White House Warns Rush: Nazi Talk Puts You On "Thin Ice"

The White House struck back hard on Friday against conservative pundits and town hall protesters who have compared the President to Hitler and his policies to Nazism, saying that the critics are "on thin ice" and should "take that temperature down a bit."

Asked about the breakout of boisterous and occasionally violent protests at Democratic town hall events throughout the country, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs declared that the demonstrators were showing less civility and manners than his six-year-old child.

"Behave yourselves like your mom would probably tell you to do," Gibbs said when asked what piece of advice he would give to the demonstrators.

But it wasn't all fun and games for the Obama spokesman. Pressed on the analogies between Obama and Hitler that conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh made during Thursday's program, Gibbs' voice turned stern.

"I know the president feels strongly that we can discuss these issues without personally maligning... that we are doing so in a way that respects the dignity of each individual," he said. "I think anytime you make references to what happened in Germany in the 30's and 40's, I think you are talking about an event that has no equivalent. And I think anytime anyone ventures to compare anything to that, they are on thin ice, and it is best not employed."

"But I think what the most important thing is, is that we can have a discussion in our democracy about where we want to go," he added. "The president strongly believes we can do so without yelling at each other, pushing at each other or degrading each other. We have seen some stuff, I mentioned it a week ago, we have all seen imagery that just shocks and surprises us and I think the best thing to do is just take that temperature down a bit."

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Comments

[Nikevich]

04:22 AM on 08/24/2009

Freedom of speech reaches its limits when it becomes vocal domestic terrorism. One could also call it incitement to assassination (in some cases) and sabotage of civil society. While I hardly expect something similar in the USA anytime soon, nevertheless, it was Rwandan hysterical radio commentators who incited the serial mass assassinations there.

I was born in the mid-1930s, and to witness the brattish flailing about with terms of real horror such as "Nazi" and displaying their swastikas is more than saddening. It's scary. If not brown shirts, what color shirts would our neo-fascist brigades wear? Yes, I'm laying it on rather thick, but, remember, It Can't Happen Here.

I'm surely no expert on classification of mental disorders, but those who in principle worship Steve Colbert's redefinition of "truthiness", it seems to me, are close to being mentally deranged. As Barney Frank pointed out (I paraphrase), getting them to change their point of view is like arguing with (not at!) the dining-room table. Call it faith run amok.

It's fun to think of what would happen if one day (by prearrangement) the first, say, seven callers to Rush said essentially the same thing, not at all what he wanted to hear. I think he'd be a little rattled, needing to repeatedly use the past-30(?)-second audio dump.

However, I'm probably wrong -- "never disparage your enemies" is a wise piece of advice. You tend to underestimate them and drop your vigilance.

[webblogger]

01:21 PM on 08/23/2009

Someone sold their soul to the devil.

[webblogger]

01:19 PM on 08/23/2009

Swallow some more oxycotin, Rush.

[Stowe Boyd]

01:56 PM on 08/17/2009

The GOP has lost it's mind.

[BitterCling]

12:50 PM on 08/12/2009

"A government big enough to give you everything you want is powerful enough to take everything you have." - Oddly enough, Gerald Ford.

I just hope they don't Vince Foster Limbaugh.

[n5ifi]

11:07 PM on 08/14/2009

I can't believe the white house would even be involved with this.
This is so beneath the office of the president of the United States of America.
This sounds like something that would happen in a third world country.
It's Chicago Thug Politics on front street for everyone to see.
Does the President of the United States, White house or Congress believe they can stimy free speech?(even if its wrong)
I can and will say anything I want. I won't knowingly tell a lie but if I do that's tough blank too.
These guys better learn to deal with it. I don't give a blank what political party there involved with either. These types of actions from elected officials of the government against individuals just raises my suspicions of Obamas true colors.
I have not at any point prior to Obamas administration thugs threats considered him a nazi.
Now, I truely believe he is a Socialist but this type of behavior is nothing short of Stalinist.

[brownbag]

09:32 PM on 08/11/2009

I am sad for America and feel sad for the efforts of our PRESIDENT that go unrewarded!!!!! This reminds me of 1963, Here we have a guy wanting to make change but there is always a strong right wing that will compare him to nazi's or as a marxist. While George concentrated in the war we have someone that is not only putting the Taliban and Al-Qaida in it's place but is multi-tasking more then the old administration did. I feel for the borthers as well. MOVE ON PEOPLE!!!

[BitterCling]

12:48 PM on 08/12/2009

It may remind you of 1963, brownbag, but it reminds many of us of 1984. This administration seems to have no limit when it comes to their love for government control.

Many people get wrapped up in the emotions of a heated debate and feel as though the opposition are full of evil, powerhungry, amoral jerkoffs. While that is probably true of most politicians, it is generally not true of the rest of us. There is simply a fundamental difference in the ideology of liberals and conservatives. We both want the same thing: peace and prosperity for all Americans. We just differ on how to get there. We also have different priorities. While democrats feel that government can solve nearly any problem, conservatives place a priority on freedom from government control.

[dieselis]

06:28 PM on 08/11/2009

You can well see engaging some people is useless. Hard to argue with yourself.

[americanalien]

02:49 PM on 08/11/2009

Rush represents the remnants of a failing conservative movement in America. They are in their last throes. They feel threatened by Obama's politics of hope and unity. They realize that America is becoming an increasingly progressive and ethnically diverse country and they are finding it hard to digest. Their future looks very dim. They've decided to get their 15 minutes of fame before they go down for good.

[acellist1]

11:45 AM on 08/12/2009

Indeed I worry that our country is now on its way to becoming a one-party, one-ideology dominated system. The failings of the conservative leaders have been evident, particularly in the most recent administration. And so out goes the baby with the bathwater, as the country votes democratic and conservatism itself is laughed to scorn in the media. We will lose any vestiges of individualism as collectivism is on the rise. Americans are crying out to be swallowed up by some dominate force: government, media, religion.

No one is threatened by Obama's politics of "hope", but they are threatened to some extent by the politics of "unity", i.e. collectivism. We were meant to be protected against the power of the government, against the power of foreign governments, and against the tyranny of the majority. The first and the third powers are gaining a lot of ground right now at the behest of the people. We all agree that there should be some limit to the power of government, but I disagree with Obama as to where that limit should be. Obama's vision for America's government invites future corruption. Soft tyranny invites hard tyranny. Unless we change course, we will one day find ourselves having to stand up for our individual rights, or face total destitution and complete government control.

[hacharacter]

02:47 PM on 08/11/2009

When the townhalls are held in my city you can bet that I will be there to counter those neocon idiots.

[BitterCling]

07:05 PM on 08/11/2009

When the townhalls are held in my city you can bet that I will be there to counter those leftist idiots.

Those ad-hominem attacks are pretty dumb, huh?

[steppenwolfsayshi]

02:28 PM on 08/11/2009

Also, the Dems are threatening to take Limbaugh off the air. They have a bill that will break up his AM radio empire. That's what "thin ice" means everyone.

[LeaderofMen]

02:53 PM on 08/11/2009

They do not.

[BitterCling]

03:28 PM on 08/11/2009

I have not heard ot such a bill, but they have been pushing for "fairness doctrine."

[BitterCling]

02:22 PM on 08/11/2009

Who is this?

He wants to take power during economic turmoil, while promising hope for the nation’s future.

Wants to clamp down on big business.

Blames all the problems on those who are successful, saying they’re greedy and selfish and their wealth needs to be Robin Hooded away from them and given to others not as fortunate.

Proclaims that the evils of capitalism led to the current economic crisis, saying that the current system exploits the “economically weak”.

Gives speeches where, no matter the actual words or topics, people leap to their feet, yelling and screaming in praise. He uses specifically chosen words and catchy phrases to excite the masses, while offering no real solution.

Accuses opponents of being right extremists who will increase the wealth gap to maintain control over the working class.

Appeals largely to the young, ignorant, and impressionable population.

Mandates that citizens have a requirement of civil service.

Wants tighter gun control.

Grew up in a country other than the one in which he wants to rule.

Wants innovation to originate from government, rather than from the private sector.

We can also mention the more chilling topics of suppression of free speech and the really disturbing portions of the healthcare bill that point towards something very similar to Hitler’s eugenics programs.

The point is, as far off as nazi comparisons may be, they are generally more accurate when leveled at a democrat for good reason: nazi is short for national socialist.

[LeaderofMen]

02:54 PM on 08/11/2009

Congratulations. You discovered our Manchuian Candidate!

[LeaderofMen]

02:55 PM on 08/11/2009

Oops: Manchurian.

[ColoradoArtLover]

02:09 PM on 08/11/2009

Frankly, I think these old white people protesting are really just afraid of who they might have to sit with in the Doctors waiting room!!

[BitterCling]

02:18 PM on 08/11/2009

Shocking! Another race card from a democrat with no good points to make.

When in doubt, whip it out (the race card)!

You're gonna wear that darn thing out, brother.

[Scott Page]

02:24 PM on 08/11/2009

Can't wait to hear Salin Palin's articulate, truth and fact based statements on all this!
Her expertise on health care no doubt stems from the fact that you can see a hospital from Alaska.

[LeaderofMen]

02:55 PM on 08/11/2009

How's that death panel treatin' ya.

[robobbob]

01:34 PM on 08/11/2009

Well, here's what Rahm's brother Dr Emanuel has to say on care rationing: JANUARY 2009 in Lancet Magazine (save time, go to pg 6)

http://www.ncpa.org/pdfs/PIIS0140673609601379.pdf

I don't know what they called it in your school, but I know what I call it.
This man is an advisor to the President. I suppose that if you're 15 to 60 you're golden. Do you trust him with your family's care?

[Jeany]

01:59 PM on 08/11/2009

Yes.

[NER]

03:08 PM on 08/11/2009

You don't want to listen to anything that contradicts your point of view. There is nothing in the proposed legislation about rationing healthcare. Independent fact-checking organizations have analyzed this claim and declared it false. Please read this analysis, from Factcheck.org: http://www.factcheck.org/2009/02/doctors-orders/.

[mahdeealoo]

01:31 PM on 08/11/2009

Rush, like Sara, would do better to zip it.

[BitterCling]

01:49 PM on 08/11/2009

Or what?

Could you elaborate on what the penalties might be for not “zipping it?”

[Scott Page]

02:07 PM on 08/11/2009

Gee, I don't know... Maybe someone could paint a swastika on one of his mansion's doors?

[ColoradoArtLover]

02:10 PM on 08/11/2009

Well let's just say he's not doing his "party" any favors, LMAO.

[Ernest Hite]

01:24 PM on 08/11/2009

PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE ACTED THIS WAY WHEN BUSH WAS IN OFFICE.HOW MANY LIVES HAVE BEEN LOSE DUE TO THIS WAR ,THAT DID NOT NEED TO BE FOUGHT.WHY DO WHITE PEOPLE HATE BLACK PEOPLE SO MUCH WHAT IS IT .DO THEY KNOW SOMETHING THAT EVERY ELSE DOES NOT KNOW.

[BitterCling]

01:52 PM on 08/11/2009

"PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE ACTED THIS WAY WHEN BUSH WAS IN OFFICE.HOW MANY LIVES HAVE BEEN LOSE DUE TO THIS WAR ,THAT DID NOT NEED TO BE FOUGHT.WHY DO WHITE PEOPLE HATE BLACK PEOPLE SO MUCH WHAT IS IT .DO THEY KNOW SOMETHING THAT EVERY ELSE DOES NOT KNOW."


I don’t know. How many lives have been “lose?”

Why do black people hate white people so much?
Why do I hate Norwegians so much?
Why do democrats use the race card so much?
Why can’t you spell or turn off CAPS lock?

[Scott Page]

02:09 PM on 08/11/2009

"Why do democrats use the race card so much?"

Why do conservatives use the homophobe/'patriot'/2nd amendment/religion card so much?

[Tahut]

02:29 PM on 08/11/2009

Why do republicans trash the Constitution
Why can't republican be held accountable to the rule of law.
Why do republican believe the bill of rights is to burdensome to enforce.
Why do republicans think the law does not apply to them
Why do republicans represent commercial interests over the interests of their constituents
Why are republicans for free trade when they know it will cost their constituents their jobs and livelyhood.