The elevation of Rush Limbaugh as the face of the Republican Party continues to pay dividends. After Michael Steele's comments this weekend about Limbaugh's ugly rhetoric, Limbaugh has once again taken the bait, and has intimated that Steele should step down has the head of the RNC.
Why oh why did Obama, with one little throw-away line, elevate Rush Limbaugh? It has only resulted in one of the great circular firing squads in recent history. And Rush has decided to escalate to a full-on air-war.
Story:
Just moments ago on the air, Rush uncorked a rant that undoubtedly sent tremors through RNC headquarters.
"I’m not in charge of the Republican Party, and I don’t want to be," Rush said. "I would be embarrassed to say that I’m in charge of the Republican Party in a sad-sack state that it’s in. If I were chairman of the Republican Party, given the state that it’s in, I would quit."
Rush then mocked those who have criticized him for saying he wants Obama to fail, and directly challenged them to choose: You either want Obama to succeed or fail at his goal of dismantling conservatism.
"So send those fundraising requests out," Rush said in a sneering tone, in an apparent reference to Steele, adding: "Make sure you say, `We want Obama to succeed.’ So people understand your compassion."
As Sargent notes, this is a critical moment for Steele and the RNC. Under normal circumstances, there is no way that Steele could back away now. If he caves in any way, his credibility (such that it is) is completely ruined. It would be a full-on acknowledgment that Rush is the head of the Republican Party. Steele would be completely neutered, as any statements he made would be seen through the lens of, "Will Rush approve of these comments?" Any strategy would immediately taken to Rush for his approval. Steele would be a complete puppet. Now, the question is, will Steele have the stones to stand up to Rush? I wouldn't hold my breath, personally.
Quickie update: I think Josh Marshall sums it up quite well:
I just want to give props to the Democratic psyops operation that's paying off Michael Steele to get into a gonzo spat with Rush. Great work, guys.