Posted on 03/07/2009 3:42:19 AM PST by Sub-Driver
The GOP's Limbaugh Dilemma Radio Host's Prominence Underscores Party's Challenge to Forge New Identity
By NAFTALI BENDAVID and GREG HITT
Rush Limbaugh is right where he wants to be and right where the White House wants him: in the news. But Republicans have more mixed feelings about the controversial talk radio host's recent elevation.
Mr. Limbaugh dominated headlines this week, as a drive by the White House and other top Democrats to paint him as the leader of the Republican Party left the GOP flummoxed. Michael Steele, the new chairman of the Republican National Committee, illustrated his party's dilemma, first calling Mr. Limbaugh's style "ugly," then phoning him to apologize. One committee member labeled Mr. Steele's handling of the matter a "Republican Horror Show" and called on him to step down just weeks after taking on the job.
Behind the political theater lay a fundamental challenge for a party seeking a way out of the wilderness after last November's drubbing. Republican leaders and activists are grappling with how to joust with a popular new president, particularly after years of being accused of embracing a cutthroat style of politics.
Yet some Republicans also sense openings in the early days of the Obama presidency. They argue that Democrats may be overreaching with an ambitious big-government agenda and that voters will turn to Republicans once they absorb the impact of spending bills that greatly expand the deficit without, they contend, doing much to stimulate the economy.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Conservatives, on the other hand, are happy with his elevation.
The Dem cabal have accidentally given the GOP the kick in the ass it desperately needs.
We don’t need a new identity.
We need new leadership with traditional conservative identity.
Not Liberal-lite.
Why do you think in the past two weeks Rush's audience and advertising has over exceedingly grown so well???
The headline should read
The GOP's Conservative dilemma.
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LOL, do the Dems ever worry that a loon like Nancy Pelosi will be the face of the Democratic Party. Hey wait, she is....
No!
Get right with Ronnie.
Repeat, repeat, repeat, government is the problem!
A manufactured “dilemma” is no dilemma at all.
That’s it exactly. I am sick and tired of these spineless Republicans who will not stand up and say anything significant to oppose this socialist President and his willing accomplices.
There’s nothing wrong with the GOP politicians that a good hefty pair of swinging, clanging balls wouldn’t help.
Damn right, neighbor.
These people need to stop being Republican and become Americans. As neither a democrat or a republican I can look at Mr Limbaugh as see that he is doing exactly what is needed in America. Shining a light on the Socialist/Communist take over and fighting back. When your nation is under attack by enemies someone needs tostand upand fight.
Cutthroat politics? I thought this article was about the Republicans?
All I can say is, “Rush is Right!” V’s wife.
As a conservative and vaguely a Republican, I have no problems whatsoever with Rush being identified as a “leader”.
Because he is, and he damned well deserves to be.
No DW, they have done it deliberately.
Deliberately, and with clear purpose.
To wit:
They kicked the GOP’s ass in 06, and they laid a whoppin on the GOP in 08. - With the seating of Franken - just a matter of time - they are going full speed ahead and kicking the GOP in the ass every chance that they get.
Seeing the utter fecklessness of the GOP these last years, it's utter rush to sell us out at every chance ala the McCain/Kennedy type of deals, they can clearly see that the GOP may not be able to rise to the challenge at all, and they are pushing it to make the leap, right into the ashcan of political relevance.
It has to do something or it will become marginalized.
We will see if the GOP can find it's way, but between the bumbling of Steele, and the incompetent responses of Jindal, I see no real hope for the K Street boys at this time unless they become a united and conservative voice.
The underlying problem is that most of them really aren't one of us at heart.
We shall also see if a real conservative comes to the fore.
Rush is clearly outside of election concerns and that troubles them because he is immune to typical DC political machinations.
The cream rises to the top. - Perhaps it will in this case.
He is the leading CONSERVITIVE voice not just the leading Republican voice.
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