Rush Limbaugh

If you’re a democrat, you may blame Limbaugh’s ‘Operation Chaos’ for everything from Barack Obama’s early wins in red states to Hillary Clinton’s razor thin victories in states like Indiana and Texas, depending upon which candidate you support. But Rush Limbaugh is not a hypocrite because he masterminded ‘Operation Chaos’, an attack strategy that simply exploits the democrats' laissez-faire attitude about who is allowed to vote in their party’s primaries and caucuses. 

Instead Rush Limbaugh is a hypocrite because he conducts his mischief-making under the guise of wanting to do what’s best for America. Beginning with the Ohio and Texas primaries, Limbaugh encouraged his rabid listeners to go out and cast their votes for his nemesis Sen. Hillary Clinton. Last week, Rush began encouraging democratic superdelegates, few of whom are paying any attention I’m sure, to step up and announce their backing for Barack Obama, because now, like so many other conservative talkers, he believes Obama to be the weakest democratic candidate standing. Nice turnaround there Rush. I’m certain the democrats are going to jump right on that bit of self-serving advice.  

This stuff isn’t about making America better but obviously about stirring up controversy, making trouble, scoring a laugh or two and generating ratings. What’s best for America is what most Americans agree they want, not what Limbaugh or Limbaugh’s posse want them to want or intervenes to make happen.  

Fair elections allow the true America to shine. Corrupted elections, on the other hand, disembowel the system and corrupt the future of a democratic America. The great thing about American politics is that you win or lose, but you can always get up and fight another day. That’s why every four years a crackle of excitement spreads across the U.S. of A. I mean, a good laugh at your opponent’s expense is great fun if you are blessed with a sense of humor, but unfairly manipulating your opponents teammates is pretty un-American… if it does lead to victory in the end. 

I was an intern for an investment bank when I first became acquainted with Rush Limbaugh and his outrageous radio show. Feeling particularly charitable, the vice-president of the department to which I was assigned during that internship would regularly invite me to his office around lunchtime to huddle over a tiny radio and listen to Rush Limbaugh’s afternoon AM radio chatfest.  

During these impromptu bonding sessions, my professional mentor assured me that the conservative radio show was practically required listening if I hoped to one day become a Wall Street titan. Though I doubted my wizened newfound friend, I continued to listen because if I’m honest, at the time, I found Mr. Limbaugh and his rants ridiculous but amusing.  

All these years later, though I rarely listen to his show, I am still amused by Rush Limbaugh, despite the fact I actually find him more impossible than ever. Color me politically incorrect. What can I say?  

I suppose my perception is partly an outgrowth of the fact that I view the Rush-ster as more of a caricature than a pundit, irrespective of his ability to mobilize conservative voters. He’s sort of like the conservative alter-ego of Bill Maher or Dennis Miller to me.  

That all changes, however, when Limbaugh stops just talking about the far right agenda and becomes actively engaged in subverting the democratic process with it. Talk all you want, that’s fair. Organize letter-writing campaigns to public officials. Barrage the mainstream media with complaints of liberal bias. Take a low blow every now and then. That’s all fine and good, because healthy debate is the heart and soul of this country and my friends on both the far left and far-right would do well to remember that.  

Even the notion of seriously negative campaigning seems fair given that the public’s ultimate decision always proves whether or not it has been successful. Tough talk talk is A-okay but it is the process,  that should never be infringed upon if America’s best interests are to be protected.  

This ain’t American Idol or Dancing With The Stars folks. This is voting for the leader of the free world and the integrity of the process surrounding it shouldn’t be blindsided by a plan reminiscent of the website ‘Vote for the Worst’, which is designed to keep the least talented American Idol contestants in competitions.  

Because he organized his rabid fan base because he thought undermining the democratic process was in the best interest of all Americans, Rush Limbaugh is the hypocrite of the week.