RED STATE Limbaugh (Photo: Getty Images)

Politico rounds up the chatterbox reaction to the New York Times story on the presumed 2008 Republican nominee and his cozy relationship with lobbyist Vicki Iseman, quoting Rush Limbaugh on his show this morning as saying, "You're surprised that Page Six-type gossip is on the front page of the New York Times? Where have you been? How in the world can anybody be surprised?"

Laura Ingraham, Rush for ladies, added on her talk show, "You wait until it's pretty much beyond a doubt that he's going to be the Republican nominee, and then you let it drop—drop some acid in the pool [Ed. note: Hell, yeah!], contaminate the whole pool. That's what the New York Times thinks."

Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee took this all as an opportunity to reach deep into its members' triple-pleated Dockers and pull at their money clips.

"Dear Friend," begins the e-mail solicitation ...

The New York Times has proven once again that the liberal mainstream media will do whatever it takes to put Senator Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in the White House.

From the beginning of Campaign 2008, liberal media pundits have fawned over the Democrat presidential candidates while ignoring their lack of substance on the issues. You can be certain that as the campaign heats up they will continue to mislead voters with their anti-Republican agenda.

Republicans must fight back against the mainstream media's clear liberal bias—and we need your help to do it.

Please make an urgent secure online contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50, or $25 to help the RNC get our responsible message of lower taxes, a strong national defense, and limited government past the liberal media filter and directly to the voters.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Best Wishes,

Robert M. "Mike" Duncan
Chairman, Republican National Committee