Bid for Rush eBay letter tops $2.1 million

The eBay bidding for a letter from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid demanding an apology from radio talk host Rush Limbaugh over his "phony soldiers" comment has surpassed $2.1 million.

Limbaugh announced last week he's selling the original letter addressed to the head of Clear Channel Communications in order to benefit the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, a charity offering financial assistance to the children of Marines and federal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

The No. 1-rated talk host says he will match the winning bid, and he challenged each of the 41 Democratic senators who signed the letter to match it as well.

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Reid claimed Limbaugh's use of the phrase "phony soldiers" was an attack on all U.S. troops who oppose the war in Iraq. However, a transcript from Limbaugh's Sept. 26 show suggests the "phony soldiers" remark specifically addressed the case of Jesse MacBeth, an anti-war activist who claimed to have witnessed atrocities as a Purple Heart recipient in the Army Rangers. MacBeth never served in Iraq and was expelled from the military after 44 days in uniform.

The message on the letter's eBay listing says: "This historic document may well represent the first time in the history of America that this large a group of U.S. senators attempted to demonize a private citizen by lying about his views. As such, it is a priceless memento of the folly of Harry Reid and his 40 senatorial co-signers. BID NOW!"

Limbaugh, noting he serves on the board of the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, said he will bear all costs of the auction: "Every dollar of your winning bid will go to this charity, which has to date distributed over $29 million."

Clear Channel Chief Executive Officer Mark P. Mays responded to Reid's letter with a defense of Limbaugh's right to express his opinions openly on the airwaves.

Many elected officials, mostly Democrats, expressed their displeasure with talk radio following the defeat of what President Bush called his "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" legislation – a plan characterized by many talkers as "amnesty." There were a number of calls for reinstating the Fairness Doctrine – which has also been called the "Hush Rush" bill.

As WND reported, another Democratic leader, Rep. Henry Waxman of California, angrily denied a report claiming he's investigating Limbaugh and other conservative radio talk-show hosts, but the magazine which made the allegation is not issuing any retraction.

As WND reported, one radio station in Oregon decided to "hush Rush" for a day and replace Limbaugh's talk program with music after receiving some requests from local listeners.

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Previous stories:

Rush takes 'phony troops' fight to Senate Dems

Democrat goes to war over 'phony' Rush probe

Radio station hushes Rush amid 'phony soldiers' feud

Democrats turn up heat on Limbaugh, network

President won't join 'Bash Rush' campaign

Rush to Sen. Reid: 'Say it to my face'