About us Login Get email updates
Research
Print

Limbaugh Attacks Obama As A "Namby-Pamby Wimp"

September 28, 2009 4:26 pm ET — 9 Comments

By Tom Allison

Rush opened today's show with what would be a central theme of the broadcast, that it is an "undeniable truth of life is that ours is a world governed by the aggressive use of force" and would attack Obama throughout his three hours for not accepting it:

LIMBAUGH: As has always been the case, ours is a world governed by the aggressive use of force, and we have a namby-pamby wimp in the White House leading us in exactly the opposite direction, and he's being made a fool of.

Echoing recent conservatives like Charles Krauthammer and Karl Rove, Rush promoted the narrative that France (France!) has been criticizing Obama for not being tough enough on Iran. Rush read from Sarkozy's comments reported in Canada's National Post, comments that even BigGovernment.com noted had been taken down from their website.

Rush also promoted a Los Angeles Times article on Canada experimenting with private insurance.

"I think I'm on these people's minds all the time"

Despite not mentioning him at all, Rush claimed that President Bill Clinton was talking about Rush when he referred to a right wing conspiracy.

LIMBAUGH: Seems that the president, former president, made a coded reference to me. I think I'm on these people's minds all the time; they cannot get me off of their mind. "Their agenda seems to be wanting him to fail." Damn right it is. You are damn right we want his agenda to fail. We want it all to fail. And we want it to fail in order to save the country, Mr. President.

While discussing Republicans' future election prospects, Limbaugh credited Democrats' 2008 victories with the nation's polarized reaction to George W. Bush's policies and a common hatred for Bush himself, concluding: "The hate worked." Despite qualifying that the right should not adopt hate as a tactic, this sounded suspiciously like an endorsement of stirring up hatred for Obama.

After the break Limbaugh touted his NFL predictions over the weekend, and deliberately muddled the name of the San Francisco 49ers to sound suspiciously like "The San Francisco Foreigners." Rush was also excited to talk about a reportedly suppressed report on Chicagoans resisting their 2016 Olympic bid (well, not so much). Obama's advocacy for the games is sure to be a persistent conservative attack.

Then, building on the previous segment, Rush accused Obama of not standing up for freedom and that this is "the first President in the United States' history who doesn't stand up for our ideals abroad."

After reading an article from "the state-run AP" that reported on Obama offering Iran "serious, meaningful dialogue" Rush also called the President a "sophomoric, radical, naïve child."

LIMBAUGH: Listen to these headlines: "Iran conducts third round of missile tests, could reach Israel"; "Revolutionary Guards begin war games in Iran"; "Venezuela exploring uranium deposits with Russia"; "China to display upgraded missiles in parade"; "India raises nuclear stakes, can make high-yield weapons now." And we've got Obama saying we must never stop until we see the day when nuclear arms have been banished from the face of the earth. We have a sophomoric, naïve, leftist radical little child who we have elected president, who actually has such an ego that he thinks this is all about him, that he's president of the world. His presence is going to magically result in all of these utopian unrealistic dreams that these pantywaists on the left have harbored their entire lives.

"Does he do any presidential work, or does he just show up on TV?"

Kicking off the second hour, Rush talked about Gen. Stanley McChrystal's interview on 60 Minutes where McChrystal commented that he's only talked to Obama once in 70 days. Rush was sure that Obama had talked to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley about the city's Olympics bid"at least 10 times." Rush also asked: "Does he do any presidential work, or does he just show up on TV?" Rush was also convinced that Chicago has already secured the 2016 games and he wouldn't have visited Copenhagen if Chicago hadn't already won.

After a break, Rush reminded his listeners of his leadership of "Operation Chaos" and read from the transcript for this Hillary Clinton ad that criticized Obama for not holding a hearing on Afghanistan in the subcommittee he chaired to demonstrate Obama's history of naïveté. However, as Media Matters noted, Obama did attend Afghanistan hearings on the full committee level.

Rush also read from this New York Times article on violent Islamic radicalism in decline, compared it with a July 2001 opinion piece that downplayed terrorism fears, and concluded that we ought to prepare for another attack.

Limbaugh also promoted a Washington Times article headlined "Liberals seek health-care access for illegals," despite John Solomon claiming that the Times wouldn't use the term "illegal" anymore. Rush isn't convinced that immigrants would want to "pay their own way" when the Emergency Room is still available.

"[H]old the Olympics in Kenya, and Obama's brother can make some money"

Returning to the Olympics, Rush asked why should America get the games anyway. Scoffing at the economic stimulation potential, Rush commented that Africa and South America are "two countries" that have never held the Olympic games. Rush also suggested that Kenya host the games, that way Obama's brother could take advantage:

LIMBAUGH: I am sitting here thinking about this Olympics business still. And I'm remembering what Obama said last Wednesday at the United Nations, and I'm asking myself, why should Chicago get the Olympics? Why should we get the Olympics? We've had more than our fair share of Olympics. Why should we get the -- well, they say it's economic stimulus -- I think it's a net loss -- but anyway, why should we hog all these Olympics? No Olympics have ever been held in Africa or South America. Did you know that? We've never had an Olympics in the Southern Hemisphere. Well, at least not in those two countries. But why -- based on his speech, why should we be hogging all these Olympics? Let Rio de Janeiro have it. Better yet -- better yet maybe, maybe hold the Olympics in Kenya, and Obama's brother can make some money renting out his hut to Bob Costas. It would certainly be big enough for him.

Rush opened the third hour of the show by claiming that we have a President who can't decide if we want to win the war in Afghanistan or not.

Rush associates Roman Polanski with Kevin Jennings

After the break, Limbaugh used the arrest of Roman Polanski to echo The Washington Times and Fox News and offered the same disingenuous narrative as those conservative outlets:

LIMBAUGH: So if you wonder why the libs are really ticked off that Roman Polanski might be extradited to face the music on that long-ago act with the 13-year-old girl, Quaaludes and rape, understand that Obama's safe schools czar is a guy promoting homosexuality in the schools and encouraged a 15-year-old kid to have a homosexual relationship with an older man, and even facilitated it.

Wrapping up the show, Rush told a caller that during the campaign Obama had said he would "nuke Pakistan," reviving an old Obama smear.

Zachary Pleat and Kate Conway contributed to this edition of the Limbaugh Wire.

Highlights

LIMBAUGH: Have you ever asked what eight years of hate produced? You know, all during those eight years, I kept telling anybody who would listen the people of this country are simply not going to reward this kind of virulent rage, insane hatred. But I was wrong. The Democrats attacked Bush for eight years. They said no to everything he proposed. The things that they agreed with they later turned around and lied, said he lied to them about it, and acted like they never did support him. They used vile, disrespectful language. They wrote books and made movies on how to assassinate George W. Bush, and what did all that hate and what did all those no's get them? Well, it got them the House, it got them the Senate, and it got them the White House. The hate worked. I'm not suggesting anything by it; I'm just making an observation. I'm not suggesting that we hate, nor am I suggesting that we should.

[...]

LIMBAUGH: Listen to these headlines: "Iran conducts third round of missile tests, could reach Israel"; "Revolutionary Guards begin war games in Iran"; "Venezuela exploring uranium deposits with Russia"; "China to display upgraded missiles in parade"; "India raises nuclear stakes, can make high-yield weapons now." And we've got Obama saying we must never stop until we see the day when nuclear arms have been banished from the face of the earth. We have a sophomoric, naïve, leftist radical little child who we have elected president, who actually has such an ego that he thinks this is all about him, that he's president of the world. His presence is going to magically result in all of these utopian unrealistic dreams that these pantywaists on the left have harbored their entire lives.

[...]

LIMBAUGH: So, after this story runs in Iranian news, from the Associated Press: President -- this is after, this is the next morning, this is Obama's Saturday morning radio address -- "President Obama is offering Iran a serious, meaningful dialogue over its disputed nuclear program while warning Tehran of grave consequences from a united global front. 'Iran's leaders must now choose, they can live up to their responsibilities and achieve integration with the community of nations or they will face increased pressure and isolation and deny opportunity to their own people,' Obama said in his radio and internet address Saturday. 'My offer of a serious, meaningful dialogue to resolve this issue remains open,' Obama said, urging Ahmadinejad to take action to demonstrate its peaceful intentions." This man, God help us, is the leader of the free world, who doesn't even stand up for freedom. Who does not even stand up for it. He does not stand up for the oppressed peoples of the world such as those in Iran who would like to get rid of their oppressive regime. First president in the history of the United States that does not stand for our own ideals around the world. The first president in U.S. history who looks at the United States as evil and unjust and immoral until he came along.

[...]

LIMBAUGH: A teacher -- remember, this is a one-year-old story -- well, yeah, about that. "A teacher was told by a 15-year-old high school sophomore that he was having homosexual sex with an older man. At the very least, statutory rape occurred. Fox News reported that the teacher violated a state law requiring that he report this abuse. That former teacher, Kevin Jennings, is President Obama's 'safe school czar.' "

Now, stick with me on this. "In this one case in which Kevin Jennings had a real chance to protect a young boy from a sexual predator, he not only failed to do what the law required, he actually encouraged the sophomore kid to continue having the relationship. According to Mr. Jennings' own description in an audiotape discovered by Fox News, the 15-year-old boy met the 'older man' in a 'bus station bathroom' was taken to the older man's home that night. When some details about the case became public, Mr. Jennings threatened to sue another teacher who called his failure to report the statutory rape 'unethical.' Mr. Jennings' defenders asserted there was no evidence he was aware the student had sex with the older man. However, the new audiotape contradicts his claim. In 2000, Mr. Jennings gave a talk to the Iowa chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, an advocacy group that promotes homosexuality in schools. On the tape, Kevin Jennings recollected that he told the student make sure to use a condom when he's with the older man. Then he actively encouraged the relationship. It is reinforced by Mr. Jennings' own description in his 1994 book, One Teacher in 10. In that account, the teacher boasts how he allayed the student's concerns about the relationship to such a degree that the 15-year-old" boy, quote, 'left my office with a smile on his face that I would see every time I saw him on campus for the next two years until he graduated,' " close quote.

He's now the safe school czar. Kevin Jennings is now Obama's safe school czar. And this story is actually a year old. It came out last year when he was appointed czar, but it got very little attention. And the Sweetness and Light.com has a link to audio MP3 of his comments about statutory rape, the bottom of the piece. So if you wonder why the libs are really ticked off that Roman Polanski might be extradited to face the music on that long-ago act with the 13-year-old girl, Quaaludes and rape, understand that Obama's safe schools czar is a guy promoting homosexuality in the schools and encouraged a 15-year-old kid to have a homosexual relationship with an older man, and even facilitated it.

Outrageous comments

LIMBAUGH: I am sitting here thinking about this Olympics business still. And I'm remembering what Obama said last Wednesday at the United Nations, and I'm asking myself, why should Chicago get the Olympics? Why should we get the Olympics? We've had more than our fair share of Olympics. Why should we get the -- well, they say it's economic stimulus -- I think it's a net loss -- but anyway, why should we hog all these Olympics? No Olympics have ever been held in Africa or South America. Did you know that? We've never had an Olympics in the Southern Hemisphere. Well, at least not in those two countries. But why -- based on his speech, why should we be hogging all these Olympics? Let Rio de Janeiro have it. Better yet -- better yet maybe, maybe hold the Olympics in Kenya, and Obama's brother can make some money renting out his hut to Bob Costas. It would certainly be big enough for him.

Expand All Expand 1st Level Collapse All Add Comment
    • Author by riverbirchprop6566 (September 28, 2009 5:44 pm ET)
         
      This has GOT to be the best synopsis of his show. Better than Rush's own website!! I try and listen everyday. When I can't I find it usefull to come to this site to see what I missed. Thanks for providing this service! RUSH IS AWESOME!!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by drrocket (September 28, 2009 6:45 pm ET)
        3
      We, the People, want Obama to fail …

      1. At debasing the dollar and causing extreme inflation by borrowing.

      2. At losing wars, weakening defenses, and emboldening enemies.

      3. At expanding government by spending, intruding into private lives and free enterprise, replacing liberties with debilitating taxes, with Marxism and with socialism.

      4. At denigrating these American values, and indoctrinating our children in personal adulation, all in a world view passed through a prism of racism and with pride replaced by guilt.

      5. At respecting junk science.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Disputed Zone (September 28, 2009 8:23 pm ET)
        1  
        Um, those are some of the reasons we, the People, elected Obama in a walk.

        But I'll call you a waaaaaahmbulance.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by Disputed Zone (September 28, 2009 8:37 pm ET)
        4  
        I mean when it comes to profligate borrowing, emboldening enemies, government intrusion into private lives, denigrating American values and disrespecting science, how could one possibly be more of a "success" than George Bush and the Republicans.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by schparky (September 28, 2009 10:55 pm ET)
             
          At first, I assumed "drrocket" was being intentionally ironic since it's the previous President who was arguably most responsible for many of the items on his list. It was the "Marxism and socialism" bit that convinced me that he was, in fact, a right-winger.

          To wit:

          1. The economy went south under GWB's watch.

          2. It was GWB who insisted we go to war with Iraq (under false pretenses), and who was unable to complete the mission. And by invading Iraq, he weakened our chances for success in Afghanistan.

          3. As far as personal freedoms are concerned, it was the Bush II administration who concocted the PATRIOT act. Concerning the spending, the unnecessary war cost a fortune. As far as "Marxism" is concerned, I think drrocket may just be confused.

          4. Not sure what he's talking about here. Maybe he's referring to that business with the elementary school kids singing songs in praise of President Obama. However, I've not seen any evidence whatsoever that Obama or his staff had anything to do with it, so unless drrocket has evidence, I thin we can safely dismiss it. As far as the "racism" is concerned: the President hasn't exactly been harping on the issue of race (he has been called a racist by the likes of Glenn Beck).

          5. Again, it was not the current President who publicly claimed that "the jury's still out" on evolution. Nor was it his administration that launched an unprecedented campaign to censor scientific findings to suit a political agenda. Nor was it Obama who endorsed the teaching of "intelligent design."
          Report Abuse
      • Author by riverbirchprop6566 (September 29, 2009 9:02 am ET)
           
        Word!
        Report Abuse
      • Author by drrocket (September 29, 2009 4:38 pm ET)
           
        Schparky,

        1. The chain of events in the economic crash of 2007-2008, now being extended by Obama, is the following. (1) The Anti-Redlining Act of 1977, (2) The TRegs of 1995 that made the 1977 Act mandatory, (3) the bundling of the compliant subprime mortgages into separate bonds, (4) the creation of false AAA ratings for those subprime bonds, (5) the bundling of over-rated bonds into derivatives, leveraged through around five dozen levels, (6) the creation of false AAA ratings for the derivatives, level upon level, (7) payoffs to Congressional leaders by the bundlers and insurers involved not to interfere, (8) the refusal of Congress to act on GWB's measures to regulate the rating agencies and to insure Fannie and Freddie against bankruptcy, (9) threats against the economy by the rating agencies should Congress act, (10) the precipitous withdrawal of the phony AAA ratings by the three rating agencies, and (11) the accounting downgrade of all rated paper in portfolios throughout the country, precipitating (12) the crash. Most all the problems that created this ratings bubble burst are being ignored by Obama and Congress, with good political reason.

        Now Schparky, armed at last with actual knowledge of the economic debacle, can help us decide who was responsible for which element. The Dems seem to win about 20:1. The Dems will soon own it all soon for failure to prosecute and to remedy.

        2. The redundant authorization by Congress to use force in Iraq, our current version of a declaration of war, contains about two dozen explicit reasons for the action. Perhaps Schparky, now informed of the actual reasons for the action, can put aside his NY Times and tell us which of the listed reasons was false or even ill-considered.

        3. First, the Patriot Act seems like a very good and productive thing, apparently working just this past week to protect the US against several terrorist plots, and offending nothing in the Constitution.

        The Iraq campaign was very expensive, indeed. The alternatives then still exist today, should Obama fully reverse the War on Terror, and the cost will be much, much higher. I would agree with Schparky on the conclusion that GWB was quite fallible. He was just smarter than his two Democrat opponents, and that isn't saying much. W was as far left as I ever wanted my President to go. Still at his worst, he was Obama-ultralite.

        The current theory of the Schparkys and Craigs is that if Bush did it, Obama is excused for adopting it and multiplying it many fold.

        4. What's going on in our public schools is the emergence of a cult of personality, a la Mao, Stalin, Hitler, Chavez, etc., and the evidence of Obama's involvement is in the personal accomplishments he inflates in his speeches. For racism and Marxism, look at the makeup of his lifetime of advisors, czars, community organization groups, and dictator buddies among world leaders. Obama uses the word greed as a synonym for profit, right out of the Marxist book. Affirmative action is racist, Obama is our first Affirmative Action president, and he appears to have used Affirmative Action as the total vetting of Van Jones. Obama's factless and feckless castigation of the police against the Black Studies Professor smacks of racism.

        “For the next number, Mrs. Acorn's first grade class will sing 'Look for the Union Label - mmm, mmm, mm.'”

        5. Positions like GWB's reportedly on evolution, intelligent design, and embryonic research are salted with ignorance. W was on the right side of global warming, though, and he didn't censor anyone -- he merely ordered his insubordinate, Hansen, to stop spreading his pseudoscientific nonsense in public.

        So now Obama, with no debate much less an opportunity to read the bills, is putting out trillion dollar stimuli, shaping a trillion dollar federal medical takeover as promising as the Post Office and Canadian/UK healthcare, and another multi-trillion dollars worth of energy regulations that will be an economy killer, all in the name of the fraudulent model of anthropogenic global warming. What is especially practical Marxism here is Obama's versions of collectivism, of single party rule, of laws without debate or public knowledge, of election fraud, and of orchestrated attacks on the opposition.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by donwelty (September 29, 2009 7:10 am ET)
         
      I find it very difficult to keep up with Rush Limbaugh. He talks about a variety of things. But the little is that one time he’ll see something, and then say something different another time. And then later, depending on the situation, he’ll deny ever having said one of the first two. In this discussion of Rush, he says the president is namby-pamby. Now it Obama has this great conspiracy to turn the United States into a socialist organization, could he be namby-pamby and do that?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by sportsguydave (September 29, 2009 12:37 pm ET)
         
      Why anyone would continue to listen to this fat tub of crap is beyond me.

      He's a megalomaniac, a racist, and a hypocrite to boot.

      But he's the leader of the Republicant Party!! :)
      Report Abuse
The Fox Effect
Media Matters Connect

Push Back

Phone calls, emails and letters from the public do make a difference. Remember that to be effective you must be polite, and professional. Express your specific concerns regarding that particular news report or commentary, and indicate what you would like the media outlet to do differently in the future.