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.”
He should have his name changed to "Hush" Limbaugh.
I try to listen to conservative talk radio objectively ,because I want to know what their differences are with the rest of society and why. Instead of listening to informed and rational thinking hosts, I hear very very hateful divisive and spiteful opinions. These conservative talk show hosts encourage stereotypes and labeling more than anything. As an American, I do not understand why it is acceptable for anyone to announce in a national media outlet that they hope that OUR President fails. This agenda is pretty clear—since your guy didn't win, you want to spoil it for the guy who won. ****News flash****** It's not about the Democratic Party or the Republican Party nor President Obama. It's about making a better U.S.A!!!!! A better U.S.A is what we all want right?
He is a disgrace to America. He is one drugged moron who has lost direction and he needs to be ignored. A lot of drugs in his blood hence talking under the influence. We need not waste time dealing with a drugged up, junky talk show moron.
Free speech only when it is speech the Dems agree with!
I saw the interview. Limbaugh was referring to socialism that Obama wants to impose like Europe!
It is his right to say it as much as it was the right of the DEMs to say what they said about Bush over the last 8yrs while tearing and dividing the country.
Typical for the DEMS to want to suppress someone with whom they don't agree!
Would love to see what he would have said if a Dem would have said that when Bush was in office or if McCain got in. Wasn't it Rush that said the Dems had no chance in the primaries with a black guy and a woman as front runners. His audience is slowing dying but I guess they won't go out with out a loud noise! Maybe he should go back to pills...or maybe he already has.
When I first heard his comment it made me sick to my stomach. How he can get by making such a statement. He is nothing but a racist and truly not american
An overweight rich kid who never worked for or earned anything in his life. Avoided military service because of pimples on his butt and avoided jail for drugs because of political connections......what could someone like this ever say that added to our collective survival other than some rambling nonsense that sounds like it comes from someone trying to stay conscience.
While Rush is a junkie that only spews hate to get ratings/money, this is such a waste of time. The more you talk about him and let him know he is getting under your skin, the more hate/bigotry he will spew.
If he wants the president to fail, then he is unpatriotic. (ever heard that before?) While I disagreed with Bush on almost everything, I didn't want him to fail, I wanted him to succeed. I want the best for America – Rush doesn't, so leave the egotistical JA alone, and pretend he doesn't exist.
Stop giving him attention – see what it does for Palin, just keeps them going.
We now have the legislative power to dispose of these hate criminals. Prison and hard labor may turn them around. Hannity's next.
I can't believe that anyone is taking this idiot seriously. Come on, let us please use out time and resources for something worthwhile and productive instead of trying to put a gag on someone for expressing their views...no matter how misguided.
This shows his true colors – Limbaugh is un-American. He wants our President and therefore, our country, to fail because his need to be right is more important.
Leave Rush alone he is the one sane voice that speaks for us forgotten Patriots.
Poor Rush,
He is such a bitter man. I'm sure he is still addicted to Oxycontin. I feel sorry for him
Jim @ 12:44 Eastern writes,
"He's an Idiot. And anyone who listens to him and believes half of what he says is an idiot too."
Why would you insult Obama and his messianic followers with such harsh criticisms?
I'm a republican and I'd sign that petition. I used to listen to Rush...now I realize he's just a bag of wind. He wished our President to fail. The President failing means the nation failing. I hope Rush fails.
You are giving him exactly what he wants by launching this petition.
Note to the Democrats: the only way to make El Rushbo irrelevant is to STOP TALKING ABOUT HIM!
the voice of the LOW LIFE repugnants.......what else is there to be said
Why don't they get some DEA agents on him and pop him again when he is buying his pills. It's obvious he's still taking them. All you have to do is listen to him talk and you can hear it in the way he raises and lowers his voice. He has lost all of his big connections (Pres. Bush) to get him off on his drug charges and being a repeat offender that should be the end of him.
Mr. Limbaugh is a hateful, spiteful individual, who should select his words more carefully. His attacks on our new President are truly deplorable. But, did you ever think to turn off the radio and NOT listen to him? When his ratings fall, advertisers will no longer be interested. And, BTW, how about boycotting the advertisers? Think about it!
I want to sign the petition! He is a disgrace.
I'm convinced that Limbaugh is actually a Democrat plant, sort of like a double-agent. His hate-filled rantings spewing from his drug-addled brain must make all honorable Republicans wince.
Let him have his platform. He just continues to prove how out-of-touch the neo-cons are with the reality of America.
It does sounds like a good way to get names and email addresses for fundraising efforts. That's probably all there is to it.
I think that Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage and the rest of those guys are good for the country. Their outrageous, hateful comments must certainly drive sensible people away from their politics towards ones that are more beneficial for the country and the world.
This petition is a waste of time and merely a polictical move focusing on the headline. Notice how "fail" is always in quotations. He didn't say he wanted america to fail, only that he wants the progressive/liberal agenda of obama to fail.
Hey Rush, Bill-O and Hannity NEWSFLASH...We took out Bush and the seemingly entrenched Republican political machine...Guess whose next?
I wish someone would get Rush Limbaugh off the radio and TV. He is an idiot that should not be allowed to speak. You know the saying "You can look at a person and think they are stupid but once they open their mouth, then you know for a fact they're stupid." This statement fits Rush Limbaugh perfectly. If you people stop giving this BIGOT media time and just ignore him, eventually he will realize no one cares what he thinks.