Community | March 02, 2009 | 39 comments

Steele to Rush: I'm sorry

source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19517.html

Image
gooma2
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele says he has reached out to Rush Limbaugh to tell him he meant no offense when he referred to the popular conservative radio host as an “entertainer” whose show can be “incendiary.”

“My intent was not to go after Rush – I have enormous respect for Rush Limbaugh,” Steele said in a telephone interview. “I was maybe a little bit inarticulate. … There was no attempt on my part to diminish his voice or his leadership.”

The dust-up comes at a time when top Democrats are trying to make Limbaugh the face of the Republican Party, in part by using ads funded by labor. Americans United for Change sent a fund-raising e-mail Monday that begins: “The Republican Party has turned into the Rush Limbaugh Party.”

Steele told CNN host D.L. Hughley in an interview aired Saturday night: “Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer. Rush Limbaugh — his whole thing is entertainment. He has this incendiary — yes, it's ugly.”
  1. groups:
    Community,   News and Politics,   Politics,   Culture,   1 more
  2. tags:
    News,  News and Politics,  Politics,  Culture,  9 more
  3.     
    |

39 comments // Steele to Rush: I'm sorry

  • bike10
  • Maeveeo
  • HatFella
    • 0
      HatFella  

    • He did not have anything to apologize for. This shows he is no more than a lapdog for the republican party. So this guy was their answer to Barack Obama? What a joke.

    • 2 years ago
  • ras_menelik
  • MCA
  • clayjj05
  • carmalite
    • 0
      carmalite  
    • clayjj05:

      Clayjjo5, Those terms should not be used.

      Most said that he simply should not lower himself to bow to a person like Rush. He is above Rush in his position, though Rush earns 20 million dollars a year and lives ALONE in a 18,000 sq foot mansion.

      Why should the appointed head of the RNC apologize to this maniac who is probably using drugs again. He is hyper, grandiose and I really think Rush is using somethinbg.

    • 2 years ago
  • MoonLoon
    • 0
      MoonLoon  

    • Rush is out to make money, first foremost and above all! Like most politicians, just more outspoken because he is not elected!

    • 2 years ago
  • Argon18
    • 0
      Argon18  
    • MoonLoon:

      Exactly which makes the power vaccuum great for Rush since it means more ratings and money for him, good for the Democrats because as long as attention is focused on Rush who is only concerned for himself then the GOP can't mount an effective opposition.

    • 2 years ago
  • carmalite
    • 0
      carmalite  
    • MoonLoon:

      Republicans need to grow spines and take their party away from this drug offender who really appears to be using again. Grandiose? Hyper? Look the dude is using something. I don't have a clue as to what, but he is on a high of some kind.

    • 2 years ago
  • cztheday
    • 0
      cztheday  

    • While I admit that I have little use for most of the Republicans currently in national office, that is mostly because the conservative and ultra-conservative wings of the party are controlling it and, with increasing speed, killing it. I can think of a half-dozen moderate Republicans off the top of my head from the late '70s and even into the early '80s who served the ENTIRE United States with distinction. I believe VERY strongly that this country needs at LEAST two major political parties, so while I have no use for the likes of Mr. Limbaugh or the "chickenhawks" that got us into the mess in Iraq, I am eager to see a more progressive movement in the Republican Party (and no, I don't mean warmed over Democrats or even Independents but a real, honest-to-goodness counterpoint to the other party) bring some degree of credibility back to the party of Lincoln. I will admit that I have not followed the story of Steele's rise very closely, but I was under the impression that he was representative of at least a more moderate tone and a more thoughtful style than his predecessor. This "knuckling under" to Mr. Limbaugh (what does he HAVE on these guys that makes them so desperate to kiss his ring? Does Limbaugh's "Good Housekeeping" stamp of approval REALLY turn that many votes? And how many times do we have to hear this ridiculous comment from the Wacko Conservative Underclass that expressing a negative opinion about something somebody said is somehow denying that person's Constitutional right to freedom of speech. The whole BEAUTY of freedom of speech is that I can go on the radio like Mr. Limbaugh and spew hatred and distort the truth all day long, every day (or at least until I cross the line into libel, slander or defamation of character under the law -- and even THEN I can STILL do it so long as I am willing to pay the fine and/or damages) BUT AT THE SAME TIME others are free to criticize my radio talks to whatever degree they like and for whatever reason flips their switch (again subject to the libel/slander/defamation thing). Criticism of free speech is just as free as the initial speech itself.

    • 2 years ago
  • carmalite
    • 0
      carmalite  
    • cztheday:

      In the 1990s an attempt upon the life of Tom Daschle was made after a hard mean rant about him by Rush Limbaugh!
      Yes it was a crazy who went to jail. But when you talk about harming public figures, the crazies can come out.
      Its Rush's mean hate that is a problem. At that time he was using drugs heavily, and that was most likely part of the insane ranting. But now?

    • 2 years ago
  • Argon18
    • 0
      Argon18  
    • Image

    • That's a good point that at least John McCain kept that part of his dignity by ignoring Rush, maybe the others in the GOP take that as a sign of one of the reasons why he lost? It would fit in with some of their other examples of their denial about the election.

      Even some of Steele's supporters were shaken by that apology since one of them writes: "But something that she and others could be proud of was the fact that he was his own man.

      At least that's what I thought until yesterday.

      I cheered Steele on when he forcefully reclaimed the reins of the party he was elected to lead by proclaiming that he -- not Limbaugh -- was the Republican Party's rightful leader.

      That's the only reason they are so desperate to command even more attention, and ultimately why they are overcompensating by being even louder, more outlandish and in Rush's case larger than life -- literally -- than ever before. So I was incredibly disappointed to read that Steele had called Limbaugh to apologize, for simply telling the truth.

      Speaking as an Independent, but more importantly as someone who truly believes that it is in the interests of all voters, of all ages and colors, to have viable political options from a diverse array of qualified candidates from different parties each election cycle, I was hopeful that in Steele we had found someone who could help advance this cause.

      Clearly I was wrong.

      What's particularly disturbing about this story is that just weeks after Steele spoke about his party's efforts to reach out to minority voters, he became an unfortunate symbol of one of the party's most troubling historic images; the idea of a strong, black man being forced to go hat in hand to a white man, for no other reason than to keep a job that is rightfully his."

    • 2 years ago
  • carmalite
    • 0
      carmalite  
    • Argon18:

      Argon18, you have said that very well. I think that John McCain lost the race, not because he did not dignify the nasty comments of Rush, but because the deteroriation in the economy was so bad that people connected it with Bush' lassiez-Faire or lack of concern attitude, and they wanted a change.
      I honestly believe that if John McCAin had not done a 180 degree but remained the man he was in 2000, it might have won. I am a registered independent but have moved violently left because of the last 8 years. I did support McCain in 2000 before Bush defeated him.
      But McCain changed.
      I feel sorry and embarassed for Mr. Steele and am angry that he stooped for Rush. While he veered hard right of his previous positions since he became the head of the RNC, he is an intelligent, well spoken and sophisticated man who makes a good impression.
      They need to do something about Rush. What? Someone strong needs to stand up.

    • 2 years ago
  • MoonLoon
  • Argon18
    • 0
      Argon18  
    • Argon18:

      Not as disturbing as the image in one of the comments "Michael Steele is suffering for Stockholm syndrome. He's like the old slave who's been freed but, still refuse to leave the master. I can only hope, he can find himself soon, he's getting to be embarrassment to himself. He's being used by the RNC to push back on the election of a black President. I can only say to Mr. Steele, you have a chance to make a difference in a party, who has longed used racial reteric to insite a populist divide."

      It certainly shows how desperate the GOP is that they would go to such tactics and how easy it is for Rush to swoop in and take advantage of it to further his career.

    • 2 years ago
  • cybexg
  • TheSoulcialCircle
    • 0
      TheSoulcialCircle  

    • It is sad that Steele would let the Republicans pressure him into apologizing for something that is true. I did research and I couldn't find where Rush was a senator, councilmen or even a lobbyist. All I found on Wiki was that he hosted a radio show...sounds like entertainment. Why would Republicans back Rush and not Steele? Crazy. I think that the Republicans are looking worse and worse as time goes on...

    • 2 years ago
  • carmalite
    • 0
      carmalite  

    • Steele made an error in apologizing to Rush. So did that Representative Gingery (sp?) from Georgia. Both of these men have just lowered their positions relative to a talk show host, one who laundered money to buy illegal drugs, and who represents the far right of the Republican party.
      Note: John McCain did not bow to Rush when Rush was trashing him.

    • 2 years ago
  • cybexg
  • carmalite
    • 0
      carmalite  
    • carmalite:

      Cyberg, I did not see that! Regardless of political slant, it is just disgusting to see someone who is a Senator or in an important appointed position like RNC leader, to grovel and bend over for a radio talk show host, who is a drug offender.

      Its just disgusting and it makes me afraid for the future of our country. How about a third party now?

    • 2 years ago
  • cybexg
  • Eleganza
    • 0
      Eleganza  

    • Courage we are not questioning his right to freedom of speech, I can't speak for others, but what I object to is the nature of his calls for the failure of policies that I agree with. It's become clear that if Obama is successful the republican party is out of power for a good long time, but rather than present well thought out blueprints to counter with, they instead call for an effort to burn down anything that the current administration is trying to build. I find that objectionable, and the persons advocating that approach... despicable.

    • 2 years ago
  • carmalite
    • 0
      carmalite  
    • Eleganza:

      While I did not care for Bush, I was hoping he would get out of Iraq quickly and fix the economic mess before he left office. I certainly did not want him to leave the USA as he did.
      I want any and all presidents to succeed. Our national security and economic welfare depends on it.
      Rush is so rich that he does not have the concerns that the majority of Americans have. He said he was taking his money and going to New Zealand. Well most of us will go down with the ship. What a F..........g coward is Rush. He leaves with his money and the rest of us stay and fight to save America.

    • 2 years ago
  • courage
    • 0
      courage  

    • i watched the speech not just the edits used to attack his freedom of speech Rush is right Obama wont let a crisis go to waste welcome comrads to the Socialist States of America

    • 2 years ago
  • macdontcare
  • unimatrix0
    • 0
      unimatrix0  

    • Why oh why would Steele humiliate himself in this way? The man must have no self respect. How pathetic. This mistake will haunt him the rest of his days.

    • 2 years ago
  • Eleganza
    • 0
      Eleganza  
    • unimatrix0:

      I'm no psychologist but I think it's a condition called self loathing, for whatever the reason hating ones color or ethnicity. I agree it is sad. To see him crumple after the verbal beatdown he took on the Limbaugh show actually made me feel ashamed.

    • 2 years ago
  • carmalite
  • Denica_Cassandra
  • cybexg
  • Argon18
  • carmalite
  • keithponder
  • Eleganza
  • carmalite
    • 0
      carmalite  
    • keithponder:

      I actually feel sorry for Steele. Its like the Republicans took his manhood away when they told him to apologize for saying what was honest and true.
      It was wrong for them to do that to him and wrong for him to cower and accept it. He should have stood his ground, because he would have been repsected by those who agree and disagree.

      Never bow to a bully. That is what is happening with Rush.

    • 2 years ago
  • Eleganza
    • 0
      Eleganza  

    • The "UncleTom" in Richard brought him back to his senses,..'cause good colored folks be knowin' wut gwine ta be happnin' to da boy if he keep runnin' his mouth 'bout the massah' they done let him into da house, but he be findin' his ragdy ass right back out in da fields iffn' he don't get right wif Massah. Yas suh!
      I just want to say one thing to Mr Steele,... Richard , there is nothing sorrier than a sorry man..my friend it's a new day, you don't need to laugh at things that aren't funny, step off the sidewalk, avert your eyes when a white woman comes into view, or apologize to some corpulent, white loudmouth...brotherman you got a backbone., use it!

    • 2 years ago
  • morirjedi
  • MoonLoon
more from Community:
from the community

top videos