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.”
Limbaugh is not just entertainment, as some are saying. I know many who consider him as an advisor and give him credence.
He is very important to the right's wackos.
Our situation is dire. This is the time to pull together and to ignore any and all who would pull us off track.
Our last President failed. Does he want another 4-8 years of more despair!!!! Crazy!!!
I believe rush is a buffoon, who is not interested in what's best for the country, but rather what is best for rush. Having said that, people can sign a petition blah, blah, blah...but he should be allowed to say what he thinks, no matter how trite.
Rush – go take some more prescription drugs – scary that people actually listen to this wind bag!
Limbaugh is mourning. Let him. He doesn't matter until someone says he matters.
Talk about TREASONOUS remarks. We need every chance for success, from everywhere and anywhere, in these terribly troubled times AND LIMBAUGH WANTS US TO FAIL. Just what kind of supposed American is Limbaugh???
He sounds like a conservative first and an American second. But mostly he's a showman looking for ratings. Unfortunately, this kind of stuff keeps people listening and talking about him.
Limbaugh is such a loser – he's always been irrelevant to me, but now that he is to the nation – he's trying to steal the spotlight back. Ignore him and maybe he'll go away for good this time!
So much for free speech! Can we petition someone else we don't like! I have a long list of people who should not be talking!
This is exactly what Limbaugh wants. Publicity. It means more $$$ for him while the rest of us struggle.
How about mentioning where to find this petition?
The Republican party before Country?.....Rush is a Fascist not an American.
Where do I sign the petition?!!
As a liberal who has been voting Democrat for 17 years, I did not want George W. Bush's conservative agenda to succeed. I can only imagine that a conservative would not want a liberal agenda to succeed. This is nothing new.
Why are we still giving this idiot ANY attention?
Limbaugh is a cold blooded, incompetent, and self-centered idiot. He is just one example of a 'typical Republican', who runs on a very low battery, and who absolutly has no positive insight whatsoever.
Limbaugh is a disgrace – : oP
I can't believe the Republican Party is letting right-wing fringe lunatics like this nut drag their party towards disaster. Regular people in the GOP are jumping ship as fast as they can.
Liberals like freedom of speach as long as it is their Ideas. True freedom lets everyone speak.
I don't understand why the media gives Rush all this attention and the democrats, with this meaningless petition, just fuel the fire. He's a political shock jock. Howard Stern has more creditiblity than Rush, at least he's not a hypocritical drup addict.
Rush Limbaugh is just another lose soul.
Who cares what this fat drug addict has to say about anything? Why is CNN giving him so much free advertising and forwarding his hate mongering?
SIGN ME UP WHERES THE LINK I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO RID THE COUNTRY OF THIS SCUM!
Time for Rush Limbaugh, and GOP, to understand the "people have spoken". Barack Obama is our president and we, "as a nation", need to support him.
Limbaugh is brilliant because his stupid comment got him exactly what he wanted, tons of free publicity. The best way to respond to his statement is to ignore it. I'm sure he's thrilled to see this article. I'm delighted that Limbaugh will have to deal with a Democrat in the White House for at least the next 8 years.
GO RUSH! I agree. If Obama Succeeds, then the country will fail. Socialism does NOT work!