Rush Limbaugh Tells Right Wingers to Commit Fraud to Make Obama Look Bad

Yes, really

Eclectic Cyborg

PoliticsMay 2012 • Views: 30,072

Image: Donkey Hotey
Click to enlargeI was listening to Limbaugh’s show earlier today (person I was riding with had it on the radio) and I was just blown away by this segment.

Someone called into the show and enthusiastically put forth the idea that right wingers who are retired, students, or not employed but don’t necessarily have a need to be, should go to the nearest unemployment office and “register as unemployed” to help drive UP the unemployment numbers in this country — to make President Obama look like an economic failure.

Now Rush actually challenged the guy, saying that the official unemployment number is not calculated based on unemployment claims (he’s right about that by the way) but the caller assured him that unemployment claims are a strong barometer of economic weakness and his idea had merit.

Rush still seemed skeptical. I thought for a moment, a brief moment, that he might shoot down this guy and his idea as being pretty stupid (and let’s face it, it is).

But no, this being Rush, he wholeheartedly endorsed it and instructed his listeners to go try it.

Since I don’t want to fork out money to get access to audio or video of the exchange, the best I could do was this recap from rushecho.org:

Bureau of Labor Statistics has both the U-3 and U-6 number

Caller: Your audience could change the unemployment number by saying they are “looking for work”. The Regime is manipulating the numbers.
Rush: That is not how they calculate. The BLS calls homes. U-6 vs U-3.
Caller: I’m talking about retired Tea Party citizens.
Rush: The ‘new claims’ number. You can’t go claim if you do not qualify.
Callerl: They are qualified !
Rush: Well ok then. Listeners, If you want to give it a go then go for it.

If anyone wants to hunt down the audio, it unfolded at about 12:45 CST (1:45 EST) towards the end of the second hour of Limbaugh’s show.

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42 comments

sagehen Mon, May 7, 2012 2:55:30pm

You can't just "go register as unemployed", as if the government is curious how many people want to identify themselves as such.

People file for unemployment benefits because they've lost a job through no fault of their own; the benefits they qualify for are based on how much they were earning (and paying into unemployment insurance) before they -- let me repeat -- became unemployed through no fault of their own.

HappyWarrior Mon, May 7, 2012 3:46:10pm

Anything to make Obama look bad and this guy complains when his own words are used against him. What a loser.

Romantic Heretic Mon, May 7, 2012 4:55:00pm

I wonder why these people always claim to be more ethical those 'gosh darned liberals'?

Stanghazi Mon, May 7, 2012 5:38:44pm

re: #1 sagehen

You can't just "go register as unemployed", as if the government is curious how many people want to identify themselves as such.

People file for unemployment benefits because they've lost a job through no fault of their own; the benefits they qualify for are based on how much they were earning (and paying into unemployment insurance) before they -- let me repeat -- became unemployed through no fault of their own.

And they contact the previous employer, who completes the form. Many many employers deny by checking the no box. Once your employer denies it's a major uphill battle.

Another GOP sponsored fraud scam. Jesus!

darthstar Mon, May 7, 2012 5:39:22pm

Caught the tail end of Chris Matthews discussing Romney's entertaining the "investigate Obama" nutjob yesterday rather than dismissing her and taking the high road. Romney's spokesperson was saying that Mitt is just 'awkward' in such settings and it doesn't mean he agrees with the conspiracy nuts. Matthews said, "So you're going with the 'diminished capacity' defense...okay." Fuckin' beautiful.

Stanghazi Mon, May 7, 2012 5:41:31pm

re: #5 darthstar

Caught the tail end of Chris Matthews discussing Romney's entertaining the "investigate Obama" nutjob yesterday rather than dismissing her and taking the high road. Romney's spokesperson was saying that Mitt is just 'awkward' in such settings and it doesn't mean he agrees with the conspiracy nuts. Matthews said, "So you're going with the 'diminished capacity' defense...okay." Fuckin' beautiful.

Epic

darthstar Mon, May 7, 2012 5:42:36pm

re: #6 Residence: Hopeandchangeistan 2012

Heh...just saw your tweet and retweeted to lolgop.

Kragar Mon, May 7, 2012 5:45:00pm

Irony: Rush Limbaugh encourages listeners to use Saul Alinsky's ideas to overload government services.

HappyWarrior Mon, May 7, 2012 5:47:02pm

re: #5 darthstar

Caught the tail end of Chris Matthews discussing Romney's entertaining the "investigate Obama" nutjob yesterday rather than dismissing her and taking the high road. Romney's spokesperson was saying that Mitt is just 'awkward' in such settings and it doesn't mean he agrees with the conspiracy nuts. Matthews said, "So you're going with the 'diminished capacity' defense...okay." Fuckin' beautiful.

So his defense is thst Romney's a coward. Sounds right.

Gus Mon, May 7, 2012 5:47:06pm

It's almost fitting for a man that used to go doctor shopping for his Oxycontin fix.

Stanghazi Mon, May 7, 2012 5:48:24pm

re: #7 darthstar

Heh...just saw your tweet and retweeted to lolgop.

Love the twit world. Check out who I follow and find some new ones. I always check people I follow to see who they follow to expand the knowledge.

Got a xxx gay porn dude follower yesterday. Hmmm.

Charles Johnson Mon, May 7, 2012 5:49:26pm

Pamela Geller on the foiled Al Qaeda plot - in her twisted brain, it turns into more evidence that Obama is weak on terrorism:

No worries, the conceited horse's ass in the White House (campaigning in Ka-bull, no less) assures us the war on terruh is ovuh. And the Baghdad Bob enemedia lauds O's surrender strategy to jihadists, as ...... genius.

HappyWarrior Mon, May 7, 2012 5:51:55pm

re: #12 Charles Johnson

Pamela Geller on the foiled Al Qaeda plot - in her twisted brain, it turns into more evidence that Obama is weak on terrorism:

Vodka is a hell of a drink. The stupidity in that woman's brain hurts my head.

Kragar Mon, May 7, 2012 5:52:00pm

re: #12 Charles Johnson

Pamela Geller on the foiled Al Qaeda plot - in her twisted brain, it turns into more evidence that Obama is weak on terrorism:

When did Obama say the war on terror was over? He said actions in Afghanistan were going to stop.

Targetpractice Mon, May 7, 2012 5:52:15pm

Funny, you'd think that with the Right so confident that they're gonna thrash Obama good at the polls on Election Day, that such widespread fraud would be unnecessary. That Rush would have just laughed it off and assured the caller that Obama is toast anyway, so why risk federal prosecution?

Gus Mon, May 7, 2012 5:52:45pm

re: #12 Charles Johnson

Pamela Geller on the foiled Al Qaeda plot - in her twisted brain, it turns into more evidence that Obama is weak on terrorism:

Someone predicted this earlier on Twitter. Geller of course was probably one of the first to bite.

Stanghazi Mon, May 7, 2012 5:53:15pm

re: #12 Charles Johnson

Pamela Geller on the foiled Al Qaeda plot - in her twisted brain, it turns into more evidence that Obama is weak on terrorism:

And we are naming traitors today?

Targetpractice Mon, May 7, 2012 5:53:25pm

re: #14 Kragar

When did Obama say the war on terror was over? He said actions in Afghanistan were going to stop.

You gotta say it in wingnut-ese, so that they understand you more clearly.

*clears throat*

"Mission accomplished."

darthstar Mon, May 7, 2012 5:54:22pm

re: #12 Charles Johnson

Pamela Geller on the foiled Al Qaeda plot - in her twisted brain, it turns into more evidence that Obama is weak on terrorism:

Every time Pamela Geller takes a pee it's a sign Obama's weak on terrorism. If there was a global ignore button I could click and it would apply to everyone, I'd use it on her.

HappyWarrior Mon, May 7, 2012 5:55:56pm

Obama could kill a terrorist with his barehands and Geller would claim it was a self sacrifice just to make Obama look good.

Gus Mon, May 7, 2012 5:56:36pm

re: #18 Targetpractice

You gotta say it in wingnut-ese, so that they understand you more clearly.

*clears throat*

...

Even Jimmy Carter could have foiled this Al Qaeda plot!!!!!!!!

Feline Fearless Leader Mon, May 7, 2012 5:57:03pm

re: #5 darthstar

Caught the tail end of Chris Matthews discussing Romney's entertaining the "investigate Obama" nutjob yesterday rather than dismissing her and taking the high road. Romney's spokesperson was saying that Mitt is just 'awkward' in such settings and it doesn't mean he agrees with the conspiracy nuts. Matthews said, "So you're going with the 'diminished capacity' defense...okay." Fuckin' beautiful.

Romneybot 6000 - status code -30016
Error in "fight or flight" response. Please contact your system administrator immediately if fault with this module causes damage to the unit.

Please note that shaking the unit to perform viewpoint re-boot of the EaS sub-program is not a workable treatment for this condition.
//

jaunte Mon, May 7, 2012 5:58:32pm

re: #14 Kragar

She's bothered that the Obama administration has stopped using the phrase "war on terror", despite being very successful at killing terrorists.

“As a matter of international law,” White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan recently affirmed, “the United States is in an armed conflict with al-Qaeda, the Taliban and associated forces, in response to the 9/11 attacks, and we may also use force consistent with our inherent right of national self-defense.” [Link: www.washingtonpost.com...]

Gus Mon, May 7, 2012 5:59:17pm

Dear Pamela Geller and Rush Limbaugh:

You are either with us, or you're with the terrorists.

How do you like them apples?

Sincerely,

Gus

b_sharp Mon, May 7, 2012 6:02:40pm

Had Obama been Tougher on Terror, al Qaeda would never even think of attacking the US.

America...
America...
America, FUCK YEAH!
Coming again, to save the mother fucking day yeah,
America, FUCK YEAH!
Freedom is the only way yeah,
Terrorist your game is through cause now you have to answer too,
America, FUCK YEAH!
So lick my butt, and suck on my balls,
America, FUCK YEAH!
What you going to do when we come for you now,
it’s the dream that we all share; it’s the hope for tomorrow

FUCK YEAH!

Gus Mon, May 7, 2012 6:05:48pm

re: #25 b_sharp

Had Obama been Tougher on Terror, al Qaeda would never even think of attacking the US.

America...
America...
America, FUCK YEAH!
Coming again, to save the mother fucking day yeah,
America, FUCK YEAH!
Freedom is the only way yeah,
Terrorist your game is through cause now you have to answer too,
America, FUCK YEAH!
So lick my butt, and suck on my balls,
America, FUCK YEAH!
What you going to do when we come for you now,
it’s the dream that we all share; it’s the hope for tomorrow

FUCK YEAH!

Yeah. Because every time a group of al Qaeda are having a meeting putting together their next plot one of them will invariably say, "I don't know, this looks dangerous!" Happens all the time.

jaunte Mon, May 7, 2012 6:06:08pm

When it comes to fighting terrorists in the Yemen desert, I support the glorious cause and stand ready to sacrifice Ted Nugent in my place.

HappyWarrior Mon, May 7, 2012 6:06:32pm

Obama should have let Bin Laden live, then we could continue to say he's weak on terrorism.

palomino Mon, May 7, 2012 6:07:21pm

re: #9 HappyWarrior

So his defense is thst Romney's a coward. Sounds right.

Nothing bold whatsoever about Romney. Like a GOP congressmen said recently, "Everyone should like Mitt Romney, because whether you're liberal or conservative chances are he's been on your side at one time or another."

Pretty much the opposite of most of the presidential contenders over the last few cycles. His strategy is to slip through the cracks due to a bad economy. And it just might work to give him a narrow victory (think Bush in 2000 and 2004) due to the sluggish recovery.

Gus Mon, May 7, 2012 6:07:48pm

re: #27 jaunte

When it comes to fighting terrorists in the Yemen desert, I support the glorious cause and stand ready to sacrifice Ted Nugent in my place.

With Jon Lovitz as an alternate.

HappyWarrior Mon, May 7, 2012 6:10:04pm

re: #29 palomino

Nothing bold whatsoever about Romney. Like a GOP congressmen said recently, "Everyone should like Mitt Romney, because whether you're liberal or conservative chances are he's been on your side at one time or another."

Pretty much the opposite of most of the presidential contenders over the last few cycles. His strategy is to slip through the cracks due to a bad economy. And it just might work to give him a narrow victory (think Bush in 2000 and 2004) due to the sluggish recovery.

I thought Bush in 2004 was aided by the culture issues more than the economy.

b_sharp Mon, May 7, 2012 6:10:29pm

re: #26 Gus

Yeah. Because every time a group of al Qaeda are having a meeting putting together their next plot one of them will invariably say, "I don't know, this looks dangerous!" Happens all the time.

//

The big question is: Does their insurance cover it?

Feline Fearless Leader Mon, May 7, 2012 6:11:05pm

re: #31 HappyWarrior

I thought Bush in 2004 was aided by the culture issues more than the economy.

That's going to be big this year too. The GOP has to play up the Culture War and such in order to get turnout. Lots of kooky referendums are going to be on the local and state ballots.

palomino Mon, May 7, 2012 6:11:27pm

re: #28 HappyWarrior

Obama should have let Bin Laden live, then we could continue to say he's weak on terrorism.

It just kills the far right, and exposes the hollowness of their weak-on-terror meme, that the president who got bin Laden and Gaddafi (albeit somewhat indirectly) is a Democrat.

But they made up their mind that Obama was an America-hating, Muslim-sympathizing radical 5 years ago. At this point nothing will change their minds.

Feline Fearless Leader Mon, May 7, 2012 6:11:37pm

re: #32 b_sharp

The big question is: Does their insurance cover it?

Hard the tell. The Gecko was arrested and sent to Cuba.
/

Targetpractice Mon, May 7, 2012 6:11:43pm

re: #31 HappyWarrior

I thought Bush in 2004 was aided by the culture issues more than the economy.

Bush was primarily propelled to a second term by the traditional idea that "you don't change presidents during a war." Plus it was still recent enough after 9/11 that he and the rest of the GOP could whip up fear and concern amongst the undecideds by going "If Kerry gets elected, we'll get hit again!"

b_sharp Mon, May 7, 2012 6:13:23pm

re: #28 HappyWarrior

Obama should have let Bin Laden live, then we could continue to say he's weak on terrorism.

He should have at least waited to kill OBL, it's been all downhill since then.

Gus Mon, May 7, 2012 6:13:44pm

re: #36 Targetpractice

Bush was primarily propelled to a second term by the traditional idea that "you don't change presidents during a war." Plus it was still recent enough after 9/11 that he and the rest of the GOP could whip up fear and concern amongst the undecideds by going "If Kerry gets elected, we'll get hit again!"

By the time they finished swiftboating Kerry they made him seem like Dennis Kucinich.

b_sharp Mon, May 7, 2012 6:15:29pm

re: #35 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Hard the tell. The Gecko was arrested and sent to Cuba.
/

Taking my money with him, no doubt.

Never trust a lizard...

Oops.

HappyWarrior Mon, May 7, 2012 6:16:58pm

re: #36 Targetpractice

Bush was primarily propelled to a second term by the traditional idea that "you don't change presidents during a war." Plus it was still recent enough after 9/11 that he and the rest of the GOP could whip up fear and concern amongst the undecideds by going "If Kerry gets elected, we'll get hit again!"

Yeah that too. I just remember the so called values voters who vote to deny other people equal rights more than anything else

palomino Mon, May 7, 2012 6:17:25pm

re: #31 HappyWarrior

I thought Bush in 2004 was aided by the culture issues more than the economy.

I had a feeling my post wasn't clear. I didn't mean the economy was a big factor in 2004, but that the 2012 electoral map could very closely resemble the electoral map of that election. Indeed, it could be exactly the same. You're totally right: Cultural issues did play a role in 2004, especially in Ohio (arguably the decisive state) where a gay rights initiative was on the ballot.

At some point a Dem will run on the opposite platform--that same sex marriage's time has come and it's a goal worth fighting for. I wish Obama would articulate such a message, and make the GOP own their homophobia and misogyny. But I think he's too cautious, and the election isn't that far away.

HappyWarrior Mon, May 7, 2012 6:19:23pm

re: #41 palomino

I had a feeling my post wasn't clear. I didn't mean the economy was a big factor in 2004, but that the 2012 electoral map could very closely resemble the electoral map of that election. Indeed, it could be exactly the same. You're totally right: Cultural issues did play a role in 2004, especially in Ohio (arguably the decisive state) where a gay rights initiative was on the ballot.

At some point a Dem will run on the opposite platform--that same sex marriage's time has come and it's a goal worth fighting for. I wish Obama would articulate such a message, and make the GOP own their homophobia and misogyny. But I think he's too cautious, and the election isn't that far away.

Oh gotcha. I hope he does too. I loved hearing Biden come out for marriage equality.

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