Leftist double standards, part 8,277,993

Jim Geraghty points to another example of lefty hypocrisy in terms of how several popular Dem columnists, comedians, and strategists – like one of the orchestrators of the latest Rush smears Paul Begala – refer to Rush Limbaugh as a “drug addict,” using it in the present tense in spite of the fact that he is now drug-free. Sometimes the descriptions, as you’ll see from Geraghty’s post, are worse than that.

This has become acceptable in our left-leaning culture when it comes to insulting the “favorite, likeable Democrat.” Now just imagine the outrage, on the other hand, had a prominent Republican strategist or columnist called Obama a “cokehead” or Ted Kennedy a “drunk.” Heck, even Democrats have gotten in trouble for mentioning Obama’s past troubles with drugs. When a Hillary Clinton campaign co-chair (Bill Shaheen – NH) brought up Obama’s past drug use, and later when another prominent supporter of hers – Charlotte Bobcats owner and BET founder Bob Johnson – did similary, there was an eruption of outrage in the usual corners. Shaheen actually ended up resigning from the campaign the next day and then-Senator Clinton called Obama and apologized personally. Johnson had to walk his comments back over the criticism he received.

Are there double standards at play in terms of how one side can refer to the other? As Gov. Palin would say, “You betcha.” There needs to be one standard applied to both sides on this issue. But I won’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen.