Racism and Rush: Limbaugh's Response to Colin Powell

The news today that retired general and former Secretary of State Colin Powell had endorsed Barack Obama must have sent shivers up the spine of John McCain's beleaguered campaign manager Rick Davis, who has crafted a two-week assault on Obama's character and patriotism in the remaining days of the 2008 presidential election.

"Senator Obama has demonstrated the kind of calm, patient, intellectual, steady approach to problem-solving that I think we need in this country," said Powell, one of the most respected figures in recent U.S. history, and certainly in the Republican Party. "His election would electrify the world."

"I come to the conclusion that because of Obama's ability to inspire," Powell added, "because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities--and you have to take that into account --as well as his substance--he has both style and substance. He has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president."

He also called Obama "a transformational figure."

Transformational. The word has a certain bipartisan gravitas coming from the likes of Powell, who served with distinction in the Republican administrations of Ronald Reagan and both Bushes.

But Powell's endorsement of Obama has apparently driven conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh apoplectic, if not downright over the edge.

Almost immediately, the bombastic Limbaugh fired off an email that bristled with an overt racism. "Secretary Powell says his endorsement is not about race," Limbaugh wrote. "OK, fine. I am now researching his past endorsements to see if I can find all the inexperienced, very liberal, white candidates he has endorsed. I'll let you know what I come up with."

Say what? In fact, Powell never once mentioned race in reasons for his decision. Never came close to referencing it. The only person who brought up race in the discussion is Rush Limbaugh. But then again, truth has never been his strong suit.

In fact, only last year, Powell had sent McCain the maximum $2,300 campaign contribution--at a time when Limbaugh was still bashing the Arizona Senator. Why would Limbaugh now suggest that Powell's endorsement had only to do with race? His reasoning is as despicable as it is disingenuous. And the underlying weltanschauung that would prompt such questioning is downright chilling.

But playing the race card wasn't enough for Limbaugh. He also played the betrayal card, too.

"I was also unaware of [Powell's] dislike for John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy and Antonin Scalia," Limbaugh noted, giving voice to Republican fears of losing a majority on the Supreme Court. "I guess he also regrets Reagan and Bush making him a four-star and secretary of state and appointing his son to head the FCC. Yes, let's hear it for transformational figures."

Limbaugh's wrath and bitterness apparently know no bounds. Just ask John McCain. If ever there were a disloyal figure in American politics, it is Rush Limbaugh.

In February he had this to say about McCain: "He's just playing the American card or the patriot card, the prisoner of war story or whatever, and that happens to appeal to some people... Senator McCain successfully targeted the weak, the mushy, the squishy, the Jell-Os, some of the left, the Drive-By Media...Here's the dirty little secret. The maverick is not a maverick... Maverick my rear end."

He also said that McCain had no political philosophy and that he was "an opponent of conservativism." Now that McCain has pandered to the conservative base of the Republican Party in recent months, Limbaugh is all over him like white on rice.

And Colin Powell--decorated American war hero--is a traitor.

To endorse Obama, Powell not only had to break with his party, he also had to break with McCain, a friend of 25 years, and like Powell, a decorated Vietnam War veteran. It could not have been an easy decision. But his reasoning was both tempered and well-thought out. And he expressed concerns over both the substance and tenor of the Republican campaign.

In both his prepared comments and his press conference afterwards, Powell even went so far as to question the appropriateness of the McCain-Palin camp linking Obama to '60s radical Bill Ayers.

"Mr. McCain says that he's a 'washed up terrorist,' but then why do we keep talking about him?" Powell asked rhetorically. "And why do we have the robocalls going on around the country trying to suggest that because of this very, very limited relationship that Senator Obama has had with Mr. Ayers, somehow Mr. Obama is tainted. What they're trying to connect him to is some kind of terrorist feelings. And I think that's inappropriate....I think this goes too far, and I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for."

Powell also had the audacity to attack Limbaugh's conservative darling, Sarah Palin. "Now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks," Powell observed, "I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Senator McCain made."

What does any of this reasoning have to do with race?

Not a damn thing. Limbaugh should be ashamed of himself--but he is obviously a man who knows no shame. This the same American icon who has called Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa "a shoeshine guy" and who was forced to resign from ESPN following his racist comments about black quarterback Donovan McNabb. The same Limbaugh who told an African American caller to his talk show to "take that bone out of your nose and call me back."

So much for Limbaugh's credibility on the issue of race.

What Powell's endorsement will do is diffuse any efforts by the Republicans to drag Obama through the mud in the final days of the campaign. And it will help to shed a light on that truly disturbing wing of the Republican Party that insists on portraying Obama as a domestic terrorist and/or a Muslim radical.

"[Obama] is not a Muslim," Powell noted. "He's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America."

But that is the America of Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin, and sadly, in the waning days of this election, also John McCain.

It is a racist America, an intolerant America, a starkly divided America, and, I would argue, an un-patriotic America.

It has never been an America in which Colin Powell has felt comfortable. Indeed, Powell's popularity over the past two decades has been extraordinary--ranging in the high 70's to the low 80's. His popularity transcends party politics and it transcends race. Indeed, he considered a run in the 2000 presidential election himself.

But Powell has never liked the flying-elbows of American politics. In the end, he decided to stay out of the fray.

Until today.

Powell struck a strong and powerful blow against the failed politics of his former Republican cronies. Was it a game changer? As Sarah Palin would say, you betcha. If nothing else, the news cycle on the penultimate weekend of the campaign goes to Obama. He reached right over the aisle and plucked the most significant endorsement of the election.

And Rush Limbaugh? His response will be just another forgotten piece of garbage on the racist ash-heap of American history. In the waning days of this election, someone had better tell him to stay away from his medicine cabinet.

Comments

[Einstein44]

Just out of curiousity,what would it take for "Dittoheads"- Rush Limbaugh's followers to say ENOUGH with the race baiting tactics...Anyone out there with the ANSWER .

[flanardiente]

I never understood the whole dittohead phenomenon. It's like saying to the whole world, I can't think for myself, I'm totally empty inside, please fill me up with your ideas so I'll know what to think, who to hate, and what to say about it. I know there's lots of people like that in this imperfect world, but what kind of person would BRAG about it?

[Bluebloodsbastardson]

A Republican...........

[MarianneEvans11]

I understand from a journalist who shall remain unnamed for sake of this comment, that Rush hates MCCain. He's a radio Talk Show Host! That's his party and nothing else...He probably won't even vote!

I don't listen to him anymore since he took on a harsh, sarcastic approach to his talk show! I've heard him "hang-up" on callers who have such a good defense in support of Obama that Rush is unable to go on with the defense of McCain or whatever lies McCain is telling via Rush's show. That was it for me...I "HUNG UP ON RUSH" and never will I go back...How in the world did he get a resigning of a huge millions of dollars contract?

I guess Rush is one of those people who just can't vote for an African American especially one that is bi-racial....I feel sorry for you, Rush.

CONGRATULATIONS to GENERAL POWELL for sticking his neck out and saying what needed to be said in a most professional and thoughtful manner. Powell applauded McCain yet pointed out the negatives in his campaign. If McCain had put his country AND his party first (NOT HIS POLITICAL AMBITIONS) he might be ahead right now! NOPE!

OBAMA-BIDEN on Nov. 4th!

[vegas9999]

This from the same man who for years said Sadaam had WMD'S in every major speech he gave.

[PeepingTom]

As long as he concedes that all of McCain's endorsers did so because of the white race.

[shel3364]

Boiling down Powell's endorsement down to race is a feeble attempt to diminish it.

This must have stung much worse than anybody in McCain-land is letting on.





Powell broke with his party. That's kinda.....how should I say this......."mavericky", isn't it?

[ChessLover4Obama]

Here Here!

[rkoenn]

Rush Limbaugh is a bigoted sensationalist. It is disgusting that any radio station would hire someone like him. His audience is basically a mirror image of himself, bigoted racists who love to hear him loudly proclaim their deepest feelings on the air. He purports only his own agenda and is so hypocritical it is amazing that he gets away with it. the extreme opportunist. The thing I always wonder about with these far right wing agents of hatred is how much they truly believe it themselves and how much is blatant spouting so they can continue with their multi-million dollar jobs. If they didn't rabble rouse where would they be? But it is scary that they can do this and get away with it as well as knowing that they have a large enough audience of people who believe this hate mongering to keep them in business. If Obama loses to this garbage I don't know if I want to stay in this country. If he wins I will be elated and at least see some light at the end of the tunnel. A qualifier as well, I am a 55 yo white middle class male hoping for much more enlightened days ahead.

[dRwOOD]

Well said, unfortunately I work with a bunch of his listeners here in PA. This has come to light only recently to me because of the election conversations that I have attempted to engage in. Being hispanic, now I wonder how these folks look at me because after a few minutes of discusion it's very apperant that they are loyal listeners. On occasion I will put Rush on just to here the new talking points and it is very scary to know how many people blindly follow this rhetoric - let us not forget the other hate mongerer Sean Hannity

[rkoenn]

Thanks for the compliment. I work with and have many close friends who are from Puerto Rico. I have never judged a person by their color or sex but by their compassion and beliefs. Pray that we finally get a person in office who looks out for the little guy and not the rich guy or the corporations. In my book that person is much more Obama then McCain.

[arvay]

Limbaugh's audience is static, the same 20 million or so anal sphincters who will inevitably be part of a nation of 300 million. He's not gaining adherents, he's stoking the rage and frustration of the rubes, validating their ignorant ideas, and laughing as he watches his millions pile up.

Eventually, people -- even his clownish audience -- may tire of him. But he and his "ideas" have been thoroughly trounced by reality , his political and economic polices have been tested and they have created a disaster.

So in the end, there will be Rush and other crazed ferrets like Gingrich sharing the same street corners with old Trotskyites raving about their respective failed revolutions.

[lbcny]

you are way too kind.

time to break up the media monopolies and make these, so aptly put, anal sphincters
go away.

[arvay]

I agree on the media monopolies. But it's starting to be clear that America is rejecting racist ideas, at long, long last. There are still people who believe the earth is flat, but they're harmless dingbats. Rush will find himself among them.

[magen]

Rush has EVERYTHING to do with the coming landslide.

The American People are sick and tired of the lies and hatred constantly coming from people like Rush and his listeners.

They should be banished to some AM station in the desert of Utah with a range of 10 feet.

[KNadine]

I totally agree. Rush, Hannity and the likes have destroyed their own party.

[vasta]

CHANGE IS COMING LIMBAUGH!

[justoverit333]

But in general, this country needs to change.
To other countries, we look like a bunch of
closed-minded racists. We are so behind
in everything. The Repubs really screwed
things up when they got the Christian
fundamentalists involved so they could
win elections. I'm so sick of it. I don't see
this ignorant outlook ever changing.

[KrazyKat]

Keep talkin', Rush.

Maybe you could do another one of your "hilarious" Michael J. Fox impressions again, say, about a week before the election? Or get busted again.

Either way, you're a marvelous representation of current-day Republican sensibility.

[MarianneEvans11]

Rush is such a fake. Isn't everybody just in it for the money! What a fake!!! I can't deal with his negativity! It's all about Issues Rush, Issues!

[JScott]

Yup keep it up RL, the more you do the more pathetic you are.
Methinks you're a little distrubed that Powells public populatrity and ranged in the 80's and you never were that high. Too bad he's more likeable than you will ever be, GET OVER IT!
Your ideas are just NOT POPULAR and neither are you.

[Larkztongue]

I wonder if the reference to a maggot infested pile of hyena feces has ever been used in Limbaugh's presence? Maybe he needs to take his medication-Hey Rush, do ya miss that warm glowie feeling that you get when the Vicoden's kick in?

[Aywaller]

Limbaugh and his ilk are scared. The election of Obama signals the change in the mood of the country. Where will his racist, xenophobic rants play as his audience shrinks? I'm sure that Colin Powell will go down in history as a great American. Rush--not so much.

[HeevenSteven]

Seems Powell is bucking his party and putting country first, which makes him, A MAVERICK! And being a maverick according to McCain/Palin metaphysics is everything.

[justoverit333]

EXACTLY!!! POWELL IS THE MAVERICK.

[castlerider]

Limbaugh is not an elected representative. Who does he think he is, insisting to cram his opinions down my throat?
Let's face it, Limbaugh is scared to death. He calls it "The end of Free Speech," should he have to adhere to regulations of a fair minded distribution of ideas and opinion, which is what the Fairness Docrtine upheld, before it was dismantled and done away with by Reagan in the 1980's.
It will be one of the greatest moments of a Dem majority, bringing back the Fairness Doctrine.
I wil celebrate the day the Fairness Doctrine is brought back because it will mean a return to real liberty and freedom for people to have their own opinions without having his crammed down their throats like it is in the airwaves. If you work somewhere and your boss likes Rush and has him on the radio speakers, you HAVE to hear it. It's this way everywhere, all over the country. Many soldiers hate the fat pig, but since others in the command insist on hearing it, they cannot avoid hearing the garbage spewing from the fat pig's mouth on the Armed Forces Network.. With the Fairness Doctrine, it will have to work different, and more fairly.
Rush could still have his own show on a blog, and those that WANT to hear the cretin could still do so.... On line. Of course, he will go out screaming and yelling, squealing like the pig he is.



.

[SpoxLogic]

Hey, you can lump Pat Buchanan right in there with Limbaugh, too. On Hardball, eysterday, Buchanan pretty much said the same thing. Even hinted taht Powell's rise was due to affirmative action by the GOP.