Rush Limbaugh challenges Obama to on-air debate
WASHINGTON -- Rush Limbaugh on Wednesday challenged President Obama to debate him on his radio show — the latest chapter of a political saga that's elevated Limbaugh's profile, united Democrats and thrown Republicans into disarray.
"You are one of the most gifted public speakers of our age. I would think, Mr. President, you would jump at this opportunity," Limbaugh said during his three-hour radio show that airs on more than 600 radio stations.
The hard-edged conservative, calling himself a "harmless, lovable little fuzz ball," wrapped the invitation in a long series of jibes at Obama, his policies, his party, his aides, his speaking style and the entertaining he has done in his six weeks as president.
There was no immediate White House response.
Limbaugh made waves last month when he said of Obama, "I hope he fails." He reiterated the sentiment Saturday in a speech carried live on three cable networks. The next day, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel called Limbaugh the leader of the GOP — and it was game on.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele took fire for saying on CNN that Limbaugh's show can be "incendiary" and "ugly." Limbaugh attacked him on-air Monday, leading Steele to apologize — a few weeks after Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., did the same for criticizing the radio host.
Steele stuck to a bland script Wednesday, telling NBC's Today show his job is to balance different viewpoints and rebuild the party. Asked whether he wants Obama's policies to fail, Steele said his personal opinion "doesn't matter."
Republicans have been clashing over whether to embrace, reject, ignore or finesse Limbaugh. Some views:
•"I would never kick an 800-pound conservative gorilla in the knee" when the party needs to grow, says South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson, who narrowly lost the national post to Steele. He says he agrees with Limbaugh 95% of the time.
•The GOP can't grow by "gratuitously alienating" people, says David Frum, a speechwriter in the George W. Bush administration. He has called Limbaugh bombastic and self-indulgent. "He has a great strategy for getting to 37% of the vote. He doesn't have to care about anybody" but the party base, Frum says.
•The focus on Limbaugh is a "cynical ploy by people who can't defend any of their policies," says former House speaker Newt Gingrich. He says the GOP should "laugh off" talk of Limbaugh and criticize Obama's plans.
Obama's Democratic allies have jumped into the Limbaugh fray with ads, Op-Eds and fundraising pitches. Party Chairman Tim Kaine calls Limbaugh "He Who Must Be Obeyed." The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has a new "I'm Sorry, Rush" website to help Republicans make amends. The liberal Media Matters for America watchdog group started a Limbaugh Wire.
The GOP has a dearth of high-profile figures, "and Democrats are exploiting it," says political scientist John Pitney, once a GOP aide. But, he adds, "the vacuum will not last forever."