Today in State of the Union with John King, former Bush-Cheney administration Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge had the audacity to mildly – very mildly – criticize conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh.

“I think for the American public, for the Republican Party to restore itself, not as a regional party, but as a national party, we have to be far less judgmental about disagreements within the party and far more judgmental about our disagreement with our friends on the other side of the aisle,” Ridge told King.

“I think a lot of our commentators are being shrill.” Commentators like, oh say, Rush Limbaugh?

“Yes, Rush Limbaugh has an audience of 20 million people. A lot of people listen daily to him and live by every word. But words mean things and how you use words is very important.”

He added: “Well, I think Rush articulates his point of view in ways that offend very many. It’s a matter of language and a matter of how you use words. It does get the base all fired up and he’s got a strong following. But personally, if he would listen to me and I doubt if he would, the notion is express yourselves but let’s respect others opinions and let’s not be divisive.”

Well, that is about as uncontroversial as one can be, is it not? Ridge did not go after Limbaugh as such, he merely pointed out that people like Limbaugh may be a bit divisive and that conservatives are wise to reach out rather than insult the other side. As Ridge made clear, “it’s a matter of language and a matter of how you use words.” Limbaugh certainly gets the base all fired up – and that is why he is extremely important for the conservative movement – but he too would serve the movement even better if he would tone it down every now and then.

And that does not merely go for Limbaugh but also for conservative bloggers, columnists, etc.

Everybody knows that the above is true. Ridge worded his criticism carefully. Yes, he criticized Limbaugh somewhat, but to pretend that this was an ‘attack’ is a tremendous exaggeration.

Of course this does not prevent the MSM, liberal and faux moderate bloggers from pretending otherwise. No, this is ‘an attack,’ Ridge should be celebrated, the Republican Party is extremely divided and should be divided even more, Limbaugh has to be told to take a hike, the GOP will blow itself up, etc. and so on.

Silly, but still; Ridge gave them something to work with, and that is all they needed, the facts – and Ridge’s actual words and attitude – be damned.