In column, DeLay claimed Limbaugh was discussing "Global War on Terror critics" who faked military credentials

Summary: Tom DeLay claimed that "[a] few days back," Rush Limbaugh "and a caller were discussing Global War on Terror critics who have either exaggerated or entirely invented their military and combat service in order to bolster their credibility" when Limbaugh referred to "phony soldiers." In fact, during his September 26 broadcast, Limbaugh did not restrict his comments. DeLay also falsely claimed that Media Matters was "George Soros-funded."

In his October 3 Townhall.com column, former House Majority leader Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) claimed that "[a] few days back," conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh "and a caller were discussing Global War on Terror critics who have either exaggerated or entirely invented their military and combat service in order to bolster their credibility." In fact, as Media Matters for America has noted, during his September 26 broadcast, Limbaugh did not restrict his comments to "Global War on Terror critics who have either exaggerated or entirely invented their military and combat service in order to bolster their credibility," as DeLay claimed.

As Media Matters noted, Limbaugh and his caller were expressing disagreement with the assertion of a previous caller that the U.S. "should pull out of Iraq" when Limbaugh referred to "phony soldiers." During the conversation, the caller asserted: "[W]hat's really funny is, they never talk to real soldiers. They like to pull these soldiers that come up out of the blue and talk to the media." Limbaugh interjected: "The phony soldiers." The caller continued: "The phony soldiers. If you talk to a real soldier, they are proud to serve." As Media Matters for America has documented, during the September 26 broadcast, it was not until 1 minute and 50 seconds after making the "phony soldiers" remark that Limbaugh told listeners, "Here is a 'Morning Update' that we did recently talking about fake soldiers. This is a story of who the left props up as heroes. And they have their celebrities. One of them was Jesse MacBeth." Limbaugh then read from a September 25 "Morning Update" article (subscription required) posted on his website about Jesse MacBeth, an anti-war activist who pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for pretending to be an injured Iraq war veteran. Limbaugh's "Morning Updates" air on the radio separately from his nationally syndicated show. (Transcript is here.)

DeLay also falsely claimed that Media Matters was "George Soros-funded." In fact, as Media Matters has also documented, it has received no money from philanthropist George Soros -- either directly or indirectly.

From DeLay's October 3 Townhall.com column, titled "The Return of 'That'll Teach 'em' Hillary":

A few days back, Rush and a caller were discussing Global War on Terror critics who have either exaggerated or entirely invented their military and combat service in order to bolster their credibility. Major news outlets and even U.S. Attorneys have opened damning investigations of many of these people, who Limbaugh and a caller on his radio show rightfully described as "phony soldiers."

Well, as soon as the words were out of Limbaugh's mouth, Hillary sicked her network on Limbaugh. The George Soros-funded, Hillary-devoted group Media Matters has been the tip of the spear, charging Limbaugh with unpatriotic slander against the troops. Because, after all, accusing phony soldiers of being phony soldiers is the same as accusing our troops in the field in Iraq of being phony soldiers. The whole thing is trumped up nonsense, of course, which is why the spectacle of the Senate Majority Leader denouncing Limbaugh from the floor of the Senate went over so poorly with the few Americans who still actually pay attention to Congress.

But the far more important story than this little tempest that will go away in three days is, well, the vast left-wing conspiracy out to get anyone opposed to the Clinton Restoration. Media Matters claims it's a nonpartisan "research and information center." That's all well and good, except that Hillary Clinton herself took credit, while speaking at YearlyKos of all places, of starting Media Matters. In her August speech to the left wing fringe gathering, Senator Clinton bragged about "institutions that I helped to start and support like Media Matters and Center for American Progress" (CAP is a left-wing think tank effectively owned and operated by the Clinton campaign policy shop).

—J.M.