Limbaugh: John and Elizabeth Edwards "turned to ... politics" instead of God after cancer news
On the March 23 edition of his nationally syndicated radio show, Rush Limbaugh told listeners that former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) and his wife Elizabeth are "political people [who] are different than you and I." Referring to the couple's March 22 announcement that Elizabeth Edwards has Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, Limbaugh said: "[M]ost people, when told a family member's been diagnosed with the kind of cancer Elizabeth Edwards has, they turn to God. The Edwards turned to the campaign. Their religion is politics and the quest for the White House." Limbaugh later asked: "If you're [Sen.] Barack Obama [D-IL] or [Sen.] Hillary Clinton [D-NY], how do you now attack John Edwards?" Limbaugh added: "Not a problem for Hillary, the Clinton [inaudible] will find a way. But Barack, it's going to be a challenge."
As Media Matters for America noted, on the March 22 broadcast of his show, Limbaugh suggested that the Edwards presidential campaign intentionally "leak[ed]" false information -- that Edwards would "suspend" his campaign because his wife's cancer had recurred -- to Politico reporter Ben Smith in order "to jump-start the campaign."
On the March 22 edition of MSNBC's Countdown, host Keith Olbermann designated Limbaugh, the "Worst Person in The World" for, according to Olbermann, "suggesting in the hours immediately following the announcement, that Elizabeth Edwards has again been diagnosed with cancer, that her husband's presidential campaign will continue or end based on whether or not he gets a, quote, 'bump [subscription required],' unquote, in the polls because of her illness." Olbermann added: "Do you suppose, sir, you could summon the decency to delay injecting your cynical venom into this woman's illness until just the day after? I mean, maybe that decency comes in pill form."
From the March 23 edition of Premiere Radio Networks' The Rush Limbaugh Show:
LIMBAUGH: Here now is Chris Matthews. And he's on Hardball last night talking to David Yepsen of the Des Moines Register. Matthews said, "Is this going to be one further bit of shielding for Edwards against attack by another candidate?
[begin audio clip]
YEPSEN: Yes, I think so. I think it really speaks to his biography and his character, and I think you're absolutely right. It adds a little armor-plating if somebody wants to go after him. I mean, he certainly has said something about his character here with this.
MATTHEWS: I said it was a shining moment. I thought -- I said God's in his heaven. All is right with the world today. I said, "Those people" -- who I think are religious but never mention it -- "today acted religious." I thought it was great today.
[end audio clip]
LIMBAUGH: Interesting point. Now, let me say something else that might be accused of cynicism: What is their religion? I don't doubt they're religious people, but, we talked about this. Political people are different than you and I. And, you know, most people when told a family member's been diagnosed with the kind of cancer Elizabeth Edwards has, they turn to God. The Edwards turned to the campaign.
Their religion is politics and the quest for the White House. And that's -- it's not just with them, I mean, it's part and parcel of political people -- undergo all this stuff, the media anal all over their private life being made public even by the candidates themselves -- it's all part of the drill.
But here, again, Matthews and David Yepsen making the point that I made yesterday. I said it yesterday, folks. If you're Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, how do you now attack John Edwards? Not a problem for Hillary, the Clinton [inaudible] will find a way. But Barack, it's going to be a challenge.
From the March 22 edition of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann:
OLBERMANN: But our gold medalist tonight, comedian Rush Limbaugh, suggesting in the hours immediately following the announcement, that Elizabeth Edwards has again been diagnosed with cancer, that her husband's presidential campaign will continue or end based on whether or not he gets a, quote, "bump," unquote, in the polls because of her illness.
Quoting him: "What the Edwards campaign is going to do here is see what the reaction is within the ranks of Democrat [sic] voters -- as far as this announcement is concerned -- and then go on from there. If there is not a big jump, if this doesn't cause a breakout, if this doesn't cause a big uptick, then, at some point, Senator Edwards will probably have to suspend the campaign."
Do you suppose, sir, you could summon the decency to delay injecting your cynical venom into this woman's illness until just the day after? I mean, maybe that decency comes in pill form. Rush Limbaugh, today's Worst Person in the World.
"[M]ost people, when told a family member's been diagnosed with the kind of cancer Elizabeth Edwards has, they turn to God."
What kind of ridiculous statement is that? And where does Limbaugh get of speaking for "most people"?
If I had cancer I'd want to accomplish, in whatever time I had left, every important thing I'd wanted to do. Perhaps Elizabeth Edwards is of a similar mindset.
Irony, I tend to agree with you on this--now that I've had time to think about it.
My first thought after Edwards announcement was, hey man get out of the race and go home. You probably don't have much of a chance of even winning the Democratic nomination anyway. You are financially secure, you've just built a beautiful new home, take Elizabeth there and let her enjoy you & the kids for what ever time she may have left.
But having had the time to really think about their decision as a couple, to continue on, I believe they are sincere in their reasons, and perhaps this will be more beneficial to Elizabeth in the long run. Give her a purpose, a goal to help her husband strive for. As you said, an accomplishment to work towards. And maybe an inner strength to fight this horrible disease.
As far as Rush goes [just to stay somewhat on topic here] the man is a cold blooded cynic. It's he who sees life in purely political terms.
"It's he who sees life in purely political terms."
How hard would it have been for Rush Limbaugh to simply say "our hearts and prayers go out to John and Elizabeth Edwards today," and leave it at that? No, that would have taken common decency. To me, Limbaugh symbolizes the tendency of the Republican Party to politicize everything they possibly can to score points. Winning is more important than decency. Surely there are Democrats who are on occasion guilty of crossing the line, but Rush Limbaugh and other right wingers cross the line on a regular, consistent and predictable basis. As long as Rush and his kind remain unofficial spokespersons for the Republican Party, without denouncement by their own party, I will never vote Republican.
And isn't turning to God just more of that "let Big Brother take care of the problem, no-personal-accountability, victim mentality/ entitlement" liberal weakness I've heard so much about?
I would think Rush would appreciate the Edwards striving for success in the face of adversity, not to mention the whole "bootstraps" thing.
Word. "Turning to God" - the wimp's way out. Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Real Men don't need theistic welfare.
Worst person in the world, how about "Scumbag of the Century".
What would this clown know about facing hardship?
What would he know about faith in God?
He is soulless.
Oh dear, Limpy's talking to God again...
A thought regarding John Edwards...
Perhaps there is something uniquely positive to be said about a Presidential candidate whose most important motivation in life is not his ambition to become President.
Ask Michael J Fox what he thinks about Limpballs...
Ask Michael J Fox what he thinks about spagetti....who cares what he thinks!! He's an actor
He's a Parkinson's patient too, genius, and it was pretty obvious Limbaugh cared what he thought.
The best revenge is an Edwards victory in 2008.
Political people are different than you and I.
You and I are different Rush. From one another. I'm not a mendacious weasel in fat human flesh. I can generally summon up at least a scrap of common human decency, which is clearly beyond you.
Don't say "you and I". It creeps me out.
Not to mention how ridiculous his "one of the folks" shtick is.
What did Rush turn to when something was wrong with him...BACK PAIN...he turned to drugs. That says something about his character as opposed to the Edwards' character.
What did Rush turn to when he was identified as a drug addict...REHAB...the Edwards' turned to God.....no need to further the comparison.
What the hell was he supposed to do? Keep his wife's cancer under cover?
no no no.
His wife doesn't have cancer. He made it up to get the sympathy vote for his campaign.
Didn't you get the GOP memo on this?
*rolls eyes*
Shut up, you fat ass drug addict
What a hateful, vicious statement.
When did it become OK for Republicans to invoke religion as a means of putting people down?
I guess the right wing is so hopelessly corrupt and out of useful ideas all they can do is imply the other side is made up of atheists to bolster their cause.
Cancer. Scary word. It takes a strong woman to say "Cancer does NOT control me or my family's life. I will NOT let it control our future. I will Not change my plans for the future, I will adjust my plans to encompass my life and my treatment. I will not flinch. I will NOT cower. I will NOT allow this diagnosis to be my whole being. I WILL NOT! And if you don't like it, get out of my way. Because I am moving ahead. Because I will not be deterred."
Perfect example of righties taking cheap shots while acting sanctimonious. Who is to say the Edwardses can't handle 2 things at once?
Where are all of the decent, compassionate conservatives? Why aren't they showing their outrage at this man's outburst?
Anyone, liberal or conservative who has had to endure what the Edwards family is going through should be standing and cheering their decision to go forward with their lives.
It's easy for people like Limbaugh to say what they'd do in this situation. Just like it's easy for him to say what he'd do if he were fighting a war or interrogating an enemy combatant.
Why can he say these things? Because he's never made a commitment to another human being in his life. He doesn't know how it feels to be sitting in a doctors office crying your eyes out. He doesn't know what it means to hold someone you love for the last time.
Limbaugh is despicable, just despicable. And so is every person who agrees with him.
" Where are all of the decent, compassionate conservatives? Why aren't they showing their outrage at this man's outburst? "
And what are we supposed to say? Things like: Scumbag of the Century, he is soulless, fat ass drug addict, a hateful/vicious statement ?? I think the best way to show disgust with him is to not listen to him, which I haven't done in over 13 years. The only time I hear about what he says is when this site promotes him and his show. Fortunately, I stay away from most of his themes (on mmfa) because I just don't like or agree with him on virtually every issue. I came to this one because of the cancer angle and I had some information that may be helpful to others. Do you think that would be a better example of "compassionate conservative"....helping others instead of hateful namecalling?
My comments about Limbaugh were fair and should have been much worse.
Having been through what Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are now going through, I get angry when I see someone as callous as Limbaugh finding motives for their actions. As you know since you yourself have been through this, this is something best decided by those affected, not by some windbag with a following.
I commend you for your compassion, I'm still waiting for the conservative leadership to speak up. We've been told over and over again for the last month by some posters here that Limbaugh is indeed THE leader of conservatism in this country. He should stop attributing motives where none exist.
Worrierking,
Limbaugh or anybody else who hasn't been through it, as you say, should have sense enough to shuddup for once. Laura Ingraham chastised all of 'em the morning of the Edwards' announcement, so give her credit. She kept her program going while taking chemo, last year or the year before.
My wife is Stage 4 also, and I can attest to the fact that making a decision to forge ahead with career and/or other projects is a very good part of therapy, for her. I don't presume to speak for other cancer sufferers; as you already know every case, every family situation has its own needs.
What I know is that the Edwards' are to be congratulated and encouraged. They are doing what they see as best for their situation, and they are an inspiration to me, whether I agree with them or not on political issues.
Anybody doing or saying anything other than congratulations and best of luck to the Edwards' just makes themselves look shallow. But until a person has been through it (doubtless, there are plenty here that have), there's no way to understand.
Thanks for mentioning your own experience.
Conservatives endlessly screech that moderate Muslims should be "shouting from the rooftops" that they do not agree with radical Muslims.
Maybe y'all should let the moderates know that all that is really required is that they "not listen to" the radicals.
IMHO, what needs to happen from this is that more knowledge would be brought to the table concerning cancer and cures for cancer. As a survivor of cancer I was (and still am) appalled by the choices given to cancer patients to treat cancer by American doctors. It seems they have learned NOTHING since the cure for cancer was discovered back in the '30s. Doctors still use 3 choices to give you; 1-poison, 2-burn and 3-cut. They NEVER give you the 4th choice- cure. Perhaps now we will hear more of Dr. Warburg's work (and the furthering of it by Dr. Robert O Young) that showed cancer is a liquid that lives in an acidic environment and dies when oxyginated and alkalized. http://www.stopcancer.com/ottolecture2.htm and http://www.phmiracleliving.com/
There has been a cure for cancer since the 1930s? That's very interesting. I heard there's a 100-mpg carburetor too, but Big Oil is covering it up.
Irony 101: What I want to know is where Fat Asspimple gets off talking about God in any context? The guy is a draft dodging, drug addicted, child-whoring coward who brings nothing but seamy immorality to the table. He has no status with any person whose religion is not a mask of hypocrisy -- but that, of course, doesn't keep the bamboozled religious hypocrites of the Rightwing from singing Hosannas to him.
Did Christ say Blessed art they who mock the infirm and heap scorn upon their afflictions? I don't recall that part of the sermon, but it must be in there because I'm sure Rush wouldn't be so cold hearted and outspoken if Jesus didn't tell him it was OK.
" The guy is a draft dodging, drug addicted, child-whoring coward who brings nothing but seamy immorality to the table. "
I thought Rush was a right winger? LOL
OK so he is a rightwing draft dodging, drug addicted, child-whoring coward who brings nothing but seamy immorality to the table
Solon, I think Autopsychic was making a joke based on Rush posessing the traits that he and other Republicans reflexively attribute to liberals,ignoring how common these traits are to conservatives.
Whether the joke was made to point out the irony of these stereotypes, or from the position of one who has been led to believe them, I can't tell you.
Yeah thats what I figured, my answer, fortunatly, works either way
I have long been of the opinion that when they removed the cyst on Limbaugh's butt, they threw away the wrong part. This just confirms my suspicions.
What would really interest me is how Rush assumes they didn't turn to God. (Except that they're Godless Democrats, unlike him and Ann Coulter.) What does turning to God look like, in Rush's eyes? Does it mean riding up in an SUV motorcade to a televangelist's megachurch? Does it mean getting on one's knees in the public square and proclaiming how big their faith is? They didn't turn to God? Why, Rush--in what direction is God?
Absolutely,
My Mom had a 4 year battle with and eventually died of breast cancer. She was always in tune with God and she continued to rely on her faith, family and the maintenace of normalcy in her life to deal with the disease. My Mom lived her life to the fullest until she became too weak which was only three weeks prior to her death. A year after my MOm died I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was fortunate that my disease was caught in a very early stage. I had a small tumor and unlike my mother and Elizabeth Edwards my breast cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes. I had the scientifically proven "cut, poison and burn" treament modalities and thank God it has been seven years for me this spring without recurrence of my disease. Cancer is a horrific disease but Elizabeth is doing the absolute correct thing, she's living the life she planned. That's what keeps a person happy and going.
Thank you Lynn for your personal story, your Mother sounds like she was a very courageous and special person. I am so angry at how Rush and other right wing haters are using this story for partisan political reasons, they really have no shame at all. They are disgusting.
Lynn, may God bless unendingly.
I was listening to Rush at the time of these statements, and I was so shocked by what he said that I almost refused to believe he said it.
A friend of my wife's and mine was diagnosed last summer with Stage IV breast cancer. She lives in rural southwest Virginia and drives (or is driven) once a week in an six-to-eight hour round trip to Winston-Salem, NC for treatment. Yet, she continues to run her own law firm with the help of family, friends, and husband... and she has three small children.
They continue to look toward the future. They do not stop their lives as Rush would apparently advise the Edwards' to do.
Anything short of a public apology from Rush to the Edwards family only confirms further what a poor excuse for a human being he is.
Thank you, Lynn and RTS, for sharing your stories. Please know that Laura Ingraham straightened out ALL who overstepped following the Edwards' announcement (posted it above).
Rush IS catching it from all sides for flapping his jaw in ignorance on this one.
God Bless you two, and everybody else here who has encountered cancer directly or indirectly, and that would include most , I'll bet.
What church does Rush attend every sunday?
This is a great question. And one thing that I think everyone should notice about Rush's technique and it is at the heart of how the "gets away with it"
Instead of attacking and being negative he plays one POSITIVE thing against another.
Rush is taking many people's positive relationship with God and saying that THAT is the value that is more important than a campaign for the presidency. By using that method he is connecting with people who DO believe in God and who also don't really like politicians.
This is at the heart of Rush's technique and his appeal. So ask the question, how would Rush have responded if the Edwards had done EXACTLY what he suggested? He would have found some OTHER way to get at them. What would he have done?
Rush, like Rove, know that there is ALWAYS a spin that can be put on ANY event. And if the event is horrific and the people who you want to attack are so morally pure that you can't figure out a way to directly attack them you attack the people they are associated with.
So you go after Cindy Sheehan's associations. (Hugo Chavez!).
And if that doesn't work you use Ann Coulter to just out and out attack people like the Jersey Girls. "It's a dirty job, but someone has got to do it."
These techniques and these people are the ones who are driving the the hate and the division in this country and they are doing it using both subtle and crass means.
They ARE the media to millions and their views are the views that millions of people take as their own because they give them permission to unleash their worst possible selves in a fashion that is socially acceptable. "Rush says..."
I have relatives that quote Rush and Hannity. They really think that Hannity is a great America not a bully with bullhorn. "Rush, is making a good point..." even though he his lying and twisting the views of his listeners to attack people with a positive relationship with God.
The question is, is Rush a good Christian? Would a good Christian find a way to attack John Edwards no matter what?
There's an obvious sick joke here (hint: has to do with the portrayal of John Edwards as womanly) that is on the tip of every single right-wing scumbag's tongue. There's no way they all manage to hold it in. Let's see which one of them cracks first. My money's on Savage.
Steeve drop me a line at spockosemail at gmail . com
I actually want to know what joke you are thinking of, I'm considering tracking the responses in the talk radio world to this event.
LLAP
Spocko
"My money's on Savage."
My money's on Limbaugh to come out swinging at this and his "logical' argument will go something like this: Especially considering how close Mr. and Mrs. Edwards claim to be, voters should consider what kind of emotional and mental shape a President would be in if his wife dies while he's in office. What happens if she dies during a monumental crisis such as a major terrorist attack? Will John Edwards' judgment be clouded because he's grief-stricken?
Of course, death of a spouse is always a possibility regardless of the presence of a treatable cancer and surviving spouses with important jobs carry on because they have to. And, of course, there's always the Vice-President to step in and help. That's one of the reasons we elect a Vice-President. But the bottom line is no one knows when Elizabeth Edwards will die. Laura Bush could die before her. It's morbid to talk about these things but I'll bet Limbaugh raises it in matter-of-fact "there's nothing wrong with voters considering how Elizabeth Edwards'cancer will affect her husband" sort of way. Just wait...
Druggie Limbaugh sure knows all about turning to God, since he didn't turn to Oxycontin or Viagra when HE had issues to deal with, right?
Way to go Druggie boy.
What religion is Rush Limbaugh? Sadly, he claims to be a United Methodist, as does George W. Bush (interesting, since his daddy is Episcopalian). As a member of the UMC, I am pretty sure that, unfortunately, he CANNOT be excommunicated. The membership requirements are pretty minimal. However, you may remember our motto: "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." Judge for yourself whether these two live by that creed.
Where's the shame?
Rush Himself is a Cancer (
his email is rush@eibnet.com.
I used to ignore him but now I can't stand it anymore.
I write him frequently with little stories:
Remind him that his attacks on MJ Fox backfired and he single handedly helped nail the Democratic majority in the Senate.
Remind him that he was caught twice with prescriptions belonging to someone else, including Viagra. One more time and he's looking at jail time.
Point out that everyone knows he divorced his wife one month after their 10 year prenup expired.
We all know too that he got out of serving in the military with a 4F status for a polynoidal (sp?) cyst. That's something caused by sitting on your backside too long.
When Limbaugh hears of a Democrat with a termnal illness, he naturally turns the issue political.
.
Here is a question....Why was this information released? What purpose other than political does it serve? The fact that his wife has Cancer has no bearing on anything. It is a personal family issue we had no reason to know.
The only possible reason to release this information is for political gain. He is using his wife illness to garner sympathy support. Contrary to popular belief politicians have personal lives. The only reason information from this personal life gets released is political. Be it some nosy person from the other side exposing it or the person themselves.
Why release this information?
Because it's the truth.
Most people are not going to vote for John Edwards because his wife has cancer any more than they'd vote for Hillary Clinton because her husband had heart surgery.
So you're saying they shouldn't 'release' the news because it's political? That it's better they should say nothing and let some reporter find it out by noticing how often Elizabeth goes into the hospital? And then shout at the top of their lungs WHY ARE THEY HIDING HER CANCER?
Would that be better?
Maybe America might like a President who ran even when his wife was dying of cancer. Maybe not.
But they absolutely have had enough of presidents who try to hide the truth from them.
If you are talking about a truth that actually affects something than I would agree with you. BUt this does not. And she is not running for office. If he had Cancer then yes, we have a right to know that, but not her. She did not need her personal struggle to become media fodder.
If the Edwards did not make Elizabeth's cancer public, at some point one of their political opponents would have uncovered it and used it against them. Probably like this: "Why is John Edwards hiding his wife's cancer? Do you really want to elect a man who will be more worried about his wife than he is about defeating terrorists?" Crap like that.
And they would be wrong to do that. All your point is doing is supporting my original point that this was released for purely political reasons.
"...purely political reasons."
Political reasons? Yes... in the sense that revealing his wife's cancer is something any candidate would be expected to do.
Political GAIN? (Which is what I believe you first said.) Except for about a week of sympathy, I don't see it. In fact, it could, and probabaly will, be turned into a political liability by the ruthless jerks in the right wing media.
Rusty's correct re: the media uncovering it. It's easier to deal with now.
But, Irony--Dems are as likely to consider the illness a liability, and support another candidate. Can't blame just Repubs for how it goes.
AS far as I'm concerned, it's a positive for Mrs. Edwards to keep forging ahead, and I don't care if HER therapy is the sole reason for continuing the campaign--they have my admiration.
Until a person knows what it's like to have the doctor look you in the eye and tell you it's STAGE 4....I'm outa words...
"The only possible reason to release this information is for political gain."
Disagree... there will be ruthless people like Limbaugh who will plant the idea that WHEN Elizabeth Edwards dies during an Edwards' Presidency his grief will undoubtedly cloud his judgment and could render him (at least for a period of time) unfit to govern. "And what if that happens during a terrorist attack?" Rush will argue. But, of course, Rush will say this in a compassionate way...
"Rush will say this in a compassionate way..."
I meant to add that Limbaugh will say these things in a compassionate way towards Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, but will argue "With terrorists waiting to attack us again any moment can we take this sort of risk of electing as President a man who will likely be incapacitated with grief over his wife's death?"
He had to cancel a political appearance to go with his wife to the hospital. It was already IN the news. How weak and shallow you are to claim they are using her cancer for political gain. Maybe that is what YOU would do so thats where your mind takes you. There really isnt any way to hide it, if he is going to continue his bid for the Presidency better to get it out there so when he has to cancel ANOTHER political appearance it will be understood.
Let me interrupt the scientific forum with the following: 1-If there is a cure for cancer that does not involve the burn/cut/poison scenario, why do doctors THEMSELVES and their families go through that route in the overwhelming majority? They could secretly get rid of their malignancies through the magical therapies detailed by Autopsychic and, voila!!! Cancer free!!
2-How is it that Rush Limbaugh KNOWS that the Edwards' did not turn to God? Rush DOES NOT know all, he and the rest of us only know what the Edwards' chose to say in public. That they would continue to live. Please don't tell me that Rush is now arrogant enough to believe that he knows what John and Elizabeth think and say in private. Nah, of course not. He just needs to continue to make these inflammatory false statements to keep his ratings up, as talent alone could never do. Like Paris Hilton. Without the nonsense, there is nothing there at all.
ALL OF THE ABOVE
Different cancers respond to different treatments. All of the good nutrition and positive thinking in the world will do nothing for someone who is genetically predisposed to cancer. What works for one patient, won't always work for someone else.
It's easy to make a judgement by looking at someone and saying that they might not have taken proper care of themselves. But that too isn't always the case. We've been conditioned in this country to think that the natural state of the body is the slim, athletic figures we see in TV ads selling us things we don't need. But people naturally come in all shapes and sizes. A TV commercial body is impossible for most people.
Reading this thread should show us all that none of us , myself included, knows what the hell we're talking about. What's important is that we all know that there are things that we can do that will possibly help to prevent cancer. But sometimes, it's in the genes. Childhood cancers are not related to lifestyle or diet but to fate and heredity. Sometimes our fate is sealed before we reach puberty, by exposure to the sun. Anyone in their fifties remembers the days where a good tan was considered a healthy look.
Cancer prevention and treatment will continue to adapt to the diseases. There will never be a total cure for cancer because cancer is so many things. It will eventually change the lives of every person reading this thread, regardless of how well they or their families take care of themselves or how often they visit the doctor.
Political people are different than you and I?
If Rush ever spoke a word that wasn't an intentional lie, his head would exploded.
And I would pay for front row seats to see it.
"Would a good Christian find a way to attack John Edwards no matter what?"
Rush a good Christian? Remember this, Limbaugh is the same person who once said that affordable health care coverage was as much of a luxury as a vacation beach house. If you can't afford it... too bad. Health care is not an entitlement, he said. This, in a rich, civilized nation with many people still living below the poverty level. Does that sound Christian-like to you?