Petition Against Rush Limbaugh

Democrats Launch
Petition Against Rush Limbaugh

Tuesday, January 27, 2009
By Melanie Hunter-Omar


(Updates with Limbaugh's response; more from DCCC.)

(CNSNews.com) – The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched an online petition for readers to express their outrage at conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh for saying last week that he wanted President Barack Obama to fail.

The petition includes a 19-second sound byte of Limbaugh, saying, “If I wanted Obama to succeed, I’d be happy the Republicans have laid down. I don’t want this to work. So I’m thinking of replying to this guy, say ‘okay, I’ll send you a response, but I don’t need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails.’”

On Tuesday, in a note at the top of his Web site , Limbaugh responded to the Democrats' petition: "I am greatly puzzled. Why would the Democrats petition against me if I am doing such terrible damage to the GOP? "

Last Friday, Obama advised Republicans to stop listening to Limbaugh if they wanted to get along with Democrats and the administration.

“You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done,” Obama said to Republican leaders who met with the president to talk about the stimulus package. On his radio program, Limbaugh noted that just as he wants Obama to fail, Obama wants Limbaugh to fail.

DCCC Executive Director Brian Wolff, blogging on the DCCC Web site, said Limbaugh has given Democrats "a preview of the outrageous Republican attacks that are on the way against President Obama and every Democrat working for change."

According to Wolff, "Limbaugh's cheap shot at President Obama might be the first by the Republican attack machine this year but we know that it won't be the last. We need every grassroots Democrat to show Rush Limbaugh and all of the Republicans what they're up against if they start attacking President Obama and Democrats who are working to end the failed GOP policies of the last eight years.

"Tell Rush what you think of his attacks on President Obama. We'll send him your comments," Wolff wrote. “Creating real change requires every American stand strong against Rush Limbaugh's attacks -- and all of the other partisan attacks from desperate Republicans that are on the way. Let's start right here and now.”

As CNSNews.com has reported, some Democrats are talking about reinstating the Fairness Doctrine, a federal regulation that required equal time for the expression of different political views on the public airwaves.

Critics of the move, including many Republicans, say Democrats want to re-impose the Fairness Doctrine to force an end to conservative talk radio.


See earlier stories:
Vote to End Fairness Doctrine Not in Works, Hoyer Says
Democrat Says Fairness Doctrine Should Extend to Cable, Satellite TV
Fairness Doctrine Vote Not Happening, House Majority Leader Says
Democratic Senator Schumer Defends Fairness Doctrine to Regulate Talk-Radio Speech
Bill Would Undercut Democrats' Push to Regulate Talk Radio






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DancerGirl97006 at 02:04 PM - January 28, 2009
Isn't it cute how every liberal fascist like Sean Penn, Danny Glover, Madonna, Richard Dreyfuss and Matt Damon say whatever they want, whenever they want without any dissent? God (NOBODY for you liberals) forbid, ANY dissent come from an opposing viewpoint. Go ahead reinstate your little censorship doctrine, we will hold meetings instead and we will only become stronger. The Nazis used these same tactics, look where it got them. Liberalism IS is socialist fascism just the same as Hitler's Germany. Teacher's unions distort history and tell our children lies, the media is part and parcel to the little "d" party and every newspaper save a few is getting paid off to silence dissent on their pages. Hitler would be so very proud...

enigmaforever at 02:00 PM - January 28, 2009
The Nazi's The Kkk, porn dealers, and any other group or person has freedom of speech in this country. Why are the democrats so afraid of Rush? Freedom of speech is one of the fundamental rights that made our country great, and set us apart through history from all others. I don't care what the man has to say, whether I agree or disagree, he has a right to say it,and without the massive effort of government to suppress him. The very reason this right was put in place was so people could disagree with government. I think the the democrats need to study their history.

sickntiredofpoliticsasusual at 01:35 PM - January 28, 2009
I heard the show when Rush said he wanted Obama to fail. Dems are out of control…. The Dems have left out the part where Rush said he does not want America to become socialist because those are the policies the Dem leaders are implementing. He basically said if Obama continues to implement a marxist agenda, he wants it to fail. I AGREE. American CITIZENS regardless of party need to let their elected leaders know that it is time to be TRUTHFUL and stop trying to MISLEAD the American people. WAKE UP people. Socialism is coming if you do not stand up and make your voice heard.

trelaina at 01:32 PM - January 28, 2009
Hmmm...ok. So there is no such thing as freedom of speech anymore? You've got to be kidding me with this "Fairness Doctrine" crap. There's a reason why conservative radio programs are dominant.

cdelahou at 01:29 PM - January 28, 2009
We will listen to Rush no matter how anyone tries to silence him. We heard the liberal press gush over Democrats far too long. "with liberty and justice for all........" even Rush Limbaugh.