Once RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s candid remarks that Rush Limbaugh’s show is “ugly” and “incendiary” made waves today, Steele knew there was only one thing he could do: smack the biggest, juiciest kiss on Limbaugh’s fat ass:

“My intent was not to go after Rush – I have enormous respect for Rush Limbaugh,” Steele said in a telephone interview. “I was maybe a little bit inarticulate. … There was no attempt on my part to diminish his voice or his leadership.”

After Limbaugh ripped Steele and the RNC apart on the radio this afternoon, I thought my initial headline tonight would have read: I Too Want A GOP Civil War

But all I want more than a Republican Party at war with itself is one that trembles before the popularity of Limbaugh, the most controversial figure in American politics behind only George W. Bush. 

Just yesterday, Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel told David Gregory: “When a Republican did attack [Limbaugh], he was — clearly had to turn around and come back and basically said that he’s apologizing and was wrong.”

The fact that even Steele, the self-professed ”de facto leader of the Republican Party,” has to kiss the ring of Limbaugh, just like Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) did, sells the Dems’ argument by itself. 

Somewhere, Emanuel just exclaimed, “we’ve got those motherf*ckers by the f*ckin’ balls.”

UPDATE: Another GOP Congressman, John Barrasso (R-WY), lacks the testicular fortitude to criticize Limbaugh in any shape or form. See his performance on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. with David Schuster here.

The contrast couldn’t be any greater: The Democrats fear the nation’s economy may collapse without a bold plan for action, while Republicans are afraid of the wrath of Limbaugh. Simply astounding.

LATE UPDATE:

Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) is glad Steele apologized to Rush. 

Found via the RNC’s website, the Steele for RNC Chairman blog. More on this here: Steele Gets Eaten Alive On His Blog.

This ad, found on The Weekly Standard, is due for some edits.