Top Republican to Limbaugh: It’s easy to talk, not so easy to lead; Update: Quote misattributed
posted at 6:10 pm on January 27, 2009 by Allahpundit
A response to Rush’s claim that Obama fears him more than he does John Boehner: When you have to worry about reelection, ideological purity is a luxury you can’t afford.
“I think that our leadership, Mitch McConnell and John Boehner, are taking the right approach,”
[Rep. Tom] Price[Rep. Phil Gingrey] said. “I mean, it’s easy if you’re Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh or even sometimes Newt Gingrich to stand back and throw bricks. You don’t have to try to do what’s best for your people and your party. You know you’re just on these talk shows and you’re living well and plus you stir up a bit of controversy and gin the base and that sort of that thing. But when it comes to true leadership, not that these people couldn’t be or wouldn’t be good leaders, they’re not in that position of John Boehner or Mitch McConnell.Asked to respond to Gingrey, Limbaugh, in an email to Politico, wrote: “I’m sure he is doing his best but it does not appear to be good enough. He may not have noticed that the number of Republican colleagues he has in the House has dwindled. And they will dwindle more if he and his friends don’t show more leadership and effectiveness in battling the most left-wing agenda in modern history. And they won’t continue to lose because of me, but because of their relationship with the grassroots, which is hurting. Conservatives want leadership from those who claim to represent them. And we’ll know it when we see it.”
I.e. we’ll know it if they stick to their guns about opposing the stimulus, which Obama’s press secretary told the press corps this afternoon he doesn’t think they’ll do. Neither do I — not all of them, anyway. Let’s settle this.
Update: A botched quote from Politico: It was Phil Gingrey who made the statement about Limbaugh, not Tom Price. I’ve corrected the quote above.










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Doesn’t need to be a march, just assemble on the Mall and head to the Hill. April 15th comes to mind as a potential date.
I think something like this would be great if it got traction and a huge # of marchers; anything less than 800 K would be spun as fringe.
Red State State of Mind on January 27, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Again, I do agree with Rush most of the time. But he is an entertainer; I don’t mean that in a bad way. Charles Krauthammer, Bill Kristol, Thomas Sowell etc are pundits…Rush, Hannity, Coulter etc are entertainers.
JetBoy on January 27, 2009 at 7:01 PM
That sounds kinda, er, gay
Better to show up in Washington. The Left has been doing it for years. To paraphrase our not so great leader:
Now is our moment; now is our time.
Buy Danish on January 27, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Leadership is by its very definition
HARD..
So if you are unable to make the hard decisions
or Take a hard stand
you are unable to lead..
Period..
Any officer will tell you it looks easy in hollywood
(hint thats why ALL liberals in hollywood wont serve in the us military) they wouldnt last 3 days in basic..
If leadership was EASY and FUN
then EVERYONE would be a leader..
You bunch of republican morons..
You didnt have the BALLS to stand up to the democrats When Bush was in office
You didnt have the BALLS to stand up to the Theives on wall street..
So your only defense now is to YELL and Scold a talk radio host who is Accuratly making a point..
this is why republicans got their asses handed to them
Your so out of touch you dont have a clue.
and you spend just like drunken liberals.
If you had any REAL BALLS
During the Bailout you would have done the right thing
and let the broke banks go bankrupt..
And you would have them arrested all of those hedge fund owners who were purposly driving the stock market down.
Oh no you didnt want to take a stand
so SHUT the HELL up.
jcila on January 27, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Easy enough to do, using the Internet. Lots of sites and links like the one below….God Bless you Al Gore!
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt
Red State State of Mind on January 27, 2009 at 7:04 PM
What, am I in some Oliver Twist nightmare…his comments basically reduce my conservative view (which Rush agrees with) to that of a drunken English peasant!
mathscience41 on January 27, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Respectfully disagree. I listen to Rush everyday and have for many years. He’s a serious “pundit”/thinker… I think he just doesn’t get that label because he is funny and entertaining at the same time, and his medium is radio, as opposed to a newspaper column or academia.
Hannity I just consider Repub-o-bot 2000– at best.
Pasalubong on January 27, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Let’s make our phone calls, send our snail mail, send our email, then pick a day and go to DC. We cannot let these clowns socialize our economy. Our freedom is at stake.
pugwriter on January 27, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Charles Krauthammer, Bill Kristol, Thomas Sowell etc are pundits…Rush, Hannity, Coulter etc are entertainers.
What’s the difference between these people?
Bishop on January 27, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Try this one…I think it’s the same thing, but at the Freeper site:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2172995/posts
JetBoy on January 27, 2009 at 7:05 PM
BTW,I keep hearing this great MANDATE,
that elected Hopey!
The MANDATE,is 1/2 of AMERICA,
50%,doesn’t give a President
sweeping power and Authority!
Jus sayin!:)
canopfor on January 27, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Obama is attacking Rush, which would indicate that he fears Rush. If Boehner and McConnell seemed like serious threats to the stimulus, then the Obama administration and the press probably would attack them. If Boenher or McConnell were leading us well, they might be more feared by Obama.
darii on January 27, 2009 at 7:08 PM
I don’t care if he’s the city dogcatcher as long as his issues are on target, clear and valid and he has the courage to express himself and stand his ground. The current gaggle of Republican politicians are in a perpetual state of retreat.
rplat on January 27, 2009 at 7:08 PM
I know Phil and Phil isn’t very bright.
David in ATL on January 27, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Thank-You : o )
Democrats truly make me sick!!!
christene on January 27, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Their delivery. The pundits write, maybe go on TV and radio, but their delivery is more of a serious tone. Rush and Hannity deliver with emotion.
JetBoy on January 27, 2009 at 7:11 PM
And what influence do these guys have? The issue here is partly issues and partly influence. The left loves to ridicule Kristol (thinking of you Wonkette)but he hasn’t been denounced by Obama because he isn’t that influential.
Rush, entertainer or not, represents conservative ideas. His influence is what is important.
darii on January 27, 2009 at 7:12 PM
No your WRONG!
It’s not easy for a FN loser like you to lead, but for a leader it is like rolling off a log.
See: Ronald Reagan
TheSitRep on January 27, 2009 at 7:14 PM
I am sick of republicans in Congress believing that approval ratings are thier measuring stick. We the people are.
We need to make ourselves heard.
Gracelynn on January 27, 2009 at 7:15 PM
You are correct to point out that the more influential get the criticism. But don’t count out these others (like the Hammer) becasue they do, in fact, influence people. I read or listen to all six of these people at various times. Out of all six, my $ would be on Limbaugh if he were to suggest a March on Washington. Limbaugh seems to elicit the most passion and energy from people.
Red State State of Mind on January 27, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Meet the Palin Principle.
benny shakar on January 27, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Their delivery. The pundits write, maybe go on TV and radio, but their delivery is more of a serious tone. Rush and Hannity deliver with emotion.
JetBoy on January 27, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Ahh, so if Rush were to deliver in a steady monotone, with reflective pauses and perhaps a few harumphs, he would be a “pundit”? Rush, Hannity and Coulter all appear on tv, conduct interviews, write columns and have radio programs; where is the difference?
Seriously, they deliver with emotion and that invalidates them? Come on.
Bishop on January 27, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Fair enough.
darii on January 27, 2009 at 7:17 PM
The news puts these guys on TV to talk about Rush, but when a republican who will talk about issues is looking to be heard…they throw on a 5 lib panel and a moderate.
If we see them over and over…so what. They have to make waves…Rush sees it.
Go out and don’t worry about it…you will be amazed at the results. Stand on the steps at capitol hill. Stage walk-outs. Whatever you have to do.
tomas on January 27, 2009 at 7:17 PM
I can’t remember where I heard this but I think it applies to Gingrey and his “kiss Dem a$$ to play” Republican colleagues…”He couldn’t pour piss out of a boot with the instructions written on the heel.”
sdd on January 27, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Hit the brakes!
I thought the economy was Enemy No#1
Then the Jihady’s were Enemy No#2!
————————————
What the Hell is going on!!!!!!!!!!!
The President of the United States is gunning for
an average American,the MSM with ‘Joe’,now Rush!
Is this what Hopey was elected to do,spend precious
time going after Rush!
I thought their was a Catastrophic DoomsDay that needed
immediate attention!
Or,is the Liberal Party,and Barack,jusy playin games!!!
canopfor on January 27, 2009 at 7:20 PM
You Rep don,t know the meaning of the word lead.You sell out evertime you get a chance and would be a complete sellout if it were not for people like Rush and other true consev. letting us know what you cowards are up to with your back room deals with the dems.If you can,t lead them get the hell out and let someone who will lead and stand for something.
thmcbb on January 27, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Never did I say or infer “invalidation”…IT merely puts them in a different category. Rush is not a pundit to me…I like him for his views, but mostly for his entertaining quality. He makes me laugh.
Pundits make me think.
Therein lies the difference.
JetBoy on January 27, 2009 at 7:21 PM
The confirmations have only proven they aren’t willing to fight.
They are like the Iraqis at the beginning of the war…instead of embracing freedom they are looking for the best deal they can get for themselves.
tomas on January 27, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Why are you folks arguing over whether or not Rush is a pundit?
The libs want us arguing over minutiae. There’s more important work to be done.
pugwriter on January 27, 2009 at 7:22 PM
If his political “influence” were so important, he should run for congress and walk-the-walk.
JetBoy on January 27, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Our trolls are smaller wussies than gnats.
Entelechy on January 27, 2009 at 7:23 PM
I would rather see him move forward with the lobbying idea he mentioned yesterday. Seems to me that would be a much better way to influence policymakers.
And just to clarify, my comment about Rush’s influence was in response to your distinction between entertainers and pundits, not between commentators and elected officials.
darii on January 27, 2009 at 7:27 PM
+1
I’ve listened for an hour to these democrats in the house claiming this stimulus bill is NOT ENOUGH MONEY to fill all of their liberal spending priorities. Infrustructure will create jobs. Spending 16 billion on education Pell Grants does not create or save ONE JOB.
It just dawned on me…………the Democrat Party has just been issued an 825 billion dollar check. They (the house) are sitting here today smugly sending up Democrat after Democrat talking about how they rise in strong support for this welfare bill. Every pet project that has ever been on the “wish list” of the Democrats is going into this bill.
Barack Obama and his Democrats can stand on this government welfare bill with little stimulus on their own. I will not support it.
Rovin on January 27, 2009 at 7:28 PM
Most of the pundits who popped up on cable news this year would sell their souls for a radio gig.
sherry on January 27, 2009 at 7:28 PM
Rush speaks the truth about conservative ideals. He’s a modern day Thomas Paine.
And by the way – what office did Thomas Paine ever run for?
Everyone has a role. Rush excels at his – the Republican leadership in Congress does NOT excel at their role. Maybe they should make a claim like … “we can talk about Conservative ideals better than Rush Limbaugh can”.
Hmmm … riiiiiigght.
HondaV65 on January 27, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Do those talking heads get paid per appearance or is their compensation merely the privilege of being on air? I assume regular contributors like our dear leader Michelle) might have some sort of contract….
darii on January 27, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Geez people; in his first week, Obama has pushed through everybody & everything on his plate. This includes a tax cheater who is now running the IRS, a woman who is owned by the Chinese running the State Dept., and many other men/woman who would never have been signed into office if they were Republican.
Oh, but yes we have Republican politicians representing us in DC…. What a freakin joke that is! You Republican wussies will get NO respect from millions of us until you realize that a PRINCIPLE is exactly that, a PRINCIPLE. You’re in the minority now because of moderate Liberals like McCain, Graham, Snow, Collins, and that POS from Nebraska.
Want a good example of a principled human, his name would be Coach Tony Dungy. Every American (man/woman/child) should read this man’s new book “Quiet Strength.” Every politician should be forced to read this book, and then tell the public just how this book relates to the politicians actions/motives. Never happen, but it should!
Keemo on January 27, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Rush sells a product. Ideas.
And if his audience didn’t like those ideas, didn’t listen, Rush would be selling shoes in Cleveland or someplace. That he has maintained an audience over decades says that his product sells. This is entrepreneurship, the stuff that enables capitalism and free markets to work. Air America didn’t sell. Why is that? Mega-millions pumped into Air America…touted as the true voice of the people…and it has what percentage of the audience?
Telling Rush to shut up…by a President and members of Congress, no less, strikes at the heart of the free market of ideas. Any Republican who goes to the Dark Side and starts to trash Rush, or call for his silence, is making a move in a direction not easily corrected…the trouncing of the free market of ideas.
Is Rush right 100% of the time? Of course not. But his market share has remained strong and may be growing in light of this most recent attempt to silence him.
Nobody is ordering people to listen to Rush. But they do.
If the Left can come up with a similar “vox populi” that can garner a similar share of the market as Rush, they are most welcome to try. Let the free market decide. As has been proven time and time again, whenever government (be it a President or Congress) tries to muck up the free market nothing good ever comes of it…ever.
BTW, haven’t listened to Rush for years, since the Clinton impeachment days, actually, think I’ll start again…help him grow his market share…for no other reason that to p*ss off the Dems.
coldwarrior on January 27, 2009 at 7:33 PM
My response:
True. Now let us know when you start leading.
One measure of a leader (for better or worse) is who follows them. If no one is following you, you’re probably not a leader.
TheUnrepentantGeek on January 27, 2009 at 7:36 PM
A Congressional Seat is one of many ways to exert influence. We need leaders at all levels and in all forms. Rush is fulfilling a very neglected area of grass roots “consciousness.” What we are lacking is a caucus that can execute at the legislative level, and a movement conservative at the executive level. I understand what you’re getting at in trying to delineate between classical notions of “punditry” as that which delivers without “emotion”. But if one thing can be laid to rest in this last election cycle, it is the idea of the “disaffected” pundit class, regardless of whom they write for. The difference is that Rush is upfront with his, while the others do their best to hide it.
Weight of Glory on January 27, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Gingrey is my Congressman. He’s a pretty conservative guy, voted against TARP both times. Not sure what his deal is here.
angryed on January 27, 2009 at 7:38 PM
+1. Even better than my response.
darii on January 27, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Guys, I will try to go along with anything we can come up with to let the folks in DC know we are out here. Should we melt the phone system down again? We need to do something, we are getting walked on.
Cindy Munford on January 27, 2009 at 7:40 PM
If his political “influence” were so important, he should run for congress and walk-the-walk.
JetBoy on January 27, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Why? I just don’t get it.
Bishop on January 27, 2009 at 7:41 PM
I’m all for the phone melt idea.
darii on January 27, 2009 at 7:42 PM
coldwarrior on January 27, 2009 at 7:33 PM
Well stated my friend! Join Rush 24/7; the price is right and this will allow you to listen in when your schedule permits. I know you’re a busy man coldwarrior, and on the move. Rush is leading the alliance, leading the fight to keep government from eating up much of our freedoms and liberties. Rush is speaking the truth about ALL politicians, the truth about the diseased power grab that is taking place right before our eyes. We stand with Rush, or we stand by and allow this crime against the people to occur unabated.
Keemo on January 27, 2009 at 7:42 PM
Rush has been doing his thing for 20 years. He has originated and refined a radio genre. He saved AM Radio.
A sitting President attacked a private citizen. Now a elected Representative has criticized him. Turn on the light and the cockroaches scatter. Methinks, they doth protest too much.
kingsjester on January 27, 2009 at 7:43 PM
JetBoy on January 27, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Ah, then we have reached the point of agreeing to disagree.
On the next fight.
Bishop on January 27, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Good observation. I had never looked at it that way.
Red State State of Mind on January 27, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Rush is right when he laments that senate and house repubs DON’T listen to him in the first place. We know this, because if they DID listen to him, they would be WINNING ELECTIONS, NOT LOSING THEM!
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 7:48 PM
I’ve been tossing a thought around in my head over the last few days, but I don’t know if it would focus or delude the energy we will need to do what will inevitably need to be done. What if, instead of focusing all our efforts on marching on D.C., we instead march on our State capitols? What if we demand from our state Governors and Representatives to stand up to the Federal Government? What if we decapitate the power structure of D.C. altogether, by seeking shelter at the State level? We need to remind the States that they are the seat of power for their citizens. Again I haven’t played it out completely, and I don’t know if this would focus or delude. It could focus, because typically local governments are more responsive, because they are closer to their constituents. But it could delude because of the obvious fracturing of the movement. Your thoughts?
Weight of Glory on January 27, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Ditto my friend. I too haven’t listened to Rush for years, but he may be a big part of our last best hope for projecting a conservative voice in this country.
Rovin on January 27, 2009 at 7:49 PM
kingsjester on January 27, 2009 at 7:43 PM
You have brought up a very important dynamic; the potus attacked a private citizen. Now, we have additional politicians attacking a private citizen. Both Democrats and Republicans are now engaging in attacks against the private sector.
Makes me think they are all worried!
Keemo on January 27, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Rush is right. Period. The Porkulous is a HUGE POWER GRAB. He’s the only one who has the balls to tell the GOP to man-up and have more balls than the crooks, Pelosi, Reid, Obama, etc. He calls their agenda what it is.
marklmail on January 27, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Great analogy, Honda!
califcon on January 27, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Keemo on January 27, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Yeah. I think so, too. This is the first time in my life I can remember this happening. It is like the Beltway Elitists are afraid their Kum Ba Yah money train will be derailed by Rush and the rest of Conservative Talk Radio.
kingsjester on January 27, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Makes me think they are all worried!
Keemo on January 27, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Makes me wonder how “worried” they might ultimately decide to be.
I like the idea of gathering and making a scene, both on the state and national arenas, but how soon after that do the feds decide they need to take extra measures to “keep things in control” and start confiscating.
Ah, what the hell, let’s get it over with and find out.
Bishop on January 27, 2009 at 7:56 PM
We should consider everything. As we know conservatives don’t usually do much of this sort of thing. I have written everyone of my Senators and my Congressman.
Cindy Munford on January 27, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Rovin on January 27, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Rovin (ol’ buddy),
Things have gone to hell in a hand basket since the good ol’ days of Captains Quarters. This past week we have seen exactly what Obama, Pelosi, & Reid have on their agenda. This is the fastest push towards the Socialization of America I have witnessed in my lifetime. These people could care less about the Bill of Rights, or the Constitution; these people want power, and they want to put a strangle hold on their power at any cost. This is not the time to sit by and wish for the best. Pressure on Obama by exposing the agenda on a daily basis. This is what Rush is attempting to do. I doubt that even the mighty Rush can sustain this effort for long without millions of us covering his back side.
Keemo on January 27, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Many State governments are complicit in the problem we are facing. They’ll be standing there waiting for their hand out right along with Industries and Constituencies. And I don’t mean only Democratically controlled states.
Red State State of Mind on January 27, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Yes, but they scare easier.
Weight of Glory on January 27, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Call rush and tell him to run.
Don’t go to Washington and go Icelandic on them you crazy kids.
getalife on January 27, 2009 at 8:01 PM
I agree with most of the pro Rush comments.
I listen to him because he IS not as caustic as Hannity or Coulter or the rest of the conservative punditry.
I Like Lou Dobbs to by the way. Enough said, I only have a few minutes.
Rush is like the coach of the team for me. I guess that’s the easy answer. I’ve listened for 20 years. Not as someone who follows like a drone but is waiting to hear someone spout my values and views. Some one who will fight back in a way that I can relate to.
He’s right about the current and past Republicans running things. No need to talk about their spines or how weak they are.
We could have chosen better than McCain and we could have won if he didn’t run to Washington to vote on the bail out and we could have won if my President at the time didn’t allow Paulson to go ballistic and tell everyone the sky is falling.
We need leadership. And right now if it really is just Rush who is taking the lead, then I will back him all the way.
And if they don’t listen in the congress and Senate, well, then that’s par for the course ain’t it…and maybe they need to be replaced.
By us…our guys of course…you know…our guys.
Scoreboard44 on January 27, 2009 at 8:02 PM
Who’s leading?
Economic Cures Are Like Booze for an Alcoholic
MB4 on January 27, 2009 at 8:02 PM
There needs to be a massive, historic movement within the GOP. If people like Rush, Palin, and Malkin would lead the way, Conservatives should divorce the GOP now. The Republican Party is near dead as far as I’m concerned.
I used to scoff at breaking up the party, but now, it seems this is the only way. The McCain repubs have killed the party forever.
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 8:03 PM
I think that Rush Limbaugh is popular because he goes after both parties.
Vince on January 27, 2009 at 8:03 PM
I apologize for the length of this post. I can’t link to it because one must be a member of Rush 24/7 in order to open it. This is an example of why all politicians are trying to shut Rush up…
RUSH: Obama just left the Capitol. He just finished his meeting with Republican leaders up there trying to get them to go along with his stimulus package. Now, I want to explore something in a little detail that I brought up yesterday. Obama does not need a single Republican vote in the House to get had you seen stimulus bill. He just needs two votes in the Senate to get it. He does not need Republican votes. “I won,” he said. He can trump ‘em. Why does he want Republicans on board? Why does he want Republicans on board with this when he can do it without them? Folks, I’m serious about this. If it’s such a great plan, if stimulus is such a great plan, then why not take sole authorship of it as the Democrat Party so that when it works you can then really finish off the Republicans? When it works you can say, “And this prosperity was brought to you by Obama and the stimulus package and not one Republican helped out. Not one Republican thought it would work.”
That would be the end of the Republican Party as we know it, so why doesn’t he do it if he’s so confident it’s gonna work? Because he’s not confident it’s gonna work in the way you hope it works. It’s gonna work, for what he has in mind. But it ain’t going to work in the ways you hope. It’s gonna work in building and strengthening the Democrat Party for as long as we live. It going to grow the government. It’s going to make the government the sole focus of the United States of America, not individual citizens exercising their daily lives with individual freedom. But there’s also another reason. It’s largely about political cover — and I think, by the way, you probably have seen, if you are one who reads the Internet and websites daily, some of the most personal and vicious articles written about me ever, from mainstream reporters. It’s vicious. It borders on, “I hope he gets cancer and dies.”
It borders on, “Why did Tim Russert have to be the one to get the heart attack?” and these are from names that you know. These are from journalists, columnists, both local and national. Now, they’re really irritated. I thought I was irrelevant now. I thought all Republicans were irrelevant! Why all this vitriol aimed at me? This has nothing to do, by the way… Well, some of it has to do with Obama mentioning my name, ’cause just makes ‘em mad, makes ‘em mad. They wish that I would just vanish. So Obama mentions me, and it makes ‘em mad. Just a little professional jealousy thrown in, but a lot of it is issues. Let’s go back to 1993 for the answer to this: why Obama wants Republican votes; why he wants a, quote, unquote, “bipartisan bill.” The fear that these people are expressing I think is rooted in 1993. Bill Clinton passed — and if you remember this, my memory is long. Bill Clinton passed his “economic package” — the tax increase, the retroactive tax increase on people, after he worked so hard for a middle-class tax cut and couldn’t bring it off.
He did that without any Republican support. Do you remember, my friends? That tax increase went through with hardly any Republican support. He tried a few other things, without Republican support. While this was going on, here we were. I was being made an honorary member of the House freshman class in 1994, and there was a distinct conservative message, and that distinct conservative message coupled with the fact that not one Republican had compromised his conservatism by agreeing with Clinton’s tax increase, allowed for a great contrast to be drawn, and along with a lot of other factors, the Republicans won the House for the first time in 40 years in the 1994 election. That’s what they are afraid of. The reason Obama mentioned my name, the reason Obama is desperate to have Republican support for this is to see to it that what happened in 1993 does not happen here in 2009, and that is that no conservative alternative supported by the Republican Party is to get traction.
If he can co-opt the Republicans — if he can co-opt McConnell and a number of Republicans in the Senate to go along with him on this — then when this blows up, they’re on record with him as being responsible for it blowing up. It is why it’s crucial that they hold out. Because Obama doesn’t need a single Republican vote in the House to get what he wants, and he only needs a couple in the Senate — and that couple is just to break cloture. It’s all he needs. Two Republicans. Republicans have got to hold firm on this. They have got to hold out on this. Let Obama go alone like Clinton went alone in 1993. That’s what Obama and the Democrats don’t want to happen. They want the Republican Party co-opted under the term bipartisan, and they want conservative opposition relegated to what people are going to be led to believe is a fringe little band of people out there who we can barely see ‘em, they’re so small and they’re so fringe.
So while he’s trying to co-opt trillions of dollars of the US economy, he’s trying to wipe out the conservative movement and the Republican Party. The last people to see this for what it is are the Republicans themselves. They are so cowed by fear of other things, and they’re so cowed by language and so forth. They’ve got a big decision to make, and that’s why Obama’s romancing them. It’s why he’s taking to them out. I’m watching the press go, “Wow! We never saw Bush come up here and work with Democrats. We never saw a president do this. Obama is really reaching out. He’s really new kind of guy.” He’s trying to co-opt them! He’s trying to destroy them. He’s trying to make sure that he still wins when this stimulus package bombs.
BREAK TRANSCRIPT
RUSH: President Obama, after his meeting with Representative John Boehner and other Republican leaders up on Capitol Hill in a hallway.
OBAMA: I recognize that we’re not going to get a hundred percent of support, uh, but I — I think everybody there felt good, uh, about that — that I was willing to explain how we put the package together, how we were thinking about it, and that we continue to welcome some good ideas.
RUSH: Oh, oh, it’s getting frustrating. I don’t know how confident he sounds there. He can get this passed without John Boehner. He can get this passed without a single Republican vote. He doesn’t want that. He wants Republican cover. Folks, I’m going to ask you one more time, if this bill is so dynamic and if it’s so wonderful, it’s so miraculous, if this is going to bring about all the hope and change, if this is going to bring back all the jobs that have been lost, all the value in the stock market, all the value in your homes that have been lost, why doesn’t he want sole credit for it? Do you realize that if his stimulus bill would do all of that, he would welcome no Republican signatures on board this thing. He could finish off the Republican Party forever if he thought this bill was going to do all that, but he knows this bill won’t do any of that, and that’s why he wants cover. He’s trying to co-opt the Republicans. He wants them to take some of the heat here; 1993, Bill Clinton’s first budget, not one Republican vote. That was one of the many ingredients that led to the Republicans taking the House back for the first time in 40 years in the campaign of 1994.
John Boehner has said, “We’re going to do everything we can to work with the president.” It is my understanding that the gag order has gone out on Capitol Hill from Republican leaders to the rank and file that they are not to speak critically of President Obama. They can speak critically of the package. They can speak critically of the legislation. But there is a gag order on any criticism of President Obama. I cannot say that this is 125% fact, I cannot say this with ontological certitude, but I have heard it from a couple of different sources that this, quote, unquote, gag order exists. Now, Boehner has put out a press release: 20 facts about the Democrat stimulus package. Let me just go through some of these that Boehner has put out, and these are the result of people that have read the legislation.
The $825 billion package will exceed more than 1.1 trillion when adding in the interest between 2009 and 2019 to pay for it. That’s $300 billion plus something. I remember back in the eighties when the Reagan deficits were the monster, the Reagan deficits, the annual budget deficit of $400 billion or whatever they were, the Democrats were just screaming bloody murder, and one of the arguments the Democrats used back then was, well, you know, if we’re going to borrow all this money, and we’re going to have all these deficits, that’s money that’s not going to be available in the private sector. Well, they were right. But the Reagan plan dealt with that by keeping a lot of money in the private sector in the hands of people who build the economy, i.e., us. I’ll give you a little pop quiz. What percentage of GDP is American consumerism, just the American people buying, selling, driving, flying, hotels, American people going about their lives, what percentage of the GDP, what percentage of the economy? Seventy percent is the exact number. Seventy percent. The other 30% would be the defense program, the government, building airplanes and so forth.
Now, therefore, what do you think needs to happen to bring this back? That 70% is not going to be 70% once these people get through. There is $650 million in this bill for digital TV coupons. It’s not stimulus. There is $600 million for a new fleet of green environmentally approved cars for the federal government. And, by the way, that $600 million is double the current cost for the existing fleet. Six billion dollars for colleges and universities, many of which have billion-dollar endowments. Fifty million in funding for the National Endowment of the Arts. Forty-four million dollars for repairs to the US department of agriculture headquarters, 200 million to the National Mall, including 21 million for sod. The stimulus bill establishes 32 new government programs at a cost of over $136 billion. That means that more than a third of this plan’s spending provisions are dedicated to creating new government programs.
There is $4.19 billion for neighborhood stabilization or ACORN, community organizing voter fraud groups, that is, we are paying to fund Obama’s army. Just one in seven dollars of an $18.5 billion expenditure on energy efficiency would be spent within the next 18 months, one in seven dollars. The House Democrat bill will cost each and every household $6,700 in additional debt. The bill provides enough spending, $825 billion, to give every man, woman, and child in America $2,700. Eight hundred twenty-five billion is enough to give every person in Ohio $72,000. Eight hundred twenty-five billion is enough to give every person living in poverty in the US $22,000. And it goes on. There are six more categories and items. But this is just the beginning. Once this kind of thing happens, we had stimulus all last year, didn’t work. We’ve had bank bailouts, and it hasn’t worked. In fact, what’s really damning about this is that a credit crunch is largely to blame for all of this, correct? The credit crunch, because there’s debt out there, we got way too much debt, that was leveraged at 30 to one, unsupportable ratios. What is this? What is this?
This is debt like we haven’t seen in an annual budget deficit. And, by the way, Obama said that he was gonna cut wasteful government spending. Where’s that list? You remember he said that he was going to go through every line and find out the programs that weren’t necessary, gonna get rid of them. Haven’t seen that, have you? I’ll tell you where he’ll find those programs. Where do you think he’ll find those programs? He will find programs that we don’t need that we can cut, I guarantee you he will. Every Democrat president always has. It’s called Pentagon. It’s called the Department of Defense. It’s called closing Guantanamo Bay. It’s called demilitarizing space. It’s called going on al-Arabia TV and saying the United States has too often dictated, not listened. We are not your enemy. If you are a jihadist listening to this, this is a big day for you, watching Obama last night.
Keemo on January 27, 2009 at 8:04 PM
No, he won’t run. He’s said so.
BUT, we should all start a petition to get him to start a new party. I don’t know if he would be open to doing that either, but it could get his attention to think about it.
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Don’t go to Washington and go Icelandic on them you crazy kids.
getalife on January 27, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Worked for the Icelanders; maybe tipping over a few limos with these fools inside would get their attention.
Bishop on January 27, 2009 at 8:05 PM
You must be joking. You want to resort to lib-dementia tactics? Good, hard-working, patriotic Conservative Americans don’t stoop to that level.
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Wow, Gingrey is my congressman and I think Rush is right on the leadership issue. The GOP that still have seats are more interested in going along and getting along. There needs to be unified and strident opposition to raiding the treasury. I understand ACCORN, and their vote fraud team get $4.2 BBBBillion in this
patronagestimulus. How can we pillory CitiBank leadership for buying a jet, when the stewards entrusted with USA resources are this deceitful as our fiduciaries. Please, someone, channel the ghost of Winston Churchill and rant, rant and rant some more — for 4 years if necessary. Do not cooperate, do not appease, do not compromise and never, never, never surrender. Losing congressional votes is fine — but boldly DISASSOCIATE from Obamanomics.Mark30339 on January 27, 2009 at 8:09 PM
In a Republic who is “the country?” Is it the Government which is for the moment in the saddle? Why, the Government is merely a servant- merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong.
- Mark Twain
MB4 on January 27, 2009 at 8:10 PM
I listen to Rush because he is many things. One is that he believes in what I believe…he simply has a talent to express what I think, better than I could say it…he reinforces what I think, he does not give me orders. I often slap my head and say “that’s what I was trying to say”. Two is that he has unwavering convictions that I am agree with AND he is damned entertaining. Of his guest hosts, the only one I listen to is Dr Walter Williams because, like Rush, he is factually sound AND entertaining.
Beck is depressing…always doom and gloom (even if he is correct..I can liste to NPR if I want doom)…and always hustling a book, tour, etc. Hannity, is much the same and I tire of the “Great American” thing.
I was one that said that I hope O succeeds. Of course, what I meant is that I hope he succeeds in keeping us safe from attack, punishes our enemies, and turns the economy around…WITHOUT going Socialistic. Fat Chance. But, I hope he does. JMHO
Dingbat63 on January 27, 2009 at 8:10 PM
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 8:05 PM
I believe that Rush has said he doesn’t like the idea of trying to start a new party either, mainly because the dorks of the GOP and DFL would team-up to crush it, and getting them working together that closely would be a really bad move.
Our best bet is to get the new blood flowing and cease operations of the jackalopes who hold power now. A guy like Petraeus; he’s solid, experienced, intelligent and well-educated.
Look how many people voted for Mac and we didn’t even like him all that much. Petraeus would bring conservatives in by the bucketload.
Bishop on January 27, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Headline on DRUDGE: Boehner says to vote the stimulus down.
darii on January 27, 2009 at 8:12 PM
This great American can do wonders too!
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 8:14 PM
We disagree on much, brothers and sisters, but not on the political wisdom and character of our esteemed GOP leadership.
I see that at least 904 others joined me and chose the weakest of positions in the poll, with respect to voting against socialism and absurd government waste. The GOP is weak and cowardly – and Gingrey, whoever the hell he is, obviously believes that the first order of business for any congressman is to get re-elected.
Maybe his constituents need to help him understand that re-election is not, in fact, his job.
Jaibones on January 27, 2009 at 8:15 PM
On the other hand, in his book “The Unmaking of a Mayor” William F. Buckley talks about how the Conservative Party would endorse GOP candidates when they were good and run against them when they weren’t acceptable.
A new party wouldn’t necessarily have to replace the GOP, only act as a sort of Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.
darii on January 27, 2009 at 8:15 PM
You must be joking. You want to resort to lib-dementia tactics? Good, hard-working, patriotic Conservative Americans don’t stoop to that level.
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 8:08 PM
A few hundred years ago our forefathers resisted the loss of their rights by meeting the government on a field with guns leveled; it’s gotten to the point now where bellowing emails and stern visages aren’t cutting it any longer. THEY AREN’T LISTENING.
Did I really mean attacking Congressional limos, no, but a million people outside the Congress buildings vociferously demanding these politicians finally take some notice, yes.
Bishop on January 27, 2009 at 8:18 PM
darii on January 27, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Yah, that’s a great idea actually, a giant voting block that the GOP would have to gain approval from before nominating a candidate. I like it.
I would foresee problems trying to utilize it on a state level, people having different outlooks depending on their regions, but for POTUS candidates, awesome.
Bishop on January 27, 2009 at 8:21 PM
I can’t imagine a better reponse than Rush’s. I don’t know if he writes his own stuff, but it’s good.
rrpjr on January 27, 2009 at 8:24 PM
The democrats are acting more and more like children everyday. A petition?
kahall on January 27, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Read this; a bit of good news…
http://businessandmedia.org/articles/2009/20090127165919.aspx
Keemo on January 27, 2009 at 8:27 PM
I think a rally in DC would be great idea.
Have all the HOT AIR commenters meet for a post march cocktail hour and then walk the halls of congress and act like smelly tourist, stink up the joint RIGHT IN FRONT OF HARRY REID’S OFFICE!
Anybody game?
katy on January 27, 2009 at 8:28 PM
I’ll be there with my husband and kids. It will be a great learning experience for them.
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Well, if anyone knows that it is not easy to lead, it would be a ‘Top Republican’. Has there been a ‘Top Republican’ in the last fifteen years that has summoned the energy and testicular fortitude to actually try to lead?
The last two that even tried to lead {for more than a couple of days on just a specific piece of legislation} Gingrich and Delay got slapped down pretty hard once they let the Democrats successfully pin ethics violations on them.
The rest, at best, occasionally bark once or twice, maybe get the other neighborhood dogs howling for a few minutes, then they all go and cower in the corner like whipped curs.
LegendHasIt on January 27, 2009 at 8:34 PM
stink up the joint RIGHT IN FRONT OF HARRY REID’S OFFICE!
Difficult to do, considering the stench already present at that location.
Bishop on January 27, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Rush predicted this…lmao. Wow. Not shocking. Sadly.
SouthernGent on January 27, 2009 at 8:36 PM
All I can say is that if the GOP can’t find the stones to make a stand against this “stimulus” insanity, its really time to start looking at some third party.
ddrintn on January 27, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Nah. My senator is “Limpy” Snowe. She has always been a RINO, but for some reason I’ve voted for her. But after this past week, and especially after her vote FOR our tax-evading new treasury secretary, I think she’ll be lucky if she wins another election up here.
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 8:41 PM
You must be joking. You want to resort to lib-dementia tactics? Good, hard-working, patriotic Conservative Americans don’t stoop to that level.
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 8:08 PM
And that’s why cons get their collective ass handed to them.
Play by “the rules” while you’re getting beat over the head.
artist on January 27, 2009 at 8:41 PM
My sentiments exactly. I am growing to despise the GOP.
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 8:42 PM
And this is why we lost control of congress over two years ago.
Cr4sh Dummy on January 27, 2009 at 8:42 PM
And I thought he had some sort of air conditioning installed to protect his sensitive nose anyway….
darii on January 27, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Whatever you say, artist.
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 8:45 PM
Excellent point.
I would like any politician to please tell me what their definition of lead is. Rush has been leading the conservative movement for decades.
It would be a cake walk for him to do what any of these
losersleaders do in DC. They could not dream of accomplishing the great success that Rush has.I smell a tinge of jealously, a tad of bitterness and a whole lot of fear!
katy on January 27, 2009 at 8:48 PM
I smell a tinge of jealously, a tad of bitterness and a whole lot of fear!
katy on January 27, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Exactly right Katy!
Keemo on January 27, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Whatever you say, artist.
ErinF on January 27, 2009 at 8:45 PM
What ever you say, ErinF.
That was fun.
artist on January 27, 2009 at 8:52 PM
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