The Stakeholder
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen Condemns Rush Limbaugh’s Comment Hoping President Obama Fails
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement in response to conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh's outrageous remark saying that he ‘hopes' President Obama fails.
"Rush Limbaugh's reprehensible remark that he ‘hopes' President Obama fails to meet the extraordinary economic challenges Americas face has no place in the public discourse.
"Mr. Limbaugh's comments politicize the economic struggle of millions of hard working Americans. With the unemployment rate over seven percent, today's news that 62,000 more Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, and millions of Americans struggling to keep their health care and homes, all Americans, regardless of their ideology, hope that President Obama succeeds in getting people back to work and turning our economy around."
An excerpt of Limbaugh's comments are available at: http://thinkprogress.org/2009/01/20/limbaugh-obama-fail/
The tax plan that Obama is putting forward is getting even less popular with other Democrats in Congress than getting a payday loan is. Yesterday, he unveiled his American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. Republicans agreed with it by and large, but disagreed about giving handouts to states to bolster revenue. Democratic leaders disagreed with the economic stimulus by saying that the tax breaks and tax incentives in the plan won’t encourage spending, even if it does get cash into the hands of working Americans and possibly keep them from getting a payday loan. President Bush’s tax stimulus last year didn’t have a great effect either, and they claim that the new stimulus plan will probably make about the same impact.To read more about reaction to Obama’s economic plan, read articles at http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/01/13/from-your-payday-loan-source-fha-needs-help/
I fully expect that this comment will be deleted, and if it is I insist that it be deleted in its entirety.
I would agree with you that rushes comment was reprehensible if the comment as you paraphrased it was similar to what Rush actually said. It is not, and your campaign is a prime example of taking things out of context and intellectual dishonesty. You should be ashamed of yourselves! In the interest of truth and honesty, please follow this link to hear the entirety of his comments so you can see how inaccurate you have been. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4xY0G90rHc
You cowards. How is Rush saying he hopes Obama’s plans fail - plans which he has EVERY RIGHT to disagree with - any different than the 8 years of backbiting, lying, stalling and blocking the dems did versus Bush?
I SUPPORT RUSH LIMBAUGH, not Obama’s plans. They need revision as they stand…and that was his point.
You are preying on bold-type readers who don’t know the whole story. You guys aren’t very good at this, and you’ll be found out.
So now that I openly disagree, are you gonna ban me now, too?
I too fully expect that this comment will be deleted, and if it is I insist that it be deleted in its entirety.
I believe it is called freedom of speech. Mr. Limbaugh certainly has the right to voice his opinion. After all we have had to watch the things we hold dear be trampled on by the Democratic Party and the DCCC. Freedom of speech, prayer in school, watching our Nations flag be burned, etc.,etc., all in the name of politcal correctness. You reep what you sow and the new adminstration had better get used to being watched like a hawk on any moves they make and be ready to accept criticism. I agree with Rush! This whole administration is quite laughable and will surely lead our country into further problems. It was so painfully apparent that what Obama was promising in his campaign wre nothing but lies and impossible options. Attempting the programs he wishes to put in place would spell disaster for our great Nation. All this news piece has done is make me want to listen to Rush more. Thanks for reminding me of Limbaughs commitment to uncovering the lies.
Clearly America simply cannot afford the obstructionist partisan bickering that is the Republican party. Things are just too serious right now. In fact, one could say we are in a “National Emergency”.
That being the case, a more aggressive approach by the President may be needed to bring things under control.
How insecure the President must be to attack Rush!! Amazing that the Democrats don’t like to swallow what they dished out for eight years!
yo go rush!!!!!!!!!!!!!! tell it like it is…. if we listening to the dems. the world is comming to an end… give me a break…..
The only way to get this economy going is to get mortgage rates down to 4 to 4.5%. This will generate more refinances among the many credit worthy borrowers who will pump this money back into the system. It will also clean up foreclosures.
Pump money into road building and bridges and serious job creation. The electric grid needs up dating, this means steel and fabrication, Build large windmill factories in every state in the US. Hire Americans. Every new windmill that workers build stops thousands of barrels oil coming in from overseas. Build 100 new nuclear plants. Mandate that if families have two cars one is electric. This is real stimulus and will give future returns to the American people.This is both Democratic and Republican.
You are distorting what he said - he wants the socialism agenda of Obama to fail. What is wrong with saying that? We all want the economy to recover, and if Obama would do that, wonderful! But what Rush is saying, is based on what Obama says his plan is (e.g. socialism), he hopes it fails. Stick to the real debate and not the name calling.
Andy from Phoenix hit the nail on the head. Obama’s socialist agenda has no place in America and we should all hope it fails.
It is revealing how Mr Wolfe (and the rest of the left) have to distort comments to try to discredit the messenger rather than to deal in honest debate about the message.
For a President who is “for the people”, I find it humorous that he would want to silence those who do not agree with him.
I agree with Rush that if Obama’s agenda succeeds, our country FAILS!!!
Stop worshiping OBAMA. I am glad our country has moved beyond color, but come on, the presidency is not a platform for making history. He is in, fine, but now let’s stop giving him a pass on everything. For example, he tried to include contraception into the stimulus, or “stick it to you” plan. How does that stimulate the economy?? Well, I guess the condom and birth control folks can keep their jobs…Come on People!!
this is too funny ! You Libs trying to reach out to intelligent Americans with technology of the internet is backfiring isnt it ? Most of the replied here totally disagree with Hussein Obama and support Rush ! Truly you guys are not very good at this. The mass population of mindless, emotional, non-thinking morons who elected Hussein Obama are not even likely to be able to figure out how to power-up the laptop they just stole, much less be able to read, comprehend & reply ! 4 years and DONE. Stupidity and Ignorance has limited staying power.
You guys are failures & so is Hussein Obama…..just watch and see…...Palin will win in a landslide in 2012
This bill is nothing more than a huge expansion of government!! Most of the spending in this bill has no business being in this bill!! Have you people no shame??? Your leaders are suppose to be public servants, not public “Nuisances”!! Below is a list of questionable spending. I want to know “Exactly” how “EACH ONE” will stimulate the economy or how many jobs each creates. You guys are bankrupting our country, it’s criminal!! $44 million for construction, repair and improvements at US Department of Agriculture facilties $209 million for work on deferred maintenance at Agricultural Research Service facilities $245 million for maintaining and modernizing the IT system of the Farm Service Agency $175 million to buy and restore floodplain easements for flood prevention $50 million for “Watershed Rehabilitation” $1.1 billion for rural community facilities direct loans $2 billion for rural business and industry guaranteed loans $2.7 billion for rural water and waste dispoal direct loans $22.1 billion for rural housing insurance fund loans $2.8 billion for loans to spur rural broadband $150 million for emergency food assistance $50 million for regional economic development commissions $1 billion for “Periodic Censuses and Programs” $350 million for State Broadband Data and Development Grants $1.8 billion for Rural Broadband Deployment Grants $1 billion for Rural Wireless Deployment Grants $650 million for Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Program $100 million for “Scientific and Technical Research and Services” at the National Institute of Standards And Technology $30 million for necessary expenses of the “Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership” $300 million for a competitive construction grant program for research science buildings $400 million for “habitat restoration and mitigation activities” at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration $600 million for “accelerating satellite development and acquisition” $140 million for “climate data modeling” $3 billion for state and local law enforcement grants $1 billion for “Community Oriented Policing Services” $250 million for “accelerating the development of the tier 1 set of Earth science climate research missions recommended by the National Academies Decadal Survey.” $50 million for repairs to NASA facilities from storm damage $300 million for “Major Research Insrumentation program” (science) $200 million for “academic research facilities modernization” $100 million for “Education and Human Resources” $400 million for “Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction” $4.5 billion to make military facilities more energy efficient $1.5 billion for Army Operation and Maintenance fund $624 million for Navy Operation and Maintenance $128 million for Marine Corps Operation and Maintenance $1.23 billion for Air Force Operation and Maintenance $454 million to “Defense Health Program” $110 million for Army Reserve Operation and Maintenance $62 million for Navy Reserve Operation and Maintenance $45 million for Marine Corps Reserve Operation and Maintenance $14 million for Air Force Reserve Operation and Maintenance $302 million for National Guard Operation and Maintenance $29 million for Air National Guard Operation and Maintenance $350 million for military energy research and development programs $2 billion for Army Corps of Engineers “Construction” $250 million for “Mississippi River and Tributaries” $2.2 billion for Army Corps “Operation and Maintenance” $25 million for an Army Corps “Regulatory Program” $126 million for Interior Department “water reclamation and reuse projects” $80 million for “rural water projects” $18.5 billion for “Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy” research in the Department of Energy. That money includes: $2 billion for development of advanced batteries $800 million of that is for biomass research and $400 million for geothermal technologies $1 billion in grants to “institutional entities for energy sustainability and efficiency” $6.2 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program $3.5 billion for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants $3.4 billion for state energy programs $200 million for expenses to implement energy independence programs $300 million for expenses to implement Energy efficient appliance rebate programs including the Energy Star program $400 million for expenses to implement Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Infrastructure Grants to States and Local Governments $1 billion for expenses necessary for advanced battery manufacturing $4.5 billion to modernize the nation’s electricity grid $1 billion for the Advanced Battery Loan Guarantee Program $2.4 billion to demonstrate “carbon capture and sequestration technologies” $400 million for the Advanced Research Projects Agency (Science) $500 million for “Defense Environmental Cleanup” $1 billion for construction and repair of border facilities and land ports of entry $6 billion for energy efficiency projects on government buildings $600 million to buy and lease government plug-in and alternative fuel vehicles $426 million in small business loans $100 million for “non-intrusive detection technology to be deployed at sea ports of entry $150 million for repair and construction at land border ports of entry $500 million for explosive detection systems for aviation security $150 million for alteration or removal of obstructive bridges $200 million for FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter program $325 million for Interior Department road, bridge and trail repair projects $300 million for road and bridge work in Wildlife Refuges and Fish Hatcheries $1.7 billion for “critical deferred maintenance” in the National Park System $200 million to revitalize the National Mall in Washington, D.C. $100 million for National Park Service Centennial Challenge programs $200 million for repair of U.S. Geological Survey facilities $500 million for repair and replacement of schools, jails, roads, bridges, housing and more for Bureau of Indian Affairs $800 million for Superfund programs $200 million for leaking underground storage tank cleanup $8.4 billion in “State and Tribal Assistance Grants” $650 million in “Capital Improvement and Maintenance” at the Agriculture Dept. $850 million for “Wildland Fire Management” $550 million for Indian Health facilties $150 million for deferred maintenance at the Smithsonian museums $50 million in grants to fund “arts projects and activities which preserve jobs in the non-profit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn” through the National Endowment for the Arts $1.2 billion in grants to states for youth summer jobs programs and other activities $1 billion for states in dislocated worker employment and training activities $500 million for the dislocated workers assistance national reserve $80 million for the enforcement of worker protection laws and regulations related to infrastructure and unemployment insurance investments $300 million for “construction, rehabilitation and acquisition of Job Corps Centers” $250 million for public health centers $1 billion for renovation and repair of health centers $600 million for nurse, physician and dentist training $462 million for renovation work at the Centers for Disease Control $1.5 billion for “National Center for Research Resources” $500 million for “Buildlings and Facilties” at the National Institutes of Health in suburban Washington, D.C. $700 million for “comparative effectiveness research” on prescription drugs $1 billion for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance $2 billion in Child Care and Development Block Grants for states $1 billion for Head Start programs $1.1 billion for Early Head Start programs $100 million for Social Security research programs $200 million for “Aging Services Programs” $2 billion for “Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology” $430 million for public health/social services emergency funds $2.3 billion for the Centers for Disease Control for a variety of programs $5.5 billion in targeted education grants $5.5 billion in “education finance incentive grants” $2 billion in “school improvement grants” $13.6 billion for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act $250 million for statewide education data systems $14 billion for school modernization, renovation and repair $160 million for AmeriCorps grants $400 million for the construction and costs to establish a new “National Computer Center” for the Social Security Administration $500 million to improve processing of disability and retirement claims $920 million for Army housing and child development centers $350 million for Navy and Marine Corps housing and child development centers $280 million in Air Force housing and child development centers $3.75 billion in military hospital and surgery center construction $140 million in Army National Guard construction projects $70 million in Air National Guard construction projects $100 million in Army Reserve construction projects $30 million in Navy Reserve construction projects $60 million in Air Force Reserve construction projects $950 million for VA Medical Facilities $50 million for repairs for military cemeteries $120 million for a backup information management facility for the State Department $98 million for National Cybersecurity Initiative $3 billion for “Grants-in-Aid for Airports” $300 million for Indian Reservation roads $300 million for Amtrak capital needs $800 million for national railroad assets or infrastructure repairs, upgrades $5.4 billion in federal transit grants $2 billion in infrastructure development for subways and commuter railways $5 billion for public housing capital $1 billion in competitive housing grants $2.5 billion for energy efficiency upgrades in public housing $4.1 billion to help communities deal with foreclosed homes. David Bartholomew
Updated with Part 2 Transcript: Rush on Fox News Channel w/ Sean Hannity
Interview on Jan. 19, 2009
HANNITY: I spoke exclusively with the one and only Rush Limbaugh.
HANNITY: All right, let me… So then this raises this question. You’re the leading voice of opposition, conservative, and have defined conservatives for over two decades. You celebrated your 20 years on the air, by the way, nationally syndicated, congratulations.
RUSH: Thank you.
HANNITY: Coming off record-ratings year for you, but you are a passionate conservative. You’ve defined conservatives for many people in this country for years. He represents the antithesis in terms of his worldview. So then the question becomes: Do you want him to succeed?
RUSH: Now, this… (turns to camera) I am so glad that he asked me that question. (turns back to Hannity) I am so glad that you asked me this question.
HANNITY: I’m glad to. (chuckles)
RUSH: I’ll tell you why. I am hearing many Republicans say that very thing. “Well, we want him to succeed,” and prominent Republicans! “Yes, we want him to succeed.” They have laid down. They have totally. They’re drinking the Kool-Aid, too. They have no guts to stand up for what their beliefs are because they’re afraid of criticism. They’re afraid of being called racists. They’re afraid of not having gotten with the program. Now success can be defined two ways. I said earlier, “I don’t know about this guy.” I really don’t. I’ve got my suspicions and they’re pretty close to convictions, but we’re going to have to wait to see what he does. Now if he turns out to be a Reagan, if he adds Reagan to his recipe of FDR and Lincoln—
HANNITY: (laughs)
RUSH:—and if he does cut some taxes—
HANNITY: Yeah.
RUSH:—if he does not eliminate the Bush tax cuts, I would call that success. So yes, I would hope he would succeed if he acts like Reagan. But if he’s going to do FDR—if he’s going to do The New New Deal all over, which we will call here The Raw Deal—why would I want him to succeed? Look, he’s my president. The fact that he is historic is irrelevant to me now. It matters not at all. If he is going to implement a far-left agenda… Look, I think it’s already decided: a $2 trillion in stimulus? The growth of government? I think the intent here is to create as many dependant Americans as possible looking to government for their hope and salvation. If he gets nationalized health care, I mean, it’s over, Sean. We’re never going to roll that back. That’s the end of America as we have known it, because that’s then going to set the stage for everything being government owned, operated, or provided. Why would I want that to succeed? I don’t believe in that. I know that’s not how this country is going to be great in the future; it’s not what made this country great. So I shamelessly say, “No! I want him to fail.” If his agenda is a far-left collectivism—some people say socialism—as a conservative heartfelt, deeply, why would I want socialism to succeed?
HANNITY: You want your country to succeed, and you believe that his views implemented represent failure, predictable failure, and conservatism would represent predictable success.
RUSH: Well, I don’t know where what he wants to try has worked. It didn’t work in the Soviet Union. It doesn’t work in China. They’re having to become like us in China in order to survive. It hasn’t worked in Cuba. It hasn’t worked! It didn’t work when the Pilgrims arrived. They tried socialism. Remember, they had a plot of ground, they shared what they produced, and the slackers figured out they didn’t have to produce anything to get goodies. So William Bradford said, “The heck with this,” and he said, “Okay, you get to keep everything you produce, and you’re not sharing it.” So everybody had to work. They were really giving thanks to God for the lesson that socialism failed. It has never worked. The New Deal didn’t work. You know, Hoover was president through the Depression for one year. FDR prolonged the depression for seven or eight years, and yet he’s given credit for ending the Depression. It didn’t happen! World War II ended the Depression. The New Deal didn’t work. This is New New Deal. It doesn’t work. If it works, it will be the first time that it works, but it never has, and I don’t think this is going to be the record breaker.
King LRushbo ..... THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR VOICES TO BE HEARD of TRUE CONSERVATISM !!
Since the LuLu Libs are TRYING TO SILENCE US BY THE “NOT-SO” FAIRNESS DOCTRINE!”!
Did you Mr. Congressman say these words: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States.”? Have you ever heard of FREEDOM OF SPEECH - even that speech which you take out of context!
Stop trying to suppress the free speech of a private citizen (Rush Limbaugh) so you can pass your pork package disguised as “stimulus”. Only in Tyrannies are the voices of opposition silenced.(fairness doctrine) I can wish Pres Obama well and still disagree with his policies and “solutions” if I think they are bad for the country, or does the DNC plan to outlaw disagreement as well. Funny how the Ds attacked GWB as a Nazi and tyrant and fascist from day one, (which if it were true, they would not be allowed to say it because fascists get ride of dissenters) now those same people think any dissent is disloyalty….hypocrites!
For a Democratic site, the cowards don’t have much to say do they!!
All you right wing extremist have sour grapes! don’t you have jobs or something you have to go to? or did Bush do you in? I don’t think investing in America is a bad thing, after all when you own a business you have to invest in it to keep it competitive. That being infrastructure of all kinds, roads, bridges, and the greatest infrastructure of all…the People of the United States. Whatever is invested will come back to us economically ten-fold.
I guess we’re extremist because we believe in our constitution which you “Socialist” tend to disregard. Winston Churchill once said “Trying to create prosperity
through taxation (or borrowing) is like standing in a bucket and trying to lift yourself up”. You left wingers are a bunch of sheep following a false messiah that has never ran a business let alone a country. The only things that’s going to be “Ten Fold”, the debt being passed on to our children for this foolish spending!!
Excerpts of his comments? Are you focking kidding????
I heard the real deal and you maggot infested scum buckets think you can get away with this sham? This just proves my theory: Democrats are retarded. I used to wonder if it was just evil, that deceit is your real game. I really have a hard time dealing with the idea that so many people could be both devious and amazingly stupid at the same time.
ATLEAST THERE IS A SILVER LINING… SEEMS THE REPUBLICANS HAVE FINALLY GOTTEN IT, FOR NOT ONE REPUBLICAN VOTED FOR THIS SPENDING OUT OF CONTROL SPREE… WHO WILL THE DEMS. BLAME NOW???? SHOULD BE INTERESTING…..
Dana ... the Dumbocraps will STILL blame King LRushbo for steering the Republicans from voting, like a puppet on his string !
You see The “BIG BRO” Prez. Obama Hussein have their PUPPETS on a string, so why shouldn’t the Repubs?
The only “Silver” Lining STRING they (DumboCraps) see, is the thread attached to the Messiah’s Puppets !!
http://restoretherepublic.net/event.php?event_id=389
all the Democrats and Obama need to attend this.
they are sadly in error if they think they are part of a true ‘Republic’. No, they are all traitors to the American people.
Rush is my hero!!
May every evidence of socialism in America fail.
Including the supreme comrade, Obama.
I hope Rush Limbaugh succeeds! You are totally distorting what he said, and you know it. I heard it straight from his mouth. He wants Obama’s liberal, leftist, socialist policies to fail, and so do I. If Obama does things I can support, then I will support him. But so far, he is opposed to everything I hold dear, and therefore I have to oppose him. Long live Rush Limbaugh and others like him! He doesn’t tell us what to think, and we wouldn’t let him if he wanted to. He merely gives us a voice. Do we not still have freedom of speech, or do you intend to do away with that, along with many of our other freedoms and Constitutional rights?
Excuse me! I thought we had freedom of speech. Apparantly we do if it agrees with the President’s agenda.
What is this end of the world over the climate? Scientist totally call this a hoax to push the agenda of Al Gore.
Fact, Al Gore is nothing more than a lobbyist!! He and Henry Paulson are in business together selling and or trading carbon credits. They stand to make billions once Cap & Trade laws are in place. Al & Henry are sleazy frauds set on fleecing the American people!!
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen: You and Stalin got something going?
“Rush Limbaugh’s reprehensible remark that he ‘hopes’ President Obama fails to meet the extraordinary economic challenges Americas face has no place in the public discourse.
Keep talking about reprehensible remarks…Good way to alienate your Base! There are alot of Democrats that still believe in Our Fore Father’s version of America.
Hahahaha, oh my gosh, this is hilarious. What an absolute FAILURE of an attempt by the DCCC to stifle the free speech of a private citizen!
It is so glaringly obvious that the DCCC is on the side of socialism and commie-esque regulation of free speech, it’s a wonder that they don’t just come out and say it!
I am disgusted that you democrats criticize Rush for what he said. You took out of context what you wanted just to attack him because he speaks the truth and you hate that cause you want the Americans to be asleep in hypnosis while you keep feeding them lies you the Media to broadcast it in a way that sways people to believe.
I am sorry but I am not plugged into the Matrix. I am out and I see that nothing is real. But Rush Limbaugh IS real. He has no political motivation. He has no reason to tell us one way or another because he is 58 and has already made success for himself. He IS a entertainer but at the same time he really does believe strongly in his values and all he does is use his great speaking and communication skills to spread the words of the political truth to those of us who are willing to hear it. The Democrats want to silence the truth. That is not working together. He has a lot of good ideas.. maybe if you frickin Democrats would actually listen to the program and take out the good advice that Rush talks of, maybe our Country would be better. Bush didn’t listen either.. he spent like a Democrat. He did a lot of things right, but many things wrong too.
Hail to Rush the Patriot for speaking out and enjoying his Freedom of Speech.
Damn to hell any Democrats who criticize our great Communicator Rush Limbaugh! you are a great American RUSH!
Ladies & Gentlemen, My comment was #2 and after seeing a whole list of comments go by, I have to make a couple of comments.
First: I think we need to keep this thing on a more intellectual and civil level. The anger and name calling doesn’t accomplish much more than to create more anger and name calling on both sides. The focus needs to be, rather, on viable alternative solutions. It’s easy to stand back and criticize a plan that perhaps is truly flawed, but it is also non-productive if you can’t offer an alternative.
Second: I am seeing that a number of US are guilty of the same wish to silence criticism that we are complaining about. One paramount issue here is that we must promote disagreement to the point of considering all the options, then as a body we must somehow come to an agreement which options are the best overall. One thing that I feel we must stand steadfastly against is the kind of partisan manipulation of the information that took place here. The motive behind what we saw presented as truth was clearly to discredit a man by using his own words in a most dishonest fashion. This kind of behavior will only serve to make others afraid that the same will be done to them. This is a MAJOR threat to our freedom of speech! Even when you disagree you need to have the strength of character and the courage to represent the argument accurately. This is basic honesty and those who will do what was done here deserve our strongest distrust and fear for in governing positions, they are TRUELY DANGEROUS. What else might they do to eliminate the opposition?