David Plouffe, who managed President Barack Obama's presidential campaign, in 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
by Frank James
Democrats are obviously beside themselves with glee about the way congressional and national Republicans have tied themselves up in knots as they kowtow to Rush Limbaugh.
The latest evidence is the way Democrats keep e-mailing reporters the Washington Post op-ed by David Plouffe who was President Barack Obama's campaign manager.
Plouffe's "advice" to Republicans is essentially something he knows they can't or won't do: abandon, or at least stand up to the popular conservative radio personality.
An excerpt from Plouffe's piece:
The 2008 election sent many messages. At the top: Americans wanted to turn the page on the politics of division and partisan pettiness, and they wanted a government -- and country -- that would put the middle class first.Watching the Republicans operate this past month, it would appear that they missed that unmistakable signal.
Instead, Rush Limbaugh has become their leader.
Limbaugh, of course, told his radio listeners that he's rooting for President Obama to fail -- and hoping the president's ideas for bolstering our economy fail with him. For many Americans, hungry for leadership and cooperation, this sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard. When Limbaugh reiterated the sentiment this weekend, hundreds of Republican conservatives cheered him on. But instead of rebuking the radio personality or charting their own course, Republican leaders in Washington are paralyzed with fear of crossing their leader. Less than 24 hours after committing the unforgivable sin of criticizing Limbaugh, RNC Chairman Michael Steele felt compelled to publicly apologize. He was not the first and will certainly not be the last.
Limbaugh's voice could be heard in the words of new Republican quarterback Eric Cantor, who says the GOP's strategy will be to "Just Say No" -- not for substantive or philosophical reasons but to advance Limbaugh's strategy for failure. Independent voters, those who find the ways of Washington particularly toxic, could be forgiven for wondering whether the Republican minority has any clue what is happening in our country.
Last week's Post-ABC News poll shows that voters trust President Obama on the economy by a remarkable 35 percentage points more than they trust Republicans in Congress -- the biggest advantage for a president on this question since George H.W. Bush basked in public approval of his handling of the Persian Gulf War in 1991.The source of Obama's advantage is critical: independent voters, who give the president high marks on his handling of the economy and his job overall.
Obama won these voters, who famously recoil from what they see as overly partisan and shortsighted politics, by eight points in 2008 -- a dramatic improvement for the Democrats from 2004, when George Bush and John Kerry tied.
Now, the last thing the Democrats want is for Republicans to compete effectively for these independent voters. Or for minority and young voters. Democrats are perfectly happy to have Republicans kiss Limbaugh's ring, a practice which turns off the aforementioned voters no end.
So Plouffe's advice to Republicans falls into the category of crocodile tears.
Plouffe's message isn't really to Republicans; it's to those independents and other voters. He's underscoring the prevailing Democratic message of the moment that Limbaugh is the undisputed leader of the Republican party.
With President George W. Bush gone, Limbaugh is the new albatross Democrats will continue to tie around Republican necks even as Republicans try to dance away.
Comments
The real question is: Why is the Obama sadministration so fixated on Limbaugh? This is ridiculous, really. I think the administration is fixated on him because Limbaugh speaks the truth. This sadministration is working to turn the U.S. into a socialistic state and, therefore, want to marginalize those who are calling out the sadministration for what it is doing.
With all of this sadministration's focus on those who disagree with it, the Obama sadministration is making Nixon's enemies list look like birthday party invites.
Posted by: John D | March 4, 2009 11:26 AM
I love Rush L., Joe the P., Sara P., Ann C., and the other conservative leaders. Watching and listening to them is like watching cartoons only more amusing. The brilliant political tactic of the Obama administration has more and more painted the picture of a Republican party that is led by comedians and showman who are even attacking one another. This approach allows the American people to see the joke that people who call themselves conservative have become. Enormous egoity and lust for attention and money fuels these people who are the Republican and conservative leaders. It is so much fun to watch. Keep it up!
Posted by: Jim Dandy | March 4, 2009 11:27 AM
Ten Swamp articles so far attacking Limbaugh, and never once does any Swamp "reporter" do the obvious Journalism 101 thing: ask Limbaugh for a response. Why not, Frank? What are you and Mark Silva afraid of?
Which is why nobody takes The Swamp seriously as a news source. As a propaganda source, yes, but not as a news source.
Posted by: Ed Murrow | March 4, 2009 11:30 AM
wounded party on it's dying bed
Posted by: straid | March 4, 2009 11:33 AM
I can't believe how stupid the Republicans are being. If you look at and listen to Rush Limbaugh you come away with the impression that this is one incredibly unappealing person. Physically he is a blob of a man with a huge fat head and an unhealthy palor. But his appearance doesn't hold a candle to the hate and lies he spews.
Posted by: nisl | March 4, 2009 11:34 AM
I am a democrat and proud of it. But it worries me deeply when I go to meetings and hear our own people agreeing with Limbo. Many say if Mr. Obama doesn't fail, then the country will. This bothers me.
Posted by: El Coyote | March 4, 2009 11:41 AM
Limbaugh speaks the truth because he personally benefits from Obama's failure - more to talk about, more listeners, and a lot more doe. Limbaugh's livelihood depends on it! My question to his blind followers is - what do you get out of the failure of the president of the United States? Anything?
Posted by: David | March 4, 2009 12:49 PM
They aren't fixated, John D., just adding some wood to the fire that you guys already lit. It's good politics. If Rush is your apparent leader, that's good for Democrats.
Posted by: Flo | March 4, 2009 12:50 PM
Rush is part of the problem in America. That is, he is part of the 1% of the wealthiest that owns 95% of the wealth. The party's over for you greedy bastards.
Posted by: syj | March 4, 2009 1:30 PM
John D. It sounds like you have a man crush on Limbaugh. Why do you feel compelled to defend him in almost every post?
Posted by: pd | March 4, 2009 1:30 PM
It is unbelievable how the Republicans are kissing up to Limbaugh! Please! If they truly believe that he is the "leader" of the Republican Party, they are in a lot more trouble than anyone can imagine. The man has drug issues, women issues, minority issues, etc., etc. What is his level of education? Is he qualified in ANY possible way to lead a political party? I think not. Geez. . .and I thought Sarah Palin was horrible.
Posted by: Janstress | March 4, 2009 1:43 PM
It's so funny!
The Dems are fighting back for a change and winning, and the Repubs just keep 'rushing' to the right!
SWEEEETTTTT!!!!
Posted by: C.Morrisā | March 4, 2009 1:53 PM
It's embarrassing to see Obama's bizarre, singular obsession with Limbuagh to the point where Obama is even keeping a Nixonesque "enemies list" of private citizens. Obama fiddles with Rush while the ecomomy burns.
Posted by: Karen Schell | March 4, 2009 1:57 PM
Why no report on Rush's challenge to Obama to debate his economic program on the radio? There's actually no way Obama will take up Limbaugh's challenge. In a challenge of wits, Obama would arrive only half equipped.
Posted by: Erica | March 4, 2009 2:20 PM
I am an American, Love my country and our President. I am ashamed to even consider responding to a crazy man such as Limbaugh. We should ignore him and never give him the importance or the publicity. We should consider him and his followers as traders to our country and principles. President Obama you have enourus support and will be always behind you 100%
Posted by: Rafiah Kashmiri | March 4, 2009 2:22 PM
What's up with the Republicans? If they do what is right, they wouldn't have to be afraid of Rush L. Right now, they seem like Rush-zombies. They might be trying to "dance away" but THEY keep slinking back. No one has to tie the "Albatross" around their necks. They are doing a pretty good job themselves. They deserve our pity. Pray for them.
Posted by: EddieG3 | March 4, 2009 2:23 PM
I am an American, Love my country and our President. I am ashamed to even consider responding to a crazy man such as Limbaugh. We should ignore him and never give him the importance or the publicity. We should consider him and his followers as traders to our country and principles. President Obama you have enourus support and will be always behind you 100%
Posted by: Rafiah Kashmiri | March 4, 2009 2:23 PM
Pd, no man crush on Limbaugh. It just boggles the mind how this Obama sadministration can spend so much time attacking a radio talk show host. Are we in Russia? Venezuala? Cuba? I just have a problem with the president and his sadministration focusing so much energy on attacking someone's first amendment rights. If this was Bush attacking AirUnAmerica, you lefties would be having fits to the Nth degree.
Posted by: John D | March 4, 2009 3:45 PM
John D., I think the fixation with Rush is that the left needs a new boogey man. With Bush/Cheney gone, McCain the war hero never really being a good target, and Palin even less so, they need a new target. That's the only explanation I can come up with, as I don't think Rush is any more provacative now than he ever has been.
Posted by: Herbie H. | March 4, 2009 3:46 PM
Sorry Herbie and John D. but there is no need by anyone for a boogey man. Obama's team is rebranding the Republican party as being the party of Rush. Except for a small percentage of the population who worship Rush, most Americans have an unfavorable veiw of him. Rush's core listeners will never vote for a Democrat so Obama has nothing to lose by branding the party to Rush. Rush is being used by Obama brilliantly. Republicans arew doing the same thing with less of an effect calling Obama a socialist. Of course calling someone a socialist means nothing since America is already a socialist country. We have public education, Social Security, the FDA, roads ..... None of you would like to live in a pure capitalist country.
Posted by: pd | March 4, 2009 4:24 PM
If Limbaugh wants to debate the President of the United States, let him run for President and debate him in the appropriate arena.
You don't just mouth off, well level headed people don't just mouth off and demand the President debate them. Idiot.
Posted by: Mary | March 4, 2009 4:38 PM
I find it amazing that ANYONE would expect the elected (yes, elected) Leader and CIC of the US to make time to debate an egotistical mouthpiece of talk radio. No CEO would be expected to do participate, yet listeners think it's telling that our President won't bow to Springer-style tactics? C;mon, now...
BTW, anyone ever try to get through Rush's screeners with a dissenting opinion? Never happen. I guess listeners only want to hear one answer- and they don't even get that it is JUST one highly-paid entertainer's opinion...
Posted by: Mike | March 4, 2009 5:13 PM
58,000,000 people voted for the republican candidate in 2008.
Bet that NONE of those votes would change today, but enough of those that voted democrat would change their votes in a heartbeat..just to change the election results.
The democrats are not going to take the presidency in 2012. Obama is a one-termer.
Too much spending. Pelosi and Reid went OVERBOARD with their spending.
At one time there was hope, not now. Too much political game-playing that is starting to destroy the Obama presidency.
Obama needs to straighten out his buds that are creating distractions and gives the appearance of not concentrating on the problems this country faces.
The American people can see through the games that are issuing from the White House. Get those bums out.
Posted by: Evie | March 4, 2009 9:29 PM
Where is our Swamp scoreboard keeper. I'm sure the score is somewhere near Obama 20, Rash 2.....and we are just closing the first quarter! This really is great entertainment watching the vile party go down in flames. I don't think the pugs will come out of the lockeroom after halftime......
Posted by: Xcellentform | March 4, 2009 9:40 PM
Limboff has a core belief:
There is no such thing as bad publicity.
So, don't feed the big, fat, loudmouthed troll.
Unless you feed him some hillbilly heroin.
(Didn't know what that was until I started looking into his background.)
Posted by: ornery | March 4, 2009 11:46 PM