Rush speaks for all republicanos!

We love to say "we told you so," and hell, that's what we get to say: Democrats have begun reaping the cowfodder from Rush Limbaugh's harsh anti-Sotomayor screeding.

They're running an ad in Central Florida against a couple of Republican congressmen who are up for re-election in 2010. The districts have high numbers of Hispanic voters, particularly Puerto Ricans. Sotomayor's parents hale from San Juan.

Big Pants, if you remember, has called the nominee racist, bigoted, and referred to her as a cleaning lady. She's the first Hispanic nominated to the US Supreme Court, and the focus of intense pride by Latino-Americanos.

Speaking of vacuums there's giant, famous one at the top of the Republican Party at the moment, and Democrats have been successful painting Limbaugh as spokesman, if not chairman of the hapless party.

In the ad, a voiceover says Sotomayor's nomination is a proud moment for Hispanics, but that "Republican leaders" are attacking her. Limbaugh's voice interrupts saying Sotomayor "doesn't have any intellectual depth. She's got a - she's an angry woman, she's a bigot. She's a racist."

Since Sotomayor was named by the president, Rush has proclaimed, " I want her to fail." He's called her a "reverse racist," a racist, and compared her to white supremacist David Duke.

Rush, relishing this attention, has translated it into his biggest rating$ spike ever. With hundreds of thousands of new listeners, he's redoubled his efforts to scorn and ridicule Obama, and the rather moderately liberal Sotomayor

She will probably get the consent of the Senate...  and get it easily.

This is just the opening shot. Expect Democrats to shine the light on Limbaugh's defacto leadership at every opportunity, as we head into the 2010 mid-terms. Hispanics are the fastest, growing demographic. Democrats are way ahead with them and intend to keep it that way. 

Comments

[Duffman]

The Republican Party are fools to let themselves be portrayed by Rush Limbaugh. They should distance themselves from him immediately. He who has the support of the Latino vote in this Country will prevail politically unless that party has a complete meltdown (which could happen).
There is likely approaching a time which will be most opportune for the creation of a strong 3rd Party in this country and if that 3rd Party is able to gain the support of the Latinos they will flourish. Latinos will soon (if not presently) be the majority in California and similar demography will happen throughout this Country. Political parties in the good 'ol USA had better wise up to the ever-increasing power base and try to woo them instead of insulting them. Viva La Latina!

[Brian]

Yes Duffman. We should all suck up to the Latinos, even if they are racist. They will soon be the majority in this country.

I like the siesta idea.

[Duffman]

IMO we don't need to 'suck-up' to any one, simply have respect for everyone!

[mrogi]

The complete destruction of the American economy will doom the Democrats over the next 4 years. Attacks on Limbaugh will not save the Dems.

[sparky]

Every time Sessions and Graham open their mouths, another Hispanic is convinced that the Republican party has no respect for them. Rush is just the icing on that cake.

[Duffman]

I actually heard the other day (on the radio) that apparently within the Latino community - to call one a Republicano is an insult. The party of Lincoln had better wise up if they have any hopes of enhancement and growth.

[Duffman]

And, Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla. isn't making any strides with the Latino community when he tries humor with his comment about 'some 'splaining to do' emulating Ricky Ricardo of the old 'I Love Lucy Show'. Not a wise move on his part.

[Brian]

Yikes! he did that during the hearings? What a fool.

[joanie]

I don't like Coburn but that's a stretch. "Splaining" isn't necessarily Latino. In fact, I thought the term was southern.

Ross today said that the population almost 30% Latino. If they organize and vote, the complexion of our elections will change for good. Isn't that an exciting thought?

Obama ignited black participation; all this propaganda from the right will work to galvanize Latinos to participate. We are no longer a white America. I think that's good.

Ross has a good show today.

[Duffman]

'...but that's a stretch.'

Well, if it's a 'stretch' ms joanie, it's a News Media Stretch!! [smile]

[Excon]

What happened to the Republicans? Who is in charge? Senator Coburn’s latest action, even in jest, will backfire. The only professional comedian in the Senate is Al Franken and the Republicans are surpassing him in that category unintentionally. Mr. Limbaugh’s wishes in failure will apply only to his political party with him at the helm.

The second group, though lagging far behind Latinos in growth is Asians. With the president’s strong Asian and Hawaiian ties, the Democrats for the moment have a lock on that group. For the GOP, the days of Sam Hayakawa and Matt Fong are gone unless they can stop becoming a regional southern party at which they seem to have no interest in preventing.

[Duffman]

Right-on, ex-con!

[Excon]

Miss Joanie – America is changing and I say for the better. Mr. Brian’s comment about “sucking up” to Latinos is symbolic to what is going wrong for the right. Too many years, minorities in America were treated as guests. To use the “reverse racism” correlation that Rush and Newt tried to paint Judge Sotomayer can never stick. Racial minorities in this country were never in power to implement institutional racism that once existed in America.

[joanie]

I guess that connotes the lack of a classical education. Ya think?

splain

to splain (third-person singular simple present splains, present participle splaining, simple past and past participle splained)
(slang) To explain.

1881 Joel Chandler Harris Uncle Remus
"Howsomever, dey 'ranged der 'fairs, en splained der bizness."

1905 R. F. Foster "In Self Defence" in The Bookman, vol. 21.
"Why, Lor' bless you, I never knew nothing about the rights of them things till you splained them to me yesterday, boss."

1947 John Avery Lomax Adventures of a Ballad Hunter p. 195

"Den," he confided, "I 'splained to de release man 'bout lookin' fur a settin'-down job, an' he jes' sorta motioned to de do'."

Why do you depend on those right-wing rags, Duff? Remember my advice to you yesterday? To follow your own advice to me? Good time to start.

[joanie]

You know, it is my sense of fairness and honesty that prompted me to give Coburn - a real hypocrite - the benefit of my knowledge. (I know - smug aren't I? I don't mean to be. Facts are facts.)

But, hey, if the right wants to ignorantly destroy itself with misinformation, I'm okay with that.

[Duffman]

Glad you agree. (smile)

[joanie]

Sorry, Excon, I just read your post. You 'splain it well. (ibid. Uncle Remus)

How did you get so smart? Seems like political parties are like sports teams these days: my team right or wrong. It's all about logos instead of policies and issues. Pretty sad. Especially since the current democrats are the old republicans - which may be why you were able to change.

What do you think?

[joanie]

Glad you agree. (smile)

This is an example of the dishonesty that makes you so detestable to me.

[Duffman]

I shan't return the compliment...but again, nice try; guess there's no 'splainin those who choose insult.
[btw: did you read the article I linked for you yesterday? were you surprised that it was apparently written by a Canadian? I was. You know Canada - that bastion of conservative thinking near Birch Bay]

[Drew]

Duff, what are you getting at re: Canadians? Are you surprised they know how to write? What?

[Duffman]

Drew; don't know if you read it or not but all I was getting at was being surprised that a slant like that would come from a Canadian. I thought it was interesting, in line with trying to read all with an open mind. [I happen to be a former Canadian...or is it once a Canadian, always a Canadian]

[sparky]

10 dumbest things ( so far) that Republicans have said to Sotomoyer

and yet...

" Republicans running for the Senate next year, including those scrounging for votes to win difficult primaries, aren’t saying how they’d vote on Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

Interviews with a dozen Republicans running for Senate seats across the country failed to find one candidate who was willing to offer a clear position, despite the two months of public debate since President Obama picked Sotomayor for the high court."

[Drew]

Duf, I did read it. While I agree with none of it, I still don't get your point. A conservative from Canada writes an anti-Obama opinion, which is nothing new.

[Duffman]

My point was simply that most (if not all) Canadians I've heard/read are praising our President and this was different. I was surprised and found it interesting, that's all. (btw: I don't necessarily agree with it either)

[Drew]

I did find it interesting to examine the layout of the web page. The first thing that stood out was the conservative connections to places like newsmax, masquerading as polls and surveys. If you attempt to place a vote, you are taken first to a site that has you subscribe to newsmax- in other words, they aren't as interested in my opinion as much as they are my money in exchange for their right-wing propaganda.

[Duffman]

Great, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for being civil about it.

[Drew]

Sorry. I just don't like generalizations. Like assuming that, when we had a GOP-controlled Congress and a con in the WH, that all Americans must be republicans. Or when we get Democrats in the WH and the majorities in the House and Senate, that all Americans must be liberals.
While I'm sitting here railing against them, I know I'm also guilty of making generalizations, i.e., every time I hear another member of the GOP preach against the evils of same-sex marriage and the destruction of family values, I instantly start to assume that he/she is a pedophilic frequenter of gay bars.

[Duffman]

Understand. Works both ways tho, as you well know there is left-wing propaganda also. That's why I choose to be independent (and detached) and treat all politicians with the same skepticism as I would Catholic priests...until and when they prove otherwise.

[joanie]

Drew, it was from another right-wing rag. Apparently, duffo doesn't know they have a conservative PM up there right now.

Like I said, he needs to follow his own advice and read more.

You'll find trying to communicate with him futile.

Great, glad you enjoyed it.

I wonder where he got that generalization? Did you say you enjoyed it?

You're still second-tier duffo.

No, not an insult, Simply factual until you prove otherwise.

[M.Steele]

I hear some of Burner’s staff is running the PCCC, the PAC the put the ad together.

[joanie]

Coiler, thanks for putting me on to Rothman last night. I'm going to do the Market Rider thing. It is only 9.95 a month and even I can afford that.

It was a serendipitous heads up.

Also, I take it you listen to Randi online over Ed on KTPK? I've grown to really like Ed. He has moxie and tells it straight. I love Randi but I can get her at 6 so I wait. Ed doesn't turn people off the way Randi can. He is a plain talker and has good instincts.

I sound like I'm trying to sell him to you, huh? Not really. But I think some of us underestimate his reach in this country. He's so good. He's got his facts down, he makes a fist and slams it down when he means business, and he listens to people. When someone calls in that talks rubbish, he takes them on. But if someone calls in and supports his opinion even if Ed disagrees, Ed gives him all the time he needs to talk. I like that. He just demands there be something there besides emotion.

I think Ed's program may be part of the galvinizing of Obama's current demands to Axelrod and Emanual that they get it done. Never can tell. He's been relentless over the last week on healthcare.

Speaking of emotion, Ross today characterized Lindsey Graham's questioning of Sotomayor's temperament after reading a quote in which someone called her a bully as childish. "That inner child..."(referring to Graham) is still hurting from some judicial slight apparently. I got a good laugh out of that. They need to get over the emotion and start reasoning. Sessions sounds like a baby every time he opens his mouth.

Who votes for these kinds of people. Duff, sometimes you border on that kind of talk. Did you know that?

Final post for a few days. No, not Birch Bay. Raymond. Long drive ahead. Have a good week! Even you, chucks.

[Duffman]

You're welcome; glad I could be around for you to unload on. Have a safe trip.

[joanie]

See what I mean, Drew?

Had to post! A caller from Rick Larson's district just called in and said he refuses to vote for the healthcare package. He's against it and wants tax credits etc instead.

Ed said we have to get him out of office and said he'd help. We don't need democrats like that. Ed is mixing up Larson's district with Seattle. There are a lot of rightwingers up there.

[M.Steele]

What is comical about this is, Rush knows she’s not a racist. He is using her to whack the Democrats, and his goal is sparkling gold coins. And the left is using Rush to clobber the Republicans to win votes. The only losers around here are the Republicans. He is collaring the word Bigot around the GOP, and they beam and repeat his thinly veiled bigoted remarks.

[Drew]

The seeds of destruction for the conservatives may very well be found in their commentators and pundits.
And this would be funny, if it wasn't having such a negative effect on the racial divide this country faces. We've already seen how what some of them say is taken seriously, and innocent people die. With people like Rush, it's all about fearing the brown people (unless of course you can get them to trim your hedges for less than the minimum wage). It's true, Rush is doing more to tear down the GOP, the damage he does to the rest of country with his comments is much worse. It's why we need to keep calling him out.

[M.Steele]

I hear ya, Drew. Do you know if he has responded to this ad?

[Drew]

Honestly no. But I've been pretty detatched from the news today. It would be interesting to hear the response from the de facto dicktater of the Gross Ol' Perverts Party. Speaking of that, did he say much about Ensign or Sanford? Did he at least offer them any Viagra?

[M.Steele]

Hee Haw,

If he did, I wonder if his listeners realized the irony?

I am staying away from the tube also. The days are too nice to waste in front of the tube. I even helped my wife in the garden.

[Drew]

For sure. Warm here, but still a nice day to get out and do stuff.

[sparky]

Steve Largent apparently lived in that C Street Home for Christian Congress Critters, and was recently called to Washington DC to help "counsel" Ensign and Sandford...when asked if they should resign, Steve said "Right now I am just concerned about their personal well-being." Funny, that. He thought Clinton should resign.
IOKIYAR!!

[Duffman]

Sparky, I think Steve Largent got fed up with politics period. If there was any politician out there that I would trust it would be him. That he would just be concerned with their well-being doesn't surprise me. I had the pleasure of knowing him when he was here years ago and I was very impressed with him as a person. He was/is one person I would vote for strictly on character alone.
I don't think he subscribes in any way to the 'it's Okay if you're a R or a D' in any way.
Just my 2-cents. Obviously, I like him.

[mrogi]

Pandering to the Latino community is a tricky business. Latinos are not a monolithic voting bloc. They are not all in lockstep. Cubans despise Puerto Ricans. Dominicans hate Mexicans. Mexicans loathe South Americans. Just because Dems politicians suck up to one Hispanic group; it does not automatically ingratiate them with all the rest.

[Duffman]

Hear ya mrogi. You know the Republicans could very well appeal to the Latinos if they'd just stick to their core values and not stray so much or be so pandering without substance. I think for the most part Latinos value family, God and hard work. As I recall, that's what the Republicans espoused to many moons ago and somewhere they've derailed and can't seem to get back on track. [smile]

[M.Steele]

Ogi, you are very correct with your South American observation. But you left out one motive that brings them to a common opinion. The republicans denigrate them all with no appreciation of the diversity that you perceive. There is no real pandering needed, just well timed ads. And I guarantee you, a group would rather be pandered to as opposed to denigrated.

[nevets]

Where is the talk about Olby calling a US Army Major a Jackass. Olby called Major Stefan Cook of the US Army Reserve a Jackass on his worse person skit. Should be fired for that remark? Yes and if Rush speaks for all the Republicans, then surely Olby speaks for all you libs. I guess it will be only a matter of time for all you Libs to show your true anti-military colors. Only a matter of time.

[Drew]

Apparently, according to neverts, if you're a military officer, you are exempt from any criticism, even if you were using a lie to try to get out of a deployment.

[M.Steele]

nevets , did you hear about the Major’s predicament? It turns out it was a political stunt and the good Major was shafted by the ring leader. Being an military officer doesn’t automatically gift one with brains.

[Drew]

Once again, Steele, you bring up the most important point. The last 8 years uncovered a republican party that many minorities couldn't trust. And Duffers is correct when he says that the conservatives pushed the family values/church/work ethic mantra back in the day. But they stopped practicing what they preach a long, long time ago, and every demographic that takes an interest in politics couldn't help but notice. Along with that, it was the GOP that led the charge for rounding up undocumented workers, building an expensive border fence in the very places where it's failed before, and urging the deployment of U.S. troops on the border (just one border, by the way, down where the brown people are)

[Drew]

Mexico, on the other hand, does not believe in pandering to us, as seen here

[M.Steele]

Drew, Ogi had a great point, it’s the same point I try to make about the monolithic black vote. The problem is the next step. Democrats seem to want to include the minorities and the Republicans don’t. The Republicans call it pandering. And see fit to denigrate all who don’t agree.