GOP Leader Pushes Back Against Limbaugh Line

Over the past few days, talk radio host Rush Limbaugh has been, far and away, the most combative critic of Barack Obama. As Republicans on the Hill compliment the president for his willingness to talk and compromise on the stimulus, the popular conservative firebrand has openly rooted for Obama's failure.

The remarks have created a rather complicated and touchy political dynamic on the Hill, as the GOP tries to avoid a sour-puss, oppositionist label without offending its base. And on Wednesday, Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana tried to walk that tricky line.

Asked whether he shares Rush's hope that Obama will fail, Pence, the no. 3 ranked House Republican and a leader of congressional conservatives, demurred.

"Let me just say, every American hopes that our president is a success," said Pence. "But I agree strongly with Rush Limbaugh that on those issues that President Obama has committed himself to more government or more spending or a departure from traditional values, that I hope Republicans and other leaders around the country will be steady advocates for the American people.

"Everyone hopes that America succeeds and our president succeeds," Pence added, "but Republicans are going to stand for conservative values..."

On a broader level, the Limbaugh tirades reflect the sort of soul-searching journey on which the GOP has embarked. While Senate Republicans seem poised to work with Democrats on a stimulus package, the House side has resolutely toed a partisan line. Earlier in the day, both Pence and Minority Leader John Boehner said they were spending no time whipping votes against to the House stimulus package -- resistance came that easily.

But how sincerely the party wants to embrace the Limbaugh base is a trickier debate. The GOP is holding a retreat this week to plot out its future and the issues it will pursue. Among the headlining guests will be former Gov. Mitt Romney, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and Gov. Mitch Daniels, said Pence. Asked if Limbaugh was on the invite list, he replied: "Rush Limbaugh would be welcomed at the Republican retreat."

Comments

[Rog49Thomas]

I can see them now all gathered around the fire.

With one voice
"On a hill faraway .."

But don't stand to close to the fire - it's real hard to get soot out of white robes.

[denholt]

Don't miss the "Limbaugh Lie of the Day" -- download podcasts at www.cgradio.net or search for "Limbaugh Lie of the Day" at iTunes - REQUIRED LISTENING FOR ALL PROGRESSIVES!

www.cgradio.net

[scully05]

While holding their retreat, they will problay dance around a campfire and chant???? And where will B Jendal and S Palin be???

[sunshineejc]

I don't get it. The Republicans were voted out largely due to their failed belief in trickle down economics. But they think it is necessary to regroup to this same bankrupt identity. Why can't they identify with telling the truth and honestly debating the manifold problems in the economy as a result of their failed policies. Now is not the time to hear these empty talking points from each and every Republican. Do they not know the election talk is over? Now is the time for the peoples urgent work!

[movecenter]

Another retreat to find themselves? Again?!! There other recent retreats haven't done any good. They're toting the same old lines.....­.horrible liberal democrats.­...cut taxes. That's all they got....sti­ll!

[zanzig]

"I hope Republicans and other leaders around the country will be steady advocates for the American people."

They still cannot understand that they are NOT the advocates for "the American people" but merely for a small, increasingly irrelevant slice of fundamentalist ignoramuses or the extremeley sickeningly wealthy.

[billstewart]

Bush, Rove, and the Neo-Cons may have taken over the Republican party, but they only vaguely overlapped either Republican or conservative values. And don't go thinking they were fundamentalists, either - they were as happy to use the fundies as they were to use everybody else, but it's easier to push the fundamentalists' buttons because they're big and well-marked so they're easy targets. Now that the Bush nightmare is over and the Republican party is hopelessly trashed, maybe it'll rebuild itself in the next few years or maybe it'll collapse. And it's not like the Democrats weren't too chicken to uphold and promote their own values during the Bush years either.

During the Clinton years, Limbaugh was an occasionally entertaining right-wing political entertainer; once Bush got nominated he became yet another partisan cheerleader. I doubt we'll see him back as the loyal opposition any time soon.

[bascombe]

repugs are a special type of coward.

[redhead61]

Mike Pence better remember that he comes from Indiana...­and IN Indiana we voted FOR Barack Obama and turned this state BLUE..not red Pence..>BL­UE.

He needs to listen to his constituen­ts..becaus­e they are the ones who are going to vote his beeehind OUT ...

[nualak]

This is what the REPUBLIC PARTY has come to. Maybe they can be flushed down the bathtub along with that "foul" self appointed tax dodger and sage of the "don't tax the rich crowd" - now, what is his name - oh yeah - Grover Norquist. This guys face is enough to stop a clock.

[older2wiser]

True ..........­..........­..

[lisa12345]

Ok, speaking of conservative that isn't really conservati­ve....
Does anyone know what is up with the Workforce Fairness Institute ads and how much they spend for ads? Sorry to interrupt, just wondering if anyone knows

[TimMcFarland]

I have a hard time believing that this kind of partisan obstructionism is a conservative value - more like a regressive value. And, that is what Rush is - a regressive. He wants to go back to the hallowed fairy tale time of Ronald Reagan, who lowered taxes while increasing defense spending, starting us off the path to greater debt. Sorry. Rush believes in a fairy tale, and his ideas are lies.

[BeasleysMom]

This is the same guy who said the party would be stronger if they just put more of an empahsis on the sanctity of marriage.

[gr8abz]

Meanwhile the Republicans are the biggest spenders of all !!!

[SadieGirl]

I am so sick of the Republicans talking about 'conservative values'. What a bunch of hypocrits. For 8 years they have never once considered their constituants, gave Bush a blank check for everything he wanted, have totally wiped out our job industry and failed every single American. And NOW they want to talk their conservative values cheap speak. They don't want Obama to succeed, they don't want American to succeed - unless it's under their watch. They, like Limbaugh are traitors. They have plundered this country for 8 years and they are willing to sacrafice our country for another 4 years by playing party politics while America falls one job at a time. Well, the whole world and everyone in America is watching. And their are a lot of House seats up for grabs in 2010. The way the GOP base is shrinking, and more so everyday with all Americans watching their behavior, that party is dying out quickly. They can meet all the want to try and rectify that party, however they are too selfish and greedy so they will never make a comeback. Minorities on on the rise and all the old white folks will soon be gone - and so will the Republicans. I look forward to waving goodbye.

[Laura Mendoza]

You said it, Sadie Girl!

[lynettema]

These Pubs are on their way to Palin ville.

[HoneyRyder]

The funniest part is "he doesn't have a racist bone in his body" , I doubt Rush has any actual bones in his body since he isn't really human, more like a fat cyborg from the past trying to take over the world. I think Rush is so bitter because he is 97% deaf and he wants someone to pay for his deafness, and it happens to be everyone who doesn't think like him. The day Rush is no longer relevant is the day we will see him jump out of a window. He is an EGO MANIAC, with simple minded brownshirts who foam at the mouth everytime he speaks!

[bascombe]

rush is a harkonnen

[dollbaby]

"bend overd and kiss him just becasue his father is black" sounds like a big racist bonehead to me.