Limbaugh To Powell: Leave The GOP
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in Partisan Hacks, Republicans
Rush keeps slinging the silly…
Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh Wednesday that if former Secretary of State Colin Powell is going to keep criticizing the GOP, he may as well leave the party and become a Democrat—adding that Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama was “purely and solely based on race.â€â€œHe’s just mad at me because I’m the one person in the country that had the guts to explain his endorsement of Obama,†Limbaugh said on his radio show. “There can be no other explanation for it.â€
“What Colin Powell needs to do is close the loop and become a Democrat, instead of claiming to be a Republican interested in reforming the Republican Party. He’s not. He’s a full-fledged Democrat,†Limbaugh said.
I’m sure Democrats would love to have Colin Powell, but I don’t think that’s likely. If anything he’d simply leave the Republican party and become an Independent. And in many ways he already has.
Thoughts?
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May 7th, 2009 at 3:56 am
Limbaugh’s a fool. Always has been, always will be. There is nothing wrong with criticizing your own party. Its the same as how when people criticized our country during the Bush-era, they were accused of being unpatriotic and hating America. It is the most American thing to point out your country’s (or party’s) own faults and strive to correct them.
May 7th, 2009 at 5:44 am
Rush is silly, and I’m not all that into purges, but when you endorse the other party’s candidate, how can you continue to say you are still in the same party?
I can see an exception for ethics issues, but IMO, any Republican who endorsed Obama over John McCain left the party. Likewise to any Democrat who endorsed Mccain over Obama. The only viable reason to break ranks is over corruption.
May 7th, 2009 at 7:09 am
“he only viable reason to break ranks is over corruption.”
You would’ve thought that all the republicans would’ve left already then. Powell is one of the few in their party that has any integrity left, it would only be fitting for him to leave. But limberger is a wind bag who makes 400 mil a year catering to the fringe, and honestly I don’t think he’s much worth talking about.
May 7th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Limbaugh should keep his mouth shut. The last thing Republicans need right now is to drive more members away.
May 7th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I have to agree 100% with Rush. Face it, he’s right.
“Americans are looking for more government in their lives, not less.”
Seriously General? Wtf are you doing in my party? Since when is “more government, not less” a plank in the Republican platform? If General Powell had made this comment on a conservative blog he would have been labeled a “concern troll”:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=concern+troll
And that’s all he is, a glorified concern troll.
May 7th, 2009 at 8:26 am
I like Colin Powell, but does anyone think he’s really an actual politician instead of a symbolic celebrity of some sort?
And that’s too bad for the GOP, because someone well-spoken , thoughtful, capable of public leadership, and with ideas of substance needs to take on Limbaugh and push him back to sideshow status. If Powell was really a politician and actually had the skills, he’d be the perfect guy to push back.
I too think Limbaugh is a bit of a fool and a huckster, because at its root he is, let’s face it, an entertainer. But he is also a preacher, because as most sensible folks know, entertainer, salesman, and preacher are not exclusive from one another. Limbaugh speaks daily and at length to substantial nationwide audience of conservatives, and he’s pretty far to the right, and there is frankly no give or compromise in this preening peacock.
That’s a problem for the GOP even if you think Limbaugh is right about Powell.
Now where is that fairness-doctrine-dictated post on the lefty douche of the week?
May 7th, 2009 at 9:46 am
kranky…
The fact that Colin Powell is not an “actual politician” is a major part of his attractiveness as a political candidate–especially for the White House.
I suspect there are others who will share this view.
Meanwhile, Limbaugh is now just playing out rope by the yard for his own hanging. Eventually, his own prurient desires will lead to his undoing.
That’s not an “if”… that’s a “when.”
Agnostick
[email protected]
May 7th, 2009 at 11:05 am
That does not seem especially likely to me agnostick. I think Limbaugh is smart enough to know where his bread is really buttered and that his appeal is not broad enough that some other job or forum would be a better spot for him.
IOW, he already has the perfect dream job, and knows it. That makes what he says at least half bluster. But again, he preaches to his choir daily and at length. And his choir is loyal and of substantial size. And it’s a population that’s important to the GOP.
So I don’t see how he can hang himself, because his big loyal audience will certainly forgive any over-the-top, loose-cannon bluster. Which is all that matters when it comes to keeping his job: ratings.
And no one else CAN hang him. Not progressives, whose perspective plays no role that can diminish or undermine Limbaugh’s support. And not conservatives, who can’t risk alienating Limbaugh’s choir.
So given that you foresee Limbaugh orchestrating his own demise due to his “prurient” desires, I would love to see you sketch out how you think it could unfold. I agree that if, say, he decides to run for President, he would come undone. I just don’t think that’s anymore likely than say Bill Clinton on the Supreme Court. They’re both fevered dreams. Or nightmares, if you prefer.
May 7th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I don’t know Kranky–I guess we need to define “fairness” first.
If 4 out 5 douches are Republicans, is it fair to have one right douche and one left douche post per week or should the fairness be based on a proportional amount of douches?
And then we have those borderline douches; not almost or just douches, but borderline left and right. For example, is Arlen Specter a left douche or a right douche? Sure, he’s jumped over to the Democratic Party, but he’s acting for all the world like a right douche.
And can we just make any post about a douche, or does the douche have to actually do something to warrant a post? Most of the left douches have been pretty quiet lately. Seem kind of silly to drag Michael Moore out of hiding just to meet your douche quota.
This fairness doctrine is tricky when get down to implementation….
May 7th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Or perhaps we should only go after the party who has officially endorsed the douches. Otherwise they are just outlier douches.
May 7th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Whether Rush advocates it or not, Powell as a Republican doesn’t make sense any more. And that needs to be ok. If his personal views have changed over time, and he feels more strongly aligned with a big-government world view, then go Democrat. As long as it’s motivated by conscience and not…something else, I’m all for it.
May 7th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I think “donklephant” suggests an even 50%-50% douche quota.Of course, then someone has to be the douche quota king. :-)
Exiled, the way you put it is a no-brainer. That’s easy. But the harder question remains: what should the GOP’s attitude be if Powell wants to stay?
Limbaugh hasn’t recommended excommunication, but he is implying that if Powell stays, he deserves to be treated like the worst of pariahs, because he is disloyal, and in his view no longer belongs ideologically. (that last bit, “he’s a full fledged democrat” is the weakest part of his “argument’ such as it is, BTW.)
I don’t think Limbaugh deserves to be lambasted for complaining that Powell supported the other side’s guy in the most important contest to the party. IMO, it’s fair and legitimate to ask “Does Powell deserve a mulligan on it for reasons of race?”
Now, my answer to that is, “hmm, yeah. I think he probably does, history considered.” But it’s a fair question, and I think both answers are defensible. I am fine with a political party being just what its members decide it should be. That’s democracy.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Mr Limbaugh will be the death of the GOP. Mr Powell could actually save his party. Republicans need to make a choice: follow Limbaugh to the grave, or start listening to intelligent men of character such as Powell. The GOP is shrinking and yet Hannity and Limbaugh want it to be more exclusive? Do either one of them have any education at all (beyond highschool)? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the math!
May 7th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Or look at it this way perhaps, maybe powell is the true republican and limberger is just the dingleberry, hanging on for dear life to ideals and values that are no longer relevant?
Maybe if enough people yell and wave their arms around about standing for smaller government, and individual rights people will eventually forget the last decade and believe them again?
May 8th, 2009 at 12:01 am
You know I’ve been hearing a lot of people saying that Rush is right that Powell only endorse Obama because he’s black! O.K. then I wonder if Rush would ever have the ball to go after Dr.King children for their public support for President Obama. Because if where to do that he better have good explanation on why is doing this and face a potential backlash from the national media.
http://www.berniceking.com/
May 8th, 2009 at 8:12 am
MLK’s kids are Republicans?
May 10th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Although I’m an Independent (not the party) I falil to see how Gen. Powell could support Mr. Obama over Mr. McCain considering the fact that Mr. McCain is one of the more liberal Repulicans and has a record of working with the Dems. I can’t think of another Republican who is more willing to work with the Dems who is capable of mass appeal. I just don’t see how Gen Powell can call himself a Republican and support one of the most liberal Democrats (if not the most) in the Senate. I am a black man so I have a lot of respect for the fact that President Obama got elected but I don’t judge people by the color of their skin but I believe in this case, unless he can provide a reason otherwise, Gen. Powell (much to my chagrin) has done so. Therefore, either Gen. Powell has no idea what he believes in or he is not a Republican and should stop masquerading as such. How would Democrats feel if a top Democrat came out for McCain. The fact is, you support your parties candidate if you are in that party. Conclusion: Colin Powell is not a Republican any more that I’m a Democrat. God bless the United States of America. You may voice deep grievances with my opinion by respondint to [email protected]. Otherwise I will check for responses here. Peace
May 25th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Rush is Right…. What does Powell stand for except himself! He supported Obama and only stood up to Bush AFTER he left the administration. He didn’t take out Saddam when he had the chance in the 1st Gulf War and now acts like he is some sort of statesman.