Fri, Jul 2, 2004 5:05pm ET

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Limbaugh: "Democrats have found their keynote [convention] speaker ... Saddam Hussein"

While numerous right-wing pundits have attacked and smeared Democratic leaders in recent months, including former Vice President Al Gore and financier, philanthropist, and political activist George Soros, radio host Rush Limbaugh took the attacks to a new level on the July 1 broadcast of The Rush Limbaugh Show, saying, "[T]he Democrats have found their keynote speaker for their convention: Saddam Hussein."

In blasting Soros, Gore, and former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean, Limbaugh said of Hussein: "We killed his sons. We took his country. We put him in jail. He is still calmer and more rational than Howard Dean after he lost Iowa [in the Democratic primaries]. He's calmer and more rational than Gore after he lost his mind. He's calmer and more rational than George Soros is." In the same broadcast, Limbaugh also mocked the Air America Radio Network.

Limbaugh cited Hussein's court hearing to argue that the deposed Iraqi dictator should be the keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Boston: "[A]ll he's doing is reading Democrat talking points. ... What's the difference in what Saddam says and what you hear coming out of MoveOn.org every day, or George Soros, or any of these other people that are out there speaking against George W. Bush?" Limbaugh's statement regarding "Democrat talking points" apparently referred to Hussein's reportedly calling Bush a "criminal" at the hearing. In reaction to the images of Hussein at the hearing, Limbaugh said, "[L]et me ask you liberals out there: Did that image of Saddam in a sport coat and an open collar just melt your heart?"

From the July 1 broadcast of the nationally syndicated Rush Limbaugh Show:

LIMBAUGH: [laughter] Folks, it doesn't get any better than this. [laughter] Do you know something that's -- I'm sorry. [laughter] Oh, I'm trying to maintain my composure. The Democrats have found their keynote speaker for their convention: Saddam Hussein. [laughter] "The real criminal is [President George W.] Bush." Give him a talk show. Put him on "Dead Air America". [laughter]

[...]

LIMBAUGH: It makes you wonder who hates Bush more, Saddam or the Democrats.

[...]

LIMBAUGH: Let me -- let me ask you liberals out there: Did that image of Saddam in a sport coat and an open collar just melt your heart?

[...]

LIMBAUGH: All he's doing is reading Democrat talking points. Come on. Bush is a criminal? What's the difference in what Saddam says and what you hear coming out of MoveOn.org every day, or George Soros, or any of these other people that are out there speaking against George W. Bush?

[...]

LIMBAUGH: We killed his sons. We took his country. We put him in jail. He is still calmer and more rational than Howard Dean after he lost Iowa. He's calmer and more rational than Gore after he lost his mind. He's calmer and more rational than George Soros is.

—A.S.

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