Rush Limbaugh: The Voice of the GOP?

Barely a week into President Obama's term and his arch nemesis isn't Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio) or even one of the myriad candidates interested in challenging him in 2012.

It's conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, once called a big fat idiot in a book by newly elected Minnesota Senator Al Franken. Actually the book was titled "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot."

Limbaugh got huge coverage after he declared that he hoped the new president would fail -- part of a broader condemnation of liberalism in the country.

Then the back and forth began. It's on! Obama blamed Limbaugh's band of politics as a big reason why major legislation hadn't passed in years. He warned Republicans to quit listening to Rush Limbaugh, if they want to get things done.

Before you could say huh, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs offered another Limbaugh remark, when asked to expand on Obama's comments about the talk show host, Gibbs demurred and then added: "Tell [Rush] I said hi."

And of course, Limbaugh took the bait. Rush said, "he's obviously more frightened of me than he is Mitch McConnell. He's more frightened of me, then he is of say, John Boehner, which doesn't say much about our party."

This comes just days before the members of the Republican National Committee gather in Washington to elect the organization's next chairman -- a race that has been badly overshadowed by things like RNC Chairman candidate Chip Saltsman defending Rush's "Barack the Magic Negro" song.

None of the so-called Republican leaders have found their voice or direction. Limbaugh is right there ready to pounce on anything he thinks requires a constant media counter-point."

Republicans must be careful not to allow their Democratic rivals to align them too closely with Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, or Ann Coulter for that matter. If they do, Democrats can then lump them all together and say they speak for all members of the far right. As if they don't!

Of course Limbaugh will continue to play his role as the GOP attack dog. Whether Obama plays along has yet to be seen. President Clinton all but ignored the big fat drug abusing pig, and it still didn't stop him or his "ditto heads." Limbaugh's bitchy whining voice and influence will most likely get stronger with the Democrats in control of the House, Senate, and the White House. I can't wait for the day, when the President surprises Rush and walks into his studio and says, "Hello Clarice Rush..."

Some excerpts are from The Washington Post

Click the title link for a fascinating article in today's Chicago Tribune, "Obama vs. Limbaugh, audacity vs. ideology," by Clarence Page.