Congressional Republicans are trying to drive a wedge between President Obama and congressional Democrats. A good counter-strategy by Democrats would be to drive a wedge between Rush Limbaugh and congressional Republicans. While Limbaugh is widely loathed nationwide, with a favorable rating that makes George Bush look popular, he is extremely important to the Republican activist base. Further, his recent comments about hoping that President Obama fails could be stuck to Republicans every single time they oppose legislation from the Democratic trifecta.
Nico Pitney starts doing the lifting on this front over at the Huffington Post:
Asked whether he shares Rush's hope that Obama will fail, Pence, the no. 3 ranked House Republican and a leader of congressional conservatives, demurred.
"Let me just say, every American hopes that our president is a success," said Pence. "But I agree strongly with Rush Limbaugh that on those issues that President Obama has committed himself to more government or more spending or a departure from traditional values, that I hope Republicans and other leaders around the country will be steady advocates for the American people."
Every American, eh? Given that Rush Limbaugh recently said "I hope Obama fails," it sounds to me like Mike Pence just called Rush Limbaugh un-American.
It is funny to see Pence squirm on this question, trying to distance himself from, and embrace, Rush Limbaugh at exactly the same time.
Democratic leaders should mention Rush Limbaugh every single time Republicans raise opposition to their plans. They have done this on a couple of occasions so far, but really this is an almost endless well with a real chance to drive a wedge in the Republican Party. Just say "it is unfortunate that Republicans keep listening to Rush Limbaugh, who hopes the President fails." Media can reinforce this charge by asking every Republican member of Congress whether they agree with Limbaugh on hoping that Obama fails. Label all disagreement with Obama and Congressional Democrats hope that the country goes down the tubes.
Rush Limbaugh claims to be the number one voice for conservatism in this country. I say great--let's run with it, I say. To paraphrase Family Guy, making an old, rich, fat, pill-popping white guy who is scared of change the national symbol for conservatism can only help the progressive cause.
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