This Rush Limbaugh thing is getting surreal.
Limbaugh is issuing a challenge to the President of the United States to debate him on his show:
But I have an idea. If these guys are so impressed with themselves, and if they are so sure of their correctness, why doesn't President Obama come on my show? We will do a one-on-one debate of ideas and policies. Now, his people in this Politico story, it's on the record. They're claiming they wanted me all along. They wanted me to be the focus of attention. So let's have the debate! I am offering President Obama to come on this program -- without staffers, without a TelePrompTer, without note cards -- to debate me on the issues.
I have a counter-offer to Limbaugh, on behalf of our President: come debate me and thousands of Kossacks instead.
See, Mr. Limbaugh, I'm none too keen on having my President debate you. Here's why:
Reason #1: he's the President of the United States, in case you haven't noticed. I know, that really, really sticks in your craw, doesn't it? But it is true. And for a group of people that liked to bloviate about giving due respect to the office of the President when your guy was in there, you sure have a funny way of showing your respect. Yes, let's get the President to fly down to Florida on your jet (your idea, not mine), taking time away from the country's business to debate you on your precious radio show. As if somehow, you are more important than the nation. You are more important than the myriad of issues our President has been working on. You are now in charge. Sorry buddy. It doesn't work that way. You want a debate with the President? I've got a solution for you. Run in 2012. If you get the nomination, be prepared for happy fun time in as many debates as you like. Until then, you don't represent anybody.
Reason #2: losers don't get to dictate terms. Didn't you learn that in history class? You lost. Your brand of politics lost. Your political philosophy...lost. The President got over 60+ million votes. And he is the CEO for 300 million some odd stockholders, as well as carrying that unofficial title of leader o' the free world. Far as I know, you are just a guy with a microphone. But you don't get to dictate terms, not when your side, in two straight election cycles, got pummelled pretty badly. It's a bitter pill to swallow, I know...we over here in liberal kook land have swallowed it many times in the past several years. But for now, we're the winners, and the terms get dictated by those in charge.
So, here's my counter-offer. Get yourself a Daily Kos account and start to regale us with all your wonderful ideas. Stick around to debate the issues. Heck, I'll even offer not to troll rate you into oblivion. I'll be civil as pie (no pun intended).
You don't get our President. That's a no-go.
All you get are those wacky "community agitators" that got him elected.
You don't get to call the President chicken if he doesn't show up. But we get to call you chicken if you don't engage the public.
That's the breaks when your approval rating hovers around 20%.