The General vs. The Bigot: Cheney’s Choice of Leader

While Dick Cheney’s endorsement of Rush Limbaugh might carry the weight of any other supervillain’s endorsement, it is still significant. When Dick Cheney, still one of the most recognizable faces of the Republican Party, chose Rush Limbaugh over Colin Powell, he chose racism over service to your country, divisiveness over diplomacy, and anger over prudence.

Since the Republicans value military service, family values and patriotism so much, it is strange that Cheney would pick Limbaugh. Here’s a comparison of the two.

Education

Powell
Grew up poor in the South Bronx yet managed to graduate from City College.  Received M.B.A. from George Washington University, after his second tour in Vietnam in 1971.

Limbaugh
Grew up rich and flunked out of college after two semesters

Military Service

Powell
41 years of service from private to general

Limbaugh
Draft dodger

Family Values

Powell
Married for 46 years, with one child

Limbaugh
Thrice divorced, no children

Racism

Powell
None to speak of.

Limbaugh
Top 10 Racist Quotes

Sexism

Powell
None to Speak of

Limbaugh
He said:  “Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society,” and also, “We’re not sexists, we’re chauvinists — we’re male chauvinist pigs, and we’re happy to be because we think that’s what men were destined to be. We think that’s what women want.”

Patriotism

Powell
50 years of serving his country under both political parties

Limbaugh
Blind loyalty to his country when his party is in power. Wants his country to fail when it isn’t.

Legal Problems

Powell
None to speak of

Limbaugh
Was accused of laundering money to illegally buy prescription pills. Prosecutors agreed to drop the charge if Limbaugh paid $30,000 to defray the cost of the investigation and completed an 18-month therapy regimen with his physician.

Approval Rating

Powell
80%

Limbaugh
26%

Cheney says that Powell was a Democrat because of his endorsement of Barack Obama. He clearly didn’t listen to a word Powell said when he endorsed Obama. Powell wasn’t abandoning Republican values or principles but was decrying the racism and divisiveness the party was promoting. By choosing a racist, sexist, hate spewing entertainer over a respected, fair ex-general, Cheney is illustrating the new ugly face of the Republican party. A party with no ideas, a party that caters to racists and bigots and a party that wants America to fail.