Gingrich Slams Rush: Limbaugh Is “Irrational”

The Republican is the highest-profile GOP member to rail against Rush

Newt Gingrich blasted conservative radio show host Rush Limbaugh on "Meet the Press" Sunday, saying Limbaugh crossed the line when he publicly said he hoped President Barack Obama's administration would "fail."

"You've got to want the president to succeed," Gingrich said on the program.

"I don't think anyone should want the president to fail," the former Speaker of the House said in an obvious dig at Limbaugh.

The trash-talking Limbaugh said at the CPAC convention Feb. 28 that he wanted the Obama administration to tank because he disagreed with the new commander in chief's policies.

"I want Barack Obama to fail if his mission is to restructure and reform this country so that capitalism and individual liberty are not its foundation," Limbaugh said.

Gingrich is one of the highest-profile Republican to speak out against Limbaugh's controversial comments. Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele initially condemned Limbaugh's comments, but apologized to the Limbaugh last week for his criticism.

Gingrich said Limbaugh's comments last week were "irrational" because any American citizen - no matter what their party affiliation - should hope for a strong government.

The two outspoken leaders of the GOP have been trading blows since the two disagreed over the future of the party at the CPAC convention last week. Gingrich said Republicans should dump fantasies of Reagan-era politics, while Limbaugh said appealing to old-school conservatives was the only way to guarantee GOP election wins.

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