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Yes, TSA procedures suck, and yes, they're heading toward a tipping point where there will be nearly unilateral support for getting rid of them. But make no mistake, the publicity was turned up by the right in order to leverage maximum political points for them. Had these procedures been in effect when Bush was in office, Rush most certainly would have extolled their value and reminded us all that it was in the name of "keeping us safe".
In Rushbo classic hyperbole, he instead suggests that the president should have his daughter "groped" by the TSA so he can show everyone how safe it is. These procedures are ridiculous, and the right argument to make on both sides is that they will not prevent an attack. They're a reaction, and one that actually hands a victory over to terrorists instead of dealing with the problem. But once again, instead of dealing seriously with an issue that garners agreements across partisan lines, Limbaugh ignores the real problem and goes after the president.
Sadder still, it works. People actually believe what this gasbag says, and how he says it. And so then we have surveys that indicate a majority of Americans believe President Obama's religion is somehow subversive, scary and different from most Americans, and "patriots" selling copies of Mein Kampf.
The tactic? Easy. Keep the noise level high and severe for 2 more years until everyone begs for it to stop, then offer up a nice, white, clean-cut Republican to turn down the volume.
