Rush Limbaugh Attacks Dan Abrams and Me

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:07:32 PM EST
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Rush Limbaugh got a little worked up today about Dan Abrams and my criticism of his "Operation Chaos" plot in Ohio to get Republicans to register as Dems to sway the Ohio vote.

As I listened to Dan Abrams and Jeralyn Merritt, don't you know that Josef Stalin would be so proud? Stalin would be trying to get out of that grave of his, and join the fray. This is exactly the kind of stuff that Stalin had in mind.

He says he thinks I should be defending him instead of calling his plan despicable.

Well, Rush, I did defend you here on TalkLeft more than once when you had your past legal troubles. Drug addiction is a disease and no one, not even you, should go to jail for it. Sorry I can't say the same about possible election fraud.

Even so, to set the record straight, while I explained what it would take to charge a voter or Rush and opined that if prosecutors could make the case they should prosecute to deter others from engaging in the same conduct, I didn't say I thought they had a case or that Rush should be convicted and jailed. Or that the government should spy on people's private internet communications. [More...]

MSNBC has the full video here, the 40 second clip on Rush is here.

Here's Dan's very lively response to Rush from his show tonight

Dan says he's going to continue to follow the Ohio voting story. Good for him.

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Rush Limbaugh Attacks Dan Abrams and Me | 24 comments (24 topical)

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Did the subject of Kos urging DKers (5.00 / 2) (#3)
by oculus on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:24:59 PM EST

to vote for Romney in the MI primary come up?

: Selective beating (none / 0) (#22)
by TalkRight on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 09:12:58 AM EST

selective beating is one that I resent.. there are few bad apples on everyside.. beating Rush and giving pass to Obama suporters is as misleading and as the fox on the foxnews!

: It does not sound like that was illegal (none / 0) (#26)
by fuzzyone on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:02:22 AM EST

if you watch the clip its all about how Ohio has a unique requirement that voters sign a party loyalty/sincerity affidavit.

I don't know if I agree with you (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by andgarden on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:25:44 PM EST

as I haven't a clue what an objective standard for being loyal to the Democratic party could be. I am for closed primaries so that this problem wouldn't arise in the first place.

Still, that was a fun segment, and Rush makes a complete you know what of himself when he suggests hiring illegal aliens to vote in your place. As far as the TV audience is concerned, Dan puts Rush in his place.

I've been listening to talk radio on am (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by oculus on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:27:53 PM EST

when I drive a long distance for work. There are a lot more like Rush Limbaugh on the airways and the callers are extremely and unquestioningly loyal.


Aye, aye, aye, on closed primaries ... (5.00 / 1) (#8)
by Meteor Blades on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:39:01 PM EST

...and, if I had my way, I'd ask everybody who wants to join the Democratic Party to pay $1 a year. We've gotten so far from being members of parties here - unlike, say, Europe, that having to pay even a symbolic amount might be a good start on creating, if not loyalty, some real ownership. "Goddammit, I am a paying member of the Democrats!"


Agreed (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by Jeralyn on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:42:29 PM EST

on closed primaries and I've said so many times. Independents can vote in the general election, the Democratic nominee should be decided by Democrats.


Well, whenever my ballot arrives (none / 0) (#11)
by andgarden on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:53:42 PM EST

I will be voting in the (very) closed PA Democratic primary.

My Philly committeeman once told me that years ago people could vote in both primaries in the same election. PA obviously reformed well.


That was the Obama plan for re-vote (none / 0) (#12)
by oculus on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:56:14 PM EST

MI, no?


: More like (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by andgarden on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:57:23 PM EST

"unreasonable offer designed to shut down the discussion."

Well (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by nell on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:26:14 PM EST

I do not approve of Rush getting involved in the Democratic primary. I think the nominee should be chosen by Democrats. But if Rush gets in trouble, why shouldn't Obama get in trouble for his very active Dem for a Day campaign...obviously he recruited many new people who are here to stay for the party, but I think it is very clear to those of us who have been following his Dem for a Day antics that he is inviting Republicans to basically vote against Hillary...why is that any less wrong?

: has the media or pundits ever mentioned (none / 0) (#20)
by Josey on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 07:46:55 AM EST

Obama's "Dems for a day" and how it's similar to Limbaugh?

: Did any listen to the clip (none / 0) (#27)
by fuzzyone on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 11:05:09 AM EST

Its about the fact that Ohio requires an affidavit to switch parties saying you really want to join the party you are switching too. Rush encouraged people to lie on that affidavit. Obama is actively trying to expand the party. You can call it "Dem for a Day" but he is not suggesting that people be dishonest. There is simply no parallel.

Quite an honor for you, IMO (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by badger on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:41:10 PM EST

Anyone who can upset Rush in under 40 seconds has my admiration.

Speaking of Ohio, election fraud, and Stalin... (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by Lora on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:01:57 PM EST

Perhaps this is as good a thread as any to remind folks of words attributed to Stalin:

Those who cast the votes decide nothing.
Those who count the votes decide everything.

Rush, that's what Stalin had in mind. And Ohio has been a notorious example in the recent past.

Yes, but Ken Blackwell (none / 0) (#18)
by Fabian on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 12:39:50 AM EST

is no longer with us. And Tom Noe is serving time. (Google "Tom Noe" & "Toledo Blade for the gory details.)


: All good, but... (none / 0) (#23)
by Lora on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 09:31:35 AM EST

We're not out of the woods yet. Here's a post from yesterday on the Brad Blog about some of the potential ways our vote count could be derailed in Ohio (note: the web site is currently down for some reason - try later).

for a guy who is seemingly clueless (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by cpinva on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:19:21 PM EST

regarding the difference between fascism and socialism, he sure does like to throw around the names of the only two dictators he knows.

i used to find mr. limbaugh mildly amusing, i just find him tedious now, kind of a "one-note johnny" as it were.

congratulations... (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by pluege on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 12:31:09 AM EST

on the limbaugh attack - you must be going something right.

Evidently Rush is unaware of Godwin's Law (none / 0) (#7)
by white n az on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 10:30:11 PM EST

Godwin's Law (Wikipedia) - the basic premise is the moment you invoke Hitler or Nazi's in an argument, is the moment you lose the argument (Stalin by corollary is surely relevant).

I can appreciate that Rush is not up on Usenet Rules or customs but the principle is guiding nonetheless...he had to stoop to pathetic hyperbole because he is incapable of articulating his point.

Personally, I would consider it a badge of honor.

We should vote for our party and maybe now (none / 0) (#15)
by Dancing Bear on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 11:18:40 PM EST

our leadership. If they don't attempt to represent us fairly we don't stand a chance as a party.

Rush can still push my buttons for some reason. I can laugh others off generally or make an "ewe" noise but I know who he is getting to. I've heard him on in people's cars or homes.

They totally buy all of it.

Keep his feet to the flame.

I am still wondering why getting a court order to keep the polling places open wasn't given very much time. That was when I started smelling things I didn't like. It has to be an honest process for anyone to gain from an election.

Jeralyn has been (none / 0) (#19)
by Jgarza on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 04:35:21 AM EST

consistent on this issue no matter who benefits. Do they make plaques to commemorate getting attacked by Rush? I'd be proud.

Does he know people like you defend people like him from getting ridiculous drug sentences? He owes your advocacy more than he knows.

Question (none / 0) (#24)
by Steve M on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 09:47:51 AM EST

Is there a non-trivial First Amendment issue raised by a pledge like Ohio's? Has it been litigated?

Stalin (none / 0) (#25)
by jondee on Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 10:34:25 AM EST

would be "proud" (more like cynically amused) of the way certain self designated champions of "freedom", like this bag of flatulence, so cavaliarly discuss the sowing of death and chaos in the service of bringing other sovereign nationsa to heel.