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.”
AMEN! this clown needs to be checked
Wow ... I'm feeling the communism & facism already. Heil Obama!
Hey UNEDUCATED VOTER.....if Rush is so irrelevant, why is the entire democratic party trying to shut him up?
He irritates me to no end..ugh!
What ever happened to 'freedom of speech'?????? Let the man say whatever he wants. Its his right.
This is a man who can't even hold a mariage together, can't overcome his addiction to precription drugs and, probably, other drugs too.
This fat sloppy clown needs to be ignored. Unfortunately, he speaks for the Republican Party, Right Wings nuts who believe bush did a fantastic job, all 22% of them. The same ones now contributing money to Wasila Barbie's SaraPac. I tell you; this people are dangerous. I am more afraid of them than ever before.
a petition that has no power to get his vitriole off the air is pointless – it gives him a list of names – who he can then further annoy by mail or phone. Ignore the gasbag and maybe he'll implode on his own.
The best way to shut him up is to stop purchasing products advertised by the stations that carry him.
I prefer to call him Rush "LIMBERG" You know after that cheese that smells like dirty diapers.
Oh, I get it now. The first amendment and freedom of speech ONLY applies if you are a liberal. Dang, my high school civics teacher didn't tell us that. All this time I thought it applied to EVERY American. LOL. Congress needs to get off their behinds and get busy repairing this economy instead of worrying about what some talk show host is saying about Obama.
Stop giving this man publicity, the only people who care about him are the people who will not change their view point. They are already in his corner, so his rhetoric has no real effect, other then making him rich.
Once again we see the Rush Limbaugh double standard. If Dems had said the same thing about Bush, he would have jumped down their throats. Rush Limbaugh isn't interested in furthering discussion or healthy debate, he is quite simply a troll – the man wants to stir up controversy to maintain his "relevance" and his ratings.
Let's all follow an old internet rule: Don't feed the Trolls.
Who cares! Limbaugh makes millions by broadcasting a radio show, mostly on the outdated AM band, to a crowd of losers in Podunkville. He's really not very relevant.
If you ignore the bully he will find someone else to bother or just plain go away.
With that in mind national Democrats shold focus on things that matter and stop tilting at windmills. Take the high road.
What a complete and total waste of time. I strongly support Obama, but I also support free speech. I don't care for Limbaugh, but it's America so he can say whatever he wants!! Can someone PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE explain to me why we keep talking about this? This is a media manufactured controversy that needs to be put to rest. I am more interested in how the government is going to better monitor all this taxpayer money they are handing out.
WHERE DO I GO TO SIGN IT?
Shame on him .Love it or leave it...
What a loser? I didn't the guy was still around. Why isn't the carrier of his show separating themselves from him. He is unpatriotic and unamerican, if George Bush was in office still.
So much for 1st Amendment rights. Politicos trying to silence a citizen. 8 years of "Bush sucks, Bush is a failure..." and the first time someone says something anti Obama they want to silence them. Greetings Comrades!
Nice job with taking things out of context. He was talking about socialism.
I have seen the WHOLE comment on CNN...He referred to the President's policies and then said "I hope he fails"...was pretty clear to me!..this man is a highly paid entertainer...not a viable journalist...think WWE...
I do believe we still hve freedom of speach, that hasnot ben taken away YET. I love Rush he makes my day.
"The Clown", as Olbermann rightly calls him, is a racist, illiterate, uneducated, nincampoop. Obama is definitely not afraid of him. He is way too bright for that. What Obama is worried about is that anyone listens to the crap flowing out of the clown's mouth and spoils any chances Americans have for a more unified government. The clowns relies on the two parties being antagonists because otherwise he would have no job since no one would listen to him anymore. Boycott his radio show and see how long he lasts out there!!!!
Limbaugh has money but no power. He fancies himself as a political kingmaker but the fact is he has no influence over elections. His Dittohead audience continues to shrink, although it will pick up with all the unemployment.
The DNC is wasting its time focusing on Limbaugh. He is a non-issue. Besides, his Dittoheads will worship him no matter how often he lies or is proven wrong which is pretty much all the time.
Rush who? Oh yeah, is he still around? I forgot about that buffoon years ago.