Gingrich to Rush Limbaugh: My “right-wing social engineering” comment wasn’t directed at Paul Ryan
posted at 5:27 pm on May 19, 2011 by Allahpundit
I keep thinking of the end of Apollo’s fight with Drago in “Rocky IV,” where he’s already a bloody mess and he’s getting hammered. Everyone knows that the fight should be stopped, but they let him stand in there and take his beating like a warrior. And it just gets worse and worse.
Can’t anyone stop the fight?
In a live interview with Rush Limbaugh Thursday afternoon, Gingrich said he hadn’t actually criticized Ryan’s plan in his Sunday appearance on “Meet the Press,” and that he wasn’t referring to the Wisconsin congressman when he said those words.
“It was not a reference to Paul Ryan. There was no reference to Paul Ryan in that answer,” Gingrich told Limbaugh, who was in the process of gently grilling him about why he used those words in the NBC interview.
Limbaugh asked Gingrich why, then, did he call Ryan to apologize for the remark, if it wasn’t made in reference to Ryan.
“It was interpreted in a way which was causing trouble which he doesn’t need or deserve,” Gingrich said. “My answer wasn’t about the budget, and I promptly went back to say publicly that I would have voted for the Ryan budget.”
I encourage you to watch that exchange on “Meet the Press” or read Matt Lewis’s transcript and judge for yourself who he was talking about. It’s true that Gregory didn’t mention Ryan’s name in his first question, but he did reference Republican plans to change Medicare and cited “premium support” — a hallmark of Ryan’s plan, which Gingrich surely would have known. Even if you cut Newt some slack there, Gregory did explicitly mention Ryan’s plan in his follow-up, which Gingrich proceeded to describe as a “too big a jump” and an example of “radical change.” But we needn’t quibble with the semantics. Plain and simple: If this was all a big misunderstanding about who he was talking about, why didn’t he say that three days ago?
Via Think Progress, here’s the audio from Rush’s show. You will, perhaps, not be surprised to learn that some of Newt’s fundraisers have allegedly dropped out this week. That’s their way of trying to stop the fight, I guess. Exit quotation: “It’s going to take a while for the news media to realize that you’re covering something that happens once or twice in a century, a genuine grass-roots campaign of very big ideas.”
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What in the holy F is this guy fundraising for? His legal defense fund?
Neo on May 13, 2013 at 8:53 PM
This man is a disgrace.
topdawg on May 13, 2013 at 8:54 PM
the Limbaugh theorem..
Obama is a puppet..
And it is now coming to a head…
Bill Clinton style..
Electrongod on May 13, 2013 at 8:54 PM
Could be.
chewmeister on May 13, 2013 at 8:54 PM
Dear POTUS,
It’s Mark Levin who is killing you.
Rush is just digging your political grave… you have picked the wrong fight.
ajacksonian on May 13, 2013 at 8:55 PM
When the going gets tough,
the sissy goes pissy on Rushie
burrata on May 13, 2013 at 8:55 PM
Love the Allah snark. Also good to see you back on twitter.
kim roy on May 13, 2013 at 8:55 PM
Keep Calm and Pivot On Jobs……
ted c on May 13, 2013 at 8:57 PM
Linbaugh – Two If By Tea..
Obama – Fore If By Scandal..
Electrongod on May 13, 2013 at 8:58 PM
Seriously? Rush Limbaugh? Limbaugh is nobody. What is Limbaugh’s audience? Yes Limbuagh has some devoted followers but I don’t see it being impactful at all.
terryannonline on May 13, 2013 at 9:01 PM
Nah. Levin is small potatoes and most people don’t even know who he is unless they’re hardcore political.
MikeknaJ on May 13, 2013 at 9:01 PM
IMPEACH ODumbo Now.
How much is too much?
Now this idiot is complaining that Republicans actually listen to the people of this country.
What is wrong with this idiot?
Steveangell on May 13, 2013 at 9:01 PM
Good one!
VegasRick on May 13, 2013 at 9:01 PM
Does obama’s douchebaggery have no bounds?
St Gaudens on May 13, 2013 at 9:02 PM
Rush Limbaugh is living rent free between SCOAMF’s jug ears. No wonder the left is desperate to silence him.
And Mark Levin/Landmark Legal will take him down. Here’s hoping…
Rixon on May 13, 2013 at 9:02 PM
Govern which to the Husseins means —-
endless partying in their palace,
hosting concerts,
choom and blow,
boytoy,
mooching off taxpayers,
vacationing every few weeks,
golfing ,
sleeping,
partying,
photo-ops,
lying,
partying,
lying,
smuggling guns,
killing Americans,
partying,
flying on AF-1,
speechifying at new locales,
partying,
lying,
jihad,
….did I say partying ?
burrata on May 13, 2013 at 9:02 PM
Excellent point, Allahpundit.
Obama isn’t smart enough to handle this. He only has one play in his playbook.
blink on May 13, 2013 at 9:03 PM
Yeah, just a measly 20 million or so. Barry will blame anyone except himself. Kinda surprised he didn’t blame it on W.
chewmeister on May 13, 2013 at 9:04 PM
Why doesn’t the left have ANYONE who can match up with Rush, or any of our informed conservatives? The left has to lie about everything!
birdwatcher on May 13, 2013 at 9:04 PM
Wow, Obama is giving a lot of credit to Rush…..
Rush gets things done.
redguy on May 13, 2013 at 9:04 PM
Always go with the fallback talking points when the truth gets out. When he makes his next campaign speech, he’ll talk “investment” and “stimulus” to buy off the groundlings.
Philly on May 13, 2013 at 9:04 PM
Everything.
Liam on May 13, 2013 at 9:05 PM
No.
VegasRick on May 13, 2013 at 9:05 PM
Shark jumped.
Lost in Jersey on May 13, 2013 at 9:05 PM
Scandals and lies are oozing out of the White House like dog sh*t through a potato ricer, and the president is out on the (perpetual) campaign trail whining about Rush Limbaugh???
Sack up, you thin-skinned nancy-boy!
Bruce MacMahon on May 13, 2013 at 9:05 PM
Now we need a troll….whose turn is it today ?
C’mon now…punch your timecard and shake a leg !!!
burrata on May 13, 2013 at 9:06 PM
Levin is on Hannity right now.
Philly on May 13, 2013 at 9:06 PM
Jesus H. Motherf%#^ing Christ! Impeach this clown yesterday already. There is more than enough and it’s in everyone’s face. Are there ANY men in Washington with balls between their legs? Enough!!!!
GhoulAid on May 13, 2013 at 9:06 PM
A quality, “warts and all” post-presidency biography of TFG would be really fascinating.
Ambrose’s excellent 3-volume “Nixon” comes to mind.
Hmmmmm..
aquaviva on May 13, 2013 at 9:06 PM
Wow, scientists have been able to fuse the DNA of Nixon, Carter and Harding into a never held accountable man-child.
rbj on May 13, 2013 at 9:07 PM
If the MSM takes the AP breach seriously then it will be the catalyst for them to aggressively purse the other three scandals.
Will they? Or will they, like always, put Liberal ideology above everything else and continue the coverups?
Charlemagne on May 13, 2013 at 9:07 PM
Rush to get another IRS audit in 3, 2, 1….
chewmeister on May 13, 2013 at 9:07 PM
Don’t say that! He might sprain something and have to go out on disability for six months.
Liam on May 13, 2013 at 9:08 PM
Barky is now doing low-information voter outreach for El Rushbo.
He’s gotta being laughing his fat, rich, white ass off.
The old reverse Alinsky – works every time.
Bruno Strozek on May 13, 2013 at 9:08 PM
I really wish he would stop this attacking private citizens. It is extremely unseemly for a potus to do this.
Blake on May 13, 2013 at 9:08 PM
Mark is not just a talk show host.
How Mark Levin Led Fight Against IRS
http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2013/05/12/How-Mark-Levin-Led-Fight-Against-IRS
Newt Gingrich ✔ @newtgingrich
Mark levin deserves a lot of credit for focusing on the IRS and breaking loose the story of its targeting conservative groups. He did it
redguy on May 13, 2013 at 9:08 PM
Total Transparency..
If there are bounds..
We can’t see them..
Electrongod on May 13, 2013 at 9:08 PM
Rush Limbo encouraged Al Qaeda to take advantage of our weakness in Libya!
And probably gave the Stand Down order!
Damn that Limbo fellah!
profitsbeard on May 13, 2013 at 9:08 PM
Obama, the Democrat party, and Progressives in general are an existential threat to the USA, our Constitution, and our very freedom. They are totalitarians and are slowly but steadily enslaving us.
Charlemagne on May 13, 2013 at 9:09 PM
It will be interesting to watch Bill Clinton try and keep his cool during this. His third-term is on the line.
Capitalist Hog on May 13, 2013 at 9:09 PM
Someone give Comrade O a couple of medium sized ball-bearings he can roll around in his hand. It might help him deal with the stress.
farsighted on May 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Mark Levin doesn’t like Allahpundit. He called him out on his radio show — him and patterico.
Blake on May 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Tingles tingle is now a full out electrocution..
Electrongod on May 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Oh no…..we need him around to destroy what is left of the democratic party….
redguy on May 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM
It seems Obama is setting the legacy for his Administration: Scandal-ridden.
Liam on May 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Rush Limbaugh is the reason the Mooch gets hot flashes !!
burrata on May 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Rush appreciates the free plug. He says gracias.
CW on May 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM
He’s a useless tool.
And apparently, he’s not very bright.
LASue on May 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Well, who the hell likes Allahpundit?
redguy on May 13, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Oh, please! The donks are not going to vote for impeachment.
Blake on May 13, 2013 at 9:11 PM
And you need actual evidence to impeach someone.
Blake on May 13, 2013 at 9:11 PM
Meant to quote this before that.
farsighted on May 13, 2013 at 9:11 PM
Yes, that and the fact that he lives by pre-packaged narratives. Thus he lives by script. Today he grabbed the “talk radio” script to try out that narrative.
Weight of Glory on May 13, 2013 at 9:12 PM
There really ought to be a corollary to Godwin’s Law. Call it The Rush Rule: Anyone invoking Rush Limbaugh as a reason for losing the debate… has lost the debate.
de rigueur on May 13, 2013 at 9:12 PM
Obama is showing classic signs of both dementia and paranoia.
VorDaj on May 13, 2013 at 9:12 PM
That’s what the 2nd amendment is for…..
redguy on May 13, 2013 at 9:12 PM
@chewmeister 20 million listeners? Where are these 20 million listeners. I rarely encounter a Rush Limbaugh fan…and I live in Texas not New york or Cali.
terryannonline on May 13, 2013 at 9:12 PM
At first I was mad reading this, then I became glad. Rush is a big boy, can handle himself and every time they fuk with him he comes out smelling like the rose he is. Clinton, Reid and now Obama doubling down.
Mr. Limbaugh Sr., good man and P-51 instructor is proud of his sons watching from heaven, and mother Limbaugh as well.
arnold ziffel on May 13, 2013 at 9:12 PM
I do.
Blake on May 13, 2013 at 9:12 PM
Opposing his corrupt administration means we have a “fever.”
Yeah, sure.
LASue on May 13, 2013 at 9:12 PM
At some point, they might have to, to save seats in Congress and elsewhere, and maybe some LSM jobs.
Liam on May 13, 2013 at 9:13 PM
And what has he been doing the last 5 years? Just that.
So, we have a very strong case of psychological projection here.
Characteristic of the narcissist.
Paul-Cincy on May 13, 2013 at 9:13 PM
I listen everyday. And most of my friends do. You must run around with the wrong crowd.
redguy on May 13, 2013 at 9:13 PM
Nothing is going to happen to the Marxist-in-chief. The left, which includes most of the media, have too much invested in him. The guy could commit mass murder on national TV and still stay in office.
bgibbs1000 on May 13, 2013 at 9:13 PM
Nothing less than the personal destruction enduered by Scooter Libby is sufficient for this POS.
bloviator on May 13, 2013 at 9:13 PM
Good answer…
Duck!!!
Electrongod on May 13, 2013 at 9:14 PM
bark’s next book “Me and the Boyz of Cell Block 36″
VegasRick on May 13, 2013 at 9:14 PM
The figure is tabulated by an independent professional group for radio listenership, like the Nielsons are for TV.
Liam on May 13, 2013 at 9:15 PM
They don’t have to vote for impeachment in the house. Only a simple majority needed there to impeach, that is, level an official accusation. From there, it goes to the Senate where a two-thirds vote is required to convict.
I don’t think anything would come of it in the Senate, but since when is assurance of victory the yardstick by which we measure what the right thing to do is?
gryphon202 on May 13, 2013 at 9:15 PM
I want to see him first :O
burrata on May 13, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Didn’t seem to be any impact in 2008 and 2012.
VorDaj on May 13, 2013 at 9:15 PM
You are so right. Nobody listens to him.
arnold ziffel on May 13, 2013 at 9:15 PM
F&F: It’s Bush’s fault!
Benghazi: It’s Nakoula Basseley Nakoula and the Spooks’ faults!
IRS: It’s the Supreme Court and ‘low-level’ workers’ faults!
HHS/Obamacare implementation: It’s the Republican governors fault for not capitulating!
DOJ/AP: It’s the press’ fault!
Resist We Much on May 13, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Rush living in Obama’s small head rent-free.
CW on May 13, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Terryannonline IS the wrong crowd.
GhoulAid on May 13, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Debunking statistics with anecdotal friendships, are we?
aryeung on May 13, 2013 at 9:16 PM
Beck has been the main hammer in the demolition of this “House of Commies “but the REB knows better than to eff with him.
Rio Linda Refugee on May 13, 2013 at 9:16 PM
He’s just reaching out to the HushRush constituants.
I swear he only deals with points fed to him by his masters.
pambi on May 13, 2013 at 9:16 PM
Obama has no more future…
it expired 7 months ago..
But with all this crap coming out..
Why would the rats stay aboard a sinking ship?
Electrongod on May 13, 2013 at 9:16 PM
He’s okay for a RINO candy-ass…..
ted c on May 13, 2013 at 9:17 PM
1. BENGHAZI.
2. Sebelius extorting health-care execs to fund ObamaCare
3. DOJ harvesting reporters’ phone RECORDS.
4. IRS targeting conservative groups.
CULTURE of corruption.
SparkPlug on May 13, 2013 at 9:17 PM
We all knew it would come to this, in time. We just didn’t know when. Whether it would be too late for us or not.
Thankfully that time seems now sooner than later. Thankfully it seems now Obama’s treachery may bring down him before us.
petefrt on May 13, 2013 at 9:17 PM
Whatever happened to Fast and Furious? Would that be a distraction, a sideshow, or a circus? Or, as Obama said to Univision just before the election, in answer to a question about the many Mexicans killed with those guns, oh, Bush started that program.
Paul-Cincy on May 13, 2013 at 9:17 PM
I don’t post very often due to my extreme despair at Obama being GIFTED another 4 years…..but I have to comment on my utter joy at all his chickens coming home….all at the same time….it’s pretty enjoyable.
BettyRuth on May 13, 2013 at 9:17 PM
Limbaugh with his calling that Fluke woman a whore probably helped Obama in 2012. Obama should send him a nice belated thank-you card.
VorDaj on May 13, 2013 at 9:17 PM
Arbitron, Terry. They sample radio listeners like Nielsen samples television watchers. Rush’s audience numbers have mostly held steady since the mid-1990′s, when his affiliates toped 630. Since then, for every radio station that drops him, there’s about one ready to pick him up. It’s the only explanation for how he got so wealthy, what he calls “confiscatory advertising rates.”
Personally, I think Rush’s influence on the body politic has always been vastly overstated by politicians. But they are not without reason to fear a man who has the ears of over 20 million weekly listeners nationwide.
gryphon202 on May 13, 2013 at 9:18 PM
Levin has a great show on!
Scrumpy on May 13, 2013 at 9:18 PM
Is there anyway I can change my handle to GhoulAidOnline, so folks know that I am like, online and stuff?
GhoulAid on May 13, 2013 at 9:18 PM
Let’s see. You are (at least on paper) the leader of the free, now socialist, world and you imply that the problems you face are the result of a radio talk show host’s influence on members of Congress and by further implication the public.
That says far more about you and your concomitant lack of influence than it does about the talk show host. Or, am I missing something here?
TXUS on May 13, 2013 at 9:20 PM
katy the mean old lady on May 13, 2013 at 9:20 PM
This is a fairly moderate site. Not hardcore enough for Levin and Patterico?
I like AP. He’s been consistent and presents the posts well.
kim roy on May 13, 2013 at 9:21 PM
Funny how Limbaugh is irrelevant one moment, but then the epicenter of “what’s wrong with America today” the next moment.
Psst. Hey, President Constitutional Scholar…those dead, white, slave owners that laid the foundation for this country were pretty cynical about government too.
Just sayin’.
Left Coast Right Mind on May 13, 2013 at 9:21 PM
Does anybody know CPR?
Anyone have some water??
Give him some room..
Electrongod on May 13, 2013 at 9:21 PM
Allahpundit is known for bringing about chaos and discord, but by challenging the People of Hotgas, he also brings about reflection. Without Allahpundit’s influence, the People of Hotgas may become complacent, so Allahpundit does actually serve a worthwhile purpose.
VorDaj on May 13, 2013 at 9:21 PM
Ha ha. So true.
INC on May 13, 2013 at 9:21 PM
WAPO:
This IRS scandal just keeps going.
Curtiss on May 13, 2013 at 9:22 PM
Wow Cheney on Hannity tonite …..hey trolls , go upstairs to the living room and watch …..maybe you’ll learn something
:O :O
burrata on May 13, 2013 at 9:22 PM
Liberals are nothing, if not consistent. And they must do a pretty good job of presenting their case, considering how they’ve put a lock on education and media and Hollywood. If consistence and good presentation are your standards, I’d like to know where you stand on actual principle.
gryphon202 on May 13, 2013 at 9:22 PM
Will the AP DOJ scandal prompt the MSM to strike back? Or will they keep their heads in the sand and, magically, their lips on Obama’s butt at the same time?
Charlemagne on May 13, 2013 at 9:23 PM
Except for that time those liberals invented the world wide web, democratizing access to knowledge and information.
Or that time they invented blogging, allowing right wingers to organize and express their paranoia online…
Yes, time to keep your powder dry and cling to one of your favorite dreams- the overthrow of democratically elected government and institution of a Tea Party utopia!
bayam on May 13, 2013 at 9:24 PM
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