Right For The Wrong Reason

From Joe Klein:

I was disappointed that President Obama even acknowledged the existence of Rush Limbaugh in his meeting with Congressional leaders on Friday [...] El Rushbo's bad taste is being excoriated by the smarter conservative commenters like William Bennett, which is appropriate because Limbaugh is their problem: he has become an embarrassing anachronism, like a comedian still doing Dukakis jokes. His brand of entertainment went out with the crash; his ditto-heads are losing their jobs. His crapulous invective only has the power to stigmatize his allies now. So why give him oxygen? This is that rarest of moments: Obama showing a smidgeon of public pique. He should save it for opponents who remain relevant.

I agree that the President shouldn't bother to mention Rush. He should take on his political opponents, sure, but he, and politicians in general (you know, the people who actually do things rather than talk about them) have better things to do than take on pundits by name.

The rest of Klein's squib is pretty desperate, though. He doesn't want Rush to matter, so he keeps repeating the idea, hoping to make it true. Sure, Rush rubs a lot of people the wrong way, but if a guy who can talk to millions three hours a day doesn't count, then no one in the media does.

PS I got this email from a friend who sends me pro-Obama stuff:

You may have heard some of Rush Limbaugh's recent comments re: President Obama. If not, please read below for the gist of it. As a result of these comments, a boycott of Limbaugh's sponsors is being organized [Why the passive voice--don't they know who's organizing the boycott?]. Now is not the time to put petty partisanship [I love partisan condemnations of partisanship]-- and bigotry -- ahead of our country's dire needs. [Our needs are dire?]

It's real easy -- Copy the letter below, modify it if you wish, and copy the list of sponsor email addresses below into the recipients. Click on Send and you've done your job.

Hi. My name is ____________________. I recently found out that your company advertises on Rush Limbaugh's show.

In the past, I've found his show distasteful and regrettable, but after Mr. Limbaugh's recent remarks -- wherein he said he hoped our new President would fail -- well, ["well"--nice touch] my feelings have changed. Our country is at war [And anyone rooting against a President who's fighting a war is beyond the pale, I guess]. And facing an historic global economic crisis [Our country is facing a global economic crisis?]. And Mr. Limbaugh wants our leadership to fail?

I know you're running a business and likely won't change anything because of the comments of one customer, but it makes me feel better [Wow--they not only expect us to boycott a business for advertising on a show where someone expresses opinions we don't like, they expect us to be happy about it] to let you know that I can no longer patronize your business. And I'm encouraging thousands of others -- via email and the internet -- to do the same.

I think it's time decent people stand together as one and support our President as he tries to solve the nation's problems. We may not have all voted for him, but who in good conscience -- especially in these dire times -- could wish for him to fail, as Mr. Limbaugh has done?

The entire world is looking at America right now as a sign of hope and possibility. We must succeed. We must not shame ourselves in the international spotlight by showcasing bigotry, racism, or petty politics. [ 1) What's this obsession with what other countries think? 2) Why do they keep bringing up bigotry and racism when it doesn't seem to be at issue here? Is any criticism of Obama suspect? 3) I wasn't aware Rush had a big audience internationally.]

Thank you for your time.

And I look forward to when I can patronize your business again.

As I've said, I can't see how this is any better than blacklisting.

PPS I hadn't heard what Limbaugh said, but this video is either it, or gives a good idea:



So it's not even that big a deal. What Limbaugh seems to be saying is he disagrees with Obama's ideas (no surprise there) and thinks if they're turned into law they'd be bad for the country. Therefore, he hopes Obama fails to get what he wants done.

The boycott was bad enough in any case, but it turns out to be just another drummed up outrage.