Wisconsin Republicans passed a resolution honoring late conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh over fierce Democratic objections.
“You own this. You own his rhetoric. You own his sentiment,” said Democratic State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, who read off a list of quotes attributed to Limbaugh about former President Barack Obama and his wife, claiming the late radio host was a “homophobe, a xenophobe, and a racist.”
But Republicans argued that Limbaugh’s voice was “unforgettable,” praising the late radio host for motivating a generation of conservative activists.
Republican State Sen. Andre Jacque accused Democrats of disparaging the dead, noting that many people make controversial statements and arguing that many of Limbaugh’s comments had been “misconstrued.” Jacque then read off a list of his own Limbaugh quotes, featuring the late radio host’s views on seeing all people as individuals and not members of a group.
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“Rest in peace, Rush,” Jacque said.
Democrats grew even angrier with the resolution after they attempted to introduce one of their own, recognizing February as Black History Month, but that resolution was rejected by Republicans because it included a list of black men who had died at the hands of police in Wisconsin to honor.
Minority Leader Janet Bewley accused Republicans of attempting to “tick” her party off with the moves, while State Sen. Tim Carpenter called Limbaugh a “false god.”
The bickering caused Republican State Sen. Dale Kooyenga to voice his opposition to voting on any resolutions, arguing they were being used as “sticks” by both parties to “poke people in the eye.”
“I’m just disgusted with this body,” Kooyenga said. “Your cultural wars will not be solved in this chamber with your resolutions. Where’s the policy?”
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The measure did eventually gain approval on a party-line, 18-12 vote. It will now go to the Wisconsin State Assembly, where the parties are poised for a similar fight. Republicans in that chamber have already rejected a proposal to recognize February as Black History Month, citing the same concerns with the resolution as their colleagues in the Senate.
