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 sad and selfish can one person be????? get off the pills Limbaugh.....get help.
I would rather petition Rush’s advertisers to cease their support of him.
Limbaugh, the convicted drug user needs to exit public life... He has already failed just like his evil republican cons
I'll sign anything if it will get Limbaugh off the air and into oblivion.
Rush is talking about Obama's Policies stupid, not the Presidency or the man personally!!
Why anyone listens or cares what this self-serving gasbag has to say is beyond me. We're hurting! We need help!
MaryW January 28th, 2009 12:52 pm ET
"Leave Rush alone he is the one sane voice that speaks for us forgotten Patriots"
If people like Limbaugh, Coulter, etc are 'patriots' in your mind –
then you need your head examined. Patriots, right. Patriots
that should be exiled. You are on the absolute FRINGE of
society.
Wow. What a patriot Mr. Limbaugh is. After all, that is what the GOP stands for ... or not. Far sided republicans are so hypocritical its high treason itself. How dare you pretend to be a patriot when you denounce our President and taunt his success! It's freedom of speech alright. Mr. Limbaugh needs a dose of his own GOP medicine. How about putting that Patriot Act to use and identifying him as a terrorist ... he has publicly attested he wants Obama to fail.
I don't understand why eveyone is so upset with Mr. Limbaugh and his rantings. That's what junkie's do when they can't get there fix. Just consider the source
Where can I sign this petition? Limbaugh IS irrelevent. The man has lost all credibility.
Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, Reagan, Savage...... and the rest of the hate-mongers........ were ALL UP IN ARMS whenever ANYONE would criticize....... BUSH! CALLING US ANTI-AMERICAN AND UNPATRIOTIC.
NOW..... that THEY ARE UPSET...... well, ITS O.K. for the haters to criticize and complain! HYPOCRITES!
I pray and hope that America waked up! That SOON Limbaugh-the-comedian, Hannity-the-hater, & Billo-the-clown...... WILL BE OUT OF WORK..... THEIR RATINGS WILL FALL.... AND THEY WILL SEIZE TO EXIST. THE BEST WAY FOR THEM TO BE SILENCED IS FOR PEOPLE TO .......STOP....... LISTENING!
Do we not have bigger PROBLEMS in America? Hes a radio talk show host FOR GOD SAKES. COME ON SPARE ME. He supports the president JUST NOT HIS POLICIES. Im sure many of other Americans do not support OBAMA"S POLICIES
Wrapping yourself in the flag, eh MaryW?
Poor little miss Becky...freedom of speech hurts when it is against the demo's huh. This is why I love this country...you can say what you want...with some obvious exceptions. You always have people on both sides that are way out there...get over it.
How convenient and manipulative Democrats can be, intentionally forgoting to broadcast the whole statement. Below is the missing part of Limbaugh's statement:
And I would be encouraging Republicans to lay down and support him. Look, what he's talking about is the absorption of as much of the private sector by the U.S. government as possible, from the banking business, to the mortgage industry, the automobile business, to health care.
Would someone please fire this person!!!!
I am with the small minority here. Like it or not, its called freedom of speech folks. If we start censoring public opinion, we will fail as a Democracy. In addition, this has been publicized as hoping Obama and the US fail, not the case, he is hoping that the policies that will further hurt our economy (in his view) will fail. I cannot believe the uproar this has caused, it is ridiculous. Since when is it wrong to have a differing opinion on what is best for this country? Isn't debate over policy the way we better ourselves? Also, isn't the point of have three branches of the government a means to reduce the power any single entity might have, including the president? Why is it now considered that only Obama has the answer, and that no one can have a differing opinion? This whole "You're either with me, or against America" is anti-American in and of itself.
Limbaugh needs to be lynched after what he has said and what he did during theprimary campaign!!! He is a terrible person who has helped the Republican agenda of almost making BIG BROTHER a reality!
Yes, I'm a liberal, and yes, we want his voice shut down. You want freedom of speech – I agree.....this is my voice. Perhaps it's a radical choice......so????
A petition for what? To stop free speech? It's just one "shock jock's" opinion. Since when do we try to stifle free speech? When we don't agree with it?
Ridiculous! Starting a petition to tell someone to stop disagreeing with the President?! And you think Rush is the self-obsessed ego maniac? I applaud Rush for sticking to his beliefs and exercising independent thought – remember when people used to do this? Disagreeing with the President's policies does not equate to wanting America to fail. I wonder how many of this President's unquestioning followers are the same folks who burned Dixie Chicks albums.
Rush need a life! If he thinks he can do better, he should run for office himself then he'll realize what it takes. No one should wish ill for someone who is trying to improve and run the country....NO ONE. That's a bad thing to wish someone fails, which means Rush wishes our country fails, since the President is the Face of our Nation. He should be banned seriously.
Isn't each individual citizen of the United States entitled to freedom of speech? Next thing we'll be seeing Obama trying to shut down radio talk show hosts, like Rush, if he doesn't like what he hears them say.
Very sad to see United States on the brink of becoming socialist and communist country. And believe me, I know what I talking about, because I am one who fled the socialist communist regime of Soviet Union some years ago. With ruler Obama we are very very close.
A centrally planned economy is already doomed to fail. It has always failed, and yet governments around the world keep trying it. Limbaugh is stating that he hopes the proponents of central planning fail to implement a huge shift towards a doomed-to-fail economic policy, not that the US economy actually fails. But of course, one must actually listen to the show (or read the website) to understand the context of the statement.
If you ignore the moron he'll fade away with time. Giving him any attention at all feeds the virus.
I would not give Rush Limbaugh the time of day. It is exactly what he wants. It gives him more material to work with. It is very sad that the people who listen to and follow him do not realize he could care less about their lives or their well being on any level. He is a big mouth obnoxious opportunist who is paid millions of dollars to stroke the egos of negative people who find pleasure in making a mockery of anyone who does not follow the opinoins they insist are right. I am delighted that some Republicans have the guts to stand up to him, and point out his disgraceful behavior and comments. Sadly I believe that he has orchestrated a large group of followers who will never see the light. Maybe an exorcism or de-programing might help, but frankly I think they are part of his cult and cannot be saved. If his "I hope he fails comment" is any indication of working for the good of America it speaks rather loudly of so many Amercians who claim to want to work together, but find much more pleasure in finding fault in everything a President attempts to do. This is true of both parties. Rush Limbaugh has become wealthy beyond words from millions who just can't think for themselves. What a pity!
While I agree with the sentiments of the Democrats wholeheartedly (I've very Democrat), giving Limbah this attention is a bad thing. One thing I learned about bully's when I was growing up.. paying attention only makes them worse.