Is Rush Limbaugh evidently, at least according to President Obama.
From the New York Post:
WASHINGTON — President Obama warned Republicans on Capitol Hill today that they need to quit listening to radio king Rush Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats and the new administration.
“You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done,” he told top GOP leaders, whom he had invited to the White House to discuss his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package.
A White House official while confirming that President Obama made this comment noted that he was trying to make a larger point about bipartisan efforts. Ok, sure. Not helpful.
Why am I getting the feeling that bipartisan = Democrat agenda? Or post-partisan also equals what liberals want?
Limbaugh did make some controversial remarks recently on Sean Hannity’s show on Fox News. Watch below.
HT: Ft. Hard Knox
I am torn. I do not want “failure.” I want our country to succeed. I want us to prosper. However if success means socialized medicine, the passage of FOCA, big government, etc – I don’t want that either.
Regardless, I would hope that President Obama will realize that bipartisanship is a two-way street. Yes, he did win. Yes, Democrats do have control of Congress (but ask President Clinton how long that lasted for him after catering to the fringe left) The GOP does need to face up to that reality, and I don’t think anyone in that room with President Obama thought for a second they would agree on everything. I think his openness to some of the GOPs suggestions is a good start.
Bipartisanship doesn’t mean laying aside your major principles, but finding a way to work together and finding a way forward where you can agree. It also doesn’t mean closing your mind, and just nodding your head yes either.
Update: Rick Moore makes a pretty good point regarding the GOP and Limbaugh.
First of all, the GOP stopped listening to Rush awhile back. That’s why they got their heads handed to them in two straight elections. If the GOP follows the rookie’s advice (and of course, he only has their best interests at heart) they’ll continue to do things that turn off their base and guarantee their defeat in future elections.
Conservatism wins when it’s tried, but the GOP hasn’t been conservative in policies or practice since at least 2004. Now is the best opportunity they’ll have for awhile to differentiate themselves from the liberals and they better do it. If they don’t, they can look forward to ever shrinking minorities in Congress.