McCain Not A Real Man, Says Limbaugh

One of the best indicators of John McCain's weakness in the general election is the questioning of his manhood by right-wing pundits.

Rush Limbaugh -- who likes to dress up as a general and command his listener's to foment political violence -- took time out this week to besmirch McCain's maleness, wondering on air if the Republican candidate could really count as "a man" in the wake of his speech in New Orleans (link).

What prompted Limbaugh to make a negative ruling on McCain's manhood was not that McCain bashed Bush, but that McCain dared to criticize 'government' in his New Orleans speech earlier this week. What did McCain actually say in New Orleans that made Limbaugh slap down his dress-up-general riding crop beyond his normal paroxysms? This paragraph gives the main thrust of the McCain speech (emphasis mine):

The right change recognizes that many of the policies and institutions of our government have failed. They have failed to keep up with the challenges of our time because many of these policies were designed for the problems and opportunities of the mid to late 20th Century, before the end of the Cold War; before the revolution in information technology and rise of the global economy. The right kind of change will initiate widespread and innovative reforms in almost every area of government policy -- health care, energy, the environment, the tax code, our public schools, our transportation system, disaster relief, government spending and regulation, diplomacy, the military and intelligence services. Serious and far-reaching reforms are needed in so many areas of government to meet our own challenges in our own time.

For playground-soldier Rush Limbaugh, when a Republican gives a speech that questions the effectiveness of government, that forfeits said Republican's status as "a man." What would have earned McCain his "I'm a man" badge? Blaming the destruction of New Orleans on liberals, of course (as if you had to ask).

But after reading that New Orleans speech by McCain -- the one that has been widely ridiculed in the media since he delivered it on Tuesday -- I noticed that McCain was actually trying to do something astounding. He was trying to use that speech (1) to bring Reagan-esque themes into the election and (2) to reframe this election as a referendum on "government," not a referendum on "Bush" (e.g., to undercut the Obama campaign's framing strategy).

11 times in his New Orleans speech John McCain used the word "government." 11 times! It was a sure-fire sign that he was trying to set a frame -- and that nobody in the media actually noticed he was doing it, nor did they bother to ask why he was doing it.

The reason is simple: McCain is afraid to bash Bush; so he is trying to make this election a referendum on "government."

If, for example, I swap the words"'George W. Bush" for the phrase "of our government" in the above paragraph from McCain's speech, this is what we get:

The right change recognizes that many of the policies and institutions of George W. Bush have failed. They have failed to keep up with the challenges of our time because many of these policies were designed for the problems and opportunities of the mid to late 20th Century, before the end of the Cold War; before the revolution in information technology and rise of the global economy. The right kind of change will initiate widespread and innovative reforms in almost every area of government policy -- health care, energy, the environment, the tax code, our public schools, our transportation system, disaster relief, government spending and regulation, diplomacy, the military and intelligence services. Serious and far-reaching reforms are needed in so many areas of government to meet our own challenges in our own time.

Yep. That is really what this election is about, but McCain is just too scared to say it.  Instead, he will try to reframe debate in terms of "government."

More importantly, perhaps, by critiquing "government" instead of 'George W. Bush,' McCain is going back to the old hobby horse of Ronald Reagan -- patron saint of conservative framing and archetypal Republican manly man's man.

The model for McCain's speech must have been Reagan's oft-cited "Time for Choosing" speech (1964) in which Reagan railed against government, against the liberal "elite" who supposedly ran government, and in so doing set a conservative framing strategy that held the debate up to this very year.

In that 1964 election between Barry Goldwater and the incumbent Lyndon Johnson, Reagan set the frame with phrases like this one:

This is the issue of this election: whether we believe in our capacity for self-government or whether we abandon the American revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capitol can plan our lives for us better than we can plan them ourselves.

Yep -- that is the idea that McCain is trying to dig up and toss into this election almost 45 years later. Interestingly, it is the idea that gets his manhood castigated by the likes of Limbaugh, who no doubt thinks he embodies the true manliness of Reagan.

In reality, the Reaganism that McCain is trying to reclaim is no longer the core idea the guides the voice of American conservatism. Steered by right-wing pundits and fueled by hateful, violent rhetoric, contemporary conservatives no longer say that government is wasteful and inefficient. Instead, they say that liberalism kills, liberalism supports terrorism, liberalism will lead to the destruction of America.

No wonder McCain gets called a sissy by Limbaugh when he tries to channel Reagan rather than bash Bush -- because Limbaugh has long since left the Reagan legacy behind in favor of the new violent rhetoric of the right.

And the irony does not stop there, because in all likelihood, Limbaugh's bashing of McCain will bully him into conformity -- will goad him into retooling his campaign into some kind of "liberals will kill you" message. The paradox, of course, is that this will mean that an actual war veteran - -who survived torture and still bears the scars of that experience on his body -- will likely allow his manhood to be questioned by a drug addict who cross-dresses as a general and equates salivating on cigars with public service.

Rush Limbaugh, the quintessential military-dodging conservative coward, in other words, will humiliate the war veteran in this election.

Man, oh man.

Comments

[Nofoolhere]

If you don't like what "THE GOVERNMENT" is doing, or not doing, NEVER BLAME THE GOVERNMENT!.

Why not?

Because the government is only a puppet. It can only respond to the commands of its puppet masters. So if the government activity (or non-activity) is a problem for you, follow the strings to find the puppet masters. Then BLAME THEM!

And who are the puppet masters who have defined and defiled our government for over the past two decades, especially the last eight years?

IT"S THE CORPORATIONS STUPID!!! Now you know what must be done. Next, blame all of those who installed the puppet masters with all that power?

And who installed these CORPORATE POWER AND GREED MONGERS and gave them all that power to use and abuse us?

WE THE ELECTORATE DID, by electing their advocates, i.e., Bush-Cheney and their lobbyists to the House and Senate! Now we have the opportunity to correct that enormous error, provided we are equal to the task. Under current conditions that means, without a doubt, not even close, elect Barack Obama and a Congress who has the wits, courage and character to support him in advancing and protecting our cause of progressive change.

[blueinannarbor]

I'm confused. We're talking about proposed governmental policies, right? We're not talking about leg-pressing 2,000 pounds, right? What does a proposed governmental policy have to do with being a "real man"? In some parallel universe, if Hillary were presidential nominee and she proposed the small government policies that Pigboy likes (and that the GOP propounds but never fulfills), would she be a "real man"? Hardly.

Now if we're talking about leg-pressing 2,000 pounds, that would take a 'real man' like Pat Robertson. He can leg-press 2,000 pounds and he's a 'real man'-a 'real crazy man' (sic).

[shadow322]

Knowing that it takes one to know one I am forced to agree here! Rush Limblaugh is the foremost authority on what it takes to "not be a real man."

[VivaZapata]

even in the ridiculing tone of the dress up general scenario, this article gives limbaugh too much credit. he operates on a very primiitive level (that's his appeal). mccain has a rather soft speaking voice by which blustering rush, radio guy that he is, probably gets all macho about.

[iamamerican2]

what did freud say about cigars again?

[noneIn2008]

McCain wants to frame everything as "government" because that is his highest ideal. He is a Statist, the state before all. His speeches are clear, the highest achievement is dying for ones country, not pursuit of ones own ideas. People are to sacrifice themselves for the "greater good" of the State. Government is McCains highest ideal.

[hypnotoad72]

So why won't Limbaugh run for president? Ran out of Preparation-H, perhaps? Realized that, if elected, he still couldn't get Oxycontin without a prescription? Why?

McCain served the armed forces. Rush used his head to get out of the same war McCain got into. Maybe one day he'll get his head out of its storage unit (his butt) and get a real job. I don't see how blathering into a microphone for 3 hours a day is a real job.

(Actually I do, but he's the type to summarily say what is and isn't work, or what drugs are ok to abuse and which are not, so I thought it'd be fun to try using his own mindset. Wow. It felt good. Can I have a job bleating into a microphone? I can be smarmy too! And since I'm neither Democrat nor Republican, everybody can hate me!! :) )

[Jason357]

I always laugh at guys who define manliness by how much people drink, if they play poker until 2AM, how much golf they play, and how many cigars they smoke. Idiots!!

[taurus96]

I agree with you 100%, did the "Nuts" not want to drink a beer with Bush.Look what that stupid idea cost us. Also the same group is afraid of intelligent thinking, if they knew what was dangerous they would fear ignorance.I want an intelligent person over any idiot no matter what anyone else is trying to sell me.

[lizr]

Yup- had enough of idiots in power to last a lifetime.

[Axolotl]

That may be because of your brand of sexuality. What about guys who define their manliness by how many women they bed. That is the core capability. You didn't mention it.

[AdamInMaryland]

Interestingly enough, I think Rush is part of what made me into a democrat.

When I was younger (I'm 24 now)...7,8,9, somewhere in that range, I used to listen to Limbaugh on the radio every day. This was mainly because I enjoyed listening to talk radio, even if I didn't understand everything they were talking about. He just happened to be on the talk station that I listened to.

Even at that young of an age, I found myself realizing how insane many of his ideas were. I had noticed in my own life that when someone criticized another person that harshly, that usually meant that they had no real grasp on reality and were just looking for someone or something to beat up.

I do credit Limbaugh for being why I agree with democrats on most issues...which is hilarious, considering he is trying to achieve the opposite!

[GingerB]

I'll credit your intellect, Adam. Your young mind recognized a pant-load when it heard one.

[Indubio]

I agree with you. Good for Adam for being able to understand when he was being hosed.

[lizr]

Wow Ginger! we finally found ourselves on a thoughtful page where people are listening and responding to each other in a thoughtful way.. amazing.

they said it would never happen :)

[lizr]

wow- gives me hope :)

[barackobama4prez]

Limbaugh can't criticize anyone. Rush, John McWar and Sean Hannity are all OUT OF TOUCH with the mainstream public.

[mccabe49]

I agree last night Hannity called the Democrats the party of fear!! Can you believe that..the Democrats/ He has really lost it. All I could think is what a fool

[Peddler]

Humpty-Dumpty, with his head phones; his cigar; and his oxycotin drip as a character builder has the arrogance to critize McCain, and anyone else is beyond my understanding. If Limbaugh has such insight as to the flaws with this nation or any elected official, then why is he sitting on his fat ass, delivering words without a heart beat...why doesn't he run for office and try to correct the flaws. If I were Limbaugh, I would be cautious in saying, who is the lesser of a man. Can only feel sorry for Rush.....he has some serious issues to deal with himself.

[Mike169]

I'd as soon see McCain defend his own manhood rather than have it done here. It's about time this party of thieves and fools blows itself apart.

[SRaley]

And isn't it funny that all of this time they were the ones talking about how much they loved "watching Obama and Clinton tear each other apart." Karma is more than just an African Water Buffalo after all!

[FirstShirt]

As a conservative sometimes I feel I'm trapped in never never land. Why? Conservative principles include an inherent distrust of government as the nanny for the people. A anti tax perspective [read here bridges to nowhere, little govermment oversight by dems and repubs and little to show for it]. An anti intervention policy that calls for congressional approval for any war. A support for morality in public service and getting rid of those who can't keep it in their pants.

Rush Limbaugh is a mouthpiece for extremists on the right who have long ago become similar to extrimists on the left....self aggrandizing opportunists who don't have a real job and make their living picking over the bodies of others.


Any person calling themselves a conservative who would applaud the governments acts in Katrina or Iraq needs to be called out as a narrowminded, right wingnut. No better than the narrowminded, left wingnut.

[Cathexis]

The difference, FirstShirt, is that you are a Conservative because you believe in its principles. You and I may disagree with those principles, but I readiloy acknowledge you as principled.

Conversely, these Republicans who crow about their "conservatism" have reduced it to a brand -- utterly without principles. Their sole purpose is to obtain and retain Power. They will brazenly go against the very principles they claim to espouse, in this pursuit ... all the while clueless as to their incredible hypocrisy. The only thing that matters to them is "winning."

It is a pity that principled Conservatives have been so tarred by the actions of this power-hungry pack. I appreciate hearing from *actual* Conservatives ... debating with principled people who will compromise where necessary (as will we) and work together for the common good is something that has been missing for about eight years, now.

[wjb0965]

I want to apologize to conservatives like FirstShirt for what I wrote in a prior post. I made it sound like I was grouping you all together. That wasn't fair and it wasn't my intention. It's clear that you recognize the same type of conservatives that I was describing and you obviously don't share their narrow minded thinking. There are as many liberal people who also don't want to be grouped with the lunatic fringe on the left and have their thoughts dismissed for that reason alone.

I really believe that most of us actually fall in the political middle ground. I am liberal thinking on some issues and conservative on others. I can't imagine anything more ignorant than having a view only because that's the view of the left, right, Democrat, or Republican. In my perfect world, everyone will one day think for themselves.

[haleywins]

The GOP is probably wishing for Romney or Huckabee. Sorry, too late.

[barackobama4prez]

Yep...they are stuck with mcwar. dems were fighting to pick one out of two great candidates. methinks repugnates are experiencing karma like a mofo.

[LibDrummer]

VP Alert !

[LRM216]

Perhaps Limbaugh is hitting his pill bottles again - now that's a "real" man.