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.”
If Obama fails, I hope that Limbaugh will be man enough to help with the groceries, mortgages, rent, tuition and everything else those affected by the recession need.
The funny thing about entertainers is they go away when you stop listening to them.
Freedom of Speech. Let him say what he wants. If you weren't afraid of what he had to say or felt that what he was saying was striking a cord of truth, why worry about it.
If you truely believe that Obama is a man of his own and not a puppet boy for Pelosi and Reid, prove Limbaugh wrong. Don't be a stinkin whiner and launch Petitions.
If someone in the media had come out and said they hoped Bush failed then Limbaugh would be calling them a traitor right now. What a hypocrite. This is why the democrates won, people are sick of this divisive crap.
Let's deflate this pompous gasbag once and for all. Why should advertisers support his Oxycontin habit?
In this country, we are allowed to say what we like. And in the midst of an economic crisis and war, the democrats should do something better with their time than attempt a McCarther-like silencing of anyone who happens to think "The Savior" might be mistaken in his policies.
For Obama to "dictate" that would should not listen to voices of opposition, and people to be perfectly fine with that, I find horrifying.
Why give this man anymore attention?Who cares what he thinks?The problem with R L ..... he is so "Ignorant that he doesn't know he's Ignorant"....
Limbaugh is the antithesis of everything I believe in and stand for. He has managed to offend across party lines, social lines and economic lines.
Sign me up to dump this drugged out wind bag!
It is irresponsible to wish for failure of our president. His success equals our success-I did not vote for him, but hoping for his failure would surely be short sighted on my part. I personally feel Mr. Limbaugh has enjoyed his job for too long. I hope the petition is successful!
They should just ignore this Un-American traitor. He's just an oxycontin-addicted blowhard.
No thinking individual should give Limbaugh any thought whatsoever.
A petition will just give him more attention.
Oh...and don't forget – he'll just say the Democrats are 'afraid' of him.
LOL!
Once again the Dems have taken Rush's comments out of context. Sounds like they do listen to him and then decide to distort the truth.
There must be somewhere that we can deport this overweight slug.
I do not listen to Limbaugh as a rule but my car radio was on his station when I was backing down the drive. I heard what he said. He did NOT say he wanted OB to fail. He said " he wanted SOME of OB policys to fail" Big diff.
I really think Rush, like Coulter, says things to make headlines. It draws attention to him as he attempts to make himself relevant. That being said, as much as I dislike him he does have a right to express his thoughts. We have a right not to listen. Obama should never have mentioned Rush. It just aided Rush in his attempts to maintain his ratings. I seriously doubt anyone anywhere is afraid of Rush, they may be frightened of his listeners because they obviously need something or someone to condone their hatred of anything different. I am certain a large number of white supremacy groups just love Rush.
The petition will only make this windbag think he is more important. Why would the Dems even give this guy one second of publicity. He is a college flunky DJ drug addict who has no qualifications or experience. He takes his beliefs and then makes up the facts to support them. The people who listen to him are as stupid as he is. The more he talks, the more he drives most Americans away from the Republican party. In his mind, when other people say the things he has been saying, they are unpatriotic. When he says them, he is a true patriot.
While I disagree with Rush Limbaugh's view, I find it disturbing that government politicians are formally starting a boycott of a private citizen's views.
You know, it would be really nice if politicians could focus on the nations business rather than all the peripheral nonsense they get involved in to avoid making the tough decisions.
Rush is the WWF of politics. He has no education or experience in government. He is probably less informed then your next door neighbor. The Jesse Jackson of the right.
Limbaugh is a JERK !!
Where do I sign ?? Where do I sign ??
This empty headed, empty suit bag of wheeze has had more than his alloted 15 minutes of fame....
His time is over... No one wants to listen to half baked half-truths, lies and a cry baby attitude towrds last November's election.
Jeeezzzz – Even John McCain is showing support for the president.
Rush – Go Away....
Rush Limbaugh is a piece of excrement that outlived his usefulness within seconds of hatching. Anyone who listens to him has been brain dead for decades. He and his listeners are completely and increasingly irrelevant.
Why start a petition? Limbaugh is simply not significant to the national debate in any way, shape or form. He's a pompous ignorant pig ... and nothing more. He only appeals to stupid people ... so why would anyone covet his followers???
What a JOKE.... so Obama and his thugs really are scared of Rush. Talk about taking away Freedom of Speech. It's the nutty left that will ruin our freedoms and ruin what America is all about.
The Great American Dream is coming to an end. Thanks to the athiests and lazy takers.
Limbaugh the bozo has been making a fool of himself since Clinton was elected in 1992. As long as there enough bozos in this country supporting his radical and dramatic ideology, Limbaugh the bozo will stay in business.
You would think, by now, after all these years that Limbaugh would have lost fans, but, there are still running rampant out there. But again, think about it.......how could 58 million Americans have been so dumb to have voted for Bush in 2004. Go figure.