RUSH REMAINS ROCK SOLID (WHO HAS SOLD OUT? RUSH ASKS)

rushlimbaugh ^ | 6/6/2002 | Rush Limbaugh

[TLBSHOW]

RUSH REMAINS ROCK SOLID

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.

[Ken H]

The Bush Administration has endorsed the EPA report that says global warming is real and that it is mostly likely due to human activity. Rush had the audacity to call them on it and that is what has many in a snit.

Rush is going to work hard to turn out the GOP vote in 2002. Trashing him will not help us take back the Senate and solidify the House.

[Dane]

It's really hard to stomach the vitriol directed at conservative voices like Limbaugh, Hannity, and Drudge for voicing opposition to absolutely inexplicable acts by this administration.

And it is really hard to for me to stomach limbaugh, hannity, and drudge with running away with a hyped and distorted new york times story.

Sorry but the onus is on you again.

[fortress]

I think Rush truly believes that compared to the Sun's influence on global warming,
man's influence is negligible.And he thought GW agreed with him on that.

[TLBSHOW]

at the end of the day the vote is to keep liberals and democrats out of office.

[Ken H]

Here are 2 questions--

1.Which of the following is more accurate, in your opinion?

a. Global warming is likely mostly due to human activity.
b.Not enough evidence to claim global warming is likely mostly due to human activity.

2. Which of the above is the official EPA position, as confirmed by Ari Fleischer?

a.
b.

[RJCogburn]

Considering the post election screwups and a divided country, I'd say mid 50 looked pretty good.

Perhaps you are correct. I don't really know what the historical record is.

I would say that if the country voted about 50/50 in the election, then I'd think that 50's approval is about right.

As for Clinton at that time, he was able to contribute to the first Republican Congress being elected in 50 years.

Mediocre means..."neither good nor bad, average, ordinary" and I think that is what Bush has been, 9/11 and associated events excepted.

[FryingPan101]

Speaking of which, I haven't received my t-shirt for the luekemia donation yet. Anyone else donate? You know...I love Rush. No matter what. After hearing his first show in 1989, sticking with him through thick and thin, thinking he should hang it up when he couldn't hear....I find myself knowing what he means all the time. He's Rush. Rush is right....with me.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

The last few months, there has been one person who has spent more time than any other human on earth-trashing President Bush, not criticizing,but trashing and maligning. Not Tom Daschle,not Dick Gephardt,not Hillary Clinton, not James Carville, not Terry MacAuliffe,not Al Gore,not Bill Clinton,not Alec Baldwin, not Barbara Streisand,not Mario Cuomo,not Peter Jennings,not Dan Rather. No-it's been Rush. An honest discussion of policy differences are what I would have expected from Rush-instead it's been one dimensional rants, ad hominem attacks, half truths and selected truths, childish caricatures and buffoonery.All packaged as serious political discourse.If you want to have an intelligent, thought provoking debate on Bush policies, have at it. It appears that Rush is still promulogating the falsehood that Ari said that Bush agrees that man is entirely responsible for global warming-pull up the transcript of the press briefing yesterday and read the report. Just don't use Rush as your professor-he did not get tenure.

[WarrenC]

If you don't agree I could care less.

So you do care. Just as I thought.

[Ben Ficklin]

Bush has a years worth of climate policy based on the NAS Climate Report. The NAS is a more credible source of science than the EPA.

A similar example: when Bush developed his policy on water in the Klamath Basin, he relied totally on the NAS Report while totally dimissing FWS and NMFS reports.

[garv]

Th onus is on me to do what? The NYT and other left-wing rags can't hype the report if the language being hyped isn't there. If nothing else, the administration is guilty of not properly managing the EPA and being aware of the contents of the report. Still think Christie was such a benign appointment? When you add Democrats in drag to your cabinet this is what happens. You can also add Cal Thomas to the growing enemies list, his take on the report can be found at townhall.com.

[Bob J]

Tonight on at RadioFR! June 6, 2002
9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. EDT / 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. PST...

YO!
ANNA AND MERCURIA
DO THE "REYNOLDS (W)RAP"
(Well, you knew it had to happen sometime...!)

WITH SPECIAL GUEST
DAVID PALMQUIST
"THE KING OF CONSPIRACY"

Click HERE and listen while you FReep!

Check out the live thread!

[Ole Okie]

I like him but he should be man enough to admit it when he screws up. He dropped the ball on the NYT global warming flap. He's not man enough to admit it.

I've listened to Rush since the late '80's, and I've learned a lot from him. I like the guy, and was saddened when it appeared that his hearing loss was going to sink his show.

But over the years, I've observed that Rush can dish it out with gusto, but he's very thin-skinned when criticized. It seems very difficult for Rush to admit when he's wrong.

[fortress]

Amen to that.

[Dale 1]

Interesting on how the first 10 or so postings on topics demeaning conservatives or republicans or Christians are always supportive of the rant. Then the tone changes around post number 20 or so. It always happens. Humm!!!

[scalia_#1]

I think most of us are different from the Democrats. But some of us aren't. They root for Republicans they way you and I root for our sports teams -- in the words of Al Davis, "Just win, baby." Me, I'm a big Sooners fan. I don't care if we run the wishbone like we did under Barry, or pass the heck out of the ball like we do under Bob. As long as we win National Championships, it don't matter.

Politics isn't that way for many of us. Using the other side's playbook isn't our idea of winning. How you win is as important as whether you win. That being said, if you agree with the President's policies on CFR or the importance of global warming or missle defense or tax cuts, then more power to you. Hey, if you agree with Dubya and the Administration 100% of the time, that's fine with me. We may disagree, but I'm all for healthy disagreement.

What I'm against is the blackmail of excommunication -- that if you disagree with the Administration or the RNC or Karl Rove or Bob Stoops on anything, you're a heretic and the fire should be stoked. Some people are that way. You can tell from their posts. They don't support the President because they agree with him; they support him because he's the Republican president. These folks are no different from the NOW gang, or from James Carville (remember, he wrote "Stickin': The Case for Loyalty" or something like that), or from all of those who put their party above their own principles.

[Lincoln]

Mopping floors is not beneath me. All work is honorable.

It was a play on words referring to the floor. Nothing else was intended.

However, I think that Vernon Jordan might be guilty of some less than honorable work...

[Wild Irish Rogue]

I just reread my post and I used the word "you" which was not intended for you personally, but a generic plural address. An apology is in order- I should take more care before posting-sorry.

[mercy]

I don't get it. Rush ticks me off in a lot of ways including his unwillingness to address issues like Islamist immigration. But Rush is just a talk show host.

But Bush is letting me down in so many ways I can't even keep track any more. He's worse than my worst fears about him just being his father's son. Even the elder Bush, perhaps embued with actual Reagan essence from eight years under his thumb, seemed like a conservative in a lot of ways.

W seems like just a politician who will do anything to win approval. I'm glad Rush is letting him have it. I'm glad all the conservative talking heads are on his case. How else is W going to know what we think? Ya think Carl Rove is going to tell him?

I don't think there's anyone in this administration who actually believes in CONSERVATISM. They're just pols, globalists and self servers. DC and power have rotted their souls.

[Texasforever]

Ari Fleisher said yesterday that the President agreed that humans are a primary cause of global warming

Post that quote or retract it. Even the EPA report made no claim close to that.