Obama made a strategic error is blasting Rush Limbaugh. It was both arrogant and amateurish. Obama admonished his Republican adversaries, “You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done.”

A Republican could counter, “You can’t listen to Michael Moore and get things done,” but for what purpose? Obama is supposed to get beyond this silly bickering.

I am no fan of Rush Limbaugh, not that I disagree with everything he says. I just don’t like his style.

But now Obama has empowered Rush more than the most effective marketing campaign. In his first hours of the presidency he has acknowledged a power that does not exist, at least it did not before he empowered it; if right wing talk radio was so damn effective, would Barak Obama be president?

I predict Rush’s ratings will improve substantially after Obama’s comment. When in an advantageous position of power, as Obama clearly is, it is unwise to publicly acknowledge your opponent. It would be far more wise to ignore or minimize him. He should indicate that he does not listen to Rush or that he has no influence, but only if promted by someone else.

Obama’s opposition is divided and unfocused. He has now focused them and even put a name and face to their cause. The cause of bipartisanship was further damaged when Obama’s response to Republicans criticizing the stimulus bill was “I won.”

I agree that partisan bickering is destructive and that the culture needs to change; but there is more to bipartisanship than demanding obedience to the winning party.

I truly hope that Obama can bring a new civility and bipartisanship to government, but such a statement after less than a week in office leaves me a little more skeptical.

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