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.”
how pathetic. The Dems are obviously scared of Limbaugh and what he represents; the truth.
Ever hear of freedom of speech. Russ Limbaugh is entitled to his opinion, so get over it. Why aren't you people more concerned about the appointments that have been made by President Obama, all in order to push through the stimulus package. Someone forgets to pay taxes and this is who they get to head the IRS? Wake up people. If you don't like Rush don't listen, you only like the media that plays to the good of the
Democratic party. Why must everyone take everything out of context.!
Listen to Rush's comments in their entirety.
Way to give him more publicity. No doubt he is enjoying this. "Fat warrior taking on the 'evi'l Democrats all on his own."
Limbaugh is for the AM radio crowd who don't listen to.........MUSIC.
He is a waste of time.
I am not amused or surprise at the very negative, prejudice comments of this man. As a Black American, I am disgusted and appalled. Why would anyone in their right mind make a comment like this with our world in the shape it’s in? We have to pray for people like this...and let the Lord fight our battles. We should not stoop to their level.
I wish President Obama, his family, and cabinet the best in all they do to put and keep our country on the right tract. I will continue to pray for their guidance from God, and the safety and well-being for us all...
As for him; I can't even type his name – I pray for you and that God will have mercy on your sold.
President Obama, Family, and Cabinet, WE LOVE YOU!
KEEP MOVING FORWARD!
We need to keep people like Limbaugh and Palin in the news. On one hand we have someone who wishes the POTUS to fail. The other is a twit with a smart mouth and no brains to back it up.
Personally, I think Mr. Limbaugh is desperate for ratings and has to make outrageous statements like this to get his "comments" on shows people will listen to and watch.
I have never listened to a Rush Limbaugh program, and never will. But, I have heard his comments on other respectable news shows.
Valorie Stevens
I totally agree with Rush! Obama is going to be the worst mistake America has ever made. Obama is a democrat and as we all know, they are a bunch of crooks, their isn't one honest democrat in the senate.
Rush Limbaugh's comments are just further proof that the right-wing conservatives are stuffed to the brim with hypocrisy–trying to paint themselves as the party of 'Family Values', and their 'Country First' blather isn't fooling anyone but the most ignorant. If their loyalty was really to country first, they would be hoping that this administration succeeds as they hope to–even if it doesn't follow traditional Republican ideology. Rush Limbaugh is an oozing pustule on the spirit of the American people.
By paying attention to this jerk, Democrats give him more visibility and credence. What would bother Limbough the most would be to be ignored. He is not a journalist. He is a comedian who has his following. He does not make policy, but rather entertains his base. Ignore him – no one really takes him seriously.
I don't know why national Democrats are focusing on such stupid things and giving Limbaugh all this attention. He is like a stray dog – let him bark, he can't bite. If people are stupid enough to listen to him and pray for our president to fail, I pray to God to give them strength, courage and intelligence to determine what is right for the country. I believe I know atleast two people in this world who would like our president to fail – Osama Bin Laden and Limbaugh. Its for everyone to decide what company they would like to be in. God Bless America!!
Way to give the conservative right another piece of ammunition to think that the left wants to limit free speech and hurt any effort to bring America together in tough times.
Rush is right that Obama's success means GOP downfall; attacking Rush for that sentiment does not help at all.
We as Americans need to realize we are US citizens. We are not republicans,democrates or any other menial title. We need to stand beside our President and be respectful of the office he holds.
As for Rush, who cares what he thinks. I'm suprised anybody still listens to him after all the years of bad mouthing people only to find he's an addict. Chalk it up to the drugs people and lets move on.
h-u–m-m-m. Let's see. "I hope HE fails" (the "he" being the LEGALLY ELECTED President of the United States). Yup. Sound like treason to me. To say you hope the leader of your country "fails" is counter-productive, no matter what your political stripe. Shame on you, El Rushbo!
hay everyone-
I think I have the answer. This morning I called two of rush's local advertisers and told them I would no longer be doing business with them. Believe me-they did not like it. Neither did the local station that carries rush. If we could get national coverage of this and people started calling advertisers all hell would break out for rush. This will ABSOLUTELY work.
Hey Dems, don't get distracted by hate-mongers like Limbaugh. We will always have scum like him. Stay focused on the task of dealing with the countries problems.
I called it 4 years when Bush was reelected to office. I got on my soap box for a few minutes with my coworkers and said that the Democrats will the presidency in 2008 and will have to clean up something major the Republicans left behind. I was thinking the cost of the Iraq war was going to be the major thing but it turned out to be the economy instead. Do I blame the Bush administration for our economic down turn directly, no, but the writing was on the wall during his administration with the prices of real estate that no one could touch. So, its up to the Democrats to clean up once again, after the Republicans much like Clinton balanced a budget after George Sr.
Rush Limbaugh should be taken off the air just for the simple fact that he is an addicted prescription drug user !
First off, I do think that this petition is quite silly and generally a waste of time. However, Susan, I do have to take issue with your claim. Just how is this infringing on Limbaugh's freedom of speech? Freedom of speech does not include a freedom from criticism or reaction to what you say. Democrats in this sense are not limiting his freedom of speech, they are simply calling for a response to his words. I think it is an unnecessary response, but this petition is in no way damaging Limbaugh's rights.
To give Limbaugh any attention sounds like a reward for bad behavior. If there's any drive at all launched against him it should be launched by sensible-minded Republicans. But isn't there too much to be done right now for anyone in any party to care what comes out of his mouth. It's sad and extremely dismaying that he has any followers at all. It's also dismaying that i know how to say & spell his name. I liked it better when i didn't know who he was.
Anyone looking for a mix of opinions might turn to Mark Shields and David Brooks on Jim Leherer's News Hour as well as the variety of guests on Morning Joe. People who voice their views respectfully are smart, easy to listen to and I would add, patriotic. To me, Limbaugh is just plain creepy. I'm sorry anyone has the appetite for the amount of cynicism that he & some others put out there.
What a sick man mr limbaugh is.
All rush said is that if Obama is going to continue trying to "socialize" this country then he hopes he fails. I do to. Obama is spending us into the ground instead of trying to dig us out. I haven't seen one dime of stimulus yet and my bank already said they can't help me. I simply asked them if they could lower my interest rate. My credit is not great and I no longer have equity so they said no. Obama is trying to involve the government in every aspect of our life and that's wrong – I agree with Rush then, I hope he fails in this respect .
These guys get their millions and don't give a sh.. what we are going through.
If Obama fails we AS A COUNTRY WILL FAIL AS WELL.
I just cannot sleep thinking about job security, paying the bills and staying in my house. On top of that my kids are college bound and how are we able to pay for that?
If he has a better plan PLEASE TELL US.
I'm sick and tired of these guys with their negative comments but don't give any positive ADVICE.
RUSH LIMBAUGH IS LIKE THE SNAKE IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN. HEAVEN HELP THE REPUBLICANS WHO FOLLOW HIM.
This guy should be ousted.
As Americans we should all come together and stand behind our President to be successful. Rush Limbaugh's comments does not reflect the majority of American's. So go Ahead and talk all you want,
You will be judged on what you can build, not what you destroy.