The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Is Obama Scared to Debate Rush?

tonypal| 3.4.09 @ 1:11PM

Is there any doubt as to why Rush is the master?

Bill| 2.21.10 @ 2:11PM

Master Bater? That's all he can do on his own

Mrs. Jackson| 3.4.09 @ 1:16PM

This is great. How far away are we from Rush saying,

""I am paying for this microphone, President Obama!"

Go Last Man Standing!

Pingback| 3.4.09 @ 1:20PM

Is Obama Scared to Debate Rush? — But As For Me links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

Is Obama Scared to Debate Rush? — But As For Me .addtoany_share_save

Real American| 3.4.09 @ 1:29PM

Why is the President of the United States so worried about what a talk radio show host says? Yes, Rush is great, but Obama is acting like a total fool with this Rush strategy. Obama needs to act like he's above all of this stuff. Instead, he's elevating Rush and lowering himself and the office. Bush never went after Michael Moore like this.

This strategy is clearly a Chicago thug political machine type strategy. It further shows Obama's inability to lead and his overall inexperience and incompetence. He simply wants to squash all effective dissent to his radical program and it shows.

My money is on Obama quickly changing the subject. There will not be a debate.

Jeremiah| 3.4.09 @ 1:32PM

Really, Mr Lord. Is Obama scared to debate Limbaugh?

Come on.

The question is really this: Why is Limbaugh afraid of inviting a liberal guest (not caller) on the show for an extended fifteen or twenty minute debate?

I know, I know. You'll say, "There's no one good enough to debate Rush." To which I shrug, because there's no arguing with that sort of thing.

Bill| 2.21.10 @ 2:14PM

I would hate to see anyone demeen the Office of the President of the United States by even suggesting that Mr. Rush is worthy of even rcognizing.

Jeremiah| 3.4.09 @ 1:37PM

I'm listening to Rush and enjoying him today. "Where are the saved-jobs figures?" This is vintage Rush, and he's rightly lampooning such an absurd claim on the part of the administration.

But I'd also say that inviting the president onto a radio talk show is a little silly, and it's not brave at all since there's no chance he'd accept. Would Bush go on the Mike Molloy show?

What would be brave would be for Rush to invite Paul Krugman, or even David Brooks on to have a down and out debate. Again -- not a call in. But a debate that Rush cannot simply terminate if he begins to lose.

That would be brave precisely because they just might take him up on it.

Ran| 3.4.09 @ 1:42PM

Mr. Lord,
It's a fascinating contrast: A man with a doctrinaire socialist philosophy wielding Alinsky's destructive Rules for Radicals versus a man with a conservative-libertarian philosophy based upon constructive self-interest.

The former holds the Office of the President; His Chief of Staff, via regular briefings to major media, consults the Press on strategy versus the latter; Who is supported by his Program Observer / Call Screener...

...and it's simply not a fair contest. The latter is making the former (and the media machine supporting him) look weak and stupid.

Mrs. Jackson| 3.4.09 @ 1:43PM

"The question is really this: Why is Limbaugh afraid of inviting a liberal guest (not caller) on the show for an extended fifteen or twenty minute debate?"

* Sigh * There are days when pointing out the obvious is akin to shooting fish in a barrel. Today is one of them.

Rush is not "afraid". It is his radio program. This being his entitles him to dictate the content. Imagine that? He gets to decide. Amazing I know. Shocking even. And since he's been able to maintain an audience of +15 million for more than a decade plus rake in +30 million annually shows his content is working just fine and he doesn't need Liberal to debate. He only needs then to make endless sport of.

Mrs. Jackson| 3.4.09 @ 1:45PM

Sorry about the typos. Laughing too hard at the idea Rush is afraid of Liberals, I guess...

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 1:50PM

Jeremiah..

Sorry. The challenge came from the Obama Team. If one doesn't take on Rush one is..to quote directly..."paralyzed with fear." So, put up or shut up is the obvious response. Going after Rush, it is now admitted, has been a deliberate White House strategy. The occupant of the White House is supposed to be in a class by himself. But he has eagerly lent himself to the task of taking on a non-elected official and re-making him as his political equal. Well, having done White House strategy myself I have to say I think this is stupid beyond belief. But it's too late now. Anyone less will not suffice. This is a supremely stupid thing to do...but they did it. And there is no good way out of it, a certain lose-lose proposition. If he debates Rush he risks losing and looking foolish debating in the first place. If he refuses now he looks, by their own definition, "paralyzed with fear." The quality of their political thinking here is very, very poor. I may not agree with Obama, but he surely deserves smart staff work.

Jeremiah| 3.4.09 @ 1:51PM

Mrs Jackson --

Your post begs the question: why does he "dictate the content" in the way that he does?

It's Rush that is "challenging" Obama to a debate.

Why doesn't he challenge someone to a debate that might actually accept.

That would be more of a challenge.

His challenge to Obama is just a gag in a show. Which is fine. As we keep trying to explain to you, Rush is an entertainer. He does gags.

But if you think he's so fearless of liberals, let's see him take one on, head to head.

If not on his show, then elsewhere. Somebody else's show maybe. If he's such a brave knight, lets see him tilt in the lists.

Jeremiah| 3.4.09 @ 1:55PM

Mr Lord,

I actually agreed with the point you're making now until recently. I thought it was silly for the president to call attention to Rush or any of this business.

However, I think the W.H. is just crunching the numbers. Gallop did a poll last week that found Limbaugh has a 25% "approval rating." Again, for a talk show host, that's fantastic -- and his "20 million listeners" (to just accept Rush's claim) is a huge audience.

But as a percentage of the electorate -- or even of the Republican electorate -- it's very, very small.

The communications people at the W.H. are just making the wager that they can paint all conservative commentary with the same brush and call it "Limbaugh and Hannity" stuff towards which a solid majority of Americans aren't favorable.

And it's not a Nixonian "enemies list." Sometimes Limbaugh can be downright foolish.

Jeremiah| 3.4.09 @ 2:03PM

What would you give to turn on CSPAN and see Rush Limbaugh on a stage with -- whomever -- fill in the name of the liberal you think the brightest and most articulate? I'm guess you all would pay top dollar for such an event.

(I'm assuming you'd want the debate to be with the best liberal, to make it fun.)

Then ask yourself: Why does this never happen.

Set aside all this nonsense with the White House and Obama for a second.

Why hasn't your hero entered the fray?

Why no debates? Panel discussions? Why no forum in which someone might question his opinions without Limbaugh himself being in charge?

If Limbaugh really is the "leader" many of you claim him to be, let's see him put up his dukes with someone other than the occasional hapless liberal caller.

ruth| 3.4.09 @ 2:04PM

I would pay big bucks to see this. Limbaugh would mop up the floor with the 'Teleprompter Messiah'. The Chicago thugocrats are being played. LOL

Bill| 2.21.10 @ 2:16PM

Then you are saying that Rush couldn't use his Tele Prompter either? He wouldn't last a freeekin
minute.

Jeremiah| 3.4.09 @ 2:05PM

...And I'm sorry for the typos too, but I don't have Mrs. Jackson's excuse.

Pingback| 3.4.09 @ 2:05PM

Rush Limbaugh Challenges President Barack Obama to An Open Debate On His Talk Radio S links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…for not taking on Rush, Obama himself will surely have the guts to do what they claim Steele and Republicans do not: take on Rush Limbaugh one-on-one. …” http://spectator.org/blog/2009/03/04/is-obama-scared-to-debate-rush My Bipartisan Stimulus Let’s cut taxes, as I want, and spend more, as Obama would like. By Rush Limbaugh “…I say, cut the U.S. corporate tax rate —…

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 2:07PM

The problem is this kind of thing opens the door wide to the template that Obama is a wimp. Without re-hashing the Bush era, just remember that there are lots of people who know Bush never "lied." Yet the absence of weapons of mass destruction gave his opponents just enough room to convince millions that their President was a deliberate liar. This episode with Rush is layed out the same way. Having charged various people with, in essence, being wimps if they don't take him on, refusing the inevitable challenge makes the "wimp" charge as loaded as the "Bush lied" charge. It will be repeated endlessly. And as you yourself have already shown, Obama defenders will be forced to waste their time sputtering that its just not so because of x, y or z. This is called putting yourself on defense. Were this a football game, it would be a fumble. A costly one, too. Again, forget people like me...the domestic political opponents. If you are sitting in a cave in Pakistan plotting away and you have just watched the President back away from simple debate with a mere radio talk show host after saying people who don't debate the guy are cowards...you now think you have just scoped the President's personal DNA. THAT is not good. Not good at all.

Jason| 3.4.09 @ 2:08PM

Hilarious. Because, you remember, Bush the Lesser spent a lot of time debating Olbermann, right?

ruth| 3.4.09 @ 2:09PM

Jeremiah, you're the hamster running furiously in your wheel, not going anywhere. No matter what you say, this is NOT good for Obama; he looks like a fool mixing it up with a 'radio personality'. Obama's the fly in Limbaugh's web. Brutal.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 2:10PM

Jason.......

Ahhhhhhh...Bush and his aides never labeled Olbermann the leader of the political opposition, nor called those unwilling to take on Olbermann a bunch of cowards. Too smart, I would suggest, to do anything that stupid.

Pingback| 3.4.09 @ 2:16PM

Limbaugh Calls Obama’s Bluff links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…News Homosexuality News Islam News Marriage News Media Bias News Middle East News Obama News Polls Terrorism News Movie Reviews Limbaugh Calls Obama’s Bluff By Bob Ellis on March 4th, 2009 The American Spectator astutely points out that the Obama Administration has outsmarted itself in its zealous plan to demonize private citizen Rush Limbaugh. President Obama’s operatives–paid and…

Scott| 3.4.09 @ 2:21PM

Setting aside the simple idea that the President should never be in this position...and considering Mr. Lord's last statement...how does the POTUS get out of this?

I ask that question assuming we all agree that it's imperative that the POTUS not be seen as weak infront of the Pakistani Cave dweller.

Is the POTUS even in that position, would the Pakistani Cave dweller even be aware of the Op-Ed by Ploufe?

ruth| 3.4.09 @ 2:23PM

Jeremiah, where are you? Let's chat some more about the omnipotence of your dear leader. Putin swatted him away, too. Obama was never ready for primetime, he's all smoke and mirrors. I don't even want to think about our national security with these losers at the helm. It makes me want to throw-up.

Crusader| 3.4.09 @ 2:27PM

I thought the Obamanator was smart? I guess they didn't teach "don't pick a fight with the guy who buys ink by the barrell" at Hahhh-vahhhd.

Homey got played. You'd think a community organizer from the mean skreets of Chee-ca-go would know better.

Jeremiah| 3.4.09 @ 2:29PM

Ruth --

I guess "losers" is probably the wrong word, isn't it?

They're at the helm -- because they won.

Mrs. Jackson| 3.4.09 @ 2:29PM

"Why doesn't he [Rush] challenge someone to a debate that might actually accept?"

A. He doesn't have to. It's his show. He does what he wants.

"That would be more of a challenge."

Not really. Because most liberals are not that great at debating. They prefer to call names. Look at all the name-calling is the recent spate of criticism regarding Rush . And now we learn this was Carville/Begala/ Emaunel's plan all along. Nice. So much for "The Uniter" aspect of this presidency.

"His challenge to Obama is just a gag in a show."

Uhm, hate to tell you but now that we know this was a White House-backed strategy, we left "gag" a long time ago. This is the White House targeting a private citizen. To think President Obama could have rightfully and easily tossed out Emanuel back when the Blago scandal broke. Historians will probably see that failure to do so as one of his first major errors.

"Which is fine. As we keep trying to explain to you, Rush is an entertainer. He does gags."

Yes. Rush is a most entertaining leader. His gags are the best. As is his impression of Clinton.

"But if you think he's so fearless of liberals, let's see him take one on, head to head."

"His challenge to Obama is just a gag in a show."

"But if you think he's so fearless of liberals, let's see him take one on, head to head."

I think we just did with his offer to debate Obama.

Bill| 2.21.10 @ 2:20PM

If President Obama was to accept Mr. Rush's challenge to debate that would be to admit that Mr. Rush actually amounted to something... ANYTHING just ain't true.

martine l| 3.4.09 @ 2:45PM

Some judgment, Mr. O.

By the way, Rahm and the other kids in the WH think they can use this to distract everyone from the incredible shrinking Dow.

Ain't going to happen.

Bill| 2.21.10 @ 2:21PM

Which was caused by Pres. Cheney and his Buddy George

ruth| 3.4.09 @ 2:50PM

They're still losers, Jeremiah. They're out of their league, and it shows. Putin dissed Obama in the worst way. You've got to be embarrassed, I would be.

Martine L| 3.4.09 @ 2:53PM

Makes Obama look weak.

Crusader| 3.4.09 @ 2:58PM

Hell, that little creep in North Korea is even squawking a bit.

thirteen28| 3.4.09 @ 2:59PM

This is exactly why Democrats strategy on going after Rush is so ill-conceived. Obama has completely backed himself into a corner where he can either debate Rush or himself be thought of as a coward by his own standards.

But even moreso, if he DOES debate Rush, he damages the own dignity of his office, making himself look unserious by going after an "entertainer" and private citizen - all while Republicans can make hay of his eagerness to "fiddle with Rush while the economy burns."

And then there's the risk if he actually debates Rush and gets his clock cleaned - which is a very strong possibility.

If Obama and the Democrats ever watched boxing, they would know how foolish it is to go straight after a counterpuncher. And Rush is a master counterpuncher.

Lulubelle| 3.4.09 @ 2:59PM

It is chilling to see a US president bring the authority of his office to bear against a journalist/entertainer (or any American, for that matter) for expressing an opinion. What happened to freedom of speech?

During his campaign Obama stated that the US Constitution is a "flawed document." This means it is in his sights and he will no doubt try to tinker with it to his advantage -- freedom of speech? of assembly? right to bear arms? presidential term limits?

Teleprompter Messiah| 3.4.09 @ 3:01PM

What happened to the great tolerance for diversity of opinion that Liberals drone and preen about incessantly? Goodness, Lightworker, did someone hurt your iddy biddy feelings by not being a sychopant?

Bring it nancy boy.

Martine L| 3.4.09 @ 3:03PM

The One has nothing better to do than go after a radio talk show host? This is pathetic.

Larry Linn| 3.4.09 @ 3:09PM

I am still waiting for Chicken-Hawk Rush Limpball to debate comedian Al Franken. What can Rush be afraid of? Is it just because Franken is more intelligent and has a superior education than Limpball? After all, Franken offered to let rush take either side of the debate based upon "Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot". Why won't Rush take Franken's offer to debate the issue. Oh, I forgot, Rush Limpball is a big fat Chicken-Hawk.

Martine L| 3.4.09 @ 3:12PM

Ha ha. Mary Katherine Ham at Weekly Standard: "The Messiah has never looked so small."

CH| 3.4.09 @ 3:29PM

Obummer is a ball-less wonder. He's a liberal, what else would we expect? All the little freak tyrants around the world are taking his measure and are laughing up their sleeves; not good, people.

CH| 3.4.09 @ 3:31PM

The hilarity has just reached a new high--we've got a Franken fan here. Moron.

Larry Linn| 3.4.09 @ 3:43PM

I wish that Chicken Hawk Rush Limpball would run for office. Currently, he mouths off and does not have to worry about responsibility, let alone research. It took eight years for the Republican Reactionary Neo-Cons to create this economic depression, and it will take a few years to resolve it.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 3:48PM

Larry..

ChickenHawk? Why, that would be someone who is all for sending troops to Afghanistan but was too chicken to serve himself, right? Or calls others cowards for not taking on Rush Limbaugh but doesn't quite have the nerve to do it himself?
You set the terms....Be careful what you wish for.

Angel| 3.4.09 @ 3:51PM

Hairy Larry/Jeremiah is a liberal loon. Jeremiah just got his butt handed to him on this thread, so he posts under a new moniker. Chicken-crapper.

no rush| 3.4.09 @ 3:55PM

Rush limbaugh is a hate spewing idiot. Nuff said

Mutty| 3.4.09 @ 3:59PM

He's not a loser like you, libturd.

les grossman| 3.4.09 @ 4:12PM

"Teleprompter Messiah Paralyzed by Fear"!!!!

As the Russians have already figured out, this guy Obambi is all hat and no cattle. In his AG's words, a "coward." A "chickenhawk," in nutroots lingo.

Interloper| 3.4.09 @ 4:14PM

Barack Obama is the President of the United States. Rush Limbaugh is a drug addled, grotesque demagogue who hosts a radio talk show. There is no reason for the President to dignify him with much notice at all.

President Obama is about as busy as a person can be trying to save this country from multiple crises. His dedication to worthwhile uses of his time is appreciated by the overwhelming majority of Americans - 80 percent after his state of the union speech.

Limbaugh is in the process of completing his own self-destruction and taking the remnants of the Republican Party with him. The appropriate response is to microwave some popcorn, sit back and watch.

__________________________________

Jeffrey Lord maintains his dunce cap as the worse of the many less than stellar contributors to the American Spectator.

james23| 3.4.09 @ 4:17PM

If Obama doesn't screw up a little courage and debate Limbaugh, his honorary membership in the Chicago Thug hall of fame will be revoked.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 4:17PM

Interloper...

Than why in the world is the White House wasting so much of their "busy" time trying to demonize Rush Limbaugh? Answer? They have no idea what they are doing. Paralyzed by fear, quite obviously.

Arnold Schwarzenegger| 3.4.09 @ 4:20PM

Yah, vhat is wrung vith dis Obummer? A girlie man.

WendyG| 3.4.09 @ 4:28PM

The notion that the Obama team planned the Rush dustup is absurd. Rush is eating their lunch so they are playing catch up, as in "we meant this to happen." Pu-leeze!

They are playing right into Rush's hand. It's hilarious!!

ruth| 3.4.09 @ 4:31PM

I think Rush planned it all, smart Missouri boy that he is.

WendyG| 3.4.09 @ 4:33PM

>>>President Obama is about as busy as a person can be..

Oh sure. Busy with his regular Wednesday night parties at the WH, his other parties at the WH, getting face time on TV (the only person on TV more than Obama these days is Lucille Ball) going to basketball games and kiddie schools (to get away from the WH he said) looking endlessly for a dog for his kids (what's it been 3 months since he used the phony dog story to "charm" voters??) he just has no time for fripperies like debating Rush!

ruth| 3.4.09 @ 4:41PM

Chicken. Wimp. Poltroon. Sissy. Leader of the Free World.

Interloper| 3.4.09 @ 4:51PM

Lord is so used to having an audience of people who are barely literate that he comes undone whenever smart people drop in on one of these threads and point out the obvious: He is the most puerile of hacks. The 'controversies' he creates exist only in his own cracked brain.

The President has said next to nothing about Rush Limbaugh. It is operatives in and out of the administration whose roles are to do opposition strategy who recognized the vulnerability of Limbaugh. Yes, vulnerability. The followers of this demagogue make up a small segment of the electorate. Most voters are hostile to Limbaugh, some to the level of complete contempt.

http://tinyurl.com/d6us34

By raising Limbaugh's stature, singling him out as the leader of the GOP, and disseminating information about his vicious behavior, the opposition attracts the minority of voters who are not aware of or have not made up their minds about Limbaugh to its base.

What the Democratic operatives did not know was that the main persons who would help them paint the Republicans as prone before Limbaugh were Limbaugh himself and the Republican leadership. James Carville and Paul Begala don't have to work that hard. Congressional Republicans and some governors are doing their job for them. Furthermore, they could not have created Limbaugh's off the chart's crazy response to Michael Steele daring criticize him if they hired the best consultants in the world. That episode, revealing Limbaugh in all his ignorant, racist, egotist 'glory,' is worth several points more support for the President all by itself, and, there is more to come.

The same lot who are clueless about the role Limbaugh is playing in the destruction of the GOP were equally clueless about the outcome of the presidential election. They were certain up to the day of the election that voters would not elect an African-American president. (Yes, race is the bone that is stuck in their collective throat.) They will be just as wrong about the outcome of the rush to Rush.

Pass the popcorn.

ruth| 3.4.09 @ 5:00PM

Go back under your rock, pervert.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 5:05PM

Interloper says:

"They were certain up to the day of the election that voters would not elect an African-American president. (Yes, race is the bone that is stuck in their collective throat.)"

As a representative of the side that supported slavery, segregation, lynching, racial quotas and has attacked Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell and Condi Rice (among others) as a collection of Uncle Toms and Aunt Jeminas...this is a remarkable statement. The hard and sorry fact is that neither you nor your compatriots can help yourselves from judging people by skin color. And if the first black president of the United States had been named Clarence Thomas you would be here with your Uncle Tom routine...because a President Thomas, like Justice Thomas, had the nerve...the nerve!...to leave the liberal intellectual plantation. Massa Interloper would be displeased! make no mistake, we get the gig. You are opposed to a colorblind philosophy...period. No one is fooled.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 5:05PM

Interloper says:

"They were certain up to the day of the election that voters would not elect an African-American president. (Yes, race is the bone that is stuck in their collective throat.)"

As a representative of the side that supported slavery, segregation, lynching, racial quotas and has attacked Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell and Condi Rice (among others) as a collection of Uncle Toms and Aunt Jeminas...this is a remarkable statement. The hard and sorry fact is that neither you nor your compatriots can help yourselves from judging people by skin color. And if the first black president of the United States had been named Clarence Thomas you would be here with your Uncle Tom routine...because a President Thomas, like Justice Thomas, had the nerve...the nerve!...to leave the liberal intellectual plantation. Massa Interloper would be displeased! make no mistake, we get the gig. You are opposed to a colorblind philosophy...period. No one is fooled.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 5:06PM

Interloper says:

"They were certain up to the day of the election that voters would not elect an African-American president. (Yes, race is the bone that is stuck in their collective throat.)"

As a representative of the side that supported slavery, segregation, lynching, racial quotas and has attacked Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell and Condi Rice (among others) as a collection of Uncle Toms and Aunt Jeminas...this is a remarkable statement. The hard and sorry fact is that neither you nor your compatriots can help yourselves from judging people by skin color. And if the first black president of the United States had been named Clarence Thomas you would be here with your Uncle Tom routine...because a President Thomas, like Justice Thomas, had the nerve...the nerve!...to leave the liberal intellectual plantation. Massa Interloper would be displeased! make no mistake, we get the gig. You are opposed to a colorblind philosophy...period. No one is fooled.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 5:12PM

Gee..I guess the button got stuck on that one!

Sandra Martin| 3.4.09 @ 5:12PM

"Interloper| 3.4.09 @ 4:14PM
Barack Obama is the President of the United States. Rush Limbaugh is a drug addled,..."

I guees Interloper didn't read Barry Obama's "autobiography". Barry admits to be a drug addled junkie. Illegal street drugs too - on purpose! Ol' Barry didn't get hooked on drugs through medical treatment like Mr. Limbaugh. Ol' Barry blew it up his nose for street kicks. Maybe you little mindless Obama satellites had better drop that neme about Mr. Limbaugh. Considering Barry's history, it makes you look two-faced and hypocritical....and stupid.

ruth| 3.4.09 @ 5:17PM

Sure, Jeffrey, blame it on the button. LOL

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 5:22PM

Ruth...

:) Ahhhhhhhh passion!

Ellis Wyatt| 3.4.09 @ 5:23PM

The best thing the Obama administration can do right now is get as far away from Rush as possible. They attacked a private citizen who is smarter than they are. This was meant to be a distraction but it is only bringing more attention to the critical view of their failed policy proposals. After seeing how Rush took Harry Reid to the woodshed you would think Rush would be the last person this administration would try to villify and shine a spotlight on. This is a no win proposition, Obama either looks weak and inexperienced or he gets embarrassed in a debate. Rush is right, he knows these people better than they know themselves.

J David| 3.4.09 @ 5:27PM

I see a lot of people here who seem to think any of this is going to amount to a hill 'o beans, and it won't.

Rush, the eternal optimist, is doing his part in again raising the nature of these fascists to public view, but commie-lib Dems do not need any Republican cooperation to carry out the communization of the country. They are SUCCESSFULLY doing it as we sit here and get indignant (or not in the case of Huffho trolls) about how Rush is treated. It is irrelevant...

They don't need a certain amount of approval or disapproval, the election is over. Hitler took over a democratic country, and he did it legally, at the ballot box. The close associates of Hussein throughout his life attest to the intent of the man, and he no longer needs anything but a thin cover-story keep useful idiots gulled until he is through with them. He doesn't give a rat's fanny about what his enemies(liberty loving traditional Americans)among conservatives think.

The next crisis will be the fall and subsequent absorption of Mexico at OUR cost. Naysayers will be shut down, and it willed be billed as being for the greater communal good.

ruth| 3.4.09 @ 5:28PM

Rush became addicted to prescription pain killers because of the excruciating pain he'd experienced due to his bad back. I know back pain and it can be hell on earth. But would any liberal cut him some slack on this? Hell no, the scurvy dogs. I curse them all and I give them no quarter.

Interloper| 3.4.09 @ 5:35PM

And, the dittoheads ditto on, just as oblivious to what is really going on as ever. The truth eventually comes to even backwaters like AS. I'll be chomping away on the popcorn while we wait for that occur.

Interloper| 3.4.09 @ 5:37PM

And, the dittoheads ditto on, just as oblivious to what is really going on as ever. The truth eventually comes to even backwaters like AS. President Obama is well on his way to fulfilling his mandate after less than 100 days in office. We will all benefit from his success.

I'll be chomping away on the popcorn while we wait for irrefutable reality to break through.

ruth| 3.4.09 @ 5:40PM

There's always hope; maybe you'll choke on it, libtard.

Jeremiah| 3.4.09 @ 5:43PM

You know... It used to be standard fare for reactionaries to accuse liberals of whining too much. We were bleeding hearts who couldn't stop weeping for the downtrodden.

Increasingly, conservatives are whining more. These complaints that somehow Rush Limbaugh is being persecuted by the White House are marvelously ridiculous.

Sometimes all of us need to get a bit thicker of a skin.

Interloper| 3.4.09 @ 5:55PM

Actually, it is the schizophrenia of the dittoheads and their enablers that reveals how off their rockers they are. Out of one side of their mouths they say Rush Limbaugh is a poor innocent private citizen, soul whiter than snow, set upon by the forces of the Antichrist. Out of the other side, they say Limbaugh is bigger and badder than Leroy Brown, and, that he is schooling the liberals. They are not capable of realizing both claims can't be true.

The truth is what I stated at some length above. Limbaugh, being the biggest and most bizarre of targets, is vulnerable. His vulnerability is largely of his own doing. He knowingly magnifies himself, making his failed personal life, belligerency and lack of empathy for virtually everyone impossible to ignore. The blame for Limbaugh's predicament must be laid at his doorstep because he has invited the opposition to use him to increase its already ample strength.

Reagan's Ghost| 3.4.09 @ 6:15PM

A letter of my personal thanks to Rush for his courageous daily defense of conservatism hangs on his wall...I thank him now, more than ever.

ruth| 3.4.09 @ 6:18PM

Cool post, Ghost. God, I wish he were still here. :(

ruth| 3.4.09 @ 6:21PM

Look, schizoid Jeremiah/Intergroper is talking to himself again. Dork.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 6:30PM

Sigh.

Interloper, YOU are the one who has made the decision YOU cannot ignore Rush's personal life.
No one else is to blame, least of all Rush, for YOUR decision to of how to frame your arguments. We all have a life. No soul is perfect, and Rush, if you have listened carefully (which you clearly do not) has never claimed otherwise. As a reformed liberal I have long since understand that modern liberalism long ago (the '60's) abandoned the tolerance that was once their banner. In point of fact, a more intolerant philosophy is to be found these days. And whether you understand it or not, everytime you post here you make yourself Exhibit A of this fact.

rlzkmc| 3.4.09 @ 6:32PM

Interloper| 3.4.09 @ 4:14PM

"Barack Obama is the President of the United States. Rush Limbaugh is a drug addled, grotesque demagogue who hosts a radio talk show. There is no reason for the President to dignify him with much notice at all. "
___
Your absolute lack of intellectual ability is amazing. The One has been noticing Rush for weeks now and concerning himself with only Rush. Do you live in REALITY? Just wondering?

liteway| 3.4.09 @ 7:25PM

You have to be kidding Rush has got more in his finger nail on his baby finger in smarts and info on our country. Then Obama. I would prefer to see Rush as our President anyday!

Interested Conservative| 3.4.09 @ 7:27PM

Jeremiah and Interloper partially understand the point here, but seem to misconstrue it. Aside from the personal attacks, Rush is certainly an entertainer, and often admits as much himself. It's probably useless to ask, but do you ever listen to him?

I do so occasionally, and enough to catch his monologues which are wholly free of political commentary. Yes, he'll often go on for an hour or so saying nothing remotely controversial, let alone political. It's these episodes which reveal his mastery, and cement his grip on the audience. Among these, he'll freely extol is prime intention, which is, can you believe it, to make tons of money - obscene profits, if you will.

All of which is to say that this is exactly what he's doing now, aided in no small part by the administration.

As Mr. Lord points out, this ultimately does them no good. The immediate consequence is the "paralyzed by fear" rejoinder. And Rush as even gone on to state it needn't be the POTUS, he'd take on others - cabinet members and so on, but not the hacks running this effort - he's raised the ante to the issues debate.

Thus, the white house is stymied - either they cool this down, in which case Rush isn't going anywhere and he'll simply change targets, or the white house moves on to up the ante by bringing on the Fairness Doctrine.

They really shouldn't have bothered with this - it's lose-lose beyond the very short term.

Non de Plume| 3.4.09 @ 7:29PM

Jeremiah (@ :32PM) said: “The question is really this: Why is Limbaugh afraid of inviting a liberal guest (not caller) on the show for an extended fifteen or twenty minute debate?”

Um, Jeremiah, what do you think Limbaugh just DID?! (Unless you consider a Marxist a Conservative . . .)

Marley| 3.4.09 @ 7:30PM

You people are insane. The president has better things to do than debate a drug addled, thrice divorced windbag.

Angel| 3.4.09 @ 7:39PM

Okay by us. Obama should just shut up and go back to work destroying the country.

winston| 3.4.09 @ 7:39PM

Less than ZERO chance uhbuhma ever mentions Rush again...Why? He knows Rush would destroy him...

winston| 3.4.09 @ 7:40PM

Feel better now Marley? How is your movie going?

leftypower| 3.4.09 @ 7:49PM

Debate's over, bitches. We won. Limbaugh can go back to his pain meds.

Jeremiah| 3.4.09 @ 7:54PM

de Plume --

The point is that the president -- obviously -- would NEVER consent to debate a talk radio show host, so the "challenge" is either a) a gag and not to be taken seriously; or b) completely phony, and contemptible.

I have enough respect for Rush to know it's a gag. It's a way he satirizes the liberal arrogance and calls attention to himself -- his two primary functions in life.

Believe me -- and this is for you, too, Interested Conservative -- I think I "get" Rush. I've been listening to Rush since the early 90s. He's even won me over on a few issues (school vouchers, for one).

But I really am interested in the evasions on this thread of what is really a separate although related issue:

If Limbaugh is not just an entertainer, if he is actually to be understood as the "leader" of the conservative movement, what does it mean that he seems capable of working in just one forum, one that he completely controls and has already mastered?

Why doesn't he go on CSPAN (they'd be glad to have him) and take on a liberal or even panel of liberals (if he's so good)?

I'm NOT saying he should do this. I'm just pointing out that the fact that he won't tells you something about how you probably should interpret his role in the world.

I also want to point out (not to change the subject) that Rush's satire usually -- but not always -- is pretty good natured and humane. There are some who post here who might take a few lessons from the master.

Interloper| 3.4.09 @ 7:59PM

Um. This popcorn is delicious.

Patrick ross| 11.12.09 @ 11:21AM

Yeah, gotta love the show! Thanks you google! :P

Mrs. Jackson| 3.4.09 @ 8:02PM

Mr. Lord, what seems to be lost on enlightened Interloper is that Rahm Emanuel is not, to quote Interloper "an operative". He is the Chief of Staff for an Administration that is less than 100 days old. More than that, Emanuel's salary is paid not by President Obama but by us, the American taxpayers.

It has become increasingly clearer to us taxpayers these last 5 weeks with the Market losing more than 3 trillion since Obama was elected that the 'players' in the White House are far more interested in targeting a private citizen with the intent to destroy him and by extension the GOP than fixing the real problem of the day; our failing banks. Much less than seriously dealing with a nuclear Iran or the threat of Russia upon its neighbors.

tatertodder| 3.4.09 @ 8:07PM

Rush rules. Obama is a sniveling little BOY

joe from Lowell| 3.4.09 @ 8:10PM

You people are hilarious. Barack Obama is the President of the United States. Your own media organs are all saying that he really should be paying attention to more important things - but if he doesn't jump on Air Force One to debate a DJ, it's cuz heez skeered!

Whatever. Keep it up, champs.

Frosty| 3.4.09 @ 8:19PM

The only bitch in this whole deal is Obummer.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 8:22PM

Joe from Lowell...

"You people are hilarious. Barack Obama is the President of the United States."

Exactly. So why is he and his staff spending more than a nano-second on Rush Limbaugh? Because, yes, they know Rush has their number and the THE numbers...and over time, this counts, Big Time...

MTH| 3.4.09 @ 8:26PM

President Obama would certainly debate Rush Limbaugh. Simply run him for president in the next election.

Pingback| 3.4.09 @ 8:28PM

The great Rush debate offer « DaTechguy’s Blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…painless coup. The new presidency is what, 44 days old, and America may never be the same. President Obama can’t do it because he is frankly, in my opinion outclassed. Update 4: The Spectator agrees With an ineptness that leaves one breathless, the Obama team has now effectively labeled Obama himself as “paralyzed with fear” if in fact the President doesn’t have the guts to accept…

Interested Conservative| 3.4.09 @ 8:29PM

Jeremiah - your latest reply makes sense, but sort of begs the question - Rush didn't start this, the POTUS called him out, and the follow up indicates plenty of planning and coordination.

Heck - forgot Rush altogether, isn't it odd that the foursome has a morning call? Sure it often goes off onto useless stuff, but every morning for what, going on 15-20 years? Just seems weird, and then add on there role in this.

Mr. Lord is correct - they need to stop, asap. This is a stunt you pull three weeks before an election, not when you're trying to kick off your program.

54-46 is nowhere near the kind of power to justify this.

Shourin Roy| 3.4.09 @ 8:36PM

Jeffrey Lord makes me want to laugh. After debating so many Democrats and Republicans on the way to his historical presidency, he should be scared of Limbaugh! Dream on.

The coward is Limbaugh. If he truly believed that his policies are good for the American people, then he should run for president. He can have all the debates he wants then. The WH can come back with this response. But I'll wager that Rush will head for the hills before he stands for office. You see it is easier sitting in front of a mike prattling on in an echo chamber.

Rush has no guts. Amazing.

Nom de Plume| 3.4.09 @ 8:36PM

Jeremiah|(@ 7:54PM) said:

— “The point is that the president -- obviously -- would NEVER consent to debate a talk radio show host, so the "challenge" is either a) a gag and not to be taken seriously; or b) completely phony, and contemptible.” —

No. 1, Barry Soetoro is not my president. He has spent too many $$ hiding his identity for me to consider him anything more than a usurper who appears determined to destroy America’s capitalist economy, Socialize it, plunder the investments and savings of intelligent, hard workers, and hand over those investments and savings to the indolent and to illegal immigrants who have stolen their way across America’s borders.

And do you think the $$ he spent went only to his lawyers? The worker who breached Obama’s passport file in the State Department was hired by a firm headed by John O. Brennan, Obama’s top terrorism and intelligence adviser (see Ken Timmerman, “Obama’s Intelligence Adviser Involved in Security Breach”).

For those reasons, you may be correct. Obama may be afraid to answer Rush’s challenge. Of your choices, I opt for ‘c’, that Rush was deadly serious. His speech at CPAC is ample evidence that Rush can completely quash Obama.

— “If Limbaugh is not just an entertainer, if he is actually to be understood as the "leader" of the conservative movement, what does it mean that he seems capable of working in just one forum, one that he completely controls and has already mastered?” —

Rush was supremely capable at CPAC. You seem to have either missed it or hope I missed it.

— “Why doesn't he go on CSPAN (they'd be glad to have him) and take on a liberal or even panel of liberals (if he's so good)?” —

Perhaps because CSPAN has not invited Rush? He has already offered to take on Liberal Obama. He also challenged Obama on the stimulus. Perhaps you missed Rush’s thoughtfully detailed economic policy that the Wall Street Journal published? That is yet another genre apart from his forum that you choose to deprecate.

— “I'm NOT saying he should do this. I'm just pointing out that the fact that he won't tells you something about how you probably should interpret his role in the world.” —

How do you know Rush “won’t” anything? Just because he has not appeared on CSPAN does not mean he wouldn’t if he were invited! Why do you base your arguments on assumptions? Do you lack facts?

Ran| 3.4.09 @ 8:49PM

Mr. Lord...
Obama has just had his octave range notched-up. This error with Rush will never go away. The weakness and stupidity of the sitting President was made obvious by this whole affair. Had the President had the wisdom - Hell, decency - to not make a petty reference to a private citizen, none of this would have happened. Obama looks weak and foolish to more than just his opponents. If the market indices slip much further, even Soros won't be able to save him.

Obama appears to have about the same shelf-life as some of his campaign rhetoric. We're into six weeks or so, and this Administration looks more and more like a Bic lighter than the Liberty torch. This guy has some serious character flaws, amongst them a very real lack of intellectual independence and a commensurate incapacity to manage.

I can't help but get the feeling that Hillary is enjoying this. If the media, for example, turn on Obama and treat him the way they did Reagan or Bush the Lesser, his career is toast... because his present support network IS of the media. They made The Messiah; they can take him down, and he hasn't the experience or skill to take it.

Voila, Hillary, the mature stateswoman, no coward she, Snake and the Forehead holding the door open for her. It's the only clear benefit I can see to what has to otherwise be a no-win career move.

Maryscott O'Connor | 3.4.09 @ 8:52PM

Yeah. THAT'S what's hapening here. I see it all so clearly now that you've laid it out in black and white (so to speak; you clever fellow, you painted me into a corner and made me make a racial pun, even against my better judgement -- oh, you dastardly conservatives!)...

An Oxycontin-saturated blowhard has outsmarted the smartest politician to come down the pike in decades, has he?

Uh huh. I'm shaking.

K| 3.4.09 @ 8:52PM

You guys are misguided. The issue with the Republican leaders being afraid of Rush is only raised when they go on his show and apologize to him. Obama won't be apologising to Rush anytime soon. END OF ARGUMENT!

dukas| 3.4.09 @ 8:53PM

MahaRushi has 20 million listeners a week, also meaning 80 million a month, and if half of that number only listens to him now and then, yet basically understand and support him on many issues, maybe there is 40 million who can hold out their arms and grab a relative, or a friend, or two. That’s a 100 million articulate folks with an open ear, in some kind of agreement with El Rushbo.
This is not a sideshow, but a main event. If the best we can do at the moment is throw spikes in the road to slow down President Obama, who dressed as Nancy Palosi, is speeding dangerously reckless down the road. Rush is the spike in the way of a vindictive communist onslaught.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 8:54PM

Shourin...

Ahhh..It is Obama and Company making the claim that if one doesn't take on Rush Limbaugh one is "paralyzed with fear." Obviously, they are speaking for themselves. Rush didn't begin this...they did. After lots of careful polling and feverish phone calls at that. Always be careful what you wish for. The rest of us are paralyzed with laughter at the mindlessness of it all. What were they thinking?????

jharp| 3.4.09 @ 8:55PM

Good thread.

Very reassuring seeing the dittoheads following Limbaugh off the cliff.

Can't wait til 2010.

Randy| 3.4.09 @ 9:05PM

Haha! When was the last time a president debated a drug addicted entertainer? Hey Jeffrey Lord, no one thinks you're smart except you.

C. Vail| 3.4.09 @ 9:14PM

In the first month of his presidency Obama has probably done several dozen hours' worth of interviews with network anchors (shudder!), PBS flunkies (oooh!), and various other media types known more for kow-towing than for really hard-hitting questions and insistent follow-up. So yeah, Obama should accept Rush's challenge in order to show that he can take the hard questions and that he knows his stuff. Which is precisely why Obama won't.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 9:14PM

Randy...

It's so lonely in my head.

dukas| 3.4.09 @ 9:14PM

When is the last time an ex-drug addict, cigar smoking entertainer debated an ex-druggy, cigarette smoking President? duh.

K| 3.4.09 @ 9:35PM

To C.Vail: An interview is different from a debate. If Rush wants to debate Obama he should run for the republican nomination in 2012. We dare him!

Aquariusstar| 3.4.09 @ 9:38PM

The sheer stupidity of picking a fight with a talkshow host when you are the Prez. Doesn't he have anything better to do with his time? Another jaunt to Chicago on Air Force One for a dinner with the wife or a Wednesday nite danceathon?

So unpresidential. This guy was never ready for prime time and every thing he has done so far shows that he has little experience in actually governing.

This is diversion from his faltering economic plans that are scaring the markets and the voters.

In only four weeks Obama has shown us he isn't ready for primetime.

And he won't take Rush up on his offer because without his multitude of advisors and handlers guiding him he can't sustain a debate.

Heck, he was begging the moderator in one of his debates with McCain to change the subject.

Rush would turn him into mincemeat.

Aquariusstar| 3.4.09 @ 9:38PM

The sheer stupidity of picking a fight with a talkshow host when you are the Prez. Doesn't he have anything better to do with his time? Another jaunt to Chicago on Air Force One for a dinner with the wife or a Wednesday nite danceathon?

So unpresidential. This guy was never ready for prime time and every thing he has done so far shows that he has little experience in actually governing.

This is diversion from his faltering economic plans that are scaring the markets and the voters.

In only four weeks Obama has shown us he isn't ready for primetime.

And he won't take Rush up on his offer because without his multitude of advisors and handlers guiding him he can't sustain a debate.

Heck, he was begging the moderator in one of his debates with McCain to change the subject.

Rush would turn him into mincemeat.

K| 3.4.09 @ 9:43PM

Wouldn't any of you dittoheads debate me? I'm more conservative than you nuts are... but for argument sake, bring it on!

Termite| 3.4.09 @ 10:00PM

There is no way to adequately express my gratitude for the healing laughter you have provided the last few days. It does a body good.

I have read your breathless screeds about how President Obama is afraid to debate your Overlord, and how Obama has "painted himself into a corner," and how Jehovah is giving Jesus H. Christ himself the boot and preparing a seat for Overlord at His right hand.

Again, thank you.

However, I must deliver bad tidings.

You will want to sit down for this.

The debate already happened.

Assuming your discipleship doesn't require you to ingest Oxycontin like Skittles, you may recall an 18-month span of time that included conventions, stump speeches, lots of waving flags, a face-carving hoax, malfunctioning green screens, a "nation of whiners," $5000 pants suits, $2,000 hairdos, quasi-suspended campaigns, and tax dodging plumbers. This period of time -- which some call "a campaign" -- concluded in November of 2008 with a galactic asswhooping in which Barack Obama garnered 365 electoral votes to John McCain's 173 electoral votes.

In all, 70 million voters chose Barack Obama.

Now, I thought that maybe Overlord had gone dark during the campaign, so I checked. Turns out he was on the air the whole time, and actually had things to say about Barack Obama. Granted, they weren't things about his policies so much as they were broadside ad hominem and racist attacks; for example, criticizing him for going to see his fatally ill grandmother, or calling him a "halfrican." Never during the campaign (which is traditionally when politicians do this sort of thing) did Overlord challenge candidate Obama to a debate. Not on policy. Not on anything.

Do you know why? I do.

Because he might've said "yes."

Overlord is challenging Barack Obama to a debate now for a few reasons, none of which is "because he actually wants to debate." He knows that challenging President Obama to a debate is like challenging an Apollo astronaut to a thumb wrestling match. To say that Obama has bigger fish to fry certainly conjures thoughts of massive fish, but I speak metaphorically. While Overlord pours himself into his oversized chair and secretes sweat, spittle and invective as a means to make his living, our president is busy solving a host of almost unimaginable crises, visited upon us by policies long championed by Overlord.

You see, it's no longer Barack Obama's task to persuade Overlord or his loyal Dittoheads that he is the right man for the job, or that his policies are worth pursuing.

70 million Americans weighed in on this three months ago.

70 million Americans want Barack Obama on the job -- not casting pearls before swine.

70 million people want Barack Obama working on creating jobs -- not boosting the ratings of a radio personality with Mommy issues.

In fact, the number is far greater, if the polls are to be believed.

And last I looked, your "army" was less than a third that size.

Let me conclude with a word of encouragement. Don't despair. I know -- we know -- what it's like to be in the minority. But you need to stay true to yourself, and in your case that means staying true to Overlord. If you want to see him debate Barack Obama, please, please encourage Overlord to run for president in 2012.

Because remember...laughter is the best medicine.

vapporrub| 3.4.09 @ 10:04PM

No one is scared of a big fat, drug-addicted, bigoted blowhard. He NEVER goes on any program where he might be challenged. The one time he did was Letterman, and Dave cleaned his clock. He never takes callers who disagree, he is a complete joke. Obama is playing him--and you morons are too stupid to see what the rest of America sees.

Siegfried Xanten| 3.4.09 @ 10:07PM

President Obama's team should simply announce that if Limbaugh wants to interview the President, he should submit a request, then wait in line like everyone else.

The President gets hundreds of requests for appearances and interviews. There is no reason for Limbaugh to get special treatment.

TL| 3.4.09 @ 10:10PM

See, Mr. Limbaugh, I'm none too keen on having my President debate you. Here's why:

Reason #1: he's the President of the United States, in case you haven't noticed. I know, that really, really sticks in your craw, doesn't it? But it is true. And for a group of people that liked to bloviate about giving due respect to the office of the President when your guy was in there, you sure have a funny way of showing your respect. Yes, let's get the President to fly down to Florida on your jet (your idea, not mine), taking time away from the country's business to debate you on your precious radio show. As if somehow, you are more important than the nation. You are more important than the myriad of issues our President has been working on. You are now in charge. Sorry buddy. It doesn't work that way. You want a debate with the President? I've got a solution for you. Run in 2012. If you get the nomination, be prepared for happy fun time in as many debates as you like. Until then, you don't represent anybody.

Reason #2: losers don't get to dictate terms. Didn't you learn that in history class? You lost. Your brand of politics lost. Your political philosophy...lost. The President got over 60+ million votes. And he is the CEO for 300 million some odd stockholders, as well as carrying that unofficial title of leader o' the free world. Far as I know, you are just a guy with a microphone. But you don't get to dictate terms, not when your side, in two straight election cycles, got pummelled pretty badly. It's a bitter pill to swallow, I know...we over here in liberal kook land have swallowed it many times in the past several years. But for now, we're the winners, and the terms get dictated by those in charge.

So, here's my counter-offer. Get yourself a Daily Kos account and start to regale us with all your wonderful ideas. Stick around to debate the issues. Heck, I'll even offer not to troll rate you into oblivion. I'll be civil as pie (no pun intended).

You don't get our President. That's a no-go.

All you get are those wacky "community agitators" that got him elected.

You don't get to call the President chicken if he doesn't show up. But we get to call you chicken if you don't engage the public.

That's the breaks when your approval rating hovers around 20%.

Jeremiah| 3.4.09 @ 10:15PM

Nom de Plume -

I hadn't realized you were crazy by reading your first posting. Now I know.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 10:21PM

An Observation....

My oh my how the rules about respecting a president have changed....

Teleprompter Messiah| 3.4.09 @ 10:29PM

TL: Glad to know you deep thinkers on the Left haven't become insufferably arrogant.

As for Lightworker being CEO of 300 million Americans he's doing a bang up job of bankrupting the company by borrowing to pay for recurring expenditures. Betcha that will mean revenue enhancement for more than the despised richest 1% of shareholders. It will also mean that the shareholders meeting in November 2010 will not be too good for the CEO and his A-Team executive team.

Teleprompter Messiah| 3.4.09 @ 10:35PM

Dear Axelrod astroturfers: Welcome to a conservative site. Despite your fawning lickspittle bootlicking sychopancy to Lightworker he is still an unrepentant Marxist clueless dud.

You may have won, but the speed with which your team is railroading your agenda through Congress shows that you can't stand debate. It has to be pushed through in the middle of the night, unread. Must be paralyzed with fear that if folks actually understood what is going on they might get a little upset.

How many jobs did Lightworker save today?

Nom de Plume| 3.4.09 @ 10:38PM

Jeremiah (@ 10:15PM) said to me:
“I hadn't realized you were crazy by reading your first posting. Now I know.”

Jeremiah, your ad hominem attack on me shows you have NO FACTS to refute my arguments. Thank you for letting me know.

Nom de Plume| 3.4.09 @ 10:44PM

Termite (@ 10:00PM) said:
“70 million people want Barack Obama working on creating jobs -- not boosting the ratings of a radio personality with Mommy issues.”

That’s funny! Creating jobs is what a nanny state does. Look who is working at being your mommy. LOL

J Byron| 3.4.09 @ 10:56PM

Oh ho ho! So this is a big conspiracy by the Obama White House!

Someone explain to me, how is that Obama was able to make Rush so influential with Republicans? How did Obama set it up so Rush was a keynote speaker at the CPAC convention? How did Obama put the words in Rush's mouth regarding his wish to see Obama (and America) fail?

Really now, this is some stretch. Well, brilliant tacticians, Obama's approval ratings have been steady in the upper 60s and lower 70s across the board, while Bush, Rush and the Republican party as a whole are left in the dust and happy if they can crack 25%.

If this is winning, then you won big last November, and I hope to see more such 'victories' in the future.

ko| 3.4.09 @ 10:57PM

This is rediculous. Limbaugh is an irrelevant looser and in no position to call-out or dictate terms to the President, who has more importiant things to do than argue with a has-been gas bag.

70 million voters have spoken. You get or you don't.

How is that shrinking basement room working out for you folks?

J Byron| 3.4.09 @ 11:01PM

Also, here is the absurd double standard mentioned elsewhere in the comments, namely, don't claim that Rush is afraid to debate liberals -- the reason he doesn't is because it is his show, his life, his time and he chooses not to.

However, if Obama, a far more important person, far more in demand and certainly far busier than Rush, does not accept Rush's challenge, it is not a matter of choice, rather it just reveals that Obama is afraid.

Do you all really believe that nonsense?

Something about talking to Republicans is so reminiscent of the old days in the school yard .. do something (often something stupid) or the bullies might taunt you with 'chicken'.

So what's next, I'm rubber, you're glue? I know you are but what am I?

Teleprompter Messiah| 3.4.09 @ 11:06PM

J Byron: Where were you when Dubya was in the 90's in terms of approval ratings? Lightworker has not been president for eight years but less than eight weeks. He is now making choices, mostly bad ones, and when they have effect (e.g. the losses in the stock market due to no confidence in our Dear Leader) he will start getting resistance and losing support.

To quote Han Solo: Don't get cocky kid.

J Byron| 3.4.09 @ 11:08PM

Nom --

The government exists to serve the people, all the people, not just the richest 1%.

The government survives on the hard work of the people. Now the people are asking that the government do its job and provide for the well being of our nation.

Starting wars is all well and good, but there is more to strength than tanks and bombs and fortunately for America, her people have woken up to that fact and spoken loudly and consistently in favor of spending hundreds of billions to create jobs at home instead of in places like Iraq.

But you, so dismissive of 70 million American voters. I'm sorry that you mock the tenants of democracy, but of course that is your right.

But that sound you hear? The sound of 70 million Americans laughing. At you.

Don't think otherwise.

J Byron| 3.4.09 @ 11:14PM

T Messiah, fair enough.

Obama is good now, and I don't claim to know the future, however -- should still be clear that on the current issue, Obama has the upper hand and present opinion polls reflect that. Maybe in a few years his numbers will drop, but in the here and now, in the choice between Rush and the Republicans or Obama and the Democrats, the people have spoken.

In proper context, if you look at the peoples opinion in who to trust with the economy, in who should take action -- they overwhelming put that trust in Obama and Democrats.

If you look at polls that ask who is the blame, they overwhelmingly blame Bush and the Republicans.

As for Bush, he hit the 90s by standing on a pile of rubble -- sadly, probably the only success of his presidency.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 11:15PM

J Byron...

"Now the people are asking that the government do its job and provide for the well being of our nation."

Well, actually, no. Providing for the well being of our nation is your job and mine. It is decidedly NOT the job of government. Therein is the core disagreement.

J Byron| 3.4.09 @ 11:18PM

Have you ever played the game hot potato? Well, instead of a potato, it's a bomb --assembled, set and activated by Bush. That bomb is our economy, and the game ended with the potato in Obama's hand.

Now, are you really going to argue that the last eight years didn't happen? That Republicans didn't hold power in all three branches of government for four of those eight years? That Obama, president for just over four weeks, should take all the blame for what is happening in the stock market?

Let me ask you, if the market did an incredible rebound in the last for weeks instead of the (predictable) losses, would you have given Obama credit?

J Byron| 3.4.09 @ 11:21PM

Mr. Lord,

To argue that the government does not exist to maintain the strength of its people is to argue against infrastructure, public education, police and military as well as the numerous government institutions that exist to protect the health of the American tax payer and the American worker.

It is to pretend such things as the FDIC, FCC, FDA and on and on do not exist, that Social Security does not exist.

In essence, it is to pretend that government does not exist.

If government does not exist to provide for the well being of its people, please explain the purpose of government and why I donate 20% of my productivity to this self-serving behemoth.

Patriotic Superpower| 3.4.09 @ 11:23PM

Since when does the President "debate" random radio personalities? What have you guys been smoking? Not rush, I know what he's been smoking.

But still, you guys are funny.

Basil Plumley| 3.4.09 @ 11:26PM

The last refuge of the Left is condescension.

It obfuscates the issues of the day.
Dow is down-focus on Limbaugh.
Iran is close to having nukes-focus on Limbaugh. Nominees who break tax laws-focus on Limbaugh.
Embarrassing foreign policy-focus on Limbaugh. 8500 earmarks in a spending bill-focus on Limbaugh.
The NIC nominee Freeman (a very interesting character) openly supported the Chinese crushing the protesters at Tiananmen Square-by all means focus on Limbaugh.

Yes Lefties, you won. Now comes the hard part; the reality and responsibility of running the country. When you are not up for the challenge; focus on Limbaugh.

Oddly, the result will be Limbaugh's ratings will jump to probably 40+million per week as folks want to know what the commotion is all about.

Don't worry lefties, your precious Obambi won't debate Limbaugh ....... the teleprompter is broken.
Besides, who wants to hear all the umms and aahs in response to Limbaugh. It isn't worth my time.

I hope Rush doesn't beat up Obambi too badly; if Obambi is disabled, they would have to invoke the 25th Amendment and make Biden POTUS.

NHGUY| 3.4.09 @ 11:31PM

"Never start a land war in Asia." (Ooops, already there.)
"Never argue with Rush Limbaugh." (Ooops, already there.)

Basil Plumley| 3.4.09 @ 11:40PM

@ NHGUY
"Never start a land war in Asia." (Ooops, already there.)

Why are you quoting Vizzini from The Princess Bride?

There is no proof that MacArthur ever said that to Kennedy but it one of those great urban myths that have life.

P.S.--there is a Martian currently trying to prove MacArthur actually said it but so far no proof has surfaced.

Jim in La Pine| 3.4.09 @ 11:45PM

I wonder if Putin is following this blog.
I wonder if Obama is wondering if Putin is following this blog.
Personally, I hope Putin isn't.
Personally, I hope Obama is (wondering).
Community Organizing tactics from streets of Chicago might not impress Putin.
They certainly don't impress me.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.4.09 @ 11:52PM

J Byron

You say:
"Have you ever played the game hot potato? Well, instead of a potato, it's a bomb --assembled, set and activated by Bush. That bomb is our economy, and the game ended with the potato in Obama's hand."

The fuse to this crisis was lit in 1977 by the Carter-era Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). This, in essence, forced banks to give credit to unqualified home buyers. At the insistence of the Clinton administration the rules were tightened even more, essentially saying to banks that they were guilty of discrimination unless they doled out more loans to those without the good credit a loan used to demand. This was done through the 1994 National Homeownership Strategy of the Clinton Department of Housing and Urban Development. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were then pushed by Clinton-appointed officials to avoid more regulation by Congress on their rapidly accumulating portfolios of mortgages. There were press stories at the time with Clintonites boasting about the "millions of people" who were now in "affordable housing" because of their efforts. When Bush came in, he tried repeatedly to get Congress to tighten up on this. To put a stop to it. Just go over to You Tube and see the results, with Barney Frank and Maxine Waters and other Dems hectoring Bush appointees for racism etc etc for trying to toughen these regs. Ole Barnster insisted there was not a problem and he was more than willing to "roll the dice" on this. So, we did. The dice have now landed and, to go back to your metaphor, exploded.

Again, your philosophy, not mine, is at fault here. And now you guys are making it worse by the day. And you STILL don't get it.

Sigh.

King Mob| 3.4.09 @ 11:55PM

I think the President should hold daily debates with homeless folk and stray republicans. It would serve this great nation so well. Alas, it is not to be.

Oh you silly morons. He's so scared, being president, while you all watch your party crumble at your stinky feet. It's so sad. For you.

Smedley| 3.5.09 @ 12:00AM

The reason Rush will never run for president is simple. The American people will never vote for someone who takes sex tours to the Dominican Republic.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.5.09 @ 12:02AM

What are you talking about? Clinton won twice....

King Mob| 3.5.09 @ 12:04AM

I just actually read your story (and quite a story it is) and you win the Wizard of Oz Strawman award for 2009. Hey, go out and get yourself a... whatever you repubs like to get. I ain't judging ya. Grab some Oxycontin and go wild. Rush would approve.

Jeffrey Lord| 3.5.09 @ 12:05AM

Can't. I seem to be paralyzed with fear.

Ragged Robin| 3.5.09 @ 12:07AM

Fail if you must, and I know you dont have much choice, but that's a prety sad way to go.

J Byron| 3.5.09 @ 12:09AM

Mr. Lord,

I'll be the first to admit that I know very little about the housing crisis or economics.

However, I know a thing about credibility, and the fact that these mortgage giants were raking in cash hand-over-fist lowers theirs.

Here is an analogy I like to use to explain this situation -- I think anyone can understand.

As most people know, a dog will literally eat itself to death. If an owner allows for this to happen, the dog isn't at fault -- it's his nature. The owner, on the other hand, should have known better.

Comparing two parties, desperate Americans reaching for the dream of home ownership and prosperity against suave MBAs at the banks, who should have known better?

Also, the FBI does not feel that the lending firms were so innocent in this exchange, as you can read here:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/397690_fbiweb28.html

Regardless, if you feel like helping America's poor and middleclass is a blackhole for tax payers money, but have no problem with wars of aggression that drain money and more, than I'm afraid I have no further comment.

Basil Plumley| 3.5.09 @ 12:10AM

@ J Byron

you said-where the f--- have you been for the last eight years?

Safe and sound. Working hard and watching blowhards like you talk down this country and W. Yeah, W basically quit as POTUS and missed opportunities to do the right thing.

However, you lefties pontificate about the worst economy since 19dickety-whatever. Yet, instead of being responsible, you compound matters.

Go to China to beg them to buy more of our debt. On Obama's watch.

Sending love letters to Putin/Medvedev. Then denying what the love letters really meant. On Obama's watch.

North Korea rattling sabers again. On Obama's watch.

Iran producing more nuclear material. On Obama's watch.

A foriegn policy of embracing our enemies and screwing our friends. On Obama's watch.

Dow loses 30+% since November 08. Those aren't ACORN voters, those are folks voting with their wallets because they don't trust Obambi.

Yeah, you are certainly the ones the world has been waiting for. Ignore the issues at your peril.

you said-Lastly, to quote you "The last refuge of the Left is condescension. " Did you misspell Obama or have you totally given up any effort to appear as a reasonable adult, and not an immature hypocrite?

Not at all. I have presented you issues and topics for you to discuss but all anyone wants to discuss is Limbaugh. If you wish to debate these matters in depth, you will be doing more than Team Obama. Obama is showing himself to be a babe in the woods; like Bambi.

Perhaps, in your 8th post you can finally address issues instead of making me or Limbaugh the target.

CS| 3.5.09 @ 12:19AM

It is hilarious that the lefties have come here. all puffed up . huffing that THE PRESIDENT , so important and busy, would not debate Rush Limbaugh. Well, that's the point, isn't it? Why is he spending his time waging war on Limbaugh, and Santelli, and Jim Cramer? No plan for the banks, no staff for Tim Geithner, and they waste their time sparring with their media critics? Yes, they won. So stop campaigning, and try and figure out foreign policy. Putin and Medvedev have smacked you down, you've offended the Brits, even India is offended - pay attention!!

CH| 3.5.09 @ 12:24AM

Funny how these azzclown liberals rant and rave about Rush's pain med addiction while at the same boot licking their cokehead/chain smoking 'dear leader'. They never fail to amaze me with their stupidity.

J Byron| 3.5.09 @ 12:26AM

Basil,

If you will look at the top of your web browser, you will notice a funny phrase : "AmSpecBlog : Is Obama Scared to Debate Rush?"

To expand : If we were writing to each other in a book, that would be the title.

I am sure you can figure out from here why I would mention Rush.

Second, towards the issue as a whole. Rush has taken on the mantle of leader of the Republican party, and gladly (no matter what the political costs -- it sure is good for ratings. Nice priorities, Rush.) Surely he has something to do with this whole dust-up that involves himself, the dems and several in the Republican party leadership.

Any reasonable commentator would at least agree to a few baseline truths, such as, Rush is an entertainer first and foremost who thrives on ratings and attention -- that his lifestyle and livelihood depend on it. That Rush is milking this moment for everything it is worth.

As for blame, the Republicans bear a good deal of the blame for letting someone like Rush be so influential (let's not bs each other and pretend he is not). Rush bears even more for provoking this issue and continually stoking it on his show. And then, again to the Republican party for giving Rush a platform for further self promotion at CPAC with his attacks on Obama -- comments that would be sure to ignite the traditional media.

If Obama ignores Rush, he is seen as weak. If he addresses Rush, it is said he is distracted and demeaning himself and the office. Lose - lose.

Period.

Your criticism seems to mainly revolve around the fact that the Democrats, a political party, are taking political advantage at the Republicans' disarray -- a tactic I am sure you appreciated when it was employed by the right.

Intellectual honesty would require you to acknowledge some of the bare assessments in my post, but I won't hold my breath waiting.

Angel| 3.5.09 @ 12:27AM

Forget it, Basil, they're a bunch of trailer trash meth-heads. You'll never get a coherent argument out of them.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 12:32AM

Byron, you're an idiot; Obama started this dustup with Rush to distract the country from his destructive liberal policies. Rush called Obama's bluff, and of course the coward Obama backed down. He's toooo busy, you know.

Interloper| 3.5.09 @ 12:32AM

I don't know why SAVs (Sane American Voters) have descended on the American Spectator. Usually, there are only a few of us here among the pathologically clueless. But, welcome, dudes and dudettes . Have some popcorn!

CH| 3.5.09 @ 12:42AM

No, Groper the stupid, morons like you have descended on us because they're Soros paid hacks, just like you.

vinnie the p| 3.5.09 @ 12:51AM

Q: What did the Ruler of the Free World say to the Radio Clown?
A: When you get elected to something, come see me in the Oval Office.

Basil Plumley| 3.5.09 @ 12:52AM

@ J Byron

Thank you proving my premise from my original post.

What you on the Left are scared of is a united Conservative front; just like the one the Left saw in 1980 and 1984. Of course what the GOP did was squander that united front when the GOP chose to become Democrat-lite. Thus, we get Clinton I, Clinton II, and Clinton III, oops, I meant Obama I.
The American people don't like it when they get snookered; and there may be some buyer's remorse. If that remorse turns to anger, you will relive 1980 in 2010 and 2012. Remember 20% of Obama's vote last year came from folks that voted for Bush in 2004.

One last thought about Rush Limbaugh. You call him an entertainer. That is your privilege. What Limbaugh in actuality has done is test his principles in conjuction with the Free Market. He has succeeded. Others who may be less sincere about their Conservative principles have also parlayed this formula to success.

Air America and a legion of Lefty "entertainers" have attempted to do the same thing with their Leftist principles but have failed.

Is it unfair competitive advantage or Free Market at work?
Perhaps both. Free Markets hate bad products.

Teleprompter Messiah| 3.5.09 @ 1:09AM

Interloper: You make me laugh. Your posts so encapsulate the smug sanctimony of the species Hippieus Americanus that I cannot but smile at how utterly banal and conventional your thinking is, not to mention, predictable.

The clueless and boob-baited on this site are those who defend a politician who is so enamored of his self image as a "great man of history" that he picked a fight with an entertainer because he can't stand criticism of his unalloyed awesomeness. He demeans the dignity of his office and shows his vanity.

Of course, if you thought for yourself you might be a Conservative and not some parrot of your sociology professors.

Siegfried Xanten| 3.5.09 @ 1:09AM

"If that remorse turns to anger, you will relive 1980 in 2010 and 2012."

Or we might have to wait until 2049 or 2081 for Republicans to come back. That's how long it took last time. When Gingrich took back control of the House in 1995, 40 years had passed since Republicans last controlled it. When President Bush had Republican majorities in both Houses of Congress, it was the first time in 72 years.

So backlash is a very unreliable political strategy. If Republicans want the government again, they'll need to come up with solutions for the American people, instead of just a continuous negative campaign against the Democrats.

Teleprompter Messiah| 3.5.09 @ 1:12AM

Vinnie P: Ruler of the Free World? Wasn't that der Fuhrer's ambition?

J Byron| 3.5.09 @ 1:13AM

I meant absolutely no disrespect by labeling Rush as an entertainer. He is surely many things, but first and foremost, that is how he makes his living (he is unquestionablely very successful) and from all appearances, this seems to be his prime motivation (ratings).

The fact that we cannot even agree on a simple description of Rush, who he is and what he does, indicates that any further conversation would likely be less than productive.

But to the point -- right now. we on the left aren't scared of anything. Bring it on.

Teleprompter Messiah| 3.5.09 @ 1:18AM

Siegfried: How about "We won't bankrupt the country by borrowing trillions for recurring expenses and expansion of the public sector. We also won't raise taxes on wealth creation and productivity. We won't foment class envy and promise everyone that there won't be adversity in your life. We will live within our means and not pretend that government creates wealth." All seem like solutions for the American people that might win.

Teleprompter Messiah| 3.5.09 @ 1:23AM

JByron: You guys have it all. Why do you even care what Conservatives think? You have the liberty to run the country into the ground and you are doing it.

20 months from now we'll see how cocksure you guys are.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 1:26AM

Putin swatted your 'Ruler of the Free World' like a buzzing, annoying insect yesterday. Everyone knows Obummer's in over his head, except you azz-kissing libtards. What a joke.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 1:28AM

TM, is it okay if I call Obummer 'Teleprompter Messiah' in some of my posts? It's perfect.

Bjorn| 3.5.09 @ 1:29AM

Neither Obama nor Limbaugh have much to lose here.

If Obama ignores Limbaugh's challenge, he's not going to lose any meaningful support. The electorate is focused on the economy - well, scared stiff is perhaps more like it. They could care less whether the President debates Rush Limbaugh. Seriously.

A year or two from now, the only thing people will remember is whether Obama delivered on his economic agenda. A debate challenge from Rush Limbaugh will be long forgotten. Who today is still talking about Hillary or McCain's debate challenge to Obama, which he more or less ignored?

For Limbaugh, he gets tons of free publicity either way. And in the event that Obama actually takes him up on his offer - ratings go through the roof. There is no downside.

If any debate does go forward, it's unlikely either will "mop the floor" with the other. Obama and Limbaugh are both articulate and good on their feet. Obama would probably convince the already-converted, and Rush would do the same. Anyone who says otherwise does not understand how modern political debates are waged, or won.

This is a smart publicity stunt on Limbaugh's side, and pretty shrewd politics on Obama's. Contrary to the article, which is embarassingly over-the-top hyperbole, Obama's not in a trap or a tight spot at all. The news cycle will leave this behind soon enough - meantime, entertainer, entertain!

J Byron| 3.5.09 @ 1:31AM

TM,

If you are right, I will be supremely sorry.

If we are right, how will you feel in 20 months?

Best wishes.

Teleprompter Messiah| 3.5.09 @ 1:33AM

CH: You can't call Lightworker competent, so knock yourself out. I didn't trademark the name, but it does describe the liberal Elmer Gantry.

Teleprompter Messiah| 3.5.09 @ 1:35AM

J Byron:

In 20 months if I am wrong, I will move to France. It will be a freer country.

J Byron| 3.5.09 @ 1:36AM

Bjorn, I agree with most everything you said, but where is your analysis on what Republicans stand to gain or lose?

In my calculation, Rush as defacto leader of the GOP will diminish the brand over all, and offer a prime targets for the Democrats and their allies.

If the GOP wishes to be viable, then they need to bring in the moderates -- and fans of Rush certainly do not fit that description.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 1:44AM

Kiss off, loser. We don't need your stinking liberal advice. Go somewhere, anywhere but here. Moron.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 1:48AM

Rush would clean Obummer's clock, because Rush isn't the 'Teleprompter Messiah'. Obummer has already lost--he looks weak mixing it up with a private citizen and then backing down from a debate. Loser.

Jim in La Pine| 3.5.09 @ 1:51AM

Bjorn:

RE: "This is a smart publicity stunt on Limbaugh's side, and pretty shrewd politics on Obama's"

Pretty Shrewd politics if you were still politicking in Chicago .. the venue changed when Obama was elected President.

It's a lose-lose situation for the nation if he continues to employ Chicago Political Tactics.

Bjorn| 3.5.09 @ 1:53AM

J Byron,
The brand is in the toilet, and Rush Limbaugh isn't going to change that either way. His brand of angry-man demagogery will never grab more than 20% of the electorate, so there's no upside there for the party. The GOP is adrift, and seems to have no consensus about how to proceed.

Rush is no fool, and he said one very accurate and far-seeing thing in the midst of all this theatre - the conservative movement is not the same as the GOP, he's not the leader of the GOP, and they won't have a leader until a credible presidential candidate emerges.

In in the very unlikely event that it is Sarah Palin, the party will pull off a less-than-devastating 40% of the popular vote, and this failure to be completely demolished will nuture the false sense that that 10% gap can be closed, when in fact nothing could be farther from the truth.

If they choose a complete nutter, they will get 35% of the vote, and this will be an extraordinary shock. It might even knock some sense into them.

The races to watch, though, will be the midterms. They do represent some risk for Obama, since I think it's unlikely that the economy will turn around meaningfully by fall 2010. That is an eternity away, though, and we will live in very interesting times until then.

If the GOP continues in this directionless fuddle, and the economy makes some upward movement, then the midterms will erode GOP numbers even more.

Seigfried Xanten| 3.5.09 @ 2:01AM

'All seem like solutions for the American people that might win. "

Those aren't solutions at all. They are negative, explaining what would NOT be done.

Is that the entire Republican program, that like Herbert Hoover they will do nothing during a Depression? That's why Republicans were voted out. Very different from what Ronald Reagan did when he was president, he took action.

You are also talking about an imaginary Republican party which hasn't existed for a dozen years. Today's Republican party is not conservative. It is a war party which does nothing more than fight wars in the Middle East. Everything else is neglected. To the extent it does anything at all, it is socialist, like Bush's prescription drug program. Today's Republican favors tax increases on consumers like McCain's and Obama's "cap & trade" tax.

Bjorn| 3.5.09 @ 2:04AM

Jim,
"Pretty Shrewd politics if you were still politicking in Chicago .. the venue changed when Obama was elected President. "

There's a little bit of Chicago in every successful politician, from Nixon to FDR to Johnson.

If you want your politicians to play like Paul Henreid, perhaps you should rent Casablanca.

Jim in La Pine| 3.5.09 @ 2:11AM

Bjorn:
Actually, I own a copy of Casablanca .. I love it.
If I accepted politics for what they are -and- not push for an improvement .. I would become a politician.

Bjorn| 3.5.09 @ 2:14AM

CH, conservatives' constant underestimating of Obama and insistence that he is weak or inarticulate is one of the reasons his opponents were consistently left flatfooted and unprepared for his formidable rhetorical and political skill.

It kind of reminds me of the way liberals' insistence that Bush was a dunce helped ensure that they ended up with eight years of dismal governance.

They never understood him. And you don't understand your opponent either. Who was it who said, if you understand your enemy, and yourself, victory is assured? By that token, you are far from your goal.

J Byron| 3.5.09 @ 2:15AM

Time to settle it. Rush should debate Markos of Dailykos.com

He can do one liveblogging on the site, and one on Rush's show. Sounds like fair terms to me, and should be an epic battle (with ratings promise).

Who thinks Rush would take such a challenge?

Bjorn| 3.5.09 @ 2:16AM

Jim in Le Pine,
Well said. I will do the same, albiet from another ideological viewpoint.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 2:24AM

Why would Rush debate that loser, Markos, when Pres. Obummer was too afraid to debate Rush? Markos looks like he has Tourette's Syndrome, he's drooler. LOL

Jim in La Pine| 3.5.09 @ 2:25AM

Bjorn:
Works for me.

Dave| 3.5.09 @ 2:30AM

Maybe Obama just doesn't want to get Rush's sweat all over him. Understandable.

Matt| 3.5.09 @ 2:35AM

Obama's a coward.

Basil Plumley| 3.5.09 @ 2:37AM

@ Seigfried Xanten

You said-Those aren't solutions at all. They are negative, explaining what would NOT be done.

Is that the entire Republican program, that like Herbert Hoover they will do nothing during a Depression? That's why Republicans were voted out.

Well, not exactly. Hoover and the GOP spent like crazy and raised tariffs via the Smoot-Hawley Act; forcing folks to buy American. The GOP were voted out. However, FDR and the Dems spent more which prolonged our economic misery.

Obama's solution is to spend like crazy and buy American. Gee, it sound like some folks have not learned their History.

BTW, folks ....... where's Bob
I was anticipating some insights on how a guy without a college degree just paralyzed with fear the Ivy Leaguer leader of the Free World.
For you newbies, Bob enjoys the art of pontificating the significant glory attained by an Ivy League education while damning the mere mortals who successfully get by.

His wife and children love him (so he tells us); sorry to say, not very many others.

Bjorn| 3.5.09 @ 2:39AM

CH,
That was really funny. You really have a way with words. Look, now I am paying attention to you.

Isn't it amazing and wonderful to be a troll when the sunshine of public attention is shining down on you? When people who are smarter, better-looking, and have no trouble meeting people are looking at you, talking to *you*?

Zowee! Lucky troll.

Jim in La Pine| 3.5.09 @ 2:41AM

Bjorn;
BTW .. thanks for the compliment.
Should have included it in my last response.
Forgot my manners.
Best regards.

Basil Plumley| 3.5.09 @ 2:47AM

Speaking of History

There was famous debate around 1967 where Ronald Reagan and Bobby Kennedy took questions from students from around the world.
Reagan made Bobby look so bad that Bobby told his staff to never again put him on the same stage with Reagan.

Rush may not be Reagan but I bet Obama and Axelrod are telling Plouffe and Emanuel to STFU.

Then again, this may be an effort to marginalize Steele.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 2:47AM

You're the troll, Bjorn. I can tell by your foul odor. Nasty liberal loser. You probably drool, too. It's all your drug use, just like your cokehead Obummer's.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 2:49AM

Basil, Bobby's sleeping.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 2:51AM

Obummer's soiling himself he's so afraid of Rush. It wouldn't even be a contest.

Bjorn| 3.5.09 @ 2:51AM

Jim,
Thanks, and right back at you.

Perhaps I could have ended without a poke at CH. But I truly believe I cannot help myself.

Good night,
Bjorn

CH| 3.5.09 @ 2:54AM

Good riddance, BJJJorn. I just bet you truly believe. Freak.

Bjorn| 3.5.09 @ 2:57AM

CH, no doubt you are aware that the first thing an internet warrior learns is that you cannot, under any circumstances, defeat an enemy who will not acknowledge defeat.

That is why trolls will always have this weird imperviousness. They are like Whack a Mole. There is always another mole.

The only victory to be had is in knowing, I turn off my computer, to be with my beautiful wife and loving children, while you crawl back inside the horror show of your mind.

I accept the tradeoff.

Matt| 3.5.09 @ 2:58AM

Looks like we've had ourselves a real liberal drool tool fest here at AmSpec. Man, it reeks! Gonna take weeks to get rid of the stink.

Interloper| 3.5.09 @ 2:58AM

Among the toxic brain droppings of Jeffrey Lord is this jewel:

"Well, actually, no. Providing for the well being of our nation is your job and mine. It is decidedly NOT the job of government. Therein is the core disagreement."

I think it sums up the utter obtuseness of the hack who wrote an article falsely claiming that the President of the United States has a duty to debate a drug-addled doofus with no political standing whatsoever.

A person who can't grasp the purpose of having governments, who believes anarchy would be better, has no business trying to discuss the topic at all.
Such behavior is normal for the grotesquely abnormal Lord. He regularly creates straw men and false controversies. He then recycles the same inane pieces at any site foolish enough to allow him to. Despite having been called out as the hack he is quite often, Lord continues the same old childish game.

Bjorn, I find most of what you've said firmly on point, but you need to think this through a little more:

"CH, conservatives' constant underestimating of Obama and insistence that he is weak or inarticulate is one of the reasons his opponents were consistently left flatfooted and unprepared for his formidable rhetorical and political skill."

In doing so, you might want to consider where the GOP presently has what remains of its strength, who the leaders of the party are, what group is stereotyped as stupid, weak and inarticulate, and how that may relate to the Right's take on President Obama. I would be interested in your conclusion, which I think will tell us about an important motivation for the President's most hostile critics, ie., the kind of people who refer to him as 'Obambi,' 'Teleprompter Messiah,' and 'Boy.'

J Byron, I've enjoyed reading your posts. However, I think that Rush Limbaugh will decamp to the Dominican Republic permanently if Kos so much as winks at him.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 3:03AM

You forgot Obummer, my personal favorite. Going 'thought police' on us, Loopy? Surprise, surprise. Nazis like you always have to control speech. Loser.

Bjorn| 3.5.09 @ 3:24AM

Interloper,
I think I get the gist of what you're saying. That is a problem for the GOP too.

I'd take the issue even wider, though: all of our political discourse is infected by a sports metaphor that posits us as unthinking "fans" who cheer on our team's every move, right or wrong. When my team hooks your player under the eye, that is good, stand-up play. When your team does it, the player is an animal, and possibly deranged.

So, the Republicans become the Rethuglicans, the Dems become Dumocrats. And never was a
Pittsburgh Steeler more widely loathed that that bum, Harry Reid.

And the fact that both ReTHUGlicans and DUMocrats are represented by a Congress who gave away our civil rights without a whimper, who slept while a deregulated derivatives market converted what might have been real assets into financial WMDs, goes unquestioned. That is outside the scope of the game, since the teams are not fighting about it.

So, yes, there are racists who are still grappling with the fact that a black man is smarter than them. But even more, there are people who see the whole process as nothing more than an entertaining spectacle - Red vs. White - that lets them blow off a little steam, come Friday night.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 3:39AM

ACORN and fellow marxist losers like Barney Frank and Chris Dodd are responsible for our economic meltdown. Only liberal azz-clowns pretend they don't know this. Liberals lie.

Bjorn| 3.5.09 @ 3:49AM

Matt,
It's true, I should go to bed. But I also relish a bit of quiet time, and I haven't posted to an internet discussion for some time. So, here I am, up too late, sucked in for the moment. And now, alas, talking to a troll.

I'd be curious to know what Matt does for a living. I mean are trolls high-school teachers, accountants?

How old are they?

And what are they like when you meet them in person? Are they like serial killers who seem perfectly normal in public?

Would their pathology show up on a CAT scan?

What books have you read, Matt? What's your favourite band?

I mean, it would be kind of interesting if it turned out you were completely nutzo online but a normal guy/girl in real life.

Wait, are you my Grade 10 Math teacher, Mr. Strange?

CH| 3.5.09 @ 4:04AM

Best line of the day, "The President of The United States has no guts." Amazing and pathetic, Mr. Lord.

Nom de Plume| 3.5.09 @ 6:51AM

J Byron (@ 12:26AM) said:
“If Obama ignores Rush, he is seen as weak. If he addresses Rush, it is said he is distracted and demeaning himself and the office. Lose - lose.”

EXACTLY. Team Obama painted themselves into this corner. That is clear evidence they don’t have the intelligence, the savvy, to direct this nation’s economy or to interact in world politics (well, Obama demonstrated his ineptitude in both spheres already).

Nom de Plume| 3.5.09 @ 6:57AM

CH (@ 4:04AM) said:
“Best line of the day, "The President of The United States has no guts." Amazing and pathetic, Mr. Lord.”

Actually the worst lines of the day refer to the alleged usurper as “the President.”

Why was the worker who breached Obama’s passport file in the State Department hired by a firm headed by Obama’s top terrorism and intelligence adviser, John O. Brennan?

Answer: See Ken Timmerman, “Obama’s Intelligence Adviser Involved in Security Breach”

JTS| 3.5.09 @ 7:19AM

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 had to spend the next few weeks defending himself. Brilliant!

RDM| 3.5.09 @ 9:08AM

Rush doesn't debate. He's not a debater. He doesn't interview anyone. He takes his opiates and listens to himself spew for 3 hours.

Obama Drools| 3.5.09 @ 9:35AM

My God (I hope that word doesn't offend any liberals) you trolls are a one-trick pony.

How about a drug addled Kennedy driving into a barricade?
How about a drug-addled Gore Mini-Me driving a Prius at 100 mph (who knew the Flinstone car could get to that speed)?

How about an alcohol-addled Senator driving off a bridge and letting a young lady drown?

How about a drug-addled former Columbia who-knows-what-his-grades-are half black kid, now known as President Coke-Whore?

You can't debate the debater, so you have one, just one thing, you keep attacking over and over.

My God (there's that word again), you people are stupid, repetitive and deserve yourhope and change.

Remember President Coke-Whore when your taxes go up $2300 if your income is $40,000.

You do make minimum 40k, don't you? I mean, you're all so smart, you can get to that figure right?
If you won't mind handing over the extra 2300 for Hope and Coke, why don't you have some core principles and do it now?

Basil Plumley| 3.5.09 @ 11:05AM

My Goodness, The Leavenworth Kid aka Interloper has fans.
Oh, you little boys, or is it little girls (Interloopy, you never told us) run away, run as fast as you can before his toxic charms befell you. He even tempts you with popcorn. I guess the candy bit got a little old.

Oddly, Interloopy sits in judgement in the land once known as America; land of the free and home of the brave. It has truly become an Obamination.

BTW, Interloopy why are you stuck on racism? It never comes up until you interject in into the conversation. Does it have to do with your childhood or your time in Leavenworth?
You have a problem. Then again, like the good little Stalinist you are, you accuse folks of what you yourself are guilty of. Isn't that right Mr. Separate But Equal?

Sean| 3.5.09 @ 11:50AM

You guys are pure comedy. Democrats paint Republicans as ridiculous for groveling before Rush every time they say something remotely critical of Big Pharma and you think that it means that Obama has to go on his program. Anyone who thinks that this is hurting Obama is kidding themselves; Republicans just look more foolish by the day while the President's numbers have remained high. By the way, Al Franken offered Rush a debate opportunity in the 90's and Rush pretended that nothing happened.

CA| 3.5.09 @ 11:55AM

Obama is a coward, he backed down. He looks weak. The people will catch on soon.

Angel| 3.5.09 @ 11:56AM

Basil, LOL. You always make me laugh.

TCInTampa| 3.5.09 @ 12:15PM

Obama is to much a pussy to debate with Rush.

shawnmeyer| 3.5.09 @ 12:20PM

Of course Obama is scared. He'll act like he's above this and has important business to attend to. The debate will not happen because TeleprompterMan knows better than all of us the damage to his image that would ensue. Limbaugh would own the boy in minutes.
Having the facts against you doesn't help either. Socialism hasn't, doesn't, and never will work. Limbaugh would ask him for an example of where government outperforms the private sector and Obama, with no teleprompter to deliver a cliche, would be sunk.

Teleprompter Messiah| 3.5.09 @ 12:29PM

Interloper: You know what the most important motivation for Lightworker's critics is? It isn't race, you poltroon. It's the fact that he's a statist.

Anyone who refers to the tin Messiah as "Boy" is a moron.

Your unified theory that all resistence to Obambi is white supremacy is lunatic. It was predicted before the election that "racism" would be bandied about by his acolytes to shut down criticism. You offer proof positive of that prediction. I mean, he's like so utterly awesome and cool, who could object except racists, right?

I'll say it again, Obama is a politician. He is not a spiritual guide. He is not a prophet. He is not here to elevate us all into a higher stream of consciousness. He is an inexperienced, naive, and foolish man doing incredibly foolish and hurtful things to the long term prosperity and security of this country. He needs to be mocked and jeered just like any other false prophet.

Obama Drools| 3.5.09 @ 12:55PM

Obamarama-ding-along-has-no balls, wouldn't even debate a crippled War Veteran in town halls because he is USELESS without a teleprompter. Come to think of it, he's just plain useless. Just ask the Chicago residents of his Community Organizing housing days.

He can't even make a cabinet announcement without his shifting head going from prompter to prompter, much like his jaw moves side to side when he over-indulges in a few too many snorts.
Was that the facial tick someone mentioned not too long ago, BTW?

CH| 3.5.09 @ 1:11PM

No one on this site but Intergroper calls Obama-boy. Troll tries to cause trouble. Loser liberal.

charles| 3.5.09 @ 1:19PM

Doesn't Limbaugh owe Pat Schroeder a debate? Let him starte there and work his way up to the President of the United States.

manyamile| 3.5.09 @ 2:01PM

think about it . all limbaugh has to do for a job is talk.
he doesn't have to work on any legislation, he doesn't have to actually work on any budgets,
he doesn't have to make any decisions with consequences, he doesn't have to manage anything, he doesn't have to face or accept any responsibility
especially the type that any president, or even any elected representative , or even any working stiff does. he just has to sit back and tell the world how he thinks it should be run
just has to sit back and flap his jaw and stuff his ego.
and challenge people to 'a debate' and taunt anyone , anytime...

i have met people like limbaugh my whole life. no matter how bloated their egos or their pocket books.
they are ridiculous and they are losers.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 2:19PM

Limbaugh fights for what is right and he doesn't back down. Obama blinked. Weak.

Basil Plumley| 3.5.09 @ 2:53PM

@ manyamile
You said-think about it . all limbaugh has to do for a job is talk.
he doesn't have to work on any legislation, he doesn't have to actually work on any budgets,
he doesn't have to make any decisions with consequences, he doesn't have to manage anything, he doesn't have to face or accept any responsibility
especially the type that any president, or even any elected representative , or even any working stiff does. he just has to sit back and tell the world how he thinks it should be run
just has to sit back and flap his jaw and stuff his ego.
and challenge people to 'a debate' and taunt anyone , anytime...

Don't tell us, tell Team Obama. They're the ones who started this nonsense. They thought Rush would grab his ankles like the Interloper. Rush fired back and they are heading for the tall grass with the rest of the snakes.

Being a leader is a huge responsibility. It is time Team Obama took the responsibility seriously instead of playing games with the American people. All-in-all, it is very childish/amateurish on the part of Team Obama.

ruth| 3.5.09 @ 3:24PM

I can't see Rush Limbaugh EVER grabbing his ankles. It's just not in his DNA. Thank God for real men.

Elmer Fudd| 3.5.09 @ 3:39PM

Don't know why everybody is surprised by Obama. He couldn't stand up to Joe the Plumber, he couldn't stand up to Hillary, or Pelosi or Reed either. Putin dissed him, and now Obama and his thugs tried to pick a fight with Rush Limbaugh, and THEY'RE getting their butts kicked. Come on, Obama, put up or shut up!!
And, for the race-baiters, if Obama were white, his ideas and plans would be just as damaging to the country as they are now.
Over the years, I've noticed that when the Republicans are caught doing something untoward, they usually resign, but when the Democrats do something untoward, they become respected members of the party.

CH| 3.5.09 @ 3:52PM

Liberals celebrate vice and debauchery, it's who they are.

Nay T. Lie| 3.5.09 @ 7:56PM

@ #1: Indeed. A 'Master' debater.

Free Willy| 3.5.09 @ 8:20PM

Better than the b!tch, Obomber.

Jan | 3.7.09 @ 1:25PM

In response to Elmer Fudd. BRILLIANT deduction. And YES, I think Obama should go to debate with Rush; However, it will NEVER happen because Obama must talk and WE SHALL only LISTEN to him. Ever notice Obama never answers ANY question?

Willey| 3.7.09 @ 4:10PM

Obummer doesn't have the ba!!s to debate Rush. He's lost without his teleprompter.

Jack Frost| 3.18.09 @ 8:44AM

I just subscribed to Rush. If these Libs in power are going after Rush, Rush is probably doing something they fear...

Bill| 2.21.10 @ 2:23PM

That's why they are going after Pres. Obama. Because he is right and they have everything to fear by him succeeding... they just want to
"Screw the American People"

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Is Obama Scared to Debate Rush?

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