Limbaugh v. McCain

Howard Kurtz, Washington Post:

It may be the best sideshow in presidential politics: the nation's top radio talker trying to take down the Republican front-runner in today's Super Tuesday showdown.

Rush Limbaugh has been relentless in his criticism of John McCain, prompting suggestions that he may have to soften his stance if the Arizona senator wins the nomination and faces off against Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. But if that happens, Limbaugh said in an interview over the weekend, he would rather see the Democrats win the White House.

"If I believe the country will suffer with either Hillary, Obama or McCain, I would just as soon the Democrats take the hit . . . rather than a Republican causing the debacle," he said. "And I would prefer not to have conservative Republicans in the Congress paralyzed by having to support, out of party loyalty, a Republican president who is not conservative."

When it comes to the McCain mutiny, Limbaugh has plenty of company on the right side of the dial. Laura Ingraham endorsed Mitt Romney last week, saying, "There is no way in hell I could pull the lever for John McCain." Sean Hannity, who also endorsed the former Massachusetts governor, regularly rips McCain. Hugh Hewitt is urging the audience for his syndicated radio show to fight for Romney against what he calls a media-generated "McCain resurrection." But with a program heard on 600 stations, including Washington's WMAL, Limbaugh is the loudest and brashest voice inveighing against the man he derides as "Saint John of Arizona."

Limbaugh dismissed the notion that a McCain victory would be a "personal setback" for him. "My success is not defined by who wins elections," he said. "Elected officials come and go. I am here for as long as I wish to stay. . . .

"Yesterday it was Limbaugh vs. [Donovan] McNabb, Limbaugh vs. Michael J. Fox. Before that it was Limbaugh vs. Bill Clinton. Tomorrow it will be Limbaugh vs. Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. And I note the media never applies this template to anyone else in media. Not to anyone in cable news, not to any of the endorsements of the major newspapers. Why are the New York Times and Washington Post not asked about the setback they both suffered when George Bush beat both their endorsed candidates in 2000 and 2004?"

Mark McKinnon, a top McCain adviser, called the criticism from Limbaugh and the other hosts "frustrating," saying: "Our question is, 'Isn't it better to get behind a Republican you may disagree with from time to time than work for an outcome that puts a Democrat in the White House with whom you will disagree all of the time?' . . .

"We don't expect Rush to fall in line. We know he's an independent guy, just like McCain. And we know he and McCain will continue to have differences, and we respect those differences."

But McKinnon said he hopes "a respectful relationship can be established" if McCain wins the nomination.

McCain has a history of strained relations with the party's right wing, especially on such issues as immigration, tax cuts and campaign finance reform. Yesterday Limbaugh said the candidate had "stabbed his own party in the back I can't tell you how many times."

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It is unlikely that there will ever be a respectful relationship because McCain has been so disrespectful of those with a different point of view. With President Bush when there were differences on issues with the conservative base they were always respectful. McCain prefers insults. Limbaugh usually responds with ridicule such as his parody tunes. Where as Limbaugh may make fun of the people he opposes it is rarely personal and he is a cordial person even around those who disagree with him. McCain on the other hand is rarely cordial with those he disagrees. Perhaps that is a character trait that helped him endure the communist torture chambers. It is not a way to win friends and influence people.

The only possibility of getting these two together is over issues on which they agree. For example Limbaugh supported Bill Clinton in getting NAFTA passed. McCain and Limbaugh both want to see the US win the war in Iraq. It is my belief that winning the war in Iraq would be a huge defeat for liberalism and losing it will be a big win for liberalism that will take years to overcome. They can work together on that objective and Limbaugh will continue to oppose McCain on issues like global warming, tax cuts, and free speech. He will also oppose McCain on closing Gitmo and giving terrorist constitutional rights like the Miranda warning.

Both of these guys are patriots and they should find a way to work together on the most important issue we are facing right now.