Audio: Limbaugh resigns as head of the Republican Party
posted at 3:05 pm on May 20, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Not that this will stop MSNBC from mentioning him every half-hour to help push the Democrats’ “l’etat, c’est Rush” message about the GOP, but his resignation has been duly tendered and the deed is done. What choice did he have, really? Now that there’s a purer, truer conservative on the scene who’s available to replace him, he did the only gallant thing he could and stepped aside. The clip doesn’t capture all his remarks on this subject today but I recommend listening to it before clicking this link. Otherwise you’ll spoil the surprise.
Exit question: Does this mean Darwinism’s back in vogue on the right? Click the image to listen.
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The same party that screwed us blue this time and is willing to as many times as Conservatives allow the temptation to take hold.
Speakup on May 20, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Why all the Rush hate? Is it because you cannot believe that everything the guy has told would happen has? Is it because he so successful? I thank my lucky stars that Rush is around. Powell and his wishy washy ways only made sure Saddam was still around in 2003. And look where that got us. The General had a half a million troops on the ground and decided to let Saddam have a pass. No thanks General.
Armando on May 20, 2009 at 4:06 PM
A serious condition in which harmful intestinal bacteria produce a large amount of gas, dangerously inflating the colon to the risk of rupture is called a Toxic Mega-Colon.
That sounds…so right somehow.
DrAllecon on May 20, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Yep. There is a very large swath of discontent across party lines right now. The tea parties and yesterday’s vote in CA reflect that. Most thinking people realize we are on a train speeding over a cliff.
a capella on May 20, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Fred Thompson and Neil Cavuto just played the audio clip on Fox News.
kingsjester on May 20, 2009 at 4:07 PM
If I recall my history correctly, it is called the Whig Party.
Vashta.Nerada on May 20, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Um, because it is alot easier for them to get registered for comments here than it is to get on Rush’s show, where they would actually have to speak.
BigD on May 20, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Not interested in their gravitational pull or Rush’s personal issues. Ridicule is a tool that Rush frequently uses. It can be effective but it can also limit the range of the user’s appeal. At some point the GOP needs someone advancing its ideas who has credibility with moderates. Long ago Buckley did this in the media. We’ll see who emerges in the near term.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 4:10 PM
ZING!
ladyingray on May 20, 2009 at 4:11 PM
It was Bush 41 who made that decision. Powell as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs had no tactical or operational control over the first gulf war. He only duty was to advise the President.
Schwartzkopf was the general on the ground that won the war and should get the credit for it not Powell.
dpierson on May 20, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Where’s your list? :)
Buy Danish on May 20, 2009 at 4:16 PM
I am strangelet girl
I stalk AP day and night
He makes me horny baby
/strangelet
blatantblue on May 20, 2009 at 4:17 PM
I nominate VDH to lead the Republican Party.
kirkill on May 20, 2009 at 4:18 PM
I find this fascinating in light of Steele’s speech yesterday. Steele knew what he had to say. Let’s see what he DOES. Even my rep Tom Price was afraid to stand up to the Colon and he can usually be counted on. How disappointing.
I think Rush nailed it today and I think we are going to hear more about Federalism from him. I think when he says he resigns, he means it. He will no longer talk about what the GOP should do. He will talk principles in generalities. Opening the way for a 3rd party? I don’t think this would be his desire but maybe he views it as the only option at this point. They are all drunk with power! All!
PrincipledPilgrim on May 20, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Oh BE-haaaave…
ladyingray on May 20, 2009 at 4:19 PM
If we had gotten McLame, we would have been on a bicycle speeding over the same cliff.
kirkill on May 20, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Powell and his wishy washy ways only made sure Saddam was still around in 2003. And look where that got us. The General had a half a million troops on the ground and decided to let Saddam have a pass. No thanks General.
Armando on May 20, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Del Dolemonte on May 20, 2009 at 4:28 PM
If the goal isn’t a political majority then the principles applied will be those of the Dems. Winning elections matters and requires alliances that aren’t ideologically pure, especially when the political makeup of the U.S. varies by state.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Actually he doesn’t so much ridicule as he does satirize. But since most on the Left are so estrogen-enhanced pansies with absolutely no sense of humor, they see it as personal attacks.
Saul Alisnky, on the other hand, was the Father of ridicule as a political weapon. And the last time I checked, he was never a Republican.
Del Dolemonte on May 20, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Yes, and neither had the call on Saddam. That was Bush 41, influenced heavily by Scowcroft.
Re: Powell, he’s an asset to the party. Having him in the fold is better than having an open feud with him.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 4:33 PM
BTW, here is a letter Rush read today from a Dodge dealer:
An excerpt:
On Thursday, May 14, 2009 I was notified that my Dodge franchise, that we purchased, will be taken away from my family on June 9, 2009 without compensation and given to another dealer at no cost to them. My new vehicle inventory consists of 125 vehicles with a financed balance of 3 million dollars. This inventory becomes impossible to sell with no factory incentives beyond June 9, 2009. Without the Dodge franchise we can no longer sell a new Dodge as “new,” nor will we be able to do any warranty service work. Additionally, my Dodge parts inventory, (approximately $300,000.) is virtually worthless without the ability to perform warranty service. There is no offer from Chrysler to buy back the vehicles or parts inventory.
Who is getting these free dealerships? Friends of Obama? Friends of Rattner? Minorities? Democrat donors? Names pulled out of Obama’s magic hat?
Buy Danish on May 20, 2009 at 4:37 PM
I don’t like Rush so I didn’t listen to the clip. But my guess it’s a typical Limbaugh stunt. It’s like when he said he supports Ross Perot or Bill Clinton. He’s going to spend days “characterizing” Colin Powell as the best choice for the GOP.
Alan on May 20, 2009 at 4:37 PM
No, Pappy Bush’s hands were tied by the UN. They wouldn’t let him take Saddam out, and neither would the Arab states who all signed on to get Iraq out of Kuwait.
Del Dolemonte on May 20, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Point taken. However, dealing with the UN was at the POTUS level not the Joint Chiefs level.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 4:42 PM
That’s positively chilling. What are these people doing?
Kensington on May 20, 2009 at 4:43 PM
I thought we just had that…. McCain. That worked well.
CC
CapedConservative on May 20, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Chilling is right! This guy is not the only dealer this is happening to. This seems to be the M.O.
There was a Chrysler dealer from L.I. on Fox and Friends earlier in the week and he had a similar tale, and he is one of the top 2% of successful dealers in the country. He wants A.G. Cuomo to launch an investigation. The decision making process was not made public, and dealers who are being forced to close are not being given a reason. Cuomo is already investigating Car Czar Steve Rattner for pay for play issues.
Buy Danish on May 20, 2009 at 4:54 PM
How is he an asset?
Dee2008 on May 20, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Allah, this is a 1000+ comment thread waiting to happen.
Give this its own post. It’s a real life horror story.
Kensington on May 20, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Who would have done better? Fred? GW Bush? Rush? Huck? Palin?
I think Mitt or Rudy would have done a little better, but probably still lost. Bush fatigue and, especially, the biggest disaster in financial markets in almost 80 years, meant that the election was Obama’s to lose.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Pick one.. maybe one that didn’t have talks with the opposition about becoming a Democrat before the primaries… Maybe one that opposed illegal immigration. Maybe one that was for more conservative judges. Maybe one that didn’t join in creating campaign finance reform that helped the Democrats. Maybe one that didn’t cross the aisle so often that he forgot which side he was on…
CC
CapedConservative on May 20, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Exit answer: Wow. Is Rush still on the air? I thought he evolved into Larry King after Reagan retired.
locomotivebreath1901 on May 20, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Window-dressing, which, let’s face it, is what he’s always been to the Republicans.
Good for Limabugh. Let the Powells and Frums and Parkers and Brookses of the party take specific stands on specific issues as much as they bitch and moan about Limbaugh, Palin, and other unnecessary knuckle-dragging types.
ddrintn on May 20, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Who talks about Larry King anymore? If ever?
ddrintn on May 20, 2009 at 5:16 PM
CC is right on. Stop the freakin’ “need a moderate Republican” crapola, it doesn’t work. Sheesh, Dubya was a moderate Republican, and he was universally hated, if you believe the media.
kirkill on May 20, 2009 at 5:18 PM
What does Rush get, 3 Million listeners daily? Yeah, he’s still around, pull your head out of the 20th century.
kirkill on May 20, 2009 at 5:19 PM
I changed my party affiliation two years ago to none… I no longer associate the words Republican and Conservative….
CC
CapedConservative on May 20, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Robert Mugabe has already used this tactic with white farmers in the former Rhodesia. We know how that turned out.
a capella on May 20, 2009 at 5:21 PM
What ever happened to the staunch resolve of military people like George Patton and Douglas MacArthur. Now we only get the likes of RINO’s like John McCain and Colin Powell.
technopeasant on May 20, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Patton and MacArthur would be considered throwbacks today. Staunch resolve has been replaced by sensitivity and political correctness.
Dee2008 on May 20, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Let’s pick Fred, because I like Fred. I’m not sure what states he carries that McCain lost. I don’t think the campaign finance reform or aisle-crossing issues were going to produce a net gain in close states.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Fred was asleep most of the time, just because he plays someone substantial on TV does not make it so in reality. By all accounts he was a indifferent Senator at best.
dpierson on May 20, 2009 at 5:52 PM
MacArthur’s staunch resolve didn’t aid him in the political realm.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Yeah, he ran a terrible campaign. I like the guy though and his general approach to government.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 5:56 PM
He appeals to moderates, has some credibility on the Iraq analysis, spent his career in the military, and helps make the party look less monochromatic.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 6:00 PM
In other words, window-dressing. He would have absolutely nothing policy-wise to offer.
ddrintn on May 20, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Powell needs to get his card from the DNC,,,,,he voted and endorsed Obama and supports larger spending, more government, military cuts, and abortion. Leave RINO!
CWforFreedom on May 20, 2009 at 6:07 PM
His opinions on foreign policy will always be sought. If he had been at DoD instead of Rummy phase IV operations would have been better thought out.
But as window dressing he adds value. The majority of swing voters are more likely to be persuaded by Powell than Rush–even if the two are saying the same thing. Sometimes it is a matter of tone and credibility rather than policy point.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 6:12 PM
From the link:
Probably not, but then the Republican Party doesnt have much of a pulse these days.
Someone in politics who has an ego? Say it aint so, Rush! Good thing Mr. Limbaugh isnt afflicted with ego problems.
Ooookay. Except Schwarzenegger did win the governorship of the biggest, bluest state in the US. And Colin Powell served under two Republican presidents, both of whom, y’know… won.
If Powell hadnt gone to the UN with his dog-n-pony baloney show, the GOP might not have gotten their beloved Iraq war. And if he had jumped ship in 2004 and supported Kerry, it’s quite likely Kerry would have won. So to say that he’s part of a GOP that didnt win anything is ridiculous. The GOP won the 2004 election largely due to Colin Powell. (By the way, for Rush to say that Colin Powell is “stale… old… worn-out” while in the same rant lauding Ronald Reagan is pretty hilarious.)
And for that matter, who are the Reagan-wing Republicans who are winning elections these days?
orange on May 20, 2009 at 6:34 PM
Powell for tithead!!! heheheh
Randy
williars on May 20, 2009 at 6:58 PM
sorry to hear about Rush resigning as the head of the party……
Does that mean he will replace Hannity as the ASS of the GOP?
greataunty on May 20, 2009 at 7:01 PM
But as window dressing he adds value. The majority of swing voters are more likely to be persuaded by Powell than Rush–even if the two are saying the same thing. Sometimes it is a matter of tone and credibility rather than policy point.
dedalus
As has been pointed out, Powell supported, worked for and voted for the big-eared freak even though McCain fit the template he called for. How does that make him anything other than a racist and worthless POS?
SKYFOX on May 20, 2009 at 7:11 PM
He wasn’t the only Republican to vote for Obama. Being able to pick up those moderate votes as the Dems overstep is crucial. Powell’s support of Obama may have been racially influence but it wasn’t racist.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Little more recent than that; my dad told me they were called “Rockefeller” Republicans. Notable luminaries of that failed “brand” of Republicanism include Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and, the brand’s name sake, Nelson Rockefeller.
The guys Dutch wrested control of the party from in 1980.
SuperCool on May 20, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Being able to pick up votes, moderate or otherwise, as the Dems overrerach means drawing a distinction with those overreaching Dems. Following Powell’s advice would result in Democrat Parties I and II. And Party I would have the desided advantage.
ddrintn on May 20, 2009 at 8:40 PM
*decided
ddrintn on May 20, 2009 at 8:41 PM
HUH?
hawkdriver on May 20, 2009 at 9:26 PM
There is a difference between tolerating Powell and having him drive the agenda.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Nothing wrong with ego when it’s backed up with a consistent, principled stand. Something Gern. Powell hasn’t really shown.
Not sure, but I can point out tons of squishies who’ve been squished.
orange on May 20, 2009 at 6:34 PM
ddrintn on May 20, 2009 at 9:30 PM
How has he not been tolerated? I don’t think his membership card was revoked.
ddrintn on May 20, 2009 at 9:32 PM
The point is, according to Powell, not following HIS reasoning (which leads to adulation for Obama) is intolerant. That’s why he bolted. In which case, good riddance.
ddrintn on May 20, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Cheney’s comment. A lot of comments here are along the lines of “kick him out”.
The GOP can have a moderate wing of the party or the Dems can own the middle. Right now it is more of the latter.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Cheney’s comment was that Powell by supporting Obama had already left the party on his own. Sounds reasonable to me.
The GOP can have a moderate wing as long as it shuts the f*ck up about those on the right “destroying the party”. It seems the moderates have their own desire for purges.
ddrintn on May 20, 2009 at 9:40 PM
He was likely pissed off at Bush & Cheney–mostly Cheney–and saw Obama as a transformative figure for African Americans. If I were black and lived during Jim Crow I’d probably find it difficult to not vote for Obama, especially if I thought he was centrist enough. In fact plenty of white people did just that.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Yeah, there are elections that can be won by the GOP in the North East. Those will tend to be moderates. I agree that the name calling and finger pointing should be put aside.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Which is pretty much what Limbaugh said, and got roasted for it. But the “Obama as centrist” garbage was self-delusion.
The point is, though, are more Arlen Specters a net gain?
ddrintn on May 20, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Senate seats are good to collect–even if the guy sitting it is kind of a jerk. If the party gets to 51 seats it controls committees and the flow of legislation. I’m not a fan of Specter but I’d rather the GOP focused on defending open seats and trying to knock off a couple of vulnerable Dems in 2010.
dedalus on May 20, 2009 at 10:00 PM
Well, I won’t quibble with that. If Ridge were to run in PA, he’d be far preferable to Specter. I’m not an ideological purist, though I do have standards.
ddrintn on May 20, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Is it just me or has everyone but Mark Levin completely lost their ever loving minds? BTW I love that ever single night Levin rags Glenn Beck – never by name but he’s absolutely clear he’s talking about Beck. I enjoy Beck but Levin is on a whole ‘nother level when it comes to snarky humor.
Back on topic. Here we have a President who is constrained by absolutely no visible laws or ethics, who is doing whatever he wants, whenever he wants and the Congress and Senate are happy to hand him everything he asks for in spades with extra bonuses for good measure. He has Limbaugh wasting time with this kind of BS and the MSM saying whatever the hell he wants them to say. People. We are completely and totally screwed here. The lunatics are running the asylum right into ths ground and while this is all very entertaining has anyone figured out how to put this genie back into the box?
This is insane.
BrideOfRove on May 20, 2009 at 10:05 PM
BrideOfRove on May 20, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Bride, know one really cares, so why should you?
foxone on May 20, 2009 at 10:18 PM
OMG! Allah, you didn’t get it at all.
Rush simutaniously stuck it to the ‘moderates’ in the GOP as well as to the liberal media. When he ‘resigned’ [LMAO!] he pretty much told the media that they could now do some reporting
ATTACK!on GOP Powell [is there any such animal?], and gave the republican party beltway insiders exactly what they wanted. ARINO!moderate leader.Enjoying the change yet people?
DannoJyd on May 20, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Gerald Ford’s Republican Party was at least able to win some electoral votes norths of the Mason-Dixon line even if it wasn’t enough to win. Also elected some Congressmen in New England who weren’t perfect conservatives but better than most Democrats nowadays.
Speedwagon82 on May 20, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Great post! Some here post from the hert, you are posting from your head; unless we are in the majority we won’t be able to remove much of this lame legislation that will already be on the books.
Red State State of Mind on May 20, 2009 at 11:43 PM
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