By Laura Martin

On most occasions, it is best to ignore Rush Limbaugh. Any publicity, good or bad, is publicity for a man that makes his millions by vying for our attention. But occasionally, Limbaugh goes too far.

This Sunday, Colin Powell publicly endorsed Senator Obama on MSNBC’s Meet the Press. During the interview Powell stated, “I believe that on the Republican side over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower. Mr. Obama, at the same time, has given us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people.” Beyond criticizing Republican campaign tactics, Colin Powell also contrasted McCain’s erratic behavior, understanding of the economic crisis, and Vice Presidential pick to Obama’s steady performance and concrete policy goals.

Powell’s endorsement of Obama is a gigantic blow to McCain supporters. Powell is a hero to many Republicans, to many Americans. Over his career, Powell served as a major in Vietnam, a National Security Advisor, Commander-in-Chief of the US Army, member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005. His distinctions include a laundry list of military medals and ribbons, including the purple heart. His opinion is obviously one to be respected.

A day after the Powell interview, Rush Limbaugh had this to say: “This was all about Powell and race. It was nothing about the nation and its welfare … It was totally about race! ... Colin Powell publicly broke with the administration over affirmative action … That's why he doesn't want any more Republican appointments … Why is it so hard to admit that it's race? Ninety-five percent of black people are going to for Obama because he's black … I thought you liberals thought this is a historic candidacy because finally we're going to elect a black guy to be president. Why hide behind this? Why act like it's not about race? What, you want to tell us it's about his policies? (laughs).”

To demean the opinion of one of the most respected men of our time, somebody who has more distinction and legitimacy in their pinky finger than Limbaugh has had in his entire career, is beyond disgusting — and yes, overtly racist. But fortunately, it is the easiest argument in the world to punch holes in, as Limbaugh’s logic is void of all substance and rests on nothing but fear of the inevitable: a Democratic sweep.

Following Limbaugh’s logic: Colin Powell is only voting for Obama because he is black. Senator Obama has no credentials beyond that, he is just a poster boy for affirmative action. Apparently Colin Powell, having served in some of the highest offices in our country, is not capable of making an unbiased decision based on the ideals, characters, and actions of the presidential candidates. Following this train of thought, Limbaugh must support McCain because he’s white. And Hispanic and Asian voters, well I guess they won’t be voting because they don’t have a candidate!

Colin Powell is not the first or only Republican to jump on the Obama bandwagon. A smattering of very prominent conservatives, white conservatives, have already endorsed Obama. The list includes Andrew Sullivan, David Friedman, and Christopher Buckley, son of the founder of National Review (and modern conservatism). These “Obamacons” believe that Obama will uphold conservative doctrine by scaling back the Patriot Act, withdrawing from Iraq, and following pragmatic philosophies. As blogger Megan McArdle wrote: “[Obama’s] goal is not more government so that we can all be caught up in some giant, expressive exercise of collectively enforcing our collective will on all the other people standing around us in the collective; his goal is improving transparency and minimizing government intrusion while rectifying specific outcomes.”

Rush Limbaugh’s opinion that Powell endorses Obama solely on his skin color doesn’t quite explain the wave of white conservative support. Powell has stated multiple times that he would not choose a candidate based on race. I suppose Rush Limbaugh believes Colin Powell to be a liar. Apparently, prominent white conservatives are capable of basing their decisions on principle, but a prominent black conservative and former Secretary of State cannot possibly consider anything other than race. Limbaugh’s argument smacks of one thing: bigotry.

A few media pundits have attacked Limbaugh’s recent comments, yet their outrage has been ineffectual. Rush Limbaugh craves attention — he makes his living off of it. The ends (his millions) justify the means (his hate-mongering rhetoric and deception of American citizens). In response to criticism, Limbaugh simply brags that he has the “media elite,” who couldn’t possibly understand average Americans, in a “tizzy” because he is right. Fortunately, nobody can claim that I, an average Joe writer who grew up hearing Limbaugh’s program, am part of the elite. Actually, I can rightly claim that Limbaugh came from a lot more privilege than I did. So let’s have at it, Rushie.

The other week conservative columnist David Brooks called Sarah Palin “a fatal cancer to the Republican Party.” I beg to differ — Rush Limbaugh is the true cancer on the Republican Party. He is a fear-mongering radical, on the same page as Bill Ayers, who also believed the ends justify the means.

Conservatives should be terrified of Rush Limbaugh; in the eyes of the majority, he is discrediting the very word “conservative.” By doing so, he tarnishes the chances of future Republican candidates.

Unfortunately for legitimate conservatives/libertarians, McCain has pandered to the Limbaugh-ites. On October 14, Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin was interviewed on Rush Limbaugh’s show. She began with, “Thank you so much and dittos from Scranton.” I’m frankly surprised the media haven’t picked up on this. Limbaugh fans refer to themselves as “dittoheads” in recognition that they agree with everything Limbaugh spouts out. Does Governor Palin really want to align herself with everything Rush Limbaugh has said over the years? Really? Wait … really?

Historians looking back on this election cycle will focus upon the extremism of Limbaugh and the like, and miss any honorable intentions that I do believe McCain once held. McCain’s name will be associated with division, rather than union — extremism, rather than moderation. This election could have gone a lot differently. If the G.O.P. had realized that Americans are craving cooperation and vision, not divisive, dirty politics, it could have gone a lot differently.

Advice to Republicans: if you want a fighting chance for 2012, redefine your party. And get the hell away from Rush Limbaugh and his dittoheads.

And as an Obama supporter, I can only say: a sincere thank you, Rush Limbaugh. You convince more and more people to vote Democratic every time you open your mouth.