Chaos theory

Will Rush Limbaugh have any effect on today's primaries?

Published May 6, 2008 8:33PM (EDT)

Today's primaries provide another chance to examine -- and, unfortunately, for the media to discuss endlessly -- the effect, if any, that Rush Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos" is having on the Democratic presidential race.

I've never been entirely convinced that Limbaugh's exhortations to his listeners to vote for Hillary Clinton in order to prolong the race are really having a significant effect. I simply haven't seen the data to prove it. Plus, as a colleague observed earlier today, if Limbaugh were still influential enough to actually swing Democratic primaries in a year with record turnout (even accounting for lots of Republicans voting in them), the GOP might still control Congress.

On Monday, and Tuesday as well, Limbaugh's been keeping the pressure on his listeners, asking them to proceed with "Operation Chaos" in Indiana. We won't know how it's proceeding until later, if we ever do, but there are some early reports of heavy Democratic turnout in what should be strongly Republican areas of the state.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

MORE FROM Alex Koppelman


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2008 Elections Barack Obama Hillary Rodham Clinton Rush Limbaugh War Room