Get ready for Operation Cantor
posted at 1:05 pm on March 10, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
The White House has decided that they’ve run out of distraction value with Rush Limbaugh and have a new target set for their attack machine. Politico reports that the Rahm Emanuel-David Axelrod Perpetual Campaign Squad has its sights set on Rep. Eric Cantor, the rising Republican star:
For all the focus on the king of conservative talk, Democrats may have found a more important villain in House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, a telegenic young Republican trying to bring life to his party on Capitol Hill.
As the Virginia Republican fights President Barack Obama and the Democratic majority on everything from spending to stem cells, the Democrats are racing to introduce him to voters before he can introduce himself.
- At last month’s White House summit on entitlement reform, Obama painted Cantor as a poster child for obstructionism. “I’m going to keep on talking to Eric Cantor,” the president said. “Someday, sooner or later, he’s going to say, ‘Boy, Obama had a good idea.’”
- In a Washington Post op-ed last week, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said Rush Limbaugh’s voice “could be heard in the words of new Republican quarterback Eric Cantor.”
- In robocalls aimed at potentially vulnerable Republicans in Michigan, Florida and California, union groups are urging voters to ask their representatives why they’re “following the ‘party of no’ and its Republican leader, Eric Cantor.”
- In a series of TV spots, Americans United for Change identified Cantor as one of the Republican leaders who have stood with Limbaugh and opposed Obama’s stimulus plan.
Maybe the Democrats should concern themselves with governing instead of campaigning. Instead of picking new faces for the White House Enemies List, maybe they should concentrate on finding people to work at Treasury. They seem more interested in demonizing opposition Republicans than in doing the basic vetting on their nominees to ensure ordinary tax compliance.
And by the way, where is the Grand Plan that Tim Geithner and Barack Obama promised? When can we expect Obama and his Gang That Couldn’t Gift Straight to do the jobs they were elected to do, rather than just plot the next campaign? Or is that above everyone’s pay grade?
Blowback
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Did they mention he’s Jewish?
mchristian on March 10, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Oh, my God, Barack. Just start a “Bogeyman o’ d’ Month” club and be done with it.
We’re doomed.
tree hugging sister on March 10, 2009 at 1:08 PM
As somebody once said, you only draw fire when you are over the target.
MarkTheGreat on March 10, 2009 at 1:08 PM
I assumed they were going to follow Meghan McCain’s lead and go after Coulter next.
Going after Cantor means one thing: They’re already worried about the House in 2010.
They should be.
JammieWearingFool on March 10, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Bring it, bitches.
HornetSting on March 10, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Eric Cantor is dreamy, although Bohner has beautiful blue eyes.
ctmom on March 10, 2009 at 1:09 PM
What took them so long?
Y-not on March 10, 2009 at 1:09 PM
I suppose they can just go back to the website thenextcheney. Cantor was one of the possible VP’s listed there. I think the entry mentioned a half a dozen times that Cantor was Jewish. Watch for some (barely) veiled anti-Semitism.
Wethal on March 10, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Because the campaign against Rush did SOOOOOO much good, now they’ll try picking a fight with one of the top republicans in the house.
Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it
Defector01 on March 10, 2009 at 1:09 PM
They won’t go after Coulter. She wants them to.
ctmom on March 10, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I thought Rush was the head of the Republican party?
Can’t these guys stick with one message for more than a couple of days?
MarkTheGreat on March 10, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Here we go again… I guess this is the final leg of the Axis of Evil…
America
Rush
Cantor
Mark Garnett on March 10, 2009 at 1:10 PM
More of that “Leaving behind petty politics of the past” stuff, eh?
drjohn on March 10, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Gaia…we really did elect a high schooler and now, instead of an administration, we have a clique of teenagers running the nation.
Bishop on March 10, 2009 at 1:10 PM
This administration is pure trash
Sugarbuzz on March 10, 2009 at 1:10 PM
As the stimulus plan continues to drop in popularity, it may not be such a great strategy to keep reminding people who was against it.
MarkTheGreat on March 10, 2009 at 1:11 PM
You forgot the CONSTITUTION.
HornetSting on March 10, 2009 at 1:11 PM
This is a sign of desperation…and an even worse sign for us, the public.
This guy in the White House, can’t get over campaigning and onto running the country.
It is getting more and more obvious, that he is over his head and he is spending more and more time on what he is comfortable with…running a campaign against individuals.
Well good luck Obama, after Rush and Cantor, you have only about 1,200 more conservative leaders to worry about.
right2bright on March 10, 2009 at 1:11 PM
No.
steveegg on March 10, 2009 at 1:11 PM
That would be a gobsmacker of a tussle…
ladyingray on March 10, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Rush will be off for some charity golf function later this week, so maybe whoever’s filling in can have Cantor on as a guest.
Even better: Cantor as host.
JammieWearingFool on March 10, 2009 at 1:12 PM
I think this is more accurate.
right2bright on March 10, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Hey, I think it’s great that they decided to launch this today. Happy Purim, everyone!
Y-not on March 10, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Ha! You so funny, Mr. Ed!
They’re Democrats. Democrats and incompetence go together like, well Democrats and bribes, Democrats and treason, Democrats and stupidity . . .
Expecting anything positive to come out of a Democrat politician is like expecting a rose bouquet to drop out of a Jackasses butt.
NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 1:13 PM
It’s implied.
bongo on March 10, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Support any Republican, Independent or Libertarian Conservative against these character assassin thugs.
Cantor is a patriot of the Paul Revere brand in my book.
hawkdriver on March 10, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Hey, Hussein – why don’t you stop running your big mouth off and actually do some fucking work?
You twits are so done in the next election.
You-Eh-Vee on March 10, 2009 at 1:13 PM
One thing these idiots forget is attacks bring counter-punching.
This will guarantee Cantor air time…
DamnYankee on March 10, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Ed, they are only capable of the latter.
Vashta.Nerada on March 10, 2009 at 1:14 PM
So when are Ace, AllahPundit and Patterico sending out their memos about throwing Eric Cantor under the bus, since the Administration is attacking him and making us look bad?
They smeared President Bush for 8 years, they smeared Sarah Palin for her entire time on the campaign, and they smeared Rush Limbaugh for 20 years. This is their SOP, but the 3 stooges think we shouldn’t fight back against this stuff. We just play nice and try to be careful with our words and careful what we say and maybe, just maybe, everyone will like us and vote for us again!
This is going to keep happening until the entire Right says ‘ENOUGH!’ I wonder if Ace will consider this a hill he deems worthy enough to fight for…
Michael in MI on March 10, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Small sissy boys who have no confidence in themselves or their programs are left to attacking their perceived enemies. They are losing the country and the people and they know it! They are desperate and it is showing! These guys never stop taking polls! It’s funny isn’t it that we don’t hear much from the “pollsters” these days? Every once in a great while a poll leaks out that doesn’t reflect that badly on Barry, but during the campaign we got polls every day! These polls haven’t stopped, they just look terrible for The One and nobody wants them released right now! BWAAAAAA!
sabbott on March 10, 2009 at 1:14 PM
I don’t think they’ have a Rush-style barrage planned for Cantor. It’s more a slow and steady attempt to brand him as “more of the same.” As a sort of Bush-redux. They’re trying something similar now with Jindal (think Kenneth the page) and did the same thing to Palin (stupid hockey mom). Instead of branding them as boogey-men, there is a concerted effort to associate them with ineptitude. “There’s no alternative to The One; all the republicans are idiots.”
The question is,will they succeed?
Trent1289 on March 10, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Remember when obama cited running his campaign as executive experience?
Any surprise that he keeps on doing what he’s done well?
Mew
acat on March 10, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Anybody else get kinda freaked out when Obama keeps referring to himself in the third person?
IMHO, just another facet to a very warped psyche.
jukin on March 10, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Interesting reading about Purim.
Substituted Esther for Ann Coulter, Mordecai for Rush, Haman for Rahm, and Jews for Conservatives… and I think you have a winner here.
Y-not on March 10, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Boner is more orange than an Oompa Loompa. What’s with that guy???
capitulus on March 10, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Because that’s all they know how to do. The never ending campaign of Barry “The Street Hustler from Chicago” Obama.
What does a Street Hustler do when he’s done with a con? He goes on to the next mark.
roux on March 10, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Yeah, and he would labeled a RACIST!!
“Boy, Obama has a lot of bad ideas, he is just monkeying around”
right2bright on March 10, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Is he really? That’s very good, maybe he will be an influence for more Jews to join the GOP. Why Jews vote for Democrats defies explanation.
Maxx on March 10, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Too bad Jeff did not think of this first. Those guys at Ace’s place are soooo smart:
Russ schools us all.
I like Russ’ argument and analogy, it just also happens to have a Biden quality to it.
Mr. Joe on March 10, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Further proof of the Saul Alinsky method at work. You must have enemies, if you don’t make some up.
Obama taught his methods as a community organizer. Hillary almost went to work for Alinsky.
from wikipedia:
In Rules for Radicals, Alinsky outlines his strategy in organizing, writing in the prologue,
“There’s another reason for working inside the system. Dostoevski said that taking a new step is what people fear most. Any revolutionary change must be preceded by a passive, affirmative, non-challenging attitude toward change among the mass of our people. They must feel so frustrated, so defeated, so lost, so futureless in the prevailing system that they are willing to let go of the past and change the future. This acceptance is the reformation essential to any revolution. To bring on this reformation requires that the organizer work inside the system, among not only the middle class but the 40 per cent of American families – more than seventy million people – whose income range from $5,000 to $10,000 a year [in 1971]. They cannot be dismissed by labeling them blue collar or hard hat. They will not continue to be relatively passive and slightly challenging. If we fail to communicate with them, if we don’t encourage them to form alliances with us, they will move to the right. Maybe they will anyway, but let’s not let it happen by default.”[4]
patrick neid on March 10, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Textbook narcissism.
You-Eh-Vee on March 10, 2009 at 1:17 PM
No doubt Obama, Emmanuel, Begala and Carville are plotting to toilet paper Cantor’s house.
Well, at least there’s nothing really going on that might demand their attention.
On second thought, this is a great idea. Anything that distracts the White House from coming up with any additional brilliant plans to “stimulate the economy”, is a great idea.
NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Now we wait for Steele…and we wait….and wait…
right2bright on March 10, 2009 at 1:17 PM
This administration reeks of Emanuel stink.
fogw on March 10, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Trust me, its something that drives us Jewish conservatives nuts
Defector01 on March 10, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Personally, I’d be happier if he’s stay off the ‘tube and get his staff positions filled. Cantor can defend himself.
Y-not on March 10, 2009 at 1:18 PM
The relentless ongoing campaign will eventually become obvious to even die-hard tools like getalife, DTMH, crapitulus, sthstorm et al and the rest of the mouth-frothing deranged leftists.
OmahaConservative on March 10, 2009 at 1:19 PM
When do I get to be on their list.
I need my 15 minutes of fame dammit!!!
itchytriggerfinger on March 10, 2009 at 1:19 PM
I’m not sure the “Two Minute Hate” program works if you have to come up with a new Goldstein every day. This looks like one of those unintended consequences the fascist left invariably has problems with: Their media accomplices have succeeded in giving most Americans a one-week attention span (if that), and while that’s immensely helped them in the quest to seize power, it’s undermined their ability to establish a permanent hate-object. What to do?
Blacklake on March 10, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Watch. They will link him to noted black-faced minstrel performer EDDIE CANTOR, and claim, by lineage, he’s a racist.
The amateur hour, junior high school student government that is masquerading as a presidency will have its comeuppance.
Oh, yeah. Almost forgot.
He’s a Joo!
J.J. Sefton on March 10, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Yawn . . .
Dead Hand Control on March 10, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Maybe picked it up from his VP. Biden used to refer to himself with: “Joe Biden” rather that first person singular.
Wethal on March 10, 2009 at 1:20 PM
I’d like to see Cantor polish his schtick a bit, but yeah he can get the job done.
Iblis on March 10, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Boner is more orange than an Oompa Loompa. What’s with that guy???
capitulus on March 10, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Why, you thinking of asking him for a date?
Bishop on March 10, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Would any sane, intelligent, moral, non-Obotomized person ever say that?
AubieJon on March 10, 2009 at 1:21 PM
WHAT? Ya mean they finally figured out that Rush isn’t going to run for president?
sdd on March 10, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Ed – I know you’ve been paying attention the last 4+ years. So you have to realize that this is what the Democrats do. They have been doing nothing but this for 4+ years. And what has been the consequences of their actions? Big electoral victories in 2006 and 2008.
So I ask you, why should they change? Why should they actually do anything different, when the American people have been rewarding them for their behavior the last 4 years and *still* defend them after an absolutely disastrous and pathetic last 2 years running Congress an equally disastrous and pathetic first 2 months running the White House?
Seriously, there is absolutely no reason for them to change strategy, when the American public supports them.
Obama and the Democrats have been given a pass on probably 100+ lies, hypocrisies, smears and attacks the last 2+ years. Now why should they change strategy?
It’s high time people stop wondering why the Democrats don’t change and wonder why the American people are willingly emboldening these jackasses.
Michael in MI on March 10, 2009 at 1:23 PM
True, but I hope Cantor takes this threat seriously. Demonization campaigns don’t *always* fail – remember the whole “Gingrich That Stole Christmas” tidal wave in 1994-95? The effort to turn Newt Gingrich into the bogeyman was extremely successful.
Angry citizens watching the economy collapse will be looking for someone to blame, and we should never underestimate the ability of liberals to sidestep responsibility, with the able assistance of their friends in the media and a few useful Republican “moderates” who have scores to settle. If you don’t think Obama has any chance of skipping out of the wreckage of his disastrous economic policy smelling like a rose, while outraged Republicans are left holding the bag, remember how the subprime crisis played out. A government-ordered market distortion that crashed the entire financial system, with Democrats’ signatures on the papers that caused it… and they have *more* power today.
As long as Cantor stays focused, keeps seeing the media as his enemies, and never forgets that whatever his many virtues he is *not* Rush Limbaugh, I think he’ll be okay. He should also keep in mind that the bigger the coming crash, the *less* likely much of the electorate will be to blame it on The First Black President ™. Besides the political tools who drop by web sites like this one and whine about “the Bush depression,” there are plenty of genuine moderate voters who will be made to feel extremely squeamish about pinning responsibility for a gigantic economic collapse on that clean, articulate, record-setting, physically perfect superman the media says is sitting in the White House, making history with every little thing he does.
Doctor Zero on March 10, 2009 at 1:23 PM
This is getting sooo tiring.
Instead of actually trying to “fix” the myriad problems the Obama/Emanuel Administration refuses to admit America really faces, they, instead, continue to play the blame game. Typical liberals. Typical. Next thing we are going to hear is that Obama is a victim of the Evil Booosh Administration. Then, again, this is what I’ve been hearing since Obama defiled the Lincoln Bible.
The President as victim? That should inspire “the best and the brightest in America” [aka Team Obama] to try a little harder, think a little smarter, and actually find solutions.
Instead…let’s find another person to blame, since that Rush thing has played itself out, and the Coulter thing never got traction.
Sooo lame.
coldwarrior on March 10, 2009 at 1:25 PM
They only attack those that they truly fear.
Attacks from Axelrod, Fluffy, and the “Dim One” would be tempered if they were smart. Much as they might think so, this ain’t Chicago. What goes around comes around.
jdflorida on March 10, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Yeah, but in his defense, he’s just reading lines written for him by someone else, hence the use of the third person.
Y-not on March 10, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Let’s play name the next victim …..
1. Glenn Beck
2. Mark Levine
3. Michelle Malkin
4. Ed Morrisey
5. Oddball
fogw on March 10, 2009 at 1:25 PM
“Boy, Obama had a good idea.”
If those words are ever uttered by Cantor, the left will be outraged that he called Obama “boy”.
landshark on March 10, 2009 at 1:26 PM
What kind of White House is this that needs to have an “enemies” list?
shoregulls on March 10, 2009 at 1:26 PM
The relentless ongoing campaign will eventually become obvious to even die-hard tools like getalife, DTMH, crapitulus, sthstorm et al and the rest of the mouth-frothing deranged leftists.
OmahaConservative on March 10, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Unlikely. Ogabe’s secret police could be leading them to the killing fields and they would still be whining about Bush and the CIA illegally peeking at their library check-out record.
Hell, crapitulus would probably be one of the killers stretching plastic bags over the heads of the others while thanking them for their “service.”
Bishop on March 10, 2009 at 1:26 PM
These guys are putting Karl Rove to shame.
rockmom on March 10, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Worse, they’ve been given passes by conservatives and gop politicians. How fast before they roll over on Cantor, too? How long before we start getting lectureded that we can’t behave like democrats, we’re better than that,blah blah blah, after someone stands up to them?
Blake on March 10, 2009 at 1:27 PM
I figure they might have a shot for Crapulus’ problem…it’s orange, leave it alone Crapulus.
HornetSting on March 10, 2009 at 1:27 PM
What’s interesting is Obama said almost the exact same thing about Sean Hannity a few months ago. The dude has serious problems with anyone opposing him.
Doughboy on March 10, 2009 at 1:28 PM
M
LOL!
Blake on March 10, 2009 at 1:29 PM
the enemies list is the grand plan
runner on March 10, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Be interesting to see whether Allah, Patterico and Ace all shove him underneath the bus as quickly and enthusiastically as they did Rush.
Kent18 on March 10, 2009 at 1:29 PM
I think you’ve promoted them to high school status before they passed the standardized tests. (no child left behind, social promotion and all that, you know).
They actually sound more like the kids I teach in elementary school while they’re on the playground. Whining, pointing fingers and trying to kick dirt in the eyes of everyone around them as they complain loudly about how everyone is being mean to them.
SassyDarlin on March 10, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Coming soon: The Audacity of Hope 2
Adapted from The International Jew by Henry Ford.
MadisonConservative on March 10, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Put 1000 monkeys on 1000 typewriters for 1000 years and eventually, one of them will write a Shakespeare play.
Or perhaps an economic plan with a modicum of sense to it.
We can “Hope”.
NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 1:31 PM
WILD, ROCK CONCERT CLAPPING !!!!
Mark Garnett on March 10, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Y-not on March 10, 2009 at 1:32 PM
OK, now I have to report on a conversation I had with a liberal friend at my (modern) orthodox synagogue after shabbat services. He’s a really good guy, but he’s politically misguided.
Him: What do you think about the Administration withdrawing from Durban II? You predicted they’d never back out. Will you admit you were wrong?
Me: No. They never should have participated in the first place. They’re all anti-semites at Durban, and there’s no way you could get them to agree to anything useful. Do you go into a brothel and say, “I’ll stay and talk so long as everyone acts completely morally here”?
Me: And what do YOU think of spending $900 million on rebuilding Gaza?
Him: Well….
Me: What do you think of Hillary blaming Israel for removing illegal housing in East Jerusalem?
Him: Well….
Me: What do you think of Chas Freeman?
Him: That’s the worst of them all.
Me: There’s nothing that could get the Jews to stop supporting Obama. If we held the election tomorrow, he’d still get 80% of the Jewish vote.
Then I turned to another friend and said: You remember that James Baker allegedly said about the Jews, “F*** ‘em, they don’t vote for us”? Well, Obama’s saying, “F*** ‘em, they DO vote for us.”
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on March 10, 2009 at 1:33 PM
sure he will, when Obama retires after 6 mos in office due to “exhaustion”
runner on March 10, 2009 at 1:33 PM
No we can’t.
The President’s policies are working.
The bush depression is over.
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Glenn Beck would make the most sense as the next boogeyman, but he has a tv and a radio show and I doubt Glenn would back down.
gsherin on March 10, 2009 at 1:33 PM
So all the more important to be on the offensive against the dems. Fight fire with fire. If they want to campaign even after winning, we should campaign right back. But, I fear Steele isn’t up to that task.
darii on March 10, 2009 at 1:33 PM
This dumb Acting President would be real comedy value, except for all the comedians are members of PRAVDA USA.
It’s truly instructive to hear him when his teleprompter buddy is on the fritz. And the Democrats thought Bush was dumb.
tarpon on March 10, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Nah, crapitulus just wants the bone. Forget the date
OmahaConservative on March 10, 2009 at 1:34 PM
I’m sorry, but out of concern for the future of the Republican Party, I denounce your comment as “ugly,” “incendiary,” and “irrational”… oh, and RAAACISSST!
I believe we learned last month that references to the Infinite Monkey Theorem are inherently racist, personal attacks on Fearless Leader.
/sarc
Y-not on March 10, 2009 at 1:35 PM
It’s not about making the host back down. It’s ultimately about creating a negative stereotype which becomes all the public knows about said individual. That said, I don’t think Beck is next.
darii on March 10, 2009 at 1:35 PM
What &%*##*& planet do you live on?
HornetSting on March 10, 2009 at 1:35 PM
HornetSting on March 10, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Earth.
Enough with the doom and gloom.
Today is a great day.
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 1:36 PM
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Oh, look who’s here, the One Trick Pony and his Magical Talking Point.
It’s times like this that I actually miss Noneya; the little “accident” she had while planting IED’s elevated getaclue to resident jackalope at HA. More’s the pity.
Bishop on March 10, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Explain why my mutual funds have plunged over 50% since Obama’s been elected?. Explain why everyone’s money is in the toilet. It’s OBAMA. Get a life and get out of here, you nut.
darii on March 10, 2009 at 1:37 PM
“Il sole siciliano le ha cotto il cervello.”
runner on March 10, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Get ready for the Parker, Frum, Brooks typical hitpieces …
And get ready for HotAir to give every single one of them air time.
Anything to keep us chewing on each other while the economy and our democracy burns.
HondaV65 on March 10, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Uranus…he has little inherent knowledge which makes him the perfect pain-in-the-ass stooge for the left.
genso on March 10, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Is it OK to compare Obama to a hamster on a treadwheel?
A non-housebroken puppy?
A cat who just sharpened his claws on your leather jacket?
A pigeon who dropped a load on your best Sunday hat?
A dead fish that’s been sitting for two weeks in your trash bin?
What animal is appropriate?
NoDonkey on March 10, 2009 at 1:38 PM
That Cantor is such a weasely (sp?) flunky. I remember when he came out to the cameras waving the text of Nancy Pelosi’s speech that he claimed destroyed the bailout bill. Boo hoo – the libruls talked mean to us!
capitulus on March 10, 2009 at 1:39 PM
I do pity those who want our country to fail.
They lose everytime.
Let us celebrate the end of the bush depression.
Dow up 300 and the President’s policies are working.
getalife on March 10, 2009 at 1:39 PM
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