Does Rush Limbaugh Run the GOP?

Timed for the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, the left-leaning Americans United for Change has issued another ad, this one rapping Republicans for rejecting President Obama's budget ideas and suggesting that the GOP is led by radio's Rush Limbaugh. Here's the note to Whispers from Brad Woodhouse, president of Americans United:

"I wanted to share with you this ad that is going up today paid for by AFSCME [the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees] and Americans United for Change. The ad is called 'No' and is going up on national cable and in the Washington, DC market—including some Sunday shows—thru the early part of next week.

"Rush Limbaugh is the leader of the Republican Party. He says jump and Eric Cantor and other Republican leaders say how high. Limbaugh is better known among Republicans than any of the Republicans Leaders in Congress and when he speaks they listen and follow just as they did in opposing en masse President Obama's recovery package.

"If you look at the polls which came out earlier this week—Rush Limbaugh led Republicans off a political cliff on the recovery package—and now they are—at his instruction—lining up to oppose the Obama budget and the rest of his agenda hoping—as Limbaugh does—that Obama fails. Of course—the vast majority of Americans want Obama to succeed and they know if he fails America fails. Republicans have adopted this strategy and this ad and a bunch of other stuff our side in planning is gonna make them own it—and Limbaugh."

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