The Two Faces of Republicanism - Schwarzenegger and Limbaugh - The Progressive and the Pessimistic
Blame this entry on Howard Dean.
The inept leadership of Dean banished the delegates from Michigan and Florida. Therefore, Republicans got all the headlines this week. The Democratic National Committee’s action was so wrong that even Hillary Clinton called for a reversal at the end. So, now, in the week before Super Duper Tuesday, the GOP gets most of the ink.
Biggest ink was McCain’s victory in Florida. After that, Governor Arnold’s endorsement of McCain may have been the most important nod of the campaign, even more important than the Kennedy’s anointment of Obama. Schwarzenegger is perhaps viewed as the most progressive Republican in the nation. He has strong appeal to moderates, and especially independents, but the impact may go much further than this Tuesday. The Governor’s appeal to Democrats is rock-solid. His blessing of John McCain may help McCain in a big way, if McCain captures the nomination.
It is ironic that McCain may be the most electable of all Republicans. And that is driving Rush Limbaugh a bit crazy. The darling and pioneer of “hard right” radio says there is a fracture in the Republican party. With that, the baiting, aggressive Limbaugh, took off on John McCain.
McCain, who is hardly a liberal, is just not conservative enough for Limbaugh. To be in the ultra-conservative camp, you have to be labeled all-things right wing - pro-war, anti-abortion , anti-gay, and of course, most true conservatives would be railing against drug-abuse, right Rush?
But here’s the truth. Rush Limbaugh secretly wants a Democrat to be elected. The George W. Bush era has minimized his influence. Bring in Hillary or Obama and Limbaugh is back on track. After all, his career rocketed during the Bill Clinton years.
True conservatives, like Hannity and Smerconish, would welcome McCain’s rise. But Limbaugh wants a loser . The only thing important to him is that he plays a role in a White House victory.
A little space for the Democrats here. As is always the case when people concede, John Edwards looked strong in defeat. Clinton and Obama were gracious, and they should be. I don’t think Edwards was a spectacular candidate, but in the area of seeking solutions for the impoverished, he was a magnificent advocate.
Unfortunately, those who “have” in America need to pay more attention to those who do not. We are philanthropic as individuals, but politically, we have dropped the ball.
Exactly. This kind of reasoning is why I supported Milton Street in the Philadelphia mayor’s race.
Hello Larry,it’s hard to listen to Limbaugh more then a few minute i don’t know if it’s him talking or the percocet/oxycontin/vicodin/zanax/etc/etc.
Also Larry,Hillary looked very impressive last night,physically she looks fresh and mentally sharp,and that was a great line she gave last night-’it did take a Clinton to clean after the first Bush and I think it might take another to clean up after the second Bush’
Thanks Larry.
Schwarzenegger endorsement is a coup d’e-tat for McCain, and will surely help him prevail on super Tuesday- it also gives him a bit of a cool factor with younger people. Agreed Larry, It’s even better and more significant than Kennedy’s coming out for Obama. It’s also clear that some endorsements really matter, and in such a close race they can really turn the tide before a pivotal day like February 5th.
The very postive collegial tone between Hillary and Barrack last night was a very smart strategy for both. The Republicans need to take a cue from them and start talking about substantive issues rather than who was more correct about the surge- it makes McCain look like a petty nasty man arguing to be right about semantics, while the economy slides and pople lose their homes- he needs to tune in or he’ll end up like Bob Dole and/or George HW Bush when he faces either Hillary or Barrack in November!
Also, enough with Ronald Reagan’s name being invoked everytime Republican candidates speak. I’m a big Reagan fan, but it’s gotten stupid and absurd, especially at the last debate. It would be fun to know how many times Reagan’s name was mentioned at that debate- had to be at least 50-100 times.
The fact that you and every other media outlet is commenting on Rush Limbaugh’s opinion is evidence enough that regardless of who is in the WH Rush has a massive national audience who believes in what Rush is saying and will have an impact on the election. Unlike Larry here who edorsed Mr.Street, how did that turn out for you philly, Rush is relevant.
Exactly, Larry..I am soooo glad you are finally “getting it” Yep, it’s just like Jesse Jackson and the Reverend Al constantly telling blacks that they are being discriminated against and disrespected by whitey so that Jackson and Al Sharpton can retain the power they have over black people, instead of letting ALL people think for themselves.
Keep in mind that Obama has a huge white following..endorsed by Bill Bradley and “Dick” Codey, too! Hey, say what you will about GWB, but he is the first prez to have a black Secretary of State and the first prez to have second black Secretary of State. And that guy, Keyes…he is the smartest perosn I have ever heard speak about public issues. His only problem is that his mind is so far above me, I sometimes just don’t understand what he says, but I know, in my heart, if Keyes were president he would be the best, ever,
I agree with Ed, the fact you’re even talking about this makes me believe that you, the liberal media, are scared of Rush and he is a threat. John McCain should not be running as a republican as he is not a true conservative, that the republican party is not what it used to be. You can’t call yourself conservative then turn around and be pro-choice and want bigger government. I don’t understand why that makes Rush such a bad guy in the liberal media’s eyes. He is just speaking the facts. You people need to get off your cushy desk chairs that were provided by your employer who matches your social security and pays your benefits and 6 weeks paid vacation and realize that if a democrat gets in office you may be the first to get laid off due to such a high tax rate that Hillary implemented her “first day in office.”
I am filing Larrys article in with the rest of the politically correct organized media attaacks on conservatives. The media as a whole loves John McCain. Is it any wonder that anyone else who has a public platform to be able to argue against John McCain and i am not just saying Rush Limbaugh but any other radio talk show hosts who are now coming under organized attacks. I am including NBC, CBS, ABC, N.Y Times , along with the Phila. Inquier .All of this bias is obvious when you look at the favorable slant to McCain versus the unfavorable space devoted to Mitt Romney. It is obvious to me that this is an attempt to change the face of the Republican Party to be be more in line with the main stream media and to silence conservative voices of the Republican party.I am ashamed to say that the Phila. Inquier and N.Y.Times should not be trying to silence this debate but should be supporting the right for Rush Limbaugh and others to present both sides of this important time in our nations position in history.
>>The inept leadership of Dean banished the delegates from Michigan and Florida. Therefore, Republicans got all the headlines this week.<>The Democratic National Committee’s action was so wrong that even Hillary Clinton called for a reversal at the end.<<
The Democrat candidates made a pact not to campaign in Florida. Hillary is the only one who went back on that promise. A Clinton going back on a promise - what a suprise!
But Democrats like to be beaten down like dogs, so they will vote for her anyway and take it. Then act suprised if she gets elected and does it again.
Just like the voters in NJ - they knew electing Jon Florio-zine that he was a tax and spend Democrat. Now he raises their taxes and wants to jack up tolls, and the NJ voters have the audacity to protest it. WHY? You knew what you were getting when you elected him, but he had that (D) after his name, so he must be all things good….
“The inept leadership of Dean banished the delegates from Michigan and Florida. Therefore, Republicans got all the headlines this week. ”
Yeah - how dare they! Larry knows the Democrats are supposed to get all of the headlines every week.
Larry,he sounds like a unhappy Bush republican.
First, there’s a new Jim posting here lately so, I’ll have to change my name.
Rush is certainly entitled to his say in the political system but just remember: Rush is an entertainer-he’s worked in many different formats. This one is currently useful in paying his bills. He is a political shock jock, akin to Howard Stern. His ability to influence is just as wide and just as shallow. His voice in this area is on 1210 AM. This is a CBS station. The same network that is pilloried as the great liberal Satan.
(He’s a functional cousin to Dan Rather) He is every bit of the the media. The same CBS from above ” I am including NBC, CBS, ABC, N.Y Times , along with the Phila. Inquier” provides him with the outlet.
Rush gets the benefits and vacation that he negotiates just like others. If the liberal media were afraid of him, why not just refuse him air time?. He’s good ratings and it’s all about the money.
Arnold endorsed McCain only because he could not pronounce Mitt Romney in a way that anyone could make any sense of (i.e. Meeet Wom-ba-nay, but could mumble out John McCain. Besides, Arnold thinks he’s the NYC detective he liked so much in the Die Hard movies.
Formerly Jim-
I consider Rush more than just an entertainer. He is brilliant in my eyes. Yes he entertains, but he also presents a whole other side of things, which the liberal media (ie: CBS, NBC, etc….) certainly does not do. Same as Glenn Beck. (Obviously I am a Rush fan) Thank goodness for conservative talk radio, I am no longer an uninformed liberal zombie!
As the other, other Jim, I too will have to change my name. Soon as I’m finished with my Caroline Kennedy scrapbook.
Jena you are so right, now you are just a uniformed conservative zombie.
Don’t worry other Jim, when Hillary gets in office, she’ll use my tax dollars to teach those of you to read and spell correctly.
maybe she can but me a new keyboard LOL
Jana,I think the spelling passes the test. ( I did a copy/paste that I didn’t check) Also,I do take some liberties with a conversational style. I don’t know you so, I wouldn’t judge on your informed/uninformed state. But from 12-3PM Rush is the voice of CBS in this area. He’s as full of self importance as most of the other observers and experts at election time. Besides, if the country were to take a great shift to the political right, he’d have little on which to comment. Talk radio exists to stir the pot. (Talk to a call screener and you’ll get a sense of a difficult job)
I agree. Everyone is an expert these days. I also think that if a democrat gets in office Rush Limbaugh’s career will get a boost. What I don’t agree with is that Rush is full of self importance. If you took the time to listen to his show, you would realize he is full of sarcasm (my favorite kind of humor) I’m not on here insulting Al Franken or Oprah Winfrey because they support the other side, I’m simply saying that Larry Kane is wrong about a few things. Smerconish is not a true conservative and Hannity certainly does not want McCain in office. Why is McCain considered a “progressive” and not an independent? He sure votes like one. Rush Limbaugh will have plenty to talk about even if a republican gets in office, he still has congress!
Your comments about Howard Dean are unjustified. Dr. Dean has restored the party. The problem with Florida and Michigan is that they can not follow the rules established a year before their primaries. For a so called law and order guy, you can sure take cheap shots when you want.
It seems as if most of the democrats on here only here the 6:30 news on NBC,ABC,CBS, and spout the same talking points from the liberal scripts. Do you notice the marching orders to silence the conservative radio commentators.It even goes so far as to have college students picket any conservative speakers but when a far out liberal speaks they say we should be able to listen based on their freedom of speech. Concerning the upcoming election, do we really want Obama with absolutely no experience, and a very sad senate voting record. He does have a slick talent of using slogans instead of details. Now about Hillary, her foreign policy would be to make no decisions but would probably ask the United Nations to solve our problems. That way we could not blame the Clintons for making any mistakes.I guess we can sleep better if we allow the UN to have our best interests under its rule.
Ah Larry, spoken like a real democrat. If you think Limbaugh( or any conservative) wants a democrat,you are nuts. More taxes,terrorism treated like a crime,lberal judges. Oh yea, our idea of a good time. George Bush spent like a drunken democrat, but we haven’t been attacked since 2001. By the way, I’m not a fan of McCainiac either.There isn’t a real conservative left on our side. Of the two, I prefer Romney. At least he isn’t a modern day reincarnation of captain Queeq.
“If you think Limbaugh( or any conservative) wants a democrat,you are nuts.”
Unfortunately, Ann Coulter has already stated she would vote for Hillary rather than McCain. Whether she counts as conservative or just plain nuts, well, that is a different issue.
However, I am afraid that the so-called “conservative” movement is so intent on having their way, they are willing to set the GOP back for years rather than have an independent-minded Republican in the White House.
Dave–anytime you cede the public spotlight in an election year to the opposition party in two primaries, you are inept. Howard Dean made a big mistake in that regard, especially since his “punishment” against the two states won’t stick.
As far as those of you labeling me a “liberal”– don’t try to label me.
I’m tired of labels.Labels and innuendo have been dividing this country for too long.
Joe: What’s up with you?
I don’t think Rush would care if a Dem was elected. His primary interest is the radio biz. I used to think Hannity was a political purist but he ambushed a lib on his show a few years back and it became evident that the business end was more important than the politics. Smerconish seems to be classed as a conservative because of his spot on the otherwise right leaning talk format at the station. He’s a lot more in the center than most folks there.
There is no doubt that it would be in Rush Limbaugh professional best interest to have Hillary Clinton elected. He’d have 4-8 years of bashing Hill, 3$Bill and the Clintonistas. It would be too easy. They make themselves a target with their royalty act and above-the-law behavior.
Not so sure Obama bashing would work out so well for Rush. If Obama conitunes to take on this Kennedy-esque role of the New Camelot, Rush will be reluctant to bash Obama until his first $1B feel good legistation goes through.
The real problem for Rush is finding a Republican to support. McCain is far too liberal. He’s leading on name recognition, reputation and his surge support. In reality, he represents the worst chance for the Repubs. His swarmy, chippy style may work against Romney but he’ll be exposed on all the issues in a run against the Dems. Everyone is endorsing him now because they see him as the eventual candidate. I can see why real, conservative Repubs like Rush would shy away from McCain. He’s spent to much time in Congress, he’s part of the problem in DC and he’s more of a Republicrat. Huckabee is a Gomer Pyle joke and has no chance. Guliani was to flawed and liberal. Romney has flip-flopped to much. Find Rush a good, conservative Republican or an electable moderate and he’ll jump all over him!
Maybe exposing the Democrats and the Robin Hood tactics for 4 years will be best for America. It sure would for Rush!
thats why I liked Fred. He seemed to be the most conservative of them all and is a no BS kind of guy. I don’t think his age helped him though, which is another reason McCain shouldnt be prez. Isn’t he 72ish? Isn’t life expectancy is 78 now? He should be playing golf and eating early bird specials in Florida.
Larry-your article is full of labels. You should practice what you preach.
Jana, not about his age. It’s about his policies and surliness