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When we have a truly educated electorate, sensationalist on both sides of the aisle will be out of business. Until then, the propaganda will flow and the ignorant will believe.

Well said.

To my mind it was only ever morons who "feared" Rush Limbaugh.

He's always struck me as exactly the sort of character you want as part of your opposition. He makes Michael Moore seem tame and Bill Maher seem tactful.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is the first time Democrats have really campaigned against Limbaugh. Which indicates fear.

His impact on public opinion surely has far exceeded that of Michael Moore or Bill Maher.

For good or ill, depending on your point of view.

To clarify, I meant Democrats feared him in the past. Not now.

I don't think they're campaigning against him. I think they're using him because he looks and sounds foolish and that's good politics.

I don't think Republicans were afraid of Willie Horton. But they would have been stupid not to beat him like a drum when campaigning.

I don't know if I agree with you that his impact on public opinion far exceeds that of Michael Moore or Bill Maher - but then that's hard to measure and the mediums aren't really the same. So it's sort of apples and oranges. You don't want to get into that "more people subscribe to Newsweek than watch The Ghost Whisperer" sort of argument.

I never really bought that Howard Stern was having a huge impact on people's actual opinions, though, even when he was crushing in the ratings. People who liked him listened. Some people who didn't like him listened, just to hear what he'd say. Rush may be much the same way - but I'd be shocked to meet anyone who told me they'd had their political opinions changed by Rush Limbaugh.

Doug:

I wonder how many of Limbaugh's detractors have ever listened to his show? (When was the last time you listened?) With the exception of the "excentric" folks who monitor radio for Media Matters I wager that the number of folks to the left of center who listen to the show is infitessimal. It seems to me that a lot of folks sort of treat the idea that Rush is, in your words, a blow hard, is an idea that chattering classes accept as an article of faith, sort of like the idea that Alger Hiss was not a communist. (By the way, what constitutes a "blowhard?" is it the volume of the voice or what they say or both? Who else would you consider a blow hard?)

I think the other important issue is that should cause especially folks in your line of work to pause is that the President and his administration have targeted private citizens because they are critical of the President's policy. Not just Limbaugh, either, but Jim Cramer, a life-long liberal is under fire from the White House because he had the audacity to state that the President's policies are destroying trillions of dollars of weath. Remember Nixon's enemy list, that caused all the folks in the media to get their knickers in a wad? Where is the outrage now?

Best regards,

Paul Daniels

Thanks, Paul. I did note with derision the Democrats charge, in effect, that opposing Obama is "jeopardizing the future of America." That approach won't serve them well in the long run. Ironically, it's similar to what I've heard from Limbaugh.

No, I'm not a listener. I hear him when he ventures into other forums.

I think of a blowhard as someone who has an inflated opinion of his own wisdom -- definitely a failing that crosses party lines.

I hope the Dems keep it up.

It's not going to benefit them in the long run. Indeed, it's entirely likely it will be counterproductive.

Limbaugh's influence will grow as a result of their focus.

The dem spending machine drags us kicking and screaming toward economic oblivion, and the best they can do is to attack a talk show host(with 20million listeners)?
Straw man, red herring, whatever you want to call these ad hominem attacks- they are an indcation of jsut how shalllow and uncomprehending these "effete snobs" (thanks Spiro) are.
They have nothing to say that will help America.
And those of you who cheerfully prod us into viewing whatever meaningless crap the world of leftist entertainers dredge up, admitting that you know nothing of Rush except what others who know nothing of him would be a point of honesty that I don't think you could muster.
I never listened to Franken of Garofolo, so I don't criticize them- You owe Rush and all the other targets of liberal venom the same respect, but I am sure he won't get it.

jsut = just

The events of the past month or so show that the tail is wagging the dog when it comes to Rush Limbaugh and the Republican Party. I don't blame the Democrats for beating this drum one bit.

Personally, I think Limbaugh is a blowhard who does conservatism more harm than good with his "pro 'rasslin'" style approach to politics. But he obviously has his fans and that's fine.

However, when the Chairman of the GOP starts apologizing to Limbaugh and courting his favor, that's a problem. When elected officials pander to the guy, that's a huge problem. Mainstream America has a very negative view of Limbaugh and I fear his growing influence will only marginalize the GOP even further.

Have any one of you folks trashing Rush actually listened to him, or do you just get your information about him from MSNBC, or the other left wing lunatics? If any of you are interested in the truth about what he says, rather than the distorted, dishonest characterization from Joe Killian types, simply look at his web site.

EVERY word he utters in on a daily transcript. Therefore there is no need to lie or distort what he says. Of course, the detractors could care less about the truth, because rarely ever is the truth on their side. Of course, Limbaugh is often bombastic. That is part of what he does. The Demo-Rats run to all the cable shows using the same, he's just an entertainer, mantra to try to discredit him. Limbaugh is an astute political commentator, who also entertains, which is why he is still at the top after 20 years!

He offered a sensible alternative to the Obama "lets destroy free market Capitalism plan" (which thus far is working wonderfully, as the Dow barrels toward 3000!). The plan was printed in the Wall Street Journal. He addressed CPAC recently, and his 90 minute speech (for which didn't need a Tele Prompter. He said there is no need to write down those things in which you believe. The Community Organizer needed the device to merely introduce his new HHS Secretary!) was nationally televised. So once again mr Killian, there was an opprotunity to hear what the actually said, in context, and quite clear to anyone interested, which leave out folks like Joe Killian.

This has all been a diversion to try to take our minds off of the disaster that the Community Organizer has been thus far. Even many of his supporters are beginning to wonder if if he's in over his head. YES, he is. He is more concerned about demonizing his critics, including some who supported him, than fixing our very serious problems. His brilliant Treasury Secretary (and tax cheat) tanks the markets whenever he opens his mouth. And as the markets plummet, the Community Organizer is filling FEMA positions(is there a hurricane in the area) while none of top Treasury positions remain unfilled. Interesting strategy!

Well, Joe, you got change. Just hope you have some left in your retirement plan when the Messiah is finished with you! "Hey buddy, can I borrow a buck to buy a share of Citicorp stock!"

Hey Joe, for your information, below are some interesting figurres from a Pew research poll on which media outlets have the most informed readers, viewers, or listeners.

Thirty media types, and outlets were listed by age, number of audience college graduates, and knowledge of issues. While Rush's audience ranked 7th in college graduates listening, it ranked 3rd in knowledge of issues. MSNBC a big hit with the fringe lunatics, ranked 3rd from the bottom in knowledge of issues. What a surprise! Read on.

From a Pew survey of the most informed audiences, and the partisan political split. "On television, The O'Reilly Factor, has the most knowledgeable audience, 27% of the audience are college grads, which matches the national average."

Only three audiences in the Pew survey scored higher on high knowledge than O'Reilly at his Factor TV show. Regular readers of The New Yorker and the Atlantic, regular Rush Limbaugh listeners, and regular Weekly Standard and New Republic readers.

Joe, I'd guess you are a member of the MSNBC audience!

Now , who was he person that tried to make us think Palin did porn movies. Now that's what I call a jerk! No Joe's a member of that all conservatives are bad, and all his liberals are saving the world.
Exact reason all these liberal newspapers are going to dogs.
I noticed the Rush, invited Obama to a one, one debate. Anyone think Obama is worth a damn, look at your 401K.
Ann, Kramer who kiss Obama butt in the campaign, said, Obama is the greatest destroyer wealth ever.

"When we have a truly educated electorate, sensationalist on both sides of the aisle will be out of business. Until then, the propaganda will flow and the ignorant will believe."

Which is one of the reasons that those in power only reluctantly (and inadequately) fund our education system.

Ignorant people are easy to manipulate.