1380 Obama - Silence Rush

from NY Post 1/23/09
WASHINGTON -- President Obama warned Republicans on Capitol Hill today that they need to quit listening to radio king Rush Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats and the new administration.

"You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done," he told top GOP leaders, whom he had invited to the White House to discuss his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package.

One White House official confirmed the comment but said he was simply trying to make a larger point about bipartisan efforts.

"There are big things that unify Republicans and Democrats," the official said. "We shouldn't let partisan politics derail what are very important things that need to get done."

That wasn't Obama's only jab at Republicans today.

In an exchange with Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) about the proposal, the president shot back: "I won," according to aides briefed on the meeting.

"I will trump you on that."

Not that Obama was gloating. He was just explaining that he aims to get his way on stimulus package and all other legislation, sources said, noting his unrivaled one-party control of both congressional chambers.

"We are experiencing an unprecedented economic crisis that has to be dealt with and dealt with rapidly," Obama said during the meeting.
Republicans say the $825 billion price tag is too big a burden for a nation crippled by debt and that it doesn't do enough to stimulate the economy by cutting taxes.

"You know, I'm concerned about the size of the package. And I'm concerned about some of the spending that's in there, [about] ... how you can spend hundreds of millions on contraceptives," House GOP Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) later said.

"How does that stimulate the economy?"

But White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs countered: "There was a lot of agreement in that room about the notion that we're facing an economic crisis unlike we've seen in quite some time ... that we must act quickly to stimulate the economy, create jobs, put money back in people's pockets."

Gibbs disagreed with those who called the meeting window dressing.

"The president is certainly going to listen to any ideas," he said.

"He will also go to Capitol Hill the beginning of next week to talk to Republican caucuses and solicit their input and their ideas."

A few chosen comments:
Nick C1969 wrote:
Obama's idea of bipartisanship is the same as the Muslim definition of peace: submission and surrender to the will of God.

dbs313 wrote:
Nobama pi$$ed off the pope too, with his funding world wide abortion spectacle, oh... i mean Executive Order. The Vatican said he's arrogant. Ya Think?.. So now he's pi$$ed off a bunch of Catholics. Disenfranchises rush fans one day, a whole bunch of Catholics the next day. I wonder who's next. Gun Owners?

ladyceo wrote:
Zero telling us who to listen to on the radio??? Yes, this is just the beginning.Yes, it will be 'his way or the highway'.And the highway is socialism. He DID say he was open to ideas. He just didn't say he'd USE any of those ideas.Yes, government IS the problem.Right on Rush!

Marxist Messiah wrote:
Yesterday we had friends over for dinner. Of course the Obama friends were talking about how "we" the losers had to get onboard with the new policies.

My wife, very quietly, said " There are 50 people getting on a bus. There is no driver, so they pick one of the people to drive, because he says he knows how to get us to where we we need to be. While he's driving , some of the people realize he's acting erratically, stumbling over his lines, swearing in twice when once will suffice, ranting about Radio personalities rather than focusing on the enormous issues at hand, talking about silencing free speech, talking about infringing on basic rights like the 1st and 2nd amendments, acting intoxicated, possibly cocaine, crack or maybe just with power. He is driving erratically and endangering the lives of everyone on the bus. Do these passengers have a right to speak up??? What if this driver turns around and says "Shut Up"!!!" There was silence at our dinner table.

Shades of Gray wrote:
I don't listen to Rush, Hannity or Oriely but I don't want their voices silenced. To do so is socialism, communism, government controlled media, not good for freedom of speech or just freedom. We need voices of dissent. We need balance in the Media, not government controlled, sponsored media. If our current government wants to silence them, maybe I should start listening/watching. I have grandchildren whom I need to protect. I want to make sure they experience all sides of the political equation, to make up their own minds.