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.”
Well free speech goes both ways doesn't it...Rush is free to be a moron and the Dems are free to protest that he's a moron...they cancel each other out.
I like that his words keep the kids busy arguing over each other. Such simpletons. Give us some substance.
The more we IGNORE Limbaugh, the more he will disappear. As he should disappear. This spewer of hate and misinformation has done an exceptional job of damaging the country.
If Rush meant he wished the "policy plans" put in place by Obama would fail, he wouldn't, or certainly shouldn't, have said, "I hope HE fails", but "I hope the policies fail".
Freedom of speech ALSO supports the Dems and their right to say he's over the line. Duh, people. This freedom doesn't end with Rush, as much as you would like it to.
Frikkin idiots.
I agree with Rush.
Oh please Keith, if you knew anything about upholding America's Historical Values you would understand that Obama is doing just that, upholding the American Way. We nationalized ourselves to defend Europe and defeat the Nazis and Japan in WWII and the government did what it needed to do to protect the American people. In times of dispare TRUE leaders rise up for the people they were elected to serve and protect WITHOUT another agenda like your Bush Administration. Ignorance like yours has no room in the White House anymore. Thanks Obama let's get this country back on track
Why does Rush hate America?
I love how Democrats view the right wing-media of Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh as "nut-jobs". Has anyone listened to the social commentary given by comedians such as Lewis Black? I'll be anxious to see if he has the same social commentary on Obama as he did on Bush. Sure didn't seem like he wanted Bush to succeed, but I guess no one cares when a Democrat says it.
No one is frightened of you Rush. How is anyone afraid of a spineless gasbag, that has nothing left to do but hold irrational grudges against things he has NO control over. You are sad and insignificant...go away.
Hes anti-American,lets get a rope.
Rush Limbaugh has failed us all and this is not just a recent occurrence. Just ask Al Franken.
Dont tell me you all wanted Prez. Bush to succeed
SOOOO now the Dems want to chrush free speech? I don't like Limbaugh, but he has the right to say what he wants about Obama. What is next? Jail for Limbaugh or anyone who does not agree with Obama.
Guess rush-the-druggie 'Hates America' and 'loves the terrorists more than America', if he wants the recovery efforts to fail.
No surprise here.
I have a nephew-by-marriage who, a few years ago displayed a "Rush is right" bumper sticker on his truck. It took all my self-control to refrain from inserting "too far" between "is" and "right".
It's OK. He just want attention. Ignore him and eventually he'll dry up and blow away.
To wish failure on the President when he is just starting, after our country has been DEVASTATED by the previous administration, is the most Anti-American you can possibly be! BOOOOOOO to Dumbbaugh!
It doesn't matter which end of his alimentary canal that Limbaughs comments exit from – they are the same. His sole reason for rising in the public eye in the first place was to discredit President Clinton and his administration. He was safe during the failed Bush Administration except that the public found out he is a junkie in addition to being a windbag. There was no more research behind his diatribes than there are excuses for his ssuddenly being found out to be hooked on drugs. Yes, he did get prescriptions rather than visit the drug dealer on the corner – but then that's how rich people justify being drugged up all the time.
Limbaugh's shallow and vitriolic radio shows represent the most shallow and mean spirited face of the conservative and religous conservative movement in this country. What a waste of electricity to broadcast his words.
let me be the first to say that I would sign that petiton 10,000 times over
RUSH IS A BAND
Limbaugh is an EVIL person who should not be in the public eye. His HATE and FEAR retoric is just what this world does not need.
we live in a twisted society where people would pay 40 million dollars
contract to someone deceitful and untrustworthyas Limbaugh , we must notify his sponsers and boycott them and stop this demonic figure of this country
You liberals need to chill out. Rush says what he says to generate controversy which in turn generates ratings. He's not a politician, he's an entertainer. get it? He's playing for a reactiona nd you guys are giving it to him. as much as you'd like to label him the vioce of the Republican party, he's not. Most Republicans don't even pay attention to him. He does however know how to jerk the liberals chains, which I DO find amusing. You guys are way to easy.
A petition against an ego-maniac like Limbaugh is "counter-productive" . He'll simply gloat over the increased attention it provides. To whom would the petition be presented? What would it hope to accomplish? So long as there are those who are entertained by his salacious, bigored hate-mongoring he'll have an audience. The saddest commentary on Limbaugh is that there seem to be people who actually believe and follow the hateful rhetoric that he spews forth. He offers absolutely nothing of value or substance to the culture. Like many addicts, his chief problem is self-centeredness which is likely to eventually prove his undoing.
Why do the Dems give this self-aggrandizing windbag the attention that he craves? In solving global warming, we need to eliminate hot air–whether from this windbag or from cows' methane production.
Come to think of it, they are pretty well the same thing!