massornament

I have not been following U.S. politics very closely these last two or so weeks… but I have been keeping an eye on some of the discussion over the Republican’s attempt to push ‘shock’ radio’s right-wing pundit more into the mainstream.  Apparently, this is strategy to rehabilitate the Republican brand.  After the last eight years,  there is really very little that is positive for the right in the U.S. to latch on to as a way of remembering the Bush era.  The Republican punditry frets over the tarnished party brand and there is no real heir-apparent.  (Some are clinging to Sarah Palin but despite her best efforts she is almost forgotten.)  Hence…. Rush Limbaugh?

For the last few decades, the right in the U.S. has followed teh Lee Atwater formula of cut-throat political intrigue.  This basically includes using any means necessary to advance ones political goals, including fabrications and set-ups.  It has also nourished and used the media echo chamber where ‘experts,’ pundits, character assassins, ‘columnists,’ radio-show hosts, etc. keep the airwaves filled with fear, rumour, fear-mongering, and baiting.  Rush Limbaugh is just one in a long line of such voices but it is rare for one to be featured so prominently in the mainstream.  Usually, those of Limbaugh’s ilk exist on the fringes as their function is to stir up the most radical of the base.  So it is interesting to see that the limping Republican leadership might be turning to Limbaugh.  They did this during the presidential election too.  First, they tried a whispering campaign to convince the public that Obama might be a terrorist, a Muslim, a socialist/communist, etc.   Next, they sculpted the McCain presidency as far-right friendly.  (In my humble opinion, this was a major disservice to John McCain because he was actually a fairly decent and fairly moderate Republican and one who I wish would have won the Republican presidential nomination in 2000… imagine how the world might be different today.)

At any rate, the Republicans are doing it again.  Their own right-wing fringe has even convinced the republican leadership that the fringe is relevant and now they want to push Limbaugh into the limelight.  Max Blumenthal at Alternet writes:

Despite Limbaugh’s low popularity ratings, congressional Republicans are so intimidated by his perceived influence that even the most resentful members shamelessly grovel at his feet. He might have alienated vast sectors of the Republican base, but Limbaugh still commands an army of self-proclaimed “Dittoheads” who represent the party’s most politically fervent, ideologically extreme, and easily shepherded element. This is a faction that flood the party’s elected representatives’ offices with phone calls, and which they believe they cannot afford to offend.

Now, this was a Democratic poll but it is not really that surprising to me.  The Republicans are making the same mistake that Hollywood and Network TV do: trying to go after the so-called “all important” (insert some variation on the teen age range here) demographic while forgetting about everyone else.  Politics is about coalition building but the Republicans seem to think that going after the relatively small groups that make up the far-right is the best way to go.  And I just can’t see this as a coherent strategy.  I think I understand why they think the way they do.  Blumenthal is right in saying that they are intimidated by their own creation and also in that all the bluster the far-right generates (especially since Fox News came on the scene) makes it appear like they are influential.  So, the Republicans are going after the appearance of influence and hoping that will re-establish the brand.  They do not seem to realize that we are entering an era where many illusions will not be able to survive as easily as in the past.