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.