With the economy in peril and terrorists looking for new ways to kill our children the focus of the cable news shows and Democrat strategists and advisors to the administration is on ... a radio talk show host. You may have scarcely heard of Rush Limbaugh and might be wondering why he should be the topic of conversation among so many left-of-center heavyweight political commentators. It's not an accident. Politico's Jonathan Martin explains the Democrat strategy.
It may turn out to be a smart political ploy - although like everything that constitutes "smart politics" it involves deceiving voters - but I think the strategy may also backfire on them. Yesterday Limbaugh, touting his position as the "head of the Republican party," as the Democrats have proclaimed him, challenged President Obama to debate with him his policies on nation-wide radio.
This is a brilliant countermove because it puts Obama in a no-win, and Limbaugh in a can't-lose, position. If the President declines, which he almost certainly will and should, it makes him look scared and gives a triumphant Limbaugh a serious PR boost. If Obama accepts, it makes him look small while simultaneously raising Rush's stature.
If the President and his advisers commit an astonishing blunder and do agree to debate, Obama is going to be hard pressed to do well. He's just not very good on the nuts and bolts of policy, nor is he philosophically astute. His greatest asset is his charm and eloquent articulation of broad themes which would be neutralized by the medium of radio. Limbaugh would very likely outclass him on both specifics and philosophy, and come across as giving the President of the United States a tutorial on economic philosophy. The reverberations of such an outcome could be catastrophic for the Democratic party in 2010.
Meanwhile, Rush's ratings would skyrocket.
In other words, by making Rush Limbaugh the face of the GOP the Democrats have grabbed a tiger by the tail, and there may be no good way to let go except to just shut up about him.
Thanks to Jason for the link.
RLC