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The White House Misfires on Limbaugh
Wall Street Journal ^ | 03/12/2009 | Karl Rove

Posted on 03/12/2009 6:30:31 PM PDT by Redgirl

Presidents throughout history have kept lists of political foes. But the Obama White House is the first I am aware of to pick targets based on polls. Even Richard Nixon didn't focus-group his enemies list.

Team Obama -- aided by Clintonistas Paul Begala, James Carville and Stanley Greenberg -- decided to attack Rush Limbaugh after poring over opinion research. White House senior adviser David Axelrod explicitly authorized the assault. Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel assigned a White House official to coordinate the push. And Press Secretary Robert Gibbs gleefully punched the launch button at his podium, suckering the White House press corps into dropping what they were doing to get Mr. Limbaugh.

Was it smart politics and good policy? No. For one thing, it gave the lie to Barack Obama's talk about ending "the political strategy that's been all about division" and "the score-keeping and the name-calling." The West Wing looked populated by petulant teenagers intent on taking down a popular rival. Such talk also shortens the president's honeymoon by making him look like a street-fighting Chicago pol instead of an inspirational, unifying figure.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; Government
KEYWORDS: backfire; dncstrategy; karlrove; limbaugh; obama; rahm; rove; rush; talkradio; waronrush
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To: Redgirl

Oh, the media will do whatever the Obamessiah tells them to do. If the Obamessiah says, “PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!”, they will say, “What curtain?” If the Obamessiah curses, “$H#T!”, they will run the the corner, drop their drawers and strain until they blow a hemorrhoid.


21 posted on 03/12/2009 7:23:34 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Socialism is the belief that most people are better off if everyone was equally poor and miserable.)
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To: top 2 toe red
Not only is Gibbs a bold faced lying idiot, he is truly the most inarticulate person I have EVER speak in public.

Laura Ingraham refers to hin as "The Family Guy"....

22 posted on 03/12/2009 7:30:20 PM PDT by FDNYRHEROES (In just 3 days, the War on Terror became the War on Free Speech.)
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To: Bubba_Leroy

Ahh....thank you for the rymnb


23 posted on 03/12/2009 7:42:38 PM PDT by padre35 (You shall not ignore the laws of God, the Market, the Jungle, and Reciprocity Rm10.10)
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To: Redgirl

Next idea, start an international crisis.


24 posted on 03/12/2009 7:44:23 PM PDT by School of Rational Thought (CPA, MBA needs a job - referrals welcome)
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To: FDNYRHEROES

He looks just like Peter Griffin and is probably just about as smart.


25 posted on 03/12/2009 8:03:35 PM PDT by redk
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To: mia
Well, that was sure a stupid way to go about it. Attempting to blitz a talk show host that has a million watt bull horn and half the country as supporters in crazy.
26 posted on 03/12/2009 8:10:27 PM PDT by ANGGAPO (Leyte Gulf Beach Club)
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To: FlingWingFlyer

Listen to ‘em? Hell, he’s practically governing on behalf of them.


27 posted on 03/12/2009 8:17:16 PM PDT by bamahead (Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master. -- Sallust)
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To: Lazamataz

bump


28 posted on 03/12/2009 8:18:24 PM PDT by bamahead (Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master. -- Sallust)
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To: Redgirl

Everything about Obama so far has been a lie. And I thought only the Clintons lied every time they opened their mouths, LOL. Must run in the democrat line...


29 posted on 03/12/2009 8:41:29 PM PDT by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)
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To: mia

“It was the same with the Clinton administration,”

Yup. Bombed an aspirin factory to distract from Monica. The dems are so disgusting.


30 posted on 03/12/2009 8:46:50 PM PDT by MayflowerMadam (I feel much better since I gave up hope.)
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To: terycarl
>>>Carville is heard to have said “I don’t want Bush to suceed” that was on the morning of 9-11!!!!<<<

Not to cut the viper Carville any slack, but I believe it was 9/10/01 that he said that.

31 posted on 03/12/2009 9:13:39 PM PDT by HardStarboard ("The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule - Mencken knew Obama)
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To: HardStarboard

No,it was on the morning of 9/11. Carville,Begalla,and some other dem hack holding a private confrence with the press invited when Carville made the statement. About that time the word came about the attack.Carville told the press that was there not to print what he said!


32 posted on 03/13/2009 6:45:43 AM PDT by painter (No wonder democrats don't mind taxes.THEY DON'T PAY THEM !)
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To: Redgirl

...I’ve never been asked to poll, Vote, my opinion on any issue. Anyone here be polled? Maybe, they make this crap up, like, The recession? The stimulus? “Things” are lookin better”! Uhhpp, Gee wizz!? Thankyew... lies to further their agenda? Naaa,,,

...Go back to bed, America, yer government is in control, we’ll wake you up after we figure out how to USE you. sleep tight...


33 posted on 03/13/2009 9:00:56 AM PDT by gargoyle (People tell me, 'You hate America, leave!' I don't hate America, it's Americans I hate!)
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