Liberal group takes on Rush

Posted: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 10:22 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Democrats

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
A liberal group is launching an ad campaign against Rush Limbaugh’s “phony soldier” comment, but will Democratic presidential candidates (not just John Kerry) pile on?

VoteVets.org, a group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, launched an ad today featuring a soldier, who was awarded the Purple Heart for sustaining injuries to his head, saying: “Rush Limbaugh called vets like me ‘phony soldiers’ for telling the truth about Iraq. Rush, the shrapnel I took to my head was real. My traumatic brain injury was real. And, my belief that we are on the wrong course in Iraq is real. Until you have the guts to call me a "phony soldier" to my face, stop telling lies about my service."

The $60,000 ad buy will air nationally Wednesday and Thursday on FOX News and CNN, and a radio version of the ad will air during the Rush Limbaugh Show in DC and in Palm Beach, Fla., where Limbaugh lives.

*** UPDATE *** Dodd Communications Director Hari Sevugan points out Dodd's statement from last week: "It's ironic, if not remotely surprising, that Rush Limbaugh -- who makes his living shooting his mouth off -- would impugn the patriotism and service of American troops simply because they have voiced their opposition to this failed policy. It's clear that he has no idea what the brave men and women of our armed forces are ostensibly fighting for."

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Comments

once again , libs taking something out of context . not a problem , they never have to retract or apologize for any attack they make.

Pete J. San Fran , CA (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:05 AM)

Guess who funded the message? Anyone want to guess? MoveOn.org through one of their subsidaries. Need we say more! The same organization that called the commander of Iraq a traitor and to which no ranking demoocrat objected. Phony hypocrites...

Carl Riker (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:10 AM)

Another Media Matters/George Soros sponsored group which has a habit of bending the truth to fit a political agenda. Please, how about some articles for those who think for themselves rather trying to push a made-up story. A little journalistic judgment would be nice.

Jim. B, Towanda, PA (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:11 AM)

What a complete pile of shi*! This is the epitome of a smear campaign - and anyone with an IQ above 50 sees this story for what it is.

Paul - Omaha (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:14 AM)

From what I have heard, he was refering to one particular person who was tossed out of boot camp and never actually servered as a soldier anywhere.

So why are these left wing groups acting like he refered to any soldier who is agienst the war, when that is not what he said at all?

Heather, Lowell Ma (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:14 AM)

Rush has a brother in Cape Girardeaux Missouri who has a plumbing business and a sign on his trucks that says "My name is Limbaugh and I am a LIBERAL. Where did Rush go wrong. FLUSH RUSH!!

Rufus Gibbons, DC (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:16 AM)

Hillary Clinton is also a founder of media matters....

Now I see the connection.

Harry Reid and Tom Harkin really need to start apologizing and fast.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:17 AM)

When did MSN stop reporting "All" the news? When did MSN become the outlet media for the Democractic Party? How do you defend a 'phony' soldier's report? When did you stop reading, listening to someone's complete statements regarding a news item?

Lousy journalism like yours is why more and more people aren't listening to you anymore. And why more people ARE listening to the conservative media.

Clyde Bauman, McAllen, TX (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:17 AM)

What does this propaganda spot prove - there are liberals in the military? Dah. This has to be another political cheap trick from a front group.

Dan G., Pensacola (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:21 AM)

I am so glad people are finally confronting losers like Limbaugh and Coulter. I am glad the ad is running on FOX so the morons who watch that trash finally get it in their face. About time somebody held the right wing noise makers accountable for their language.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:21 AM)

Flush Dimballs - great American hero to some REALLY stupid people.

Your Name Here (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:24 AM)

OK..BUSH SUCKS.

L. CRAIG IN MINNEAPOLIS AT THE AIRPORT (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:24 AM)

Seems to me Rush doesn't have the right to call anybody a Phony considering his reputation, let alone someone who served in Iraq. I thought Republicans cherished all soliders because they thought they'd be on their side of the argument. Now the GOP will cast even soliders with a dissenting position as 'phony'. The only thing phony is the continuing lies, deception and propaganda from the right.

Mike (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:25 AM)

Background checking of VoteVets.org will show it to be yet another one of the Soros/Clinton groups designed to smear conservatives. The NY Times is probably contacting them so they run this one for free.

Stan McCormas, Indian Shores, FL (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:26 AM)

It seems to me that the Left consistently make the mistake of over-reaching. They may have a reasonable basis for a complaint, but wind up hammering it to a bloody pulp. Moveon.org overreached when it accused an army general of treason and were burned. In a knee-jerk attempt at damage control, the Left is over-reaching on this Limbaugh matter to the point of attempting to pass anti-Limbaugh resolutions in Congress. I expect this will likewise blow up in their face. Less is more, guys.

Brian Bricker, College Station, Texas (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:27 AM)

I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO RUSH FOR YEARS, HE HAS NEVER ONCE SAID ANYTHING BAD ABOUT OUR MILITARY. HE HAS ALWAYS LOVED AND SUPPORTED OUR TROOPS. WHAT HE WAS REFERING TO WAS A BOGUS LYING "PERSON" THAT WAS TRASHING OUR TROOPS AT THE BEHEST OF THE BOTTOM FEEDING LIBERALS. IF YOU LIBERALS WANT THE KIND OF COUNTRY THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO CREATE, PLEASE GO TO ONE OF THE SORID SOCIALIST COUNTRIES THAT ALREADY EXIST. DON'T TRY TO CHANGE ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL COUNTRIES THAT HAS EXISTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

HAROLD ARBOUR DAPHNE, AL (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:29 AM)

Whats wrong liberals? I thought you were for freedom of speech.

wayneTx (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 11:29 AM)

If the normal person could imagine or think of anything that is weird, strange, psycho, cunning, deviant, or abnormal, you can bet your last dollar that the liberal left has thought of it first. And not only thought of it, but acted upon it.

Mr. Normal (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:05 PM)

I am really happy I see so many conservatives actaully reading something other than the Bush pushed agenda on Fox. Or maybe they just read this SINGLE artical because it was Rush. Rush has said so many other lame things i am surprised they (moveon.org) chose this to attach him on. I agree with an above comment that less is more. The conservatives with their scandals and corruption are already digging their own demise. Dont throw them anything more. The Buch Regime has many machines working for it...Rush is just one of those tools. You need to cut off the head to kill the beast.

Scotty Doesnt Know, the Orange County CA (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:05 PM)

What a useless piece of garbage Limbaugh is. Hes a drug addict, 3 times married troubled individual. And republicans fawn all over him. Tells you something about the state of the republican party and its cult following.

Susan, Miami (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:05 PM)

Will Rush ever shut up? Face it right wing fanatics, the sun is beginning to set on your world. Rush has no credibility (not that he ever had any to begin with for people with a brain) but if you need Rush to tell you what is right and what is wrong keep listening. At some point though you will have to think for yourselves if you want your world to keep from crumbling.

Joe, Denver (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:05 PM)

LMAO, listen to this Hippocrite, Democrat Harkin from Iowa that LIED about his service in Vietnam, he was never there!!!! And Democrat DURBIN from Ill. who called the troops NAZI's.... The LOSER moveon.org, now being claimed by Hillary "the Cackler" Clinton, as starting this ANTI-America messenger, just shows the hippocite that she is also. As the Democrats bend over and take whats coming to them on Iraq , they look like a bunch of losers. The demofarts criticize the military to cover up their own failures. Vote independent and clean house on all these war mongering , america hating repubs and Dems

INDEPENDENT AMERICIAN USA (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:06 PM)

The entire tape of Limbaugh's comments is available on line, and I don't mean the edited tape that Limbaugh is pushing. His "version" cuts out over a minute to try to give the impression that he was referring to a particular soldier. The full tape demonstrates that his statement was a blanket condemnation of all soldiers who think that this war is a tragic mistake. This is just the most recent instance of him making offensive statements. It will probably make no difference to the true believers but the untrue stories about Media Matters being a mouthpiece for Soros and Clinton (check primary sources not opinion pieces) are part of an effort to distract from the substance of the report by attacking the messenger.

Michael Stowell, Silverdale, WA (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:06 PM)

I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO RUSH FOR MANY YEARS.... ALMOST AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN TYPING IN ALL CAPS. YOU SEE I'M WHAT YOU CALL MENTALLY RETARDED, I DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYBODY BUT MY FAT SELF. I ENJOY WASTING SPACE, WAITING FOR THE RAPTURE AND GENERALLY BEING STUPID. IF SOMEONE DOESN'T SEE MY OR RUSH'S WAY ON A TOPIC, I QUESTION THEIR PATRIOTISM. I LIKE HOW THE POLITICIANS I PICK USE FEAR MONGORING TO SCARE ME INTO VOTING FOR THEM, BECAUSE AS A MENTALLY RETARDED PERSON I'M REALLY NOT ABLE TO MAKE INFORMED DESICIONS ON MY OWN. MY NAME IS HAROLD ARBOUR DAPHNE I'M FROM ALABAMA AND I'M MOVING TO CHINA BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE STYLE OF DEMOCRACY THAT MYSELF AND RUSH LIMBAUGH ARE PROMOTING.

HAROLD ARBOUR DAPHNE, AL (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:06 PM)

all you bunch of right wingers are a bunch of losers
that dope head limbaugh is a jerk.

charles los angeles (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:06 PM)

IT SEEMS WITH ALL THIS COUNTRY AS TO DEAL WITH TODAY, WE COULD BE MORE CONSTRUCTIVE IN OUR NEWS REPORTING. RUSH LIMBAUGH IS A LOYAL AMERICAN, HE HAS DEFINATELY BEEN SLAMMED, AND THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.

Janice Stokes, Mansfield, Texas (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:07 PM)

I defend Rush Limbaugh's right to voice his opinion. However, in my humble opinion, Rush Limbaugh has no credibility and is not a good example of what a true conservative should be.

Rush Limbaugh touts family values but is thrice divorced. Rush Limbaugh stated that he would fight his drug charges, but then cut a deal in regard thereto. Rush Limbaugh touts stronger penalties for drug crimes, but himself becomes addicted to prescription painkillers and then cuts a deal when caught obtaining large amounts thereof. Rush Limbaugh castigates the liberals, but then tried to hide behind his rights to his privacy regarding his medical records. Rush Limbaugh is all about Rush Limbaugh and nothing else.

Also, I listened to the "phony soldiers" remark on the internet. It certainly sounded as if it was in derogation of any soldiers who spoke out against the war, INCLUDING those who had served therein. While I may not agree with the sentiments of such soldiers, I would be most reluctant to label ANY soldier who served as a phony soldier -- even those with whom I disgreed. After all, three of the six soldiers who sponsored the column in the newspaper questioning the war have since made the ultimate sacrifice for the USA. How could they be labeled "phony" after havint made such an ultimate sacrifice?

If Rush Limbaugh did not mean to attack the patriotism of soldiers who have been in Iraq and have since spoken out against the war, he should make that abundantly clear and certainly has the means and ability to do so. I seriously doubt that he will do so though.

MIke RC, Rockwall, Texas (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:07 PM)

Today's liberals are working hard to keep the successful country we've always had. Today's conservatives are radicals in conservative clothing who are making huge changes in YOUR rights -- eliminating them.

Our freedom as individuals remains our most valuable legacy of our constitution, and it's being savaged by the Bush administration and it's echo chamber creeps like Rush Limbaugh.

Name calling won't change these facts. If real conservatives can reclaim the Republican party and bring it back to the honest politics of Barry Goldwater, we might have a chance of real dialog and reasonable politics. Until then, attacking the likes of Rush for his inflamatory and inaccurate rhetoric is necessary.

Harry, Los Angeles (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:07 PM)

This is a gotcha because of the betray us. Or at least it is a try. However the quote was taken out of context. Freedom of speech is OK as long as it is what the liberals agree with and with the media being liberal it gets plenty of play.

Virginia Melbourne,FL (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:07 PM)

The liberals have hoist themselves here on a MOVEON petard. Loudly screaming about the need for 1st Amendment rights when it was the ''Betrayus''mess,these would now deny it to others based upon unfactual tinkerings and rewordings of what Limbaugh was actually saying.[The EIB website offers the full transcript in-context,which was denied him by the leftwinged MEDIA MATTERS and the Soros-funded VOTEVETS.[from where one of these ''winter soldiers''actually eminated,claiming to be an Army Ranger when in fact he was not]. We should observe here that Kerry is a point man for the reestablishment of the so-called ''Fairness Doctrine''which seeks to silence conservative AM radio and FOX television[and which is massively opposed by 1st Amendment scholars of all political stripes,liberal,moderate and conservative].

Also see: The VOLOKH Conspiricy www.volokh.com [keyword:Fairness Doctrine].

Lee Holmes (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:09 PM)

It's no wonder Rush Limbaugh is attacking soldiers. The "conservatives" never supported our troops--ask all the wounded ones who are waiting months and months for disability payments and doctors' visits, and the ones who continue to struggle with substandard conditions at Walter Reed and elsewhere. The "conservatives" are the same ones who attacked Max Cleland and John Kerry for having the guts to serve, and in Sen. Cleland's case, making a helluva sacrifice. These right-wing morons just view people in uniform as persons to be used and tossed away when no longer able to serve the cause of their masters' greed. Rush and his crowd need to go over to their local VA hospitals and empty bedpans for a while. But gosh, that would require GRATITUDE and HUMILITY, two virtues that the right-wingers in this country are totally LACKING. ASK BUSH and CHENEY WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG IN GETTING THE WOUNDED VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES THE CARE THAT THEY HAVE EARNED!

Patricia, Maryland (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:09 PM)

I remember after the 06 elections, when the disgraced comedian Limbaugh declared he would no longer be the "waterboy" for the Republicans. Didn't last long. I mean, it would have meant the end of his career. I heard his latest "phony soldier" comments in context. I think we all know what this funny guy meant and he meant exactly what VoteVets says he meant. Like most Republicans, the comedian Limbaugh has never cared for or truly supported the troops. Look at the mismanagement of this war and what that spelled for the lineage of these soldier's families and the integrity of our nation.

Mitch Perkins, Baltimore, MD. (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:09 PM)

Funny how even with as bad as things are getting in this country and others we have invaded there are still so many right wings conservatives that hang on to their sheep like attitudes. For Paul from Omaha, the last time I checked my IQ was 137 and I can clearly see this story for what it is. Morons backing Rush just because he is a republican. Republicans are still trying to bash Clinton and for what? Being a good president. The only blemish on his two terms as president is NAFTA. I think there just upset because the only republican president that should even be mentioned in the same breath as Bill Clinton is Reagan and that is a stretch. People in this country need to open their eyes and look around at whats going on in the world and the US. If you are not completely appalled by what this administration has done to the economy and the reputation of this country you haven't been paying attention.

Patrick, San Diego, CA (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:09 PM)

Hey, Dittoheads, why don't you bother looking at the quote in context?

Caller: "They like to pull these soldiers that come up out of the blue and talk to the media,"

Rush: "The phony soldiers,"

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2007/09/rush_limbaughs_phony_soldiers

Not ONE point in this conversation, or on the program, was in reference to the one soldier mentioned THE FOLLOWING DAY with the purple heart incident. It was clear, reading the entire transcript in context, he was referring to all anti-war soldiers who speak out on behalf of Democrats or run on their behalf, just like he smeared Hackett (5 Aug 2005: “another liberal Democrat trying to hide behind a military uniform”), Sen Cleland, Sen Hagel (25 Jan 2007: “Senator Betrayus”), and numerous others historically in a similar manner. Just stop your lying, Americans bought it for the first four years under Bush, but it's all you guys have left and no one's buying it any more except you super delusional types.

Michael (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:11 PM)

While I'm not particularly impressed by it, I should certainly expect that if Limbaugh plays with fire he'll occasionally get burned.

Seems the left side of the house is now pulling the same lowball tricks that the right side's has had so much success with, so I guess its only fair.

I'd prefer to see sound, substantive debate rather than all the "I'm a real patriot / No I'M the real patriot" stuff going around, but that seems to be the currency of the realm these days.

Anyone else with me? And tired of the bloviating from both sides? Pining for some real statesmen (or women) and fewer blowhards (liberal or conservative)? Kinda feels like they've got us where they want us, a bunch of poor folks bickering amongst ourselves rather than doing the job of creating the world we want to leave to our kids.

J Pfeiffer (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:12 PM)

We were for freedom of speech until the right took it away from us! Oh my GOSH, now they're going to listen to my phone calls

RJB Thompson ND (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:13 PM)

OK Rush should apologise. Even when we slip up and say things we don't mean, we should apologise. Sen. Durban slipped up and apologised. Everything went back to normal. In fact Rush should goto Iraq, do a show there and apologise there.

I also want Jack Murtha to apologise in the same way.

Ed, Chesapeake Virginia (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:13 PM)

Tell Rush to take another Chill Pill

(OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO)!!!!!

LT Visa Washington, DC (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:13 PM)

Ahh rush disciples, barely able to use logic, easily fooled by false analogy, and always ready to defend a man who is a gigantic failure outside of radio. WHY do people listen to this guy? Because he knows how to manipulate an audience that is easily swayed. Why doesn't he run for office? Because he is a nothing in real life, a chicken, not able to stand by his convictions.

wes, dc (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:13 PM)

And you wonder why the "right" has lost confidence in "mainstream" reporting outlets. Reporting the accusation and not giving all the facts is bias reporting!

Mike, Fort Worth, Tx (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:13 PM)

wes, dc (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:13 PM)

the dems would be wise to muzzle moveon.org, if the repubs can convince the population at large moveon.org represents the dems views in general the repubs may have a shot at this thing yet, which in the event hillary gets the nomination probably ain't a bad thing anyway

MK,MO (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:13 PM)

"...bending the truth to fit a political agenda."? I assume you made the same statement about the Swift Boat veterans' group?

Heidi S, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:15 PM)

ONCE AGAIN, LIBERAL FRONT-GROUPS ESPOUSE THE "BIG LIE". TELL IT OFTEN ENOUGH AND PEOPLE SEE IT AS THE TRUTH. THE MAIN-STREAM MEDIA VETS NOTHING ANYMORE AND CONGRESS HAS NO CREDIBILITY. THANK GOD, FOR TALK-RADIO AND THE INTERNET!

Erik Taylor (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:15 PM)

Let's just engender more hatred for each other. Let's just spread hate and fear. Let's make the divide so wide that we have a second civil war. Let's start shooting each other so the terrorists don't have to waste there ammo. Let's plunge ourselves into a death spiral from which we can never recover. America, the last superpower, will be no more. The break up of the Soviet state will look like a minor disagreement when we go down.
And we have no one to blame but ourselves!!!!!

One sad old man, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:15 PM)

You right wingers never cease to astonish me. You make comments like "What's wrong liberals? I thought you were for free speech." Typical neo-con reverse logic at work again. Liberals disagreed with the admonishment of MoveOn, and they probably would have let this go too, but what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

And for those of you that claim he was "taken out of context", let me remind you that you are the same people who took John Kerry out of context not long ago. I listened to the ENTIRE passage of Limbaughs segment that same day. He was clearly bashing troops in general who were against this occupation. Only AFTER THAT did he backtrack and try to apply it to that "particular" soldier. He knew he let his true feelings slip out and tried to cover it. Sorry neo-cons, that isn't going to cut it.

I also find it interesting that as Limbaugh's audience has dwindled to almost half of what it was in 1996, you people still slam these boards in disproportionate numbers. I can't even find anyone anymore who has anything good to say about this mouthpiece. I imagine anti-Limbaugh comments here are being heavily censored by your so-called "Liberal Media".

Mark, Roseville, CA (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:15 PM)

To treat any solder as fake, phony or as a traitor is wrong. It doesn't matter what their opinion of this war is. It's the sacrifice they are making to fight this war. No matter if we are liberal or conservative. We need to support them

Leigh, Antigo, WI (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:15 PM)

They won't quit on this, even after it has been proven to be a false allegation by Rush's own website. Why won't the national media report the truth of this?

David M, Chesapeake, VA (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:16 PM)

Without media matters Shuster would have to actually do reporting rather then simply go on the website and recite his findings for olbermann and to a lesser extent mathews. Come on dave, still waiting for karl orve to be indicted

j, ny (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:16 PM)

when did all the Republicans become a bunch of whiners and start demanding apologies??? IT'S CALLED POLITICS YOU CRY-BABIES

Ben (Sent Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:16 PM)

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