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Obama Calls Out Rush Limbaugh and Fox News for Creating a Toxic Partisan Environment
President Obama is calling out Fox News and Rush Limbaugh by name for creating a toxic environment that makes bipartisanship impossible.
In an interview with The New Republic, Obama brought up the role of right wing media in killing bipartisanship,
One of the biggest factors is going to be how the media shapes debates. If a Republican member of Congress is not punished on Fox News or by Rush Limbaugh for working with a Democrat on a bill of common interest, then you’ll see more of them doing it.
I think John Boehner genuinely wanted to get a deal done, but it was hard to do in part because his caucus is more conservative probably than most Republican leaders are, and partly because he is vulnerable to attack for compromising Republican principles and working with Obama.
The same dynamic happens on the Democratic side. I think the difference is just that the more left-leaning media outlets recognize that compromise is not a dirty word. And I think at least leaders like myself—and I include Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi in this—are willing to buck the more absolutist-wing elements in our party to try to get stuff done.
The odds of Fox News and Rush Limbaugh not punishing Republicans who work with Obama are exactly zero, because Fox and Rush make their money by keeping a large segment of the Republican base outraged. They have a financial incentive to keep the partisanship high, and the national discourse toxic.
What the president didn’t discuss was the fact that congressional Republicans have empowered Limbaugh and Fox News to punish them. Conservative media only has as much power as the Republican congressional caucus is willing to give it. Congressional Republicans are paying the price for the decision to allow the most powerful members of the right wing media establishment to fill their party’s leadership vacuum. It doesn’t seem to matter to these Republicans that Limbaugh and Fox News have little impact on elections. They are afraid of the wrath of Rush and Fox, so many of the members of the Republican majority in the House rigidly toe the conservative media line.
A secondary issue is that much like their base many congressional Republicans are grossly misinformed because they rely on Fox News, talk radio, and right wing websites for their information. It is nearly impossible to forge a bipartisan consensus on any issue when a segment of the legislative branch is getting their information from an alternate universe where any and all facts that are not partisan talking points are questioned.
The president was dead on about the difference between liberal and conservative media. The vast majority of the left understands compromise. There is a segment of the left that like the right makes their living off of fanning the flames of perpetual outrage, but the difference is that the professionally outraged left isn’t running the Democratic Party. (In fact, one of the reasons why they have gotten so angry is that many of the white male progressives who used to be viewed as the voices of the left have been replaced by less white and less male Obama Democrats.)
Obama’s remarks explain why it is a mistake to ignore what Limbaugh and Fox are up to. They are the guiding forces in the Republican Party right now. Pretending that they don’t exist would be the equivalent of ignoring the problem and hoping that it goes away.
The president avoided false media equivalencies and understands that our national dialogue will continue to be poisoned as long as Republicans continue to empower their right wing media complex.
Until Republicans stop following Fox News and Rush Limbaugh off the cliff, there is little hope that our toxic political environment will be cleaned up.
Obama and the Democrats get it, which is why they keep winning elections.
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35 Responses to Obama Calls Out Rush Limbaugh and Fox News for Creating a Toxic Partisan Environment
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Anne
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
From the way that a number of prominent Republicans have groveled when Rush Limbaugh displays wrath at something they’ve said that displeased him, this article is spot on. Then there are others (like Willard Romney) who, possibly because of that fear, don’t show leadership by speaking up forcefully or at all when one of his/her political allies says something incredibly stupid and backward. They have truly poisoned the political well, to such an extent that there is no reasoning with them. They will not accept facts that contradict beliefs included in their alternative reality.
Carlota Ferguson
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
I hope it’s okay if I borrow keeping the “national discourse toxic.”
djchefron(Moderator)
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
FIXED
JustNosy
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 5:49 pm
I may be mistaken but I think she was asking if she could borrow the phrase “national discourse toxic”.
djchefron(Moderator)
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
You right let me go fix it.
lana barr
Jan. 28th, 2013 at 1:28 am
“Uh oh,Mr. President,now FOX and Rush will make things up about you and call you names! Oh,wait…they already do that~~”
j
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
About time somebody said it!
Astrid Warner
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 1:20 pm
McCain needs to wake up too, I used to admire him, I used to vote for him. Now I consider him just a windbag who likes to hear himself talk. Rush is obnoxious, he should be cut off.
In my opinion “freedom of speech” ceases to exist, when all these lies are repeated so often people believe in them. There should be an addendum made, that if what we, the people are being told lies, lies, lies. -the LIARS should be punished, fined or denied air space!!!
mjh
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
McCain needs to wake up too, I used to admire him, I used to vote for him. Now I consider him just a windbag who likes to hear himself talk.
McCain USED to be an independent-minded republican who stood with his COUNTRY first and with his PARTY when they deserved it.
But, the moment he allowed Bill Kristol and a couple of other neoKKKons to choose his 2008 running mate for him, he crossed over to the dark side . . .
.
syracuseny
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
There is nothing to admire about McCain. He’s not a hero – he was stupid enough to be squirrely and irresponsible to get shot down. He’s nothing but a blowhard, bitter, sore loser presidential wannabe. Not a hero by any stretch of the imagination.
Jeff R
Jan. 28th, 2013 at 1:53 am
I’m not disagreeing with you. I think your comment needs just a little clarity on what “freedom of speech” means.
And that is only necessary because the radical right continually mis-defines the phrase.
“Freedom of speech” means that the government may not restrict political speech. That’s it. That’s all that it means. Though that is plenty.
The “free speech” right does not cover “commercial speech” (which the government may restrict) and it also does not prevent private citizens from criticizing, condemning, boycotting, and otherwise refusing to listen to, countenance, or support the mendacious, inflammatory, or inciting speech of commentators, comedians, self-described entertainers, or fools, however popular or wealthy they may have become.
mary piburn
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
I really thought that the majority of Americans from both sides of the isle realized that Rush is a Glen Beck equivalent with just a bit louder and cruder voice. I thought he lost a lot of his validity when he made many of the idiotic comments that he made during the election. I don’t see how thinking people can take him seriously. Fox news isn’t any different. It doesn’t take rocket science to show that their news is not accurate. Expecially when during the election some of their own reporters spoke out against the misreporting. I think some people just like for there to be some conspiracy going on or some ridiculous thing to get outraged about. Fox and Rush and indeed, Glen Beck as well, feed that need in those people. I really thought Republicans in office would smarter than that. Rush should be dismissed as the crackpot that he is. Really, its only common sense.
mary piburn
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
well I spelled especially wrong…ha!
Daniel Berry, NYC
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 7:47 pm
and “aisle.”
marlee white
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
If Obama had been afraid of Rush Limbaugh he would not have been reelected for another term of Presidency,Why would some One as outstanding,Intelligent,handsome,and respected as Obama be afraid of a lowlife drug addict,a societal reject(except The republicans supporters)who hates himself and is therefore unable to respect or love others,simply put,A miserable misfit.Whose afraid of the VIAGRA Wolf?Maybe the toilet.
Get over it!!!You time to rule is over.In 2016 A woman will be elected,or maybe an ASIAN or Hispanic,It damn sure won!t be fat Rush.
philip george
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
I agree with the previous comments but many republicans are victims of the propaganda. They have been told since they were children to be that way and many have never developed beyond that. Thanks to face book they can now see the Truth!
mack
Jan. 28th, 2013 at 6:04 am
@philipgeorge
Willful ignorance in this age of easy access to information is no excuse.
Darrell Preacherman
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
.It is about time that somebody called out Rush Limbaugh people need to step be scared of Limbaugh they need to called him out not just this time but everytime.When he called President Obama names and everyting else nobody said thing but laught t his joke but now the shoe is on the other foot but now it is not funnyf
anitamurie
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 3:51 pm
I’m so glad President Obama finally called out Fox and Rush. Unfortunately, the msm will most likely play the “both sides do it” meme and nothing will come of it. I hope I’m wrong.
Jimmy Cracks Capricorns
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 6:43 pm
Republicans, and I mean the voting block of citizens, heb engrained beliefs that;
1.) Unions are evil – they forget unions are American citizen taxpaying workers
2.) Government is evil – kill it, drown it in the bathtub.
3.) Taxes are theft of their hard earned capital – and all of it belongs to them.
4.) War is a great way to project power – not a finger raised in 2003.
5.) Democracy is the same as authoritarianism – is good for them, bad for everyone else.
6.) They saved the world in WWII – even though they were born in the 1950′s
7.) The world’s oil is really ours – hand it over or we’ll invade.
8.) Poor people are lazy – except the communists in SE Asia, they can be hired for $150 a month.
melvin polatnick
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Personalities of Barack and Rush will not be the deciding factor in America`s destiny. China is the new kid on the block with muscles that are growing larger each day, his appetite for the world’s goodies cannot be checked. The focus on two loud mouth personalities will blind the nation to the Chinese kid that is quickly becoming the main man.
djchefron(Moderator)
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
First dont ever compare President Obama to that drug addicted college dropout,Second whats up with you people that always need an enemy.You must work for Raytheon or some other weapons manufacturer.Always want the bigger guns.Third,yes China is growing but you want to know why they will have a bigger role in the world?Instead of bombing countries and propping up dictators they are building schools and infrastructure not only in their own country but in Africa,Latin America and just about every third world country to secure the raw materials they need.America better wake up because its not how many aircraft carriers you have.It will be how many friends you have.
Jeff R
Jan. 28th, 2013 at 2:01 am
No doubt both men are self-confident, but only the radio commentator is a loudmouth.
Carol Morgan
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 10:04 pm
So what this means is that a morbidly obese drug addict and a group of uneducated loons are the ones who really run the GOP?
djchefron(Moderator)
Jan. 27th, 2013 at 10:07 pm
Cantor and the orange man are not obese
majii
Jan. 28th, 2013 at 12:17 am
Anyone who watched any of the Benghazi hearings that featured SoS Clinton kicking GOP butt last week could have easily recognized the Fox-Limbaugh-Alex Jones, etc. talking points that republicans employed. Nothing any of them said had its basis in reality. It was all BS that was created, spread, and repeated on RW media outlets. It was quite obvious to me that the questions republicans asked in the Senate and the House had been co-ordinated and pre-approved for use, because they were all saying either the same thing or something that was very similar. They were trying hard to convey a sense of seriousness, but imo, they all came off looking like klowns with their fake outrage, posturing, and self-promotion Rand Paul had to promote himself by feigning outrage and telling SoS Clinton that if he were POTUS, he’d have fired certain people at the State Dept. He showed how ignorant he is, because it is difficult to fire a government employee. There is a long process involved in firing a government employee. Rand Paul was trying to show how strong a leader he would be, but what he showed the American people is that he doesn’t know how the government he helps to run operates. Some genius, isn’t he? Ass. John McCain had to remind everyone how frequently he appears on the meaningless Sunday morning “news” programs. He, too, looked like a real jackass, grinning and patting himself on the back about appearing on TV on Sunday mornings, while trying to pretend to be so “concerned” about the lack of adequate security in Benghazi. Even some republicans were turned off by the disrespect republicans showed toward SoS Clinton and by their jackassery. Then, this media whore ran to Fox News the next day to whine again about “needing answers.” If the jackass had attended the security briefings on Benghazi instead of running to different networks to smear UN Ambassador Rice, he would have known what the information gathered so far shows.
mack
Jan. 28th, 2013 at 5:59 am
If only the President would say this to a more national audience. The whole country needs to hear it, and we MUST find some way to shut these vitriolic fake tv news and right-wing radio outlets down before they bring the country to civil war. It’s not the WH stirring up class and race warfare…it’s FOX, Rush, and their ilk. I think they secretly want the country to erupt into violence.
djchefron(Moderator)
Jan. 28th, 2013 at 8:57 am
1.No.Most Democrats do not think that.Most Democrats lay the blame on 30 years of Reagan ism and we recognized that when Clinton signed the repealed of glass -steagal that just accelerated the process.
2.We know that bush lied about it and planted the stories.Yellow cake,allumium tubes,mobile bio weapon trucks.kicking the UN out ect.Dummycrats will be dummycrats.They were spineless who didnt stand up because they didnt want to appear unpatriotic and some have paid a price.See Hillary Clinton
3.No we dont believe that the reason bush failed was because he didnt like black people.We blame him for his incompetence.Hell he put in charge of FEMA A EFFING HORSE JUDGE!!!
4.The reason he is divisive is because you and and at least 20% cannot accept that a black man is smarter than you.Can you say white supremacy.
Correction. I said most Democrats.I cant speak for most Democrats.I shouls have said this is what I believe.
franklin millin
Jan. 28th, 2013 at 9:12 am
thanks your so right about rush limbuae he should be tried for treasonous attemps against the american people with all the other ASSHOLES in politics including FOX news.
Jane Tunning
Jan. 28th, 2013 at 9:14 am
Yes leaders of the Republicans are punished. They received negative media attention from Fox and Rush. Yes, Rush and Fox want to have an uproar all of the time because it is how they make their money but they are at core conservatives and they are at a point where they do not support compromise. Maybe they never did. Republican leaders have somehow come up with the belief they must have the support of Rush and FOX to win elections. Do they? No they don’t. Sometimes it is good to look at oneself through clearer eyes.
Shiva(Moderator)
Jan. 28th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
Sounds like the boogyman sleeps under your bed
djchefron(Moderator)
Jan. 28th, 2013 at 1:57 pm
imageshack.us/a/img818/56...
Aaron Michaux
Jan. 28th, 2013 at 8:45 pm
You don’t have to be white and male to fall for the cognitive bubble, and think you are doing some great deed by fanning the flames of hatred and outrage. In fact, your irony metres should spin as you read this very article. Aren’t people interesting.
bobbie haldeman
Jan. 29th, 2013 at 9:48 pm
I call him Brash, because he’s rash….
And full of pompous air.
His tripe, guised as humor, aimed at every baby boomer,
To Joe McCarthy I compare.
Blow Brash blow…see Brash blow,
he’s so ineffectual.
Gush Rush gush…see Rush gush,
he’s no intellectual.
Sharin Khosa
Jan. 30th, 2013 at 5:02 pm
Call the devil by his name.