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Michael Moore: Why I'm Not Now and Have Never Been the Democrats' "Rush Limbaugh"

By Michael Moore, AlterNet. Posted March 6, 2009.


The Republican machine kept attacking me but the American public sided with me -- not Rush Limbaugh.

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I have watched with mild amusement this week the self-immolation of the Republican Party as it bows before the altar of Rush Limbaugh, begging for mercy, pleading for forgiveness, breathlessly seeking guidance and wisdom from The Oracle.

President Obama and the Democratic Party have wasted no time in pointing out to the American people this marriage from hell, tying Rush like a rock around the collective Republican neck and hoping for its quick descent to the netherworld of irrelevance.

But some commentators (Richard Wolffe of Newsweek, Chuck Todd of NBC News, etc.) have likened this to "what Republicans tried to do to the Democrats with Michael Moore." Perhaps. But there is one central difference: What I have believed in, and what I have stood for in these past eight years—an end to the war, establishing universal health care, closing Guantánamo and banning torture, making the rich pay more tax and aggressively going after the corporate chiefs on Wall Street—these are all things which the MAJORITY of Americans believe in, too. That's why in November the majority voted for the guy I voted for. The majority of Americans rejected the ideology of Rush and embraced the same issues I have raised consistently in my movies and books.

How did this happen? Considering how, for the past eight years, the Republican machine thought they could somehow smear and damage the Democrats if they said it was "the party of Michael Moore," it appears that the American public heard them loud and clear and decided that, 'hey, if you say Michael Moore is connected to the Democrats, then the Democrats must be OK!'

During this past election, a Democrat in Michigan, Mark Schauer, was running against the incumbent Republican congressman, Rep. Tim Walberg. Schauer asked me to endorse him and campaign for him, and I did. The Republicans were thrilled. They acted like they had been handed manna from heaven. They filled the airwaves with attack ads showing pictures of me and asking voters, 'is this the guy you want influencing your congressman?' The voters of western Michigan said "YES!" and threw the Republican out of office. The newly elected congressman told me his poll numbers had gone up once the Republicans started running ads likening him to me.

There have been over a half-dozen attack documentaries on me ("Michael Moore Hates America," "Fahrenhype 9/11," etc.), plus a feature film starring Kelsey Grammer and James Woods that had me being slapped silly for 83 minutes. Several books have been written by the Right in a concerted attempt to denounce me. One book, "100 People Who Are Screwing Up America," had me listed at #1. The author was so sure people would know why, he didn't even bother to write a chapter on me like he did for the other 99. You just get to the end of the book and all it says is "#1" with nothing but a big picture of me that takes up a full page.

What made the Republicans so sure that Americans would recoil upon the mere mention of my name, or by simply showing a photo of my face?

The result of this was one colossal backfire. The more they attacked me, the more the public decided to check out who this "devil" was and what he was saying. And—oops!—more than a few people liked what they saw. Overnight I went from having a small, loyal following to having millions go to movie theaters to watch... documentaries? Wow.

Yes, the more the Right went after me, the more people got to hear what I was saying—and eventually the majority, for some strange reason, ended up agreeing with me—not Rush Limbaugh—and elected Barack Obama as President of the United States, a man who promised to end the war, bring about universal health care, close Guantánamo, stop torture, tax the rich, and rein in the abusive masters of Wall Street.

Think about this road I've traveled. At the beginning of the Bush years, I was pretty much an outsider, referred to as being on the "far left." I usually found myself holding viewpoints that differed from the majority of the people in this country. When I spoke out against the war—before it even started—I was marginalized by the mainstream media and then booed off the Oscar stage in "liberal Hollywood" for commenting about a "fictitious" president. Seventy percent of the public back then supported the war and approved of the job George W. Bush was doing.

But I stuck to what I believed in, kept churning out my movies, and never looked back. The Right and the White House spokespeople came after me time after time. President Bush 41 called me an "a**" on TV, and I became a favorite punching bag at both the 2004 and the 2008 Republican National Conventions in speeches by John McCain and Joe Lieberman. On the front page of this morning's Washington Post, Mark McKinnon, a top adviser to George W. Bush, revealed—for the first time—the Bush White House strategy of singling me out in the hopes of turning the country against me and the Democratic Party. Here's what the Post said:


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See more stories tagged with: rush limbaugh, michael moore

Michael Moore is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker and author. He directed and produced Roger & Me, Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, and Sicko. He has also written seven books, most recently, Mike’s Election Guide 2008

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imli
Posted by: chhabili on Mar 6, 2009 11:50 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Michael, you are my hero. You have shown a tenacity of purpose and have taken on the right wingnuts when others shied away. Thank you.

I am also glad to see that Sanjay Gupta finally opted out of the Surgeon General appointment. After Paul Krugman and others eviscerated him for demonizing Sicko, I could not understand why the Obama administration did not drop his name. Now I know. They cooled their heels and the long wait caused Gooooooopta to take a long pause to read the writing on the wall. Again, thank you Michael for exposing this fraud who is nothing but a shill for the pharmaceutical companies.

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Stay on the high road
Posted by: weathered on Mar 6, 2009 11:58 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Mr. Moore, you hate the lies, so do we.

America is only as sick as its secrets.
Tell us the things we don't want to confront, not the things we want hear.

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Please ...
Posted by: 2thepoint on Mar 6, 2009 12:11 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
sell it to someone with no brains.. Moore is a MOOREON much like Rush is. A loud mouth laughing all the way to the bank..why do you think he felt the need to even make that comment!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Please ... Posted by: weathered
» RE: Please ... Posted by: 2thepoint
» RE: Please ... Posted by: iolanthe
» RE: Please ... Posted by: Crazy H
» RE: Please ... Posted by: topbrick
Mr. Moore...
Posted by: progunprogressive on Mar 6, 2009 12:22 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I watched your Bowling for Columbine and I speak for many other gun advocates when I say you can go to hell.

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» RE: Mr. Moore... Posted by: MatthewCalifornian
» You didn't watch it... Posted by: Parcival01
» RE: Mr. Moore... Posted by: RSW58
» RE: Mr. Moore... Posted by: stevehamlin
» RE: Mr. Moore... Posted by: kogwonton
» RE: Mr. Moore... Posted by: aussidawg
» why do GUNS need "advocates"? Posted by: wwittman
What? Does he have a new movie coming out?
Posted by: ABetterFuture on Mar 6, 2009 12:43 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'm not opposed to folks figuring out ways for the multitudes to pay for their new gazebos, but isn't it a little disingenuous to pretend that MM has a "higher calling" beside self-interests?

"Whaaaahhh....I'm not a Limbaugh...really, I ain't...."...

Meh. Go and tell it on the mountain, fleabag.

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» Oh You're So Shrewd!!! Posted by: iolanthe
Familiar phenomenon
Posted by: MatthewCalifornian on Mar 6, 2009 12:55 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This reminds me of another comparison.

As political phenomena, I saw a great deal of similarity between Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. In both cases, we had a very popular president who was despised with a passion by the core constituency of the opposing party. The difference: during the Reagan years, liberals understood that, as much as we hated the old man, he was well liked by the population at large. During the Clinton years, conservatives just could not wrap their heads around the fact that most Americans liked Bill.

It's hard to avoid the conclusion that conservatives just aren't that bright.

If you feel you are not properly sedated, call 348-844 immediately. Failure to do so may result in prosecution for criminal drug evasion.

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» RE: Familiar phenomenon Posted by: EHarold
O Lot O R E S P E C T
Posted by: Gzillasam on Mar 6, 2009 2:16 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I've got a lot of respect for Mr Moore. He isn't bombastic like most other media provocateur. That I agree with his points of view , and am a fellow mich-i-gandor doesn't hurt either. I see him as standing up for the little guy (gal) , pointing out Greed and Selfishness . Whats so wrong with that! And why shouldn't we be treated as well as the very rich ?

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Tsk Tsk...
Posted by: EHarold on Mar 6, 2009 4:09 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Michael..Michael..You of all people should KNOW that Obama is a fraud and is only there for the corporate elite.

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» Obama serves Posted by: 2thepoint
» RE: Tsk Tsk... Posted by: takebayashi
What a disappointment
Posted by: serge-nn on Mar 6, 2009 5:29 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You really shouldn't be so proud of yourself. That's right, "Democratic leadership realized that to identify themselves publicly with you meant reaching the millions". They "stood by you" and they used you, and you are the one who made it possible by your transformation from a Ralph Nader supporter to a garden-variety Democrat, mocking Nader on TV and rallying for John Kerry. Kerry. What a disgrace. And now I don't know if you fell for Obama's bumper sticker of "hope/change" or you just got tired of being an outsider -- anyway, you seem to have traded a really progressive agenda for the "lesser of two evils".

You claim to be anti-war. Can you see a shocking similarity between Obama's and W's Iraq "withdrawal" plans? How do you feel about Obama's wars in Afganistan and Pakistan? How about continuing U.S. support of Israel's state terrorism?

You are known to support the single-payer health care system. Here is a news for you: "...the idea of creating a single-payer national health insurance program appears to have already been rejected. White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs said Thursday, “The President doesn’t believe that’s the best way to achieve the goal of cutting costs and increasing access.” Initially, no supporters of single payer were invited to the [White House health care] summit." (Democracy now!).

So how could you say We won the White House??? We who? Are you going to keep pushing the progressive ideas or get involved in partisan politics? You can't have it both ways. Decide already. Make another movie, about the spectacular looting of the United States of America, continuing non-stop from Reagan to Obama. Or keep flirting with Democratic party -- it's just making you more and more irrelevant.

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Rush vs. Moore
Posted by: Crazy H on Mar 6, 2009 5:52 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Okay, I will admit that there is one area where Rush wins out over Michael.

Limbaugh's critics are obviously smarter than Moore's...

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Re: Oops- a slightly off-topic rant- sorry, I'm just so sick of Rove!
Posted by: watching-n-waiting on Mar 6, 2009 6:14 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
M.M.'s great but I must disaree once...Obama was not: "one of the most liberal senators", nor is he a liberal now. Many fellow progressives cling to that hope. But it's okay...once one accepts he's a centrist it gets easier, little by little. He has broken a number of cielings and got Americas progressive blood flowing again after the "clot" of the past 8 years.

"What made the Republicans so sure that Americans would recoil upon the mere mention of my name, or by simply showing a photo of my face?"

Because Micheal, they believe their spin. But Limpball isn't queen of the hive just of the drones Hannity, Beck, Savage ect. Rove is leader of the con. cartel. Limpball is just a bloviating sociopath. Rove is the true psychopath.

Rove is the one w/ utter-n-complete audacity, questioning Obama's competence after he gave us 8 years of a "man" who could barely chew or comprehend 2nd grade reading and all of this in plain view! We knew it, "they" knew it, the entire world knew that he was a drugged drunk.
I traveled Europe extensively during the time M.M. wrote aboout and just-as-well we had him! I was able to use him as an example during "those" inevitable conversations. People would ask why Americns are so mis-informed and why we elect incompetents.
"Surely basic competence is a prerequisite to hold public office". But, "No", I would explain, "All that is required is a corporate sponsor and a compliant media."
Many of these people were German and they would nod with eerie recognition.
"Those" conversations are diferent now but too many things have remained the same. ROVE HAS GOT TO GO!

GOP candidates know that so long as they bold face lie, skew statistics and sling mud they'll qualify because they know Roves machine will reiterate the lies. Once they're on the TV or in print they're true. It is a national disgrace that he is still manufacturing, manipulating and marketing deceit!

There are days when it feels as though Murdoch, General Electric, Disney ect have placed the country on autopilot and aimed us for the nearest cliff face.
I get it, both major parties are corporate controled as is the media but how can they take the Lee Atwater party seriously when it's peopled w/ the likes of Joe-n-Sarah, David "let-them-die-of-aides" Schultheis, Michelle Bachman, Michael "look-ma-I'm-nuts-too" Steele and Piyush Jindal. And when his freak-speech went down in flames the best they could do was scrape Tom "ethically-challenged" DeLay off their shoes to take a stab at Obama.

We elected a sensible, viable politician to the Executive Branch but continue to be a world-wide embarrassment. Obamas reserved, balanced calm in contrast to republican hysteria illuminates the underbelly of the GOP; but it's still seen around the world as- albeit fractured- still criminal and still empowered!
If Obama doesn't get out of the way and direct his DOJ to investigate Bushes DOJ and if they don't start jailing people then Obama will increasingly weaken his credibility. The Democratic Party has a mandate but is handicapped by not taking action starting w/ Rove. He's basically a coward and'll squeal like a baby and without him Limpball will go into spontaneous drug withdrawal.
I understand Obamas tactical use of Rush but the GOP machine (lies, passed into the spin cycle) MUST BE SMASHED! The media must be cleansed, the Bush-n-Cheney cabal exposed and prosecuted! Cut off Limpballs umbilical and the GOP machine will grind to a halt. I mean what have they got? A creepy l13 year old clone who pinches together his thumbs and pointer fingers in mock fists for emphasis as he delineates strict principals in the absence of policy proving that it's true, conservatism is indeed a mental disorder!

Call Leahy/no immunity for Rove /Senate switchboard (202)-224-3121) Free R. Scrushy/drop all charges against Siegelman!

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Repugs hate Real Americans....Reveals their Red Coats
Posted by: Purple Girl on Mar 7, 2009 5:53 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Repugs thought if they yelled '9/11' and 'support the troops' no one would see through their smoke and mirrors.
It's not only been outspoken Aemrican like you and their own words and actions that have brought them down, but the ability to research anything on the internet.Much like McCains inability to comprehend everything he said and did was immeidately available looped cable channels- the Repugs failed to comprehend the love affair americans are having with the internet.We no longer have to run to the library and search the dewey decimal system card file, then through the racks to find historical facts- we just step over to our computers (or flip open our laptops) and type it in.
We don't wait for them to spoon feed US information- we ahve it at our finger tips. The internet has given US back our Democracy- we are not only more interactive, but far better informed.Apparently the Repugs have discovered the interactive part- but only capable of 140 character communications at one time (probably more than they actually require due to their limited mental ablitities- Legislation over 2 1/2 pages stimies them). Bu they have not figured out we also use the 'Internets'"Cables" to research information and facts.
Granted it would have been better if more Americans realized 'Trickle Down' was the beloved economic stratedgy of Monarchies and dictatorship about 3 decades ago. Too bad it had to amount to it's well foreseen and logical disasterous conclusion before many began to consider it's origins (aka Greenspans "flaw").
Until the Repugs realize they are now dealing with a more engaged and educated voter, they are doomed to keep repeating their disasterous political mistakes.
The Internet has been the Best thing for a Free Market democracy since our Revolutionary War. The internet is the epitome of 'For the People and By the People'

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The only difference is the values, the method is exactly the same
Posted by: rickiey on Mar 8, 2009 7:20 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sure, Moore pointed out that he has progressive values that we all share. (Except the gun control part, not all progressives are united on that topic).

That is what makes him different from Rush Limbaugh. Better values.

But what makes him the same? The method. Both people use deceptive media practices and outright lies, to enhance the points they are making.

Rush cuts off the explanations from his sound bites, and takes them out of context.

Moore asks a person he's interviewing one question, and then shows the reply as being the reply to a different question.

Its the same thing. Deceptive media techniques and lies. Just because Moore is on the side with better values, doesn't make him a "hero".

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Thank you, Mr. Moore
Posted by: proudlib on Mar 8, 2009 10:46 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thank you for everything you do for America. You are a true patriot. We anxiously await your next film. Keep up the good work!

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Thank you Michael Moore
Posted by: topbrick on Mar 8, 2009 11:39 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
For being one of the few who has had the courage to speak the truth. So glad you've never run for office. Please keep safe. The people of the USA need you.

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Like a brother I love you Michael Moore
Posted by: tim_s_eb@yahoo.com on Mar 11, 2009 9:32 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
History will prove that you are one of the giants humanity has created, a great human being with courage to swim against the currents. Your main enemy is unfortunately is the Jewish Lobby since they see you standing for truth and consider you a huge threat because they are blinded by haltered and self serving attitude.

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