Rush Limbaugh rules in Democratic race?

Fox News Channel gave Rush Limbaugh a nod as it reported early (and subject to further adjustment) exit poll numbers showing that Republicans who cast ballots in the Indiana Democratic presidential primary broke for Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama, 52% to 46%.

The folks at Fox wondered if that advantage for Clinton might reflect Limbaugh's crusade for GOP-inclined voters to do their part to prolong the Democratic race (which then could cripple the party, come November).

Limbaugh's effect will be impossible to prove ... but no doubt he'll claim it was immense.

Other exit poll figures, via Fox (reiterating that they are subject to change): Indiana Democrats favored Clinton, 53% to 47%, while Obama had an edge among independents, 51% to 49%.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Wayne]

Rush IS a factor and I applaud his goal: bring out all of the facts on both Democratic candidates.

[Franky]

Leave it to the Republicans to find a way to drag america deeper down.

Rush is a factor for the ignorant. People supporting him are proud that they don't think - they call themselves "Dittoheads", as they just say what Rush says, and don't actually process what they are hearing/saying.

[Hector]

Actually, Franky, the opposite is true. Rush appeals to those who do think for themselves. His audience appreciates his incisive comments and his inimitable insight. He speaks for those in the country that the MSM has irrevocably alienated over the years by its incessant catering to the liberal agenda. If his audience has the keeness of mind to discern MSM bias, it certainly isn't comprised of mindless "Dittoheads." The unthinking behavior of blind acceptance of failed ideologies clearly falls within the domain of liberal indoctrination.

[Anonymous]

It's pretty obvious that the Clinton-Obama race has degenerated along racial lines. 91% of the black vote in North Carolina?

[Eric Williams]

I think Rush Limbaugh should be arrested for committing, and helping to commit, and conspiracy to commit voter fraud, and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. He thinks he is above the law again. Throw the bastard in jail so he can choke on his cigar.

[anthony]

Actually, Hector, you're both right. If Rush had respect for the political process he wouldn't be ordering people to go out of their way to change the outcome. And yes, it's true the MSM is liberally biased, as well. All part of the American political process. I believe people will educate themselves and make the right decision which is that Obama is not a socialist/communist/terrorist and that he will be a better President than McCain.

[Miles Sewash]

Dittoheads are content with the last eight years of the Bush Crime Family -- content to bring the USA down the toilet so long as it fits their crazy ideas.

[Miles Sewash]

God Help this country when Bush and the Republicans ship all the jobs to India and China, and those governments start telling future US Republican Presidents what to do

Got Natioanal Security ? Yea Right DIttoheads.

[Franky]

To Hector:

He speaks for you, yet you think for yourself!?

Extremists like Rush only divide this great nation, instead of supporting it.

His drug induced delusions may be your guide - take this nation future in to the Bush Grand Failure, but I'd rather have a country that is not a third world nation!

[Hector]

Eric, Rush's campaign would be fraudulent if it attempted to surreptitiously circumvent voting regulations. This is the reason that he will never be indicted with fraud. There is simply nothing fraudulent about this. It's all above board and legal.

[James]

As a legal matter, it's not voter fraud when former Republicans switch parties to vote in primaries as explicitly allowed by many states Democratic Party rules. As a factual matter, its interesting that those crying loudest about Rush Limbaugh's tactics were silent when MoveOn.org urged Democrats to switch affiliation and vote for McCain in New Hampshire. It's just politics.

[Hector]

Anthony, I have no doubt that Rush has respect for a system that allows him to suggest that voters take advantage of the opportunity to vote in any permissible fashion. It's a political system. His contention is that if Democrats and Independents can crossover to vote for McCain in NH and other states where it is permissible, Republicans have the wherewithall to do the same. This not a political system tilted to benefit Democrats only, thank the Founding Fathers.

[dabouv]

Rush Limbaugh is a scum bag. He does not care one lick about this country, rather just enjoys stirring up mud on his opponents. He is a Republican and not a conservative. If he were a principled conservative such as someone like Barry Goldwater or George Will, I could understand his support. He is a hypocrite. He dodges the draft when it was his turn yet waves the flag. He preaches personal responsiblity and traditional values yet was a drug addict, appears to travel to the Carribean for sex out of wedlock. He chides anyone who ever talked about conservation. Anyone who thinks Rush Limbaugh speaks for America is an idiot. I am a traditional Republican and left the party in the 90's when the influence of Rush and his ilk took over the party.

[Hector]

"He speaks for you, yet you think for yourself!?"
I didn't intimate that he speaks for me, Franky; though, I agree with many of his premises and his fundamental ideology. And it is a bit of a non-sequitur to imply that if one speaks for you that the same is thinking for you. Lawyers would have a field day if their clients all shut off their respective lights. And I doubt that you vote for your legislators so that you won't have to invest in thinking for your self. (At least, I would hope that is not the case.)

[anthony]

It's sad, Hector, that the only ideas that Rush has for his political party is to destroy. You had 8 years and you blew it; now it's time for people who use intelligence and forthrightness to come into office. America will look past the methods that you are using and rise above them to unify the nation. Rush is a hypocrite, as stated by the facts listed above, and you shouldn't following the ideaology of hypocrites who offer no solutions.

[Hector]

Anthony, if you were to assess the man with a modicum of intellectual honesty, you would appreciate the fact that Limbaugh has the country's best interests at heart. It is sheer propaganda and deliberate misinformation that deigns to paint him as destructive, and these are components of the Orwellian nightmare that modern liberalism is trying to foist upon or political culture. Who's trying to throttle the media markets to squelch the voice of Limbaugh & Co? The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy? Be honest with yourself and with me if you want to continue a rational discourse.

[anthony]

Hector, if any administration has been Orwellian it's been Bush's. The whole "War is Peace" and "You're either with us or against us" strategy has failed. We have been at war for a while now and if Rush had his way we'd be there for 100 years with McCain. I am not a supporter of all liberal beliefs, I understand the need for a balance in government, but Rush has HIS best interests at heart, which is to keep his audience constantly angry and ignoring logical, calm debate. He always focuses on creating more hatred rather than actually solving the issues. Focusing on Obama's middle name? The fact that Obama doesn't wear a flag pin on his lapel? Is that all Rush can come up with to help the country? Pretty pathetic.

[hammerdown]

WOW what a plan. Switch parties and vote for the candidate you don't like. To really mess them up send money to Hillary, that will stop that rascal Obama.

[Hector]

To be honest, Anthony, I consider Limbaugh to be a propagandist, as much as Michael Moore is a propagandist. Now, to take into account what Orwell intended to convey principally, the rigid control of information to a consumptive populace, an honest examination of the Left's effort, such as a legislated institution of the Fairness Doctrine, to squelch the voices that stand in opposition to Leftist and liberal ideals, reveals that the effort falls well within Orwell's context. The Left displays remarkable ignorance when it uses the term in the context of the Bush admin. As far as Rush, he is an honest propagandist.