Media Matters: Limbaugh's Unrivaled Influence On Republican Politics

[highplainsdem]

http://mediamatters.org/blog/201203130002

On Saturday, March 10, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum traveled to Cape Girardeau, Missouri for a campaign event. According to the Southeast Missourian, Santorum warmed the small crowd up by telling them: "It's good to be in the hometown of Rush Limbaugh, which some people see as a trip to Mecca."

While advertisers have fled Limbaugh's program en masse after his misogynistic rant about law student Sandra Fluke, he still has a devoted fan base of "Dittoheads" whose quasi-religious devotion Limbaugh is reflected in Santorum's "Mecca" quip. But Santorum's remarks are also indicative of the outsized influence Rush has had and continues to have over national Republican politics.

For the last two decades, Republican politicians -- from presidents to long-shot congressional candidates -- have sought and received enthusiastic support from Rush Limbaugh. And Limbaugh, in his role as kingmaker, has essentially become a one-man wing of the Republican establishment.

-snip-

Early in the summer of 1992, Roger Ailes, who was working for President Bush, made the connection. The president invited Limbaugh to accompany him to the Kennedy Center and spend a night at the White House. Bush personally carried Limbaugh's bag from the elevator of the White House residence to his room, a gesture Rush never forgot. That night he called his mother and brother from the Lincoln bedroom. "Guess where I'm sleeping tonight," he said. Bush might not be Reagan, but he was the president of the United States. [page 81]

Great compilation by Media Matters -- from GHW Bush's stint as Limbaugh's lackey to Darrell Issa's quick reversal of his 2010 statement on compromise -- disproving the apologists' argument that Limbaugh is "just an entertainer."

[zbdent]

1. In Ohio, they claim (on license plates) that Ohio is the "Birthplace of Aviation" because

the Wright Brothers were born and lived in Ohio. (Well, technically, Orville was born in Ohio. Wilbur was born in Indiana.)

So, if that's how it runs, then (Cape Girardeau) Missouri could be considered the "Birthplace of modern political 'discussion'" ... with heavy sarcasm on the term "discussion".

[Frustratedlady]

2. Our country is decaying. When you look at the idolators of

Rush and The Donald, it is scary. Why should their endorsement be so important? Because they are revered in society? Intelligent? Powerful? No, it's because they have big mouths and the power to broadcast their venom for those who stand up to them. They are both bullies.

Granted, The Donald doesn't have a radio show, but he can get on the air any time he wants. Just look at the reporters and cameramen that swarmed all over him when he was going to run for POTUS. He's had as many bankruptcies as Rush has divorces and THEY are the icons of the Republican party? Give me a break.