The American Spectator

drudge ette obama| 3.5.09 @ 6:24AM

Let it be known that this strategy is NOT causing me to ignore the bloated budget or the thousands of cuts being made on our Constitution. I can multi-task on our country's issues, so I add my comment here without sacrificing elsewhere.

So, the little threesome: Rahm, Carville, and Begala - daily telephone buddies on federal time hatched this Limbaugh strategy during their bagel and Starbucks time? Has anyone wondered why three of the strangest looking men in the country are drawn together. It lessens their own pain to look at another.

Good luck, guys. The more people who actually listen to Rush, the more converts he'll get. Is this the real Fairness Doctrine? White House smears?

I think Rush is a great radio personality and I enjoy listening to him. Period. I am not a robotron. My paralegal says I am brainwashed. (She has to come into my office while the radio is on. I expect a worker's comp charge from her shortly.) This from someone whose sole source of news is NPR and the local Atlanta paper. But you should have seen her scramble when I told her that the mortgage interest deduction was being eliminated. Her reaction sends a message: even little Obama-ites like money: THEIR OWN (as well as others.)

Bill Hussein O'Stalin | 3.5.09 @ 7:06AM

For a government authority to single out and attack a private citizen who has no authority but the authority of their own thoughts is not only a misguided policy, it follows through on a theme that is defining a pathological liar and coward, President Barack Obama.

Barack Obama has not taken lying to a new high, he's taking lying to a new public low. Where Bill Clinton could lie convincingly, Barack's lies are so bold and open, he's lost his credibility with many sectors of society, including some members of his own party. You could say that he's been lulled into a level of arrogance here by his own advisers, becoming a tower of Babel and hubris unto himself, an almost narcissistic relationship with his legend, not reality.

In the meantime as this ill thought out strategy by the Democratic brain trust of Dragula (Begala) and Skeletor (Carville) plays out, it's obvious they are trying to revive the strategy of Willie Horton, playing a head game involving racism on Rush Limbaugh figuring who will care about a rich white guy, who also happens to believe in American principles?

The facts are becoming clear that Obama cares not a twit about the average American, it's simply that he's so dedicated to so many left wing policies which are based on collectivism, he's forgotten that the average citizen wants to succeed as an individual. At a time when the nation needs inspiration it's not very inspiring to see the White House squander political capital attacking and smacking down any private citizen who dare question their motives or policies.

In some ways, the strategy of responding to criticism directly can put out a forest fire. The Obama White House is like a firefighter responding to a fire, and when only smoldering embers remain, throwing gasoline on the fire.

It's becoming evident that Obama needs a national bogeyman to gloss over the fact he's assembled a corrupt administration, staffed with tax cheats and other forms of government corruption, including lobbyists, which he promised not to do.

Barack also promised not pass any bill with earmarks. The entire Limbaugh farce is a sad state of affairs, because it indicates that weak minded elected officials are spending time attacking outspoken citizens while there are many policy areas that need serious attention.

The fact that the Main Stream Media has dedicated so much time to helping the White House coordinate this event, indicates that the American public must seek their own news sources, and the deadly march to financial death of the MSM continues.

More newspapers and journalists will fail as they join this crusade against the truth, because that's all it is aside from the personal attacks against private citizens. The public wants real news, not the final spin cycle of a White House political attack.

While the nation's elected leaders should be focusing on fighting terrorism and repairing the economy, they have turned the discourse into a personal attack on one man.

To paraphrase Bill Clinton, these childish attacks won't feed one child, stop one foreclosure or stop one terrorist.

They simply prove that if all Obama has to do is attack private citizens a la Rick Santelli, Jim Cramer or Rush Limbaugh, we should all get together in the next election cycles and vote for their failure. They're small minded losers.

Pepeton| 3.26.10 @ 4:06AM

Bill Hussein O'Stalin | 3.5.09 @ 7:06AM
For a government authority to single out and attack a private citizen who has no authority but the authority of their own thoughts is not only a misguided policy, it follows through on a theme that is defining a pathological liar and coward, President Barack Obama.

Barack Obama has not taken lying to a new high, he's taking lying to a new public low. Where Bill Clinton could lie convincingly, Barack's lies are so bold and open, he's lost his credibility with many sectors of society, including some members of his own party. You could say that he's been lulled into a level of arrogance here by his own advisers, becoming a tower of Babel and hubris unto himself, an almost narcissistic relationship with his legend, not reality.

In the meantime as this ill thought out strategy by the Democratic brain trust of Dragula (Begala) and Skeletor (Carville) plays out, it's obvious they are trying to revive the strategy of Willie Horton, playing a head game involving racism on Rush Limbaugh figuring who will care about a rich white guy, who also happens to believe in American principles?

The facts are becoming clear that Obama cares not a twit about the average American, it's simply that he's so dedicated to so many left wing policies which are based on collectivism, he's forgotten that the average citizen wants to succeed as an individual. At a time when the nation needs inspiration it's not very inspiring to see the White House squander political capital attacking and smacking down any private citizen who dare question their motives or policies.

In some ways, the strategy of responding to criticism directly can put out a forest fire. The Obama White House is like a firefighter responding to a fire, and when only smoldering embers remain, throwing gasoline on the fire.

It's becoming evident that Obama needs a national bogeyman to gloss over the fact he's assembled a corrupt administration, staffed with tax cheats and other forms of government corruption, including lobbyists, which he promised not to do.

Barack also promised not pass any bill with earmarks. The entire Limbaugh farce is a sad state of affairs, because it indicates that weak minded elected officials are spending time attacking outspoken citizens while there are many policy areas that need serious attention.

The fact that the Main Stream Media has dedicated so much time to helping the White House coordinate this event, indicates that the American public must seek their own news sources, and the deadly march to financial death of the MSM continues.

More newspapers and journalists will fail as they join this crusade against the truth, because that's all it is aside from the personal attacks against private citizens. The public wants real news, not the final spin cycle of a White House political attack.

While the nation's elected leaders should be focusing on fighting terrorism and repairing the economy, they have turned the discourse into a personal attack on one man.

To paraphrase Bill Clinton, these childish attacks won't feed one child, stop one foreclosure or stop one terrorist.

They simply prove that if all Obama has to do is attack private citizens a la Rick Santelli, Jim Cramer or Rush Limbaugh, we should all get together in the next election cycles and vote for their failure. They're small minded losers.

Pepeton| 3.26.10 @ 4:06AM

Bill Hussein O'Stalin | 3.5.09 @ 7:06AM
For a government authority to single out and attack a private citizen who has no authority but the authority of their own thoughts is not only a misguided policy, it follows through on a theme that is defining a pathological liar and coward, President Barack Obama.

Barack Obama has not taken lying to a new high, he's taking lying to a new public low. Where Bill Clinton could lie convincingly, Barack's lies are so bold and open, he's lost his credibility with many sectors of society, including some members of his own party. You could say that he's been lulled into a level of arrogance here by his own advisers, becoming a tower of Babel and hubris unto himself, an almost narcissistic relationship with his legend, not reality.

In the meantime as this ill thought out strategy by the Democratic brain trust of Dragula (Begala) and Skeletor (Carville) plays out, it's obvious they are trying to revive the strategy of Willie Horton, playing a head game involving racism on Rush Limbaugh figuring who will care about a rich white guy, who also happens to believe in American principles?

The facts are becoming clear that Obama cares not a twit about the average American, it's simply that he's so dedicated to so many left wing policies which are based on collectivism, he's forgotten that the average citizen wants to succeed as an individual. At a time when the nation needs inspiration it's not very inspiring to see the White House squander political capital attacking and smacking down any private citizen who dare question their motives or policies.

In some ways, the strategy of responding to criticism directly can put out a forest fire. The Obama White House is like a firefighter responding to a fire, and when only smoldering embers remain, throwing gasoline on the fire.

It's becoming evident that Obama needs a national bogeyman to gloss over the fact he's assembled a corrupt administration, staffed with tax cheats and other forms of government corruption, including lobbyists, which he promised not to do.

Barack also promised not pass any bill with earmarks. The entire Limbaugh farce is a sad state of affairs, because it indicates that weak minded elected officials are spending time attacking outspoken citizens while there are many policy areas that need serious attention.

The fact that the Main Stream Media has dedicated so much time to helping the White House coordinate this event, indicates that the American public must seek their own news sources, and the deadly march to financial death of the MSM continues.

More newspapers and journalists will fail as they join this crusade against the truth, because that's all it is aside from the personal attacks against private citizens. The public wants real news, not the final spin cycle of a White House political attack.

While the nation's elected leaders should be focusing on fighting terrorism and repairing the economy, they have turned the discourse into a personal attack on one man.

To paraphrase Bill Clinton, these childish attacks won't feed one child, stop one foreclosure or stop one terrorist.

They simply prove that if all Obama has to do is attack private citizens a la Rick Santelli, Jim Cramer or Rush Limbaugh, we should all get together in the next election cycles and vote for their failure. They're small minded losers.

Kitty| 3.5.09 @ 7:24AM

Frum and Parker conservative? Please, they're opportunists.

Not only is Rush a solid conservative, who just happens to be entertaining as hell, he's also the only one I see who has globes big enough to take on the president. He told several liberal callers yesterday, "You wanted me to be the leader. Well, here I am. I lead."

I expect ad hominem attacks on Rush from the left; that's what Democrats do. But from the right? How dumb can they be?
...

brenda keeling| 3.5.09 @ 7:33AM

go Rush!!!!

TennesseeVolunteer| 3.5.09 @ 7:36AM

I PROPOSE A NATIONAL BOYCOTT OF ANY LEFT WING ENTITY. While we have concentrated our work and our time on our businesses, families, communities, these people have stayed up nights to figure out strategies to demonize us, our religions, our country and a free, capitalistic way of life.
They build nothing while taxing the fruits of our labors in every way possible. The stock market is showing the Dems that investor money just isn't buying what the administration is selling. Let's find other ways to show our economic displeasure and lets also make sure we are supporting financially any company that is doing things the right way!
Ex.: Ford Motor company did not take a bailout and is operating on their own money, buy a Ford when you make the next car purchase! Others?

Michigan-Matt| 3.5.09 @ 7:45AM

I agree with Michael Steele and lots of moderate, thoughtful, honest and sincere GOPers who think RushBlow is a great voice for social conservatives intent on making their cause a one-tent, angry-white-men-only show. But he ain't the leader of the GOP; no thank you. No way. No how.

Rush is corrosive. He's divisive. He is incendiary. He plays to the cynical and frustrated segment of the conservative movement who, by their own admission, sat out the last election and helped, by default, elect Obama because the GOP didn't put up a "pure enuff, true enuff" social conservative for nomination.

Rush would sell his mother to Hades if it gave him a chance at higher ratings and a return to his 20-22m listeners he claims to honor (it's closer to 12.7m). And frankly, he's more than willing to dust it up with real GOP leaders because it all means more listeners, more money, more stooges tuning in to for today's marching orders. He's a one-man DailyKos of the farRight.

He's an entertainer first. He's a self-promoter second. And his elixir is as dangerous to the body politic as would be his listeners with pitchforks instead of their usual 6 pack, bag of potato chips and a barcolounger.

I'm glad to be able to say, "Mr Limbaugh, you are a disloyal Republican (if you even vote) and not the leader of our Party. Sell your snakeoil to the soc-cons and militiaMen."

-Z-| 10.29.09 @ 4:23PM

This is belated, Michigan- Matt, but it is heartwarming to find that there are Republicans out there such as yourself.

I'm most definitely liberal, but it is openminded, intelligent folks such as yourself that give me hope that Dems and Repubs can maybe find a way to create some compromise, middle ground, and understanding between the parties.

Ultimately our differences lay in policy, whereas Rush Limbaugh encourages attacks to be made personally, with incendiary intent. It isn't positive, it doesn't work, and I am glad you are so eloquently outspoken about it.

drudge ette obama| 3.5.09 @ 7:57AM

TennesseeVolunteer:
I am in the market for car insurance. You can bet I won't be going to Progressive Insurance: its founder John Lewis is among the fourth largest contributors to Obama's campaign and is head to head with George Soros. That's all I need to hear.
Read American Thinkers' article 9/29/2008 article about how George Soros and Allies Helped Bring Down Wachovia www.americanthinnker.com/2008/09/how_allies_of_george_soros_hel.html

drudge ette obama| 3.5.09 @ 8:04AM

Michigan-Matt:
Fair enough that you may not like Rush's presentation, but your other comments are inconsistent with a conservative outlook and your ranting started to sound Al Franken, especially the sell his mother to Hades stuff. It sounds like you have som wealth/success envy issues going on.

Go get some Progressive Car Insurance (if there are any cars left in Michican). Have you wondered why it is called Progressive Insurance instead of Conservative Insurance?

Melvin| 3.5.09 @ 8:09AM

Michigan-Matt, this is why I like this type of forum, the free expressions of views and opinions. But please do not insult those of us the partake in this forum and avid readers of American Spectator by posting basically what is Democrat talking points.
It is as if we don't have the capacity to see through your sham of declaring yourself a loyal Republican.

-Z-| 10.29.09 @ 4:29PM

Apparently, Michigan-Matt, it isn't "American" to have your own opinion.

Apparently if you don't like Rush, you don't count as a Republican.

......says Melvin.

Craig| 3.5.09 @ 8:15AM

Hey Matt..why don't you try listening to Rush instead of spouting out the liberal talking points about him. You might learn something....

stmichrick| 3.5.09 @ 8:46AM

As usual M-Matt attacks Rush for being white, male, overweight, conservative, having had health problems, being on talk radio.

And now, for having had a mother.

Never attacked Rush over a position on an issue. The strategy is to marginalize his positions by not responding to them. After all he's just an ENTERTAINER, that for some reason Democrats are talking about now.

Notice how lib-I -mean-leftists have co-opted the word 'thoughtful?' Very big on NPR. I think it refers to the concept that everything is a shade of gray, there are no clear answers or good ideas or convictions, especially when the Right proposes them.

JeffW| 3.5.09 @ 8:49AM

Folks, Anyone who has read any of Michigan Matt's earlier post already knows he is a Liberal. He only claims to be a moderate because he is to much of a coward to make a choice and make a stand. As Obama's popularity drops with the stock market, I predict this strategy of theirs will backfire. As people lose money they will be more receptive to listen to the opposition and Rush's audience will grow. Rush knows this and is banking on it. Why else would he issue a all expense paid debate challenge directly to Obama?

Because he knows he could win it hands down. It's a suckers bet.

Mrs. Jackson| 3.5.09 @ 9:00AM

Mr. Tyrrell, Ms. Parker did in some fashion rise without a trace but then again not. She rose to the national scene the same way David Brooks, Christopher Buckley, David Frum and John Derbyshire did -through National Review. Or more importantly, through WFB.

From the St. Louis Journal Review (March 2005):

"[Kathleen] Parker, who has worked in public relations as well as journalism, started writing a twice-weekly column for the Oakland Sentinel in 1987. She is director of the School of Written Expression at the Buckley School of Public Speaking and Persuasion in Camden, South Carolina--the Buckley who founded the school is Fergus Reid Buckley, brother of William, who is an occasional contributor to his brother's National Review. She supports Bush, whom she considers a moderate or--as she wrote in a post-election column--who is ""far to the left of the so-called 'moral right.'""

Ms. Parker resides in Camden, South Carolina, the longtime winter outpost of the Buckley clan. It was there she fell in with 'Uncle Reid' and made her way (quickly) to NR and then to the columnist page of WaPo and elsewhere.

The interesting thing to note about Ms. Parker (character-wise) is that while she was content to come up through the ranks of most obvious route of successful conservative writers ( the offices of WFB) since she attacked Sarah Palin, she went on to demonstrate a much deeper lack of restraint by ascribing all sorts of unprofessional and (nasty) judgements to groups of people on the Right she does not like. Meanwhile she herself rejects the 'label' of conservative for herself because, as she believes, labels are not helpful...

Unless of course she's the one tossing them to the Left like a seal trainer tossing herring to the 'arfing harbor seals at the Boston Aquarium

JTS| 3.5.09 @ 9:01AM

Can't wait for the debate! As I posted before, I seem to remember that Obama lost the debate with Joe the Plumber. Walked up to a man sweeping his driveway to bask in his own glory and got his a$$ handed to him. JTP pointed out the flaws in socialism and Obama's plan and the Oman had to spend the next few weeks defending himself. Brilliant! Outstanding! And these people are running things - amazing.

danny| 3.5.09 @ 9:02AM

come on y'all. don't even bother responding to michigan-matt. that kind of drivel doesn't warrant a response.

Nick| 3.5.09 @ 9:02AM

Michigan-Matt,

Who bowed, apologized, and kissed the ring of whom? You mushy moderates will always be subservient to we conservatives, so get used to it. Mr. Steele knows wherein the power lies, time for you to get your mind right.
Social cons aren't going anywhere, in fact we are going to get more vocal.

TennesseeVolunteer| 3.5.09 @ 9:14AM

Thanks, Dredge ette, I am making a list and checking it twice. I've got Progressive down as you say. My purpose is to identify companies "who do things right, conservatively.
Probably no national company will be 'on the right' everytime. But, for now, we reward good behavior!
Buy List:
Ford vehicles (no bailout)

Don't buy:
Proogressive Car ins.(owner, John Lewi, Soros conspirator)

Jeff Anderson| 3.5.09 @ 9:16AM

Entertaining & erudite as always, RET.

Bill| 3.5.09 @ 9:40AM

Matt from Michigan. I also live in Michigan and think you must be in the pocket of the libs and the union. The truth will always shine it's light and the darkness will always try to put the light out. However, history shows that the truth always wins out over time. Rush is right and those of us who have a mind to think and reason with are not blind to the truth. Support for the conservative position is growing daily and the deception and lies of BO and his followers are waking the country up to reality. OBAMA, as a friend of mine told me, stands for "One Bad A.. .. Mistake America"

Gene Car| 3.5.09 @ 9:42AM

Parker endorsing Roomey as 'obvious' leader of the GOP? Poor man. Kiss of death.

Howard| 3.5.09 @ 9:55AM

I am a "movement conservative", and proudly so.
However, we need to win elections. The easy was will be to wait for the inevitable overreach by the Socialists, I mean Democrats. But the reality is we need to educate and wean away reasonable moderates. Our base is strong and committed, but needs to grow. So we need to explain the virtues, and flaws of freedom and free markets. We need to point out the flaws of the left, and that also means identifying their "Trojan Horses" such as "Marketplace" on NPR. There are a number of leftist organizations that disguise themselves as pro-business, pro-markets. They are not. They are funded by liberal foundations that want a European style system. This is a long battle for freedom. To paraphrase someone "together we can"

Ryan| 3.5.09 @ 9:59AM

Obama's/Emanuel's strategy is going to backfire HUGE. They picked who they THINK is incendiary and divisive figure.

Rush really isn't - he's only been painted that way by a jealous media whose numbers are swiftly declining while Rush is making money hand over fist - and will make more with Obama's attentions. MORE people will tune into his show, and they may realize he's not all that bad.

I wonder if Rush's critics really listen to him. He doesn't actually get into social conservative stuff all that much - he's not a hard-line evangelical by any means. ALL he does is support traditional conservatism day in and day out - small government, lower taxes, pro-gun, pro-life - much of which there really isn't a good argument against from the Republican side of things.

Rush's biggest redeeming value is actually his ability not to take himself too seriously. His voice isn't grating, his monologues are well-thought and articulate, and he rarely - if ever - gets unintelligbly angry on the air. I heard him once state about some leftist policy that failed, "I knew that wasn't going to work, and I'm on drugs!" or something similar.

If he wasn't a fat old white guy, he wouldn't be a target, I think. Obama should have shifted more attention to Hannity, who comes across as less intelligent (I REALLY wish I had Glenn Beck for the drive home).

JP| 3.5.09 @ 10:00AM

So, this week we learnt there is a crisis brewing with Iran; we are in the midst of deploying another 50,000 combat troops to a nation (Afghanistan) whose leader (Karazai) is disliked by Obama; GM is teetering towards Chapter 11; our banks and insurance companies just announced loses to the tune of $110 billion; our federal defecit is nearing $2 trillion; and our President announced he wishes to impose a $670 billion cap and trade tax on the economy. So what does the WH do? It picks avery public fight with a private citizen.

And who says Obama isn't presidential?

WFH505| 3.5.09 @ 10:12AM

M-Matt's claim that Rush is a "one man Daily KOS of the right" is laughable.

Rush's message is always upbeat, positive, and frequently humorous. He believes in the ability of the individual to achieve and encourages everyone to excel and be self reliant.

The Daily KOS, on the other hand, is mostly unprintable hate and invective. It is a sewer of mean spirited, intolerant, envious, and downright nasty individuals. But I'm sure M-Matt already knows that as he no doubt has a user id there

Grzmlyk| 3.5.09 @ 10:33AM

I disagree that Rush is a) my intellectual leader or b) an entertainer first. When I got into Rush it was because I found a guy who agreed with me, not the other way around. I listen to Rush as much as possible; his political analysis - understanding how the moves affect the game overall - is stunning in the scope of its comprehension as well as the degree to which it reveals the selfishness inherent in human nature even as it masquerades as altruism.

And yet I do not find many of his antics amusing (Paul Shanklin, on the other hand, hits nothing but home runs). In fact, I think Rush is generally obnoxious, undisciplined and, yes, pompous. I think he has a juvenile sense of humor, particularly when he strays from his bailiwick. In rare moments off of the soapbox, he'll tell you all the braggadocio is an act.

I'm not so sure; I think there's a very real, alienated inner 10-year old in his stage persona that searched for and ultimately found a dominion over which he could reign and thus escape the slings and arrows that eccentricity invites, and which wound so deeply in children. That blustery persona is a bulwark against the myriad human foibles of which he is, like most bright people, no doubt painfully aware and which he would prefer to hold at bay - like all of us.

That is why his is forever a kingdom of one.

But the point is that despite my annoyance with his style, in addition to the quality of his analysis, his articulation of conservative principles is peerless. Particularly in an age when intellectual buffoonery too often dominates the debate on both sides (and I hate to throw a sop to the odious concept of bipartisanship at this juncture, but if you look at the Fox lineup - Beck, O'Reilly, Hannity - whatever their positives, there ain't a lot of there there in terms of original thinking and cogent analysis).

That's Rush's secret (or at least why I keep coming back): Behind the showmanship is a rock-solid, simple articulation of core conservative values informed by a clarity of vision that is second to none. As a result, whatever motivates him to get up in the morning - and I think it's an honest desire to see America succeed and not ratings - he is an oasis of reality in a desert of ideologically-fueled ego trips.

And just because he isn't an entertainer first doesn't mean it ain't about showmanship; after all, Obama is ostensibly a voice of thoughtful change far above the blood and guts of quotidian existence, but it is showmanship he counts on to mask his ruthless and sociopathic nature - a nature common to all would-be dictators.

Rush's popularity lies not in cartoonish agitating of right wingers but in the power of his simple and, in my opinion, irrefutable argument. Sadly, he is currently just about the only beacon cutting through the thickening Kultursmog.

Long Live Limbaugh - warts and all.

Alan Brooks| 3.5.09 @ 10:46AM

culturesmog is correct I first switched to liberalism in '95 (whatever liberalism meant at the time, don't remember as it was long ago), when Gingrich and Clinton were foils in the contest to redefine the rest of the decade and into the next-- until 9/11 naturally.
'97- '01 I found very confusing but the last few years were illuminating in their moral confusion; so being a conservative in a lib family, I came back to conservatism.
Sullivan got it JUST SO.

Alan Brooks| 3.5.09 @ 10:48AM

...or shall we say dis-illuminating it the moral confusion.

Dai Alanye| 3.5.09 @ 10:55AM

The surprising part of the anti-Rush conspiracy is that James Carville, a man of considerable political insight, would allow his name to be associated with it. The others--Begala, Emmanuel, Obama--are ego-driven rather than rational, but Carville is a professional political operative, and should know how likely it is that a contest with Rush will backfire.

Son Of Sam| 3.5.09 @ 10:56AM

I find it amazing that all the "tolerant" and "diverse" so-called liberals out there sit by and gloat while the foreign demagogue masquerading as our President hatches a plot to smear a private citizens who dares to disagree with him. They are revealed what they truly are: traitors and America haters. Btw, "Michigan Matt" it is YOUR leaders who are trying to pretend Rush leads the GOP, an office he has never claimed and does not seek. Maybe if you stopped drinking the Kool Aid, and stopped goose stepping in lockstep behind the ObamaNazi bandwagon, you could open up your damned eyes and see that.

Shout outs to Kitty and everyone else outing the likes of Frum, et al. I had the opportunity to listen to Mr. Frum several weeks ago while he was plugging his book. The point of his speech seemed to be that Bush gave up on fiscal conservative principles, so now we should ditch the social conservative wing. And then what? We get a defeat like we suffered in 1932? Or 1964?

Not on our watch!

until freedom dawns

Son Of Sam
http://www.geocities.com/samadamssos/

james wilson| 3.5.09 @ 12:00PM

It is impossible to answer a bad question with a good answer. That was the original mistake.

Were Lenin President of the United States, would we wish him to succeed?

That his economic and social policies would fail--have failed everywhere they were copied--is a given. So the only success that is left to be determined is power.

We want him to fail.

Kelso| 3.5.09 @ 12:07PM

Michigan Matt sounds like a man trying to corner the market on ignorance--and is succeeding

Anthony| 3.5.09 @ 12:09PM

This juvenile, ad hominen mode of attack by the left has been with us for decades now. But despite its childishness, it speaks to a darker more sinister aspect of leftism, one espoused by Obama's mentor and political guru, Saul Alinsky. As has been commented by many, the left needs demons to focus on and distract the masses from the real agenda, as the past 3 days of Limbaugh 24/7 by the leftist media demonstrates. To concentrate on a sinking economy and other Obama failures is not part of the game plan here. The left, with its many components, is in full ideological battle mode. When a genuine threat to their hegemony arises, a la Gov. Palin, the attacks are immediate, vicious and constant. We as Americans are at a tipping point, where our very republic is under full scale attack by these elitist Marxists, supported by what appears to be 1/2 of our fellow citizens. Limbaugh has picked up, or has been made our proxy for the challenge by the left. He would do well to remember that if he does take up our cause, he does so for all of us. That means he needs to be disiplined and check his rather large ego at the door. This is war; the gloves and pretenses have long been removed. We are in a fight for the America that has been known for generations. If Obama succeeds, as Limbaugh has correctly posited, America as we know it, ceases to exist.

HokieHi| 3.5.09 @ 12:44PM

TenneseeVolunteer: Access National Bank in Northern Virginia has taken NO TARP money. I understand that TD Bank has not either.

Sackville| 3.5.09 @ 1:03PM

Begala, Emmanuel and Carville need to get
out of high school and grow up!
Are we amazed that these moral and intellectual
midgets do these things? To paraphrase Ann Coulter, America has passed another milestone--
we now have the first black president AND
mentally challenged people spongeing in the rest of the White House.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 1:36PM

Obama's a coward. Rush made our 'leader of the free world' blink. Pathetic.

Mike| 3.5.09 @ 2:04PM

I had the same thought Dai Alanye, but from the opposite direction. At first I took the Rush attack to just another of the Messiah's many blunders, but with Carville's involvment....perhaps there's something to it after all.

But elevating your most intelligent, articulate, principled, and effective political opponent? I just don't get it. Maybe they've never listened to Rush. The man's a national treasure.

CS| 3.5.09 @ 2:09PM

Tennesee Volunteer - don't forget Pepsi, with their pathetic attempt to pander by copying the O logo. Drink Coke!

CS| 3.5.09 @ 2:13PM

Begala is one of the most vile people in public life. The repugnant death's head rictus of a smile, as he spews the most crude filth! Horrifying.

Cathy| 3.5.09 @ 2:15PM

Mr. Tyrrell, thoroughly enjoyed your column and many of the clever comments; also, glad you included the likes of Ms Parker who has become most annoying.
Didn't Rush normally refer to Begala as "THE FOREHEAD"?
Many thanks for the entertainment today!

Angel| 3.5.09 @ 2:27PM

Begala looks like the aliens in 'Mars Attacks'. I wonder if he was in the movie. LOL.

Rob Johnson| 3.5.09 @ 2:32PM

Go Rush Go!

Rick Jose| 3.5.09 @ 2:34PM

Like him or hate him, Rush lets you know where he stands. Which is FAR MORE than any deceiving Democrat ever does. They will say or do anything to get elected. We see this, par excellence, in Obama himself. Claims one thing, does another.

We have a crisis of leadership in this nation. We need men and women of integrity who will stand up and say what they believe and what they mean. And to hell with the consequences. Real patriots.

Give me a Rush Libaugh or Glenn Beck any day.

www.PatriotHangout.com

jack| 3.5.09 @ 2:50PM

What could be worse than the Clinton years? All the sleezy creeps who supported Clinton through every low point and even the sexual abuse of an intern with a new President who thinks proper tire inflation will solve the worlds energy crisis and anyone who has ever lived within their means or been succesful is to be punished.
I cant figure out if Obama is an imbecile or an a socialist tyrant bent on destroying the country.

Barbara Ryczak| 3.5.09 @ 2:51PM

Big mistake taking on Rush. You go Rush.

Dr. Right| 3.5.09 @ 2:54PM

This is soooooo amusing, on so many levels, that one almost doesn't know where to begin.

First of all, to the casual, reasonably intelligent individual, Obama's policies WILL fail...But only if that casual, reasonably intelligent observer assumes that Obama defines "failure" as the rest of us do.

In short, we want solutions that STRENGTHEN our nation's capitalist foundations, but Obama wants nothing of the sort - he wants to destroy those foundations and rebuild the country from the ground-up ("Shovel-ready"!). So in essence, the more his policies fail us, the American people, the more they benefit his socialist cadre. Ironically, his failure is ALSO his success.

But it's all nonsense, anyhow. As Mr. Tyrell wisely points out, come election day, no one will remeber this absurd incident, at least not in the way that Obama and his idiot adviors think they will.

Quite to the contrary, voters may remember this as the tipping-point in Obama's Presidency when, less than 50 days into his 1st term, he allowed himself to be humiliated by a radio talk-show host.

Even more amusing is that by a lesser extent in November 2010, and to a greater extent in November 2012, fewer and fewer "Obama voters" will actually be found - at least by their own admission, that is. Oh, they'll still be out there, alright, and they'll be lying like cowards about their '08 votes for America's worst President. The signs are already out there in the tracking polls, if anyone bothers to look. As for myself, I can only ask "Where are ALL those Obama bumper stickers I saw last November??"

...So ultimately, the little "guilt-by-association" game that Obama, Emmanuel, Begala, and Stephanopolous are trying to run on Rush will come back and bite them in the ass instead.

Now that's worth looking forward to!

drudge ette obama| 3.5.09 @ 3:05PM

Email the White House and ask to be placed on the enemies list, like Rush.

Jimmy| 3.5.09 @ 3:09PM

Action v. words. In the end the non verbal message wins out. Barry and his team attack those that don't agree with their line. Where's the new era of working together? It will take a while for the MDA's (can't remember who first identified the Massive Dopey Americans) to catch on but they will. This will get ugly.

Pre election I saw a sign on a seashore bar closed for the winter that read "Say No To Socialism". Not enough listened.

Nick| 3.5.09 @ 3:20PM

Angel,

I'm sure glad I wasn't taking a drink when I read your Begala post. My computer would be soaked now!

If only yodeling would do the same to lefties.

Peasantcrat| 3.5.09 @ 3:23PM

Can I be on the enemies list? Please? Can I, can I can I? I procalaim my Right to live by and For Myself without any hindrance from B.O. and his obamalytes and all the economically illiterate vegetables he cultivates for votes to subsidize their deficiencies.

Wicked Dickie| 3.5.09 @ 3:29PM

I'm surprised nobody has picked up on the liberati not being "troubled" by President Obama-ayers toadys (Emmanuel, Begala, Carville and, I believe, Stephanopoulos) getting together daily to concoct Democrat Politburo Talking Points. The latter three are supposed to be journalists, but their sleazy violation of "journalistic ethics" appears of unconcern to our future masters. BTW Grzmlyk, I listen to Rush for the same reason you do--he agrees with me. Thank God (if I'm still allowed to say that) somebody with principles and common sense does.

Jeremiah| 3.5.09 @ 3:34PM

In the run-up to the 04 election Democrats -- many of whom serve in the military -- endured claims by Dick Cheney and Karl Rove that to vote for John Kerry was tantamount to voting for Al Qaeda.

This was appalling political rhetoric from two men who refused to serve their country in uniform.

I remember thinking that it made it seem as though the White House were being controlled by some foreign entity, no longer American. Never have I been so disgusted with politicians -- particularly with thousands of soldiers serving overseas who were planning to vote Democratic. (Believe me, not all military people are Republicans.)

I think the current uproars about Limbaugh are pretty tame. Begala is and always has been pretty obnoxious, and I don't like what he said about Limbaugh, whom I esteem (but do not follow).

In an age of intermidable wars and economic hard times it only makes sense that people should turn their attention to hysterical non-issues like this one: but everyone should remember, the only one really benefiting is Rush Limbaugh, whose radio program has been enjoying a great deal of free advertisement on the increasingly lame, shallow, and irrelevant cable news programs.

Crusader| 3.5.09 @ 3:36PM

Wicked, dinja hear? Rahmbo, the Skull, Ragin' Cajun and Snuffleuppagous claim they don't do the conference calls.

So it must be true.

So there.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 3:42PM

Begala does look like one of those Martians, doesn't he? Didn't even need make up . Too funny.

Frances| 3.5.09 @ 3:43PM

Michigan-Matt- Go away troll. Noone believes your rant.
Emmett- I loved this, says everything I want to say.
Obama keep ignoring the economy and maybe it will ignore you. We can only hope.
Oh yea, put me on that list please!

CH| 3.5.09 @ 3:44PM

Begala's got a huge head, too bad he's got sh!t for brains.

drudge ette obama| 3.5.09 @ 4:03PM

Email the White House and ask to be placed on the enemies list, like Rush. whitehouse.gov

LilCalGal| 3.5.09 @ 4:04PM

Well, might I suggest that we flood the president's inbox (which is limited to 500 characters through the whitehouse website ONLY) with:
"Even BEFORE Rush said it, I already determined that I wanted your policies to FAIL!"
(Fill the rest of the 500 characters with whatever you want. Maybe "You Marxist &%&^$"? *LOL*)

Michigan-Matt| 3.5.09 @ 4:22PM

Son of Sam offers: "Btw, "Michigan Matt" it is YOUR leaders who are trying to pretend Rush leads the GOP, an office he has never claimed and does not seek. Maybe if you stopped drinking the Kool Aid, and stopped goose stepping in lockstep behind the ObamaNazi bandwagon, you could open up your damned eyes and see that. "

Ummm, Son of Sam? Reality check for the pinheads you're leading.

My Party's leaders are the RNC Committee members, our new Party Chair Michael Steele, a host of state party chairs and e/d and --by default, the ex-Presidents from my Party.

Who, exactly, are YOUR Party leaders? Let me tender a guess? Rocky J. Suhayda

I think you need to put down the RushBlow kool aid and start breathing in O2, Son of Sam. Or else OReilly will nominate you for Pinhead of the Month.

Nick| 3.5.09 @ 4:26PM

Jeremiah,

"(Believe me, not all military people are Republicans.)" And you know this how? Where did you serve?

When I was in the Army from '88-'92, the guys I knew never talked politics. Except me, when GHWB sent me to the Saudi and Iraqi deserts for 6 months, and I would come up with new and expressive ways to show my displeasure with my Commander-in-Chief. I thought they were all a bunch of crooks back then.

We also would've put Kerry on our "list". We would fantasize about who to put on the "list" after watching "Platoon" or other such garbage. Don't think movies have power.

Cheney and Rove said no such thing. I wish they would have. It was true. I would rather go into combat with Dick and Karl than Kerry or algore. I'm not saying members of the military do not vote democrat. I'm saying they don't ask and don't tell.

Michigan-Matt| 3.5.09 @ 4:34PM

Melvin makes a parallel note to Son of Sam's nonsense: "But please do not insult those of us the partake in this forum and avid readers of American Spectator by posting basically what is Democrat talking points. It is as if we don't have the capacity to see through your sham of declaring yourself a loyal Republican."

Ummm, Melvin, loosen that tin foil hat for a second because the alien beams are starting to bounce off your head. Democrat Talking Points? You pinhead.

I guess I'd ask, by what standard you think a GOPer is a GOPer?

Former staffer? Check.
Annual contributor to the Natl Party? Check.
Annual contributor to the Mi-GOP? Check.
Annual contributor to our county GOP? Check.
Campaign worker on natl campaigns? Check.
Campaign worker on state-wide campaigns? Check.
Ditto on Congressional, state legislative and local elections? Check.
Voted for Nixon? Check.
Voted for Ford-Dole? Check. Check.
Voted for Bush? Check in '80 primary.
Voted for Reagan-Bush? Check. Check. Check. Check.
Voted for Bush-Quayle? Check. Check. Check. Check.
Voted for Dole-Kemp? Check. Check.
Voted for Bush-Cheney? Check. Check. Check. Check.

Unlike some couch potato hugging, flat footed disloyal soc-cons who gripe about the GOP and sit on their hands on Election Day or fail to support the Party organizations, I do. As a moderate with a strong fiscal conservatism bent.

So Melvin, what part of GOPer don't you understand. Pinhead. Or is that dittohead?

Barb| 3.5.09 @ 4:35PM

TennesseeVolunteer: ORECK should be on your "buy" list, as he is a great american and takes care of his employees. I listened to his story on Huckabee and it was inspiring. I have an ORECK vacuum and it's excellent, they are also having a sale right now...
Long live Capitalists!!!

Angel| 3.5.09 @ 4:36PM

But, Nick, there was always fragging if you went to war with Gore or Kerry. Just imagine the possibilities, young man.

Pepe| 3.5.09 @ 4:38PM

Uh oh. Michigan-Mutt is back. Gotta reach deep to blow this libtard to hell.

Michigan-Matt| 3.5.09 @ 4:42PM

Pepe? Pepe?

Now we can add yet another fake poster name to Nick-of-the-1000-fake-names fame.

Pepe LePew, the French skunk of cartoon fame? How fitting for Nick.

Nick| 3.5.09 @ 4:47PM

Mich-Matt would vote for:

Rudy Guliani? Check.
Linc Chafee? Check.
Christy Whitman? Check.
Jumpin' Jim Jeffords? Check.
Arnold? Check.
Michael Bloomberg? Check.
Shrillary the Hut, if she put an "R" behind her name? You betcha'!
Will Cliff Clavin vote for Sarah Palin if she's the nominee in '12? No chance in hell.

Jeremiah| 3.5.09 @ 4:56PM

Nick --

I did a hitch in the Army. I'm not going to go into details, because they don't mean much in the blogosphere.

I did talk to some friends about politics occasionally, but I agree we weren't all that political at all.

The fact is, there are numbers available for "the military vote." Republicans obviously do better than Democrats, but soldiers do sometimes vote for Democrats.

I'll also remind you that every Iraq War vet that ran for Congress ran as a Democrat, to my knowledge.

Karl Rove AND Dick Cheney both said these things, and their remarks were discussed endlessly on cable news shows. I remember Tucker Carlson playing both clips and chiming in.

And of course, the sentiment was stupid and disgraceful.

Nothing could be more Un-American than for the president or his stand-ins to suggest that the opposition party is treasonous.

We don't do that in this country. You might try living in Burma or N. Korea. I'm sure you'd be happier with a strong man empowered to make such claims.

In the meantime, you ought to read Peggy Noonan's most recent book about patriotism and political rhetoric. She was good enough for Reagan to keep her on board for 8 years; maybe you should listen to her.

Liberty or Death| 3.5.09 @ 4:59PM

Saints help us! Michigan-Matt at it again. Seriously, 3 hours of Rush a day will do you some good dude.

There is no conflict between Rush and Steele... You guys are so predictable it's not even a challenge anymore. I swear you must have somekind of liberal flip book that tells you what to think and say.

You hear Rush Limbaugh:
Immediately, like a moth to a flame... drug addict, Rushblow. Hardy Har Har. Lame dude. Lame.

Not a day goes by when I don't read a-n-o-t-h-e-r stupid remark made by you. Nobody on this site cares about what you have to say. We can watch PMSNBC, or CNN for that crap.

Who's up next? Jharp? Anyone want to make a wager?

Danbo| 3.5.09 @ 5:00PM

Matt, if you are a GOPer then I have to assume you left out the "h" as in GOPher. You don't sound like any GOPer I've ever met. You sound exactly like a Kool-Aid drinking Liberal with a capital "L". You can't possibly listen to Limbaugh if that's your honest assessmant of him. Unless, that is, that you are indeed somewhere Left of the Huffington-Kos dimwits that vomit their venom laden invectives daily via the world wide web.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 5:02PM

Ann Coulter wrote a great book about patriotism, Jeremiah. It's all about you and your fellow traitorous liberal loons. Maybe you should read it, might knock some sense into you.

Liberty or Death| 3.5.09 @ 5:05PM

Jeremiah.

Damn.

I missed one.

The Democrat party named the Iraq war a failure, when it was clearly a success. Members of your party claimed our soldiers were air-raiding villages and raping women. Members of your party were calling Gen. Petraeus a liar to his face.

Yeah.... I'd consider that pretty UN-American dude.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 5:10PM

Liberty, that's a fool's bet. You know that azz-wipe Jharpo will join the fray.

Brian DaDumbo| 3.5.09 @ 5:13PM

Nick, if you really are Pepe LePew, please nail Michigan-Mutt. Thank you.

Nicholas Wind| 3.5.09 @ 5:16PM

I am from Toronto Canada and we have a Mayor who is exactly like Obama.He even went to Hravard and got his MBA. Interesting that neither one has any common sense about much at all.
Neither one lives in the real world.
Both are driven by unions and their mentality.

If one needs to se where the US is headed with the Messiah's socialist economics look at Toronto since our idiot mayor has been in power.

6 figure people leaving along with their businesses.
Some of them are moving just outside his tax zone.
I have a freind who did just that with his very profitable business.

You see we real conservatives want to spend our money where WE WANT; and give and help who WE WANT.

I know it's a stupid logic that we want to be self sufficient and take care of ourselves and get the Governments out of our lives.

I'm not sure why you socialists don't like those ideas for yourself.
Did you all go to Harvard or what ?

Bob Volland| 3.5.09 @ 5:36PM

I guess you're right. Rush Limbaugh has never taken the coward way out - that is of course if you disregard his phony draft evasion and the fact that he was so much of a coward that he became a drug addict. What a phony.

majii| 3.5.09 @ 5:37PM

The difference between Rush, Obama, and Emanuel?
Simple. #2 and #3 DID finish college.
#1=two semesters, failed EVERY COURSE, even ballroom dancing, according to mom Marilyn. Limbaugh.

C. Davis| 3.5.09 @ 5:44PM

re: Bill Hussein O'Stalin | 3.5.09 @ 7:06AM
comment on "Obama needs a national bogeyman"
Read Saul Alinsky Rules For Radicals. Rule 13 under Tactics is to pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. See www.crossroad.to/Quotes/communism/alinsky.htm
Rules for Radicals is how Obama will run the Administration as he moves this country deeper into socialism and collectivism with Pelosi, Reid, Dodd and Frank. The individual is no more - you are but a pawn in the control of those who know better than you. God help this country.

Mutt| 3.5.09 @ 5:45PM

Obama's a chain-smoking cokehead and Rahmbo is a ballerina. Both are leftist losers.

Jeremiah| 3.5.09 @ 5:54PM

Lib or Death --

Some critiques of the Iraq War were foolish, and some (by members of Congress) were irresponsible. On the other hand, some were well thought out and would have been worth considering. (Like the endless calls for Rumsfeld's resignation after he clearly had lost control of the situation.)

However, there is a stark and absolute and certain DIFFERENCE between the Vice President or the president's chief advisor, on the eve of an election (the most important day of the civil calender), suggesting that to vote for the opposition party was somehow tantamount to supporting the enemies of the country, and people in the media or even in Congress making whacky or iirresponsible claims.

I think most people -- conservatives included -- understand that the president has a different kind of responsibility to the country. He's not just a candidate when he's running for a second term; he's the president -- not of his party, of the country. And so -- and I know this is very difficult for many of you to grasp -- he has a HIGHER level of expectations and responsibilities.

Bush's biggest mistakes were almost always rhetorical in nature. His complete incapability of articulating the goals or even the nature of the two wars we've been fighting were damaging to this country; the mixed signals he sent about the status of prisoners led to disasters all over the globe; and the example I cited above simply illustrated his weakness and insecurity.

And consider the result: Bush's win in 04 was the narrowest second-term victory in modern history. He received no mandate to govern, and soon after the debacle of his attempt to reform Social Security, he lost crediblity with the majority of Americans.

If he had trusted more of us, and respected more of us, he might have been more effective as a president -- he might have been, in fact, more like Ronald Reagan.

Jeremiah| 3.5.09 @ 5:59PM

Ruth --

Comparing Ann Coulter to Peggy Noonan is like comparing Miller Lite to a robust Cabernet.

Coulter has no class, no wit, and she's nasty as hell. Peggy Noonan, although I disagree with her on almost everything, is intelligent, eloquent, charming, dignified, and genuinely interesting and much funnier -- by the way -- than is Coulter.

Coulter's opinions on my patriotism are completely and totally and absolutely of no interest to me whatsoever. I honestly couldn't care less what she thinks or says.

Nick| 3.5.09 @ 6:00PM

Jeremiah,

They didn't suggest democrats were treasonous. The argument was President Bush would fight the war on terrorists harder than Kerry. The latter would've treated it as a criminal matter. Like B.O. looks like he is going to do. That makes us less safe, in my opinion.

And even if they did say that, it's not un-American. As you liberals would say, "How dare you question the patriotism of the Vice-President?"Try reading a book called "America Afire" by Bernard Weisberger (no conservative is he). Find out how the founders treated each other in the election of 1800.

Never cared for Peggy. She's an elitist and a pompous twit.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 6:05PM

Bill Clinton: 43% in 1992 and 49.2% in 1996. This azz-wipe didn't even break 50% in both of his presidential elections.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 6:09PM

You like Noonan and Frum because they are weak, period. You detest Coulter and Limbaugh because they repeatedly beat you at your own game, and they never back down. Ann and Rush are winners--I'm glad they're on my side.

Howard Ino| 3.5.09 @ 6:10PM

Small Business owners in America wield tremendous power ,and the Political Class knows it... they just believe that we are weak and not united.

Small Business owners are truck drivers, trim carpenters, landscape companies, small and medium manufacturers, home-builders and on and on and on.

We all share one bond... We understand the market pressures on our businesses. The trim carpenter understands that if that "BIG BUILDER" is forced out of business... so is he. If that BIG MANUFACTURER slows down... so does that truck driver.

WE ARE NOT FOOLS... Mr. Begala!

There is a simmering pot of entrepreneurs that most of the Political Elite have forgotten. Apparently some Democrats haven't... just look at Mr. Feingold's comments of yesterday!

Once small business owners unite and turn the pressure on Congress and local leaders... AND WE WILL... Obama and company will be drifting in a sea of bad statistics with no one to blame... but themselves!

We sit on the school boards... We fund the local charities... We balance our budgets... We create the profits (jobs)... We have immense power and that power is not bridled by age, education, race, sex or nationality.

Unlike government, that power is not to rule or re-distribute or as Mr. Obama likes to proclaim... oppress. Rather that power is channeled to create opportunity and wealth for our families and employees.

Most entrepreneurs learned from other entrepreneurs, not from Barney Frank or Paul Begala!!! We saved the money that you didn't TAX, We saved and started meager little businesses. We scrimped and eventually hired that first employee... then another...

That power is endowed to us in our common Constitution and we will not allow a Band of Political Thieves steal our Constitutional freedoms from us!

ACORN and ACLU can not bail out the political Elite... for they do NOT create wealth or jobs... they are simply " Money Changers"... financial scavengers at best!!!

Small Business owners will soon realize the structural damage this crowd is inflicting on America, and WE WILL UNITE!

When we have to explain to our employees that when the massive "Cap and Trade" taxes hit, increased regulation takes effect, gross spending causes extreme inflation and elevated interest rates... we will be forced to to downsize our business...

then...

THEN...

The masses will speak to Obama... and it will NOT be pretty!

Small Business owners... WE have an advantage over Bagala, Pelozi or Reid...

If we just flex...

Just a lil!!!

Angel| 3.5.09 @ 6:34PM

How 'bout a lot? I'm in.

Liberty or Death| 3.5.09 @ 6:34PM

Jeremiah,

I do not recall Rove or Cheney ever coming out and saying voters for the opposition party were supporting enemies of the country? Then again, I don't really hold stock in what Tucker Carlson says either.

At some point you just have to call a spade a spade though. At the time, Democrats were openly attacking the president; they still are today. It became a cultural norm to spit on him and ridicule him. They demonized Bush, called him every name imaginable. I do not see the problem with his "underlings" defending him. Democrats were very brazen about the Iraq war failing... which was a LIE. They were openly holding back funding for the troops they claimed to "support." Who was going to stand for the president, if not his closest companions? The media? Hollywood?

I would agree the president's office should be held to a higher standard. The president represents the body politic and therefore, speaks for the entire nation. But in today's political atmosphere, that simply does not exist, nor is it completely realistic to assume it could.

I wouldn't hold Rove to that same standard anyway. Rahm Rambo Dead Fish Emanuel has not stayed out of the partisan politics in Washington. According to you then, no one in the administration should ever speak out against the opposition!

By comparision, if we were judging this current administration be the same standard, they would already failing miserably. How is the president representing all Americans when he gloats, "I won," to Republicans, who were offering their input on the pork-laden stimulus? Where is all the unifying he preached about during the campaign? Maybe it was when representatives met behind closed doors, excluding Republicans from the proceedings. The Democrats are alienating half of the country already.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 6:42PM

Harry Reid came out and stated that the Iraq war was lost--before the surge took effect. That's aiding abetting the enemy--that's treason!

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 6:44PM

aiding AND abetting

Liberty or Death| 3.5.09 @ 7:09PM

Ditto Ruth. Sounds like treason to me!

1+1= 2 Right?

Jeremiah| 3.5.09 @ 8:30PM

Just a little history here.

Before the surge, we WERE losing the war in Iraq. Rumsfeld's tenure was horrible, and Iraq was in chaos. Bush, ever afraid to admit mistakes (a sure sign of weakness), refused to fire him for years after it became clear he was incompetent.

The surge is not all it's cracked up to be.

Now, the SOLDIERS are doing great. They're the best.

But the decline in violence (and that's all it is) can be attributed to many factors other than the surge. One is simply that the killing there was to do got done in the disgraceful aftermath of the invasion. There was widespread ethnic cleansing -- and it succeeded. Thus, at some point the total level of violence dropped precipitously.

Second, the "Sunni miracle" or whatever it's being caused these days is still being held together by large cash payments. How long can that continue? It looks like the Bush administration simply passed the responsibility of ending the war to the next administration. And BELIEVE me, we're not out of the woods yet.

Now -- treason.

You people are really ignorant on this, so forgive me for slowing down and trying to explain.

Treason is one of the few -- or rather, I think the only crime defined by the Constitution, precisely because the founders were uncomfortable with the whole idea.

Treason requires two or more people by some overt act entering into a conspiracy against the state.

How exactly did John Kerry do that?

Kerry was a lousy candidate, and you'll really need to work hard to explain to me how he convinced something like 60 million of your fellow citizens to vote for him.

Now --

Wouldn't it be better to work a little harder on your arguments?

You need to learn intellectual discipline. Make your claims. Explain your reasoning. Trust in the basic desire of people to arrive at some kind of understanding of the truth.

Name calling, Ann Coulter style, is lame, low, weak stuff.

Better to back up, rethink what you have to say, and try to be persuasive -- rather than just the loudest.

If this be treason...

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 8:35PM

Reid spewed his treasonous garbage AFTER the surge had started, but before it had a chance to take full effect. The vicious little creep wanted it to fail. That's worse. You suck for defending him, weasel.

Jeremiah| 3.5.09 @ 8:36PM

On Kerry --

My question is this: How did this "traitor" convince so many of your fellow citizens to vote for him?

He must be wiser than the devil himself.

Or maybe -- maybe -- there's a flaw in your accusation.

Maybe you should just be content with, "I don't agree with his politics" and say why.

And by the way --

All this puerile business of making fun of people's names. "Rahm allama ding dong" -- or whatever. Lord, it's embarrassing. Grow the hell up. You sound like you're in the seventh grade.

And finally --

Peggy Noonan is a fine lady. Of COURSE she's elitist: she's smart. Why shouldn't she be? She was Ronald Reagan's speechwriter for two terms. And she's educated.

The whole low-brow conservative thing has gotten really boring. God. You should hear yourselves.

The party of William F Buckley! Indeed.

Jeremiah| 3.5.09 @ 8:38PM

Ruth --

It's incredibly unbecoming a woman to spew such nonsense.

Come on. A little decorum wouldn't hurt you. People may even listen to what you have to say.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 8:41PM

You're losing it, Jeremiah. Who brought up Kerry? The Iraq war is won unless you stupid liberals lose it, then it's Obama's disaster. He'll probably screw up Afghanistan, too. You liberals are too weak to win wars, hell Obama's even too scared to debate a radio personality.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 8:43PM

Wow, the voices in your head have finally taken over, Jeremiah. Get some rest.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 8:44PM

It's okay, Jeremiah. Don't whine because you got beat by a woman. Poor little boy.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 8:45PM

You still suck.

Liberty or Death| 3.5.09 @ 8:58PM

So... by your own definition: "Treason requires two or more people by some overt act entering into a conspiracy against the state," you are in fact, making my point. Democrats in collusion with each other have damned this war from the beginning. Even in the face of victory, they were working in concert, to the defeat of the United States.

Hey, I liked the 7th grade.

And what about you mister Big Shot? You think because you know how to use a dictionary you are an erudite? You are as dumb as a box of rocks for believing the lies you've been spoon fed... probably from some high-priced college that told you, you were special because you went there. Jeremiah, your kind is killing this country slowly. You are a sheep, man-- face it.

At least we aren't the party of Michael Moore and Al Franken. I suppose you think those guys are smart too?

You are a joke. And I'm bored with your conversation.

Condor Actual| 3.5.09 @ 8:59PM

I wish to join Mr. Limbaugh on the White House enemies list. I would also like to invite conservative republicans like Michael Steele, who has the potential to be an excellent leader, to join me and Rush on The List. My qualification for admission is simple. I want the socialist, leftist policies of President Barack Hussein Obama, and the efforts of his minions, to fail. Thank you very much. Long live Ronald Reagan.

Condor Actual

Michigan Mark| 3.5.09 @ 8:59PM

..."a chance at higher ratings and a return to his 20-22m listeners he claims to honor (it's closer to 12.7m). " Hey Matt, it's all about numbers. The reason he's popular is his listeners. Without them, what sponsor wants to advertise where no one is listening. Without the income from advertisers, would he even be on the air? Let's see, what other big name had a radio show and network went belly up because of his message and not enough listeners ???? His name was "Al " I think, lived in Minnesota.

Ran| 3.5.09 @ 9:00PM

ruth... About that observation: "You suck for defending him, weasel." Um...

Just what IS it you're telling us? Heh! [Hell, I'm just thankful you're on MY side!]

Jeremiah| 3.5.09 @ 9:12PM

Liberty or Death and Ruth --

Whatever.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 9:21PM

Sorry, sometimes the she-devil comes out in me; must be my Scottish ancestry. My mother would most definitely NOT approve. :)

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 9:22PM

My apology did NOT pertain to you, Jeremiah.

William| 3.5.09 @ 9:31PM

Yeah Michigan-Matt.

Tell us how it is done right.

You guys are the citadel of prosperity and Republican strength.

William| 3.5.09 @ 9:50PM

Actually Jeremiah, comparing Ann Coulter to Peggy Noonan is like comparing a ripe, luscious plum with a tight tart skin to a moldy, crumbling biscuit. Well, that is my first impression.

Politically, comparing Ann Coulter to Peggy Noonan is like comparing a Warsaw ghetto resistance fighter to a Buchenwald kapo.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 9:54PM

Wow, poor Peggy. And I don't even like her.

Nick| 3.5.09 @ 10:24PM

Jeremiah,

U.S. Constitution, Article V., Section 3: Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on the Confession in open Court.

Yeah, the founders were really "uncomfortable" with this.
Now where exactly is the part about "...two or more people...entering into a conspiracy..."? And you call others ignorant? Where did you get your law degree, by mail?

Jeremiah: "Wouldn't it be better to work a little harder on your arguments?

You need to learn intellectual discipline."

Physician, heal thy self!

Nick| 3.5.09 @ 10:26PM

Or should I say: Those in glass houses...

dont fret| 3.5.09 @ 11:09PM

ruth aka Ma Barker
Why I do believe you would shoot your very own son between the eyes if he so declared himself to be a dare I say, a progressive. Woman, you are a she-bi_ch for sure. Has nothing to do with be Scottish trust me. They have class in their discourse. Now honey go re-do those red fingers nails of yours and re-tie those laces on your black boots...my oh my you are a wicked Wanda.

ruth| 3.6.09 @ 12:30AM

I have to laugh at liberals like dont fret. They get their pants in a pinch over some random comments on a blog, completely forgetting the last 8 years of liberal highbrow discourse such as: BusHitler, Bush lied-Babies died, vile remarks about Governor Palin so crude that I can't even write them on this thread, and many more. I'm sure my fellow Conservatives here have their own favorites. So here's to the 'class' in liberal highbrow discourse: If you know how to dish it out, you'd better learn how to take it. I'm going to lace up those black boots now.

ruth| 3.6.09 @ 12:31AM

Wicked Wanda is creepy, freak.

Trotter| 3.6.09 @ 10:26AM

Whereas the "brilliant" David Frum may have given us the "axis of evil", please allow the ordinary Trotter to give us a suitable moniker for Rahm Emanuel, James Carville and Paul Begala.

The Axis of Turds.

somnolence| 3.6.09 @ 10:55AM

Thank goodness we have a high profile personality like Rush expounding upon the philosophies of de Tocqueville and Hayek everyday. Yes, I too at times tire of his silly, juvenile approaches at satire, but this is blatantly overshadowed by the pathetic approach of the Obama team. Their harvesting of juvenilia in the midst of the market losing nearly 3000 points supersedes even the antics of the preschool playground. Rush does have a lot of the Brian Wilson (Beach Boy) syndrome in him, but far more of the Thomas Paine example.

Heidi| 3.6.09 @ 12:41PM

I would ask Mich. Matt who is paying him to come on these boards and post. There are 1-2 liberals on all Consv. boards to stir it up, some claiming to be Consv. or Republ., I would bet that they are being paid by Soros, Mediamatters or Dailykos, or some entity like that.
And, leave it to the lefties to make personal attacks when they can't debate on policy.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.6.09 @ 1:02PM

There is overwhelming evidence that millions of Americans who never heard of Rush are now tuning in to see what the fuss is all about.

I wonder if it ever occurred to the morons in the White House that the new listeners may be enough not only to make Rush wealthier, but could constitute a large new voting block, voting Obama back to oblivion where the little dweeb belongs.

joeyinempirestate| 3.6.09 @ 1:13PM

Peggy Noonan is pining for a date with Obama, she can't be taken seriously; anyway, his wife says he stinks in the morning so beware Peggy.

charlie| 3.6.09 @ 4:33PM

Begalla,Carvile,Emmanuelle-three blind mice (or
more succinctly-RATS). Done slobbering over the
convicted perjuror,Misogynist,punk,coward and
yes TRAITOR,they now worship Saul Alinsky,s
but wipe "The Bama".NAZI Collaborator Soros
gets what he pays for Totally Usefull IDIOTS.

Terry| 3.8.09 @ 8:56AM

Maybe it's just me . . . is there more to the similarity in thought between Jeremiah and Michigan Matt or is it just two IP addresses for the same moron?

quiller| 3.8.09 @ 10:32AM

Terrific thread, folks. My apologies to sentient adults for the crazed droolings from the alleged "Michigan Matt," a spectacularly transparent leftist troll.
I am also Michiganian, and this Matt fellow in particular sounds two tics and a convulsion away from a UAW meeting, or whatever it is that the Dims do when they meet in hives. (One hears rumors, of course, but no farm animals are missing---or OVERLY friendly to humans---so one cannot claim anything with certaintude...)
Under the catastrophically inept Jennifer Granholm administration, my state has succumbed to UAW and NEA union gangsterism, producing overpriced cars nobody would buy, and classrooms turning out kids so blindingly stupid that nowadays, literally 46% of all Detroit is functionally illiterate.
Matt? You're the cousin we used to lock in the basement. If we give you a TV to watch, will you just go back down there and leave the rest of us to take care of the liberals' many fine messes?

whiterb| 3.8.09 @ 11:45AM

And, Detroit will be all of America if a viable second party that can win at the polls does not emerge. Maintaining Roe, gaining health advantages offered by stem cells of all kinds, having an affordable health care system that offers the best of everything to all, having a strong social safety net that protects your and your family against death of a breadwinner, disability , job loss and sickness is what people want. Income inequality is on most minds, and a golden opportunity for the GOP to have a little class warfare fun themselves. Like just who really is overpaid in the USA ? But no, we assume we have a perfect free market, and people are truly paid what they deserve to paid every time. So Obama, Inc will do its thing for at least 10-20 years. Maybe, at some point, a new approach to this modern Marxism will be viable. Maybe then, free market solutions and all the rest will have an audience. The only question is will a viable second party emerge to lead. Or, will we still be stuck with the same old Republican party that puts narrow minded ideological purity, and sentimentalism of some meatball on radio for " Reaganism", as he and he alone defines it ? I assume it will be the latter, and can only hope for European style socialism, rather than say Cuban. By the way, today on ABC, George Will conceded that gay marriage was inevitable. He has punted on the social issues. Says it will be like being left handed in the future. It is over conservative purists, over.

CH| 3.8.09 @ 2:02PM

Quiller, LOL. Michigan-Matt is one of our mouthiest trolls. Good 'Republican', he.

quiller| 3.9.09 @ 1:17AM

I live in Michigan farm country, within easy distance of the same place where the GOP was founded. (*curtsies to the Ripon Society, blows a fat wet raspberry*). I survived two decades in the People's Republic of Ann Arbor, and know such beasties when I read them. He's a liberal.
And a troll. Can't wait until he starts flinging stuff like Rocky J. Suhayda at *me,* when I spend 12 hours a day on political news and message boards, yet never HEARD of the guy. Anyone with an old TV set they'd like to donate to our ladduie Matt, better get it boxed and in the mail soon. He'll need lead-time for the free converter box that government had to supply him, because he was too dim to figure it out himself.

CH| 3.9.09 @ 11:16PM

Quiller, I've got lots of family in Michigan--Salt of the Earth Folks. Most are great like you.

quiller| 3.10.09 @ 8:18AM

If I were *THAT* great, I'd impersonate our imposter-governor, Jennifer ("The Ontario Trainwreck") Granholm and give this troll the TV converter-box as well. Hmm. Now that I think of it, I also volunteered someone else's TV for this enterprise, as well. Two dangerous moves, there. Now I'm going to fret all day that I'm turning into a socialist, for being so free with other's money, like Granholm....

CH| 3.10.09 @ 1:42PM

I slap down liberal California posters because they embarrass me. I understand why you did it to Mich-Matt.

quiller| 3.11.09 @ 1:14AM

Embarrassment? No. One needs to stay in practice, doesn't one? Do not be embarrassed to smack down California liberals. It should be encouraged, like good hygiene, wearing fresh knickers in case of highway accidents, and never date anyone who uses pomade on their moustache. Especially the women, who probably were educated in Ann Arbor.

Jack Kennedy| 3.11.09 @ 1:08PM

jerrimah and matt are showing the current liberal strategy of obama defense by LIBERAL VITRIOL AND HATE attack

conservatives are strong back moral and ethical Americans that can handle the worst of the America hating liberals and the wussy repubs acting dem-lite

CH| 3.14.09 @ 1:29AM

I'm not embarrassed to insult Cali liberals; they embarrass me when they spout their stupid crud. You haven't seen the women in Berkeley--there's some real lookers there. Bet they rival the hotties in Ann Arbor.

quiller| 3.14.09 @ 12:54PM

I've been on the Berkeley campus and disagree. The "womyn" there were more manly than Buster Crabbe and Johnny Weismuller combined. On the other hand, in Ann Arbor they more resemble Pinky Lee.

Conservative HotStuff| 3.15.09 @ 12:52AM

Lots of 'dykes on bikes' there. I googled Pinky Lee; dude looks like PeeWee Herman. So who do you prefer: The robust, muscular babes at Berkeley or the Pee Wee Herman hotties in Ann Arbor? If you were to choose, that is.

quiller| 3.15.09 @ 9:34AM

I prefer real women, so I stay out of Ann Arbor. I prefer a real state, so I stay out of California. I don't accept your premise, anyway. Real conservatives make their own breaks, and in this a third place to pick up wimmin is indicated.

CH| 3.15.09 @ 2:44PM

You might cast aspersions on my state, the lovely, Cali, but Michigan ain't on my favorite 'real state' list either; especially since that eyesore Detroit, with its legions of nasty union thugs, is located there. At least I have the gorgeous Pacific Ocean near me; beats a smelly Great Lake anyday.

quiller| 3.16.09 @ 11:10AM

It's awfully tough to brag on a city that's lost half or more of its people and the media REGULARLY run photo essays on what decay has done to the once-stunning buildings. Nor can I dispute the union thugs in Michigan (and smile at how well California deals with its own bloodsucking parasites). The Pacific is in fact gorgeous: I've crossed it at 25-feet elevation, several times. But unlike the Pacific, you can now drink safely even from Lake Erie or Lake St. Clair, the two bodies of water closest to the Motor City Eyesore. I suppose the nicest way to say this is, Michigan lacks the real fire in the belly to elect a tax-and-spend RINO moron like Ahhhhhhnold. Instead we settle for Ontario Lite. Perhaps things would improve if both the imports were deported again. Or we could both move to Oregon and open grow houses for the handicapped.

CH| 3.16.09 @ 4:23PM

I wouldn't drink salty ocean water even if it were pristine--would you? Might make you go crazy. Of course, I wouldn't drink from those two 'safe' lakes, either. Oregon is beautiful--but too rainy, and the people too hippy/liberal for me. SoCal has pockets of very Conservative people, and the gorgeous sunshine that I love! Whatever floats your boat, I guess; SoCal floats mine.

Sir Martin Gilbert| 4.17.09 @ 3:59PM

I need Bob Tyrrell's home address in order to send him a special invitation (June 3 in DC).

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Poptropica | 4.8.10 @ 9:58PM

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vouchercodes| 1.6.11 @ 8:36AM

Sometimes we should slow down