Posted on 11/25/2015 11:34:24 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
In the summer of 1992, Rush Limbaugh saved me from myself. I was an 18-year-old high school graduate about to begin college, too impatient to wait for adulthood to come to me. So instead, I went in search of it the only way I knew how: by engulfing myself in presidential politics and the fascinating campaigns that summer between Bill Clinton, George Bush and Ross Perot.
Like many idealistic teens, I was at first drawn to the youthful Clinton campaign and Fleetwood Mac's cheerful command to "Don't stop thinking about tomorrow." But then I started listening to Limbaugh and it changed everything. I was working as a delivery driver, so I'd plan my trips at six minutes after the hour so as to not miss a minute of his show — a habit I keep even today. The way he described his belief in conservatism reached out and grabbed me and I've been a loyal listener ever since.
So it is not from a place of hatred or misunderstanding that I write this. I'm not a plant from Media Matters. But when it comes to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Limbaugh is a mind-numbing, frustrating hypocrite (with all due respect, of course).
His tacit endorsement of Trump, now occurring daily during his show, is almost impossible to understand. Listening to him gleefully discussing Trump is painful for those of us who have followed his advice for decades. Why? Let's break it down.
Look at the polls
For years, Limbaugh has lambasted the "drive-by media" for their insistence on using polling data to make headlines and drive the story of the day. Trump's appearances and speeches, for the most part, are Trump droning on about how well he's doing in the polls. It's often the only story.
Words mean something
One of Limbaugh's biggest criticisms of President Obama has always been the vagueness in Obama's message; in his way of speaking until he can think of something to say; in the blank canvas that he offers us to project our hopes and dreams upon. And that, when he goes off-message, he often misspeaks. Explaining what Obama meant to say has become a cottage industry for websites like Vox and full-time gigs for a variety of nationally known journalists.
When has Trump ever offered anything of substance? His speeches are meandering streams of consciousness, and although he claims each to be unique, they are often the same litanies of vague promises. Trump will negotiate hard with China and Mexico. Trump will make the military so strong it will make your head spin. You'll get bored with winning so much. Chinese bankers live in his building, which proves he can bring jobs back from China. Trump thinks reporters are sleazy. Trump will hit you so hard. And, oh, by the way, have you seen the polls?
Big government
Limbaugh has been the voice for those who believe in smaller government for as long as he's been on the air. So it would stand to reason that challenging Trump on even his vague promises to vastly enlarge an already bloated government should give Limbaugh pause. Apparently, it doesn't. How many new government agencies will be necessary to round up 11 million illegal immigrants, send them back to Mexico and then let them back in? How many billions of dollars will it cost to make the military so great your head will spin? How many government workers will be required to build the Trump wall, complete with a beautiful Trump door?
The Kardashianification of American politics
Limbaugh has long lamented "low-information voters," who, he claims, are responsible for the rise of Obama. It's not his policies that win the day; it's the fact that he's cool and hip. His celebrity overcomes all other weaknesses.
Trump took the money that his father left him and built a series of failed casinos. What else does he have to offer, other than gaudy celebrity?
The Limbaugh Theorem
Simply put, the Limbaugh Theorem is Limbaugh's explanation as to why Obama remains popular when so many of his policies lack public support. It posits that Obama is always campaigning against the bad guys or bad situations, even when those situations are of his own making. It's a disassociation in the public perception of him between cause and effect.
Just peruse Trump's Twitter feed to see the Limbaugh Theorem on full display. He's always campaigning; always ready to right to wrongs in the world. The problem, though, is that many of those wrongs will be borne from a Trump presidency. He'll be there on Twitter or on another stop in his perpetual campaign, making obscenely vague promises that only he can fix what is wrong.
I'm still listening, Rush. But I hope you are, too. We don't need another blank canvas in the Oval Office, gilded or otherwise.
Hale is a freelance writer who lives in San Antonio with his wife and three children.
CW's stock in trade.
Hey, I tried to warn her with Christian love and charity that the SS Walker was sinking and she wouldn’t right the ship with endless hate directed at the opposition (namely Trump). Predictably, she ignored such sound advice.
We’re right with you, like a bunch of people helplessly watching while a sinkhole swallows a house.
And for that matter his gun policy, not the best in the world but far, far from the worst.
Trump is the deal maker that a few wise people (like Jeff Sessions) are using to make hay while the sun shines. If Trump calls out “Let’s make a deal” and scorners just wrinkle up their noses with “Why bother, we know you’re a [fill in the blank]” then that’s lost opportunity.
Obama, for whatever it’s worth, didn’t come with “Let’s make a deal.” He came with “You like that piece of baloney I volunteered? Here’s some more.” There wasn’t even an attempt at dialogue. He was the New Royalty. And that has kept right up to this present day.
Zero: “I won.”
Trump: “We’ll win.”
Currently there are 25 million plus illegally here in the USA. Almost all of them are from third world Marxist countries and almost all of them if given the vote would vote Democratic. The 25 million figure would swell to over 75 million if illegals are legalized via family reunion via chain immigration. These are some pretty big numbers CW.
Now if the GOP was up in arms fighting to save the nation from invading hordes of illegals then we the people might look for a better candidate then Trump. But the GOP isn't. In fact the GOP being entirely owned by Wall St Banker and the Chamber of (cheap labor) Commerce is fine USA being over run. Ergo we only have Trump.
It is either Trump or we lose the country. Trump is the only candidate says "Deport" the only one. Trump is the only candidate that is not beholden to billionaire donors, The Club for Growth, Wall St bankers or the Chamber of (cheap labor) Commerce. Even blue collar democratic get this and they are for Trump too.
This is not rocket science CW, surely you can understand that survival comes before ideological purity!
How many new ones? ZERO.
How many billions of dollars will it cost to make the military so great your head will spin?
Don't know, butu in any event, such expenditures will be entirely Constitutional and not require any new government agencies.
Furthermore, Trump is on record with his desire to eliminate several of the unneeded (and unconstitutional) alphabet agencies as well.
How many government workers will be required to build the Trump wall, complete with a beautiful Trump door?
Don't know but, again, at least it would be for a Constitutionally valid reason, and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the work ended up being done in partnership with the private sector.
This article really couldn't be much weaker in terms of content, logic, and persuasiveness. It's laughable on its face.
Let me be very clear. Trump is far from perfect. But, aside from Cruz, Trump is one of the very few who will lead, and at least try to accomplish his stated goals.
I still prefer Cruz, but Trump would also make a fine President. Whoever wins the nomination should select the other as his VP.
Furthermore, Donald Trump will garner votes from many diverse elements of the political spectrum: blacks, independents, fiscal conservatives, etc.
He'll destroy Hillary in the general election.
Trump has both the GOPe and the Democrats (the party of Perjury and Obstruction of Justice) scared out of their wits.
Who could ask for anything more?
Climb aboard the Trump Hype Train, CW. Sooner or later, you will...
And the other promising Trump factor is the “Let’s make a deal” factor.”
He’s asking America “show me what you want, I’ll offer you a mirror to it.” In a government that really is supposed to be representative, this is an astounding assertion. If it is sincere, this means a cooperative attitude. It also is a sober call to attention. What “DO” you want? What trouble are you taking to get it to Trump’s ears?
This may not end up being ideologically pure either, but the constant story of American government is that it has always proved an infestation place for what we call liberals. These liberals know they have a hard sell through a pure representative process, so they wheedle to the egos of the governing parties. Trump, in some awkward sense, is calling out to America “Let’s short circuit that.” Don’t know about other folks’ opinions of this, but I’d say it’s worth trying.
Very easily done. Trivially easy, actually, as I and many others have already demonstrated.
The article's pathetic content is the epitome of transparent propaganda, and barely even worthy of rebuttal.
Nonetheless, it stands thoroughly exposed.
Donald Trump is simply not going to be taken down by such banal tactics.
Indeed, most voters (including even traditional "low information" voters) are fully aware of these smear tactics by the GOPe, lamestream media, and Democrats, to the degree that, collectively, the laughable shenanigans can only result in blowback for their originators.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump's candidacy waxes ever stronger with each feeble attack.
Attack ads by other candidates against Trump will serve only to drive down the numbers of the attacker.
This is going to be fun to watch over the next few months, as the wailing, gnashing of teeth, and hand-wringing reach an impotent crescendo.
You didn’t answer the question, you keep dodging it. That means ‘no’.
Seriously, get some help for your TDS.
I finally figured out who you are! Took time, but hot lickety damn! You’re “Anchor Baby Michelle”, the one who got fired from O’Reilly after Geraldo called you out on it!
//But I’m learning about how “conservative” posters on FR really are - and it seems that they are willing to back a liberal. //
Oh that is rich coming from you who ended up backing liberal Romney
And again you keep accusing Trump of things without proof. Not that I expect otherwise from you.
Ok, this may be a breath of etiquette as I am technically a n00b, but I’ve lurked here for many years and finally signed up once I retired from the Army, it also may be because I am awake at freaking 0500 on a holiday morning but this post and subsequent discussions have seriously irked me. So here goes...
1) CW, if you have listened to Rush a such as you claim, how do you not understand that core of his show is making and discussing his obstervations of the American political scene, Donald Trump has shaken that scene more than any other recent political figure since FDR. Given Trump’s unapologetic defense of conservative positions the poitical establishment has seemingly placed out of bounds, it is no wonder that Rush’s comments may occasionally border on gleeful.
2) Rush also was similarly enthusiastic about Gov. Walker’s counter-union stand in Wisconsin and he has been effusive in his praise for both Ted Cruz (my first choice by far) and he is a clear admirer of Ben Carson as well. The bottom line is that we suffered from an embarrassment of riches in the quantity and quality of GOP candidates this year.
3) Given the breadth and depth of the field this year, something was going to have to give, Perry, Walker, and yes, even Jeb! at one point, did good things in the past, but also both have compromised themselves (Perry never took on the execrable David Dewhurst, who should have stopped the illegal alien tuition bill).
4) In Trump, Cruz, Carson, and even Rubio (who was conservative except for his fatal embrace of the gang of eight) we have a field that is not only conservative, but unapologetically so. Trump, counter to most recent political figures, seems to be becoming more conservative as time goes on. For the moment, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, thought my heart and gut tell me Cruz is the better choice.
5) Finally, your inability to counter fieldmarshaldj points undermine your already weak arguments. He is a virtual encyclopedia of American political history and I believe is a reasonable authority on what does and does not constitute an endorsement. You snipes against him and others who concur in his assessment are reflecting poorly upon you.
I respect you position as a long time poster, but your assessment is incorrect. Rush likes Trump, but is, in no sense, making an endorsement. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
“”People who listen to Rush know he’s on the “field,†almost 3 hours a day, running interference for Trump, as well as on the sideline waving pompoms and encouraging the people in the stands to back Trump.””
I listen to him daily, obviously you don’t or you would never make such a ridiculous comment. Does he talk about him daily yes but do you know the reason why? Trump has been a one man show throughout this process by saying things and doing things the GOP don’t agree with. And I might add he’s kicking everybody’s ass in the process, most importantly the media! How he has used and played the media like a fiddle has been a joy to watch and Rush like myself can’t help but to enjoy the ass kicking. Rush isn’t saying anything different than people all over the US. Our local coffee shops are filled with conversation about the media and GOP war on Trump and how he totally beats them to the punch. It’s been a joy to watch!
Had you listened to Rush at all instead of berating him you’d know Rush is a Cruz guy and always has been. He mentions him from time to time and his rising pole numbers but the real show is in watching Trump. He’s got the GOP crying and whining like babies and I’m loving it. My primary vote like Rush’s will be for Cruz but should he lose I’ll have no problem backing Trump.
Now that’s funny
I think that part of it is that Rush is very in awe of anybody with money. I remember when Romney ran, Rush couldn’t stop gushing about what a “decent” man he was and how he was a model for us all. Both Romney and Trump were born into wealth, of course, and used their contacts to make more, hardly a rags to riches American achievement story!
Which are?
You have a blank slate to imprint your "desires" for what Trump is and it is not based on his past.
I find it interesting (but very informative) that all the talk for the past 16 odd years of being a FReeper that all the purity, the demands for authenticity, the cries over someone's past positions, the anger about unvetted candidates, that Trump is now the unassailable "One."
I will also note, that he's not pulling a majority of support - and that he is flirting with 3-rd party again.
So, please, tell me why you do not see a Hillary presidency being spawned by her friend Donald Trump?
It’s a lot easier to go from riches to rags. Just a keeping riches story is significant today.
Vague, hand wavey talk when it isn’t direct palpable lies and guff.
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