Posted on 11/25/2015 11:34:24 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
In the summer of 1992, Rush Limbaugh saved me from myself. I was an 18-year-old high school graduate about to begin college, too impatient to wait for adulthood to come to me. So instead, I went in search of it the only way I knew how: by engulfing myself in presidential politics and the fascinating campaigns that summer between Bill Clinton, George Bush and Ross Perot.
Like many idealistic teens, I was at first drawn to the youthful Clinton campaign and Fleetwood Mac's cheerful command to "Don't stop thinking about tomorrow." But then I started listening to Limbaugh and it changed everything. I was working as a delivery driver, so I'd plan my trips at six minutes after the hour so as to not miss a minute of his show — a habit I keep even today. The way he described his belief in conservatism reached out and grabbed me and I've been a loyal listener ever since.
So it is not from a place of hatred or misunderstanding that I write this. I'm not a plant from Media Matters. But when it comes to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Limbaugh is a mind-numbing, frustrating hypocrite (with all due respect, of course).
His tacit endorsement of Trump, now occurring daily during his show, is almost impossible to understand. Listening to him gleefully discussing Trump is painful for those of us who have followed his advice for decades. Why? Let's break it down.
Look at the polls
For years, Limbaugh has lambasted the "drive-by media" for their insistence on using polling data to make headlines and drive the story of the day. Trump's appearances and speeches, for the most part, are Trump droning on about how well he's doing in the polls. It's often the only story.
Words mean something
One of Limbaugh's biggest criticisms of President Obama has always been the vagueness in Obama's message; in his way of speaking until he can think of something to say; in the blank canvas that he offers us to project our hopes and dreams upon. And that, when he goes off-message, he often misspeaks. Explaining what Obama meant to say has become a cottage industry for websites like Vox and full-time gigs for a variety of nationally known journalists.
When has Trump ever offered anything of substance? His speeches are meandering streams of consciousness, and although he claims each to be unique, they are often the same litanies of vague promises. Trump will negotiate hard with China and Mexico. Trump will make the military so strong it will make your head spin. You'll get bored with winning so much. Chinese bankers live in his building, which proves he can bring jobs back from China. Trump thinks reporters are sleazy. Trump will hit you so hard. And, oh, by the way, have you seen the polls?
Big government
Limbaugh has been the voice for those who believe in smaller government for as long as he's been on the air. So it would stand to reason that challenging Trump on even his vague promises to vastly enlarge an already bloated government should give Limbaugh pause. Apparently, it doesn't. How many new government agencies will be necessary to round up 11 million illegal immigrants, send them back to Mexico and then let them back in? How many billions of dollars will it cost to make the military so great your head will spin? How many government workers will be required to build the Trump wall, complete with a beautiful Trump door?
The Kardashianification of American politics
Limbaugh has long lamented "low-information voters," who, he claims, are responsible for the rise of Obama. It's not his policies that win the day; it's the fact that he's cool and hip. His celebrity overcomes all other weaknesses.
Trump took the money that his father left him and built a series of failed casinos. What else does he have to offer, other than gaudy celebrity?
The Limbaugh Theorem
Simply put, the Limbaugh Theorem is Limbaugh's explanation as to why Obama remains popular when so many of his policies lack public support. It posits that Obama is always campaigning against the bad guys or bad situations, even when those situations are of his own making. It's a disassociation in the public perception of him between cause and effect.
Just peruse Trump's Twitter feed to see the Limbaugh Theorem on full display. He's always campaigning; always ready to right to wrongs in the world. The problem, though, is that many of those wrongs will be borne from a Trump presidency. He'll be there on Twitter or on another stop in his perpetual campaign, making obscenely vague promises that only he can fix what is wrong.
I'm still listening, Rush. But I hope you are, too. We don't need another blank canvas in the Oval Office, gilded or otherwise.
Hale is a freelance writer who lives in San Antonio with his wife and three children.
Another serving of anti-Trump drivel while adding Rush as a side dish.
It’s called “the crazy plate”.
Go Trump!
A bunch of smears by someone you don’t know, but you insist on standing on it like gospel.
Ok. Check. That figures. Impeccable logic.
We’re going to have some football and turkey. You keep right on a-seething. Have a good time alone.
Dear samtheman,
Nice personal, insulting post.
I do not work for anyone. I have never taken a red cent from any campaign
If I had, Cincinatus will be asking why our bank account doesn’t reflect all that “filthy lucre.”
Since you can’t defend Trump’s failings, you resort to attacking the messenger.
But it doesn’t change the truth about Trump’s liberal bent.
Now Rubio is a total fraud on immigration. Rubio campaigned against amnesty but once in the Senate was for amnesty. Rubio is completely untrust worthy. Cruz is much better then Rubio but not as good as Trump :)
And you did just as I predicted.
“She’ll deny she said that, of course.”
Second the thoughts. Listen to Rush everyday and never heard him endorsed anyone. Does he talk about Trump a lot? Yes because Trump is the the news of lately of how the media, GOP and Democrats are all united to take him down
She lost it in the front and the middle, too. ;-)
You are a paid political hack and I am not the only one in FR who sees through your tireless pro-GOPe propaganda.
Shame. On. You.
Ignore the front runner, who Rush & Conservatives enjoy seeing fighting back against the MSM & GOPe & Political Correctness.
It's just not fair Trump gets all the attention because of all the antics & divisiveness.
If only Rush had given poor Scott Walker all that attention.
Try to have a Happy Thanksgiving.
You supported La Raza Rick and voted for Willard. There’s two Socialists right there.
You are teaming with the media, GOPe and liberals in an all out assault to bring Trump down. You have to admit what Trump is saying resonate with a lot of Americans so his supporters will not waiver.
You got no right to bitch with your ad hominems all over this thread and others.
Who did you vote for?
The other day I heard Rush make an on the fly spoonntaneous remark about Cruz that sounded to me like a ringing endorsement.
It’s the first thing I thought of upon reading this guys story headline.
What I like about Trump on immigration is he, unlike any other candidate, does not need Congress to pass a single thing to implement his “plan”. Trump is simply saying he would enforce existing law. He will build the wall. The wall has already been authorized by Congress. It just needs to be funded and maybe Mexico will pick up the tab. lol
The same person you asked me the last time.
At this point, I like Theodore Cruz; but, having said that,
I will crawl with bare knees over broken glass (well,
gravel then) to vote for Don Trump or anybody but
HITLER-Y Clintoon & her little First Laddie In Waiting,
Billious Clintoon.
But you give credence to the author because he says what you think - doesn't matter if you know me or not but it's telling that you think the unknown author has creds. You thought you knew Walker too...
It’s Rafael Edward Cruz, actually. Not Theodore (or Simon or Alvin). I will only vote for a nominee that is not a ringer, and the RINO Establishment only puts up ringers (McQueeg and Willard). They’ve made it plain they prefer Zero and Hillary to an anti-Establishment Conservative.
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