Posted by
AJH on Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:51:26 AM
Background on the latest attacks on Rush are filtering through the media. Politico reports:
Top Democrats believe they have struck political gold by depicting Rush Limbaugh as the new face of the Republican Party, a full-scale effort first hatched by some of the most familiar names in politics and now being guided in part from inside the White House.
The strategy took shape after Democratic strategists Stanley Greenberg and James Carville included Limbaugh’s name in an October poll and learned [he] was deeply unpopular with many Americans, especially younger voters.
Democrats realized they could roll out a new GOP bogeyman for the post-Bush era by turning to an old one in Limbaugh.
“It’s great for us, great for him, great for the press,” Carville said of Limbaugh. “The only people he’s not good for are the actual Republicans in Congress."
It was “an idea that started out simply enough but quickly proved to be deeply resonant by a rapid succession of events, say Democrats inside and outside the West Wing.”
The seeds were planted in October after Democracy Corps, the Democratic polling company run by Carville and Greenberg, included Limbaugh’s name in a survey and found that many Americans just don’t like him.
Paul Begala, a close friend of Carville, Greenberg and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, said they found Limbaugh’s overall ratings were even lower than the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s controversial former pastor, and William Ayers, the domestic terrorist and Chicago resident.
I don't think Carville and company realize what they are dealing with here. A sleeping, complacent giant is awakening. The concervative, limited government movement is stirring. They haven't been so united since 2004, when people realized John Kerry should never be president. Bush was an imperfect vessel, but there was no way in hell I was going to sit by and watch the likes of Kerry take over the government. I encourage more reckless spending and attacks.
AJH