Limbaugh Fills Leadership Void, Republicans Find

The National Post ^ | Published: Saturday, January 31, 2009 | Sheldon Alberts

[lewisglad]

More than any other conservative since Mr. Obama's election, Mr. Limbaugh has been his most vocal and unwavering opponent.

First, he riled the left by saying he hopes Mr. Obama "fails" because his success would bring the rise of socialism in U. S. government.

Then he led a full-frontal assault on the Democrats' $819-billion economic stimulus package, even as Mr. Obama was wooing congressional Republicans with drinks and invitations to watch the Super Bowl at the White House.

When the President told a group of Republicans last week, "you can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done," it was taken as a sign of his concern at the radio host's influence.

And when all 178 House Republicans voted against the stimulus bill, Mr. Limbaugh received -- and happily accepted-- some of the credit.

"It was a great victory for conservatives. It was a great victory for Republicans," he said on his radio program after the vote.

Mr. Obama "is trying to marginalize me. He knows that the Republicans prior to [the stimulus vote] had failed to exist, had ceased to exist as we know them, had gone a little wobbly there in the spine. Now he knows differently."

Mr. Limbaugh has played the role of unofficial opposition leader before. After Bill Clinton's election in 1992, he helped stir a conservative revival that produced the "Republican revolution" in 1994.

"Look, I am a guy on the radio, and I am not by any means an official leader of the Republican party," he told listeners this week. "I am a conservative. The official leaders of the Republican party are fighting over who their ultimate leader is going to be."

Political analysts are asking whether Mr. Limbaugh's brand of uncompromising conservatism is the starting point for a Republican comeback

[poindexters brother]

"Right now they are cornered. Obama holds all the cards. They've got a pair of twos, and that's about it," says Larry Sabato

I question whether congressional Republicans have a pair of anything.

[Sybeck1]

“Iowa and New Hampshire”

Two states an un opposed Obama can reap havoc on conservatives with his minions.

[mc5cents]

I question whether congressional Republicans have a pair of anything.

Oh, they are holding a pair of deuces, trying to bluff out a full house. Good luck!

[sfvgto]

RL should go public and let everyone invest in him. Every time congress or BO starts banging him around, his stock goes up. It could be the best recovery plan out there.

[Richard Kimball]

The Republicans remind me of an outlaw biker I made a medial call on many moons ago. He'd wrecked his bike and was fubared pretty good. He had all the flaming skull tattoos and the semi-satanic emblems on his vest. He was laying on the ground going, "Oh, Sweet Jesus, save me" which sounds suspiciously like a salvation prayer to me.

Anyway, the point is, when death is six blocks over and one block down, he wasn't scared of death. When it's tapping him on the shoulder, that's one big SOB. Same with the Republicans. They didn't find religion until they were in danger of becoming extinct.

BTW, he made it. I have no idea if he changed his long-term outlook or not.

[Richard Kimball]

medial=medical Sheesh.

[gwilhelm56]

** Limbaugh Fills Leadership Void, Republicans Find **

Republicans better THANK GOD that RUSH is there... Otherwise we would have FORGOTTEN about the Republican Party, Already!!

[gwilhelm56]

**I question whether congressional Republicans have a pair of anything. **

Gathering them ALL TOGETHER.. we MIGHT get ONE PAIR

[Albion Wilde]

"They've got a pair of twos, and that's about it," says Larry Sabato...

I question whether congressional Republicans have a pair of anything.

LOL!!!

[Martins kid]

Luckily Rush was there to fill the gap created when Republicans got stuck with a RINO as a presidential candidate. Last Spring we were not able to select our own presidential candidate because Dems crossed over and voted in the Republican Primary. McCain was the choice of the Dems NOT the Republicans. We got stuck with RINO McCain instead of a real solid Republican. The Dems thought that would finish us off - But NOoooooooo - Rush filled that leadership void. God bless him !!!!!

[goldstategop]

Republicans ceased being conservative. If you have no real principles, you lose. Conservatism will be back because the Left, power-drunk and arrogant, always overreaches. Our obituary has been written before. We'll be back.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Cacique]

btt

[NicknamedBob]

When Rush led off his Friday show with "The President of the United States, Barack Obama, owes the American people an apology ..." and then went on to accuse Mister Obama of repeatedly and deliberately lying to us, it sounded to me like a five inch shell across the bow of the Presidential Yacht.

Rush was challenging the President; bringin' it.

Of course, you have to remember that Mister Obama drew first blood. He never should have even acknowledged Rush's existence.

So much for his being as smart as some claim.

[Peet]

Thanks for the opportunity to say this (not TO you, just in general).

Liberals think "ditto-head" means someone whose head is precisely in alignment with Limbaugh's, and who does not allow conflicting views to enter.

If one doesn't know what "Dittos" really means, one doesn't know enough about Rush for their criticism to carry any weight. Heaven knows, Rush explains it often enough even for this new (2.5 year) listener to know precisely what it means.

Peet