We've been Rushed! We were hearing rumors early Friday afternoon that Rush Limbaugh had cited our Morning Menu interview with Terry Moran during the opening of his show that day and turns out it was true. Rush was responding to a remark Moran had made comparing Barack Obama to George Washington. Says Limbaugh:

There's a blog out there called mediabistro.com, TVNewser and so forth, and the TV people read it religiously. I mean not too many other members of the public do, but it's big in the TV business. They have a show on there; it's a web radio show. Terry Moran of ABC's Nightline was the guest. This is what he said about President Obama.

"In some ways Barack Obama is the first president since George Washington to be taking a step down into the Oval Office. From visionary leader of a giant movement, now he's got an executive position that he has to perform in, in a way, and I think the coverage reflects that."

"Yes, you heard right, a step down for Lord Barack Obama, the Most Merciful," said Limbaugh. "He was leading this giant movement, a la George Washington. Now he's had to take a step down. What did I tell you people? He's too big to fail."

"Rush didn't get the joke. Or the point. As usual."

"I said like only Washington, Obama came to office as more than a politician, a visionary leader for many. Now he's got a job."

Moran's full quote actually read thus (thanks to NewBusters for the transcription!):

Well, now he's got the job. I like to say that, in some ways, Barack Obama is the first President since George Washington to be taking a step down into the Oval Office. I mean, from visionary leader of a giant movement, now he's got an executive position that he has to perform in, in a way. And I think that the coverage reflects that. How does he do? Uh, how does he do navigating the shoals of politics in Washington and Congress? How does he do formulating actual policy, as opposed to articulating ideals? And do we like that policy? Will it work? So he's getting more regular scrutiny, as is necessary. I also think that there's something in the White House Press Corps, which is healthy, where you're judged by your peers, to some extent, on how tough you can be. How sharp your questions are, how aggressive your coverage is, that's the standard for success among White House reporters. And I think he's essentially learning, for many White House reporters, they wake up every morning thinking 'How do I take a pound of flesh out of the President today?' And all that is healthy.