Posted on 03/02/2009 12:03:53 PM PST by Sub-Driver
'Pretty sad' Limbaugh's the lead GOP voice: Ron Paul @ 2:13 pm by Michael O'Brien
It is pretty sad that conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh has become the de-facto voice of the Republican Party, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) said Monday.
"I think it’s pretty sad," Paul said during an appearance on CNN Monday morning. "And it means that the Republicans are really starving for some type of leadership."
"He really didn’t broaden the base," the former Republican presidential candidate told the network's John Roberts. "I mean, it’s still very narrow, and that is why some of us would like to see an approach that would emphasize personal liberties and civil liberties."
Limbaugh's speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this past weekend has been the subject of much discussion on the left and the right, with a number of Republican leaders (such as Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele) sounding off on Limbaugh's role and influence within the GOP.
"I think a lot of people like to hear what he’s saying, but I think it’s also a little bit polarizing and confrontational, and I think that’s why the Democrats are bragging that Limbaugh now speaks for the Republicans," Paul added. "So I guess the Democrats think it’s to their advantage if he’s leading the charge."
The Texas Republican also indicated there was little chance he would rekindle his presidential bid in 2012, opting instead to focus on his "Campaign for Liberty" fund.
Maybe he means that it's sad there are no Republican politicians saying what Rush, simply a citizen, is saying??
Sorry, but I really am not interested in the two-faced folks like Ron Paul - and especially when they also spent so much energy opposing the Iraq War. The GOP needs to be re-built from the ground up. Paul can go pound sand.
Hey, Ron, if Rush ran for president he’d do a better job then you have.
Your cut and run strategy for Iraq makes you no better than Harry Reid.
“I don’t see anything disparaging to Rush in these remarks. I think Ron Paul is rightly acknowledging that the GOP is no longer representing the values of the conservative voters. I think a lot of people in the MSM are being divisive and cherry picking comments like those attributed to Paul in an attempt to marginalize Rush. Don’t buy into it. Michael Steele’s remarks were anti-Rush, stupid and off the mark, but I don’t think what Ron Paul says here is comparable to Steele’s remarks.”
I read this the same way as you. It is rather sad that, in all of the republican party, we have to look to a radio talk show host to lead. It is not a slam at Rush but says something about the lack of conservative leaders in the rebublican party.
Agreed: Ron Paul is an eccentric screwball and gadfly.
Rush Limbaugh’s analysis last Saturday at CPAC was spot on. Every single word of it. Hit out of the ballpark. By any reasonable measure, Rush is indeed the spiritual and philosophical leader of the Conservative Movement.
If Republican politicians would follow Rush’s leadership and inspiration, they could take back the Congress in 2010 just as they did under Rush’s leadership and inspiration in 1994.
It’s pretty sad that McCain was the best that the Republicans could come up with as a candidate. How do they think they did? And why should we listen to Paul?
Like Pavlov’s dog, they dump on Rush when the MSM rings the bell.
"Broaden the base". I'm sick of hearing this phrase. The favorite concept of loser, liberal, groveling Republicans to appeal to Democrat Leftists; hoping against hope that these same people who hate them will love them in end.
"Broadening the base" means betraying conservative principles for the sake of the "big tent" party; for the sake of winning elections and governing like liberals. "Broadening the base" is a mind game by played by Democrats in Republican (play acting conservative) clothes.
“Narrow base” my rear. That narrow base defeated the “homosexuals are just like you” measure in California and the majority were black! Most people are conservatives, Ron. But it takes someone with common sense to understand that.
I hope you are right because I would agree with that sentiment. However, when on CNN one must speak very clearly or it will be used against you. Perhaps he did and the excerpts are not doing what he said justice. I do not know.
Ron Paul is a wild-eyed libertarian with nominal conservative leanings, and he simply pays lip service to the US Constitution when it is convenient and needful in order to tickle the ears of a particular audience he may be addressing.
He is to the GOP what Howard Dean was to the Dems four years ago - possibly worse.
He ought to be summarily kicked out of, and disenfranchised from the GOP, along with Collins, Snowe, Specter, and every current member of the House or Senate who inserted so much as one earmark into Porkulus.
Ron Paul should hang his head in shame for his negative, unhelpful comments; he should go home to Texas and resume his medical practice and adhere rigidly to the Hippocratic Oath, “Above all, do no harm.”
A.A.C.
McCain wasn’t the best, he was the status quo. It is almost like the Physics theory of conservation of energy, objects will always move to the lowest energy state.. well politics will always move to the status quo state.
Creepy. Creepy as that Co Springs preacher.
Ron Paul is weird! He is a flake! Ya know what I mean? The Drive by media is saying that Rush is the Defacto leader in exile voice for Republican party. Rush is the American Voice for CONSERVATIVES. Rush wouldn’t want to lead some of the Republicans. Should Republicans listen to him? Yes, but some won’t. If we want to win again they better start listening to him!
Et tu Brutus.
The GOP can’t rebuild if they can never win the first big battle by building a fiscal coalition. Your strategy is a pipe dream considering 50% of the nation pays no taxes, and there is also a percentage of Leech allies that will vote with the useful idiots.
If you think we can toss all fiscal conservatives overboard based on some litmus test, then I’m putting the burden on you to replace those people in our coalition. Where you gonna find the votes after tossing the Libertarians, Blue Dogs, Independents, and disaffected Obama supporters overboard right before we need them for the biggest battle of our country’s history?
Well, at least RoPaul admits he doesn’t like conservatism.
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