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Downfall of Limbaugh, Bush just liberals' wishful thinking
The Sun ^ | 10-08-03 | Cal Thomas

Posted on 10/08/2003 12:00:33 PM PDT by jmstein7

Liberals had a good week last week, not because they won any arguments, but because they think two conservatives suffered damage to their credibility.

A lot of liberals think their relentless and over-the-top invective against President Bush is starting to pay off because his formerly high approval ratings have declined. They think they have him hooked into a potential political scandal because someone in government leaked the name of a covert CIA employee. However, they will be kicking themselves next year at election time when it will be proved, once again, how dangerous it is to underestimate George W. Bush.

(Excerpt) Read more at sunspot.net ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: New York
KEYWORDS: culture; editorial; elections; government; news; ny; wishfulthinking
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To: TASMANIANRED
"Rush is not a target in the investigation"

That's the official word from law enforcement.

I find it amazing that so many "conservatives" are willing to abandon Rush because of gossip and rumor.

This is nothing but drug prohibition run amuk!

On the bright side, more people are now tuning in to Rush.
21 posted on 10/08/2003 1:20:28 PM PDT by LittleJoe
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To: SeeRushToldU_So
Thanks for the ping........
22 posted on 10/08/2003 1:26:06 PM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
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To: Tom Bombadil
Look for a backlash if that happens. I won't buy anything from an advertizer that boycotts Rush.
23 posted on 10/08/2003 1:26:29 PM PDT by zencat
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To: jmstein7
Downfall of Limbaugh, Bush just liberals' wishful thinking



By Cal Thomas
Originally published October 8, 2003


ARLINGTON, Va. - Liberals had a good week last week, not because they won any arguments, but because they think two conservatives suffered damage to their credibility.
A lot of liberals think their relentless and over-the-top invective against President Bush is starting to pay off because his formerly high approval ratings have declined. They think they have him hooked into a potential political scandal because someone in government leaked the name of a covert CIA employee. However, they will be kicking themselves next year at election time when it will be proved, once again, how dangerous it is to underestimate George W. Bush.

Their other "victory" was the tabloid outing of radio talk-show king Rush Limbaugh. The National Enquirer published a story that cited a former worker in the Limbaugh household alleging that Mr. Limbaugh has abused prescription painkillers. Although Mr. Limbaugh has not been charged with any offense, he has hired a top criminal defense attorney, Roy Black, who defended William Kennedy Smith against rape charges in a case Mr. Limbaugh regularly lampooned on his radio show.

Liberals have been frustrated that their ideological domination of the media has declined, largely because of Mr. Limbaugh and now Fox News Channel (where I have a weekly show). Knocking him off the air would launch a thousand celebrations from Manhattan's Upper East Side to Beverly Hills and Malibu.

What happened after Mr. Limbaugh said on ESPN that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb gets a break from the media because he is black, and that they and the National Football League want a black quarterback to succeed, amounted to censorship. It also reflects the prevailing double standard about race and racial conversation.

Instead of sacking Mr. Limbaugh (he "resigned"), ESPN should have brought in someone the following week to debate him. Not only would ratings have set a record (the network's stated intention for hiring Mr. Limbaugh), ESPN would be demonstrating the highest principles of pluralism, tolerance and ideological diversity.

Black politicians can say virtually anything about whites (such as equating President Bush and Republicans with the Taliban and "canines," as NAACP Chairman Julian Bond did in July 2001) and suffer no political or personal consequences. Whites are limited in what they can say about blacks. ESPN bowed to political correctness that says any perceived criticism of an African-American by a white person is, by definition, racist.

We've seen this before. In an effort to promote policies even many blacks oppose, black "leaders" are quick to tar anyone with the "racist" label should they fail to toe the liberal line.

Many blacks in the 1970s opposed busing to achieve arbitrary racial "balance" because it meant sending their children out of the neighborhood over long distances. That the white politicians who supported busing could afford to send their children to private schools didn't matter, because their intentions were "noble." If you were white and opposed busing, you were branded a racist and silenced by the charge alone. Whether busing was good social policy (as it proved not to be) could not be debated at the time.

When Mr. Limbaugh emerged on the national scene, he provided a forum in which not only could such ideas be debated but certain liberal doctrines could be ridiculed. Conservative blacks frequently call the show and are treated with respect and admiration by Mr. Limbaugh. The callers tell him they oppose the politics of the liberal black establishment. Rarely are such voices heard in the mainstream media, whose guest bookers always seem to call the same people, such as the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

I have listened to Rush Limbaugh for 10 years. He doesn't tell me what to think. He simply expresses what I and millions of Americans already believe. Mr. Limbaugh reflects views conservatives held before he came along. He has won their allegiance because he respects their ideas, unlike the mainstream media. And he is funny. He is also shy and, yes, humble. Anyone who regularly listens to the show knows of his gratitude for the success he has enjoyed. He worked hard to gain it. If he erred in judgment about prescription pain pills, that does not dilute (as so many liberals wish it would) the power of his arguments.

Just as soon as he is legally able, Mr. Limbaugh should come clean about whether he has a drug problem. If he does, he should admit it and seek help. That's often difficult for one at the top of his profession. But confession, healing and restoration are more satisfying than silence and a high-priced lawyer.


Cal Thomas' syndicated column appears Wednesdays in The Sun. He can be reached via e-mail at www.calthomas.com.



24 posted on 10/08/2003 1:40:02 PM PDT by hattend (Stamp out unnecessary excepting)
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To: hattend
Stamp out unnecessary excerpting, too.
25 posted on 10/08/2003 1:41:18 PM PDT by hattend
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To: NutCrackerBoy
Itis difficult to avoid such imagery when referring to certain prominent politicians. It comes automatically.
26 posted on 10/08/2003 1:50:19 PM PDT by ThanhPhero (Di Hoi An tham Tra Kieu xin Maria.)
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To: basil
I'm convinced that there will be nothing of substance to this story reported in a tabloid.

Would YOU loudly deny it if a newspaper or tabloid publicly accused you of buying painkillers illegally? Rush has been unwilling to deny it, and instead, hired a famous attorney.

27 posted on 10/08/2003 1:56:18 PM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
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To: jmstein7
Rush Limbaugh

"He doesn't tell me what to think.

He simply expresses what I and millions of Americans already believe.

"Mr. Limbaugh reflects views conservatives held before he came along."

"If he erred in judgment about prescription pain pills, that does not dilute (as so many liberals wish it would) the power of his arguments."

"Just as soon as he is legally able, Mr. Limbaugh should come clean about whether he has a drug problem. If he does, he should admit it and seek help."

28 posted on 10/08/2003 2:13:12 PM PDT by Kay Soze (Speaking of true conservatism- How do you excuse “W's" lack of conservatism on so many issues?)
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To: jmstein7
Instead of sacking Mr. Limbaugh (he "resigned"), ESPN should have brought in someone the following week to debate him. Not only would ratings have set a record (the network's stated intention for hiring Mr. Limbaugh), ESPN would be demonstrating the highest principles of pluralism, tolerance and ideological diversity.

This is an interesting idea, didn't think of it myself
29 posted on 10/08/2003 2:15:39 PM PDT by PeterPrinciple
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To: PeterPrinciple
Instead of sacking Mr. Limbaugh (he "resigned"), ESPN should have brought in someone the following week to debate him.
Instead of standing up to the idea that they were hushing certain perspectives, they illustrated by their actions that Rush's claim was exactly right. In the good old days of the "Fairness" Doctrine, they would have been able to drown out any effort to point that out. But in the 21st Century, conservatives in general and Rush in particular can respond with substantial propaganda power.

They are playing with fire to assume otherwise.


30 posted on 10/08/2003 3:21:33 PM PDT by conservatism_IS_compassion (The everyday blessings of God are great--they just don't make "good copy.")
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To: Tribune7
That's about the longest poll question I've ever seen!
31 posted on 10/08/2003 3:30:56 PM PDT by formercalifornian (Hillary doesn't RECALL)
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To: basil
Trust Rush.
32 posted on 10/08/2003 4:06:05 PM PDT by cubreporter
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To: Howlin
talk about loaded question - a double barrelled shotgun aimed at the democrats loaded question!
33 posted on 10/08/2003 4:15:19 PM PDT by WOSG (CALI RECALL VICTORY ! POWER TO THE PEOPLE!)
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To: NutCrackerBoy; ThanhPhero
"Oh, RU-U-sh!"

"Remember those 900 FBI files?"
"See this one? File #901? That's you, Rush."
"See you in Boston, Fat Boy..."

34 posted on 10/08/2003 4:16:49 PM PDT by Old Sarge (Serving You... on Operation Noble Eagle!)
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To: jmstein7
The National Enquirer published a story that cited a former worker in the Limbaugh household alleging that Mr. Limbaugh has abused prescription painkillers.

Hmm... disgruntled employee? This accusation is even smellier than before.

35 posted on 10/08/2003 4:31:33 PM PDT by exDemMom (Michael Jackson for Governor! <--Boo-hoo! He lost!)
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To: formercalifornian
I know, I know, I know. But it's a great one.
36 posted on 10/08/2003 4:47:08 PM PDT by Tribune7
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To: Old Sarge
You're a cruel man, Old Sarge.
37 posted on 10/08/2003 4:47:45 PM PDT by Tribune7
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To: jmstein7
A very good article. I wrote to ESPN and told them they are a bunch of pansies for crumbling at the pressure from the political correctness crowd. I also told them they were idiots for letting Rush "get away" from them. A good debate about McNabb's abilities would have been fun to watch.
38 posted on 10/08/2003 5:08:28 PM PDT by teeples (A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill)
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To: theDentist
"As to rush, yes, there is a hit against his credibility"

I don't agree! Unlike you .. I have not convicted and sentenced him as a drug addict.

Consider this: What if Rush caught his maid using his computer to do her drug business ..?? Geeee .. that would put HER emails on HIS computer. Hmmmm? Does that make him guilty ..?? I don't think so.

To take for granted Rush is using drugs is very unfair.
39 posted on 10/08/2003 5:15:31 PM PDT by CyberAnt
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To: TASMANIANRED
Well, shi'ite muslims!

I forgot all about the liability/forfeiture bit.

Ouch! Manoman, he could pretty much say adios to the southern command center.
40 posted on 10/08/2003 6:37:56 PM PDT by Mr. Thorne (Happiness is gigs o' ram! Ooh! and a new video card! And the Diablo 1.10 beta!)
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