I think anyone who supports President Obama loves the fact that Rush Limbaugh is suddenly becoming the voice of the GOP, with many conservatives quickly rallying behind him. But why?

Pundits like Rush are school-yard bullies who act tough only when they know nobody around will actually challenge them. Here's an old video from the 90's when Rush had a short-lived TV show. See what happens when people can actually talk back to the loud-mouth?




So why would conservatives rally around someone like Rush despite groups like FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) finding numerous inaccuracies in his coverage and has quotes like these attributed to him:

"One of the things I want to do before I die is conduct the Homeless Olympics... [Events would include] the 10-meter Shopping Cart Relay, the Dumpster Dig, and the Hop, Skip and Trip." (L.A. Times, 1/20/91)

On NAFTA: "If we are going to start rewarding no skills and stupid people--I'm serious, let the unskilled jobs, let the kinds of jobs that take absolutely no knowledge whatsoever to do--let stupid and unskilled Mexicans do that work." (Radio show quoted in FRQ, Fall/93)

Speculating on why a Mexican national won the New York marathon: "An immigration agent chased him for the last 10 miles." (USA Weekend, 1/26/92)

This is asinine! A Caesar Chavez Day in California? Wasn't he convicted of a crime?" (Quoted in FRQ, Winter/94)

"Kurt Cobain was, ladies and gentleman, I just--he was a worthless shred of human debris..." (TV show, 4/11/94)

"When a gay person turns his back on you, it is anything but an insult ; it's an invitation." (Quoted in FRQ, Summer/94)

"Feminism was established to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream." (Quoted in FRQ, Summer/93)

"Militant feminists are pro-choice because it's their ultimate avenue of power over men.... It is their attempt to impose their will on the rest of society, particularly on men." (Ought to Be, p.53)

"Why is it that whenever a corporation fires workers it is never speculated that the workers might have deserved it?" (Ought to Be, p.275)

These quotes are just some of the many questionable things about Limbaugh listed in detail on Fair.org.

So again... why would anyone rally behind someone like Limbaugh? Who else are they going to get behind? Republican leaders seem unable to shake bad habits that have hurt their image over the past few years. Rudy Giuliani mocked community organizers at the RNC like community betterment was something to be embarassed about and Sarah Palin... well, was herself. Most recently the "up and coming star" of the GOP, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal's condescending response to Obama's first congressional address was deemed a disaster even by conservative commentators. Consevatives need a face to unite behind. Limbaugh is certainly not the right person for the job, but he'll do it if it boosts his rating and sells his books. In the long run, however, much like his "Operation: Chaos," this will probably do nothing but ensure Democrats more victories in 2010.