First thoughts: Backflips for Rush

Posted: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:18 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Backflips for Rush: Rush Limbaugh might not be the “voice and intellectual force” behind the Republican Party, as Rahm Emanuel asserted on Sunday. But this has become increasingly true: When Limbaugh says jump, Republican officials quickly respond, “How high?” First, Georgia Rep. Phil Gingrey (R) criticized Limbaugh back in January, but then immediately called into to apologize after receiving a slew of complaints from Rush listeners. "I regret and apologize for the fact that my comments have offended and upset my fellow conservatives,” Gingrey told Limbaugh. Now, after RNC chair Michael Steele told CNN over the weekend that Limbaugh is an entertainer who can be “ugly” and “incendiary” -- and after Limbaugh gladly returned the fire -- the chairman called Limbaugh to smooth things over. “My intent was not to go after Rush,” Steele told Politico. “I have enormous respect for Rush Limbaugh. I was maybe a little bit inarticulate… There was no attempt on my part to diminish his voice or his leadership.” Of course, there is now an open invitation for some ambitious Republican to become the first to have the guts to stand up to Rush.

Video: RNC Chairman Michael Steele apologizes to Rush Limbaugh. NBC's Chuck Todd reports.

*** Steele’s rocky start: Steele’s apology yesterday was the second time he has said something during his month-old chairmanship that he has had to backtrack from. Earlier, in a FOX interview, Steele suggested that the three Senate Republicans who voted for the stimulus -- Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, and Arlen Specter -- would face primary challenges, and left open the possibility that those three might not receive funds from the RNC. But the committee reversed course, telling First Read: "The RNC has no intention of getting involved in primaries. We work with state parties to elect Republicans and will continue to do that." These reversals come as Steele has raised eyebrows with his language (examples: “off the hook,” saying he wanted to give Bobby Jindal some “slum love”). To put it charitably, Steele has gotten off to a rocky start as RNC chair (as Rush himself said) -- primarily due to a lack of message discipline. And some Republicans might agree with this statement from Limbaugh yesterday: "It's time, Mr. Steele, for you to go behind the scenes and start doing the work that you were elected to do instead of trying to be some talking head media star, which you're having a tough time pulling off."

*** Pulled pork? Meanwhile, President Obama is potentially testing the limits of his popularity, as well as the good will he's engendered from some independents who believe he's not just another politician. How? By expressing so much disappointment in the omnibus spending bill that he also plans to sign. The White House hinted yesterday that the president will lay out requirements for the future on how many earmarks that spending bills can have before the president will veto them. It's amazing the things the White House isn't doing -- like getting current administration officials who have earmarks to renounce them, or threaten a veto to get the Congress to rethink some of these earmarks. Still, the argument the White House makes is that it would be too much of a mess to send this back to Congress. Still, the line in the sand the president draws on earmarks later this will be intriguing to use as a future marker.

*** Tease time: Just how popular is President Obama? How about his GOP opposition? Whom does the public blame for the partisanship in Washington? And what are the thoughts about the state of the economy? Be sure to tune into Nightly News, or click on to MSNBC.com, beginning at 6:30 pm ET for the answers to these questions in our latest NBC/WSJ poll.

*** The British are coming! The British are coming! Today, at 11:30 am ET, President Obama meets with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the Oval Office, and the two men have a working lunch afterwards. Sources close to both leaders say the purpose of the today's meeting is to make sure Brown and Obama are speaking with one voice on the economy, going into next month's meeting of world economic leaders. This visit is much more politically relevant to Brown, who isn't so popular at home and would like to bask in the glow of Obama's popularity. The British leader was hoping for a longer public event with the president, but is only getting a small amount of pool coverage. Also today, Obama delivers remarks at the Transportation Department at 9:45 am and then at the Interior Department at 2:00 pm.

*** Explaining AIG: Just askin’, but shouldn't the government -- in particular either President Obama or Treasury Secretary Geithner -- spend some time with the American people and explain exactly how $162 billion is need for AIG, and what would happen if AIG failed? This amount of money is war-like spending, and a president would take time to explain what the money is being used for if this were a war and peace issue. Shouldn't the White House view this similarly and explain exactly what the heck AIG does and why it is so important, arguably more important than any other bank or insurance company? Seriously, we hear all the time that AIG has tentacles connected to the entire global economy. OK, fine. Then unwind the issue for the American people. Show us charts, graphs etc., sell the public on the idea that AIG is truly too big to fail. And if you can't make the case in a 15- to 30-minute presentation where the president or Geithner walks us through the issue, then maybe the public will never have buy-in on these bailouts.

*** Replacing Rahm: Question: How many people does it take to replace Rahm Emanuel in Congress? Answer: 23 people. Well, that’s at least the number of people running (12 Democrats, six Republicans, and five Greens) in today’s special election in Illinois to fill Emanuel’s seat. The top vote-getter from each party advances to a general election that will take place next month, and political observers say the top Democrats in this Dem-leaning district are County Commissioner Mike Quigley and state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz. Quigley has been endorsed by both the Chicago Tribune and the Sun-Times, and he has the highest name ID. Feingenholtz, meanwhile, has the backing of women’s groups and the state SEIU. But given that turnout is expected to small and given that it takes just a simple plurality to advance, today’s race is wide open. By the way, this isn’t just Emanuel’s congressional seat -- it’s also the one held by Rod Blagojevich and Dan Rostenkowski. As the Cook Political Report’s David Wasserman told the New York Times, “How do you follow Rostenkowski and Blagojevich and Emanuel? What will this person be notorious for?”

*** L.A. Story: Also today, Los Angeles holds its municipal elections, and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to cruise to victory. As the Los Angeles Daily News writes, “None of Villaraigosa's nine opponents is considered a serious threat, and he is anticipating an easy win to raise his profile as he considers a run for governor in 2010.”

*** Three races to watch in ’09: Of course, today’s contests won’t be the only 2009 races we’ll be following this year. Plenty of Republicans -- after the stimulus battle, after their post-Nov. 4 victories in Georgia and Louisiana, and at last week’s CPAC conference -- have been talking about their political comeback. But as one of us wrote yesterday, the best signal whether or not the GOP is on the road to political recovery is how it performs in the three big races of ’09: the special on March 31 to fill Kirsten Gillibrand’s congressional seat, and the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. Victories in those races would demonstrate that the GOP can win outside the South (New York and New Jersey), as well as in a state that Republicans must carry in future presidential contests.

Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 91 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 98 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 245 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 609 days

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Comments

I am tired from all the attention being given to Rush, CPAC and the rest of the GOP domestic terrorists. Let’s move on.

Jack, Cincy (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:23 AM)

Sure, Obama promises not sign bills with earmarks, except this time, and maybe next time. He'll get back to us when he has a plan. Maybe.

TJ Holt, Cincinnati (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:27 AM)

Fisr Read: "Just askin’, but shouldn't the government -- in particular either President Obama or Treasury Secretary Geithner -- spend some time with the American people and explain exactly how $162 billion is need for AIG, and what would happen if AIG failed? "

$162 billion to Obama is a drop in the bucket. Hardly does that sum of money warrent someone answering a question or two about how it's being spent and what the results might be. It would take Bush months to get bills a third that size to fund the war through Congress with hearings after hearings being scheduled. But not Obama. He's to busy saving the world to be bothered with explaining his huge spending habits.

Spend It Like You Own It (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:30 AM)

How can Republicans coin his Royal Fat, A$$, Limbaugh the head of the Republican Party? He doesn’t even know the difference between the preamble of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence; as Keith pointed out last night. Michael Steele and those Republicans like him, Gov Mark Sanford, and Rep. Phil Gingrey who bow to admit their failures to his Royal Fat A$$ Limbaugh should watch what they wrap their lips around the next time.
Btw, did any one see the Colbert report last? It was hilarious. Steven challenged Steele to another rap battle. He hasn’t shown up yet so Steven dubbed him the “Sucka M.C”.

Michael Steele U better get some “Hustle and Flow”; man, you’ve been punk’d! Or else U better get your crew live man; if U still wanna B da man. Yo, Colbert got a lotta juice; he can rap, man!

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:31 AM)

Interesting excepts from an article David Frum wrote yesterday regarding Rush Limbaugh:

"And for the leader of the Republicans? A man who is aggressive and bombastic, cutting and sarcastic, who dismisses the concerned citizens in network news focus groups as “losers.” With his private plane and his cigars, his history of drug dependency and his personal bulk, not to mention his tangled marital history, Rush is a walking stereotype of self-indulgence – exactly the image that Barack Obama most wants to affix to our philosophy and our party. And we’re cooperating! Those images of crowds of CPACers cheering Rush’s every rancorous word – we’ll be seeing them rebroadcast for a long time.

But do the rest of us understand what we are doing to ourselves by accepting this leadership? Rush is to the Republicanism of the 2000s what Jesse Jackson was to the Democratic party in the 1980s. He plays an important role in our coalition, and of course he and his supporters have to be treated with respect. But he cannot be allowed to be the public face of the enterprise – and we have to find ways of assuring the public that he is just one Republican voice among many, and very far from the most important."
_____________________
Michael Steeel had to apologize. Rush uses his propaganda air waves much like Jos. Goebbels did. To get people all worked up against the Democrats. Doesn't seem to be working. The GOP hasn't had any success since President Bush was re-elected in 2004.

The Republican Party has made a deal with the devil and they don't even realize it. Rush Limbaugh doesn't give a damn about anyone or anything - his ego is what's paramount in his mind.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:34 AM)

Brwon and Obama are "speaking with one voice on the economy". What in the world does that mean. Britians and the EU problems are very much different then the US. Obama better start focusing on the US economy before he starts worrying about the Brits. Maybe someone should inform Obama about the huge drop in the market everytime he spends another hundred billion dollars on something that is not needed.

Obama is as asleep at the switch when it comes to the US economy.

Randy T., Burlington VT (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:35 AM)

Hey First Read, how about if one of you "journalist" start asking Mitch McConnell how he feels about earmarks?

We all know how McConnell and the rest of the GOP like to spout off at the mouth about "government spending" so how come McConnell is asking for $75 MILLION in earmarks in the Omnibus?

I thought they were all AGAINST all that wasteful spending?

Come on First Read, ask those Republicans about all those earmarks.

Iowa (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:35 AM)

The republic party is full of limpwristed wimps who can't just say no to Lush. As long as the republic party is being run ionto the ground by Lush then they will always be a fringe minority party and that's all they deserve. Darwin tells us that species that do not change to adapt to changing conditions are doomed to follow the dinosaurs into extinction. Soon the Irrelevant Elephants will become the Extinct Elephants!

It's going to be so wonderful watching Barack interact with world leaders like Gordon Brown. I'm sure that Barack will get along just famously with Gordon, so much better than the bushwhacker did. I am so looking forward to the G8 summit meeting, the first occasion for Obama to meet Putin's Puppet Medvedev. I am so looking forward to seeing Obama tower over Mini Putin.

Just Say Yes to Obama!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:36 AM)

When companies fail, it is generally not because employees did not work hard enough, but more likely because leaders did not not manage well enough. So it is with the GOP. There is a leadership vacuum. Steele can not fill it and Limbaugh is there to fill that empty space. Watching Rush and Michael spat is fun to watch and even though they have kissed and made up, there are still long term implications. Steele knows that Rush is "da man". No one has the balls to tell Rush to take a hike so he is in fact the leader of the conservatives, who control the entire GOP. Romney won't stand up to Limbaugh, so he is yesterday's news. Bobby and Silly Sarah are Rush's favorites so they are well positioned (in future primaries). BUT EVEN IF THE ECONOMY IS SLOW TO RECOVER, Bobby and Sarah cannot beat President Obama. Thus, like GM and Chrylser, the GOP will fail due to poor leadership.

The GOP will hold the deep South and a few scattered states, and it will remain the minority party until a moderate can stand up to Rush...which may take a long, long time.

Ron Indiana (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:36 AM)

They keep saying Herr Limbaugh is NOT the Furer of the Grand Obstructionist Party, but it sure looks like it from here. Steele, the UN-magic Negro is finding having to kowtow to Lush Rimjob, the Oxy-Moron when Herr Limbaugh snarls. Rimjob is moving the Party to the right, which is ok, because that gaurantees they'll lose again and again and again...

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:37 AM)

Steele must not have much of his manhood left after having to apologize to Limbaugh. What a joke these two tweets are.

Seattle Sue (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:37 AM)

That just goes to show how desperate the repubs are. They have to apologize to an A-hole like Rush Limbaugh. "that only shows how insane the Core of the repub party really is."

gepa (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:37 AM)

Michael Steele, so-called RNC Chairman, got his butt handed to him by the all-mighty leader of the GOP, Rush Limbaugh. Mr. Steele should have known that the Repubs do not tolerate any free thinking, truth telling or deviation from their senseless talking points. I love it when an "entertainer" can call the shots for the GOP, smack down its Chairman and have him apologizing profusely, while looking at the ground with hat humbly in hand. Me thinks that Mr. Steele's honeymoon period is officially over and he is no longer "Da Man".

J. Ellis, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:37 AM)

"Meanwhile, President Obama is potentially testing the limits of his popularity, as well as the good will he's engendered from some independents who believe he's not just another politician. How? By expressing so much disappointment in the omnibus spending bill that he also plans to sign.
-First Read"
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I applaud President Obama for not falling for the media's attempt to draw him of message with this focus on earmarks.

Whether or not there are earmarks in an ominibus bill is in the grand scheme of things is irrelevent.

Just like what to do about Joe Lieberman was irrelevent.

And Senator Burris. And Gov. Blago. And ACORN.

And Rev. Wright. And Bill Ayers. And Rezcko.

And the President's birth certificate.

The list goes on and on.

In each case, the President refused to be drawn off message and put the needs of the American people ahead of the media's need for sensationalism.

Well done Mr. President.

Well done.

P.S. An earmark is just a method of allocating money for a specific use. That is not a problem. Earmark ABUSE is the problem. Let's deal with that and quit pretending that all earmarks are bad, because clearly that is absurd.

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:38 AM)

Keep shooting yourself in the foot GOP...

Rush is a cancer in the Conservative Governing Body, and it's starting to metastisize. They really need to do something quick if they want to have a voice in this country. They are quickly looking like a shock jock following cult.

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Just askin’, but shouldn't the government -- in particular either President Obama or Treasury Secretary Geithner -- spend some time with the American people and explain exactly how $162 billion is need for AIG, and what would happen if AIG failed?
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It's simple, AIG has underwritten insurance on most of these other banks...AIG goes down, there goes any form of security on already weak banks.

Also AIG has a good chunk of Annuities out there, which 100,000's if not millions are relying on for retirement.

If AIG fails, then we have big problems.

People aren't going to like this one, but the government should break up AIG, setting aside the annuity section. And ultimately making it a non-profit mutual company. There is little chance of them turning a profit in the next 20 anyway.

And as always to you "thanks for killing my retirement obama" buffoons...

Investing in the stock market requires substantial risk...if you are investing more than you are willing to lose, then you deserve to. Start thinking about Govt. Bonds and Money Markets...they don't quench that greed as much, but the money will be there.

GP NW Indiana (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:38 AM)

The Republicans have set up their own Catch 22. If they embrace Limbaugh they get chastised for not trying to expand the party. If they downplay or dismiss Limbaugh they get criticized for breaking away from core conservative values.
As long as the Republicans are afraid to make up their mind they will not get back in the contest.
Rush is correct. Steele needs to shut up, go away to his think tank, determine a course of action and stick with it. They can't have it both ways. It's too soo after Bush to get people drifting back to the Republicans yet.

Todd M (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:39 AM)

Steele is such a loser and wimp, he folds at the first attack from Mount Lushmore. If he thinks he will bring hip hop to the republic party then he hasn't been paying attention to the fact that the evangelical christian lunatic fringe is all that's left of his decrepit party. Not going to happen lunatic boy.

Isn't it funny how popular Barack is and how unpopular the repugnant ones are? Seems like yesterday that the bushwhacker 4 years ago touted how he had earned lots of political capital and was going to spend it. I am so grateful he wasted it all and drove the repugnant ones into the sewer from where they're not likely to extricate themselves anytime soon.

In Obama We Trust!
In Lush We Bust!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:40 AM)

Wow, the market is up 60+ points in early trading.
I guess President Obama has not opened his mouth yet this morning.
Unbelievable that the market is down over 1500 points since President Change took office.
How much lower can this President drag down our investments?

Obama One and Done, Atlanta (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:43 AM)

Who will replace Emanuel? Who ever Chicago Mayor Daley chooses to. And the votes don't matter, the real votes are counted after the people's votes are sent to the landfill.

Tony S., NJ (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:44 AM)

"Just askin’, but shouldn't the government -- in particular either President Obama or Treasury Secretary Geithner -- spend some time with the American people and explain exactly how $162 billion is need for AIG, and what would happen if AIG failed? - First Read"

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You know, this is a great question.

Maybe they are too busy putting out fires to mount the proper spin campaign that the media has become so accustomed to.

Is there something preventing the news media from explaining it to us? (Not sexy enough for ya?)

Or, now this may be stretching it I know, maybe we could go and do the research ourselves?

*gasp*

I know. That's crazy talk, right? lol

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:44 AM)

>>>*** Explaining AIG: Just askin’, but shouldn't the government -- in particular either President Obama or Treasury Secretary Geithner -- spend some time with the American people and explain exactly how $162 billion is need for AIG, and what would happen if AIG failed? This amount of money is war-like spending, and a president would take time to explain what the money is being used for if this were a war and peace issue. Shouldn't the White House view this similarly and explain exactly what the heck AIG does and why it is so important, arguably more important than any other bank or insurance company? Seriously, we hear all the time that AIG has tentacles connected to the entire global economy. OK, fine. Then unwind the issue for the American people. Show us charts, graphs etc., sell the public on the idea that AIG is truly too big to fail. And if you can't make the case in a 15- to 30-minute presentation where the president or Geithner walks us through the issue, then maybe the public will never have buy-in on these bailouts.

==========
I'd like to see this myself. Personally, I don't think there's any such thing as "too big to fail". I'd like for someone, Obama, Geithner, whoever, to explain why my tax dollars keep going towards executive bonuses and corporate junkets to the carribean.

New Blog Entry Today!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:44 AM)

Rush Limbaugh is now the biggest (literally) "Gift That Keeps On Giving"! The GOP will go nowhere so long as this blowhole keeps emasculating his own party's alleged leaders.

Thank you, Rush, for demonstrating that you ARE the leader of the GOP with your thuggish ways. You are the Pied Piper playing the right tune so the mice will happily follow along.

Just remember that mob justice will only get you so far.

Oh, and thank you, Michael Steele, for channeling your inner-Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin..."There go my people. I must find out where they are going so I can lead them."

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:46 AM)

Sooo, Lush Limpballs IS the leader of the PATHETIC Grand Obstructionist Party, afterall. Our country is in the tank because of Dumbya and his crime family administration, but all they're concerned with is playing "who's your leader". Not that the GOP gives a d*mned about the country anyway. Their main agenda is to turn this country into a two-class system of the haves and have-nots. They want a 21st century slave society, and will do all they can to attain it. Don't fool yourselves, this isn't a conspiracy theory. Thom Hartmann along with anyone else who has paid close attention during the last eight years can attest that there's a shift in this party that is EXTREMELY unbecoming to the democracy of our country. We (middle-class and the working poor) are under attack this very moment by the GOP conservative elitists (uber-rich, big business). THIS PARTY MUST GO DOWN, NOW! PAY ATTENTION AND REMAIN VIGILANTE!

KJ, Dallas, TX (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:46 AM)

Rahmbo is absolutely right. Rush's style of "ugly" and "incendiary" rhetoric against the president and anyone - even in his own party - who disagrees with his twisted politics is at the core of what the GOP has become in the wake of their defeat.

They treat '06 and '08 like strange anomalies borne out of an ungrateful nation and some trickster game-playing by liberals.

They will never win another election when Rush is spewing these thoughts as their bona fide leader.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:47 AM)

Wow AIG lost $61.7 billion in just one quarter, why aren't some of these executives already in prison? The whole mismanagement team should be fired. Let's not forget these miscreants of honest business were the ones caught wasting lots of money on fancy retreats for these worthless executives, they just don't get it and if AIG gets more money then Obama should insist that all of the top 50 or so executives should be forced to resign without any golden parachutes. It's time to reject and denounce the whole CEO class of jerky boys hell bent on making as much money as quickly as possible regardless of the cost to the rest of us. I liked what Bill Maher said Friday before last about being able to waste a couple of CEO's in order to send a message to the rest to shape up or get shipped out.

I found it so funny how Keith exposed what a liar jindal was during his reply to Obama's great speech before Congress. So excellent to see jindal have to excuse himself for misspeaking. Just goes to show the republic party is full of liars and idiots too stupid to see their lies for what they are.

Just Say No to Lush!
Just Say Yes to Barack!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:48 AM)

MSierra, SF

You seem to have a strange and unnatural fixation with Bush.

When Baroke “Insane” Obama does something stupid (a daily occurrence) all you can say is “What about Bush”.

You must really miss GW Bush. Do you have pictures of him all over your wall, do you have wet dreams about him. Does that make your Boyfriend, Girlfriend or your Goat upset with the attention you always give him? After all you are from San Francisco. Maybe you should invite him to a threesome? Tell us the truth. You think about him naked riding a horse toward your open arms. Don’t you??? Do you have a blow-up Bush doll you play with at night?

Come on – I will sing it with you!!!

“It’s Bush’s Fault”
“It’s Bush’s Fault”
“It’s Bush’s Fault”

There – do you feel better.

You really need help – Never mind, I forgot you’re from San Francisco.

How bad does OScuma have to make the economy before its no longer Bush’s fault?

How many TRILLIONS does OScuma have to piss away before you stop your slobbering love affair with him?

Obama’s Capitalism – He gets all the Capital and we get all the ism’s

And Yes, I ALSO HOPE OBAMA FAILS, in his socialization and destruction of America. The really sad thing is that you hope he succeeds!!!

You must be an unemployed fat couch potato liberal who sucks all of the government handouts and free cheese you can get.

You are the weakest link – now go away.

Drink more kool-aid its high in vitamin O

One Dying Democrat (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:49 AM)

Obama meets with Gordon Brown, (his UK counterpart and idealogical soulmate) to plan a 'global economic blueprint'-of course, Brown is as popular as a skunk aat the Queen's garden party, and hopefully, he and Obama will also hav that in common in six months; meanwhile

the administration keeps telling us to tighten our belts, while they have major White House parties every Wednesday, (didn't Michelle get the e-mail on cutting expenses). Obama does not want industry to have conventions or out of town meetings. All those hotel workers don't need jobs, do they; and

one is left to wonder if Obama really wanted the job, since he spends all of his time whining that the economy is not his fault; those earmarks in the budget are not his fault; those lobbyists in his administration are not his fault; and

despite sending a hand carried letter to the Russians offering to remove our missile shield if they would please, please, as the Iranians to stop building nuclear weapons that threaten our security, it should not be considered a quid pro quo, jsut, well, maybe cooperation between friends.

The new Elvis is more and more Jimmy Carter's spiritual son. Anybody else remember SALT II?

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:49 AM)

That's hilarious, limpbag has the Repuke party backpeddling. This POS is the new face of the Repuke party and they will be forever branded with the face of that hate spewing, fear mongering pill popping pompous windbag. Zeig Heil Limpbag

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:51 AM)

“I have enormous respect for Rush Limbaugh. I was maybe a little bit inarticulate… There was no attempt on my part to diminish his voice or his leadership.”
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The Republican party is now being led by sniveling cowards like Steele who have to kowtow to Rush Limbaugh, a bloated buffoon with a hate radio talk show. It's no wonder they ended up wrecking the country.

Houston (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:52 AM)

What does AIG do? It guarantees Congresses pension and health care payments. AIG won't be going under anytime soon, even if it takes a trillion dollars of American taxpayers money.

Stan Robbins, CA - Land of Huge Taxes (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:53 AM)

Rush has great influence on the GOP. More powerful than a locomotive.

But we all know Pelosi's puppeting of Barack Obama ... and he's the president, regretfully.

Moon Dawg (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:54 AM)

If you think Obama is popular now, just think how popular he'd be if he did something, one thing, that actually benefited someone in America. Other then government workers, who have the lowest unemployment rate of any workers.

Nancy Hartman, Boulder CO (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:56 AM)

"Steele’s apology yesterday was the second time he has said something during his month-old chairmanship that he has had to backtrack from."
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It sounds like someone needs to look up the definition of "leadership", baby...

If Chairman Steele wants respect from his party, he's going to have to demand it from the mouthpieces, first. Unfortunately, this move would first require a healthy dose of self-respect- which Chairman Steele has not shown to possess over the years.

So the GOP will continue to veer hard right, thereby insuring that moderates and Independents do not return. When they turn to outdated standard-bearers Gingrich and DeLay for direction, you know they've got nothing to offer. How does a Permanent Minority sound, Newt?

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:58 AM)

Got to admit it is pretty funny how every republican out there has to kow tow to a fat slob drug addict hate monger who wants the country to fail! Very patriotic of the republicans!

Steve A Jonesboro IN (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 9:59 AM)

With the Dow dropping at 250-300 points a day what's Obama going to do for fun the 2nd half of his first 100 days?

Dave, Tn (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:00 AM)

So what Rush meant when he was telling Steel to get in the back room was,the boys with there faces hidden from you want to help you get your mind right,has a whippen in order.The way Rush was puffing I think he would have served as chief whipper for a day.Steel has shown he is just a Face,not the face of there party.Now let me see where and who put these earmarks in this budget,GOPERS,DEMS,both did.Maybe someone at FR could explain how AIG has gotten so out of wack,maybe you could send one of the aces over to Headquaters and ask them where all the loot is going.These guys must really party hard to need all this loot.And if in a few sentences you could get all the info we would be great full.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:02 AM)

>"an open invitation for some ambitious Republican to become the first to have the guts to stand up to Rush"<

We have by now established that if this ever happens, it won't be an "ambitious" Republican to do it: it will either be a suicidal one, or someone like Snowe or Collins who is more or less immune from Rush's army of dittoheads. Rush has clearly filled the GOP power vacuum.

Chuck, by what possible scenario would this be a path to success for an "ambitious" Republican?

bcamarda, Ramsey, NJ (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:02 AM)

Its funny, I watch MSNBC to understand the Governments party line. Much like TASS in the former soviet union. I listen to AM radio to enjoy debate and free speech.
I figured it was only a matter of time before TASS would attack free speech. Where is the outrage of the defense of the first amendment from MSNBC ...
As predictable toting the party line...

Chris Florida (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:02 AM)

Spare me on the faux disappointment over the earmark-laden omnibus bill. If he were that disappointed, he wouldn't sign the thing in the first place. I can't believe anyone is gullible enough to believe that he's bothered by it.

Spend baby spend (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:02 AM)

Rush stands for Conservatives, not RINOs.

Nob City, Noblesville, IN (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:03 AM)

I still can't find one useful point in Obama's presidency. He is spending us into the abyss. He is wreckless with money and power. He is self-absorbed, arrogant and radical. He is ruining this country.

Tombstone Shadow (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:03 AM)

Three races to watch: I think it is more complicated than you have stated. The Gillibrand position will likely go Republican because Kristen is sorta a republican. The two governorship positions in JN and Virginia will go to the best candidate, not necessarily based along party lines.

Ron Indiana (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:04 AM)

REPUBLICANS ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK WITH BOTH STEELE & LIMBAUGH --- DESPITE MSNBC'S ATTEMPT TO REPORT OTHERWISE.

THE REUBLICAN PARTY WILL RETURN TO POWER AND TRASH OBAMA'S PROGRAMS & POLICIES.

KEEP THE FAITH --- WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND.

REPUBLICANS WILL RETURN TO POWER ! (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:06 AM)

The repugs now have a Pope Rush, from which they can kiss his ring, prostrate themselves and beg absolution. These people make me want to puke!

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:08 AM)

Rush Limbaugh is the new force behind the Republican Party? Yeow! Who would have thought. But then again Sara Palin for Vice President and Bobby Jindal as spokesman is different. Who is ever calling the shots for the party is nothing if not strange. In any case, if one looks at the numbers, it looks like the "lunitic fringe" has always maintained aroun a 25%
of society. Despite all evidence and history, Some people still like Bush and feel Rush is not really a convicted drug addict and shock jock. Beware of the clown, for he means to do bad.

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:10 AM)

"GONZO-GATE", IT JUST WILL NOT FADE AWAY.

Z (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:10 AM)

Quit grandstanding, Steele. You'll never be the big celebrity that Obama is. We don't want an american idol for our president. We want someone who knows what he's doing and spending billions upon billions every single day doesn't cut it.

Impeach Obama (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:11 AM)

Ah, Rush. The right-winger's version of Oprah. All praise Rush, mouthpiece for those who can't think for themselves. That any elected representative would fear this blowhard is pathetic.

Steve Hawkins, Lansing, MI (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:11 AM)

Republicans might agree with this statement from >> Limbaugh yesterday: "It's time, Mr. Steele, for you to go behind the scenes and start doing the work that you were elected to do instead of trying to be some talking head media star, which you're having a tough time pulling off." <<

Here's news for YOU, Mr. Limbaugh. So do you.

Along those same lines ... whoever told you that dressing up like Marlon Brando in THE GODFATHER would appeal to that 63 percent of women who don't like you was just horsing around with you.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

As for Michael Steele ... it's hard to have "message discipline" when you have no message. There's a lot of that going around the GOP these days.

Anna Molly (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:11 AM)

Rush,Michael Steele, Pat Buchannan and all the other so called conservatives need to shut up and get a life.
always complaining, if they know so much about how the country should be ran, give it up and stop critizing. Perhaps Rush need a drug test to see if he's still using, M.Steele need to stop and think about why these people (Republicans) chose him. Pat's ideas
died with the Nixon Administration and Watergate, he was in the house and couldn't stop that.

joanne davis (Sent Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:13 AM)

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