This was such a fabulous call. What a classy family!
Posted on 08/01/2008 4:31:28 PM PDT by pissant
BEGIN TRANSCRIPT RUSH: What are...? (interruption) Interrupting for what?
THE PRESIDENT: Hello!
RUSH: Oh, jeez. The president?
THE PRESIDENT: Rush Limbaugh?
RUSH: Yes, sir, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: President George W. Bush calling to congratulate you on 20 years of important and excellent broadcasting.
RUSH: Well, thank you, sir. You've stunned me! (laughing) I'm shocked. But thank you so much.
THE PRESIDENT: That's hard to do.
RUSH: (laughing) I know, it is.
THE PRESIDENT: I'm here with a room full of admirers. There are two others that would like to speak to you and congratulate you, people who consider you friends and really appreciate the contribution you've made.
RUSH: Thank you, sir, very much. Put 'em on.
THE PRESIDENT: How you doing? This is my swan song? If this is all you got for me, I'm moving on.
RUSH: (laughing) No! The show's yours; take as much time as you want.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I'm just calling along with President 41 and the former governor of Florida. We're fixing to have lunch here, and I said, "Listen, we ought to call our pal and let him know that we care" for you. So this is as much as anything, a nice verbal letter to a guy we really care for.
RUSH: Well, thank you, sir, very much. I'm overwhelmed. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this and how much you've surprised me.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, that was the purpose of the phone call.
RUSH: You succeeded.
THE PRESIDENT: Good.
RUSH: They were waving at me trying to tell me you were on the line, and I didn't know what was going on. So you succeeded here in the surprise. How are you doing, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: I am great. We're doing very good, thank you very much, sir. Concerned about our economy, obviously, but know we need to be drilling for some oil and gas in order to take the pressure off the gas prices -- and I'm pleased with the progress in Iraq.
RUSH: Have you heard what Senator Obama wants to do? He wants another stimulus check of a thousand dollars to every American paid for by the oil companies.
THE PRESIDENT: Yeah. Well, what we ought to be doing is encouraging oil companies to find oil, and that's the best way to take the pressure off the gasoline prices. We're on a very strong push to get the Congress to allow for there to be offshore drilling, and most Americans understand now that an increase in oil, particularly here in America, will help take pressure off of price. And I tell people I'd rather, you know, be buying American oil instead of sending our money overseas.
RUSH: You know, Mr. President, it's amazing. In 2004 during your campaign, Senator Kerry was constantly criticizing you for not "jawboning" with the Saudis enough to bring the price of oil down. Now, four years later, they're doing everything they can to keep the price from coming down. They apparently want it to remain high.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, they may want to, but the American people want to see some relief. It would be like a massive tax cut when the gasoline prices decline. So we're in times of economic uncertainty and the more money people have in their pockets the quicker we'll be able to recover, in my judgment. You asked how I'm doing. My spirits are high; I'm going to finish strong. I love my family and I'm spending two days here with mother and dad before I head overseas. RUSH: Well, that's right. You've got China on your agenda.
THE PRESIDENT: I do. But listen, President 41. You might remember him.
RUSH: I do. (laughing) Yes, I do. We all do.
THE PRESIDENT: You know what? He remembers you.
RUSH: Good.
THE PRESIDENT: Fondly, I might add. Anyway, here he is. Congratulations.
RUSH: Thank you, sir, very much, again.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, sir.
BUSH 41: Hey, Rush?
RUSH: Mr. President, sir.
BUSH 41: How are you doing?
RUSH: I am never better. I'm so glad that you three called me. I'm stunned here. It's great to hear from you.
BUSH 41: I've got some advice for you.
RUSH: Tell me.
BUSH 41: Slow down your backswing.
RUSH: (laughing)
BUSH 41: (laughing) That's what I'm doing is giving advice. I remember playing with you and enjoying it. How are you?
RUSH: I'm great.
BUSH 41: Proud of you, always.
RUSH: Well, thank you. I'm doing great. And you? You're looking well, too.
BUSH 41: Well, yeah. I'm kind of on the sidelines, but I can't do golf and all that stuff anymore. But life is good. It's wonderful, and it's great having the family up here in Maine, and all is well. Do you see our man Ailes at all?
RUSH: Oh, yeah. I saw Roger at Tony Snow's funeral.
BUSH 41: Oh, did you?
RUSH: And a couple of times earlier this summer.
BUSH 41: Are we on the radio, are we?
RUSH: (laughing)
BUSH 41: I didn't know that. I'll clean up my act here. I'm glad they told me.
RUSH: Yeah, we're on the radio.
BUSH 41: It's wonderful talking to you, I'll tell you.
RUSH: Thank you, sir. Same here.
BUSH 41: Wait a minute, Jeb -- Governor Jeb -- wants to speak to you.
RUSH: That's great.
BUSH 41: We've got the whole family lined up. RUSH: Put him on.
BUSH 41: All Limbaugh fans. Just a sec. Here.
JEB: Hey, Rush, congratulations on your longevity.
RUSH: Thank you, sir, very much. This is a thrill.
JEB: One of the highlights, one of the great things about your show is it's broadcast in the Sunshine State, for which a whole lot of Floridians are very grateful, including me.
RUSH: It's a great place to live, governor. It really is, as you well know.
JEB: We've got a few challenges, but it's not a bad place at all.
RUSH: What's your future? What are you going to do?
JEB: I'm staying below the radar. That's what I'm doing. I love policy, and I have an education policy to try to help folks that are running for office be bold on education reform, which I think is a huge challenge and a great opportunity for our country. So my political stuff is really focused on that, which I love.
RUSH: Well, good. Keep at it, because if there's something that needs reform in this country, it's certainly that.
JEB: Absolutely.
RUSH: Particularly public education. Well, thank you guys so much. This is unexpected and a real honor for me to hear from all of you guys at the same time.
JEB: All right. Take care.
RUSH: Thanks, sir, very much.
JEB: Bye-bye.
RUSH: Wow. And as I was saying... As I was saying... (laughing) Anyway, we gotta go to commercial break. See, folks, I got a note from a friend -- a little instant message flash -- right before the program started that said, "You're going to have so much fun this afternoon."
I said, "Yeah. The thing is, I'm sure there are going to be lots of surprises, and I don't know what they are, and they always make me nervous."
When they were waving their arms, they had given me a written note on the computer monitor here: "President's on the line! President's on the line!" and I was looking at my story here talking about Obama and his stupid idiot idea for Big Oil to give everybody a check for a thousand bucks. Then, finally, Brian starts waving his arms and so forth, and that's when I noticed it. So we're off to a rousing start. Who knows what's coming? Certainly I don't.
I heard the call on the radio. Very cool. Good for Rush and well deserved.
He should. That was nice of President Bush 43, 41 and Jeb.
Very well deserved.
And made it a surprise call too.
LOL!
Yes, very nice...
It was a great call, but “President 41” sounded especially hale and hearty.
What a class act he is in comparison to the other living former presidents.
I heard the call - awesome. I’ve never heard Rush at a loss for words until today. Congrats El Rushbo!
GWB was very gracious. I was impressed.
Listen up all you FReeper Fox hating n'er do wells. 41 knows what's important..... Rush and Roger
Rush was truly honored this week, Bush, Bush, Bush, Cheney, Thomas
Rush has always been a big fan of GW, despite some very obvious and serious lines of policy disagreement. I think alot of freepers feel the same way about GWB.
It took them all ganging up on him. LOL
Not bad for a college drop out DJ.
We're fixing to have lunch here, and I said, "Listen, we ought to call our pal and let him know that we care" for you. So this is as much as anything, a nice verbal letter to a guy we really care for.
Just a nice, caring gesture. He sounded quite genuine.
That was awesome. But are we sure it wasn’t his ‘parody guy’ yanking his chain? LOL! ;)
It was very touching toward the end of the show as was thanking everyone involved with the show, recognizing that it was their contributions and the audience that made his success possible
That is just for the posters who show up here demanding that Rush and his big ego be slapped down. (like on a thread yesterday)
After all these years they still don't get that Rush being braggadocios is just his schtick
Really makes me wonder sometimes.
Man I’m jealous of the lives these great men live.
Classic Americana. God Bless Rush.
Politics aside, the Bush family is a class act.
Though Bush is not the iconic figure that Reagan was (few are), he will be fondly remembered even by his enemies because of his genuine and jovial personality.
Man, now that would be funny. But judging by the conversation’s transcript, it was the real McCoys.
Not I. I’ll take my wife and kids and drinking buddies and fishing holes over Rush’s life anyday. That being said, if the Bush’s (or Rush) want to learn how to catch steelhead, I’d be honored to teach ‘em.
Now, he’s got an ego. But that is what helps make the show entertaining.
Indeed.
Good for you.
I think anyone who has achieved the success level he has should feel pretty good about them self (ego) but I think in the end he's kept his feet on the ground. Again, I think a lot of it is his schtick IMHO
Thought it needed saying again. I think W will be the same as well. I noticed how he called Rush 'sir.' Probably a Texas thing, but the President of the US doesn't need to call some radio guy 'sir' at all. That he does so, just shows his breeding.
It was great radio and Rush played it just perfectly! He deserved every bit of praise he got as well.
Wasn’t that funny? He sounded flustered.
I just found out this morning we are distantly related to the Bush’s I’m proud to be!
I too am a fan of the Bush's. we have a Bush wall of photos at my house.I have been covering 41's fishing exploits since 79, since he's down here in the Keys several times a year.
They really are a great family IMHO.
Having the current and a former president call your show? Now THAT’S gravitas.
That was great. Now, what do the lefties and mccain have to say about this? mccain seems to have studiously ignored Rush,and the the Bush guys give him kudos.
The Bush clan is a class act. I’d like to go fishing with them too.
Amen, GLDNGUN, Amen.....Wait, I meant DITTO’S!!! :)
Awwwwwwwwww, how nice!
Excellent observation...McCain misses another golden opportunity.
That is the absolute truth.
41 has more class in his pinky than two other former Presidents have in their entire bodies.
very well said. I don’t want to think where the conservative movement would be today if not for Rush and his show the last 20 years. it is also well worth the money ($49 now I believe)to sign up for 24/7 club and the “ditto cam”. watching rush on the cam each day as the show unfolds, or later on in the evening at your own leisure if you wish, is a blast.
Yes, he did. He also sounded in awe and couldn’t say much except, “Thank you” over and over.
Now, THAT would be cold!
It just occurred to me the lefties are probably gonna go nuts over this one. Bush41, not knowing he was on the air, asking about "our man Ailes."
Gig 'Em Texas A&M Aggies ;-)
I heard this- I thought the President sounded very very tired. And somewhat guarded in a terse comment about his upcoming trip to China. It made me think that prayers are in order for GWB and our nation.
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