"If I wanted Obama to succeed, I'd be happy the Republicans have laid down. I don't want this to work I don't need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails." - Rush Limbaugh
Conservative gabmeister Rush Limbaugh has always been a provocateur of the left, deftly wielding his golden microphone to verbally cudgel any and all things liberal. For many Democrats, that makes him a blowhard whose recent loss of hearing was nothing short of karmic justice, and they froth at the thought of bringing back the Fairness Doctrine to silence him once and for all. For his legions of fans on the right, El Rushbo is often a lonely voice of conservative principles and a stark reminder of how the Republican Party has jettisoned its values in recent years.
But never before have his words put Limbaugh at the center of such controversy. President Obama cautioned Republicans this week that they couldn't get anything done by listening to Rush. The Democratic National Congressional Committee went so far as to launch an online petition that lets people express their displeasure with Limbaugh's feisty resistance. Following suit, MoveOn.org has launched an ad campaign that asks voters whom they side with: Limbaugh or Obama?
To paraphrase the late William F. Buckley, Jr., Limbaugh has dared to stand athwart history. And Democrats want him to pay dearly for it.
Well then. We're only two weeks into our first term of hope and change but it looks like Obama will brook no dissent in his drive for post-partisan harmony. His grassroots support network remains formidable, and he just unleashed it on liberalism's Public Enemy Number 1.
Setting aside the Orwellian undertones of this assault (casting Limbaugh as a real-life Emmanuel Goldstein), it is sobering that Rush has become the de facto standard bearer for the Republican Party. At the end of the day he is still just an entertainer. In an hour when the GOP needs to re-brand its image and right its own ship, it is telling that candidates capable of taking the helm are far and few between. Any names that do warrant serious consideration, such as Sarah Palin or Bobby Jindal, probably need a few years of seasoning before they're ready for the national stage.
Wounded and lacking star-power leadership, congressional Republicans seem wary of challenging the new president and his lofty approval ratings. Their reaction is similar to that of many conservative outlets across the country, where excessive graciousness in defeat is the order of the day. From political pundits to center-right editorial boards, the general stance seems to be, "I didn't support Obama, but for the sake of the country I wish him well and pray for his success."
Hold the phone. Should all Americans, regardless of political stripes, wish Obama good health? Of course. Should we pray that he keeps us safe and brings the terrorists to justice? Check and check. Would we all like to see the economy recover quickly, certainly within the next four years? Yes, but thoughtful people can certainly disagree on the best way to achieve that goal.
Why, though, must everyone buy into the notion that we hope Obama succeeds unconditionally? Should those who are center-right on the political spectrum suddenly pray for nationalized health care? More welfare checks disguised as tax credits? Bigger government for decades to come? Are we allowed to have any legitimate concerns about how an unfettered string of Obama "successes" might shape this country? Apparently not, according to the likes of MoveOn.org and the DNCC. This is the change we've been waiting for, so join the love train or get the hell out of the way.
Conservatives should resist the temptation to roll over and play nice, as they do so at their own peril. 46% of the voting public didn't buy into the Obama magic for one reason or another; those people should not have to abandon their principles and heed a call to mindless unity simply because he won. After eight years of crowing that dissent is the highest form of patriotism and savoring, if not cheering, every misstep by George W. Bush, liberals are now demanding of conservatives a level of accommodation that they themselves never would have considered. Where defiance was once celebrated, fawning acquiescence is now expected.
But unity has to be earned, not assumed. When it is forced upon the opposition by coercion and badgering, it smacks of tyranny with a smile. True unity requires compromise every step of the way. It is early still, but Obama has not yet earned it.
Until he does, it is entirely legitimate to hope, and indeed for the sake of the country, that his grand agenda meets with very limited success.
©2009 Matthew Bastian, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Friday, January 30, 2009
Last modified: Friday, January 30, 2009
The views expressed in this article are those of Matthew Bastian only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Matthew Bastian is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2009-01-30 18:20:05
Good article Matthew.
The attack on Rush is a sign that the Obama administration believes that GOP politicians are no longer likely to respond in a Conservative backlash to the liberal take-over of our country. Obama believes he can leverage the GOP's fear-mongering liberal leaders into becoming Obama supporters. He wouldn't wield the wedge if he didn't think he'd end up with the bigger piece.
I think Rush is a great entertainer and a Conservative. He is more conservative than anyone in congress except Ron Paul. There are areas where Rush absolutely deviates from my brand of conservatism but on the themes of limited government, free enterprise and the rule of law, he is pretty consistent...except where these clash with his positions on foreign policy.
I hope Obama fails to get the bigger piece of support when he separates the liberal GOP leaders from their more conservertaive colleagues.
-Jahfre Fire Eater
Posted By: Jake, the champion of the constitution
Date: 2009-01-31 17:53:24
Not too many Rush videos ever make it my way, but Glenn Beck has had some classics recently. The Algore Machine for "An Inconvenient Debt" was pretty good.