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.”
Rush said what he said. He has not retracted or qualified it. He actually wants the President of the United States to fail. This is abominable, beyond the pale even for Radical Rush.
I suggest that all you desperate defenders find yourselves a RESPONSIBLE, THOUGHTFUL, and CONSERVATIVE pundit to follow. Rush is none of the above. Most especially, he is not a conservative.
He's just so hateful. I don't understand where that hate comes from and it makes me so sad that some of my fellow Christians treat this man like some kind of hero. Jesus certainly wouldn't listen to these hate-filled rants.
No one is preventing Rush from saying whatever he wants. This is not a free speech impingement – this is a bunch of people who disagree with hatemongering, in any form, signing a petition saying that they disagree with another individual. That is how free speech works. Rush Limbaugh is not the only person in this argument who deserves to be heard. Support him all you want, if you agree with him, but do not say that people who disagree with him do not have the right to voice their opinions as well.
I think this anti-american, unpatriotic, hate monger needs to be fired and taken off the radio waves and off TV. I will personally contact sponsors of his show and let them know:
"IF YOUR COMPANY SPONSORS OR ADVERTISES ON RUSH LIMBAUGH SHOW I WILL NOT SUPPORT YOUR PRODUCTS AND I WILL ORGANIZE A BOYCOTT IN MY COMMUNITY OF YOUR COMPANY."
Lets get this guy off the air. Its time this country is united not be dived by unpatriotic americans.
Rush needs a real job!
How do we sign the petition ? Rush is a colosal jerk & really starting to become harmful for the country with this type of remark. I wish something could be done about him & also Hannity another big jerk (to put it mildly)
Funny how your missing the entire context of what he said and the rest of the quote. If he plans to do what he said to do, I hope Obama fails also. GO RUSH!!!
As far as I am concerned, the man is irrelevant just like his previous masters Bush and company.
Rush Limbaugh is the worst example of free press and the freedom of expression. The FCC should censor him, fine him, and revoke his radio license,now! Ken-Former USNR-SA, ONI.
Everything from the DNC cronies is a spin on the truth, and this is no exception. What Rush said was that he hopes Obama’s socialist plans fail. The new bailout bill is mostly pork projects to pay back the special interests that got him elected. This is insanity.
Don't give him credibility. He’s a charlatan that preys on the spoon-fed weak minded. Anything that drops out of his mouth is laughable. He will say anything for that big fat dirty check. Give him that soapbox and let him rant his insanities. Why should he stop being a pig now?
Ref. to Becky wanting to take out Rush, Hannity, Bill O'. Becky that is not FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN AMERICA", and these guys have more listeners than all your liberal socialist reporters put together. I suppose you will want the "fairness doctrine" put in place so we will have only one side of the news. That is what Castro and Chavez have done – go down there and live under them for awhile and see if you still hold the same belief. What do you think our forefathers fought for – freedom of expression was one of them. Where were you when dems were calling Bush names and calling even for harm to him? You need to go back and read your history to see why we are where we are today – you will see dems had a big role to play in our mess- and you will see Obama's policies are just like the ones that led to a bigger "great depression" our country once suffered. Ignorance will only cause people to make bad decisions. You should listen to all the truth and study more.
It is dangerous for people to sit and absorb a one way dialog from anyone, not just Rush. If you want to waste your time listening to Limbaugh’s poison that is your choice. It is voluntary brainwashing and Rush spews poison. He may have wit but he does not have wisdom. People, you need to stop letting this happen to you. I remember a few years ago reading conservative poison up in New Hampshire’s lakes region rag. In it, Oliver North said something like: Anyone who knows anything, know that Osama Bin Laden is dead! Now you tell me, is this healthy? Stay away from these brainwashers. They will lead you without knowledge a pray on your emotions and fears
Rush, Should be on Fox with all the rest of the right wing hacks. They continue to preach divisiveness , rather than solutions.
The Neo-Cons are no different than the ultra left Wingers in this Country. Solutions should be presented and the name calling should end. Republicans are sad because they have no power and are out of touch wuith the mainsrtream of the electoraate. Sarah Palin.. I rest.
If Obama governs more to the left and more toward socialism, I agree with Rush.
If only the Democrats were as ruthless as the Republicans, Rush would be on a one-way trip to Guantanamo for treason and conspiracy to incite terrorism. Does he, or any of the self-proclaimed "Patriotic American Republicans", not understand that if this administration doesn't stabilize the economic situation and fails like Rush wishes it to, a lot more people than the "immoral and lazy homeless" will be out on the streets?
Kiss your job, your cars, your house, and your well-being goodbye, Rush, because if that happens, the fingers (among other things) will be pointed at YOU.
as usual cnn has got the story all wrong, or should I say they have chosen to report what they wanted to and put their own political spin on the story instead of reporting the fact of the story. What Rush said was is that he hopes that Obamas policies fail because they are going to nothing to drive the country where it needs to go and only will further make the futures of the next generation that much more difficult. Once again CNN has chosen to pursue its own political agenda instead of reporting the facts.
Why is it in today's society, people don't get the simple fact that if you don't LIKE a talk show or television program you can CHANGE THE CHANNEL? And no offense, but it seems to be a more liberal mindset where if someone in the media is firmly outspoken against your views that it has to be purged.
Talk radio has always been predominantly conservative. Why are the Democrats surprised that they're disliked? Is their faith in their convictions so tenuous that they're genuinely threatened by someone who can be silenced by so simple an act as pressing a switch and turning it off?
If so, what does that say for their thousands of lemming-like followers?
I never listened to Rush, I can't stand him. But this idiotic cleansing of all dissent and sterilization of television so that it can babysit children is irritating. And yes, libs, this may be Rush and you can't stand him, but what happens when it comes to a show you like?
I want to be the first to sign the petition!
I hate Rush Limbaugh.
Freedom of Speech is under attack by our own government ! Give me a break! Whether or not you like Rush or not, he has the right as every American to say what he wants!!! unless of course this new administration and Congress decides it's time to take that away from us.
He's an idiot. If he wwants our president to fail, then he wants our country to fail.
why should anybody care what Rush Limbaugh has to say anyway?
where is that petition?
He and Ann Coulter must be drinking from the same coffee again.
Bush failed at amnesty...........
Omama will fail at socialism.............I hope
Rush says a lot of controversial things, just ignore him and he'll eventually go way.