Posted on 06/06/2002 3:07:53 PM PDT by TLBSHOW
Folks, many of you have been calling into this show to rip into me for criticizing President Bush on any number of issues. I'm going to tell you what I think.
You guys that are ripping me apart act like the president's approval numbers are down in the forties and that I've caused it. Last time I looked, his approval numbers were in the high 70s and among Republicans he has a 90% approval rating. I think that with most of you, this president could announce a tax increase today and you'd think that it was great, you wouldn't criticize it and you'd say something like, "Well, yeah we're in a war, got to raise taxes," You'd come up with some sort of a means to support it. If I questioned it, you'd have at me.
Some of you are asking of me something I can't do. You're asking me not to be an honest broker. Some of you remember the primary campaign of 1992, when I endorsed Pat Buchanan. The specific reason I did that was because I was of the opinion that not enough conservatism was in the White House then and I thought conservatism in the primary debate would go a long way toward reminding George Bush 41 what it was that got him elected - and if he was going to be reelected he had to remember his conservative roots.
Now, when I'm simply standing for the same things that I have always stood for and not wavering a bit, I'm accused of selling out conservatism. I'm a conservative, but I'm not beholden to the Republican Party. I'm always going to remain loyal and devoted to my ideals. I will guarantee you this, folks.
Previously on this program we listed eleven or so issues on which the administration has flip-flopped. You can name any issue, but take campaign finance as an example: If I had come out and said I'm all for campaign finance reform, that John McCain is right, you would have called here in droves and accused me of selling out, and asking me what had become of my conservatism. Some of you might have even asked me if I was trying to ingratiate myself with liberals to be invited to their stupid parties - like one such caller did on Wednesday's program. You can hear a whole bunch of callers' opinions in From Across the Fruited Plain: Embattled El Rushbo Battles Back.
I am simply saying that I oppose all of these things and disagree with them, yet I'm the one that's accused of selling out. All I've done is remain rock steady, folks. What I have done is remain in lockstep with my conservative values, beliefs, and principles. I haven't wavered from them at all. I am not the one who changed my mind on campaign finance reform or steel tariffs or education or spending or global warming or on anything I believe. Those of you who are angry with me for standing by these principles obviously have.
I'll transcribe the 2 mentions of tax increases and post them. If I have time I'll encode them in RealAudio and put them online.
He wasn't joking. I've been a regular listener since 1989 and I've laughed through all his hoaxes, soccer being one of the funniest, to hear the outrage of the callers, but on this one he was serious.
He mentioned again Thursday that he had spoken with Karl Rove on Tuesday or Wednesday morning about the EPA global warming fiasco, and I'm wondering if Rove asked him to float a trial balloon for increased taxes on his show and see what the response might be.
So far it appears that there is no response. I'm amazed that nobody on FR has mentioned it.
With ya pardner...
Your entire post is poignant, right on, and clearly defines true conservatism (not necessarily Republicanism) -- principle before party.
And sadly, we have discovered some here at FR demand blind fanaticism, while directing vitriolic harangues toward dissenters not heard since...well...yes, Carville, Lanny Davis, and...(bleeech)...Victor Kamber.
BTW, Scalia IS #1 ;-)
In theory, but recently it's morphed into an alternative universe version of itself where an exorcist may actually be needed for a few of the possessed.
It's simple. People still have a herd mentality. My guy won so I will never question anything he does. I voted for and support George Bush for the most part, but I question some of his policy changes. When did it become a sin to question the policys of those we elected? Only liberals and commies follow in lockstep behind those in power. Soccer Moms swooning over Clinton come to mind.
Other than that, I do not owe you any sort of an explanation of my life or background.
I support the President, because he is doing the best he can with a whole host of problems handed to him by the previous administration. I understand incrementalism and compromise. You can continue to rant about every single thing the President does. I assume that at some point people will either see that the President has been doing a good job, or they will follow people like you over the cliff. I am hoping there are enough intelligent conservatives to understand what we will lose if we do not back the President.
Please do not address me any more. I have stayed away from you and do not wish to be tempted into rude behavior. Thank you.
To accuse his loyal, long-time listeners who disagree with his particular criticisms, especially his debacle on the recent global warming flap, of having no principles and of being ready to justify a tax increase or whatever is nothing but a reverse personal attack.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Rush: No one expects you or wants you to compromise your principles. No one expects you or wants to refrain from criticizing any politician if you judge that appropriate. But, likewise, don't expect those of us who disagree with your criticism (again, not your right to criticize) to be quiet and don't accuse us of selling out.
I don't think Rush has sold out at all. I just think he's been wrong on a number of issues lately.
That only goes to his supposed divination of the motive or integrity of those who disagree with him, not to why he thinks his position his better founded than that of his critics.
For a commentator of Rush's emminence to go online and claim that people who disagree with his analysis of Bush's policies are "without principles" and "sell-outs" and "ripping him [Rush]" is in fact self-pitying garbage.
Criticize the Prez all you want---I do when appropriate---but take the heat for your criticism with a little grace, please.
The guy who has been listening 10-11 years deserves at least a "thanks for making me what I am, even though we disagree on this issue" from Rush.
But, no, you are right: Rush has been unbelievably rude to his own, and he never did that in the past.
So much for discipline under fire. When your own audience gets up in arms, that's when you find out how much of a "highly trained broadcast professional" you truly are. Rush can treat his long-time listeners with respect and stick to his guns at the same time, but he hasn't.
Following is exactly what Rush said about taxes on Thursday's (6-6-02) show, just after the 3rd commercial during the first hour:
...whatever, whatever is happening with the economy, it's always an excuse to raise taxes. So I want to either warn you prepare you or even suggest that there might be at some point an accompanying tax increase proposed to pay for this new cabinet level agency. And it might not be a bad idea. It is going to have to be funded, and it is a crucial, a crucial budget - cabinet level department now.
He mentioned this issue again during the second hour, and I'll scan my tape to find it when I get a chance, and then post it here. I'll try to put it on my server in RealAudio format if I have time.
Anybody who is a 7x24 subscriber to Rush's web site can listen to the show from the archives.
Is that all you could come up with?
Looks like some of the same people who are usually on the "Rush is God" posts.
Especially since Rush knows that the liberal left likes to characterize his audience as mind-numbed robots. He should know better.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.