Dems launch anti-Limbaugh petition
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/28/art.limbaugh.gi.jpg caption="Democrats are launching a petition against Limbaugh over his recent comments."]
(CNN) - In a bid to capitalize on Rush Limbaugh's recent comment that he hopes President Obama "fails," national Democrats launched a petition drive Wednesday taking direct aim at the conservative radio host.
"Jobs, health care, our place in the world - the stakes for our nation are high and every American needs President Obama to succeed," says the petition, sponsored by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Stand strong against Rush Limbaugh's Attacks - sign our petition, telling Rush what you think of his attacks on President Obama."
Limbaugh told listeners last week he sharply disagrees with Republicans who have said they hope Obama succeeds as president, and particularly expressed frustration over what he viewed as the "absorption of as much of the private sector by the US government as possible, from the banking business, to the mortgage industry, the automobile business, to health care."
"If I wanted Obama to succeed, I'd be happy the Republicans have laid down," Limbaugh said. "I hope he fails."
The comment sparked outrage in Democratic circles, while defenders of the remark said it was made purely in the context of Obama's economic polices.
Still, the DCCC petition not only provides an outlet for Democratic anger at Limbaugh, but also serves as a vehicle to gain names and e-mail addresses, presumably for later use in fundraising and organizing efforts.
The petition follows reports Obama warned GOP congressional leaders last week that they should stop listening to the conservative talker, prompting Limbaugh’s response that the new president is "frightened of me."
“He’s obviously more frightened of me than he is [Senate Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell,” Limbaugh told listeners Monday. “He’s more frightened of me, then he is of say, [House Minority Leader] John Boehner, which doesn’t say much about our party.”
I'm not a big fan of Limbaugh, but really where were these same people during the attacks on President Bush?
As I think of it, they were probably the ones attacking President Bush. Hypocrisy and blind allegiance is no way to come together as a nation!
Maybe Al Franken was correct when he titled his book "Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot." If he wants Obama to fail, let's start calling him by a more appropriate name. Can you say Lush Rimbaugh? If the shoe fits.....
Time to boycott all his sponsers, all radio stations playing him, etc. Lets see how far the drug addict gets!!
Why do we still pay attention to anything he says? He is controversial and that is how he has made his name, yet everytime he says something absurd, or atleast that we would think a public figure should not say publicly we seem shocked. By continuing to give his comments, which should be taken in the context of his entire rant, we are only giving him the attention he craves IMO.
There are 2 schools of thought.
1) The more he sounds off, the more he alienates his party.
2) Better than a petition would be to tune to another station. Would his employer still pay his 9 figure contract if his ratings crumble?
In a time when America is in such desperate straits, whether you like the president or not, by wishing that the president fails you show that you are willing to sacrifice the country based on your own vanity. Even those of us who voted against Mr. Bush did not hope that he would fail to help the country.
I think Mr. Limbaugh's comments are un-American and anti-American. Mr. Limbaugh has now sided with Al Qaeda. He is so filled with blind hatred that he doesn't even realize what he is saying.
Hit this jerk where it hurts, in his pocketbook.
So much for change!
What happened to free speech? Last time I checked it was OK for an American Citizen to express their opinion without fear of retribution. So much for that huh? People, grow up. If you can't handle the fact that others think differently from you & want nothing more than a narrow minded flock of sheep to dwell amongst........ move to China, you'll fit right in.
On a side note: for all the railing on Pres Bush that has been done over the years this is NOTHING. Besides his desire to have Obama "fail" is because he completely disagrees with the President's policies & a sincere belief that if he does "succeed" in achieving his goals the nation will be worse off as a result. It's NOT personal.
I hope rush dies of anus cancer!
Given the desperate economic situation of our country, I find offensive that an egotistical maniac like Limbaugh dares to put his own personal wishes before the well being of the American people.
No need for a petition – Limbaugh disqualifies himself.
If Rush believes anyone who speaks out against his insanity is afraid of him then his motive is power.
He feeds on people disagreeing with him or being angry because he feels it gives him power. Look at what I did! I must be important! Look at all these people upset with what I say! I must be saying really important things!
He has no conscience. He doesn't care if what he says is rational or not. He doesn't care about America. He doesn't care about us. He cares about power.
The government is not going to absorb the private sector. That's an incredibly ridiculous statement. The Republicans have been givng big business and rich people breaks all along and that wasn't considered absorbing the private sector. His argument is emotional and intended to manipulate. It doesn't even make any sense.
He's like a little kid that will be bad to get attention. We need to work together now and it's really sad that he appears to be manipulating Republicans in congress.
Rush Limbaugh is such a joke... I don't believe there are so many sheep... er... I mean, conservatives out there that are so easily led around by Limbaugh rather than thinking for themselves. But I guess in some ways this is a good thing, myopic views like his are what will keep the Republican party shrinking. I gotta say good luck in 2010, GOP.
Sounds like the Democrats are starting their sensorship campaign. Can we start a anti Obama petition????
Sorry to say, that as long as we have the Freedom of Speech in this country, Rush is allowed to say what he pleases. In fact, if these liberals are so uptight about what Rush says, then they shouldn't listen to him. What good does a petition do? In fact, all it is doing is bringing in more ratings for Rush. Liberals are sometimes the stupidiest people in the world. They aren't going to fire Rush, so petitioning is about as smart as sticking your tongue to a frozen light pole. Get a life, learn that congress is the problem with our country, and leave Rush alone, you hurt him more by ignoring him.
i am not a fan of Rush, but this is ridiculous. instead of trying to work together for the good of the American public, the leaders of both parties are devolving into these types of attacks. this also distracts from the real debate – should the government be buying up private enterprise? i say "NO!" the Constitution does not allow for this. let the free market work itself out. if banks/businesses fail, it is because of their unsound business practices. the economy will be rough for awhile, but how at least future generations will be able to prosper. under the current plan, we are just putting the problem off and pushing the effects further into the future. it will be much, much worse when it all catches up.....and comes crumbling down.
Like Al Franken said "Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot"
Yep–our tax dollars at work. Dems are far more invested in launching a diatribe–and the inevitable witch hunt that follows–against a radio commentator with whom they disagree than actually getting anything done. We're still fighting a 2 front war, jobs are being lost at a rate of thousands daily, people are dying in their homes because they can't afford their utilities or because their city services are so severely cut that they are being killed in their cars because snow-covered roads aren't being plowed. But by golly, Rush exerts his first amendent rights and that goes to the fore in improving the health of our nation as a whole. Idiots.....
If Jesus Christ himself came back to life and labeled himself as a Democrat, Rush would complain.
He just doesn't get that people like himself are obsolete.
Rush has taken too many drugs...his brain is gone.
I'm so happy for once people are responding back to Rush Limbaugh. It's time he got a dose of his toxic medicine. Let's see how much he likes being attacked publicly!
Why are you afraid of Rush's ideas?? Listen to his complete thoughts, not just certain "sound bites".
saw the entire interview, democrats are not telling the entire story. I agree with Rush, if the president 's goal is to push us more towards socialism, and burdent our children and grandchildren with this huge bailout, then i agree with Rush and hope he fails. We are allowed to disagree with his plans. The Democrats are clearly out of control and this campaign against Rush LImbaugh makes them look childish and ridiculous.
I find it telling that all Limbaugh has to offer is hateful criticism. Generally very poorly researched, to boot. It is sad beyond words that this hate-monger with no plausible solutions to much of anything has such a following among the "low-information voters" who rely on him for their opinions.
He has nothing to offer but knee-jerk, poorly thought through, radically right-wing ideology. Facts mean nothing to him. Just his tired old reactionary world view.
Limbaugh is the most discusting excuse for a human being that we will ever encountered. He is our new standard of 100% on the scumball/dirtbag scale. He makes Madoff and Thain look like a saints.