The Radio Equalizer: Brian Maloney

Seattle Talk Host Caught Employing Suspected Illegals

2009-11-24T14:35:00.001-05:00

A SAD END

Illegal Alien Scandal Hammers Final Nail In KVI's Coffin

Is this end of a once-mighty regional talk radio powerhouse? After a controversy over the alleged hiring of illegal aliens by a Seattle talk show host, it certainly appears that way.

The flap, first reported by the Seattle Times, could prove the final nail in the coffin of KVI-AM, a onetime political force that frightened entrenched Olympia politicians, pushed tax-fighting ballot propositions over the top and most importantly, generated tremendous ratings and revenue.

Note: your Radio Equalizer was part of the station's weekday lineup in 1998 and 1999.

The latest bombshell comes just two weeks after longtime morning host Kirby Wilbur (below left image) was let go in what station owners called a ratings-related termination. But the circumstances behind his departure appear in dispute.

Now, a Times investigation reveals an alleged pattern of illegal alien hires by afternoon host Peter Weissbach, a Canadian libertarian who crossed the border himself over a decade ago and became an American citizen. From their coverage:

A janitorial company owned by a local conservative talk-radio host is among the early targets of a new strategy by the Obama administration to thin the ranks of illegal immigrants by going after the companies that hire them.

Seattle Building Maintenance, owned by KVI talk-radio host Peter Weissbach and his wife, provides janitorial services in buildings throughout the Puget Sound region, including such Seattle landmarks as the Seattle Art Institute, Pacific Place, Metropolitan Park and the Dexter Horton and Westin buildings.

The subject of an ongoing immigration audit by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, the company has been clearing its books by firing some of its janitorial staff — about 100 people so far — believed to be working illegally.

The probe of Seattle Building Maintenance offers an early glimpse into ICE's approach to worksite enforcement — stealthily targeting employers rather than workers.

It's a departure from the big splashy raids that used to play out on the evening news, with large numbers of immigrants being rounded up and carted off to detention, where many faced removal.

Now, workers are quietly let go by their employers, without the direct contact with immigration agents that might lead to deportation.

Of course, the Times certainly didn't overlook the opportunity to re-brand the libertarian Weissbach as a "conservative" for its damaging political effects. But there's no denying the incredible hypocrisy destroys what is left of KVI's credibility.

As for Weissbach, what was he thinking? Did he believe the hiring of illegals would be tolerated by his radio audience?

At the moment, he remains on the station's schedule, but it's unclear whether that will continue for long.

During its heyday, KVI was built around local activism-based talk radio in a remote region of the country that favors area issues over national news. At the center of that lineup, however, was Rush Limbaugh, who brought a tremendous audience base to the station. Earlier this decade, Limbaugh moved to a new conservative station, KTTH-AM, which has since become the region's largest commercial talk outlet.

With ratings once routinely in the top five for the Seattle-Tacoma radio market, KVI has fallen to twenty-fifth place in the most recent Arbitron ratings.

While KVI still features top-tier syndicated programming such as Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and others, the absence of strong local personalities and loss of listener goodwill via these recent flaps creates a particularly uncertain future for the onetime talk leader.

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Glenn Beck Unveils Upcoming Agenda, State-Run Media Happy To Oblige

2009-11-23T15:18:00.005-05:00

THE REAL 'PLAN'?

Latest Gimmick Could Be Aimed At Movement Takeover

It's no secret that political movements are full of ambitious activists, some of whom are willing to do just about anything to take the reins of power.

And if that's what syndicated / cable talker Glenn Beck seeks, he has every right to aim for a leadership role in the conservative movement, as long as it is attempted honorably. There's no question he has many dedicated fans who turn out in large numbers to see him.

But is there a job opening at the top? It sure doesn't appear that way, yet that's probably news to Beck.

More important is the state-run media's curious role in promoting Beck. Is it designed to install someone they see as highly vulnerable to oversee conservatives, leading to subsequent damage?

Lefties recognize Beck's unpredictable behavior and habit of making strange statements that serve the movement poorly, such as his assertion that McCain's presidency would have been worse for America than Obama's.

In addition, it is then relatively easy to use Beck's words to undermine Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Levin, Sarah Palin and others.

Another tactic: pitting other conservatives against Beck, accusing them of "jealousy" in relation to his "success".

That's where Glenn's latest stunt proves instructive: weekend mainstream media coverage of his "big announcement", filled with teases yet light on details, was relatively extensive.

From his show:

Contrast that with their reaction to the smash success of Mark Levin's book and rising influence he's enjoyed this year as a result: our state-run friends have been nearly silent.

After refusing to even review Levin's Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto, the New York Times found plenty of space to cover Beck's weekend activities, including the announcement of his "plan":

Mr. Beck provided few details about his plans for the tour, making it unclear if he truly intends to prod his audience of millions into political action or merely burnish his media brand ahead of a book release.

Mr. Beck did say the conventions would resemble educational seminars, and he emphasized that while candidates may align themselves with the values and principles that he espouses, he would not take the next step to endorse them.

In describing the conventions, he told the crowd on Saturday: “You’re going to learn about finance. You’re going to learn about community organizing. You’re going to learn everything we need to know if you want to be a politician.”

His staff would not say whether particular candidates for office in the 2010 midterm elections would be invited to speak at the conventions or the August rally.

Here, pundits are asked to analyze Beck's aims, with some telling responses:

Lanny Davis - Attorney and Democratic strategist :

Glenn Beck is smart. No, he's very smart. So is Laura Ingraham.

Now that is my preferred ticket for 2012 as a good Democrat. Where do I send the check?

Victor Kamber - Carmen Group :

I hope it is real. I can't imagine anything better for the Democratic Party then having Glen Beck 'and his kind' trying to set the agenda for Republicans and Conservatives. Beck, Hannity, O'Reilly, Ingram, Dobbs, et al are voices often of hate. They do have a following and do cause noise in this country, but we are not that stupid to elect their ideas to govern us. I never wish to underestimate people but in this case I am underwhelmed by the Fox team and their ability to produce a majority for leadership in this country.

Certainly, there is room for Beck in the conservative movement. Why, however, is the left so eager to install him as Emperor of the Right?

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Sarah Palin Rips State-Run Media Attack Dogs

2009-11-19T14:50:00.003-05:00

'GET A LIFE!'

Palin Not Afraid Of 'Media Stalkers'

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has a message for media stalkers who follow her every move: get a life.

Responding to a question during an interview with syndicated radio host / best-selling author Mark Levin (shown right), the 2008 VP nominee noted the strange nature of the nonstop media attention she receives, including what kind of nail polish she uses.

From Levin's interview, here's the Radio Equalizer clip:

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Libtalkers Scramble To Find Successful Anti-Palin Attack Method

2009-11-18T14:53:00.002-05:00

OPERATION STOP SARAH

While Book Sales Skyrocket, Libtalkers Rip Palin

With book sales skyrocketing and Sarah Palin once again an ubiquitous presence in American life (including high profile interviews with Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity and others), can the left stop the second coming of the woman they despise more than any other?

Already, we've seen examples of Sarah-bashing from the Internet, television and newspapers that are too numerous to mention here. But for interesting insight into just how threatened some "progressive" women feel, it's worth looking at how two female libtalkers have attacked her:

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow has a particularly bizarre method: hoping to convince her audience that Palin is a failure. From her program, which is rebroadcast on Air America Radio:

MADDOW (03:10 in segment on Maddow MSNBC site titled "Another political gamble for Palin"): Governor Palin's book is the third of three political gambles that she has made (along with stepping down as Alaska governor and endorsing Hoffman) since she and John McCain lost the election, and none of these three gambles has gone her way.

I'm not sure she knows that though.

Hey Rachel, why should she "know that"? The book is a smash success, Hoffman nearly won despite backstabbing from his RINO GOP opponent and stepping down in Alaska was a reflection of the political isolation she felt in a remote corner of the country.

If anyone is "gambling", it's Maddow, with a roll of the dice in pushing this crazy theory.

Also looking to tear her down is Boston libtalker Margery Eagan, who has devoted her last two Boston Herald columns to the former VP candidate. In the most recent, she predicted Palin's "15 minutes were up":

Yet as one of Palin’s biggest attackers around here, I felt uninspired to get out the long knives yesterday. She didn’t rile me up or scare me with nightmare visions of her fishin’ and huntin’ finger on the red button at 3 a.m. Instead there was a certain “it’s so over” quality to her Oprah sitdown. Why? Because it is over. Her chance came, and went. She knows she’ll never be president. Her supporters remain intensely loyal, but few. And while her book has been No. 1 on Amazon for weeks, I suspect that’s about celebrity, not presidential timber.

My prediction: She’ll make millions on the book, flirt briefly with the GOP, do some big bucks speaking, then, as fast as she burst on the scene, disappear.

But if the left really thought Palin was about to disappear, would they devote so much time to attacking her? Their actions reveal the true prevailing sentiment from the left: they're worried sick about Sarah.

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MSNBC's Scarborough Attacks Sarah Palin, Promotes Howard Dean

2009-11-16T16:45:00.005-05:00

JOE'S TRUE COLORS

Scarborough Removes All Doubt As To His Leanings

For the few remaining souls still confused as to Joe Scarborough's true political leanings, the MSNBC host / syndicated radio talker has resolved the matter for good.

During today's Morning Joe, the former congressman lashed out against Sarah Palin (whose book has been a runaway success, especially up next to Scarborough's relatviely weak performance), claiming nutty former DNC chairman Howard Dean is significantly more intelligent.

At NewsBusters, Mark Finkelstein has the transcript and details:

MARK HALPERIN: Think about it compared to Howard Dean in 2004. He was exciting too, and he had these huge crowds, and people said, this guy's going win the Democratic nomination --

MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Not the same, sorry --

HALPERIN: Well, it's big crowds and it's excitement, but it doesn't translate into a governing majority.

JOE SCARBOROUGH: I'm just going to stop here. I'm going to enrage conservatives, but --

OFF-CAMERA VOICE [Katrina vanden Heuvel?]: Go for it!

SCARBOROUGH: I know Howard Dean. I've spoken to Howard Dean. It is such a disservice to compare--forget ideology, conservatives!-- I think Howard's way left and all that. But it is such a disservice to compare Sarah Palin in any aspect to Howard Dean. Yes, because that is an insult to Howard Dean's intelligence.

If Joe has any potential non-ideological defense, it could be professional jealousy. Given his past antics, including a push for a Rush-like radio contract and subsequent troubles in talk syndication, it's possible that watching Palin's political rebirth could be too much for Scarborough to bear.

Book sales aren't the only potential issue: Palin has reportedly considering a TV or radio career if she chooses not to run for the presidency in 2012.

At the same time, insulting Palin is a great way to improve his standing within the far-left NBC organization, just days after Lou Dobbs was shown the door at CNN likely for holding views not in line with Obama and his supporters.

The bottom line: if Scarborough had any core conservative beliefs, he wouldn't be slamming Palin while aware of precisely the kind of reaction that would result.

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MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Claims To Host Radio Talk Show

2009-11-12T14:35:00.011-05:00

NOT EXACTLY

Will Rachel Maddow Be Held To Same Standard As Hannity?

*** UPDATED ***

*** CAUGHT-ON-TAPE ***

*** NEW: MSNBC USES FAKE PALIN PHOTOS - WHERE IS JON STEWART? ***

Earlier in the week, Sean Hannity was lambasted by leftists after his FOX News Channel program mistakenly used old protest footage in a report on more recent activism. In response to the controversy (which even had some conservatives throwing him under the bus), Hannity quickly chose to apologize.

Now, a liberal cable talker, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, has directly told her audience something that isn't true: that she still hosts a radio talk show.

One problem: Maddow gave up her radio talk show about a year ago and what Air America now runs is an audio version of her MSNBC program.

Radio segments are introduced by Maddow in a way that suggests original Air America content, but the program immediately reverts back to the previous night's TV show. AAR doesn't include necessary disclaimers during these intros.

We'd previously covered that change here.

Here's the caught-on-tape clip:

MADDOW (Wednesday 11 Nov 09 - 07:12 in segment titled "Scozzafavification"): I also do a talk radio show and I feel like, on behalf of talk radio hosts, I want to apologize for all the mean, personal things that were said about you (laughs).

From the February 3 2009 edition of the New York Daily News, Maddow herself admits she's given up the program:

She has dropped her daily evening show on Air America, but will "provide content" for an hour-long morning program, largely built on her MSNBC show of the previous evening.

The problem, says Maddow, is that something had to give.

"I just couldn't keep doing both," she says. "It was a quality control issue - the quality of the program and my own quality of life. I need time to, say, eat and sleep, which I understand most people do every day. I wasn't. I needed not to be grabbing food off a cart at 2 in the morning."

But since then, Maddow's "radio show" has consisted of an audio-only rebroadcast of the previous night's television show. The key difference: segments are sometimes edited and reconfigured (running in a different order) to suit the radio medium.

So will Maddow be held to the same standard as Hannity? Unlike Sean's program, where it was a editor that made the mistake (leaving the host to take the hit), this untrue statement comes straight from Rachel.

We won't hold our breath waiting for Jon Stewart (who had this snide reaction to Hannity's apology) to cover this one.

QUESTION: will TVNewser, which jumped on the Hannity-Stewart flap, cover this issue? Answer: NO, they are squeezing the last drop out of the Hannity story.

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Libtalker Montel Williams Warns Of Extreme Reaction To Fort Hood Shootings

2009-11-11T20:22:00.000-05:00

THE PITCHFORK BRIGADE

Lefty Talkers Push Ft Hood Overreaction Theory

Are Americans ready to declare war against all Muslims living in the US based on the shooting spree at Fort Hood? While that may seem preposterous to most of us, to the some on the left, it's a likely scenario.

Do they really believe this, or is it merely a political scare tactic, designed to shift blame from the accused killer to "intolerant" Americans?

For his part, libtalker Montel Williams of Air America Radio was willing to take this several steps further, suggesting that this road could even lead to a second round of internment camps!

Talk about overheated "rhetoric", the very issue Williams cites as a key concern:

WILLIAMS (45:48): We pulled something like this back in World War II when we decided to round up all Japanese Americans and put them in internment camps...The [anti-Muslim] rhetoric... could get out of hand. What do you think?

FRANK FARLEY (Temple University): I agree totally... The possibilities of prejudice and racism and so on are incredible here. We should be treating this as a unique incident and look at the factors involved in this very unique and specific incident and not overgeneralize. Unfortunately, we tend to overgeneralize all the time. The idea that all Muslims are the same is ridiculous...

WILLIAMS: Even if it comes out... that his frame of reference was his religion and that was what was giving him the power within himself to make his stand, that doesn't mean that the religion is to blame.

FARLEY: Absolutely, his interpretation [of Islam] may vary dramatically from [that of] his fellow Muslims.

Hey guys, care to provide bona fide examples of Americans overreacting to this story? It occurred days ago, where are the pitchforks?

Perhaps Montel should stick to peddling fake Obama commemorative quarters and overseeing on-stage teen paternity tests.

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Near-Bankruptcy, Broadcaster Faults Loss Of Hannity Revenue

2009-11-10T15:14:00.002-05:00

SELF-DESTRUCTION

Political Bias Could Lead To Citadel-ABC Radio's Bankruptcy

In a textbook example of the dangers of placing personal politics ahead of good business sense, past mistreatment of a top conservative talker is partly to blame for a major radio operator's impending bankruptcy.

But don't take our word for it: stunningly, Citadel Broadcasting (which absorbed ABC Radio into its operation several years ago) admits the loss of Sean Hannity's syndicated radio show has cost it millions in desperately-needed cash flow at a time when corporate debt and slow ad sales are crippling its operations.

In the same filing with regulators, the company has disclosed that it may file for protection from creditors in January.

Until now, though, Citadel (OTC:CTDB) had avoided mentioning Chapter 11 as a likely scenario.

The company owns major talk stations including WABC/ New York, WLS/Chicago, KGO-KSFO / San Francisco, WBAP Fort Worth-Dallas, WJR/Detroit and WMAL/Washington.

As we'd reported in 2008, a fed-up Hannity dumped the firm's syndication arm, then called ABC Radio Networks, for Clear Channel's Premiere Radio after disturbing incidents behind the scenes, including the refusal of one Citadel exec to board a plane with the longtime conservative talker.

In addition, Citadel took a hit from the passing of Paul Harvey. While that may have been unavoidable, chasing away Hannity was inexcusable.

From RBR:

The big drop came in the radio network business, now called Citadel Media. Net revenues plunged 31.5% to $29.4 million. The loss of Paul Harvey, who died, and Sean Hannity, who took his show elsewhere, accounted for $8 million of the $13.5 million decline. Segment operating income dropped 92.3% to $500K from $6.5 million a year earlier. The drop in revenue was slightly offset by an 18% reduction in costs.

Citadel has been warning of covenant compliance problems ahead since it reworked its credit agreement with its lenders back in late March. Facing a requirement that it have $150 million of available cash as of January 15, 2010, Citadel has admitted in several SEC filings that it does not expect to be able to meet that requirement and will likely face a financial restructuring which would dilute or wipe out the equity of current shareholders.

And according to Inside Music Media, failed CEO Farid Suleman is currently hoping to work out a deal that would keep top management in place post-bankruptcy. Only in radio (or perhaps banking) could the very people who destroyed the firm have a chance at remaining in their jobs.

Citadel's shares are currently trading at six cents on the over-the-counter bulletin board.

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Libtalker Questions Obama's 'Tough' Talk

2009-11-08T22:56:00.003-05:00

OBAMA THE WIMP?

Libtalker Makes Unusually Candid Observation

*** CAUGHT-ON-TAPE ***

In an unusually candid moment from a host who until recently was a compliant, unquestioning Democrat, libtalker Ed Schultz has made the kind of observation one normally expects to hear from his conservative counterparts.

The unthinkable question: is Obama a wimp?

Just a few months ago, raising this delicate matter in a public setting would be grounds for excommunication from the "progressive" movement, but times certainly have changed.

With PelosiCare having passed the house over the weekend, however, does the MSNBC / syndicated talker feel differently now? We'll find out soon enough.

Here's what he told radio listeners a bit earlier in the week:

SCHULTZ (22:24): I've noticed on a few stump speeches that he (Obama) tells us that he might be small but he's tough. And I have thought about all of the past presidents. I haven't heard a president tell us how tough he is.

Am I wrong? Tell me if I'm wrong. ... And I think that's rather strange, or unusual. You shouldn't have to tell us that. You should illustrate this by taking a trip up to Capitol Hill. And getting some of these people that you helped get into office and calling some markers on health care reform.

Beyond the pitch for Pelosi's health care takeover, it's hard to make a distinction between this and similar rhetoric that results in conservative hosts under fire for daring to criticize the Dear Leader.

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LA Times Slams Dr Laura Using Suspect 'Facts'

2009-11-05T13:19:00.003-05:00

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

LA Times Uses Faulty Analysis To Attack Dr Laura

*** UPDATE: OC REGISTER TELLS THE TRUTH, WILL THE LA TIMES RETRACT THEIR SMEAR PIECE? ***

If you thought Dr Laura Schlessinger had finally fallen off of the left's radar screen, today's Los Angeles Times puts that idea to rest. Their longstanding inability to completely destroy her career means "progressives" must still deal with this unfinished business.

In an analysis of just-released area radio ratings for October, the paper has lobbed grenades at the longtime syndicated advice talker, using her recent move from KFI to KFWB as the excuse.

In August, Schlessinger was abruptly removed from her longtime home at KFI under strange circumstances (its internal office politics are legendarily dysfunctional, almost without equal in the radio business), but quickly found a new flagship as rival KFWB-AM switched from all-news to talk.

During her long run at KFI, she helped the station deliver big ratings, as documented in previous EQ coverage from 2008 and 2006.

With ratings now available for the first month of KFWB's new talk format, the Times saw an opportunity to pounce on conservative radio programming and took it:

Even with its drop, KFI far outpaced its talk rivals. KABC-AM (790) ranked 22nd, KRLA-AM (1110) was 36th, KTLK-AM (1150) was tied for 41st and newcomer KFWB-AM (980) was tied for 38th.

October was the first full month of ratings for KFWB under the new format that the former all-news station unveiled with great fanfare in September, boasting that it had lured advice guru Laura Schlessinger away from KFI to anchor its midday schedule.

Despite the presence of Schlessinger and such other experienced hosts as Laura Ingraham and Michael Smerconish, KFWB not only has not gained traction, it actually has lost listeners. The CBS-owned station has ebbed from a 1% share in August to 0.8% in September and 0.7% in October.

And Schlessinger, a ratings powerhouse at KFI, is an also-ran at KFWB so far. In October, during the weekday period of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that covers the time she's on the air, the station tied for 32nd place with a 1% share of audience.

KNX-AM (1070), the sister CBS station that now has the all-news field to itself, tied for 15th in October with a 2.8% share, much the same as it has scored for at least the last six months.

In the 6-10 a.m. "morning drive" period that is radio's prime time, KFI maintained its lock on No. 1, with Bill Handel and Rush Limbaugh combining to attract 6.2% of the audience. KIIS' Ryan Seacrest was second with a 5.1% share, followed by Gary Bryan on KRTH, Mark Thompson & Brian Phelps on KLOS-FM (95.5) and Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo on Spanish-language KSCA-FM (101.9).

But the Times used generalized data to reach its "also-ran" conclusion. More specific breakdowns reveal the exact opposite conclusion, as Dr Laura has in just one month sent a portion of KFI's audience packing and headed straight for KFWB.

From noon to 3pm, in key demographic groups, here are the real numbers:

Persons 25-54:

KFWB up 66.7% (1.5 audience share)
KFI down 44.8% (1.6)

Women 25-54:

KFWB up 92.3% (2.5)
KFI down 66.7% (1.3)

Adults 18+ :

KFWB up 36.4% (1.5)
KFI down 21.4% (1.6)

In other words, in just one month, Dr Laura is already beating her old station in some demos and threatens to do so soon in others.

Will the paper issue a retraction? Don't hold your breath.

In addition, did you notice how it glossed over the 41st place showing of libtalk outlet KTLK?

Given the Times and its left-wing agenda, this is all about politics: her replacement at KFI, Bill Handel, is not conservative and Dr Laura's defiant stands on cultural issues make her an easy target for Californian leftists, who openly seek to eradicate all dissenting viewpoints.

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MSNBC Outlines Plan To Gerrymander NY-23 Out Of Existence

2009-11-04T18:21:00.000-05:00

FIXING THEIR WAGONS

MSNBC: Dems Plan To Eliminate NY Swing District

Now THAT will teach those conservative teabaggers not to run viable candidates in Upstate New York!

In a remarkable moment of candor, MSNBC's Larry O'Donnell has revealed to Rachel Maddow the Democratic Party's plan to gerrymander NY-23 out of existence, all to benefit neighboring incumbents. Aren't these schemes usually cooked up in secret?

Swing districts? Those are a thing of the past.

And that new guy, Democrat Bill Owens? Before even taking office, he's already been thrown under the bus.

Here's the clip and transcript:

O'DONNELL (04:11 in segment on Maddow MSNBC site titled "Drawing lessons from NY-23"): It is surrounded by Democratic districts, it's going to get chopped up, and it's going to be represented by a few other people and the 23rd will no longer exist.

MADDOW: When it does get chopped up, when there is a new 23rd, is it expected to be a Republican or Democratic district?

O'DONNELL: It will be Democrat because what they're going to do is simply slice into it from the surrounding Democratic seats and preserve all those Democratic seats and, you know, give each one of those districts just enough of the difficult Republican part for them to survive.

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Libtalkers Already Blaming Dems Ahead Of Expected Losses

2009-11-03T18:57:00.003-05:00

IT'S NOT MY FAULT!

Expecting Losses, Libtalk Points Fingers Elsewhere

Expecting big losses in today's off-year elections, liberal talk radio is engaged in self-serving finger-pointing this week, making sure listeners aren't inclined to believe they are part of the problem.

A secondary aim: protecting Obama, of course.

And bringing an especially twisted version of events into the picture is MSNBC's Sylvester The Cat- channeling Ed Schultz, who is telling radio listeners that Dem defeats are the result of proceeding too slowly with ObamaCare and the public (government-run) option!

Let's give Ed extra points for creativity here, he's earned them.

SCHULTZ (05:41): Now you want to know why Corzine's in trouble in new Jersey? You want to know why this Creigh Deeds is in trouble in Virginia? And why all of a sudden there's a big uproar over this District 23A, or District 23 in New York? Because the Democrats are still messing around with health care! This election tomorrow is going to hit the Democrats like a freight train. Obama, in case you've been scoring it at home, has done five appearances for Jon Corzine. A former United States senator. A Goldman Sachs former CEO. An establishment guy. You want to talk about political capital being used on a gubernatorial seat.

Obama's trying to stop a reversal of what has been a pretty solid wave since 2006. And I offer you this commentary today, folks, that had we had done health care 30 days ago instead of worrying about Joe Lieberman, instead of worrying about going on vacation in August, how many, let me ask you this. How many more Republicans do we have than what we had back in late July before they went on vacation in August? You got a head count for me?! The number is zero. I've told you all along it was going to be zero.

I talked about the September stall. October, same old stuff! Here we are in November! THIS IS WHY I GET PISSED OFF!

And you know what?! The Democrats are going to get exactly what they deserve tomorrow! Because they ran around the country talking about change and when they went to Washington, they lost their teeth! They lost, they just didn't quite know how to take a bite out of their rear end and stick it to 'em!

With the spin machine barely warming up, watch for more gems to come over the next 24 hours or so. In the meantime, thanks to Big Eddie for getting the ball rolling.

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Libtalker Bill Press Praises Obama's Economic Policies

2009-11-02T22:33:00.004-05:00

IT'S FIXED!

Press Praises Obama For Economic Mission Accomplished

For uberpartisan libtalker Bill Press, these have got to be difficult times. How does one retain credibility while defending Barack Obama's crazy tax-and-spending schemes?

His apparent answer: forget how silly it might appear and back the president no matter what.

Independent thought? Never heard of it.

That's about the only way to explain the former CNN Crossfire host's ridiculous assertion that "Obamanomics has worked", saving the economy through massive government growth.

From his syndicated radio program, here's the caught-on-tape clip:

Yet, even Press realizes that the "recovery" party will be over as soon as the feds take away the punch bowl. That's why he backs additional spending schemes that will continue the all-is-well illusion.

And unfortunately for Bill, a number of leading economists and market analysts are pouring cold water on the very same figure he cited as evidence of a turnaround: last week's quarterly GDP report.

From CNBC:

U.S. third-quarter GDP data was "horrible" and investors will soon realize that it wasn't as good as they initially thought, Marc Faber, publisher of the Gloom, Doom and Boom Report, told CNBC.com.

"I wouldn’t rely on the GDP figures and I think the market will actually realize that they were quite poor," Faber said.

The figures, which pleased investors by beating analysts' consensus expectations Thursday, didn't give positive signs for personal income and unemployment, Faber pointed out.

U.S. gross domestic product grew at 3.5 percent on an annualized basis, showing that the economy was, at least unofficially, out of its longest recession since the great depression. But Faber told CNBC.com that the figures were not always reliable. "I wouldn't rely on GDP figures, you can manipulate them," he said.

Beyond how economists interpret the stats, what about the general public? Do they believe the downturn is over? Consumer confidence numbers strongly suggest the opposite.

While some libtalkers have wisely begun to distance themselves from Obama's missteps, Bill's partisan hat has permanently been attached to his head.

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Limbaugh In Proactive Push Against Obamists

2009-11-01T22:15:00.003-05:00

THE RUSH OFFENSIVE

Limbaugh Demonstrates New Approach To Defeating Obamists

Rather than roll over and play dead in response to Obama's marginalization push against key conservatives, Rush Limbaugh is fighting back with his own offensive.

And while the seeds of this new approach may have been sown weeks ago with appearances on Jay Leno's program and the Today Show, this weekend's Fox News Sunday visit reveals a key tactic: fearless denunciations of Barack's socialistic reworking of the American economy and political system, all in strategic settings outside of his radio program.

In particular, the talk titan has attacked the president's directionless "dithering" over Afghanistan while American soldiers are killed.

It's enough to drive a committed Obamist batty and that's precisely the campaign's point.

Here's a clip of the interview:

Even with light weekend newsroom staffing, the state-run and other media outlets are jumping all over Limbaugh's verbal missiles. And the White House is clearly worried as well, instantly firing back via David Axelrod:

“It is a surreal day when you are getting lectures on humility by Rush Limbaugh,” Axelrod said on CBS’s Face The Nation. “He is an entertainer. The president has to run the country.”

Limbaugh called Obama “immature, inexperienced,” “narcissistic,” and “a child,” on Fox News Sunday.

He also accused President Barack Obama of “destroying” the economy, pursuing an “unconstitutional” health care reform plan, and “not caring” about the war in Afghanistan, in an interview on Fox News Sunday.

“It’s no surprise that Rush Limbaugh espouses the views that he espouses,” said Axelrod. “He’s marketing the outrageous and he does very well with it.

Here, the AP accepts the White House's characterization of Limbaugh as "far-right":

"The president of the United States went to Dover to represent the American people and pay his respects to the families who had made so much of a sacrifice, to those brave service people who made the ultimate sacrifice," Axelrod said on CBS’ "Face the Nation."

The White House has suggested that Limbaugh and some other far-right political personalities have grabbed control of the Republican Party. Limbaugh has openly vowed to do what he can to ensure that Obama’s presidency is a failure.

His remarks on "Fox News Sunday" follow administration criticism that Fox News is the voice of the far-right wing of the Republican Party. Obama recently excluded the news network in a weekend blitz of television interviews.

Limbaugh said he is deeply worried about the administration’s initiatives.

"We’ve never seen this kind of radical leadership at such a high level of power in the country," he said. "I believe that the economy is under siege, is being destroyed. Anybody with any economic literacy would not do one thing this administration’s done to try to revitalize the private sector. They’re destroying it."

Looking to the future, the radio host predicted a revolt against the Democratic Party and Obama in the 2010 midterm elections. He also said former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP vice presidential nominee in 2008, was prepared to be president, but he stopped short of endorsing her as a candidate.

Limbaugh criticized Vice President Joe Biden as "pompous, a bit of a wind bag and wrong," and said a second Obama term would be painful for the nation.

"Every day you get up and there’s a new potential threat to liberty and freedom being launched by this man and his administration," he said.

In particular, CBS News seems most alarmed by the prospect of a resurgent Rush fighting Obama's intimidation campaign. Earlier today, the network's Bob Schieffer found a way to attach malicious intent to Limbaugh's interview, according to Brent Baker of NewsBusters:

Rush Limbaugh's tough criticisms of President Barack Obama on Fox News Sunday “broke” the White House's truce with Fox News, Bob Schieffer suggested during an interview with Obama's Senior Adviser, David Axelrod, on Face the Nation.

After playing a clip of Limbaugh dismissing as “a photo-op” Obama's trip to Dover Air Force Base to witness returning casualties from Afghanistan and quoting Limbaugh's characterizations of Obama as “narcissistic,” “immature, inexperienced” and “in over his head,” Schieffer, seemingly referring to Limbaugh's remarks -- or, at least the decision by Fox News to feature Limbaugh on its Sunday interview show -- forwarded:

Last week your man Robert Gibbs met with the folks at Fox News, declared a truce in this war you've been having with them. Was the truce broken this morning?

Let's face it: what's most threatening to the Obamists isn't merely what Rush says, it's his lack of fear in doing so.

The left is counting on cowering conservatives and a docile GOP to provide an ineffective, token opposition in the years to come. If others are empowered to tackle Barack's partisans head-on, it could bring the Democratic Party's house of cards quickly crashing down.

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Rep King Grills NFL Honcho Over Phony Rush Smears

2009-10-28T16:55:00.005-04:00

PERSONAL FOUL

Goodell Called To Account For Anti-Rush Smear Effort

*** UPDATED BELOW ***

BREAKING: Rep Steve King has held NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's feet to the fire over the dishonest smear effort that cost Rush Limbaugh the opportunity to own the St Louis Rams.

Watch as Goodell weasels out of the grilling, deflecting questions and playing dumb.

Goodell also distorted Limbaugh's comments about Donovan McNabb, when it should be clear by now that Rush merely said he was an overrated (by the media) quarterback, not a bad person.

Here's the clip:

UPDATE: Rush has released a statement on Goodell's remarks:

Of course, Goodell's a total weasel. He had no answer about the Dolphins' owners so wouldn't even address the question, and he got on his high horse about how McNabb is a fine player and a fine person and it has nothing to do with the color of his skin, when I (a) never said he was not a fine person; (b) never said he was a bad QB -- just that he was overrated (which no one should deny); and (c) said the MEDIA was obsessed with the color of his skin (which is also undeniable), not that I was. -- Rush Limbaugh

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Libtalkers Deflect Shift Blame Away From Obama, Onto Cheney

2009-10-28T13:47:00.003-04:00

SICKENING

Libtalk's Hate Speech Reaches New Extreme

In the race to demonize conservatives, libtalkers are competing against one another to see which one can cook up the most extreme rhetoric.

But who really has a chance at beating Mike Malloy, anyway? He's the undisputed king of hate talk.

Here, he shifts the blame for Obama's rudderless wartime policy back to Cheney and demonizes the latter all at the same time.

Does Dick Cheney really eat Muslim and Jewish babies? Of course, simply because Mike says it is so.

Tim Graham has the story here, while our exclusive clip is found below:

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Favored Libtalker Suddenly Claims Presidential Disapproval

2009-10-26T17:27:00.002-04:00

BARACK WHO?

Partisan Talker Schultz Now Seeks Distance From Obama

*** CAUGHT-ON-TAPE ***

The same libtalker granted special access to the White House for front-row seats at press events is now working feverishly to distance himself from the president.

Hot-headed Ed Schultz, perhaps the only lefty host with direct ties to the Democratic Party, now even claims Obama dislikes him.

Schultz is heard in syndication and seen daily on MSNBC's Ed Show. This clip, featuring an unusually angry (even for Ed!) Schultz, is from the radio broadcast:

SCHULTZ (21:29): So, DAMN YOU if you think I'm on some cheer team, Rob. I take offense to that!

I'm FOR the people! I'm FOR the little guy! I'm FOR those who don't have a voice.

Considering the way Schultz has adamantly supported Obama so strongly and the depth of the political ties between the two, this rant has special significance. Is it a sign Schultz sees breaking from Barack's sinking poll numbers necessary for career survival?

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MSNBC Libtalker Blames Balloon Incident For Ratings Struggles

2009-10-23T14:09:00.002-04:00

POP GOES MY RATINGS

Schultz: Balloon Boy Did Me In, I Need Your Help!

With its ratings in the toilet, MSNBC's future has never appeared more uncertain, particularly if NBC itself is broken off from parent company GE and sold.

That kind of shaky environment has cable talkers taking different approaches to career preservation. Chris Matthews, for instance, ducked a Boston Herald reporter's question earlier this week:

“Let’s just drop all the conversation about my network,” the “Hardball” host huffed the other day. “I’m not a media critic.”

It could be that Matthews got a little hot under the collar because his left-leaning network has been losing viewers.

During the recent third-quarter ratings period, Fox News averaged about 2.26 million total viewers in prime time and was up 2 percent from the same time last year. CNN had 949,000 viewers and was down 30 percent. MSNBC averaged 795,000 viewers and was down 10 percent.

In the coveted 25- to 54-year-old demographic, Fox News averaged 589,000 viewers and was up 5 percent. CNN had 288,000 and was down 39 percent. SNBC had 275,000 and was down 21 percent.

Mediaweek television analyst Marc Berman says Fox News is well above the competition.

“There’s bleeding everywhere except Fox News,” Berman said. “The rich has gotten richer and that’s Fox News.”

Fellow MSNBC libtalker Ed Schultz has taken a different, if amusing approach: pleading with his radio audience to watch the TV show. From his syndicated program:

SCHULTZ - TUESDAY (04:52): We are trailing CNN for the month of October so we gotta get after it, Ed heads. We don't want to lose, do we? Come on now. That's the, the balloon boy really screwed me up. You know, it's what happened! They cook up this balloon thing and we gotta cover it and everybody runs to CNN to the tune of 3-, 400,000 more people.

Now I gotta bust ass here to the end of the month to make sure we win this thing again! That's what happens! That's just the culture of it! I couldn't find a political angle on the balloon thing, so that's what hurt me, I guess, I don't know.

SCHULTZ - WEDNESDAY (07:00): Thank you for being there, listeners, thank you. And I'm a little bit behind CNN this month because of that damn balloon story. That psycho who made, wanted to get a reality TV show, he's screwing everything up. I don't know what the deal is, it's a goofy business.

Every time some big story happens, people that aren't watching news, they end up going to CNN when they don't have to, we got the same coverage, because CNN's branded for 30 years. And all of a sudden the ratings go wacko and it takes me three or four or five or six nights to catch up with 'em and beat 'em.

Thanks Ed, for coming up with one of the craziest ratings excuses ever. Next time, try blaming it on a dingo.

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Media Matters Admits Rush Didn't Make Key Racist Remarks

2009-10-21T20:19:00.002-04:00

NOW THEY TELL US

Damage Done, Frisch Now Says Key Racist Remarks Not Made

*** EXCLUSIVE TO THE RADIO EQUALIZER ***
*** CAUGHT ON TAPE ***

With Operation Smear Rush now (largely) complete and the damage done, "progressive" sleazemeisters are apparently ready to come clean with the truth: Limbaugh never made two key racist statements.

Those alleged remarks, which were never sourced despite being repeated on MSNBC, CNN, in many newspapers and evening newscasts, ultimately cost Rush an opportunity to bid on the NFL's St Louis Rams.

And yet, despite the candid admission by Karl Frisch (right image, right side) of Media Matters during today's Stephanie Miller Show that no evidence could be found to support the claims, his organization's website appears silent on the matter.

In fact, when there was an opportunity to address the point here, his group said nothing, focusing instead on what it calls 28 "racially-charged" comments that weren't at issue during the Rams flap.

Here's Frisch on the air today:

MILLER (3:36): He (Limbaugh) made a big deal out of you know that people had gotten those two quotes about what was it, slavery and James Earl Ray? (Miller laughing) And so those two out of a lifetime of documented racist comments he didn’t say.

KARL FRISCH: You know, in fairness to Rush, those two out of literally dozens of racist things were not necessarily accurate. We were never able to find them. We’ve had people call us trying to find it. We don’t know where they came from. They could just be Internet apparitions. But you know, that being said, anyone who wants to know how racist he is, we’re happy to give them other examples.

MILLER: In fact we always send people to you guys because you guys are obviously the most reputable around, in terms of you always make sure everything’s sourced. So, if it is on there you know it’s true. So, you know but hilarious isn’t it how Rush is whining about this?

Here, Media Matters had another opportunity to set the record straight, but failed to do so:

And of course Limbaugh's still steamed about a couple race-baiting quotes that were attributed to him and which he claims he never said. Limbaugh conveniently believes they're the entire reason the NFL told him to get lost and frankly, Rush is dismayed:

I never said I supported slavery and I never praised James Earl Ray. How sick would that be?

This would be a great place to indicate that an exhaustive search by the Media Matters team had failed to turn up the quotes that were used to hang Rush (which Frisch now admits in front of a liberal radio audience), but that would mean being honest with its readers, wouldn't it?

And sadly, that's more than can be reasonably expected from partisan smear merchants.

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Lefties Far From Finished With Rush Limbaugh

2009-10-20T15:32:00.001-04:00

NOT DONE YET

Lefties Look To Build On Limbaugh 'Success'

After their successful, yet smear-filled pressure campaign that scuttled his bid to buy the St Louis Rams, could we really believe the left is finished with Rush Limbaugh?

Of course not, they're just getting started.

With this rare victory scored after years of frustrating attempts to get El Rushbo off the air, "progressives" now recognize that cultural marginalization and isolation is the key to hurting Limbaugh and by extension, conservatives as a whole.

Their real objective: bolster Obama's sagging fortunes by destroying the opposition.

In the first phase, already completed, Limbaugh's Rams purchase was nixed. Second, using the legal system to put him out of business is being considered by Al Sharpton and perhaps others involved in the dishonest smear effort.

Another component of the campaign is to use partisan talking points to undermine his credibility by asserting that the "free market" system simply exercised its right to exclude Limbaugh. Here, the usual left-wing suspects are joined by resentful liberals inside the broadcast industry.

In the first example, Talkers Magazine Publisher Michael Harrison uses both this technique and then acts as though the false statements attributed to Rush were actually uttered on his program. From the Ed Schultz Show:

HARRISON (03:55): It's been a PR home run for him. As far as him being treated fairly, oh my heart bleeds for him. I mean, I can't buy the Rams, most people I know can't buy the Rams, so Rush can't buy them either.

Look, freedom of speech, Ed, guarantees the government's not going to stop you from saying what you have to say. But that doesn't mean you can't get into trouble for what you say, it doesn't mean that people may not like you, it doesn't mean private enterprises can't pick and choose who they want to buy into their organization, and Rush is a private citizen in that regard who has to live with the consequences of his very, very, very widely spread opinions.

So I do not feel sorry for him, I don't think he was treated unfairly, we should all have his problems.

Because they have long resented his success, libtalkers and those in the industry who prop them up make natural allies for this effort. In the second example, the AP quotes a "conservative" host who uses the same suspect approach:

All franchise sales must be approved by 24 of the NFL’s 32 teams — an ownership group that is overwhelmingly white, conservative and focused on the bottom line, which could have suffered if fans or advertisers were angered by Limbaugh.

"There’s an argument that says the very principles Rush espouses — the free market — are what did him in," said the conservative radio host Michael Smerconish. "This IS the free market. These are private businessmen who made a decision about what was in the best business interest of their thriving venture.

"It’s definitely ironic. There’s a bit of hypocrisy here as well," Smerconish said, citing a study that showed 70 percent of NFL owners’ political contributions went to Republicans. "Through their dollars they are very supportive of the sort of politics that Rush talks."

But Smerconish is no "conservative": he's tied closely to the Obama Administration, especially after publicly backing him last year. Further, the Philly-based host is syndicated by a libtalk outfit.

These are sleazy operators who now smell blood. Are they really about to give up, just as they begin to experience a rare taste of success?

No, they've only just begun.

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Al Sharpton Considering Lawsuit Against Rush Limbaugh

2009-10-17T22:45:00.002-04:00

COURT SNORT

Sharpton Lawsuit Against Rush Hilariously Counterproductive

Thanks in advance, Al "Voluntary Coast Guard" Sharpton, for what could prove to be the trial of the century. Just imagine the Tawana Brawley huckster placing himself in the position of having to be deposed by Rush Limbaugh's attorneys and the hilarity that would ensue.

That's why Sharpton's threat of litigation against El Rushbo based on the latter's assertions made in a weekend Wall Street Journal Op-Ed ultimately won't amount to much.

But what it does point to is the extreme ideological warfare emerging in this country today, where everything has been politicized, even football. Sharpton and Friends have had a real taste of victory this week by thwarting Rush's St Louis Rams bid and are now looking to build on it. Winning a mere battle isn't enough while war rages.

Here, legal analyst / law professor Ann Althouse spells out precisely why Sharpton must be bluffing:

I think Limbaugh was baiting Sharpton. Sharpton now has to talk about those old riots and the way he acted back then. If he sues, it will draw intense attention to the details of what happened, and we'll have to debate about the precise language Limbaugh used and how close to accurate it was.

The question of the damage to Sharpton's reputation will be put in issue, and there will be discovery and factfinding relating to Sharpton's reputation and how much money it is worth. That's pretty risky for Sharpton, who likes to pose as an elder statesman nowadays. Meanwhile, Limbaugh, who may not want to begin any litigation, will have the opportunity to counterclaim, accusing Sharpton of defamation.

At the same time, however, Sharpton's threats give the state-run, Obama-supporting Associated Press additional opportunities to take shots at Limbaugh (which might be the former's real goal):

Limbaugh wrote that Sharpton played "a leading role in the 1991 Crown Heights riot" and the "1995 Freddie’s Fashion Mart riot" in a Wall Street Journal column published Saturday. Sharpton called both allegations false.

Sharpton was not present for or involved in the rioting in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights section in 1991. And he wasn’t present during the 1995 massacre at Freddie’s Fashion Mart, where there was no riot.

A Sharpton spokesman says that if Limbaugh doesn’t apologize or clarify his remarks, the reverend will sue.

If Limbaugh were off the mark here, there's simply no way those sentences would have been spared the editor's axe in the Wall Street Journal, where both editorial standards and legal liability is at stake.

But we certainly don't want to get in the way of Al's litigation and the inevitably counterproductive result. Sue away, "Reverend", America can't wait.

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Libtalkers Repeat Phony Limbaugh Quotes Even After Others Retract

2009-10-16T16:36:00.002-04:00

WHO NEEDS FACTS?

Even After Networks Retract, Libtalkers Continue Smears

Audio? We don't need no stinkin' audio!

Even after several media outlets have retracted the phony Limbaugh racist "quotes" that were used in the successful attempt to destroy his bid for the St Louis Rams, some libtalkers have stubbornly continued to repeat the smears.

In this inexcusable instance from the Stephanie Miller Show, a number of fabricated statements were read on-air today, even after a producer cautioned them that the source is suspect. Earlier in the program, Miller and her assistants laughed as a caller requested actual proof that the audio exists.

Here's the transcript and clip (featuring both segments together):

WARD (48:00): Um really? (sarcastic tone) Should I read some of the racist quotes again?

MILLER: Yes Jim! Yes read some of the racist Rush Limbaugh fun facts.

WARD: I’ll see if the computer will let me. Well, he talked about the slavery thing

LAVOIE: Well, we need to be careful about that one came from a book 101 People Who Are Really Screwing Up America by John Huberman and none of the quotes in that book were sourced.

WARD: (concerned because he apparently already read from the book in segment 1) Ohhhhh.

LAVOIE: So we need to be careful about the merits of slavery quote.

MILLER: Well, there’s lots of other ones. Trust me I’ve heard lots of other ones.

LAVOIE: Right I know I know.

WARD (not paying heed to Lavoie’s warning) (imitating Limbaugh): Do you know who deserves a posthumous medal of honor James Earl Ray! With Mr. James God speed.

WARD (in his own voice): He’s the you know murderer of Martin Luther King. Nice.

WARD (imitating Limbaugh): Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?

MILLER: Where’s his Rush music Chris? Ah go ahead.

WARD: The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies my friends. The NFL often looks like a game between the bloods and the crips without any weapons. (Limbaugh theme music begins) There I said it! They’re twelve percent of the population. Who the hell cares? Take that bone out of your nose and call me back!

WARD: You know that the ah. I don’t know where they get these racist allegations?

MILLER: Yeah, those are the ones I’ve actually seen the clips and heard the clips on television. Yeah.

[...]

MILLER (9:34): No actually, there’s actual audio.

WARD: There were actual recordings.

MILLER: All of the things he was quoted they backed it up with the actual audio and video from Rush’s show.

[...]

MILLER (10:28): What we’re saying is that our show and many others on TV have posted actual audio and video, so we’re not…Rush claims that this has all been made up. But, how do you dispute things that he’s actually said that are (pause) we’ve played back on this show or people have played back on television?

MALE CALLER (12:44): No one has proven to me that he’s racist. (Lavoie laughing in the background)

MILLER: Really? Saying slavery wasn’t that bad, that at least it built this country, you don’t think that might be offensive?

MALE CALLER: You’re also twisting the words that I heard that apparently he did say. But, the ting is (Miller interrupts)

MILLER: No, we played the actual audio, saying to an African American caller take the bone out of your nose and call me back.

MALE CALLER: What I heard he did not say slavery wasn’t bad, he said slavery built the south and that is a fact.

[...]

JIM WARD (15:33): You want to hear what Limbaugh said about slavery? (Ward reading) He says that “Let’s face it, we didn’t have slavery in this country because it was a bad thing, quite the opposite, slavery built the South. I’m not saying we should bring it back. I’m saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark.” That’s not racist?

Hey Steph, where's your evidence?

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Al Sharpton Revels In Obamist Victory Over NFL, Limbaugh

2009-10-15T16:11:00.002-04:00

'AS WE WANTED'

Al Sharpton Pleased To See Partisan Takeover Of NFL

*** UPDATED WITH SECOND CLIP: SHARPTON TAUNTS RUSH, CALLS HIM 'DELUSIONAL' ***

*** WHO FUNDS SHARPTON? CORPORATE AMERICA ***

Using today's radio program to declare victory over Rush Limbaugh in the battle for partisan control of the National Football League, the Reverend Al Sharpton couldn't contain his glee after the talk titan's bid was thwarted.

The result means ideological control over the NFL (based primarily on support for Obama) and a likely de facto ban on future team ownership by conservatives.

Here's the caught-on-tape reaction:

SHARPTON (4:11): Well, I’m sure as many of you have heard that yesterday after going off the air, Rush Limbaugh who we had started our campaign on Monday was withdrawn by those trying to buy the St. Louis Rams.

His name withdrawn, he is effectively out of it as we wanted. He’s bellyaching and he’s making all kinds of attacks on National Action Network and I, but that’s the screeching of the defeated. Defeated not by me, not by National Action Network, not by other civil rights groups other left or other liberals.

Defeated by his own words that he said against NFL Players and probably to his surprise the NFL Players stood up and said you cannot disparage us and want to be an owner in our world. It’s just that simple.

Later, in Sharpton's third hour, he followed up by taunting Limbaugh and calling him "delusional":

SHARPTON (12:15) (mocking tone): You know I’m told now through e-mails that Mr. Limbaugh now is saying that this is a conspiracy with the President Obama and me and George Soros and everyone.

I really think he’s having delusions Britney I mean (Brittany Sharpton giggling in the background) his partners dropped him I mean what is he talking about? They withdrew his name, he was exposed for what he said and now the whole government and me an everybody’s conspired against him? I mean you know this is he’s not well.

BRITTANY SHARPTON: He’s way too old to be crying like a baby. Ha ha ha.

SHARPTON: Yeah, this is making less and less sense. (Britney Sharpton continued giggling in the background)

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Limbaugh Explains Obama's Takeover Of The NFL

2009-10-15T14:40:00.003-04:00

'SAD FOR OUR COUNTRY'

Exclusion From NFL Underscores Anti-American Trend

Coming out swinging against the dishonest smear campaign that derailed his NFL bid, talk titan Rush Limbaugh told listeners today he feels "sad for our country" in light of what appears to be a partisan political takeover of the football league by left-wing Obamists.

An organized smear campaign led by sleazy "progressive" websites, the Reverend Al Sharpton and state-run media outlets successfully created a new standard for team ownership based on political beliefs. Opposition to Obama is now grounds in itself for exclusion from team ownership.

Limbaugh also dropped a bombshell during today's show: that far-left currency-killer George Soros may be among those bidding for the Rams.

Regarding the group bidding for the St Louis Rams, Limbaugh revealed, "I did not seek them out, they sought me out." He called the move to block him "a very slippery slope."

"It's already happened to Wall Street, it's already happened to the auto business," Rush noted, pointing to government takeovers of private sector businesses under the Obamist regime.

"The end result of this folks, (is that) I have lost nothing... but our country has lost a great deal," he added.

Summing it up, Rush said, "what I'm now going to be known as is the mirror that showed what the country is becoming... those people who enabled this event for their own racial reasons, for their own ratings... will be just as unhappy as they were before."

Echoing the sentiments of many others, he added, "I'm more sad for our country than I am for myself."

Meanwhile, the National Legal and Policy Center has revealed a list of the corporate sponsors who helped Sharpton and others engineer their dishonest smear campaign:

Sharpton’s Corporate Sponsors Funded Anti-Rush Limbaugh Campaign

Submitted by Peter Flaherty on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 21:38

Al Sharpton’s platform for his assault on Rush Limbaugh’s NFL ownership bid was the National Action Network (NAN), which is bankrolled by corporate America.

The following companies were identified this year by NAN as “sponsors”: American Honda, Anheuser Busch, Colgate-Palmolive, Comcast, Entergy, Ford Motor Company, Home Depot, Johnson & Johnson, Macy’s, PepsiCo, Pfizer and Wal-Mart. Sponsorship reportedly cost $50,000.

NLPC is asking these companies to end their support for Sharpton and NAN.

WaPo's Oben Admits: Limbaugh NFL Opposition Based On Obama Criticism

2009-10-14T20:20:00.001-04:00

OBAMIST LITMUS TEST

Flack Toward Barack Grounds For NFL Ownership Denial

*** CAUGHT-ON-TAPE EXCLUSIVE ***

Thanks to the Washington Post's Roman Oben, we now have complete clarity on the new rules for potential NFL team owners: Obama critics need not apply.

In a candid moment during today's Al Sharpton radio show (probably not intended for the rest of us to hear), Oben admitted that Rush's political views regarding Obama were key to the opposition that appears to have derailed his bid to purchase the St Louis Rams.

Were the fabricated racist statements and overall smear campaign simply added to camouflage the real (partisan political) agenda?

Oben's revelation comes a day after news that Barack-tart Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas was given the green light to purchase a portion of the Miami Dolphins.

Here's the exclusive clip and transcript of Oben's statement heard on Sharpton's program:

ROMAN OBEN (14:48): Sports brings this country together and it does not separate and when you have a guy like Rush Limbaugh who's made a living and made a lot of money doing it and has made a living tearing the Clinton Administration, or whether it was the Obama Administration, and now, you know all the quotes, you heard everything he said whether we have to grab our ankles and bend over because Obama’s dad was black. All the things that he said. Now he wants to be a part of an NFL ownership.

Now, he’s not going to be a minority owner. He would assert himself on some of these committees and it would be just a matter of time before he said something on a bigger platform than what he said about McNabb. Now he’s going to say something that’s going to negatively reflect the Rams organization and the NFL as a whole and that something I think Roger Goodell and the NFL PA (Players Association) should pay attention to.

Just hours later, it was announced that the smear machine championed by Oben, Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and others had succeeded in derailing Limbaugh's NFL bid.

Welcome to America circa 2009, where loyalty to the ruling class determines private ownership of assets. Sound more than a bit like Chavez's Venezuela?

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