Both. The Democratic party loyalists will eat it up, but anybody on the outside will see it for the ridiculousness that it is. So while it might appeal to some, there are others who will roll there eyes at how much time Democrats (and liberal commentators) are spending on such a non-issue.

Foolish.

Michelann said exactly what I was thinking. I would love to see a biggest loser celebrities and have Rush on it.

Ridiculous. Rush should be the least of our concerns!

I think it's important to expose the influence extreme voices are having in this country - it's not about making any group look ridiculous, it's about acknowledging what is feeding the ideological divides in this country.
Good policy can fall to skilled propaganda.

The amount of time the Obama administration is spending refuting claims by talking heads is absurd. I think it's time to get to work and stop campaigning.

It would only be foolish if republicans leaders did not
cow-tow to Limbaugh. Yes Limbaugh should be ignored. But instead republican leaders fall over themseves with apologies whenever there is a perceived slight against the great Rush Limbaugh. It's the republicans that have elevated Rush not the democrats.

I completely agree liliblu. Although I vote democrat (but do not consider myself one), I was pleased when I thought the GOP had finally denounced that madman. I was dissapointed in Steele for then apologizing.

Of course, I can barely stand MSNBC anymore than FoxNews so I don't quite know how idiotic commentators are being. I'm a BBC girl.

I'm with lilblu. It would be foolish if all of the senators and even the head of the RNC didn't seem to be afraid of stepping on the man's too. However I do think the Democrats should be focusing on more important things than that raving nutjob.

toe*

Oh Lord.

The Democrates just need to stay out of it and let the Republicans continue their dissagrements with Rush on their own. They don't need Democratic help their doing fine on their own. Emanuel and Pelosi just need to pick up their favorite snack kick back and watch.

I am amazed at the way the GOP is treating Rush. He is an extremist pig with the attitude of the Bush administration "You are with us, or you are against us." I think that the Dems should acknowledge him but not to the extent that they are.

You know what's funny about Rush is that he's personal friends with the very radical left radio talk show host Tom Leykis and when you hear people like Barbara Walters say they like Rush it makes you think what he's really like off the air.

20 million people listen to the guy. That can't be ignored. The Dems are trying to discredit Rush to try to draw people away from his message. Along with Hannity, Levin and others. They know politically the Fairness Doctrine will go nowhere so the best thing is to discredit the conservative message. The Dems are simply afraid of what a united conservative talk base could do in the upcoming elections. Like the Dems and what their mouthpieces like Hollywood, Oprah and parts of the media did for Obama in '08, conservative talk could very well cause the Dems a lot of trouble in '10 and '12. If Rush and Hannity, et. al. found a candidate to rally around that would be a powerful thing. It frightens the Dems.

I think Rahm is brilliant in and evil, Rove kind of way.

If you make the public equate republican with Rush than you make the public think twice about being a Republican, or at least admitting it. Mich, I think you over estimate the masses or underestimate the influence of the media.

Remember how a few years ago it was a bad thing to admit to being liberal (after 9/11 especially) Rahm is just turning the tables around.

And I am kind of sick of BOTH parties campagning for 2012 right now.

"When it came to the surface that RNC chair Michael Steele criticized Rush as an incendiary "entertainer" Steele quickly apologized to Rush, just like Rahm had dictated"

Someone clarify...when did Rahm "dictate" an apology? And it seems to me if Rush is willing to accept that apology, then we should just leave it alone. It's over.

Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer, not the head of the Republican party, though his views reflect much of what the party stands for. 20 million people listen to what he has to say, which gives him some political weight, and I suppose that's why the liberals feel the need to go after him.

People only want to draw attention to extremists when its on the opposite side. Lets not forget that Obama cowtowed to the Daily Kos and if they aren't extremists, I'm not sure who is.

When did Obama kow-tow to the Daily Kos?

Stupid, rush isnt the only blowhard on the airwaves, is rahm going to single out every single radio dj who seeks to piss people off. it just seems like a complete waste of time to me.

THey can only single Rush out because so many republican politicians bow at his feet.

Rush is the most powerful blowhard on the airwaves.

Honestly, although I strongly disagree with Republicans on most things, I would be furious to have Rush be considered as speaking the "conservative message" - because he is crazy. I know I don't want Keith Oberman or that ilk to be considered as my representative because I think he is also mad. I am offended on my sister's behalf - she is a Republican and although I disagree with her, we have respect for each other's opinions. She is a conservative who has a grasp of reason and there are plenty like her. It would be nice if they could be the speakers of the conservative message. If we had reasonable, pragmatic people on both sides then maybe we could have a more enlightening and productive political dialog.

Wasn't someone just saying there's been a million Rush posts this week?

On the campaign trail Obama went on and on about bipartisaniship and taking the nastiness out of politics and then goes and speaks at the Daily Kos conference, a website that dressed Justice Scalia as a Nazi.

So let's not act like there's only crazies on the right. There's plenty of crazies on the left.

I think all this Rush BS lately has to do more with people getting angry that not everyone in this country is drinking the Obama kool aid, Obama is getting some heat put down on him AS HE SHOULD. He's not getting a free pass anymore and some people get their undies in a twist because of that.

Modus - Yes, apprently Rush Limbaugh is of great importance. Not sure to who though...

Apparently he's important to these no names:

Republicans who've dared to criticize Rush only to beg for his forgiveness:

RNC Chairman Michael Steele:

Rush is not the head of the Republican Party. He's an "entertainer" whose show is "incendiary" and "ugly."

I'm Sorry, Rush
"My intent was not to go after Rush - I have enormous respect for Rush Limbaugh..."

"I was maybe a little bit inarticulate... There was no attempt on my part to diminish his voice or his leadership."

"I went back at that tape and I realized words that I said weren’t what I was thinking..."

Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA):

"I mean, it’s easy if you’re Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh or even sometimes Newt Gingrich to stand back and throw bricks. You don't have to try to do what's best for your people and your party. "

I'm Sorry, Rush
“I clearly ended up putting my foot in my mouth on some of those comments and I just wanted to tell you, Rush, [...] that I regret those stupid comments.”

Governor Mark Sanford (R-SC):

"Anybody who wants [President Obama] to fail is an idiot, because it means we're all in trouble..."

I'm Sorry, Rush
Sanford’s Communications Director, said that "the governor was not referring to anyone" in particular.

It's not foolish it's moronic.

So let me understand this as a former Democrat - if some moron says something stupid and does a raspberry - rather than ignoring said moron and focusing on the problems plaguing the American people, one should engage said moron in a slap fight of who can be more stupid?

Rush is a freaking drug-addict and criminal and they want to engage him as if he has some value in the world. The only value he would have is if he actually had some loved ones who had him go on the show 'Intervention'. Then he could be entertaining at least.

Now I know where you get the name Wackdoodle

When you can back up your reasoning in calling Rush a "freaking drug-addict and criminal", I'll give your statement some credence.

Are you kidding Carrie Sue? Here's from People magazine, in April 2006:

"MIAMI (Reuters) – Rush Limbaugh was charged with prescription drug fraud in Florida on Friday as part of a deal ending a criminal probe of the conservative radio commentator that began more than two years ago, his lawyer and authorities said.

Under the deal the 55-year-old Limbaugh, best known as a brash and often moralistic talk show host, will see the case against him dropped in 18 months, his attorney said.

Limbaugh admitted an addiction to prescription painkillers in October 2003 after reports he was facing an investigation for allegedly using a housekeeper at his Palm Beach mansion to illegally obtain prescription drugs.

He was booked on Friday on a single count of concealing information to fraudulently obtain a prescription drug after turning up with his lawyer, Roy Black, at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

He was released after less than an hour on $3,000 bail, Black told Reuters.

He said Limbaugh filed a written plea of not guilty, and would persist in denying that he committed the crime of so-called doctor shopping.

The charge will be dropped in 18 months provided Limbaugh continues to seek drug therapy treatment from the doctor who has been treating him for the past 2-1/2 years, Black said.

"The prosecutors and I agree that there shouldn't be a criminal prosecution, and we agree there shouldn't be any court proceedings," said Black.

As part of the deal, Limbaugh also agreed to make a $30,000 payment to the state of Florida to defray the public cost of the investigation."

Rush is the most powerful blowhard on the airwaves
Hilarious yet true, although I think sean hannity is gunning for the title

Well we're all lucky he doesns't run for senator because he'd get elected in a heart beat. If some loser like Al Franken can do it, Rush would have no problem.

Rush wouldn't run for Senate though, because he wouldn't want to work as part of a team. Guys like Rush only want the top jobs.

" Now I know where you get the name Wackdoodle Smiling

When you can back up your reasoning in calling Rush a "freaking drug-addict and criminal", I'll give your statement some credence. "

Hey Mary Sue or Piggy Sue whatever you call yourself - let's stay off the Rush Limbaugh level personal attacks. I get the name wackdoodle from myself - and right now I am seriously holding back from unleashing the biggest foulest verbally tirade at you for your presumption.

Rush Limbaugh ILLEGALLY obtained prescription medications. Rush Limbaugh had and HAS a addiction to prescription drugs that he according to his own doctors should not be taking. In the fact that he ILLEGALLY OBTAINED prescription for narcotics he is a criminal - the fact that the DA was investigating filing charges against his bloated drug-out ass is public record. But then again I'd venture to day that since he wasn't a minority - in many people's views his actions weren't criminal, right?

Why do you try reading one day - peggy sue?
"Rush Limbaugh Turns Himself In On Fraud Charge In Rx Drug Probe"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/28/AR200604...

Am I the only one sick of this guy?

Rush is a self centered drug addicted idiot who should be told to shut the F*** up, just like when Bush was in office and anyone who spoke out againest him was considered unpatriotic, he wants to see America fail, so what he was saying is he could careless about the middle income families much less the poor.

Who in the senate really wants to work as part of a team? It's about power, not teamwork.

Well, I'm no (huge) fan of Rush, but I do admire his ability to bring out absurd viciousness in people on the internet.

Lawmakers have to wheel and deal and compromise all the time: they have to curry favor with party leaders in order to get their issues on the agenda, they have to avoid ticking off party leaders to keep their issues on the agenda... Without a proven ability to get things done for their states and/or the right people, no one rises to power on Capitol Hill.

People who work in radio have to work to please their listeners, their bosses, and their advertisers. There are very few jobs that don't require some sort of 'teamwork' in order to get ahead, but a desire to work in a team is far from the primary reason people go into politics. I agree that Rush probably wouldn't run for office, but I think it's more likely because he's got more power and influence in his current position.

Rush is still going strong after 20 years on little ole AM radio. The new left wing Pres. has been in office a little over 20 days.

You figure it out.

GO RUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yea I cant think of any job that doesnt require teamwork except for maybe if you own your own business and you're your only employee!

Just because we don't like someone doesn't mean they can't work with others.

There just going to make him like people who used to freak out about Madonna made her, EXTREMELY POPULAR! Bring it on Lefties!!!!

Hausfrau - can I has a cupcake please?

And from the way they've been kissing up to him, I bet Rush would have no problem working with the GOP

He'll work with the GOP as long as they continue kissing up.

Foolish - Giving Rush their attention only legitamizes Rush's. Rush has a huge audience, but right now it's only the extreme right that really listens and believes. Now that the left is engaging that voice, more people are going to pay attention and wonder if Rush is actually right, since the left is now attackig him so bitterly.

Right again UnDave!

Nothing like creating a diversion off the real issues at hand. Rush can hold his own. Let's see if the Dems are up for the job.

so far....uh....not impressive. Massive spending- unprecendented!

Sorry, I had to go home yesterday, so I didn't have a chance to respond.

To wackdoodle...I appologize for being so flippant yesterday (though I still think you let your emotions run your argument). I suppose I haven't watched Limbaugh close enough, or I would've known that. But actually, that kind of gives me more respect for him than I had before. To turn yourself in for that sort of thing is no easy task.

Piggy sue? ...please

This move makes the democrats seem petty. I don't know if any of you watch the real housewives of the OC, but it seems like when Tamra tried to make Gretchen look the fool, she ends up implicating herself in that role instead. Democrats need to take a play from reality tv and quit when you're ahead.

Steele and Limbaugh are friends and they go way back. People on here obviously don't know what they are talking about and buying in the the bs the libs are selling when thinking that a friend apologizing to another friend must mean that this man controls the republican party. That is very shallow, surface level thinking. It's taking the first shallow answer that pops into your head instead of searching for the real answer.