Rush Limbaugh: Jared Lee Loughner has the "Full Support" of Democrats
Controversial, conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh is stepping up his assault against the Democratic Party in the wake of the mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz., claiming the Democrats fully "support" the alleged shooter.
On his radio show Tuesday, Limbaugh said, "What Mr. Loughner knows is that he has the full support of a major political party in this country. He's sitting there in jail. He knows what's going on, he knows that... the Democrat party is attempting to find anybody but him to blame. He knows if he plays his cards right, he's just a victim."
Jared Loughner is the alleged gunman who open-fired at a political event hosted by Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday. Six were killed and 14 were wounded, including Giffords, who remains in critical condition.
Democrats, of course, have roundly condemned Saturday's violence, as have Republicans. Debate opened on the House floor today over a resolution to condemn the event, and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi lamented the tragic event, saying, "American democracy is founded on our commitment to a contest of ideas - not violence."
Earlier in the week, Limbaugh said the Democratic party "seeks to profit out of" the shooting.
Limbaugh and other conservatives, like Sarah Palin, are pushing back against criticism pinning Saturday's events on their harsh rhetoric.
In spite of his often-controversial statements, Limbaugh remains an influential voice within the conservative movement. Commentator Andrew Sullivan argues that Limbaugh is a mainstream opinion-maker who is "untouchable; his tone will not change."
