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Talk Radio Allies Turn on Bush

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May 30, 2007 3:08 PM

ABC News' Rick Klein and Steven Portnoy report: If President Bush was looking to pick a fight with immigration-reform foes with his speech Tuesday accusing them of trying to "frighten people," it looks like he got his wish.

The backlash in conservative talk radio -- typically some the White House’s biggest cheerleaders -- has been harsh and swift. Rush Limbaugh on Wednesday said Bush was wrong to attack "the people who have stood by him through thick and thin when everybody's been trying to destroy him," and said he'd understand if some of his listeners "flew the coop" on Bush based on his immigration comments.

"I just wish he hadn't done it, because he's not going to lose me on Iraq, national security, war on terror, but he may lose some of you," Limbaugh said. "The people who've hung with you, you don't just cast them aside, even in a casual sense. That's what worries me most."

Limbaugh’s comments echoed those of Sean Hannity, who used his radio show Tuesday to take exception to the president's suggestion that those who oppose "amnesty" don't have the country's best interests in mind.

"They're trying to ram this whole down our throats," Hannity said. "You know, the idea that we don't want to do what's right for America? No, we actually do. We believe in the laws as presently passed, and we believe in consequences for those that break our laws."

Mark Levin took similar offense to the president's suggestions on Tuesday, and even suggested that Bush hadn’t read the bill.

"We are the 28 percent or the 32 percent who supports this president, and he puts us down? He treats us like we're stupid?" Levin said. "Don't degrade us, Mr. President, don't smear us. Don't project onto us what you want to think of us, because we aren't what you say. And the idea that you'd turn on your own supporters and treat them this way, something's wrong with that."

"You imply that we have animosity toward a certain race of people. You treat us like we're Klansmen. To be frank, it's pretty disgusting, to be honest with you," he continued. "We are studying the bill, we are breaking it down. Are you? And you really think by smearing us, you'll win the day?"

May 30, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (13)

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Hee hee! That's pretty rich! George W. Bush accusing others of trying to frighten people? Memo to kettle: You are black. Signed, pot.

What's even more amusing is watching these lying, extreme-right media pit bulls deserting their beloved Decider over one relatively minor issue. Just goes to show you how much loyalty means to their ilk -- obviously, about as much as honesty!

Posted by: RS | May 30, 2007 4:27:51 PM

How sad that its all about loyalty and not about what's moral and just with the GOP.

Now that election time is near we will see a born-again anti-Iraq congress using some other issue to justify their switch from ideology to staying in power.

Posted by: geneonlbk | May 31, 2007 8:24:03 AM

This shows the Rush and Sean are conservatives, not just Republicans. They hold to their beliefs, no matter what.

Posted by: jason | May 31, 2007 10:12:35 AM

We conservatives are comfortable criticizing the president when he is wrong. Unlike the Clintonistas who circle the wagon. What stain on what blue dress?

Posted by: Susan | May 31, 2007 11:20:10 AM

After six l-o-n-g years with this "My Way or No Way" President, nothing Pres. Bush says surprises me, because I have weekly proof that he's a habitual liar.
Proof: "I will not engage our U.S. Troops in an Iraq Civil War." Two weeks later he announces his Surge.
Need I say any more?
Adam

Posted by: Adam Young | May 31, 2007 4:40:17 PM

Adam Young (post below) clearly doesn't know the difference between a civil war and a war on terrorism. You can be sure the terrorists know what they are doing, and fomenting civil war is one of their tricks. The terrorists love it when fat safe peacenik Westerners don't know the difference.

Posted by: John Smith | Jun 1, 2007 1:21:22 AM

Why are they surprised at Bush`s disloyalty? Would an honorable person have supported the war in Viet Nam and then avoided the fight? How about his treatment of Rumsfeld and the last General in charge in Iraq that said the surge was unnecessary? And now Bush is negotiating with the terrorists in Iraq!
Bush need not concern himself with his LEGACY by signing the comprehensive immigration bill, his legacy is already secure, unlike the borders that he continues to refuse to secure, 6 years after 9/11.

Posted by: A Viet Nam Vet | Jun 1, 2007 11:02:25 AM

John Smith (Previous post) must have been out of town or on vacation to still suggest that Iraq has some significance or hand in 9/11 or terrorism. The Bush administration allowed extremist to get into the country and still fail to take the Saudis to task for their role in 9/11 and the money funneled to the Sunnis inside Iraq.

Posted by: C. Stewart | Jun 3, 2007 11:31:11 AM

During the battle of Valley Forge, revolutionary troops were entrenched on the battlefield, freezing and starving. One day, a farmer who lived nearby brought much-needed provisions to the troops, and on his way back through the woods, he heard someone speaking. He tracked the voice until he came to a clearing, where he saw a man on his knees, praying in the snow. The farmer rushed home and excitedly told his wife, "The Americans will secure their independence!" His wife asked, "What makes you say that?" The farmer replied, "I heard George Washington pray out in the woods today, and the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will! Thee may rest assured, He will." The rest, of course, is history.
America was built on prayer—a strong foundation if there ever was one. Revisionists would have you believe that the signers of the Declaration of Independence were all pantheists, deists, or agnostics who didn’t have a lot time for God. If that’s true, then agnostics back then sure prayed a lot more than Christians do today. For instance, both morning and evening, our first President knelt before an open Bible to pray for God’s leading. Perhaps one reason this nation is faltering morally is because God’s people don’t spend much time praying for her.

Continued:
http://operationglobalrain.webdevdepot.net/j/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=34

Teach Us to Pray - By Doug Bachelor

Posted by: Ron | Jun 11, 2007 11:42:29 PM

I thought I heard one Congressman say that we'd be paying $50 for a head of lettuce if it wasn't for the Illegal Aliens. If this is true why isn't the cost of vegetables coming from Mexico much cheaper then Canadian or our own?

Posted by: Former Marine | Jun 11, 2007 11:57:34 PM

Amnesty for Illegals
Why is it that George Bush is so willing to sellout United States citizens, those waiting in line and the troops dieing for this country? Is he leading down to the world of the New World order? Or how about Revelation 13: 11-18?

Posted by: Former Marine | Jun 12, 2007 12:08:53 AM

RS--it's called integrity. There is nothing to be said for blind "loyalty", as the Dems should well learn.

Posted by: Barbara B | Jun 12, 2007 9:28:46 AM

It's interested how this has just turned into general Bush baashing once again. Sounds like a lot of opinions wihtout much proof. Anyone care to stick to the issue --immigration? BTW, I'm with you Former Marine on every count.

Posted by: MKB | Jun 12, 2007 4:51:50 PM

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