Posted on 11/08/2006 11:54:25 AM PST by Ol' Sparky
'Liberated' Limbaugh flays GOP for lame campaign
Radio host: Conservative values not trumpeted by 'I'm-afraid-of-my-shadow Republican Party'
Posted: November 8, 2006
2:10 p.m. Eastern
By Joe Kovacs
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh says Republicans are to blame for their own demise at the polls by failing to run a campaign trumpeting conservative values.
"You and I hunger for ideological leadership and we're not getting it from the top. Conservatism, conservative ideology was nowhere to be found in this campaign from the top," Limbaugh said today in his post-election analysis. "The Democrats beat something with nothing. They didn't have to take a stand on anything other than their usual anti-war position. They had no clear agenda and believe me, they didn't dare offer one. Liberalism will still lose every time it's offered."
Democrats took control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 1994, with the fate of the Senate still uncertain.
Limbaugh said Republicans allowed themselves to be defined by Democrats and the media, and says they instead should have gone on the offensive.
"It's silly to blame the media. It is silly to blame the Democrats. It is silly to go out and try to find all these excuses," he said. "We have proven we can beat them. We've proven we can beat Democrats. We've proven we can withstand whatever we get from the drive-by media. Conservatism does that. Conservatism properly applied – proudly, eagerly with vigor and honesty – will triumph that nine times out of 10 in this current political environment and social environment in this country. It just wasn't utilized in this campaign."
Limbaugh, a longtime proponent of conservative ideology, believes the primary reason Republicans didn't campaign on their beliefs is "fear of criticism from those in the so-called establishment; and nobody wants to be criticized and nobody wants to go through their life in fear."
He listed a number of benchmarks which should have been the basis for successful campaigns including no terrorist attacks on the U.S. since Sept. 11, 2001, gasoline prices averaging $2.08 per gallon, increased take-home pay, a strong economy and an unemployment rate at a historically low level.
"We all know that there's very positive things happening out there, but it was not trumpeted by the people who should have been shouting it from the rooftops because they were proud of it," Limbaugh said. "They should have been shouting it from the rooftops, 'Look what we've done! Look how America can improve. Look how your future is brighter!' ... instead of allowing the template to be set by its critics. ... You have a defensive, Gee-I'm-afraid-of-my-shadow Republican Party."
In answering questions about how he feels about the election results, Limbaugh said, "I feel liberated. ... I no longer am gonna have to carry the water for people who I think don't deserve having their water carried. ... If those in our party who are going to carry the day in the future both in Congress and the administration are going to choose a different path than what most of us believe, then that's liberating. ...
"There have been a bunch of things going on in Congress. Some of this legislation coming out of there that I have just cringed at. And it has been difficult coming in here trying to make the case for it when the people who supposedly in favor of it can't even make the case themselves."
During the last mid-term congressional election in 2002, Limbaugh proclaimed the Democratic Party to be in total chaos, and advised it to drop failed strategies if members wish to see political gains in the future.
"They're a party in total disarray, total collapse, total chaos," he said at the time.
During the 2004 campaign, Limbaugh said the Democratic Party was completely without a leader in its hunt to regain the White House, and members were desperately trying to invent one.
"They are so absent leadership right now it's a joke," said Limbaugh, "and everybody knows this in the media, and the Democrats are out trying to manufacture one – they're trying to create one. And they've got this list of nine candidates for the Democratic nomination, and nobody can name one of them."
Rudy, Newt or Mitt.
Tell that to Senator Keyes, okay?
The American public agrees with real conservatism.
Like I said, clueless.
We will take back this party.
Not unless you run those of us you all consider moderates off. Didn't you all already try that with the Reform Party and the Constitution Party?
i've been saying this all night. glad to see more people realize that the problems lie with the candidates and their actions rather then voters 'throwing their vote away'
What a helluva day it's been, huh?
Is it possible the Democrats were able to pretend they had values, especially because the MSM focused on GOP scandals, but swept Dem scandals under the rug?
This election was a repudiation of the administration and the perception of incompetence and corruption in the party. This election was neither a liberal wave nor a rejection of conservatism, it was simply a reflection of current discontent.
Candidates that can articulate the concepts of limited government, low taxation and traditional values will win again in the future. As soon as we can find some.
That and W's continuing faith in the "New Tone", which he brought up in his press conference.
The Democrats love Bush. He is the best punching bag they have ever had. He actually facilitates their punching.
I don’t believe this Administration didn’t learn jack sheesh. But you are right on target.
Yes. The Democrats worked hard to show they had as many values as the Republicans.
Reagan lost seats in that election because his tax cuts hadn't kicked in and the country was just coming out of a pretty difficult recession. The great bull market of the 1980's got started in August 1982. And Reagan's great accomplishments in transforming the military would come years later. No comparison to this mid-term election.
out of the ashes, great things pick thier ass up, clean off and decide it won't happen the next time!
I heard a rumor that both Bush and Cheney are contemplating stepping down as soon as Pelosi is installed as Speaker? Maybe they will give the voters what they wanted!!!!! Liberalism!!!!!
Lets do corruption at the same time. 1st lets get rid of that bridge builder in Alaska and travel down to PA and get rid of the disreSpector of all good Republicans. These two would be a good start and by then we can add the McCainanites who want to play both sides line Lindsy Graham and the gang. The tree of Freedom needs to be refreshed with blood on a frequent basis. When they forget who brought them to the dance and now looks to ugly to be their partner we will remove the lifeblood of all politicians, ELECTIVE OFFICE.
We must rebuild quickly as we have the Monarchists in power and they will start to treat as serfs rapidly. Remind traitors that pretend to be conservatives if we must have serfdom it will be without traitors enjoying the fruits.
Remember that holdng office for many of these people is as important as life.
Us conservatives who actually showed up and voted for the GOP have been thrown under the bus.
Reagan still had a devastating mid term defeat in 82.
Good point. All politics are local and the rats did a fairly decent job of finding some good local candidates who talk a good game about pro-life issues, pro second amendment issues, etc in somewhat red or purple districts or states.
Now we will see if these "new" rats are just big talkers or back up their talk with votes to protect second amendment rights, uphold pro-life issues or against abortion rights, vote against amensty for illegals and tougher border control, etc.
Now they will have a voting record that people and their opponents can hammer them on in '08 if they turn out to be your run of the mill socialist/marxist rat!!! If that is the case, alot of these rats will be out of work in two years, providing the GOP can clean it's own house and get back to its conservative ideas.
"This is unacceptable. Lindsay Graham and Chuck Hagel, this means you. They should be removed in PRIMARIES, and the national GOP should stay the hell out of the race"
That's just it, how many Republicans were running against Republican incumbants? Hardly any. The National GOP made sure they supported noone who would challenge a standing Republican, RINO or not.
1) Tax Reform. Real, serious tax reform. Such as the Fair Tax.
2) Close the boarder and through heavy fines and prison sentences for employers, illegals will leave on their own when the jobs dry up.
3) Anti-Emminent Domain abuse. Kelo should have been used as a major point in the campaign. It was ignored. But locally where it was on the ballot it averaged getting 75% of the vote.
Pretty difficult is an understatement... I remember it like a nightmare from last night. 21% interest on home mortgages, soaring fuel prices, inflation, wage freezes and layoffs, almost destroyed California with the slashes in military orders and spending.
I really think Rush went on this rant in response to W's very weak, defensive and apologetic news conference. It was pitiful. He sounded like his father whom I'm convinced really didn't want to be re-elected in 1992.
I'm afraid that I agree with Rush that W and many other Republicans will now be all too anxious to cave to the Dems on most policy issues. They didn't earn any kind of mandate -- they ran on NOTHING and got away with it because of the support of the MSM. Most of the Democrats that won meaningful races ran as fiscal conservatives, gun-loving conservatives, God-fearing conservatives. Yes, almost all ran against Iraq and that reflects another failing of the Bush Administration: making the case to the American people.
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