In the circular firing squad known as the Republican party, the two-man skirmish between former Secretary of State Colin Powell and GOP strategist Rush Limbaugh shows no signs of abating any time soon. Their rhetorical battle intensified yesterday, when an incensed Limbaugh told Powell he should just make it official, join "Benedict Arlen" and switch over to the Democratic Party:
"What Colin Powell needs to do is close the loop and become a Democrat instead of claiming to be a Republican interested in reforming the Republican Party."
Further taunting Powell, Limbaugh reiterated his claim that the only reason Powell voted for Obama over McCain is the president's race:
"He's just mad at me because I'm the one person in the country who had the guts to explain his endorsement of Obama. It was purely and solely based on race."
Really? The only person? Apparently Rush doesn't visit the comment section of right-leaning blogs very much. But how insulting is that remark?
To claim that one of our most decorated war heroes, a shrewd tactical general possessing a stellar intellect and a deep love for his country, is nothing more than a single-issue voter, and that the issue in question has racist implications. . .
What has Rush in such a tizzy? Well, he was reacting to remarks Powell made in a speech on Monday, in which, once again, he diagnosed one of the GOP's most-glaring problems:
"I think what Rush does as an entertainer diminishes the party and intrudes or inserts into our public life a kind of nastiness that we would be better to do without."
In other words, Republicans need a new party leader.
So there's the divide. Powell says: GOP needs to dump Rush. And Rush says: Powell needs to dump the GOP. Happy times in Democrat-ville.
"What Colin Powell needs to do is close the loop and become a Democrat instead of claiming to be a Republican interested in reforming the Republican Party."
I agree 100& with Rush
insulting? Yes I guess the truth can be insulting but Rush has the right to speak what he believes is true ...many people agree with him or he would not have the listeners he has
Powell is just another lefty trying to quell freedom of SPEECH!!
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Stan Hunt
9:07AM May 7th 2009
who is trying to quell free speach? that pill addicted fired from CBS idiot takes full advantage of his free speach right and makes a lot of people relize they want no part of his B.S. hense the reason republication party is declining.
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ne12355
9:08AM May 7th 2009
is rush still on drugs...........
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blandon1c
9:19AM May 7th 2009
yup but many more people agree with colin... remember the election???
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crissie
10:07AM May 7th 2009
Rush is such a piece of dung it is'nt funny !! He will try to lay waste to anyone who disagrees with his warped view of the world !! If rush limbaugh is the face of the GOP then they have more problems than expected. What rush needs to do is have an armwrestling match with that other cheating piece of dung newt gingrich. They are good for each other, but the GOP would be just fine without either one of the bums !! One of them is a DOPE addict, the other cheated on his wife while she was undergoing chemo treatment for cancer. And these are the faces of the GOP !!! Come on, give us a break !!!
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markeschu
10:40AM May 7th 2009
Rush will be popular for as long has the hate he spews sells. And as long as the Republicans allow such a hate filled individual to lead their party, they will never reclaim the country.
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clinecal
10:53AM May 7th 2009
Very few people would know Colen Powell if it hadn't been for the Bush family. He took the job in the Bush adm. and never definded the president he worked for.
We on the right had to lisson to eight yrs. of Bush bashing form the liberal media.
You on the left's defenition of diversity is all races agreeing with with your socicalist beliefs.
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isosuperman
10:54AM May 7th 2009
Anyone who believes Rush Limbaugh is a Republican needs to turn off their computer and go back to watching Oprah.
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RightorWrong
11:22AM May 9th 2009
It is apparent that few people on this blog if any can even spell correctly or make a complete sentence...."defined" rather than defend, "lisson" rather than listen...yeah this is a GREAT example of just the quality of mental capacity of the Republican Party. Rush is nothing more than a Hate Spewing, Attention Grabbing, Media Megalamaniac! Maybe he should just invest in a mirrored house so he can adore himself as much as he WANTS to be adored.
I think that there is no better example of a leader than Collin Powell. Wouldn't it have been interesting if Powell had run with McCain, where would these arguements be now....Rush is trying to maintain attention to himself, Powell is trying to calm the Party...Pick your leader...pshcyo, pill popping, ego-maniac or proven leader!!!!
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Sara Brown
5:51PM May 18th 2009
Right on. Rush Limbaugh is 100% correct. The Republican Party doesn't need turncoats like Colin Powell. Had Obama been white, I am dead certain Colin would not have voted for him. He voted for Obama because he was black. Can you believe, a man who had command of our Armed Forces coming out as a racist. This is why he is so strongly denying that that his voting for Obama whose beliefs are in direct opposite of the beliefs that Colin as always expoused. Obama believes in the government owning everything and taking from the haves (the workers) and giving to the have nots (most of whom won't work but sit on the porch and rock and watch the rest of us work for them. Obama's friends were all inclined to Socialism and Communism. Shame on Colin for joining this crowd opposing our free enterprise system.
Keep on keeping on Rush Hudson Limbaugh with the torch of freedom. God Bless You
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Steven Seltzer
11:22AM May 7th 2009
The sooner the Right unloads Rush the sooner they begin to have any chance of forming a party that actually has any real power again. This country is 60% in the middle with 20 % on the left and right. Obama moved towards the middle and won a huge majority.
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sitokhan1
11:48AM May 7th 2009
I love it! Rush Limbaugh is the REAL leader of the Republican Party! To hell with Lincoln, Eisenhower, Reagan or William F. Buckley, Rush Limbaugh's opinion is all that matters! HAHAHHA! Keep it up, Repubs, Rush is making all of you his bee-yatch! No wonder today there are more people who believe in UFOs than admit they are Republicans!
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lourdes
11:52AM May 7th 2009
How in the world can this pill popping, self-serving, obese radio dj dare talk to a man who has put it on the line for his country by serving his country for several decades in the military and public service. This is whats wrong with the Republicans.
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jeh0530
11:53AM May 7th 2009
Rush is simply another Lee Atwater....an arrogant wimp until he has to face his Maker (Maker as in God and not Maker's Mark...which I understand he worships). I have yet to see one of these blowhards maintain their hateful views once they find out they are mortal. Best is to simply ignore him....he will eventually go away...Colin Powell is already part of American history and will be remembered forever...Rush won't even be a footnote.
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Pete
12:31PM May 7th 2009
Rush has the right to say anything he wants whether true or untrue. Our country is based on free speech. Sadly, many of his comments are partial truths but most are simply false. Those who listen to him should check what he says and they will realize it is not truthful. Let's remember those who have served in the military to give us the right of free speech. Colin Powell is one of those loyal Americans. Rush has never served his country in any capacity. He only serves himself.
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"LOU"
11:59AM May 7th 2009
Colin Powell wants it both ways and may as well do what Arlen did and actually BECOME what you are.
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John
12:23PM May 7th 2009
Rush is nothing more than a gigantic gas bag, without any socially redeeming value. And people want to know what's wrong with the Republicans. Look to Florida for a massive sucking sound
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philliprex
12:29PM May 7th 2009
See you Colin! I'd rather have Rush any day.
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Gloria
12:37PM May 7th 2009
Rush Limbaugh is astonishingly like the zeppelin Hindenburg... beyond metaphor... the actual physical parallel is all there. I guess he forgot the public airwaves part of his FCC license.
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gopdamage
12:49PM May 7th 2009
Republican Party Leader Limbaugh has made it clear. Only Fringe Right WIng Lunatics are allowed in the Republican Party. Palin over Powell. That's the direction Limbaugh is taking his Party. Limbaugh is the ift that keeps giving. Democrats gain an advantage every time Limbaugh speaks.