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.”
Wow if that doesn't reek of an attack on free speech, I don't know what does. Rush had a very specific point – he is anti-socialism and he thinks Obama's policies are socialist-oriented. Anyone opposed to socialism would not want the leader of their country to succeed if that meant the implementation of widespread socialist policies. Rush is a talk show host, not a politician, and he is entitled to his opinion. IT's quite pathetic really that the Democrats are wasting time on this at all and that OBama feels like he needs to tell others not to listen to Rush's show. I pray this isn't a sign of things to come under this administration as far as free speech is concerned.
Why? Who cares was this old, over-the-hill gas bag has to say? He is only relevant while people pay attention to him so, ignore Ol' Grumpy please.
He's realizing his free ride is over. Where do I sign?
Good to know that freedom of speech is not really held in great regard. Who cares what he says. If you don't believe him, ignore him. I think he has a right to not want programs that he deems dangerous to the country to not succeed.
Rush Limbaugh is the biggest horse's rear end to come down the pike in many a moon.
I was talking about Obama there, if he fails, the USA doesn't fail, if his policies fail, the USA isn't going to fail. Especially with the amount of spending they want for worthless projects.
One little problem: freedom of speech. (And I'm a dem, so....)
Rush is an entertainer, he needs controversy and is beholden only to one principal, make money. The truth matters little to him, it is all about ratings. I am a republican and hope our president succeeds, this is because of that endearing American trait, patriotism. Rush is no patriot and could care less about anything but his listeners. Too bad, if he cleaned up his act he could be a force for good but he chooses not to. It is the same problem that led him to addiction and hearing loss. I feel sorry for this poor little tormented soul.
I guess this is change!
In my opinion, LImbaugh should be marginalized and made irrelevant. This just elevates him further into the mainstream conversation and gives him more of a platform from which to spew his trash-talk. He has a right to say what he wants. The rest of us have the right to simply ignore him.
I agree with Rush – I also want Obama to fail when it comes to getting his liberal policies in place. This includes national healthcare (which hasn't worked anywhere on earth), as well as nationalizing seemingly every business in this country – just to name two.
I and Rush both want the COUNTRY to succeed at being the leader of the free world and the leader of liberty, prosperity, opportunity and the pursuit of happiness. If seeing the COUNTRY succeed in this fashion means that Obama fails ... so be it.
Crawl back under the rock you reside from Mr. Limbaugh. Your fifteen minutes are up.
where do I sign up ?
Limbaugh loves a listener, whether you agree with him or not. Dems should just not pay any attention. By giving him attention, you give him more power than he deserves in the Republican party.
Rush is only concerned about himself, his career and where he can score more pain killers.
Here goes the democrats first attempt to trample all over the constitution. The first ammendment was put in to protect not only the voices of the ACLU, Howard Stern, and Rush Limbaugh but you and I as well. If you allow them to squelch 1 person's voice then they will come for you next. So everyone quit whining and if you don't agree with what Rush is saying then turn the channel.
Unless things have changed in the past week, we still have freedom of speach here in the US. If you take the time to listen to all said by Limbaugh, you will see that the media has taken the statement completely out of context just to get something fired up. I too have issues with some of what Obama plans. I feel that if some of the things he wants to do succeeds, then America fails. I prefer to see America succeed. Obama is four years...America is forever. Bad policy calls in that four years can greatly affect the forever.
Last time I checked, free speech is still active. Seems Nancy and her buddies like free speech anytime they want to shoot their mouths off, but anyone who opposes them is supposed to play by different rules.
Two faced at best.
I guess the change promised by our new president includes changing the constitution and our bill of rights. He already promised to change our right to bear arms and now he is going after our freedom of speech. I guess the left really does want us to become a communist nation after all.
I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN FREE SPEECH, BUT YOU DO NOT YELL FIRE IN A CROWDED THEATER, AND THIS MAD MAN IS DOING WORSE! IF ALL HIS FANS LISTEN TO HIS RANTINGS, AND AGREE WITH HIS RHETORIC, WHY DON'T THEY STOP AND THINK ABOUT WHAT HE IS SAYING , IF HE WANTS OBAMA TO FAIL THEN THE WHOLE COUNTRY WOULD FAIL, AND WE WOULD BE WORSE OFF THAN WE ARE NOW, SO YOU SEE DEAR FANS HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOU,( OR ANY OF US FOR THAT MATTER) HE ONLY CARES ABOUT GETTING ATTENTION!!! HE IS A DANGEROUS MAN, ALL HE DOES IS SPREAD HATE, AND WHAT CONCERNS ME IS, THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO LISTEN TO HIM AND BELIEVE HIM. HE SHOULD BE STOPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Buying things I can't afford will ruin my life. Why, then, would I want my country to do the same?
I support Rush Limbaugh. His responces are right on.
The democrats need to listen to him.
Rush is a human paycheck, and his job is "Keep, Republican base. like all of the right wing 'will never let you respond, he cares for only his need a
20 milliom a year plus paycheck, as Bugs Bunny says "what a maroon".The current President has done more in a week to pull
America out of the dolduma then The Republican and Rush have done in 8 years to tear America apart. Where was he for the past 8 years , does the term extreme partisian come to mind?
I'd like to say I'm totally stunned and shocked by the statements that Limbaugh made...but let's be honest. Does any of the nonsense that comes out his mouth really surprise anyone anymore?
He's just sad because people have seen through his blabber and are realizing that Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street makes more sense then him.
The more "in the news" Mr Limbaugh is the better off he is. Thanks dems from helping him out