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Limbaugh returns fire on Brit Hume, GOP

Rush Limbaugh has taken issue with Brit Hume's suggestion that he pressured Republican lawmakers into supporting a government shutdown, continuing a debate that does well to illustrate the rift between the Republican party's establishment and tea party wings.

Hume, a Fox News analyst, said on Tuesday that some Republicans were hesitant to oppose a government shutdown because they feared being portrayed as insufficiently conservative by Limbaugh and other right-wing radio hosts.

"Some of these radio talk show hosts have real influence," Hume said, adding that some Republicans will "go a long way to avoid a [primary challenge] and keeping radio talk show hosts off their back is one way of doing that."

On today's radio program, Limbaugh turned that argument against Hume and the Republican establishment in general.

"[Cruz] doesn't need any advisers, he doesn't need any pressure," Limbaugh said. "The real question is, what is the Republican establishment afraid of? What are some of these conservative media types at Fox News afraid of? What is the Washington establishment on the Republican side afraid of? Government shutdown, losing elections, what do you guys think you've been doing?"