Perhaps it was an offhand comment. But.. do you think it might have been on purpose?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

I initially thought that Obama saying "you can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done" (which he's right about of course) was an offhand biting comment designed to highlight the polarizing, negative extreme positions that characterize the modern Republican party and shame the Republican congresspeople into either cooperating or going completely into the Limbaugh camp.

But now I'm almost wondering if it was a deeper move, to force a labeling of Republicans to the rest of the country. That if they went with their primeval instinct to go against any positive Democratic move or position and herd themselves to the right, then he would have made Rush be the de facto king of their party, for all to see.

This appears to be what is happening, whether intended or not.

America has already proven, in 2006 and 2008, that they have rejected a Limbaugh vision of America.

It may feel good to the Republicans right now, to choose a drug addicted fat windbag over a popularly elected President, but it won't feel too good very shortly.

[Beetwasher]

1. Definitely Calculated

Witness the ads being run now calling out Repubs for supporting Rush instead of Obama.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/01/labor-groups-radio-ad-hits-gop-leader-rush-limbaugh.php

[liberal N proud]

2. Obama has not ignored those who speak out against him

I think this was just a response in kind to the bloated gas bag drug addict.

[tyne]

3. Making Rush

the voice of the repub party is gold to dems.

Maybe he'll soon make a comment about Coulter.

[AllentownJake]

4. It was planned

Rush said he wanted President Obama to fail before Obama said that...President Obama was essentially saying you guys either want what's good for the country or what you think is good for yourself.

[meli224]

5. I think it is definitely taking that sort of turn,

even if he didn't intend for it to be meant that way. Especially when that one asshole went groveling back to Rush after he said Rush was wrong. That even made it look more like he was their "master" it was pathetic.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

6. Yeah that shit was really incredible, I heard it and couldn't believe it.

Why would a Republican congressperson in Georgia, of all places, fear Rush? I'm sure the guy's seat is pretty safe. Rush listeners mad at the guy aren't going to vote for a Democratic candidate, that's for sure.

[Avalux]

7. I think it was a strategic move - as evidenced by what James Carville said this morning -

he was asked it Obama's comment about Limbaugh was a wise move or not (CNN ass said it was not a wise move).

Carville reply was that it was probably OK for Obama to say what he did since Limbaugh is the leader of the Republican Party right now. They're so fractured, he's emerged as their voice.

Yeah, definitely planned and talking points distributed. ;)

[FormerDittoHead]

8. Yes and it's true. Simply ask any of them, "On what major issue do you think Limbaugh isn't right?"

They won't be able to give a single one, because Limbaugh DOES speak for them. Dissension isn't allowed in their party, and their ongoing failure is a direct result of that policy.

[lamp_shade]

9. Hardly "offhand". Rarely does a word pass Obama's lips without calculation.

[Politicub]

10. Think the word "liberal" was bastardized during the 80's?

Conservatives haven't seen anything yet. They'll be marginalized in US politics for a generation once Obama is finished with them.

[anonymous171]

11. Yep. Soon Americans will know that like Rush, the GOP wants Obama to fail.

[hamsterjill]

12. Obama thinks before he speaks

In my mind, nothing leaves Obama's lips without him giving the words due consideration, so he probably knew what he was doing.

And 'bout damn time in my book. Limbaugh and others have been allowed to spout anything and everything over the last eight years without there being any counter balance to them.

It's time that the likes of Limpballs are shown to be what they really are - hatemongers who will say anything to get good ratings and keep their own pocketbooks fattened.

[Javaman]

13. Two things...

I never want to play poker with Obama (I happen to like my shirt) and I never want him pissed at me.

The repukes are slowly waking up to the fact this Obama is no to be triffled with and frankly, I think they don't know how to deal with someone that doesn't deal in bullshit.

Our President (I love saying that) is a shark, plain and simple.