Operation Rushbo “explicitly authorized” by White House
posted at 6:20 pm on March 9, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Last week, Politico reported that the White House had quarterbacked “Operation Rushbo” as a means of demonizing Republicans, exactly the kind of political character assassination Barack Obama had campaigned against for the past two years. Today, the International Herald-Tribune and the New York Times confirm this, albeit inadvertently, in a profile of Obama’s closest political adviser. David Axelrod gave the order to launch the attack machine:
A glimpse of Axelrod’s day offers a look at how he spends his time.
He arrives at the White House shortly after 7 a.m., a torturously early hour for a man known during the campaign for sending messages until the small hours of the morning. A cup of Earl Grey tea is waiting for him — he hates the taste of coffee and recalls having only two cups in his life — as he walks into his first appointment of the day, a meeting in the office of Rahm Emanuel, the chief of staff, who has been a friend for 25 years.
He attends the economic briefing in the Oval Office, where the latest news and grim statistics are relayed to the president by a battery of advisers. When the classified intelligence briefing begins, Axelrod leaves the room. Later, he and a speechwriter sit down with Obama to review the three-ring binder containing each speech or statement the president will make that day.
Often in the late afternoons, he walks to the Situation Room to attend some meetings of the National Security Council, stopping to grab a handful or two of the M&Ms that are in a large bowl outside the room.
He also helps decide which fights to pick and which ones to avoid, making him a leading voice in setting the political tone in Washington. The recent back-and-forth with Rush Limbaugh, for example, was explicitly authorized by Axelrod, who told aides that it was not a moment to sit quietly after Limbaugh said he hoped that Obama would “fail.”
Hmm. After my initial post on Operation Rushbo, some criticized Politico for overreaching on their report. Do you think they may start to apologize for it, now that the NYT (which owns the IHT) has confirmed it, even as an afterthought?
And for that matter, why didn’t the New York Times report this separately? The White House has ginned up an attack machine to pillory Rush Limbaugh, but meanwhile dozens of high-level appointments have yet to be made at Treasury. They’re too overwhelmed to figure out correct protocol for Gordon Brown’s visit (and too busy to offer decent gifts), but they have the time to coordinate attacks on a radio-show host.
That’s an interesting set of priorities — for both Obama and the New York Times.
Blowback
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This whole diversity in radio bit… so why don’t minorities start radio stations and they can set up whatever format they want. What happened? Did we run out of numbers on the radio dial?
Oink on March 9, 2009 at 7:21 PM
FIFY, sweetheart.
OmahaConservative on March 9, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Idea: Let’s purchase some NYT print publications (lots of them), stack them up on chairs so that they at least give the appearance of belonging at the big boy table. But they still have to wear bibs. WE The people don’t want to have to clean up any more of their drool.
Key West Reader on March 9, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Similar tactics but different motivations. Nixon was a paranoid. Obama is a narcissist.
Ted Torgerson on March 9, 2009 at 7:24 PM
I want them to fail.
bluelightbrigade on March 9, 2009 at 7:25 PM
And we are surprised by this how? The Dem as a bunch of back stabbing, low-lifes who will do anything to further their socialistic agenda, trampling on the rights of anyone who stands in their way (Joe the Plumber). I’m surprised they already have sent the FCC to harass the stations that carry Rush and try to force them to take him off the air.
flytier on March 9, 2009 at 7:27 PM
They’re out there.. They are publicly and privately funded and have a relatively obscure audience. One here in my area is interesting and occasionally entertaining 88.5 WMNF
Everything from funk to junk to punk and occasional wicca peeps, gospel and preaching on Sundays, a little jazz, coffee consumers, gay activists, welfare whiners, angry black guys. They each have their soapbox.. Entertaining.
Quite like our current administration. :cough:
Key West Reader on March 9, 2009 at 7:27 PM
This is what I have been saying. Like Rush said today, this would not be going on if they didn’t view him as a threat.
PrincipledPilgrim on March 9, 2009 at 7:29 PM
This White House is run by a bunch of 10-year olds who are used to never having to do anything and dealing only with total retards who make them feel smart. But they are just retards who can’t hold a debate over much of any topic (other than marxist theory) with adults. Affirmative action only goes so far. What a pathetic joke people have turned this country into, and if they end up destroying us, it will be the worst waste by the biggest morons in all of human history.
P.S. Anyone who didn’t know that the White House was behind this (without any of the confirmations, even) is a moron, too.
progressoverpeace on March 9, 2009 at 7:29 PM
68% of Republicans think the party has no leader and 98% think it has no balls.
Alexrod or Rahm, how about both.
Mr. Joe on March 9, 2009 at 7:30 PM
I just love it….
“When the classified intelligence briefing begins, Axelrod leaves the room.”
That’s media code for Axelrod didn’t pass the TS/SCI investigation. IE…he didn’t have clearances to attend. Being one who knows a little about that I remember when DeeDee Myers couldn’t pass the DSS clearances and was delegated to being a “spokesman”..in other words her cocaine usage was found out by the DSS after she lied about it on her SF86. History repeats itself. How quaint.
buffyvs on March 9, 2009 at 7:33 PM
I remember Axelrod on Fox a couple weeks ago and he had the flop sweats when Wallace was asking him questions about real governing issues. Axelrod is all politics all the time. He used to be a reporter here in Chicago for the Sun Times where Daley tapped him to run his election campaign. All Axelrod knows is politics, hence the attacks when the job of governing gets tough.
JAW on March 9, 2009 at 7:35 PM
But he’s so…*****yawn*****…tired…
uncivilized on March 9, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Do your folks realize how scary this is? And not for the obvious reason?
What if Obama and his merry men and women, after having dismantled the Constitution and deprived Americans of free speech and installed a permanent Presidency decided to send their ‘civilian army’ (brownshirts) over to West Palm Beach to arrest Rush, incarcerate him , torture him and then heventually execute him.
You say that can’tt happen because that hasn’t happened yet. Well let me ask you would you bet your life and your life savings that it is not on Obama’s agenda, would you bet your life that Rush would not be in jail right now if it weren’t for the Constitution, and would you bet that Obama would not ride roughshod over the American landscape with his civilian army if it were not for the 2nd Amendment?
technopeasant on March 9, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Brains. Where are my Brains? David. Give me my brains. Teleprompter and ear piece failing in unison. Give. Me. Brains.
Key West Reader on March 9, 2009 at 7:38 PM
These guys are smarter than you think.
They beat the Clinton machine.
Beat the gop in the general.
And now left the gop leaderless.
getalife on March 9, 2009 at 7:39 PM
For Socialists, the citizens are the enemy.
Maquis on March 9, 2009 at 7:42 PM
getalife on March 9, 2009 at 7:39 PM
technopeasant on March 9, 2009 at 7:42 PM
I know it may be hard for an Obama voter to comprehend, but you’re entitled to say that when Axelrod doesn’t something smart. Doubling Limbaugh’s audience doesn’t qualify.
Rush, you magnificent bastard!
ddrintn on March 9, 2009 at 7:43 PM
He’s Lilly von Schtupp.
Dan Collins on March 9, 2009 at 7:44 PM
technopeasant on March 9, 2009 at 7:42 PM
They are tossing rush under the bus.
getalife on March 9, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Forget the civilian army. He’s going to drive our monetary system to destruction and have to implement (or try, at least) martial law. That’s what happens when currencies implode. The question becomes what the position of our military and officer staff is.
progressoverpeace on March 9, 2009 at 7:44 PM
*does something smart, unlike my typing. But you get the point. It can happen when you type more than 5 words in a row. LOL
ddrintn on March 9, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Whiz kids, for sure.
ddrintn on March 9, 2009 at 7:45 PM
And their followers are even smarter. Wow.
ddrintn on March 9, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Dear Concerned American:
Do not fear, and do not fall for this agenda. You see, this entire dog and pony show is put into place to paralyze the general populus. Know this: You have got to lose that fear, recognize the nose on your face, unite with people of like mind, do not attempt to win over the liberals, and fight. Fight for your future. Fight for America. This is the fight of our lives.
They say that a major battles are cyclicle and tend to take place in 40-50 year intervals. If this is correct, and if we look at the cold war (won by Reagan without a shot fired), we’re just in time for the fight of our lives. We’ll win. But you have to get ahold of yourself, surround yourself in confidence and KNOW! This is America. Nobody can sink us unless we go quietly into that great night.
Put your boots on and fight. We’re going to win. And, we’ll make history doing so.
Key West Reader on March 9, 2009 at 7:45 PM
A president getting into a pissing match with a radio host. GENIUS!!! LOL
ddrintn on March 9, 2009 at 7:46 PM
ddrintn on March 9, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Yup.
getalife on March 9, 2009 at 7:47 PM
I need Oddball Allah to come over here and explain to me again that the WH isn’t attacking Rush…
SoxNation on March 9, 2009 at 7:49 PM
getalife on March 9, 2009 at 7:44 PM
technopeasant on March 9, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Let me tell you something, young man. We are not leaderless. We are not beaten. We are not broken. We are not blind. We are not stupid. We are above politics. We are concerned for the very survival of our nation.
Now, I’m normally not as vociferous as I am tonight, but I am voicing myself because I am really getting angry.
It is people like you that come to blogs like this, take a dump on a thread and think you are being cute. You, sir, are not cute, you are not funny, you are not smart. You are an agitator. A community agitator.
Now. Unless you have an intelligent argument to make in defense of your chosen party and unless you can pull your fat head out of your a$$, you will cheapen your worth to these boards. The same way that Obama has cheapened his worth to the entire Earth, including our most beloved allies.
Take a crap and a nap. Eat some goldfish or cheeto’s and come back when you have something of worth to say. We have no time for community agitators. Entertaining a community agitator is what got us into this filty gat damned mess in the first place.
Key West Reader on March 9, 2009 at 7:51 PM
The Truth and Justice Commission that will convene immediately after Mr. Obama’s first and only term will have a field day. This is going to get incredibly ugly especially after the people, organizations and powers behind Mr. Obama’s rise are discovered and exposed. Keep your eye on Mr. Obama’s past foreign travel as well as those he has met with from other countries. First disclosures will be the identities of certain message carriers and couriers. Money will be involved.
Mason on March 9, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Key West Reader on March 9, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Nice rant.
It is time to go to the casino.
Have a great evening.
getalife on March 9, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Maybe he would like to join us at a tea party.
huckleberryfriend on March 9, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Don’t let the Piece of Crap get to you
trolls are trolls, and this one sounds like he’s paid to post–either that, or he is one bored stupid geek with lotsa spare time
Janos Hunyadi on March 9, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Watch Blago. Carefully.
Key West Reader on March 9, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Whiz kids, for sure.
ddrintn on March 9, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Sure are, because raising taxes in the teeth of a recession is a great plan.
We managed to elect the Dumbest Man in America as our current President.
Bishop on March 9, 2009 at 7:59 PM
“…a meeting in the office of Rahm Emanuel, the chief of staff, who has been a friend for 25 years.”
If my ‘friend of 25 years’ looked like Axelrod, I’d ask him if he were trying to win the ‘Adolf Hitler look-alike Contest.’ Hell, I’d ask him even if he weren’t my friend.
perroviejo on March 9, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Oh honey, he’s not getting to me. He just needed to be told. And, he was.
Key West Reader on March 9, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Great post, made my day. Thanks.
OmahaConservative on March 9, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Key West Reader on March 9, 2009 at 7:51 PM
I feel privileged to be your warm-up act.
technopeasant on March 9, 2009 at 8:09 PM
I’ll go with you to the casino and spin you like a useless hoe from a ceiling fan. Join me.
Key West Reader on March 9, 2009 at 8:09 PM
This is where it gets serious. Tech. This cannot and should not be considered an “act”. What is happening to our country is an actual act of treason. Fight.
Key West Reader on March 9, 2009 at 8:13 PM
True. The other difference is that Nixon was much more competent at foreign affairs.
Y-not on March 9, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Key West Reader on March 9, 2009 at 8:13 PM
technopeasant on March 9, 2009 at 8:23 PM
LOL! You keep right on thinking that. If they are as “smart” as you claim, why did they then install the entire Clinton Machine except for Mr. Bill to run their “Administration”?
While you’re at it, tell us again what the “Clinton machine” has actually “accomplished” in the past two decades?
Del Dolemonte on March 9, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Rove = magnificent bastard
Axelrod = just a bastard
Disturb the Universe on March 9, 2009 at 8:29 PM
On that we can agree — Axelrod really pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes.
unclesmrgol on March 9, 2009 at 8:46 PM
They are the Clinton Machine.
unclesmrgol on March 9, 2009 at 8:48 PM
I have been astonished at the speed that the Obama admim has hurt this country. We are going in the direction Obama wants us to go, down. Summer will be interesting.
I would not be surprised to see Rush hit with an audit, personal property broken, personally assaulted in some “regrettable incident” (like almost happened to Coulter). A few weeks ago the local station (AM 770 Seattle) had a power outage for 20 min during Rush’s show. Very Long 20 min. Actually considered that they had taken Rush off the Air.
To take the Power and Might of the Presidency of the United States and focus it on private citizens is repugnant.
GunRunner on March 9, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Let’s rename the economy “Rush Limbaugh,” then maybe Obama and his minions would pay some attention to it.
Dr. Charles G. Waugh on March 9, 2009 at 9:04 PM
You’ve got it all wrong…, it’s actually George Soros who is pulling the strings of Obama and his White House boys.
apco on March 9, 2009 at 9:07 PM
[Runs out to sign up . . .]
cackcon on March 9, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Surprise, surprise!
GFW on March 9, 2009 at 9:12 PM
So lets get Limbaugh first? Yep, priorities.
gekkobear on March 9, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Obama’s first priority is POWER over people’s lives…
its what him and his mentors (saul alinsky, Soros, etc) are all bout…
right4life on March 9, 2009 at 9:27 PM
absolutely right! I would swear he’s the devil himself…
right4life on March 9, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Who is really running the White House/country?
d1carter on March 9, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Can we start calling Axelrod “Karl Rove II” now?
rockmom on March 9, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Who did Rove do this to?
Jim Treacher on March 9, 2009 at 9:41 PM
It is a shame
Streecar on March 9, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Axelrod isn’t qualified to wash Rove’s jockstrap. ANd Rove is a good, hard player, not a dirty, underhanded cheater and liar like Axelrod.
progressoverpeace on March 9, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Just like he directed the attacks on Palin and JTP.
Jim Treacher on March 9, 2009 at 9:51 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdtFWCrCh0s
RealDemocrat on March 9, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Good idea.
I think I’ve read that Prince Charles favorite tea is Earl Grey. It’s cracks me up to think that he and Axelrod share the same taste.
INC on March 9, 2009 at 9:58 PM
getalife is a ‘proud’ independent, a dope, and apparently, a show girl.
HornetSting on March 9, 2009 at 9:59 PM
That was one terrific rant.
(I’m playing catch up on the thread).
INC on March 9, 2009 at 10:00 PM
OT
How much has Soros lost in these “gyrations” of the stock market?
What is he attached to the most: his money, his political ideas, or Obama and his minions?
I would guess money and if that is so the “gyrations” are a good thing. The Lord gives AND the Lord taketh away. Say Adios to your money and power Soros.
journeyintothewhirlwind on March 9, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Thanks for that info. I doubt Obama would have passed it either if he were appointed staff.
INC on March 9, 2009 at 10:05 PM
A funny thing happend on the Sunday News Shows:
Last week, President TelePrompter’s senior staffers and Dem buddies all showed up bashing Rush.
**By mid-week, internet blogs (& UK news) are a buzz with “obama needs to fix the economy instead of picking fights with Rush”; people are angry at huge job losses.
Sunday, President TelePrompter’s senior staffers and Dem buddies show up saying “it will take time to fix the economy”
Axelrod and Obama are still in camapign mode…I would laugh out loud, but I am really scared.
TN Mom on March 9, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Great. So while most of America tries to figure out how they’re going to exist in the coming, (Arlen Specter says so) depression, the arrogant bastards in the White House are trying to figure out how to best a radio personality. Where can I contribute to buy a full page ad in U.S.A. Today, (oe even the NYT, for that matter) to blast this noise for all to appreciate? I want these freaks exposed for the childish frauds they are.
anniekc on March 9, 2009 at 10:15 PM
David Axelrod is a Karl Rove wannabe he ain’t even close…it’s a case of IQ envy.
Dr Evil on March 9, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Cunning strategy.
Two ways to win reelection:
(1) Turn around the economy, or
(2) Turn the opposition on itself.
Captain America on March 9, 2009 at 10:26 PM
You know, I love coming here and hanging for hours, reading all of these posts. I know exactly whose post to read -beginning to end, because they perfectly portray my thoughts. Thank you, it is SO nice to know that I’m not alone!!!!
conmo on March 9, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Hillary had her vast right wing conspiracy and Obama has Rush. You have to create an enemy and refer back to it at all times.
patrick neid on March 9, 2009 at 10:34 PM
This is what Obama meant by ending the “petty politics of the past,” eh?
drjohn on March 9, 2009 at 10:51 PM
I call him President Jakarta Street Kid Wisdom
That article is rich…
Elektra on March 9, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Someone (Glenn Beck or maybe Michael Savage… I forget) said that Soros was one of the VERY few people who made money from investment last year. I don’t like to go all conspiracy theory on people, but after what Soros has done to some other countries’ currencies, I wouldn’t be too surprised if he wasn’t somehow partially behind this collapse.
Glenn Jericho on March 9, 2009 at 11:20 PM
They’ve already done that… almost
Once they saw that when they attacked Rush Limbaugh, his radio ratings nearly doubled, they decided to attack Wall Street with taxes, hoping that the DOW would double too.
Glenn Jericho on March 9, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Um, Rush would have to be on their side for that axiom to be true.
Don’t you figure between all the work the poor baby has to do and the fact that he’s so, so tired, the last thing they need to be concerning themselves with are “distractions” like Rush.
I can’t decide if Obama is supremely evil or supremely stupid. Today I lean toward the latter.
NoLeftTurn on March 9, 2009 at 11:32 PM
Nixonesque. Let’s hope it ends Nixonesque, too.
Crusty on March 10, 2009 at 12:04 AM
Resign, Bairy. Resign & write another book. “40 Days: My Wife’s Strong Arms and My Weak Will”.
BHO Jonestown on March 10, 2009 at 2:14 AM
Nixon’sObama’s enemies list.Wonder who else is on it?
albill on March 10, 2009 at 6:45 AM
Never ascribe to intent that which can be ascribed to incompetence.
unclesmrgol on March 10, 2009 at 8:23 AM
Disagree. I could be splitting hairs, but paranoia is a delusion. Nixon wasn’t delusional in that many people WERE attacking him. I also recall Charles Colson writing that others saw as paranoia, those close to Nixon recognized as a guilty conscience because Nixon actually was Christian, thereby knowing that would be called account for his mis-deeds.
oldleprechaun on March 10, 2009 at 9:07 AM
Is Chavez learning off Obama or vice-versa.
davod on March 10, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Gee, Barry has his priorities wrong and the New York Times covers for him.
What a shock.
PaddyJ on March 10, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Rome burns while they take shots at anyone they can get in their sights. This is getting old. They have all the power in the government yet still complain that “they’re playing politics with -insert whatever BS here-!” Are some people finding out he’s no messiah! That his skin is so thin it breaks with the slightest wisper of discontent? It hasn’t been two months since this nitwit took office and unfortunatly we’ve just now hit the top of the iceberg. God help us, because there’s going to be a day when the civil discourse isn’t going to be civil anymore but raging in the streets.
But yeah, lets go back to watching them say Rush (among others) is messing things up. Even though they have all the power to pass whatever they want and the opposition can’t stop them…
roopster217 on March 10, 2009 at 12:17 PM
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