Clark urges ABC to fire Limbaugh

[bamademo]

Go, Wesley go

Democratic candidate Clark urges ABC to fire Limbaugh over McNabb remark
RON FOURNIER
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark on Wednesday urged ABC to fire conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh for saying the media wanted Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb to succeed because he is black.

Clark, a retired Army general who entered the race Sept. 17, called the remarks "hateful and ignorant speech."

Before McNabb led the Eagles to a 23-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Limbaugh said on ESPN's pre-game show that he didn't think McNabb was as good as perceived from the start.

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/sports/6907591.htm

[_NorCal_D_]

1. All right!

This is not something a Republican operative would do.

[shanti]

2. it's not?

????? i fail to see why clark feels the need to comment on this...is he really an opportunist??

[KittyWampus]

4. It IS?

???

[Emboldened Chimp]

8. It's the right thing to do

Right on, Clark!

[StephNW4Clark]

9. Amicus Brief

He's not an opportunist. It's something he's done consistently. Before he was on the national radar, he filed an amicus brief with University of Michigan on behalf of their continuation of affirmative action. This is something he has always commented on...it's just that the media is now covering him.

[_NorCal_D_]

10. An opportunist in what sense?

Would you be furious if another candidate said this?
:shrug:

[shanti]

14. no, i wouldn't be "furious"

i'm not "furious" now, but i don't feel that this is something he needs to jump on now. got it?

[ProfessorGAC]

18. Seems Obvious To Me

It's election season. Limbaugh's big mouth and his show allow him almost limitless opportunity to trash Dem candidates, before and after the primaries.

By finding a way to discredit him for his stupid statement, it could dilute his impact down the road. To me, some or all, of the dem candidates should come out strongly against him and wake up middle america to the buffoon this guy, and his Rushbots, is/are.
The Professor

[Julien Sorel]

56. You got it!

Political gold. Puts him on the side of black America, and from here on out, all of Rush's attacks will look like spite. Effing brilliant. Opportunistic? Hell yes! And taking advantage of opportunities is one of the keys to success.

[catforclark2004]

19. I am Black...and I am glad that Clark's got my Back!

Those who stay silent condone!!!!!

[Robin Hood]

22. absolutely.

Thank you.

[Tuttle]

50. "I'm not black...

but there's a lot of times I wish I could say I wasn't white."
Frank Zappa 1967-ish

Anyone remember that line from Freak Out?

Tut-tut

[Bread and Circus]

47. I am not Black...

but I feel the same way you do!

Right on, Wes!

[Julien Sorel]

57. Say it out loud!

;-)

[Pale Blue Dot]

13. If he, or any of the Dems, do not comment on this,

then what would they be accused of?

[bamademo]

A few days back someone posted they had met Wesley Clark...

and Wesley, when asked what he thought about Limabaugh replied "He's an asshole".

[shanti]

16. again

how is wesley clark's position any different about limbarf than the average DU'er?

[TacticalPeek]

20. Technically, that quote was "He's full of (famous substance)."

:silly:

[Tuttle]

54. Actually Clark said

"Limbaugh is full of shit"

It was linked from MWO.

Tut-tut

[lolly]

33. Of course he is!

All politicians are.

Should Dem candidates pass up on opportunities to look good to their constituents?

Make a bigger issue out of this, I say. Force ESPN to come out from under their rocks and take a look at what they've wrought.

[jumptheshadow]

52. No, he's a fighter

For years, the RW media has cowed politicians and the press corps alike.

Clark, like Dean and Kucinich, is a fighter. He's drawing the line in the sand. He and liberals and minorities have been relentlessly attacked by Rush and his cronies. Clark's showing him (and them) that he's not going to let his outrageous, slanderous, hate-mongering go unanswered.

That will benefit all Democratic candidates.

[w13rd0]

6. Didn't Bush ask...

...Trent Lott to step down when he became an embarrasment? Rush is an ass, not hard to urge ESPN to can him because he's an insufferable bastard. Rush listeners are already predisposed to not like Clark, so he's losing no supporters by doing this...

[JaneQPublic]

3. Good for Clark!

`Glad to see a candidate nail Limbaugh on this one.

[javadu]

I wouldn't trust him

This obviously a Rovian or a DLC ploy. It gives me a funny feeling. You know the feeling ---- its kinda like there is something not right (I mean not left) about him. (Please note the sarcasm!)

[PROGRESSIVE1]

5. Get'em Clark!!!

:kick:

[ignatius]

7. Hateful and ignorant, I believe, were the words used by the

Chicks in regards to Toby Keith's song about the US putting a boot in someone's ass.

He is right, of coursw, but spewing hate seems to attract a certain type of person.

[loudnclear]

11. Sorry, but this is what ESPN wanted all along...to appeal to THEIR base

Rush has done that. Face it folks, racism is alive and well in the US. There are those who look for every opportunity to legitimize their own prejudices and ESPN has given 16 million people a way to do that through Rush. In the past various code words have been used to describe and demean African Americans. During the Reagan years the word "deficit" was even used to frenzy up voters who were told that high deficits were caused by social spending (that benefited the "welfare queens" and "affirmative action" and "unqualified, lazy, unemployed"

I would not give Rush the benefit of even making this an issue and give ESPN and Rush more publicity. The racists and bigots in this country are an unfortunate part of our culture and country. They have their place...make them irrelevant by ignoring them.

[NashVegas]

17. Exactly

This has a lot to do with Murdoch taking over DirectTV (think Fox sports net).

The best thing I'd like to see is the NFL blanket protest via refusing any and all interviews with ESPN for a minumum of 4 weeks. That way, ESPN can't cry fowl for firing Rush due to protests by black people and the PC crowd, they'll have to either fire him when their advertisers bail because they WILL lose ratings when they have no first-hand stories to report from the NFL, or else muzzle him.

[bloom]

25. I disagree

Esp. with ESPN legitimizing him - I think he needs to be called on stuff - at least on ESPN. Ignore his show - but I think it's better for reasonable people to speak the truth.

Otherwise - it's like society saying rascism is OK. ESPN is too mainstream to let it pass.



(And you know me - I don't even LIKE Clark - my INTUITION and all... :) ).

[jobycom]

26. The Hell we won't

I'll try my damndest to make it an issue no matter how much publicity it gives to ESPN. I watch the channel (or did until Sunday), so I'm a viewer. Shine a spotlight on them and make them choose-- do they want to be the Fuzzy Zoeller of this decade and side with the racists on this, jettisoning the mainstream image and the multi-racial audience they've worked so hard to cultivate?

The more we ignore this, the easier it is for this to be hidden, and fester.

Personally, I think Clark's comments have just elevated the issue beyond sports. Now other candidates can be asked about it. Let's pull out the litmus paper and see who will admit to being a racist and defend Limbaugh. It's either that, or jettison him as a party representative. The more this issue is painted in black and white, the more the Republicans are hurt by it.

More light, more noise. Make all of America notice. We all know Limbaugh is a racist, but some people don't make that connection. Make it so that Limbaugh becomes a code word for bigotry. Rocker, Zoeller, Jimmy the Greek, Rush Limbaugh. The others in that list all lost sponsors, and eventually their careers, over their comments. Make Limbaugh pay for it.

[lolly]

34. Yes

Would love to have a reporter force Arnold to comment on Limbaugh's remark. Any California reporters covering the recall lurking here? Go with this.

[javadu]

31. Two Things

First, I sent 2 letters to ESPN complaining about Rush. I am a huge ESPN fan and hiring Rush really broke my heart. One letter was pre-McNabb and the other was on Monday.

Second, I hope that you are wrong, but I am afraid that you are correct. Look at what O'Really did for Franken's book.

However, if the outcry becomes loud enough and long enough, ESPN might get too much of what they wanted and can butt boil.

[Bandit]

43. "All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"

I can't remember who said that or if in fact it is a completely accurate quote but the meaning is the same. Ignore evil at your own peril.

[joanski01]

12. Well, I'm certainly glad to

hear this. Thanks for posting it.

[underpants]

15. ...I must have been right about something. ” ---Rush

“ All this has become the tempest that it is because I must have been right about something. ”
— Rush Limbaugh


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1627991

[Lurking Dem]

21. "We must have been right about the 2000 election." - DU

At least now I know why Limbaugh's tits are so big.

[TacticalPeek]

24. On his show today, he said something like this about his racist 'point':

'Everybody's making such a brouhaha over it, maybe it hits too close to home, since everyone is taking it so seriously. Otherwise, if it was just stupid, they'd all be laughing at it as silly.'

How 'bout both?

Brouhahahahahahhaha!

:silly:

[dfong63]

23. i agree with Clark

Clark gains a point for challenging the big fat idiot. Clark will gain another point if he succeeds in raising the larger issue of Rush's history of racist comments. Clark will gain major points if they actually do can Rush.

(--- a Dean partisan)

[chiburb]

30. I can't believe my eyes...

You may have done it in the past and I missed it, but this is the 1st time I've seen you give Clark a point for anything!
Thanks for your openness...
(Absolutely NO sarcasm!)

Uncommitted.

[bicentennial_baby]

36. OMG

Are my eyes deceiving me? Good on ya Dfong! I'm glad you could see the value and truth of Clark's words today! :hi:

[Bread and Circus]

48. Wow!

dfong, thanks -- you made my day :)

truce?

[DemExpat]

27. I like Clark's outspokenness...and the words he uses!

Go get 'em, Clark!

:kick:

DemEx

[UTUSN]

28. Well, Alrighty, Then, a Theme I Can Get Behind n/t

[sendero]

29. I admire...

... him for speaking out. If you don't think it takes a certain kind of integrity to take on these kinds of issues, you are not paying attention. BTW - I'm still a Dean supporter at the present time.

[Evil_Dewers]

32. This must be a Rovian plot!!!

because 39% of DUers who bothered to vote in a stupid, misleading poll in GD today think Clark may be a mole for Rove. Or maybe the poll was manipulated.

You see, Rove wants to capture more of the Necknar dads vote. Currently Repukes only have 97% of the Neckcar dads' votes locked up. Now Clark has pissed off the 4 million dittoheads by bringing up the fact that Rush is a racist and McNabb's race has nothing to do with his abilities as an NFL quarterback. Besides, blacks don't care about this issue--they don't even watch football** nor do they vote Republican. ;)

**Monday Night Football is the most watched show by blacks.

[javadu]

37. Great Post!!!

I am relatively new to DU, but I can tell that I will enjoy reading your posts!!! :hi:

[Evil_Dewers]

39. Thank you...

And thank you for telling bobthedrummer that you thought he was just drumming up trouble.

[bicentennial_baby]

38. There was a

Nascar Dad for Clark sign at the Dover, NH rally last weekend! I think he could definitely take a bite outta Chimpy's base!

[carpetbagger]

59. We'll soon find out...

Watch the split screen on CNN when Rove's gets to take his frog-march. If Clark's head explodes a la Scanners, you'll have your answer.

[0rganism]

35. How rare are black football players? black quarterbacks?

Do white male republican football fans feel vindicated for their grotesque physical incompetence by the presence of a white qb?

There's something here I'm not getting, obviously.

I remember about 20 years ago I was kind of surprised by the Houston Oilers' qb (I think his last name was Moon?) being black. He definitely broke the mold for the NFL at the time. But not so for high school: growing up in a predominantly white part of New Mexico, we had approximately one black guy in our graduating class of 300, and he was the only reason our football team scored any points at all that year. He was the kicker, the punt returner, the starting qb, the cornerback, the starting wide receiver, the starting tight end, whatever. No one else could keep up. Most of us were white pansy-ass scientists' kids who could barely run a lap, but we had Harlo, dammit! He transferred in from some southern state late in his junior year, IIRC, and singlehandedly redeemed our school from the perennial shame of football failures. Even when the team lost, it was fun watching the game just because he was pulling the whole team along, and we'd have keg parties afterwards. "Yeah, mom, we're going to watch Harlo, I mean the football game, and we'll be back around 2am."

We wanted him to succeed in football, not because he was black, but because he was the only one in our school qualified to do so. He could have been purple with orange spots, for all we knew about race, but he was a hero on the gridiron battlefield.

There may have been a point to all this, but I'm not quite sure what it was.

[bloom]

41. maybe the point was

"He could have been purple with orange spots, for all we knew about race"

And that - are we not happy to have the best possible person out there?

And that Limbaugh is a neanderthal.

:shrug:

[Wickerman]

58. Warren Moon

Suffered racism at the hands of the NFL. He was a great QB in collee. Couldn't get drafted. Went to Canada and set records there. Had a long career by anyone's standards. Finally got a chance to play in the NFL and did it well. He endured death threats in Houston and his wife was verbally abused in the stands. Kordell Stewart and the Pittsburgh coaching staff took a lot of heat just 7 years or so ago when he was made starting quarterback. I had inlaws there who said that Pittsburgh would nover tolerate a black QB - so they heard at work, etc.

Racism is still prevalent in the NFL and who knows how much better of careers Moon and Stewart could have had without having to worry about issues of race.

I mean, look at Stewart, he has to play for the Bears these days, talk about a come down. (ducks).

[fortyfeetunder]

63. Warren Moon and the Seattle Seahawks

I can't quite fully forgive the Seahawks, for they literally had Warren Moon in their backyard playing QB at the University of Washington. Warren loved the Pacific NW and wanted to play pro ball in Seattle after he graduated.

But nooooo, the Hawks didn't want to be a pioneer, so Moon went to the CFL, played for the Edmonton Eskimos. They won 4 Grey Cups (CFL championships) under Moon's QB career. I used to watch those games, he was one kick-ass QB. By the time the Hawks finally got their hands on Warren, his career was just about over.

IMHO, this one of many Seattle Seahawks f*** ups...

[trapper914]

40. You ever wonder...

...why this happened Sunday morning, but didn't blow up until Tuesday afternoon? My theory: ESPN knew exactly what Limp-baugh was going to say Sunday, and were ready for the complaints. Complaints=Controversy=Press=Ratings Problem is, Sunday came and went and so did Monday, and ESPN was getting no extra love from the press. I thinked they pushed this controversy.

As for what he said...he's probably not the only fan to think McNabb is overrated. He's probably not the only fan to think McNabb is aided by his defense. I doubt, however, he will find many who buy his whole "liberal media/affirmative action" theory. You ever look at the statistics, Rush? And in case you were wondering, the media doesn't vote the players to the Pro Bowl...it's the coaches and the other players. He's led his team to consecutive NFC Championship Games. He was on his way to an MVP caliber year before breaking his ankle (and finishing the game on it). I thought Rush knew something about football. He always says he does. Oh, that's right. What he says isn't always the truth.

That said, I hate the friggin' Eagles! Just wanted to get that off my chest.

[in_cog_ni_to]

42. I give two thumbs up

to General Clark. Racism is racism and every candidate should pounce on this! Kudos to Clark for having the guts to do so. Limbaugh needs to have sh*t dished in his face non stop every day, every night, for weeks on end...never to cease. The gloves need to come off for that bigot!

[frank frankly]

44. WAY TO GO WESLEY!!!

right on!!!

[frank frankly]

45. once again! a kick!

taking out Limbaugh is like getting rid of a senior official of BushCo. Wesley, I am a big fan of yours!

[LiberalFighter]

46. What did Jimmy the "Greek" say?

And what was the consequence???

Any similiarities?

Shouldn't Wind Bag suffer the same consequences?

[henslee]

51. as did Dodger GM, Al Campanis....

"(Blacks) may not have some of the necessities to be, let's say, a field manager, or perhaps a general manager." -- former Dodger general manager Al Campanis in 1987 on ABC's "Nightline"

[not systems]

49. Right on Clark!!!

Give the haters no cover.

[MasonJar]

53. Rush

This tub of venom is as dangerous as he is obnoxious. I remember well when his viciousness toward Tom Daschele got the Senator and his family hate calls and threatening calls. I figured that was a major reason that he dropped out of the Presidential race. Rush should be strapped to a ballistic missile and fired---biological warfare at its best.

[newyorican]

55. Just put Chris Rock on with Rush...

that'll solve everything and cause ratings to jump further than this little dust-up.

[David Zephyr]

60. Bravo for General Clark!

Thanks for the post, Bamademo.

[roguevalley]

61. I grew up during Jim Crow and Sun down laws.

He did too. He has always been outspoken
against this shit and I support him. It
would amaze me that anyone here would be
against this. Holding these weasels
accountable for their hatred raises the
bar against it happening again. Its not
opportunism. Its common human decency. I
am amazed that anyone would be against
it. But then, not everyone had to put up
with pre-civil rights America either.

He did. He's a good man to say this and
so is Howard Dean. GO BOYS!

[Loyal]

62. Good for Clark!

:)