Obama: Rush Limbaugh, Lou Dobbs Responsible For Rise In Hate Crimes Against Hispanics

At a fundraiser in Florida Thursday night, Barack Obama accused anti-immigrant crusaders Lou Dobbs and Rush Limbaugh of "ginning things up" to such an extent that there was a rise in hate crimes against Hispanics last year.

"A certain segment has basically been feeding a kind of xenophobia. There's a reason why hate crimes against Hispanic people doubled last year," Obama said. "If you have people like Lou Dobbs and Rush Limbaugh ginning things up, it's not surprising that would happen."

Politico's Jonathan Martin writes that Limbaugh addressed Obama's remarks on his radio show today and said that the remarks hurt his feelings.

"I actually don't believe this. Barack Obama, in my own state, raising money for his presidential campaign called me xenophobic at a fundraiser," Limbaugh said. "I thought this guy was the unity candidate? Calling me a Xenophobe? Responsible for hate crimes? My feelings are hurt here."

Earlier this year, promoting his book "His Panic: Why Americans Fear Hispanics in the U.S.," Geraldo Rivera called Dobbs a "hate-monger" and said "I would not shake his hand because this is a man that's done more damage to the cause of sensible, comprehensive reform than anyone with a microphone."

Comments

[kasinca]

Obama is right. All the ranting by reichwingnuts on the luntic fringe only gets the rednecks riled up. It serves not positive purpose. I read that Dobbs is married to a hispanic or something. Maybe he is trying to piss her off.

[WilliamGossett]

Nothing different that the old "know-nothings" of the 19th century. I have listened to Dobbs whose logic and delivery are so filled with flawed logic that it is sick.

The trouble is that under the banner of "Independent's Day" he is promoting a GOP and right wing proposals (far to the right of John McCain) - and CNN has the audacity to give him air time! Shame on them!

I once skewered George Stephanopoulos for his performance in the Philly debate betwen Barack and Hillary but as bad as that was, this was nothing in comparison to Lou Dobbs nightly tirade against Hispanics under the guise of "aliens."

All we can do is answer Dobbs lies as soon as he states them and attack him back.. So far, Obama is not doing a John Kerry (walking "above the fight" and getting chopped down from below. He must keep it up and answer every negative attack with an attack of his own - much like Shumer did in the '98 race against D'Amato in NY. No attack went unasnwered and was followed by an immediate counterpunch. And Shumer won, much to the surprise of everyone.

My current disdain is for Joe Lieberman - a disgrace to himself and Connecticut.

There is positivity in negative campaigning.

[Jocalo]

The debate about illegal immigration always gets derailed by hysteria. I am pro Obama , but I feel that mentioning the names of people like Limbaugh and Dobbs, who are interested only in what Colbert would call "truthiness," does nothing for the debate among sensible people who seek solutions to the problem of immigration.
In the spirit of solution based thinking, perhaps we should turn our attention to the roots, rather than the symptoms, of illegal immigration. American corporations are allowed to operate in Mexico without being required to pay a wage that would create a middle-class, or working class, which would still be WAY cheaper than an American wage. We need to pressure Mexico to wipe out corruption and promote education. Nothing will do more to stop the flood of illegal immigration than creating opportunity south of the border. Think about it, if the future of your children was at stake, wouldn't you risk every thing to give them a better life?
I live in LA, so I see the human side, as well as the strain of illegal immigration on our infrastructure. I have asked illegals this question: If they had just some of the opportunity that they have here, would rather be in their home country? Every person has answered that they want to be home, but they have to work. We need to help people stay home, instead of benefiting from their labor and then using them to whip up fear every election cycle.

[certainot]

the reason it's good for obama to name limbaugh and dobbs directly is that limbaugh in particular is the point man for the GOP swiftboat operation. he and the rest of the talk radio blowhard chickenhawks have do the groundwork repetition needed to keep the bush republicans running the GOP. and at least we can thank them for running it into the ground. but in the 20 years since reagan killed the Fairness Doctrine so much damage has been done by the right wing talk radio machine there is no silver lining and its good to finally see a Dem candidate finally recognize who really keeps this GOP disaster going. gore and kerry and most progressives committed the biggest political blunder of the century by ignoring rove's most effective tool for managing the media and i hope this means obama recognizes that the real power of the bush republicanism comes out of the local talk radio station.

[Jocalo]

I truly get you. I have a friend who starts sentences with, "Rush thinks..." I have to stop him right there. I think we make a huge mistake when we treat the Limbaughs of the world like they make any sense and can be argued with directly. It legitimizes their insanity. The best advice I've ever gotten was: Don't argue with crazy. The way I handle my friend, is first and foremost, I don't get mad. I ask him why he's listening to someone so far on the fringe and then I debunk the talking points one by one. I tell him I would die for his right to express his opinion, but that I think it should be his. I agree that illegal immigration is a problem, but disagree with the solutions and the vitriol that comes out of those two commentators. We have to start responding to the problem and finding real solutions. When someone says, "Deport 'em all!" that's not a real solution anymore than opening our borders would be. I firmly believe we have to move the argument to reality before we can find solutions, and legitimizing the fringes pulls the argument their way.
So far, Obama has been really good at re-framing the debate and I just don't want to see him pulled off-track by arguing with personalities, rather than principles.

[certainot]

good on Obama for referencing limbaugh and dobbs and giving them recognition they deserve, although dobbs has a much smaller exposure - listeners and time.

limbaugh and the rest of his wannabes on the GOP talk radio monopoly get to fill every corner of the country with repeated lies, distortions, myths, exaggerations, and swiftboating and never get called on it.

limbaugh and hannity and co will continue to channel the KKK through our local radio stations until their LOCAL sponsors are boycotted and picketed and progressives recognize we wouldn't be in this bush disaster without the talk radio monopoly.

[Cil]

Lou Dobbs is a poor excuse for a human being! In my humble opinion he is the most bigoted of bigots. Lou Dobbs believes that we are all gullible idiots. He thinks that people cannot think for themselves, and it never ceases to amaze me, at the temerity of this man! He seems to think that the world revolves around Lou Dobbs, and he fails to acknowledge that just because Lou Dobbs says something, it does not necessarily make it so.

I am just waiting to see him fall off of that very, very high, pedestal that he sits on! I have been watching CNN almost every day for months now, but I have to tell it as it is, whenever it is time for the Lou Dobbs segment, I immediately switch to another channel. I also have to admit that the same applies to Wolf Blitzer, at four p:m in the situation room, you can bet that I switch to another channel! I have absolutely no respect for Lou And Wolf.

[AxelDC]

Since when does Limbaugh have feelings. His only feelings are vindictiveness and hatred.
All his others feelings he medicates away with Oxycotin, and then calls for harsher jail sentences for drug addicts.

[Blutus]

More than 300 Mexican police officers have been killed in the last year in the ongoing drug fight and more than 3,500 people have died in drug-related violence.

The violence throughout Mexico has dominated much of Mexican President Felipe Calderón's 17 months in office. Mr. Calderón has responded by mobilizing the Mexican military, sending 30,000 troops to hot spots throughout Mexico "in an effort to recapture territories lost to drug traffickers," he said.

Ricardo Alday, a spokesman for the Mexican Embassy in Washington, said he was only aware of one case of a police chief seeking asylum in the U.S. – that of Palomas Police Chief Emilio Pérez.

Mr. Pérez was threatened by phone after discovering two bodies, their hands tied behind their backs, at the entrance to his city, which is just across the border from Columbus, N.M. Within hours, his six remaining police officers quit their jobs, and Mr. Pérez drove across the border and asked for political asylum.

"We are concerned not only about this incident of the police officer coming across the border but also about the level of violence in certain areas of the border," Mr. Alday said.



And stuff like this goes on day after day after day.

It is not about meat packing plants in the mid-west.

It's about whether or not America can remain a nation
and resist being taken over by drug gangs from Mexico,
Central, and South America.

[jgsuperpants]

The drug gangs in Mexico have been able to take over so much of the country because of the rampant and embedded culture of corruption in Mexican law enforcement. While American law enforcement is far from perfect, it is still much stronger and cleaner, on the whole, than in Mexico, Central and South America.

The fact is, drug gangs will not take over villages, towns or cities in the US - it's completely different than down south. So please, quit this blatant fear-mongoring. The drug problems in the US, and our prison overpopulation is because of our DRUG LAWS, not foreign substances. A more practical and realistic drug policy in this nation - decriminalizing possession and use of recreational substances, would kill the black market.

[AxelDC]

And then Rush Limbaugh sends his maid to buy heroin pills for himself.

[tecpatl]

Who do you think is buying and using the drugs? It's a two-way street in capitalism - no demand no supply. I lived in a drug-infested neighborhood for years and I KNOW that most drug-buyers are Euro-American. It's a matter of numbers and if the majority of this country is Euro-American, then the majority of drug buyers will be Euro-Americans - and they are. Every night I watched young Euro-Americans come to my neighborhood to buy drugs. Every morning, waiting for the bus, I watched Euro-American businessman in Mercedes and BMWs pick up prostitutes for their morning hummer. If you want to stop the drug-related violence and corruption, the best thing any Euro-American could do is STOP BUYING THE DRUGS.

[Blutus]

Mr. Mancía and Ms. Leiva were caught on a ranch in Hebbronville, Tex., in March 2003 by Mr. Nethercott and other members of Ranch Rescue. The two immigrants later accused Mr. Nethercott of threatening them and of hitting Mr. Mancía with a pistol, charges that Mr. Nethercott denied. The immigrants also said the group gave them cookies, water and a blanket and let them go after an hour or so.

Detained for an hour. No evidence of Mr. Mancia being hit at all.

Cookies. And they get a ranch. Justice gone totally mad.

[Soule23]

Imagine being chased and detained by armed rednecks. That would be an hour of hell. I'm glad that our court system decided in their favor; vigilante justice has no place in a modern first world country.

[clr2]

All ILLEGAL ALIENS, no matter where they come from, should be deported. We spend BILLIONS to educate and provide health care to people who don't belong here. If you want to help these people, go to their countries and make them better. We need to deport all ILLEGAL ALIENS, heavily fine and jail those who hire them, and return to the original intent of the 14th amendment and do away with anchor babies.

[POINT84]

So says the guy whose bloodline is one of immigrants. Only people I respect when talking with your tone are Native Indians...­real Americans

[tecpatl]

If we revoke the 14th Amendment, we should make it retroactive and deport all the descendants of the Europeans that were given citizenship. That would be fair. Pack your bags and take your hate with you.

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

How is a desire to contemplate the enforcement of EXTANT, immigration law constitute a action which in any way could be construed as "hateful"? "Hate" is merely superceding "racist" as the wouldbe GUILT-INDUCING word of the POLITICALL­Y-CORRECT.
The ILLEGAL ALIENS should be expelled in an orderly way now before the ROUGH JUSTICE of the past week seen, in of all places, SOUTH AFRICA spreads and is copied in the U.S.

Even the SOUTH AFRICAN ARMY is hard-pressed to prevent indigenous workers from venting their outrage...­.. What will you shrill, self-righteous apologists for the ILLEGAL ALIENS of the U.S. be empowered to do???? POINT FINGERS????

[clr2]

You are incorrect my ancestors didn't come to this country ILLEGALLY and when they did come there wasn't a 14th amendment.

[Soule23]

I'd like to know exactly what you mean by "people who don't belong here." No worries if you have to go to your favorite "whites only" restaurant to contemplate your response.

[clr2]

It has nothing to do with "whites only. It has to do with being a citizen or LEGAL IMMIGRANT. The "people who don't belong here" are all those who enter our country ILLEGALLY. It's very simple and has nothing to do with color.

[KennyFox]

Having been 100% wrong about the Iraq War, the reasons for it, the dangers of S.Hussein, and the WMD looming all around the nation; having b een 100% wrong that Al Qaeda was going to strike inside the US anyday now with one of those mysterious dirty bombs that -- in seven long years -- has not blown up anywhere in the freakin world; having been wrong that the cultural revolution of a GOP full court press -- legislative, judicial and executive -- would lead to the overturning of Roe V Wade, the banning of gay marriage under the US Constitution; and having been wrong that under GOP rule we would have a better economy, with everyone living happy and free...the only thing the right wing propagandists and ideologues have left to talk about is immigration. Its an issue they have created themselves, because it is the only issue they have left to argue about where, their "hard working rural whites" can possibly be spun in a way to support the party -- just replace -- yeah, maude, our life would be better if not for those damn islamofascists, with, yeah, maude, our life would be better if not for all those damn illegal immigrants!

[JimStag]

I must say: this seems true to me. Illegal immigrants seem to be the booie-man-du-jour, no?

The fact that all of our parents, grand parents, or great-grand parents were immigrants somehow eludes this hysteria. That the quotas that seperate "legal" from "ilegal" are shifting and political in nature. Same with the fact that a relentless firehose of humanity - desperate for a beter American life - that has streamed into the US since its founding truly represents "engine" that has fueled our agrigultural, manufacturing, service, and now high-tech waves of growth and innovaton.

But more broadly: it can't be a good sign that we Americans need to find a scape-goat every election period for any and all problems that we create/ face. Every moment spent blaming the socialists, communists, hippies, elitists, aethiesists, immigrants, flag-burners, women's libbers, pop culturalists, Muslims, Hollywood types, etc. is time NOT spent addressing real issues and opportunities for America to evolve and grow.

[letsgetsmart]

I'm not usually abusive when I post on these sites so I was surprised when Dobbs banned me from further comments after I cautioned him about supporting the volunteer crazies that were guarding the border. I simply suggested that having him endorse them would go to their heads and bad things would happen. This has come true. There are now some of those volunteers in prison for the rapes and murders that were committed on the border. One guy even had his ranch confiscated and deeded over to the Mexicans he abused. When you get holier then thou in your blind crusade, some one should rein you in a bit, but then again if you have a national tv program, your company should be liable for what you cause. CNN needs to be sued for allowing this guy a stage to rant from. It won't bring back the people that are dead now but taking their money seems to be the only way to make them cautious.

[Blutus]

Which "volunteer crazies" are in prison for rapes and murders???

Such libel should really be backed up, don't you think?

Lets have it Sparky!

[letsgetsmart]

Browse the web. There are a lot of news stories. Have you just started paying attention to the news? Just plug in minutemen murders and enjoy.

[thankulord13]

Isn't this the history of White America! Anytime things are not right and is affecting the mainstream (White Folks) then lets blame someone else may they be Hispanics, Blacks, Asians, Muslims or Women. It is never the fault of the party that controls most of the power (The White male.) They are more than likely the perpetrators.

[Chris777]

This is such a joke, first of all let's define hate crime - apparently it only happens when whites commit crimes against blacks, hispanics and has a wide interpretation - funny how three black men and a black woman can carjack, repeatedly rape, and then kill a white couple but that is not a hate crime? or the two white teenage girls that were repeatedly raped and then strangled for a gang initiation - oh and the perpetrators were Mexican illegal immigrants - and that inconvenient statistic that a majority of murders are black on black or black on white - but let's focus on the politically correct version of a hate crime and not deal with the harsh reality. Second illegal immigration is a serious issue that is affecting many communities having to pay for schooling, medical expenses, added law enforcement but again that is not politically correct so let's shift the focus and call anyone against illegal immigration racist and responsible for hate crimes - a bit shallow and pathetic Obama. Too bad he doesn't save his venom for the Mexican government who does nothing against the drug cartels, corrupt police dept. and disparaging work conditions for its people. perhaps we should discuss their hate crimes against the Guatemalans who try to cross into their border -

[tecpatl]

Let's talk about the genocide of the millions of people that Euro-Americans killed in order to steal this land in the name of God. Let's talk about the amnesty that was given to the Euro-Americans that kept human beings from Africa captive and worked them to death for money. They ALL should have been arrested and charged with crimes against humanity. Let's talk about the thousands of treaties that have been broken (all laws, by the way). Speaking of hate crimes, SLAVERY was a crime and reparations must be made. Ooops - I keep forgetting - laws don't apply to Euro-Americans - they are free to rape, steal, enslave, and kill. Meanwhile, laws are for the brown people. This is a free country and if you don't like it, you can always GO BACK to Europe. Let the people that really believe in this country, and all that it is supposed to stand for, build a country built on mutual respect, tolerance, and the diversity that is truly this nation's greatest strength.

[jupitor]

Stop right there! This isn't about white on black or black on white! It's about illegal Aliens who cross's our border to steal, rape and kill! There are good black as good white! It is bad black and bad black! It doesn't happen to have to be one way or the other! But Mexico need to do their jobs along the border, and we need to work better with the mexico authorities! No child, man or woman should get in our schools, houseing or have out benefits unless they are legal. If children cannot be sent back, but parents are than they should be adopted out to people who can pay to care for them, and school, and give them medical care here in the states! Instead of investing in Isreal who are a strong nation with a good military force to defend themselfs, we should be helping Mexico stand on it's feet, so people don't have to flood to America. After all the inlegals are a danger to us, and the jews in isreal are not! It's more pressing for us to take care of this problem close to home first. Seems we do every thing backwards here int he states. Instead of complaining about it, we need to fix the problem, and all lou dobbs does is insight anger and hate.

[hmmmmmer]

Dobbs and Limpballs laugh all the way to the bank because there is a large segment of the population in the United State that have no moral compass and could care less about anything but themselves. Hopefully people will boycott the sponsors of these hate spewing mongers, it is the only way to affect a change.

[HerbTee]

My wife is a permanent immigrant (green card) and I found Lou Dobbs refreshing and honestly blunt about illegal immigrant issues. It took almost 18 months and considerable expense to legally emigrate my wife from her native Philippines. Accordingly, I was in no mood for whining illegals demanding legal status (amnesty), jobs, health care, drivers licenses, their kids attending public schools free, etc. Lou Dobbs was a "champion" for me and I watched his program almost daily.

However, I have softened my heart toward illegals over the past year. I owe that to Obama's positions for handling illegals. Even McCain and HRC have done reversals on their positions with illegals. What I didn't like was harsh xenophobic and somewhat racist rhetoric from politicians like Tom Tancredo and others. Their approaches were too extreme and pandered to fear-mongering against illegals. Illegal immigration is a major problem for which we must find viable solutions. But laying foundations for "Kristallnacht" round-ups of illegals didn't set well with me. I felt Lou Dobbs pandered to that style of enforcement and his rhetoric became bitter and harsh.

I don't watch Lou Dobbs anymore and consider him a blustering, sanctimonious, fear-mongering old windbag. I pulled the plug totally on him when he made derisive comments about Obama and the Rev. Wright situation. My wife passed the naturalized citizenship exams and takes her U.S. citizenship oath on July 2nd...in time for voting Obama in the GE and she's excited! Woooohoooo!! :-)

[wgb]

Dobb's reporting inaccuracy on Immigration - Do you believe reporting on un-facts like these don't have any influence on the nation's xenophobia?

* His claim that a “third of our prison population” are illegal aliens (according to the Justice Department about 6 percent of the state and federal prison population are non-citizens)

* His show’s reporting on leprosy and immigration. A 2005 report on Lou Dobbs Tonight claimed there had been 7,000 new cases of leprosy in the U.S. over the past three years. In fact, there have been 7,000 cases reported over the past 30 years

[tecpatl]

Dobbs also did not disclose that the "Doctor" he quoted for his show was NOT a medical doctor, but a historian and a lawyer. He also presented a map of the American Southwest as if it were produced by Mexican-Americans when, in fact, it was produced by the Council of Conservative Citizens - a racist group.