that's quite a bold statement.

And the governor will be issuing an on-air apology to Rush in 3...2...1...

One day Rush will just cut to the chase with some offending pol. We'll see the customary picture of Rush in his upholstered EIB studio chair. It'll be pushed back a bit from his desk and between his legs the ferociously bobbing head of the latest apostate will appear.

And the more we talk about it, the more relevance Rush gets. Enough.

I used to wish ill on Limbaugh, but he's the gift to Dems that keeps on giving.

I hope he cuts back on saturated fats and gets a little exercise in. We want him around for a long time.

And I thought we'd just escaped 8 years of our freedoms and democracy under assault here in the old USA.

Boy. It's hard to keep up with genei of the likes of Rush.

The thing is, for as much as Limbaugh's right in saying that he has a different audience than Sanford, he's wrong in suggesting that this is somehow political cowardice on the part of Sanford. The reality is that Limbaugh's listeners are rabid loons who only want attacks on the "enemy" and he benefits from making wildly reckless claims. Sanford actually has reality to deal with and while it can benefit any Republican to start flame wars with Democrats, there are limits to what he can get away with.

In the end, a politician has to have at least some regard for what he says, while loudmouths like Limbaugh and O'Reilly benefit from the crazy. Any politician who hasn't yet realized that Limbaugh is taking them down the road to ruin is going to be in for a world of hurt. As I've said repeatedly, the battlelines are no longer between Republicans and Democrats, but Republicans and the Limbaughs. And so far, it looks like the Limbaughs are winning, hands down.

Rightwing ratings will stay high at the same proportion that rightwing poll numbers stay low. These guys aren't on the same team and Republican politicians need to learn that. Rush only has high ratings relative to other radio shows. But if his ratings were poll numbers, he'd lose every race.

Since I don't listen to Rush, is there anyone who can list the names of his sponsors and how to contact them? The best way to address this situation is through those that pay his salary. How many of his sponsors are in receipt of "stimulus" funds? Perhaps they will be encouraged to refuse or return payments and stand up for Rush's statement. Let the markets speak for themselves.

I am committed to Oneness through Justice and Transformation
peace,
st john

Seems like Rush gave this guy an easier time than the previous challenger. The much anticipated groveling may not happen after all.

If a Democrat said those things about a Republican President, they'd be anti-American and treasonous.

Just sayin'.

Rush knows what he's talking about. When he hears the word "idiot," he knows it refers to him.

I think he read it in a book ... Well, maybe he read it on the cover.

Unfortunately, we apparently will never know what this man was indicted for. It's sealed. It's probably a conspiracy charge, which is as weak as it gets. If you're either alive or dead on this planet, you can be indicted for conspiracy to commit any crime that has ever been committed in this planet's history. I'm sure I'm involved in at least ten billion conspiracies. I have no idea what they are, but a Grand Jury doesn't need to prove that I knew about a conspiracy to indict me on it. It only has to prove that me or my remains were on this planet at some time. But I'm sure he'll be convicted of something. His name guarantees it.

Rush is a big-bellied idiot, though! -Kevo

p.s. I'd hate to have to sit beside Mr. Limbaugh on a bus or a plain - he looks a bit hygiene- challenged! Hate to have to smell such girth!

I believe that is Big Fat Idiot to you, Mr Benen;>

the rejoinder from Sanford's spokesperson is plausible.

It is? Really? I find it highly unlikely that Sanford was not aware of what Limbaugh had said.

Just imagine how his underage Dominican Republic hooker felt....

We really need to break up the monopolies these right wing media conglomerates have. Repeal the telecommunications act of '96.

We need to have a competition of ideas on the airwaves.

After all, competition is the basis of the free market, right Rush?

"So, after he said, 'Anybody who wants Obama to fail is an idiot,' then went on in his own way to say, 'Gosh, I hope this doesn't work.'"

That's not what Sanford said. He said what any reasonable person might say about something he thinks is a bad idea, "I don't think it will work".

Mike

Also, I find it hard to believe that Sanford had not heard Lush Blimpball's failure rant.

i mean, I'd venture to say that 90% of SC's white population are dittoheads. If Sanford doesn't realize this, he's a ginormous moron.

"We're talking about freedom that is under assault"

-That's rich Rush..

It's fascinating that not one of these tough-talking conservatives has the balls to tell Rush Limpballs to go fuck himself. I mean really! Spineless Bushbots.

So, I know it's really really easy to be cynical, but I'm curious why you're being so aggressive about this, Steve. Shouldn't we instead be praising Sanford for being on the right side of this issue? Shouldn't we be happy that somebody's actually gotten RUSH to backpedal on this, even if only minutely? Why are you being so hard on this guy? Seems to me you're calling him out on the basis of the fact that he did something good. Can't we wait to be disgusted with him until AFTER he's capitulated?

i think rush limpbaugh should be arrested and tried for treason and sedition. (spelling?)

Rush's audience of toothless trailer trash are glued to their wireless sets and cleaning their shotguns.

End times they's a-comin'!

Praise GAWD for hate radio!

If America fails, Rush will be the first to go, as he probably needs more medical care than other people and without a strong economy, no research, crummy hospitals, failing drug companies, etc etc etc.

and even tons of money can't buy decent health care which does not exist.. He is as dependent on keeping America as technical and scientific possible, as are the rest of us.

Look at Zimbabwe. I mean LOOK and understand what happens when a country's economy goes to hell.

And if Rush thinks he would survive a popular uprising, he should think twice.

We'll find out tomorrow when he grovels at Limbaugh's feet and kisses his ring while tenderly recanting what he said.

Sanford's communications director said the governor wasn't "referring to anyone" in specific when he talked about "idiots," and was not aware of Limbaugh's comments on the issue.
Hmmm ... At first many of us thought Sanford had some backbone, now it looks like he's just out of the fruitloop. Now, will he grovel or not?
(Limbaugh ... Good Lord, someone like that as "the leader of the Party" ...)

...or Sandford doesn't have the balls to admit he knew of and was referring to Limbaugh.

Rush Limbaugh is nothing more nor less than a performer -- like a clown, or a stripper, or a dancing bear -- who's laughing all the way to the bank. It's not his fault that his shtick sells ads.

We're all well within our rights to tune him out or decline commerce with his sponsors, but I think @Uli has it right in the comment above: as long as his tired act is associated with BushCo and its various toadies, flunkies and camp-followers, he's an appropriately grotesque symbol and standard-bearer for their morally bankrupt philosophy.

The governor won't respond, and Bimbo will leave him alone, unless he's high on something again.

It's actually surprising that Limbaugh is smart enough to know that when someone mentions an idiot, that they might be referring to him.

Day said, "Rush's audience of toothless trailer trash"

Well, I suppose if we had single payer health care these poor folk wouldn't be "toothless."

I suppose you have great healthcare, insurance provided by your employer and a great dentist that you can afford. Therefore you can make fun of other's financial and social shortcomings.

I spent an hour or so listening to Rush today. Not only did he reiterate that he wants Obama to fail, he also spent the better part of an hour fielding calls from people who were freaking out about their taxes going up. He asked all of them if they were part of the folks making over $250k, they all were. Rush then went on a tirade about how everyone owes the rich in this country, that everyone should be bowing down and thanking them. (Quixotically, speaking as if he didn't have a $50 million dollar contract.)

Seriously, if that's all they have left-- outrage about protecting rich people from paying an additional 3% in taxes-- they're screwed.

That's it. That's all of it.

Seriously, if that's all they have left-- outrage about protecting rich people from paying an additional 3% in taxes-- they're screwed. --zoe

I've never been convinced that Rush was stupid. He just hates his fellow citizens, that's all. He knows they're ignorant and that they listen to the most ridiculous stuff he spews at them.

i think rush limpbaugh should be arrested and tried for treason and sedition. (spelling?)

No, Yglesias is the one who should be arrested for his spelling.

This guy just wants to hear himself speak. You've got to be pretty ignorant if you feed into the crap that he's promoting. Check out Skrillseason.blogspot.com for real talk!

What a desperate attempt by Rush Limbaugh to reclaim the cloud and influence he once enjoyed. He has lost of sway over a large group inside the GOP, as demonstrated by the nomination and failure of McCain for example. As Limbaugh sees his stock declining he is trying to compensate by being shrill and, somehow "bitchy". He is in danger of becoming a laughing stock. Here is a good place to start about the once so fearsome EL RUSHBO, a brilliantly made video that enjoyed very much:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb82jM9zTmQ

Amber, Battle Creek, MI