Rush Limbaugh Unleashes Operation Chaos

Operation Chaos is the brainchild of popular conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, the purpose of which is to work mischief in the Democratic nomination process by urging Republicans to cross over in primaries and vote for Hillary Clinton.

The main idea is to keep the Democratic nomination process going as long as possible, the better to sow discord and "chaos" among the Democrats, and to, in Rush Limbaugh's own words, "bloody up" whomever the potential nominee is. The fact that Operation Chaos is also getting Rush Limbaugh a lot of free publicity is not going by without notice. Limbaugh, though, disdains the idea that Operation Chaos is only about ratings. Limbaugh is also selling Operation Chaos tee shirts

So how is it working?

For the past few months, pollsters have noticed a number of Republican crossovers voting in various Democratic primaries. Democrats have spun the phenomenon as meaning that even Republicans are weary of Republican rule and are yearning for a Democrat to take the White House and set things to right (small r.) Rush Limbaugh is having none of that. "Don't...doubt...me," Rush has enjoined a number of times to his vast radio audience. "It's Operation Chaos."

Media speculation about Operation Chaos reached a crescendo during the night of the Indiana and South Carolina Primaries According to a memo from the Obama Campaign quoted on the Chicago Sun Times reporter Lynn Sweet's blog, Rush Limbaugh is urging Republicans to vote for Hillary Clinton because he thinks Clinton will be easier to beat in November. Rush has hotly denied the allegation, pointing out that he doesn't care which candidate the Democrats nominate as he regards them as equally bad.

Obama supporter John Kerry went even further. Senator Kerry suggested that without Operation Chaos or what he termed the "Limbaugh Effect," Obama would have won the Indiana Primary and thus put Hillary Clinton away for good. Limbaugh has reveled in this and similar accusations.

Hillary Clinton herself is highly amused. She has even mischievously suggested that Rush Limbaugh has a "crush" on her. Rush has suggested that Bill Clinton must think so too, since the former President once hit on Rush's date at a restaurant in Los Angeles.

Despite electoral math that suggests that Hillary Clinton has no chance of winning the nomination, Senator Clinton is, for now, staying in the fight, creating more turmoil and-well-chaos. Obama thinks he's winning, but so far he has not been able to close the deal. The frustration must be telling,

Operation Chaos now dominates everyone of Rush Limbaugh's broadcasts, with callers terming themselves "Soldiers in Operation Chaos" regularly reporting "from the field." Some have even shown up to polling places wearing Operation Chaos tee shirts. "General" Limbaugh, "CINC Operation Chaos", receives these reports with the satisfaction that while it's great to have a job commenting on the news, it is even sweeter to both create and then comment on the same news.

Liberal pundits like Chris Matthews may sniff about the "perversion" of the electoral process. But that's only because their side is on the receiving end. At worse, Operation Chaos just great fun. At best, Operation Chaos will be studied by political scientists for generations.

Sources: Obama team talking points memo on Tuesday election. A Limbaugh scheme?,Lynn Sweet, The Scoop from Washington, Chicago Sun Times, May 7th, 2008

Obama victory call: Obama's strength, and Limbaugh's, Ben Smith, Politico, May 7th, 2008

Drive-Bys Obsess on OpChaos, Rush Limbaugh, Transcript-The Rush Limbaugh Show, May 6th, 2008

Matthews On Operations Chaos: I Hope You're Proud Of Yourselves, Allahpundit, Hot Air, May 7th, 2008