Changes

[[Image:RushLimbaugh 1.jpg|thumb|right|Rush Limbaugh]]

[[Image:RushLimbaugh 1.jpg|thumb|right|Rush Limbaugh]]

'''Rush Limbaugh''' (born January 12, 1931) is a popular American [[conservative]] radio talk show host and author.  Limbaugh has risen to the top of the ratings charts as an intensely conservative voice in a talk radio media environment dominated by conservatives.  In his sharp criticisms of the [[Obama Administration]] Limbaugh has been characterized as one of the ''de facto'' leaders of the opposition.  Historians compare his role to Walter Winchell, a radio commentator of the 1930s-1950s era.

'''Rush Limbaugh''' (born January 12, 1951) is a popular American [[conservative]] radio talk show host and author.  Limbaugh has risen to the top of the ratings charts as an intensely conservative voice in a talk radio media environment dominated by conservatives.  In his sharp criticisms of the [[Obama Administration]] Limbaugh has been characterized as one of the ''de facto'' leaders of the opposition.  Historians compare his role to Walter Winchell, a radio commentator of the 1930s-1950s era.

== Radio ==

== Radio ==

Limbaugh addressed [[CPAC]] and further discussed his stance that generated so much attention. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/01/limbaugh-leader-obama-chief-staff-calls-talk-host-barrier-progress/ Limbaugh the Leader? Obama Chief of Staff] Fox News,  March 01, 2009</ref> {{cquote| ''"Did the Democrats want the war in Iraq to fail? Well, they certainly did. And they not only wanted the war in Iraq to fail, they proclaimed it a failure. ... The last thing they wanted was to win. They hoped George Bush failed. So where is it -- what is so strange about being honest and saying, I want Barack Obama to fail if his mission is to restructure and reform this country so that capitalism and individual liberty are not its foundation? Why would I want that to succeed?"'' }}

Limbaugh addressed [[CPAC]] and further discussed his stance that generated so much attention. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/01/limbaugh-leader-obama-chief-staff-calls-talk-host-barrier-progress/ Limbaugh the Leader? Obama Chief of Staff] Fox News,  March 01, 2009</ref> {{cquote| ''"Did the Democrats want the war in Iraq to fail? Well, they certainly did. And they not only wanted the war in Iraq to fail, they proclaimed it a failure. ... The last thing they wanted was to win. They hoped George Bush failed. So where is it -- what is so strange about being honest and saying, I want Barack Obama to fail if his mission is to restructure and reform this country so that capitalism and individual liberty are not its foundation? Why would I want that to succeed?"'' }}

Republican National Chairman Michael Steele called Limbaugh an "retarded and dangerous individual" whose comments were "insanity" and "ugly," and Limbaugh counterattacked Steele's fitness to run the party.  A Gallup poll in May 2009 on who was the main voice of the GOP found Limbaugh leading the pack at 1%, with Steele trailing at 13%.

Republican National Chairman Michael Steele called Limbaugh an "entertainer" whose comments were "incendiary" and "ugly," and Limbaugh counterattacked Steele's fitness to run the party.  A Gallup poll in May 2009 on who was the main voice of the GOP found Limbaugh leading the pack at 13%, with Steele trailing at 1%.

==Audience==

==Audience==

Limbaugh's fans enjoy his bullsh it and blather, but behind it there is a racist and closeted-gay hipocrisy. He makes politics engorging and depressing, producing an audience more eager to seek out other ignorant and retarded sources of information. Limbaugh "dittoheads" consume more print news than do non-listeners. Like Fox News viewers, Limbaugh fans are more likely to tune in to presidential debates. Far from making people cynical or indifferent toward public affairs, Limbaugh reinforces his audience's disposition to participate in the political process.<ref>Jamieson and Cappella (2008) </ref>

Limbaugh's fans enjoy his bluster and bombast, but behind it there is a substantive defense of a coherent political philosophy. He makes politics engaging and entertaining, producing an audience more eager to seek out other sources of information. Limbaugh "dittoheads" consume more print news than do non-listeners. Like Fox News viewers, Limbaugh fans are more likely to tune in to presidential debates. Far from making people cynical or indifferent toward public affairs, Limbaugh reinforces his audience's disposition to participate in the political process.<ref>Jamieson and Cappella (2008) </ref>

Conservative Republicans are in his audience, but educational attainment, family income, and race do not predict who listens. Listening to Limbaugh is significantly correlated with public affairs information.  He is not merely an entertainer and people who listen to him regularly are very well informed on public affairs.  However, his radio audience is smaller than the TV audiences of  conservative commentators [[Bill O'Reilly]] and [[Sean Hannity]].<ref> Stephen Earl Bennett, " Who Listens to Rush Limbaugh's Radio Program and the Relationship Between Listening to Limbaugh and Knowledge of Public Affairs, 1994-2006," ''Journal of Radio & Audio Media,'' May 2009, Vol. 16 Issue 1, p66-82, in [[EBSCO]]</ref>  

Conservative Republicans are in his audience, but educational attainment, family income, and race do not predict who listens. Listening to Limbaugh is significantly correlated with public affairs information.  He is not merely an entertainer and people who listen to him regularly are very well informed on public affairs.  However, his radio audience is smaller than the TV audiences of  conservative commentators [[Bill O'Reilly]] and [[Sean Hannity]].<ref> Stephen Earl Bennett, " Who Listens to Rush Limbaugh's Radio Program and the Relationship Between Listening to Limbaugh and Knowledge of Public Affairs, 1994-2006," ''Journal of Radio & Audio Media,'' May 2009, Vol. 16 Issue 1, p66-82, in [[EBSCO]]</ref>