Rush Limbaugh is in a funk and someone's gonna pay

Good news for Rush-haters.

Not only has the controversial conservative radio talk-show host got a sore throat, but he's anguishing over the inadequacy he sees in the current field of Republican presidential candidates. You can actually hear the pain, the mounting impatience, the frustration in his voice. It's kinda sad, if you believe in talk-radio.

Monday on the air, he'd had enough of these impure candidates and enough of all these questions about his endorsement and when it would come and how he'd make his decision and he just blurted out to Jim in Kansas City and a few million others listening in: "I can see possibly not supporting a Republican nominee."

WHAT?!

Across the country, people were dropping their coffee cups, choking on sandwiches, fainting and driving off the road. The king of conservative talk-radio not supporting the Republican nominee? Was Rush Limbaugh pulling....

a James Dobson on his now nervous fans?

"And I never thought that I would say that in my life. This stuff is very tough."

No kidding. Who'd a thought? It's tough enough just listening to him go through this, let alone live it like he is. What's a genuine broadcast conservative icon to do? "You don't have a genuine down-the-list conservative," he noted. So, he advised, a Republican voter must look at "variables."

For example, Rush said: "It's easier for me to support a Romney than a McCain, for example. Because I believe his conversion is genuine. And he's not lying about his past positions. He's not trying to tell people they're wrong when they assess his past positions. He explains why he changed his mind."

Rush would just like someone in the GOP field to display some real take-charge leadership. "These front-runners want it," he complained, "because it's their turn. We tried that in '96 with Bob Dole and now they're running the same scenario [from] 2000."

He said many Republicans now favor John McCain simply because he endured a crushing loss and felt cheated in the 2000 South Carolina primary. Rush indicated hoarsely that was not a good enough reason to support the co-author of McCain-Feingold, in Rush's not-so-humble opinion, which is, after all, what we have all come to expect when we listen to him.

Finally, Rush was running out of time. "I'm telling ya," he said, "it's gonna come down to which guy do we dislike the least. And that's not necessarily good."

Thankfully, it was time for a station break to give Rush's listeners a chance to catch their breath, maybe grab a lozenge themselves and at least begin the recovery process.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Carl Buschmann]

Hmm, once again not a mention of Ron Paul and I quote "Rush would just like someone in the GOP field to display some real take-charge leadership." Where has Rush been or has he been told to keep his mouth shut too. Makes one wonder.

I wonder where credibility, integrity, honesty, and a strong backbone has gone.

[Kevin]

This is misdirection on Rush's part. You have to be seriously naive to think Limbaugh will not support the Republican candidate, whoever he is. He has been carrying GOP water so long he has calluses on his hands.

[Keith]

I agree with Rush, if the GOP ticket ends up being Huckabee or McCain, I'll stay home that night. Wouldn't cast a vote for either one of them. I also believe that that's why they are being pushed so hard by the media and built up, it's a "let's support this guy, he's destined to lose" strategy. No GOP ticket to support, I guess I'd be reasonably happy with Obama. At least he would be entertaining, much better than 4 more years of Mrs. Screech.

[bill heard]

Rush Limbaugh's adherence to his conservative principles is just the thing to make liberals run to their typewriters and scoff. Anyone with values, morals and principles is obviously something this writer doesn't understand and therefore, naturally a target for derision.

[David Oliver, NM]

I agree with Rush !!!

There has never been a more opportune time in modern American politics for a third party candidate to win the White House. The GOP is in a shambles and the Democrats are showing signs of a deep division within their ranks. Perhaps a no-nonsense patriot who will stand up against the globalist elites in Washington will step up to the plate and give me a reason to vote in November. If that doesn't happen, I'll probably stay home.

[Tom J]

No problem. The remaining moderate, responsible-adult Republicans are planning to vote for Barack Obama anyway.

[Nash]

Rush secretly wants Hillary to win so he has ample fodder to rant against for the next 8 years. He was a heck of a lot more entertaining blasting Bill Clinton than he has been playing apologist for George Bush's big government conservative administration.

[deBeer]

Looks like the Republicans have a major problem. Of course the Democrats have such great choices in Hillary, Edwards and Barrack Hussein Obama, who if he were white wouldn't even be considered as presidential material. Oh well, down we go. Maybe Calderon can run here. Sure enough of his people living here

[buhk]

I don't listen to Rush, but I am a conservative and I "feel his pain". I will be voting for the candidate that I dislike (can I say hate?!?!) the least. I really do detest them all...every one...both Republicans and Democrats. I'll miss Fred Thompson. He was the only likable one in the bunch.

[KrisB]

Ron Paul has "credibility, integrity, honesty, and a strong backbone"?

The man has NO backbone! Surely, you wrote satire.

Anyone who publishes a racist newsletter AND THEN, when caught at it, has the lame excuses "well, someone else wrote that" and "I never read it".

Of course, there's also the $400 MILLION in earmarks to his district, which he inserted in various bills BUT "I didn't vote for them, I'm trying to change the system". Huh? Change the system by NOT putting in earmarks.

We're NOT overlooking Ron Paul; we've listened and discarded him. Your bandwagon has disbanded.

[Dave Thomas]

Conservatives vote on their principles, something liberals do not have. That Rush does not support any of the candidates is no surprise at all to me as I am a principles Conservative and McCain is no Conservative.

It is boiling down to a Socialist and a Marxist.

Thanks national media for not doing your job. Just once I would like to see one of you spineless media types as Hillary a real question instead of the pandering pablum you dish out.

The woman is frightening if you have any concept of what a Free Market is.

No matter to liberals, the end always justifies the means.

[Rev. Zaius]

Rush Limbaugh is the Jerry Garcia of politics. Very poplular amongst his fairly narrow swath of fans, but largely irrelevant to the rest of us.

[Keith5]

I agree with the other Keith. If the Republican nominee is either McCain (a RINO) or Huckabee (a preacher), I'll stay home or write in the name of one of two conservatives with whom I do agree (and support) - Duncan Hunter or Mitt Romney.

[David K]

I agree with Nash. But, what if Hillary would decree the end of conservative talk radio? Who would have the guts to oppose her? The Clintons seem to think they can snap their fingers and the whole world will fall at their feet.

[Bruce]

Nash, you aren't fooling anyone into thinking you actually listen to Rush.

[William A. Pauwels, Sr.]

"Anybody but Mitt Romney," seems to be the strategy of the liberals.

Clearly, many Dems and their supporters in the liberal media want the Republicans to nominate a candidate Hillbillary can beat. “Anybody but Mitt Romney,” seems to be the strategy of the liberals. They don’t want to make it too difficult for Hillbillary to win the Presidency.

Thus Big Media and their liberal cohorts on the internet have been working to undermine Gov. Mitt Romney’s candidacy. Mitt is simply too qualified . . . too well educated . . . too smart . . . too articulate . . . too experienced . . . too organized . . . too well funded . . . too thoroughly vetted . . . too formidable . . . to be an acceptable Republican candidate. The Clintonestas would have a tough time against Romney. He might actually defeat Hillbillary in a debate . . . and in the general election!

So that leaves amiable, under funded, disorganized, ill prepared, Michael Huckabee . . . someone Hillbillary could more easily handle. And if Huck should actually win, he is easy to maneuver as the Dems learned in Arkansas. Huckabee is soft on criminals, immigration and boarders. He is a tax raiser and can be intimidated by the liberals. He is a big spender and literally blew the top off of the Arkansas budget as Governor. His compassion gets in the way of good judgment, which enabled him to commute the sentences of over 1000 convicted criminals and 12 murderers as Governor. Huckabee has been severely critical of GWB’s War of Terrorism and knows little about foreign policy. He is basically a social liberal . . . a RINO (“Republican in Name Only”) . . . and not an appropriate Republican nominee.

The latest alternative is the Big Media darling, John McCain, a RINO and a disloyal publicity hound who could always be counted on to say something negative about the President and the Administration. McCain opposed the Bush tax cuts . . . has been highly critical of the President’s handling of the war . . . and was a strong advocate of amnesty for illegal immigrants. He is an inside-the-beltway, Washington, career politician with a temper problem. He collaborated with the Dems in the ill-conceived “campaign reformed” election laws. Frankly, McCain is over the hill, disorganized, and under-funded. He wants to run the country, but can’t even organize an effective, properly funded campaign. He would be another “Dole” in the general election . . . a sitting duck for the Liberal/Dem/Big-Media smear machine . . . and would assure a Hillbillary election.

Objectively, Gov. Mitt Romney is the Republican’s most competitive choice. He is not a career politician . . . an inside-the-beltway elitist. The Clinton/Liberal-Left smear tactics won’t work against Mitt. He’s already been thoroughly vetted in liberal Massachusetts where he won the Governorship against formidable Dem opposition. Mitt has the gravitas, experience, leadership, family values, charisma, credentials and energy required to take on the Clintonestas and win the 2008 Election . . . and, most importantly, to govern successfully for the next eight years.

Some make a big deal about the fact that Romney has changed his positions on some issues. What’s wrong with that . . . particularly since he has moved in the direction of moderate conservativism . . . where the majority of American voters are at? Intelligent people learn and grow in office, as Romney has.

The Presidency is the biggest management job in the history of the world. It’s not a job for career politicians who have never run anything larger than a senate office. To be a successful President, one needs big-league executive, administrative and leadership experience; strong credentials; above average intelligence; appropriate traditional-American values; and be electable. Romney has it all and can defeat the Hillbillary attack machine.

All the best!

[Vradic]

Only Rudy and McCain are in my "stay at home" catagory. (Please tell me I don't need to even mention avoiding Ron Paul, the Uber-Libertarian)

If Huckabee was what Rush says he is, I'd stay home from him too. Unfortunately, Rush has fallen prey to the mis-information of the Romney spin-machine, when it comes to Huckabee. I've had a high degree of trust for Rush in the past, but after this, I'll check source on everything he says.

[John Johnson]

I may vote or not, who knows....

[J.D. Atworth]

Sir:
Would genuine conservatives slacken their principles in sponsorship of an ever-expanding and more intrusive government? Historically, the answer was always in the negative. Yet after Thompson recently dropped his bid for presidential candidacy the answer seems less clear. Since the dawn of this great nation we conservatives fought for the ultimate in individual freedom and against those who support excessive government control. It appears that our choices have dwindled to those who would prefer to slouch towards Moscow and those who openly embrace the timelessly disastrous philosophy of liberalism.
What alternatives do we have? A candidate who has advantageously and opportunistically changed his tune to sound like a conservative, hoping we wouldn't notice? Or One who has openly embraced amnesty for illegal immigrants, opposed tax cuts, and sponsored anti-business and anti-First Amendment bills with Democrats? Or the one who is a proponent of gun control, has bullied businessmen in the courts, and has a record of abusing his position for personal gain? Or perhaps the one who has who increased net taxes in his state, is a staunch anti-Federalist, and is deadest on amending our United States Constitution to conform to his religious beliefs?
While there has never been a better sample of individuals who conclusively establish that not every Republican is a conservative, Thompson's departure leaves the responsibility of restoring this Republic of limited government to one unlikely and now indispensable candidate: Congressman Ron Paul. It surely is hard on us to see Thompson bow out at this point in time, but to support those who are clearly more liberal than our now ex-candidate is contrary to what I believe we stand for. Endorsing a candidate who has, like Thompson, fought to protect First and Second Amendment rights, who stands for economic liberty, embodies the Pro-Life movement, and has fought tirelessly against fiscal irresponsibility and government expansion, it stands that sacrificing our conservative principles is not yet a requirement but still a choice. I choose to still fight for the conservative ideal of limited government and the ultimate in individual freedom, and preferably, my fellow Thompson supporters will too. The smear campaign by the Libertarian Media against Ron Paul has not persueded me to choose a more liberal candidate either. Having read how out-of-context thier remarks were (see Link 1 Below), and how effective they were at getting the word out (see Link 2 Below), I've decided that even the most colourful reinterpretations of these newsletters will not intimidate me from voting for limited government.

Respectfully,

J.D. Atworth

Link 1: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/why_the_beltway_libertarians_are_trying_to_smear_ron_paul/

Link 2: http://formerbeltwaywonk.wordpress.com/2008/01/15/the-orange-line-anatomy-of-a-smear-campaign/

[Flying Man]

I think Rush may be too easily dismissing Rudy based on his past mayoral tenure. Remember Rudy went from mayor of a liberal city, to now proposing some of the greatest cuts in government of any of the candidates.

Rush is in a tough situation. Rudy has never apologized for his abortion views, and most Rush listeners tend to favor Christian conservatism. There are no candidates running that represent both sides of the equation as proposed by Ronald Reagan.

Perhaps it is the myth that Reagan was a christian leader that is causing the most harm. Its hard to say.

[Thomas]

I think no matter who the Republican candidate is, I will vote for him just to avoid the Democrat. Except Ron Paul, that would definitely keep me home. I think Rush is right on and his opinion of McCain and Huckabee though. McCain is no conservative, and Huckabee is literally looney. With Thompson out of the race, hopefully Romney, the only real conservative left, will be able to gain some ground on McCain. I'd rather not have to hold back my vomit when voting in November.

[charmingtail]

I love Rush and he is right!!!

I will never ever vote for McCain or the Huclster...as a Fred Head...I will now support Romney!!! The Huckster is a liar...ask your self why Pat Robertson endorsed Rudy over the Huckster...cause Hucster Liar lied to CBN...and Pat now does not trust him. The Huckster has stolen furniture and destroyed computer when he left the Gov, Mansion in Arkansas...sound familuar? Clintons did the same to Bush..Anyone wonder why you do not see interviews with Hucksters wife aloner? She is a Theresa Heinz Kerry! of the Bible thumpers!!! Notice the only one standing behind Huckster at stuff is Chuck Norris wife? Huckster wants you to think that is his wife.

[ErickBlair]

Rush Limbaugh is "controversial? To who? Far left wing nuts? This rant is so boring. Rush is the most popular radio personality in America by far. He makes $40 million a year. And exactly who is this nobody who wrote this pathetic attempt at condescending to Rush? The guy on the next bar stool, that's who.

(FYI, these words that got you so excited were so pleasing to Rush that he read them all on the air today, as you no doubt heard because you love him so much. So much for you knowing nobodies.)

[Justice F]

Rush is conservative/conservative is Rush.

Declare Romney our guy....

Hope is all we can spit.....so spit for Mitt.

I know how to rhyme.

[joesbucks]

Rush's bigger funk is that in 2000 he helped sink McCain. And he couldn't do that in 2008.

Rush and the rest of the Jaw Bone Media is simply not the powerful force it once was. For the past 7 years, they've had to play defense instead of offense. It's not as fun. It doesn't make for great talk radio.

Rush helped create the Republican takeover in 94. He was a major factor in stopping McCain in 2000. There are countless other times and issues where he was either a portion of or the major driving force. No longer. His listeners are now listen to him passively rather than actively. They are now their own people.

The bigger question is what will Rush and the rest of the Jaw Bone Media do if McCain becomes the republican standard bearer? They've spent years trashing him, yet if McCain does win the nomination, then what?