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Rush’s New Lease on Life
Last week, the talk show radio circuit was ablaze with the beginning of the anti-Obama message before President-elect Barack Obama is even sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Several months ago, I predicted that Obama’s win would be the best possible scenario for Rush, Sean Hannity and the other fire breathers on the right:
“If Obama is elected Limbaugh has a new target in the White House. Limbaugh will be relevant once again as he regains his status as the leader of the ‘vast right-wing conspiracy.’ On a side note, maybe he will even resurrect his failed TV career; probably not.
The bottom line is that Limbaugh does not care if McCain wins in November, in fact, it would be counter-productive to the possibility of revitalizing his career. If Obama wins Limbaugh will have better ratings and earn more money. So, congratulations ‘ditto heads’, you have achieved Rush’s goal…the only cost to you is victory in November.”
I wouldn’t put much stock in the reaction of Rush because he and his talk show brethren have the most to gain from an Obama presidency – more listeners, better ratings and a hefty pay raise. More importantly, Rush will be back in his environment in taking on the Democrats as he did in the Clinton years, instead of serving as a apologist for George W. Bush and a failed gig on ESPN Sunday Night Football.
The next four years will be a new lease on life for Rush’s career. So, to Rush Limbaugh I say, welcome back to the land of political relevance. The bombastic showman (Limbaugh) vs. Mr. Cool (Obama)…this is going to be fun to watch.
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10 Responses to “Rush’s New Lease on Life”
Of course, the flip side is how many media personalities who have made a living the last eight years attacking the Bush Administration will not become shills for the Obama Administration. All the talk about oversight, hearings, asking hard questions, and investigations will end before January 20.
Anybody else notice how anti-Obama the Sodahead.com et al ads have become here on TMV.
I realize that Joe has no control… that wasn't (isn't) my point. It's just the general nastiness of the “questions” these faux polling sites are asking.
I think Rush and that ilk are increasingly seen as relics. That's not to imply they don't have their followers, but in the age of broadband internet, they seem less and less relevant. There are too many other, new voices out there, engaging in two-way conversations and debate. And I have a feeling Rush's audience is growing older as time passes. The only time Limbaugh gets any wider attention is when he says or does something truly outrageous – similar to the attention of freeway rubberneckers on their way somewhere else, staring and pointing as they pass by.
SD, you mean just like Rush, Hannity, and O'riley were fawning over the Bush Administration and cheer leading the GOP led Congress while you stood by and agreed with them? Hold your own side just as accountable as you're going to hold the opposition.
Yes, I'll be here holding the Obama WH and Congress as accountable as I wanted for the Bush WH and GOP congress.
SteveK, you make an excellent point, whether off topic or not. Just now, the ad says “Ready to Kiss Your Paycheck Goodbye?” Maybe the RNC has disguised itself?
Anyway, Rush and people like him are going to be around for some time to come, especially now that they can attack. Besides, didn't he just sign some ridiculously huge contract extension? His audience is only going to grow, especially with the expectations as high as they are for Obama. The only way Limbaugh will become irrelevant is if Obama has a 70% approval rating in 4 years.
SK – Which Sodaad.com ads are you talking about? If you use Firefox with ABP and NoScript you can block that BS.
I guess the dit-toe heads just don't get the dire straits this country is in, and are willing to sabotage & undermine any, ANY attempts at trying to make things better. Doesn't sound all that “patriotic” to me…but then it's all about ratings anyways. Right?
Rudi said: “… If you use Firefox with ABP and NoScript you can block that BS.”
Thanks Rudi, I'll give them a try.
Problem with Rush is (and has always been) not that he criticizes Obama or Dems, it's just that his version of reality doesn't seem to correspond with any reality that anyone else experiences. He traffics in logical fallacies and emotional arguments, which are fine when the economy isn't in the toilet, but if you're going to be an effective advocate for your principles, you should at least make an attempt to be honest and logical at least most of the time. See http://www.amazon.com/Logic-Mr-Limbaugh-Dittohe… for an excellent takedown of Rush's rhetorical sleight-of-hand.
Limbaugh has to maintain his audience. He has to give the base what it wants. He is its prisoner, not its commander.
PS– Thanks for Operation Chaos! Worked great, huh?