Posted on 03/11/2009 8:22:33 AM PDT by stan_sipple
Republican State Chairman Mark Fahleson believes the recent media frenzy suggesting Rush Limbaugh has emerged as the new face of the GOP is much ado.
“The Republican Party doesn’t have a king,” the Lincoln attorney said Tuesday.
With the departure of George W. Bush as the titular head of the party, Fahleson said, there’s “an opportunity for a variety of views.”
Newly elected GOP National Chairman Michael Steele is one of those voices, Fahleson said.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is offering a range of public policy ideas now.
“Rush is another voice,” Fahleson said.
“He is someone who offers his opinion and a lot of people listen.”
Limbaugh stirred a media storm with a fiery address to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington 10 days ago. Since then, Limbaugh’s influence has been a dominant topic on national cable news networks.
The controversial radio broadcaster dominates the cover of the current edition of Newsweek magazine.
Fahleson defended Steele from recent critics.
Steele is “doing a fine job” reorganizing and strengthening the GOP in the wake of 2008 national election losses, he said.
His challenge is akin to “taking a very large ship and turning it around,” Fahleson said.
Looking to the future, Republicans need to “return to our principles of fiscal and social conservatism,” Fahleson said.
“We need to be the party of ideas. It is not enough to say we’re against. We need to say here’s our solution.”
Sen. Mike Johanns and Nebraska’s three Republican congressmen “adhered to those principles of fiscal discipline” by voting against President Obama’s $787 billion economic stimulus package, Fahleson said.
“I think they’re doing their job in opposing gargantuan spending increases.”
Republicans need to offer the alternative of “free market solutions (that) reduce taxes and free up small businesses to create more jobs,” he said.
Gov. Dave Heineman and the state of Nebraska provide the example, Fahleson said.
“Discipline in our budget process and taxes at a reasonable level,” he said.
“With the hope of further reducing those taxes.”
And Newt used to be a Conservative, now he's Man-made Global Warming believing Republican.
“His challenge is akin to “taking a very large ship and RUNING IT INTO AN ICEBERG,”
One would hope there's always an opportunity for a variety of views, not just when Democrats control the executive branch. The dominant RINO view in the GOP these past 8 years paved the way for the Obama Presidency.
Exactly, Rush is a conservative leader, not a Republican leader.
Yeah, Rush is just one voice. Don’t have to worry about him. What the GOP should concern themselves with is the many, many ears that listen to that one voice. And the many, many heads that nod, and the many, many other voices that say, “you know, Rush may have a point.” Because all those other ears and heads and voices are what will fund the GOP (or not) and they VOTE.
I’m purer than you are!!!!
Idiots, don’t they see Rush isn’t our leader, he is our voice, over 25million don’t listen to him just for entertainment reasons for pitty sakes!
Don't fret.
The Organized Media and the Obama administration will get around to silencing the others, shortly.
First things first, donchya know.
Exactly.
Anyone know if this guy voted “Yes” for any of the pork projects??
Rush SAYS what Conservative America THINKS. The GOP ignores Rush at it’s peril!
“Steele is “doing a fine job” reorganizing and strengthening the GOP in the wake of 2008 national election losses, he said”
...quit trying to “polish a turd” (with all due respect) and get someone else!!
Rush does more than verbalize conservative sentiment, he is a keen analyst of political and cultural trends.
Rush himself said the Republican Party doesn’t have a leader now and will not until we find out who will be the next Presidential nominee.
We didn’t need this guy in order for it to be properly handled.
Prove it!!!!
Republicans...Please go away. I can not stand them anymore.
UGGGHHHHG!
Rush is not the leader even of the conservatives. He is the most popular talk show host, so in that sense he is a leader of sorts. But no one I know considers him their leader. His last minute rino Romney cheerleading (granted to beat McCain) was preceded by months of ignoring the real conservatives in the 2008 race for the GOP nomination.
By all means, Mark. Let’s distance ourselves from Rush and follow a really important, popular guy with a big following who speaks for the majority of the American public. Like Arlen Specter, huh?
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