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."
Bump.
Amid a very weak economy that didn't turn until '83. S&P + over 10% on the year should mean a great night for incumbents.
Beats being kicked in the back while one plays apologist to their front.
Allen looked like an idiot.
Santorum ran a hard campaign in a state that never "should" have elected him (not to mention his congressional seat). Santorum did everything he could. But the state is just too blue now.
I hope he doesn't disappear, but I have a hard time seeing him run for President. I'd be delighted, though, if he did....stranger things have happened.
"Nothing like being kicked while you are down."
If you deserve the kicking, then so be it. Rush nails it, afraid of their shadow Republicans.
Eyup. I agree, unfortunately.
Nixon lost an election in the CA governorship in 62 and was President in 68.
"Actually the biggest issue was corruption.
Mehlman last night admitted it last night without shading on NBC."
Didn't see that, do you have a link, or can you be more specific about the corruption?
Good point.
"Welcome home, Rush. I'm glad you're done being a lap dog for the GOP."
Amen
You're kidding right?? You know there always has to someone to point at and blame. Just look at the constant derision put forth toward libertarians in this forum.
Narrow mindedness doesn't even begin to cover it.
Of course, we all know that the only thing a libertarian believes in is, say it with me now, "legalized drugs." Nevermind that our founding fathers would most likely more closely identify with libertarians than conservatives.
"Actually the biggest issue was corruption."
Actually the biggest issue was how the corruption of Democrats gets a pass. I know for example that there was maore than enough info to sink Harry Reid, but the Repubs were too wishy washy to pick up the info and flog the bastard with it. Instead, they let Foley be the issue. Or how about what Hastert did for Jefferson? Disgusting.
Chris Shays held on. Nancy Johnson ran a hard right campaign, when she actually isn't hard right, and lost.
Each district is different of course. There are local issues. Pretending that you run the same candidates in Connecticut that you do in Mississippi is pretty silly. The democrats won actually by putting anti abortion candidates up in purple districts or states. They put up pro second amendment candidates in Western States. They played retail politics well. Those who think that there is some perfect conservative candidate that can be cloned and well represent every one of the 435 districts and 50 states is deluding themselves.
Sometimes too, in the course of political cycles, you can become a victim of your own success.
I agree. The Republicans platform of "At least we aren't Democrats" just didn't work this time around.
You know that you can shout as long and loud for months but if no one hears you(such as the press) it won't make a difference.
we all have a stake in trying to dismantle the media and their democrat protection racket.
Don't feel lonesome. Not one thing on my ballot went the way I voted and that includes, national, state and county. A total loss.
This election was a classic case of "death by 1000 cuts" it wasn't one thing in particular, but a combination of a lot of things.
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