Obama aide: Limbaugh a top GOP leader

? President Barack Obama’s chief of staff says talk show personality Rush Limbaugh is a top figure in the Republican Party.

Chief of staff Rahm Emanuel says Limbaugh is the “intellectual force” of the GOP. Emanuel says Republicans now have to live with that choice.

Limbaugh gave a major speech at the Conservative Political Action Committee meeting this weekend in Washington. Limbaugh says it’s fine for Republicans to criticize Obama’s plans and says Republicans must return to their core beliefs.

Limbaugh has been a vocal critic of Obama’s, saying he hopes the new president’s plans fail. Liberal and labor groups have broadcast ads citing Limbaugh as a driving force inside the GOP.

Emanuel spoke on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”