RNC head takes back Limbaugh slam

WASHINGTON, March 2 (UPI) -- The chairman of the Republican National Committee Monday said he didn't mean it when he said Rush Limbaugh's U.S. radio talk show is "incendiary" and "ugly."

In an appearance on CNN Saturday, Michael Steele took exception when comedian D.L. Hughley said Limbaugh is the "de facto" head of the Republican Party.

"I'm the de facto leader of the Republican Party," Steele said.

When asked about Limbaugh's repeated statement that he hopes President Barack Obama fails -- because he doesn't want liberalism to succeed -- Steele said that was equivalent to criticism leveled at former President George W. Bush.

"Let's put it into context here," Steele said. "Rush Limbaugh is an entertainer. Rush Limbaugh, the whole thing is entertainment. Yes, it's incendiary, yes, it's ugly ... ."

Limbaugh fired back Monday on his syndicated radio show.

"Michael Steele, you are head of the RNC. You are not head of the Republican Party," Limbaugh said. "Tens of millions of conservatives and Republicans have nothing to do with the RNC and right now they want nothing to do with it, and when you call them asking them for money, they hang up on you. I hope that changes."

Steele told Politico he tried to call Limbaugh Monday, and said he "was maybe a little bit inarticulate" in his comments on CNN.

"My intent was not to go after Rush -- I have enormous respect for Rush Limbaugh," told Politico.

"I went back at that tape and I realized words that I said weren't what I was thinking," Steele said. "It was one of those things where I thinking I was saying one thing, and it came out differently."