Limbaugh-Steele Feud a Democrat-Generated Faux Controversy

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has apologized to Rush Limbaugh for his denigration of Limbaugh's radio show, as he should have. Though he is not the leader of the Republican Party, as the media and Democrats would like to portray him, Limbaugh does provide daily inspiration and education to millions of Republican voters. The national party chairman should not be thought to be against the party's most enthusiastic and influential spokesman. The apology was a good thing.

That said, it is instructive to consider how and why the incident has been handled and in fact provoked by Democrats and their allies in the media. Rush Limbaugh famously said on his radio show that he hoped President Obama failed in his job. He meant this in relation to Obama's success at implementing his policy ideas, which are anathema to conservatives, not in relation to the country's ultimate success or struggle. That is Limbaugh's opinion, and as a private citizen he is entitled to it. But the Administration seized on the comments and sought to use them as a litmus test for every elected Republican in an effort to paint all opposition to President Obama's agenda as extremist.

Obama first raised Limbaugh's name in the public debate when he told House Republican leaders that they, "can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and expect to get things done." Dutifully, the press began asking every Republican it could get its hands on if he or she agreed with Limbaugh. It's a classic trap game. The media will label any elected Republican who agrees with Limbaugh a radical right-winger, and those that say they disagree risk irking conservative voters that they need to win reelection. Meanwhile, no elected Democrats are asked if they agree with Michael Moore, George Soros, or any other controversial left-wing personality. This double-standard was on display just this weekend, when White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel eagerly anointed Limbaugh as the leader of the Republican Party on Face the Nation, while House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) was asked if he wanted Obama to fail on This Week with George Stephanopolous.

None of that excuses Steele's comments. But it does point to a collaborative alliance between the press and Democrats to further marginalize Republicans in their drive to enact the Administration's agenda. So much for bipartisanship. Republicans can put a stop to this coordination if they recognize the game and decide to read from the same script. Asked if they want Obama to fail, Republicans should answer along the lines of, "We want the country to succeed, which is why we are so disappointed at the tired old and failed policy ideas that the Administration and Congressional Democrats are proposing."