Eric Massa, the ex-congressman who Rush Limbaugh celebrated at length on his show yesterday, once went on a YouTube tirade blasting Limbaugh as a “schoolyard bully” and a “pompous coward” whose show is “destructive to this country.”
The cognitive dissonance between Massa’s past identity as a fiery Democratic congressman and his new role as what Politico calls a “conservative media hero” is likely to get even more intense tonight when Massa is interviewed by Glenn Beck.
Limbaugh presents a striking example.
Yesterday, Limbaugh spent a lengthy chunk of his show promoting Massa and his charge that Democratic leaders forced him out of Congress. “We’re doing our part here to make it a national story,” Limbaugh said, adding that:
“This guy is as fired up as anybody I’ve ever heard anywhere opposed this, and the process and how they’re getting it done. This guy is going to have so much support from people.”
Back in October 2007, as a congressional candidate, Massa put out a Web video responding to Limbaugh’s suggestion that servicemembers who oppose the Iraq war are “phony soldiers.” Massa, a Navy vet, did not take Limbaugh’s comment’s lightly.
“Now you gotta remember, Rush Limbaugh never once wore a uniform,” he thundered. “Not in his entire life. In fact he sought out and obtained deferments so he wouldn’t have to serve in Vietnam. So here’s what I have to say to Rush Limbaugh: Rush, you’re a schoolyard bully, and I’m sick and tired of it. And those of us in uniform are sick and tired of it. And we’re calling you out …
Massa continued: “[Y]ou should be ashamed of yourself. And we’re not going to take it anymore. My name is Eric Massa and I’ll go on your show anytime anyway, any where to expose you to the America people. Because what you’re doing is wrong. It’s destructive to this country and it’s hurtful and destructive to our soldiers who are serving in Iraq. You’re a pompous coward. And it’s about time someone called you out on it. And that someone is me. My name is Eric Massa.”
Watch the video:
(Additional reporting by Christina Bellantoni.)
Late Update According to Mark Halperin, Limbaugh sharply changed course on his broadcast today, calling Massa “a legitimate kook” and “a loose canon.”
