DeLay: Limbaugh's a GOP "role model"

[babylonsister]

DeLay: Limbaugh's a GOP "role model"
Joan Walsh


I just watched the disgraced Tom DeLay hail Rush Limbaugh on "Hardball," and warn: "Republicans better understand and look at the role model he's presenting ... Stand up and fight!" At the same time, the former House GOP leader insisted Limbaugh is the leader of the conservative cause, but not the Republican Party, and blamed Democrats for hyping Limbaugh's role.

Where to start?

The GOP's reputation is circling the drain, and President Obama's approval ratings are at an all-time high, according to a new WSJ-NBC poll. Just under 70 percent of Americans approve of Obama's performance, while only 19 percent of Americans disapprove, despite GOP obstructionism and loons like Limbaugh fervently wishing he'll fail. Only 26 percent of those polled have a favorable view of the GOP -- an all-time low. Still, terrified Republicans are trying to have it both ways: Keep the divisive Limbaugh on his big white pedestal, while blaming Democrats for saying he's their party leader.

But come on: Did Nancy Pelosi make Rep. Phil Gingrey apologize to Limbaugh last month for criticizing him? Did Howard Dean make Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele crawl to Limbaugh exactly 51 minutes (according to "Hardball") after Limbaugh attacked him on his radio show yesterday, and say he hadn't meant to call Limbaugh's behavior "incendiary" or "ugly"? Is Harry Reid the reason it's impossible to find one, even one, Republican to criticize Limbaugh on the record -- without then racing to kiss his ring and apologize?

It's Tom DeLay, not President Obama, who is now designating Limbaugh as his party's "role model." It's irresistible to respond: Really? Limbaugh's the "role model" for the party of family values? A thrice-divorced, drug-abusing, Parkinson's-mocking, cigar-sucking egomaniac, a poster boy for meanness, overindulgence and excess? Some folks in my letters lately have objected to my discussing some of Limbaugh's personal traits, particularly his physical appearance at CPAC, where he I said he looked "sweaty and hopped-up." Facts are facts: He was sweaty and hopped-up. And with Tom DeLay saying he's a Republican role model, I think we have to take in Limbaugh -- all of him --to fully appreciate his outsize impact on the shrinking Republican Party.

Imagine if the Democrats had an unelected leader of Limbaugh's stature, who in the wake of 9/11 wished for President Bush to fail -- and who got other Democrats to join him. (I say "him" because it's simply impossible to imagine a female Limbaugh, of similar unlovely temperament and appearance -- a big, pasty, sweaty, nasty Ruth Limbaugh, let's call her, railing against Bush -- getting any kind of national podium, let alone the kind Limbaugh has. Just try that thought experiment for a minute, and then try telling me sexism is history.) Imagine him ranting and raving and sweating and hopping up and down at, say, a MoveOn conference. Imagine that when a few Democrats had the temerity to suggest that this unelected leader might be wrong, might be hurting the party, might even be hurting the country, they had to rush to apologize to said leader within minutes or hours.

more...

http://www.salon.com/opinion/walsh/politics/2009/03/04/delay_limbaugh/index.html

[WillParkinson]

1. It's true. He's a role model.

Nasty. Crude. Mean. Everything they hope for. Rush for President.

[Vinca]

2. Listen up, Republicans, you, too, can be a drug-addicted blowhard.

:rofl: Rush as a role model? Maybe in the world of Tom "Ratface" Delay.

[hobbit709]

3. Consider the source for that.

What exactly are Tom DeLay's qualifications for saying that? I guess "under indictment" is a prerequisite.

[mwb970]

4. Here's one of the comments on Walsh's article.

Limbaugh as the ideal Republican

Rush is perfectly suited as the spokesman for the Republicans: white, fat, rich and ignorant, multiple wives, prone to substance abuse, loves to attack the weak but terrified of armed combat, deeply prejudiced and misogynistic, and above all willing at any moment to put personal gain ahead of the interests of his own country. Truly, here is a leader for party that can't wait for America to fail.

-- jjllss33

Bingo!

[Canuckistanian]

5. A role model?

Does that mean Oxycontin, Viagra, and Dominican tourist revenue will be increasing?

[KharmaTrain]

6. The Precious Thing, Sis...

The other night, TDS showed all these CPAC asshats all harping along with Rushbo...and NONE of them held any elective office or stood a chance anytime soon.

Watching DeLay is like looking at a time machine...his day is long past and he's become a national embarassment and laughing stock. I'm grateful this shitstain was driven out of the House and his corrupt party went from a near absolute majority in both houses to the wilderness. He's as responsible for this fall as anyone...and him coming out of his hole only reinforces for many the reasons why they detest this inept and corrupt party.

The corporate media has mocked Democrats for having too many voices...and we do. We don't listen to one hate spewer or subscribe to empty talking points and stereotypes. Thank goodness for diversity. The GOOP is now stuck in the far right's stranglehold...and those that destroyed the party are back for one more go.

Cheers...

:hi:

[marmar]

7. Says the Moat Monster about Grendel......

n/t

[deacon]

8. Perfect. LoL. Who better to vouch for limbaugh than delay? They've taken the bait. n/t

[bdamomma]

9. Rush a "role model" just like Palin and we all know what happened

to her. What losers the repigs are!!

[baldguy]

10. And he has a lower approval rating than Bush.

Still beats Cheney, though.

[spanone]

11. one of joan walshs' best

[babylonsister]

12. I thought so, too. She laid it all out. nt