Changes

Limbaugh's show has been described by a [[conservative]] publication as "lowbrow conservatism" and a "carny barker."<ref>https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/how-radio-wrecks-the-right/</ref>  Talk radio has likely interfered with growth in the conservative movement among young people, and it is difficult to identify a single conservative achievement attributable to Limbaugh.  Since Limbaugh's radio show became associated nationally with the Republican Party about 25 years ago, Republicans have won the popular vote in only one presidential election.  

Limbaugh's show has been described by a [[conservative]] publication as "lowbrow conservatism" and a "carny barker."<ref>https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/how-radio-wrecks-the-right/</ref>  Talk radio has likely interfered with growth in the conservative movement among young people, and it is difficult to identify a single conservative achievement attributable to Limbaugh.  Since Limbaugh's radio show became associated nationally with the Republican Party about 25 years ago, Republicans have won the popular vote in only one presidential election.  

Rush Limbaugh's show was advertiser supported, which can create a financial incentive for him not to say what needs to be said, and not to stand up for the [[Bible]] in a meaningful manner.  In February 2020, Rush announced on his radio show that he had been diagnosed with [[Lung cancer]]. He died on February 17, 2021, due to lung cancer.

Rush Limbaugh's show was advertiser supported, which can create a financial incentive for him not to say what needs to be said, and not to stand up for the [[Bible]] in a meaningful manner.  In February 2020, Rush announced on his radio show that he had been diagnosed with [[lung cancer]]. He died on February 17, 2021, due to lung cancer.

== Early Years ==

== Early Years ==

Rush Hudson Limbaugh III was born in 1951 in Cape Girardeau, [[Missouri]].  At age 16, he chose to explore his passion for broadcasting by working as a [[disc jockey]], hosting a radio show in his hometown.  After four years, he left for [[Pittsburgh]] to work for the former [[ABC News|ABC]] owned and operated ''KQV'', where he used the on-air name "Jeff Christie". Following his work as a disc jockey, Rush briefly left broadcasting for [[business]], joining the [[Kansas City Royals]] as Director of Group Sales, and then Director of Sales and Special Events.  In 1983, he re-entered radio as a political commentator for ''KMBZ'' in [[Kansas City]].  A year later, in 1984, Rush dropped out of [[college]] after his freshman year to pursue work full-time as a disk jockey, when ''KFBK'' in [[Sacramento]], [[California]] hired him to host a talk show that reveled in controversy about conservative politics.  Limbaugh tripled the program's ratings in four years.  From there, in 1988 he went on to [[New York]] where the record-breaking national show, the ''EIB Network'', was born.   

Rush Hudson Limbaugh III was born in 1951 in Cape Girardeau, [[Missouri]].  At age 16, he chose to explore his passion for broadcasting by working as a [[disc jockey]], hosting a radio show in his hometown.  After four years, he left for [[Pittsburgh]] to work for the former [[ABC News|ABC]] owned and operated ''KQV'', where he used the on-air name "Jeff Christie."  Following his work as a disc jockey, Rush briefly left broadcasting for [[business]], joining the [[Kansas City Royals]] as Director of Group Sales, and then Director of Sales and Special Events.  In 1983, he re-entered radio as a political commentator for ''KMBZ'' in [[Kansas City]].  A year later, in 1984, Rush dropped out of [[college]] after his freshman year to pursue work full-time as a disk jockey, when ''KFBK'' in [[Sacramento]], [[California]] hired him to host a talk show that reveled in controversy about conservative politics.  Limbaugh tripled the program's ratings in four years.  From there, in 1988 he went on to [[New York]] where the record-breaking national show, the ''EIB Network'', was born.   

On August 1, 1988, Rush launched his phenomenally successful radio broadcast into national syndication, with fifty-six radio stations.  More than twenty years later the show is heard on nearly six hundred stations by some 20 million people each week and is the highest-rated national radio talk show in America.  Rush was awarded the "Syndicated Radio Personality" of the year by the [[National Association of Broadcasters]] in 1992, 1995, 2000, and 2005.  He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1993 and National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1998.  Rush Limbaugh has been labeled as the savior of AM radio by broadcast industry leaders, sometimes called the "Doctor of Democracy."<ref name=doctor>[http://www.twoifbytea.com/doctor.php Rush Limbaugh, the "Doctor of Democracy"], [[Two If By Tea|TwoIfByTea.com]].</ref>

On August 1, 1988, Rush launched his phenomenally successful radio broadcast into national syndication, with fifty-six radio stations.  More than twenty years later, the show was heard on nearly six hundred stations by some 20 million people each week and was the highest-rated national radio talk show in America.  Rush was awarded the "Syndicated Radio Personality" of the year by the [[National Association of Broadcasters]] in 1992, 1995, 2000, and 2005.  He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1998.  Rush Limbaugh has been labeled as the savior of AM radio by broadcast industry leaders, sometimes called the "Doctor of Democracy."<ref name=doctor>[http://www.twoifbytea.com/doctor.php Rush Limbaugh, the "Doctor of Democracy"], [[Two If By Tea|TwoIfByTea.com]].</ref>

From the start until 2015, Limbaugh relied heavily on his producer, whom he called his "chief of staff", [[H. R. "Kit" Carson]]. Carson's death from cancer at the age of fifty-six was a terrific blow to Limbaugh.

From the start until 2015, Limbaugh relied heavily on his producer, whom he called his "chief of staff," [[H. R. "Kit" Carson]]. Carson's death from cancer at the age of fifty-six was a terrific blow to Limbaugh.

== Radio ==

== Radio ==

Limbaugh hosted a radio show famed for its incisive criticism of the follies of liberalism. He was often the target of liberals' ''[[ad hominem]]'' attacks, such as Democrat former U.S. Senator [[Al Franken]], who wrote a book entitled ''"Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot"''.  Limbaugh generically referred to [[feminists]] who advocate [[abortion]] as ''feminazis'' and to his own self as having "talent on loan from God". Sensitive about his own schooling, he ridiculed the college educated as the "Arts & Croissant Crowd."  

Limbaugh hosted a radio show famed for its incisive criticism of the follies of liberalism. He was often the target of liberals' ''[[ad hominem]]'' attacks, such as Democrat former U.S. Senator [[Al Franken]], who wrote a book entitled ''"Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot"''.  Limbaugh generically referred to [[feminists]] who advocate [[abortion]] as ''feminazis'' and to himself as having "talent on loan from God."  Sensitive about his own schooling, he ridiculed the college-educated as the "Arts & Croissant Crowd."  

Limbaugh's conservative talk show was nationally syndicated and averaged over 16-20 million listeners weekly, making him the #1 radio talk show host in America

Limbaugh's conservative talk show was nationally syndicated and averaged over 16-20 million listeners weekly, making him the #1 radio talk show host in America