.
We won the cold war! Why did we surrender?
That might be,
March 4, 2009 - 20:00 ET by nwahsThat might be, but this debate challenge is a tactical error of huge proportions. The comedic opportunities are endless. I can't wait to see the first SNL sketch. Its fodder for anyone seeking to portray Limbaugh as a loon. Yea, Obama is going to take a jet to Camp El Rush Bo and hammer out a peace deal. This going to get so ridiculous.
I think its a tactical error.
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
→ We'll see
March 4, 2009 - 20:16 ET by Cool ArrowBut it's Obama's leftist counterparts looking for political cover from the TIC (Thief-in-Chief), for his continued porking of the American people.
Limbaugh can now wave Feingold and Bayh under Obama's nose.
Wow, I hope we continue to lose this battle rather than continue to watch Obama succeed.
We won the cold war! Why did we surrender?
He demeaned the Office of the President
March 4, 2009 - 20:08 ET by sherylsimsWhen he walked through the door. When he flipped off Hillary and McCain during the campaign. When he sent back the bust of Winston Churchill to England. When he destroyed our economy to create the "crisis" that would allow him to ram us with his socialist agenda. I could go on and on, but I am tired.
nwahs...
March 4, 2009 - 19:55 ET by JerI understand your point in the theoretical sense. But it's like mentioning "Hitler" or "Nazi" anywhere in the same paragraph with a politician or policy--Republican or Democrat--just to provide an explanatory analogy. The immediate and predictable result, whether justified or not, is a poisoned and discredited argument.
Jer
I see your point
March 4, 2009 - 20:04 ET by nwahsI'm just hard pressed to think of anyone else who has challenged a sitting President to a debate ( outside the context of a political contest). Thats why I picked that example. Its not like there are many to chose from. I do see your point though.
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
No, I'm comparing the bluff.
March 4, 2009 - 19:06 ET by nwahsNo, I'm comparing the bluff. The question was " How is this not the same type of stunt?" How is it different? No where did I say or imply Rush was like Ahmadinejad. I notice people make things up here, then argue against them. Thats bizarre to put in mildly.
What about the rest of my post? Why wouldn't Rush debate the policy against another ranking Democrat for charity?
Beware of a crazy woman throwing a hash pipe.
§ ALERT!! Sheister has Jonathan Martin on BUT...
March 4, 2009 - 18:21 ET by TheSterWait for it....wait for it....
Sheister FAILS to mention Paul Begala and James Carville conspearecy!!! First Segment.
ALERT!!!
Ari Fleischer is KICKING Sheister's BUTT all over the PLACE!! Sheister is fixated on Rush...Now he is FALLING APART!! LOL!! Second segment.
Somebody get a video of this!!!
Ster.
My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.
Ster... LOL...I just posted
March 4, 2009 - 18:35 ET by bigtimerSter...
LOL...I just posted about the Ari creaming Shuster all over the place... with pure class to-boot.
Hey Pauleee
March 4, 2009 - 19:38 ET by GoodieJust want to know if Rahm was with BO when he was on his Crack Cocaine bender? Oxy vs Crack and who is the current Pres?
O's last day 1-20-2013
Obama fiddles while Dow burns
March 4, 2009 - 20:15 ET by Jack BauerWow. They are SO SMART. Imagine having strategy that involves keeping a man with a 3 hour TALK show.. uh TALKING.
What a pity Obama doesn't have a strategy that involves stopping the STOCK MARKET cratering daily since his election.
No. He's more interested campaigning against Limbaugh as people's whole life savings are being burned to the ground. Some priorities. Talking down Wall Steet, while it's parties every night at 1660 Pennsylvania Avenue.
YOU'RE A HEARTLESS CRUEL SLACKER, MR PRESIDENT
Fiddling whilst Dow burns.
→ And cruel to blacks, too.
March 4, 2009 - 20:20 ET by Cool ArrowI LMAO the other day when Obama went all "Ross Perot" with that speech to African Americans.
He said African Americans will suffer more. No different than saying "you people"
He's just keeping the pity party alive.
We won the cold war! Why did we surrender?
Obama is now DADDY HUSSEIN
March 4, 2009 - 20:41 ET by Jack BauerObama is now DADDY HUSSEIN WARBUCKS -- profiteering with taxpayers money as millions of ordinary Americans are having their business and savings LOOTED daily.
I wonder if he bathes in Champagne after his rounds of White House parties.
EMPEROR ZERO FIDDLES WHISLT DOW BURNS
Jack... I wouldn't doubt
March 4, 2009 - 20:57 ET by bigtimerJack...
I wouldn't doubt for one second that they bathe in the champagne...after-all, they are serving Kobe steak with some fancy name tonight at a $100 bucks a serving just for that alone...
Yep, us tax-payers are feelin' lucky alright!
...and the msm made fun of the George and Laura Bush because they weren't party scene animals wasting tax-payers money to-boot.
Out of Touch
March 4, 2009 - 21:26 ET by slickwillie2001Can you imagine the kerfuffle had Bush been partying with rock and roll bands invited to the White House and dining on $100/lb Wagyu beef, while the economy was in a deadly downward spiral? Even FDR could not have gotten away with that. In Obammy's case, not a word from the liberal old media. Maybe they are afraid they will be docked from the invitations list.
The liberal media howled at President George H.W. Bush when he marveled at a store's laser checkout system. They called that out of touch!
This was the topic of Taranto's Best of the Web today: Obama's Katrina: http://online.wsj.co...
We all Know it to be true
March 5, 2009 - 04:29 ET by ChattychitoThe Main Stream Media is the real boss of the white house. they are the one influencing Congress, the hOuse and the White house. MSM is the one running Washington not the pupit Obama.
"A man who doesn't borrow from the brains of others proves he has no brains of his own." CH Spurgeon
This is insane.
March 5, 2009 - 06:33 ET by JWFThe democrats have a majority in the house and senate and they have the Presidency.
We have a serious problem with the economy right now. We still have troops in 2 different theatres. The stock market is falling like a stone.
And this is what the Obama team is concentrating on? Destroying the Republicans? Three quarters of the pie is not enough? They want it all?
Audacity is the right word.
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.