Limbaugh not a fan of Fred's Leno stop

Posted: Thursday, September 06, 2007 11:47 AM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Chuck Todd and Mark Murray
This is interesting: Rush Limbaugh is bothered by Thompson doing Leno for his announcement.

VIDEO: NBC Political Director Chuck Todd offers his first read on Fred Thompson's official announcement.

Limbaugh said yesterday, "... I'm not crazy about presidential candidates announcing their candidacy on these late-night shows, Leno or Letterman. I know why they're doing it... The one thing about it that bothers me -- and I'm not rooted in fuddy-duddiness here, although it may sound like it to some of you but -- is I think the office of the presidency has a certain stature, and I don't like to see it linked or tied to pop culture. Pop culture is by definition one of the low common denominators of our society."

More: "You know damn well that presidents don't go on The Tonight Show. So why should they as candidates? When you link the stature of that office to the pop culture, I don't think the damage is instantaneous, but it's just a slow erosion of the stature of the office. It's just my instinct here. It could be anybody. This is not directed at Fred Thompson."

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Comments

I'm a big fat liberal and I agree with Rush! God help me!

I was thinking this as well. It also strikes me as un-conservative and culturally tone-deaf, to announce on such a lame Hollywood show that no longer has any class or seriousness. It made sense for Arnold, since he was running for California Governor. But for Fred it seems sad.

Betty, Baltimore, MD (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:01 PM)

right on. right on....

The office of the President should be held to a much higher standard than that.

But then again, look at the losers running in '08. They've already lowered those standards by announcing their candidacy

sick of "washington" (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:02 PM)

Ah hell after Clinton a President could date Paris Hilton, and not drag it down to a new low.

Dave, Tn (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:03 PM)

That's the drugs talking.

Kevin, Cali (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:03 PM)

For starters:
Nixon went on Laugh-In
Nixon went on Merv Griffin
MLK went on Merv Griffin
RFK went on Jack Paar
RFK went on Merv Griffin
JFK went on Jack Paar
Bill Clinton went on MTV!!!! It was a huge success.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:05 PM)

I hate to admit this about Limbaugh, but on this one he has a point.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:06 PM)

Actually I agree with him especially about announcing, rather than just participating, however scary that may be

Yiannis, Baltimore, MD (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:07 PM)

Wow! I wonder if Rush really knows what he is talking about? Does he realize that the "pop" in pop culture is popular and that Fred might just be trying to reach the masses given that he was smart enough to stay out of this political quagmire until it was absolutely necessary?

Davie D! Sunny CA (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:07 PM)

Interesting -- do you think Rush forgot about Nixon appearing on Laugh-In?

nuanced (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:09 PM)

Why would anyone care what pill head ,half the truth ,GOP mouthpiece Limburger has to say? He has been out of the game for so long it does not really matter.

Jeffersonian Don (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:14 PM)

Big fat ugly drug addict Rush has NO credibility anyway.

bb (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:15 PM)

Snap Crackle Pop

Rice Crispies (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:16 PM)

That is interesting considering that Mr. Limbaugh is pop-culture himself. In fact, I've heard the term "Pop-Right" used to describe folks like himself and Ms. Coulter who are far more about celebrity, mass media and shock than they are about serious political thought.

Matt Pope, American Cyn., CA (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:18 PM)

OH my freaking GOD! WE have no stature in the oval office just a pop of abysmal debauchery! The office of the president is inhabited by a total nincompoop, Fred may improve it ever so slightly.

HOT DAM (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:20 PM)

The presidency has a certain stature and Limbaugh doesn't like to see it linked to pop culture. Then I expect Limbaugh is delirious with rage to have lived through the past six years seeing it linked to a passel of crooks, liars, morons and Republican douche bags. That could be why he became addicted to pain killers and other treats involving artificial body chemistry. Yum, huh Limbaugh? How about Halliburton skipping off with 2.8 billion dollars belonging to the tax payers? Too bad Bush and Cheney were looking the other way when this happened, huh Limbaugh. I bet they would have been aghast. Would you really be pissed to see the presidency linked to the Rush Limbaugh show. I mean, what's worse than pop culture? How about a fruit spreading propaganda to the great unwashed and miseducated so they will vote for Bush. Riddle me this, Limbaugh: Money runs uphill. What runs downhill?

JIrby, Colorado (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:24 PM)

The world has changed Mr. Limbaugh. Try to change with it. We have had eight years of snobbery in the administration, Fred is a real human being, he is comfortable in all settings because of his nature.

He will be a refreshing change to the administration,
I do not agree with all his policies, but I admire his strength and sense of character. Hard to adm ist but the only other person to match him is Hillary Clinton. I feel if we go to war and remain in Bush's war, they will be able to find an exit strategy that will work for the entire world.

G. Walch (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:29 PM)

Chuck and Mark: and your point is...????

semms like a straight forward assessment of the state of politics this primary season. After YouTube, it can't get much lower, but the candidates are still trying.

jtb (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:29 PM)

Druggy Limbaugh saying that pop culture is the lowest common denominators of our society is an oxymoron as well as he is a big fat hypocrite. He defends a President that was going to bring honor and integrity to the white house. Go ahead Rush pop another opiate and make sure your illegal maid dealer has made another run for you.

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:30 PM)

Was he on oxycontin when he spoke?

Ravine Force, Kissimmee, FL (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:31 PM)

Rush is commenting on the low bar of pop culture? This is from a man who admitted his talk-show is pure folly, is a convicted liar, drug addict, and has pandered to this current president who has done more harm to the office of the presidency than all the previous presidents combined. What a hypocrite! Please shut up Rush! And my fellow Americans, wake up and realize that Rush would not know the truth (unless it was imbedded in an oxycontin pill) if it was presented on a silver platter in front of him. Stop drinking the kool-aid and listening to this liar.

Portlandman, Portland, OR (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:39 PM)

Rush is SO out of touch with normal people. A presidential candidate should try to reach ALL the people. That means not just places with names like, "...Academy" or "The Heritage Club", etc. Real people watch Letterman and Leno....and the Daily Show.

Ken Watts, O'Fallon MO (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:44 PM)

What?!? A Republican supporter being critical of a Republican? Say it ain't so! And it's Limbaugh?

Limbaugh doesn't do this out of the blue. Somehow he must really be after Hillary, Edwards, or Obama. This man is so dumb, sometimes he's smart. We're going to have to watch this because Limbaaachh is up to something.

Go Hillary!!!

Denny Khu (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:49 PM)

Hey Kevin from Cali

i love how the party of free love and drug use focuses on Rush's drug problem. kind like how y'all focus on gay republicans.

I guess you can't understand how drug addicts or gay people could ever be republican so you lash out?

sick of "washington" (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:50 PM)

With his nocturnal jaunts in search of oxycontin and viagra laden trips to the Dominican Republic I'm suprised limbaugh has the time to express his "editorial opinion

Richard, Columbia, SC (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:55 PM)

Rush,Rush,Rush.. when you have a president who has consistently lied to the American people has started a war that even he can't tell you a reason for instead he gives you a list of options.
Going on Leno ups the stature.

Rufus Gibbons, DC (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 12:56 PM)

Yes pop culture is right up there with ABUSING DRUGS.

Rufus Gibbons, DC (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:00 PM)

Rush Limbaugh wore a bra and black, silk panties during the sixties !!
I kept him out of Viet Name !!

to be fair, he donated his black silk panties to help patch the roof of the Super Dome after Hurrican Katrina

Pat, Boston, MA:
Good list.
I think I remember Nixon playing with a yo-yo at the Grand Ole Opry !!
Someone had a sign saying: 'He ain't country, he's a crook' !!
I don;t remember if it was before or after Nixon's 'historic' signature quote:

'I am not a crook'

and Spiro Agnew's quote:
'I will NOT RESIGN! I will NOT RESIGN!'

Sierra, SF (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:01 PM)

I see no problem with him announcing on the late night show. I saw bush on the letterman when he ran the first time, although it was by satelite. I hope Fred wins, and I bet he will appear on the show again afterwards and it is a okay with me. Just shows how down to earth he is and how much common sense he has, and lord knows we need that in the white house

m.bowman,louisville,georgia (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:02 PM)

If anything has brought the stature of the office down- it's our current president.

Jacob, Lexington, KY (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:05 PM)

Hopw odd that he sees no such lowering of the Presidential bar with the current resident of White House

Dave (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:06 PM)

Limbaugh is a drug-addled, closet quuen. who cares what he thinks?

Kathy, St. Louis, MO (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:12 PM)

The crumbling of the repucker party.The shot has been fired,how do you respond mr thompson.Like I said this is going to get even better,the repubs have to tear each other up to get to hilliary or the dems pick.Its going to get ugly ,priceless.

kenn"its your turn"O (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:18 PM)

It looks like most of you just want to take jabs at Limbaugh instead of discussing the real issue at hand. I dont condone Limbaugh's drug abuse but he still may have a point. I dont agree with his point but I am sure it is ok for him to have one.

Daniel McCubbins, Greenville, SC (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:18 PM)

and the trained seals (slaves)sit up and bark at once. He's done drugs....... He's done drugs

Dave, Tn (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:19 PM)

Paul Miller:
'I hate to admit this about Limbaugh, but on this one he has a point. '

Yeah Paul, but he combs his hair to cover it up !!

Sierra, SF (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:20 PM)

Limbaugh is the last person who should be whinging about "pop culture" since he's smack dab in the thick of it. Think he'd turn down a chance to interview Bush on his show? Hell no! Besides, politics is the lowest common denominator in America...politicians are mostly thieves and liars and they don't care who they destroy as long as they hold power.

btw sick of "washington", the "free love" movement has been dead for almost 40 years. What is it with you people anyway that you keep burying yourself in the past to avoid dealing with present tense reality?

windrider, Columbus, OH (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:27 PM)

Fred Thompson is an actor. We have enough of smoke and mirrors.

Pat,Branford,CT (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:27 PM)

He is taking vicidan to help get off of oxy!

Blue state baby (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:29 PM)

Does this mean none of these candidates should go on Larry King? Afterall, he's the king when it comes to pop culture.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:32 PM)

Limbaugh is the last person who should be whinging about "pop culture" since he's smack dab in the thick of it. Think he'd turn down a chance to interview Bush on his show? Heck no! Besides, politics is the lowest common denominator in America...politicians are mostly thieves and liars and they don't care who they destroy as long as they hold power.

btw sick of "washington", the "free love" movement has been dead for almost 40 years. What is it with you people anyway that you keep burying yourself in the past to avoid dealing with present tense reality?

windrider, Columbus, OH (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:36 PM)

message to Dave D :

no one, agewise or demographically invested in the pop culture, VOTES. just look at the debacles of the past eight years , trying to get the "youth" vote to ACTUALLY VOTE: dismal failure.

jtb (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:38 PM)

for gawd's sake, people-- The Fred is an AcToR! pop culture? most people probably think he commanded an aircraft carrier and was the DA in NYC. (umm, he didn't and wasn't). He's all about pop culture and little else.

Vicki, Nashville, TN (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:48 PM)

I think that Fred made a wise choice in going on a show like Leno's. After all, look at how much attention he's giving the election, not to mention himself. You know, that is the point of running...to get votes, and be noticed. Another point is that does anyone realize how many American's really don't know who our president is? Or who is running! I know it sounds crazy, but I would bet you that out of all the people that don't know who our president is, at least 95% of them know who Jay Leno is.

Amanda Hart, Vidalia, Georgia (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:49 PM)

One more thing... I'm not so much worried about the stature of the office, as the integrity of the person occupying it.

Amanda Hart, Vidalia, Georgia (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:51 PM)

Consider the source. If Rush had the SAME clout as Leno, then maybe we would all listen to his crying. The FACT is that people LIKE Leno’s and watch his show. Now, what were you complaining about Rush?

Kevin McCall, Redondo Beach, CA (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 1:58 PM)

JUST ANOTHER "OLD FART" REPUBLICAN RUNNING FOR OFFICE. WHO GIVE A FLYING S--- !

Z (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 2:01 PM)

I think Rush Limbaugh is a big fat junkie idiot (to paraphrase Al Franken.) And like several other comments on here, I'm shocked to say that I actually have to agree with him on this.

Michael Conner, Austin, Texas (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 2:18 PM)

This is BS - Ronald Reagan was part of the pop culture before transforming into a politician.

Jim, Santa Cruz (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 2:22 PM)

Funny,funny. The big druggies and alkies Sen Kennedy and his boy-wonder Rep Kennedy hardly get a mention for all their murderin', women-bashin', hard-partyin' ways. Oh yeah, they're Dems. As for Thompson, he's the only one so far who realizes that many of us don't really need 6 months to listen to candidates say NOTHING!!

JL Smith Charlotte, NC (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 2:29 PM)

State fairs, baseball games and holiday picnics are all part of "pop culture" and all of the candidates are expected to participate.

Kevin, Greenwood, IN (Sent Thursday, September 06, 2007 2:40 PM)

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