Old Media Helps Obama Push False Rush Limbaugh Immigration Quotes

publiusforum.com ^ | 09/18/08 | Warner Todd Huston

[Mobile Vulgus]

Yesterday, the Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe reported that the Obama campaign was releasing some new Spanish language campaign ads on TV in Florida and other markets that feature Rush Limbaugh making what appears to be anti-Mexican comments. The ads then link Limbaugh to McCain on immigration attempting to smear them both in the minds of voters. The Limbaugh quotes, however, are so out of context that their use constitutes a lie. Unfortunately, too many media outlets are allowing these lies to stand unchallenged.

As O'Keefe reported on September 17, the ads feature quotes from Rush that display a shocking anti-Mexican immigrant feel. Titled "dos caras" -- or "two faces" -- Rush is quoted as calling Mexicans names and telling them to "shut up and get out."

"They want us to forget the insults we've put up with, the intolerance," the television ad's announcer says in Spanish as a picture of Rush Limbaugh appears onscreen with quotes of him saying, "Mexicans are stupid and unqualified" and "Shut your mouth or get out."

"They made us feel marginalized in a country we love so much," the ad continues. "John McCain and his Republican friends have two faces. One that says lies just to get our vote and another, even worse, that continues the failed policies of George Bush that put special interests ahead of working families."

The companion radio ad uses the same script as above and then continues:

"Don't forget that John McCain abandoned us rather than confront the leaders of the Republican Party. Many of us were born here, and others came to work and achieve a better life for their families -- not to commit crimes or drain the system like many of John McCain's friends claim. Let's not be fooled by political tricks from John McCain and the Republicans. Vote so they respect us. Vote for a change."

It turns out that Rush did actually say the words that the ads use against him. But, it also turns out he did not say them about Mexicans! Rush was not telling Mexicans to "get out" nor did he say that Mexican immigrants are "stupid and unqualified."...

Read the rest at Publiusforum.com...

[Mobile Vulgus]

Will the media report Obama's lies? I'll bet not!!!

[stockstrader]

Let's see here,,,,

the MSM and the Hussein campaign ties Rush (who is not close, or even a friend, of McCain's) to McCain,,,,

while being vocal apologists for Hussein's relationship to Ayers and Wright!!!

Ahhhh,,,,,that makes sense. /s

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Surprisingly, ABC's Jake Tapper does take the ad apart:

From the Fact Check Desk: Obama's New Spanish Language TV Ad Es Erróneo

[stockstrader]

So Hussein is not responsible (according to the Hussein campaign and the MSM) for what Ayers or Wright have said or done,,,

but McCain IS responsible for what Rush says.?

Unbelievable. Absolutely UN*********BELIEVABLE.

[NonValueAdded]

So what is up with the bravo sierra disclaimer “I’m [candidate name] and I approve this ad”? Is it simply boilerplate meant to add a few seconds to every political advertisement as a gift to broadcasters or something? Or does it actually mean something? This ad is a “literary Photoshop” of Rush’s words, completely inverting the meaning and used as a smear. If Limbaugh wasn’t a public figure, it would probably be actionable. Maybe it still is. But we all know there will be little or no consequences to Obama for this.

[figbash]

The ironic part is that this is an issue that McCain sold out on and Rush hit him hard on this.. (June 7, 2007)

We have to pretend that it's not dead, because it isn't dead yet. We have to pretend in order to keep the emotion up, because we have to make sure this thing gets killed, and it isn't dead yet. The president, the White House, have split the party. The good news is he's doomed McCain out there, and the splitting of the party opens up a vacuum for a conservative. And, by the way, breaking with Bush is commonplace now, so the idea that Republicans are breaking away from Bush, the Drive-Bys, the Democrats say, "Oh, this is setting us up really well, Republicans falling apart." Just the exact opposite. It could help in 2008. So, I know a lot of you people are mad at President Bush on this, but we need to thank him because he's taken McCain out of this, apparently, at least for now.

[Russ]

Obama and his campaign knows that the quotes are false. All that matters is that they put the ad out there and it will be believed. Consequences? None...

[sportutegrl]

Is 0bama running against Rush, now? Or is he planning to reinstate the ‘Unfairness Doctrine’?

[tophat9000]

On correction for Jake Tapper Rush was not “Railing against NAFTA” in the one one quote...Rush was pro NAFTA and was mocking NAFTA opponents...

[3AngelaD]

Es erróneo, pero mas vale, es equivocado.

[TigersEye]

The MSM makes up more lies on a daily basis than 0bama does.

[ASOC]

LOL

Rush has a couple of (Native) Spainsh speakers on his staff - I cannot wait for the counter ads, they will be a laff - Paul Shanklin had better watch his rice bowl....

[Mobile Vulgus]

Surprisingly, ABC's Jake Tapper does take the ad apart:

Well, if you had clicked on the story you'd have seen that Tapper's comments are not only mentioned in it, but excerpted.