Posted on 11/22/2002 2:16:41 AM PST by kattracks
Sen. John McCain, R-Az., said late Thursday that he hadn't meant to criticize talk radio host Rush Limbaugh during an interview on Arizona radio earlier in the day.
But the GOP maverick then repeated an earlier insult where he described the top talker as "a circus clown," this time adding that Limbaugh "ought to have a sense of humor."
Appearing with WABC Radio's John Batchelor and Paul Alexander, McCain repeatedly praised Limbaugh as "a great entertainer" and protested that he didn't mean to cause the controversy that ensued when he hurled apparent insults at the conservative icon.
"Really, I'm not being critical of him," the Arizona Republican insisted. "He's entertainment."
But then he added in the next breath, "Because I said, 'like a circus clown,' that somehow has offended him. I'll - should I say, maybe a stand-up comic in a night club? You know, I don't know. It's entertainment. It's very successful and I think he does a great job at it."
The Arizona Republican continued to mix pointed digs at Limbaugh, who has long made him a target of his own barbs, with tongue-in-cheek praise.
"Half the time he's got his facts about me wrong. But that's fine. That's what entertainment's all about," the former presidential candidate said in magnanimous tones.
Then, reacting to news that the top talker had bristled on his own show over the earlier attack, McCain added, "Mr. Limbaugh ought to have - keep a sense of humor."
In fact, Limbaugh was initially critical of McCain's comments based on advanced reports, but after hearing the full exchange he told a caller that the remarks weren't as bad as he had first thought.
But McCain's clarification on Limbaugh's flagship station in New York left little doubt that praise for the top talker was merely camouflage for another attack.
Raising the Limbaugh controversy without any prompting from Batchelor and Alexander, McCain started in just as the radio duo were about to say good-bye:
ALEXANDER: Are you at home, Senator?
MCCAIN: Yes, I'm at home enjoying my evening with the family. I was on a talk show earlier today and seem to have triggered some kind of response because somebody asked me about Tom Daschle's remarks about Rush Limbaugh. It was on one of the local talk shows here in Arizona.
The host of it's a really fine guy named Barry Young. And he said, "What did you think about it?"
And I said, "Well, I think that Rush Limbaugh is entertainment. I think he's very entertaining. I enjoy his routine. You know, like I enjoy a circus clown." And that seemed to have been - but I said, you know "Talk radio's very important to America. I think it's wonderful we have talk radio. It's a great way for people to get educated and be entertained and give their views."
But I seem to have made people mad.
ALEXANDER: Senator, I think you've caused another controversy.
MCCAIN: I think he's great entertainment. He beats up on me all the time and, you know, it's pretty funny.
ALEXANDER: Can I make a suggestion here, Senator? I think he enjoys it when you strike back.
MCCAIN: Sure. I'm not striking back. I think he does a great job. I think he's a fine entertainer. Really, I'm not being critical of him. He's entertainment.
ALEXANDER: Well, why would they read into that, that you are?
MCCAIN: Because I said, "like a circus clown," that somehow has offended him. I'll - should I say, maybe a stand-up comic in a night club? You know, I don't know. It's entertainment. It's very successful and I think he does a great job at it.
Half the time he's got his facts about me wrong. But that's fine. That's what entertainment's all about.
ALEXANDER: Well, see, you go home and you get into trouble, Senator.
MCCAIN: There you go.
BATCHELOR: Now Sen. McCain, I hope you -
MCCAIN: Mr. Limbaugh ought to have - keep a sense of humor.
BATCHELOR: I hope you understand, we want to get all the facts right about you.
MCCAIN: There you go. (End of Excerpt)
You have to believe he listens to Rush and is pissed about the parodies he does of him.
Arthur, it's so good to see your name again---even though mine has been rare here for a year or so . . . Let's give this buffoon a few words in an e-mailjohn_mccain@mccain.senate.gov
Hope all is well with you. I miss the old days . . .
With best wishes,
Penny
1. Bash talk radio
2. Call them dangerous
3. Six months before the 2004 election cycle claim Talk Radio violates CFR (McCain-Feingold)
4. ACLU sues to stop poltical talk.
They all slip it into the conversation, in a clumsily obvious attempt to urge listeners to "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" -- i.e., please, please don't take the conservative political commentary seriously.
And has everyone noticed that John "I'm not a Republican, but I play one on TV" McCain is using the same talking points? Just which team's playbook is *he* following?
While I'm on the subject, I'd like to point out that another talking point buzzphrase, "hate radio" (or "spreading hate", etc.) is actually an attempt to misdirect attention from what talk radio is *really* doing.
Talk radio doesn't express "hate" at Democrats, it directs RIDICULE at them. Day in and day out. Deservedly so, too.
And *that's* what really has their shorts in a knot.
A successful radio talk show host must have a message that resonates.
All the libs have is 'Babs' and 'smart Alec'. Who are now discredited after trying to take down a popular wartime President.
BUMP
Now, that is a classic case of being called ugly by a frog!
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