GOP chairman apologizes for Limbaugh remarks

Associated Press ^ | March 2, 2009 | JIM KUHNHENN

[Free ThinkerNY]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two days after calling Rush Limbaugh a mere "entertainer" with an "incendiary" talk show, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele apologized and acknowledged the radio commentator as a "national conservative leader."

"To the extent that my remarks helped the Democrats in Washington to take the focus, even for one minute, off of their irresponsible expansion of government, I truly apologize," Steele said late Monday.

Steele's statement capped a remarkable weekend of awkward sparring between Republican officials and Limbaugh, who has repeatedly voiced his desire that President Barack Obama's economic policies fail.

[Arguendo]

If these guys want to attack talk radio, they should attack Sean Hannity.

Rush is obviously intelligent (Sean certainly does not seem to be), he at times raises and certainly articulates compelling arguments (Sean does neither well), and Rush has done a great deal for the Republican party over the past few decades (Sean’s influence is debatable). Unlike Sean, Rush rarely shouts down his opponents, though he often dismisses them with wit. And some of his comments—such as his hope that Obama fails—sound easy to attack, but if you look at them carefully they’re usually circumspect enough that all conservatives should certainly be able to accept them as legitimate opinions of a representative of the movement, even if some conservatives don’t fully agree with them.

Sure, Rush has his flaws, but he’s clearly been an asset to the party. It’s Sean’s style that can damage our image.

[fatima]

I don’t think Steele is a Rino.He has to prove himself but I say give him a chance.

[mrsalty]

I think your wrong!! Rush cares deeply about this country, but he sees it going away because we have a POTUS that only cares about his own agenda!

[fatima]

I disagree.I like Sean and his repeatness.I have been hanitized.He came out with the story of the Pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright and he was that only one that had the courage to put it together for TV for a special airing with the Ayes stuff right before the election..

[LADY J]

"Mitt Romney has a PAC that sends money to conservative politicians only. That’s for me."

"Sounds like a plan."

- - -

Why on earth would you send Romney money? If you want to support a Conservative - send the money directly to that candidate.

[fatima]

Hello,I never said Rush did not care deeply about this Country.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Why? Do you really think having a rino as head of rnc will be good for conservatives? I would think not.

[Soul Seeker]

Rush can get in the national discussion any damn day of the week at any time of his choosing. he was doing so long before someone as irrelevant as Michael Steele came along and will be doing so long after.

I could care less what hero worship you have going on for this guy. I supported his election to Chairman and just as quickly I’m off that band wagon. Why? Because unlike Steele I’m actually a conservative. He revealed himself anything but.

And take your cheap insults elsewhere. A person who is injured, gets addicted to painkillers, apologizes for the screwup, makes amends and gets clean is worthy of a lot more respect then a guy who uses people when he’s in need (Steele during his Senate campaign) then throws them under a bus at first opportunity.

You’ll find Michael Steele’s “army” is relatively small. Which may come as a shock to you and to him, as he apparently thinks he IS the Republican Party. I was under the illusion the millions who work, donate and vote on their behalf were the Party.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

SNIFF SNIFF

[fatima]

My cheep insults,are the producer for Rush’s program here.I had a young man at my dinner table who is going to marry my daughter ,We had the national news on and to my disgust it was republican against republican.The young man voted for Obama.He said Rush was a drug addict.He is 25 years old.he didn’t hear it from me.As for Rush I don’t care what he says.I have my own mind.

[RobinOfKingston]

I can tell you with certainty that we, the great unwashed mass, had a LOT to do with this.

I called his office today with two things in mind. 1) Biggest mistake Steele has made was his comments about Limbaugh, 2) I will never, ever, today nor tomorrow, vote for democrat-lite republicans.

Before I had said five words the young lady I spoke with said she knew what I was calling about.

Her voice quavered the whole time we spoke. Near the end of our conversation I told her that she and the rnc had no idea of the anger across this country. She assured me that she does have a good understanding of that level of anger.

At the end of the conversation, I wished God’s blessings on her personally. Wouldn’t have had her job for anything today.

Our voices are heard if we speak in a large enough group.

[Dionysius]

And you’re going to willingly surrender your daughter to this mouth-breathing liberal meatsack whom obviously won’t have any higher regard for his marriage than he does his country?

[fatima]

:)Of course.She loves him-we love him.He is an only child of a tree hugging family and only voted for Obama to end the war in Iraq:)I was floored that he knew about the drugs which means it travels in the younger crowds.

[SoConPubbie]

I don’t have to find anyone.I represent myself.I sat down at dinner with a young man and the news was on and he saw Rush and said he was a drug addict.I like Steele and he is pro-life and he leads a good life.Rush is OK in some ways.I would say let this die down.Rush is flaming the fire so he gets on national news.

Fatima,

You are full of it.

Rush represents the kind of conservatism we want in the GOP, not Steele's brand, and apparently not yours, since you are willing to support someone who is showing himself more and more to lack the necessary commitment and fidelity to conservative principles.

[Hildy]

I wrote that very thing to the RNC today. That in one fell swoop Steel bankrupted the RNC. Morons.

[dusttoyou]

we aren’t going to be able to use the GOP to do it. I think we need an American or Conservative Party.
We are in full agreement. Someone has to know how to start a new party.

[D-fendr]

The P O W E R schtick doesnt work here either. Steele is not some power mad politician.

Steele shouldn’t have made two remarks, in the heat of actually defending Rush, that he shouldn’t have.

They should both move on.

[AmericanSphinx71]

“Mitt Romney has a PAC that sends money to conservative politicians only.”

Are you joking??? Mitt Romney is the quintessential RINO.

[fatima]

You judge Steele,my little family insight.No judgement on the young man's statement on the use of drugs by Rush.

[Windflier]

I don’t care what Rush’s says.

You said earlier that you are a conservative. If that's so, then I don't understand why you "don't care what Rush says".

Unless, that is, you're speaking of what Rush has to say about Michael Steele. Do you disagree with Rush about that? Do you then agree that Steele's efforts to create a "big tent" for the Republican party is a good thing?

You've got to understand that Rush is a conservative first and foremost, and is only aligned with the Republicans because they've traditionally been the political home of conservatism.

Rush correctly points out that Steele has betrayed his lack of conservative credentials in a time when the Republican party desperately needs to move back to its conservative roots.

Steele now appears to be nothing more than a partisan politico - not a real conservative, which is fundamentally wrong for the leadership of the party at this time.