Appearing as a guest on MSNBC's PoliticsNation on Monday, Joan Walsh of Salon tagged Rush Limbaugh as a "racist troll" after a clip of the conservative talk radio host criticizing President Obama for being indecisive on Syria, quipping that American military action ordered by Obama should be called "Operation Shuck and Jive."
Host Al Sharpton called Limbaugh's words "ugly" as he introduced the clip:
But what is happening now is that some are getting ugly. And when you have the debate, as even I've raised questions, that's one thing. But when you start getting ugly like the head of the Republican party, Rush Limbaugh, did today, then it goes beyond the boundaries of a discussion about national security or about saving human lives in Syria. Listen to Mr. Limbaugh and how he dealt with this debate.
Then came the clip of Limbaugh:
When it comes to Syria, have you ever heard Obama talk about regime change as an objective? You have not, have you? You have not. And they're reinforcing that today. No.
In fact, you know, this operation of Bush had "shock and awe." We are looking at "shuck and jive" here. That's what I'm going to name this. The Obama operation in Syria, "Operation Shuck and Jive," because that's what this is.
Walsh responded:
You know, Rush Limbaugh is a racist troll, and he's proud of it. His audience expects this. He's always looking for a new low with this President, and he hit one today.
Below is a transcript of the relevant portion of the Monday, September 9, PoliticsNation on MSNBC:
AL SHARPTON: President Obama is in a full court press trying to get Congress to agree with his proposal for a limited military strike in Syria. There are questions from both sides of the aisle, Republican and Democrat, and from all political spectrums.
But at the same time, we're seeing outright hypocrisy from many Republicans that will oppose anything this President is for, including Syria, despite the fact they may have supported the exact opposite military strategy and kinds of engagements in the past.
But what is happening now is that some are getting ugly. And when you have the debate, as even I've raised questions, that's one thing. But when you start getting ugly like the head of the Republican party, Rush Limbaugh, did today, then it goes beyond the boundaries of a discussion about national security or about saving human lives in Syria. Listen to Mr. Limbaugh and how he dealt with this debate.
RUSH LIMBAUGH, TALK RADIO HOST: When it comes to Syria, have you ever heard Obama talk about regime change as an objective? You have not, have you? You have not. And they're reinforcing that today. No.
In fact, you know, this operation of Bush had "shock and awe." We are looking at "shuck and jive" here. That's what I'm going to name this. The Obama operation in Syria, "Operation Shuck and Jive," because that's what this is.
SHARPTON: "Operation Shuck and Jive." The inferences, the implication, the outright subtlety of what he's saying which is not so subtle to me. The dog whistling around something as serious as a military engagement. This is the kind of things that Americans should not tolerate when we're talking about lives of our military as well as human life in Syria. Joining me now is Joan Walsh. Joan, thanks for coming on the show.
JOAN WALSH, SALON.COM: Thanks for having me, Rev.
SHARPTON: "Operation Shuck and Jive"?
WALSH: You know, Rush Limbaugh is a racist troll, and he's proud of it. His audience expects this. He's always looking for a new low with this President, and he hit one today.
-- Brad Wilmouth is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.