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Is Limbaugh’s Operation Chaos Working?

May 06, 2008 11:03 PM

Melanie Kerr is an Indiana voter we met over the weekend at the "Orchard In Bloom" festival.

She was looking forward to casting her ballot for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY.

But she doesn’t like Clinton.

She likes Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

She’s a Republican.

So why was she planning on voting in Indiana’s open Democratic primary?

“I want to keep the primary going as long as possible,” Kerr said. “I want to keep a debate going between the two of them…. Obama would have been untouched in my opinion if she didn't stay in the race. Then her staying in longer and even longer than (her attacks) will be in people's minds in Democratic people's minds when November comes around.”

It isn’t that Kerr thinks Clinton would be easier than Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, for McCain to defeat in the Fall. It’s the idea that with Clinton “in there, that keeps the debate between them going and we get more, uh, more chaos.”

Kerr giggles. “That's the name -- Operation Chaos.”

**

“Operation Chaos was born primarily for the purpose assuming Obama was going to be the nominee at the get-go of this,” Limbaugh explained on his show.  “He needs to be bloodied up politically since McCain is not going to do it. Since the Republican Party is not going to be on the field in this way, somebody's gotta bloody up Obama.  The only person that can do it is Hillary, and she can't do it if she's not in the race -- and so the purpose was Operation Chaos was to keep her in the race and to have her bloody up Obama in the process of staying in the race.”

“And, lo and behold, it's happened,” Limbaugh said. “This is the crucible of chaos.  Look at what Operation Chaos has forged.  Mrs. Clinton now is threatening to obliterate Iran.  She says she gonna break up OPEC.  She wants to hold the money brokers responsible for the alleged recession.  She says she gonna renege on NAFTA.  She'll take what she calls the excess profits from Big Oil.  And she's going to do all that while hunting and downing shots of Crown Royal followed by a beer. 

“None of that, not one of these Clinton promises would exist were it not for Operation Chaos.  The train would not have come off the tracks of the Obama campaign, were it not for Operation Chaos.  The Jeremiah Wright stuff and all that, yes, that would have happened, but nothing could have done anything about it because Mrs. Clinton would have been effectively out of the race, not able to mount a campaign.  So we'd be in a far different spot today than we were so the purpose of this is to keep this going -- exactly what's happened.”

**

There were anecdotal reports of big turnout in Republican precincts in Indiana – with, presumably, Republican voters asking for Democratic presidential ballots.

Were they Republicans swept up in Clintonmania or Obamamania? Or did they have something more devious on their minds?

Most of the Republicans voting for Clinton or Obama this election season have been voting sincerely for those candidates – or so they told us, at any rate.

But there have been some here and there whom we’ve met and who -- like Kerr -- are part of General Limbaugh’s army.

Has there been a real impact?

Eleven percent of the voters in Indiana tonight were Republican, Marc Ambinder of the Atlantic reports -- and they went for Clinton over Obama 52% to 46%.

Over at the Huffington Post, Sam Stein crunches some of the exit poll numbers and wonders: “Thirty-six percent of primary voters said that Clinton does not share their values. And yet, among that total, one out of every five (20 percent) nevertheless voted for her in the Indiana election. Moreover, of the 10 percent of Hoosiers who said ‘neither candidate’ shared their values, 75 percent cast their ballots for Clinton.

“These are not small numbers. By comparison, of the 33 percent of voters who said Sen. Barack Obama does not share their values, only seven percent cast their ballots in his favor. Basically, more people who don't relate to Clinton are, for one reason or another, still voting for her. These are not likely to be loyal supporters.”

ABC News’ Polling Director Gary Langer does not think much of these theories.

“ABC News reported in Pennsylvania that 23% who saw Clinton as not honest and trustworthy voted for her anyway," Langer emails. "Some people don't like her but still like her better than Obama.”

He sees no data to support the notion of game playing.

The Obama campaign points out that 7 percent in the Indiana primary were Clinton primary voters who said they'd support McCain against Clinton in the general election.

Same in North Carolina. (2 percent in each were Obama voters who said they'd vote for McCain in an Obama-McCain match up.)

"But I cannot see any evidence that this has anything to do with Limbaugh," Langer says. "I guess it can't be ruled out, but neither can any number of other possibilities, at least as plausible. People who like Clinton, or who just want to see a woman nominated, but like McCain more. People who don't like Obama, or just don't want to see an African-American nominated. These people are disproportionately Republicans. But again, that doesn't mean they were trying to do damage. Indeed, they are more likely than others to think Clinton has a better chance than Obama to beat McCain. You'd think, if they were agents for McCain, they'd have voted for Obama."

**

But Mr. Limbaugh sees things differently.

Via email, Limbaugh read email “field reports…from people, commandos, operatives reporting that they have followed orders and fulfilled their duty.”

New Albany, Indiana: "I received a call from one of Obama's operatives.  She asked me if I was going to vote for Obama in the primary.  I said, 'No.'  She asked me who I was voting for.  I said, 'Operation Chaos.'  The Obama worker laughed and then said, 'Okay,' with a positive tone to her voice and thanked me for my time." 

Shoals, Indiana: "Rush, at 8:15 a.m. this morning I voted for Hillary Clinton in the Indiana primary.  It was tough.  I showered twice. I threw up a little bit in my mouth, but I did it.  It was an honor to follow your orders.  Matthew Sullivan."

What are you guys seeing out there?

- jpt

May 6, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (146)

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Nice job Professor, you've been stirring the sauce for years!

Posted by: Delta | May 26, 2008 2:07:34 PM

Rush treats every American who is not a republican like the enemy. "If you are not for us you are against us" is the Right Wing mantra. So according to Rush my parents and I are enemies, because I am a Democrat.

I get that. My parents and I have not spoken since 2002. They do not like what I stand for and I do not like what they stand for. Each of us feel so strongly that we are permanently estranged

Of course they are old and are approaching the time in their lives when they will need help. To bad they have disowned and disinherited their children. They will spend the last of their money on nursing homes and die alone.

Happy Mothers Day Mom

Posted by: erick gammon | May 11, 2008 2:33:35 PM

Rush is a conservative and not a Republican. He's has stated multiple times that he does not support McCain's campaign and he's been critical of the Republican party and so has Hannity.

The true roots of the republican party, believe it or not, were conservative values and they were the reason for the republicans taking control of Congress and the Presidency. As for operation chaos, Rush wants Obama to win but to be bloddied also. And yes this can be considered to be lowdown and despicable, but this is how our politics work and I'm frankly tired of it. This same vote for the other guy was used to steal states that Romney would of one in the Republican primaries.

Although I will say that I hate the democratic party and sort of relish in that party being torn apart and the tactics of race and gender card that the liberals so play against republicans being used against themselves.

I have since swtiched from a Republicn over to being indepdent whose very conservative.

I frankly think it's time to form a new party and drop kick the republican and democratic party out of power. We need our 2 party system to be destroyed internally, only than will we began to solve problems in America.

Posted by: Andrew | May 8, 2008 6:41:32 PM

McCain was forced on Republicans by the left leaning voters in the New England states namely New Hampshire. It is funny watching the crats grumble about there tactics being used against them.

Posted by: Rob | May 8, 2008 2:13:57 PM

Turn off Rush Limpballs and listen to all speeches on CSPAN... OBAMA's got my vote!!

Posted by: Cbisket | May 8, 2008 1:49:06 PM

"Operation Chaos" has got to be the most unpatriotic, un-American thing I've ever heard of. Many brave men and women have fought and died for our democracy. To abuse our American rights in this way is like spitting in their faces. Shameful.

Posted by: eric | May 8, 2008 1:02:57 PM

The Republicans creating chaos are just doing what the Dems did in the early states to vote in the GOP open primaries. The main things that are being proven by this process is:

1) All primaries and caucuses should either be open or closed... none of this mix and match crap. And for that matter, the GOP should have proportional delegates, not winner take all. The better Republicans might have been more competitive.

2) None of the remaining candidates are worth getting behind on their own merits.

3) The Dem vote doesn't matter anyway... it's all about the ivory tower of the "superdelegates." The average Democrat got fooled into thinking it was a one person, one vote system.

Posted by: mec | May 8, 2008 12:55:18 PM

Dems, independents, and the MSM picked John McCain to be our nominee, so Rush Limbaugh’s interference in the Dem’s primary is welcomed justice. Equally funny, Operation Chaos is being misrepresented as some call to violence in the streets of Denver. Note to the DNC, Republicans don’t riot. Rush is just predicting, based on comments by Charlie Rangel and Rosie O'Donnell, what will happen if the party steals this nomination from Obama. Dreaming of riots, yes, inciting no.

Posted by: Daniel Burguete | May 8, 2008 9:41:02 AM

Why would any sensible person take any notice of a washed up radio talk show commentator.

I'm personally glad we don't have idiots like Rush L in England, preaching to the masses. America still has to learn about democracy and what that means. How can anybody argue for two states to be re-instated and there votes cont, when every voter did not cast a vote, because they were told the votes would not cont. Democracy is about the rules and regulations at the start of a political democratic vote, not changing the rules to suit one persons political motive , when they are facing defeat. Wake up Americans and think for yourselves,and forget that washed up Radio talk show host with his own political agenda. If he was so good, why did he not put his name on the ballot???.

Posted by: Tony in England | May 8, 2008 8:55:57 AM

My Operation Chaos: What I Learned in Talk Radio

I've learned a lot from failure. In the late 1990's I worked in AM talk radio here in Salt Lake City. In that time I worked in front of and behind the mic of two AM talk radio stations and was the program director of a third station devoted to syndicated news. When I got into radio it was with the hope and ambition of having an enduring career. One day I thought, if I work really hard maybe I could be as popular as a Rush Limbaugh, Michael Medved, or G. Gordan Liddy....

Posted by: Christopher Wilde | May 8, 2008 8:24:11 AM

HoosierSue...you're dead on. MSNBC said as many Reps. voted Obama as Hillary in Indiana...I think it was 52 Hillary, 48 Obama...so nothing earth shattering there for Mr. Limbaugh. Does anybody really listen to him. For what it's worth...I live in Calif. Registered Republican...I asked and they gave me a Democratic ticket and I voted who I want to run against McCain, in case. NEVER OBAMA....MANY HILLARY SUPPORTERS, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT, FEEL THE SAME. I'M AFRAID NO ONE THINKS OF HILLARY'S SUPPORT WITH WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE, WHO HAVE VOTED REPUBLICAN FOR YEARS. I heard an African American woman on KABC talk radio here in LA, Republican, voted Hillary too. Thinks Obama is empty words, radical ideology, inexperienced. I was really surprised and impressed, as 92% of black vote goes to him...but this older AA woman voted for HRC on Feb. 5! Another Republican for Hillary...and not because of Rush.

Posted by: Debra | May 8, 2008 12:17:22 AM

Obama had 11 straight wins going into Texas and Ohio. About that same time, Limbaugh hatched Operation Chaos. I was listeningto his program the day he announced it. At first I thought he wanted Clinton to win because she's a weaker candidate against McCain, but now I agree, the purpose was to bloody Obama. Mission accomplished.

Also, McCain gets a free pass while the Democrats duke it out.

I still think Obama would have won Texas but for the Limbaugh operation. Ohio and Pennsylvania may have been legitimate Clinton wins. All other Clinton wins since the Potomac Primaries are due to Operation Chaos, IMHO.

Two more points.

I attended the Politics Online Conference in DC, the day of Texas and Ohio primaries. Republicans I met from the Ohio area confirmed their Republican friends and relatives were voting for Clinton as part of the Limbaugh operation.

Most Democrats will vote for the Democratic nominee over McCain. Pennsylvania's Governor, the one who delivered such a big win for Clinton, was quoted in Time magazine as saying he would throw all that support behind Obama if he won the nomination.

Posted by: CherylT | May 8, 2008 12:01:59 AM

McCain will be the next president. The crossovers are not going to vote for Obama in the general election. Who wants a angry black woman to be the first lady? This election belongs to the media who continue to try and run Hillary off. Obama is excused for whatever. What do Americans really know about this man?

Posted by: Suzy | May 7, 2008 10:51:08 PM

I find it sad that some of us believe that the use of deception to create division will benefit our nation in any way. This 'ends justify the means' tactic is destructive and unpatriotic.

Sometimes the means undermine the ends.

I have a proposal:
Let us counter 'project chaos' with our own mission. Let us take stock of our priorities and recognize the great number of issues we democrats agree upon. We should reach out to one another and find a way to work together. We might even consider reaching out to conservatives. Isn't that what our candidates want? Isn't that what is best for our nation and the world? Isn't that the only way we will truly move forward?


We can name this new mission after the man who ultimately inspired it: We can call it 'PROJECT LIMBAUGH'.

Posted by: jesse | May 7, 2008 10:24:06 PM

Say whatever you want, Rush. You're a conservative talk show host out for ratings above all else, and what you really want out of this election is a Democrat in the White House, someone to rail against on your show, attract like-minded listeners to your program, and boost your ratings. What makes Rush more money, a left-wing woman or black guy to scream about, or a short-armed 75 year-old war hero to play patsy and suck up to?

Posted by: coloradobama | May 7, 2008 9:58:29 PM

Hey, Irma.
Hard to belive you are a life-long Demoocrat who really is considering voting Independent because it will be a because "it will be a ROARING PROTEST THAT THEY WILL FEEL."
Yeah, right. Just like my Ron Paul buddies tell me!
There are 9 Supreme Court Justices.
The youngest ones are Conservatives.
Five of them are Conservatives and also Conservative Catholic. Speaking as a former Liberal Catholic, you don't want these people making decisions for you.
One or more Liberal Supreme Court Justices will be replaced by 2012.
Help McCain win by wasting your vote will give you a 7-2 Conservative Supreme Court that you can complain about for the rest of your life.

Posted by: garyS | May 7, 2008 9:14:56 PM

Irma: I understand your sentiments. And I agree that Obama has been the darling of MSNBC and other media. But remember, the primary season was pretty civil until the Clintons attacked Obama. First it was "plagarism," then came the South Carolina contest and the Jesse Jackson dismissal, and the came the "fairytale" comment. People got pretty pissed off at the Clinton's sense of entitlement. Before you opt out, why not wait and take a queue from Senator Clinton. If Obama wins in November she might end up in his cabinet.

Posted by: Steve from Danville | May 7, 2008 9:02:21 PM

Clinton supporters of which I am one; do not be misguided by the Republicans pretending to be on our side and encouraging us to vote for McCain. I, a life long Democrat, will be changing my party affiliation to Independent. The reason being I do not feel that the Democratic Party is representative of US, the long term Democrats who believe and fought for Civil Rights, who experienced the rip off elections of Gore and Kerry and who now support Hillary Clinton. I have volunteered throughout the years driving to other states and staying in Hotels to help where ever I was needed at my own expense. I also have donated heavily throughout the years. What I have seen done to Hillary Clinton in the media is a great injustice. I have only a masters in History; however my passion for the subject has been deep since childhood. I have experienced racism, poverty and hunger. I have also experienced great devotion from teachers and others enabling me to become educated beyond my family’s hopes and dreams. I know that this country and its Constitution is not great solely because of leaders or events, but because of the People and the Power of Protest. It is what I teach my students every year! I am not abandoning the Democratic Party; I am leaving a party that has contributed to the great injustice we are witnessing against Hillary Clinton, the most intelligent, policy savvy candidate. It is the Democratic Party that has abandoned US for a novice because of the "forces that be" who want to anoint him within our party against the wishes of the loyal Dem base. I owe this party nothing! I owe the New Democrats for Obama absolutely NOTHING! I definitely owe Obama absolutely NOTHING! I will vote for Hillary Clinton alone, hopefully through a new THIRD PARTY. I encourage a split with the Democratic Party because it will be a ROARING PROTEST THAT THEY WILL FEEL. I will NEVER vote Republican!

Posted by: irma | May 7, 2008 8:30:38 PM

Aren't you giving Rush Limbaugh more credit than he deserves? Who in their right mind would take the time and spend the energy to go down and change their registration, then go down and vote for a candidate they don't like, then go back down and change their registration a second time. And what about the tragic irony of showing the Iraqi government how we Americans practice our brand of Democracy.

Posted by: Steve from Danville | May 7, 2008 8:18:36 PM

Of course it is having an impact. Obama lost by only about 15,000 votes in Indiana. Based on the numbers in this article, clearly the Republicans who voted for Clinton made a difference in the outcome. Limbaugh is a disgusting jerk who is cynically manipulating the process. But, as much as I hate him and his ways, I guess it is his right. Too bad Rushy, it probably won't have any more impact going forward. You've blown your chances.

Posted by: AG | May 7, 2008 7:20:35 PM

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