PrintJanuary 25, 2009
'Shut up,' he explained
My, but this president has a short fuse. In his first week in office Mr. Obama has told Republicans to stop listening to Rush Limbaugh (thereby raising Rush's ratings to new highs). He terminated an argument about his proposed phony "tax cuts" for people who don't pay income tax with the immortal words, "I won. I'm the president."
"Shut up" apparently passes for rational argument in this new era of good feelings.
Mr. Obama even managed to alienate the bottom-feeding journos in the White House press room by telling them he wasn't going to answer any questions at all. He just came down to the nether regions to pass the time of day, don't cha know.
In London town, where politics is considered a blood sport now that bear-baiting is outlawed, the Telegraph was chortling in its dark ale.
"Barack Obama picks a fight with Rush Limbaugh as bipartisan spirit crumbles!" they cried with glee.
"Mr Limbaugh ... declared on air that he hoped Mr Obama would fail as president because otherwise it will usher in socialism.
"With characteristic robustness (Limbaugh) said:‘We are being told we have to hope he succeeds, that we have to bend over and grab our ankles... because his father was black, because he's the first black president, we've got to accept this.'
After the euphoria of his inauguration, Mr Obama's team have been handed a cold dose of political reality. A series of controversial policy decisions, mistakes and unforeseen events has brought home the difficulty of bridging the divisions in Washington."
Finally, the Telegraph's biggest worry is solved, and they can --- indirectly --- criticize The One, the Only, by quoting Rush and other unmentionables.
We have to sympathize. Europe's anti-American industry has fallen on hard times, right along with the financial institutions, after keeping the Euromedia frothing and profitable for eight solid years. But when the Anointed One rises in big Satanville, what can you do? By quoting Rush and all the little satans, Mr. Obama has done our European friends a great favor.
All we need now is for the New York Times to start caterwauling against conservative talk radio, and a GOP majority is practically assured for 2010.
If you don't believe that, consider what HillaryCare did to elect a Newt Gingrich Congress in 1994.
Thank you, Mr. President.
