True; and so do I. That's a far different matter than what I think Rush's chances would be if Obama actually agreed to a head-to-head debate. I stand by my assertion that Obama would hand him his rear end in that format.
And that doesn't justify a personal attack by the president. And if they realize they have nothing to gain (as you say), then why go down this road regardless of what Rush says.
Actually, it marks Obama as a damned fool for giving traction to Rush's remarks. Had he simply let it go, Rush's comments wouldn't ever have seen the light of day outside his niche audience.
Rush is doing a great job of keeping Obama engaged -- and for the life of me I can't figure out why Obama continues to take the bait, other than to chalk it up to his (Obama's) narcissism.
After all, you've said he isn't that influential.
That's not what I said at all. What I said was, that Rush's show is not suited to rebuilding the intellectual foundations of conservatism. Surely you can see the difference?
On that note, we need to be aware Rush is leading us into dangerous territory -- because we've lost our intellectual foundations, it can be very easy for the MSM to paint Limbaugh's opinions as defining "conservatism." Rush is a tempting target: his publicly-stated opinions are tailored to a talk radio audience, and as such cannot be fully fleshed out. Nor does Rush have either the time or (to be frank) the background to form a deeper conservative philosophy. His opinions, such as they're presented on-air, are little more than strawmen, however well-informed Rush himself might be.
As a result, the MSM doesn't actually have to address conservatism in an intellectually rigorous way -- they need only dispense with Limbaugh's necessarily sketchy statements, which is a far easier thing to do.
You: That's not what I said at all. What I said was, that Rush's show is not suited to rebuilding the intellectual foundations of conservatism.
What you said was his radio program does little to advance conservative thought". That to me is the same as lack of influence.
On that note, we need to be aware Rush is leading us into dangerous territory -- because we've lost our intellectual foundations, it can be very easy for the MSM to paint Limbaugh's opinions as defining "conservatism." Rush is a tempting target: his publicly-stated opinions are tailored to a talk radio audience, and as such cannot be fully fleshed out.
What you're missing here is the fact Rush is virtually "everyman's" introduction to conservatism in this day and age. He is their entry to eventually knowing and learning from your John Derbyshires of this World. Without him, there's be far fewer following the call. Painting Rush as "defining" conservatism is irrelevant in fact because of that loss of intellectualism as you put it. People will tune in, they will listen and begin to hear ideas that they've had themselves. They will begin to broaden their interests in conservatism and eventually come to those you believe are the true spokesmen. It's already happened over the past decades and will happen again. Look at the audience Limbaugh has here on FR. Are we clueless? Yet how many of us (including myself) are here because of Rush most of all? This will happen as it needs to happen. You take far too much into account.
they need only dispense with Limbaugh's necessarily sketchy statements, which is a far easier thing to do.
As a result, the MSM doesn't actually have to address conservatism in an intellectually rigorous way -- Then why is he still on the air today, and as influential (oh, yes he is!) as ever? They've been trying this since day #1.
I have to run. I have some things that must be finished yet this afternoon. Let's call it on this post, shall we?
I don't agree. Who has Obama debated? McCain? When has he ever had to actually think on his feet? He hasn't. He will spew forth the same socialist non-answers that he repeated throughout the campaign. He couldn't beat McCain in a debate and McCain didn't appear to be much of a challenge.
I contend that Obama wouldn't know what to do if he were asked an unrehearsed question from someone outside of the left-leaning media. Especially without his teleprompter.