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The Spectacle Blog
Speaking as an unabashedly Pro-Rush self-styled cocktail-party attending intellectualoid wannabe, or whatever you want to call it, I’m bewildered at the number of people misunderstanding of Rush’s role.
Yes, he is an entertainer — you have to be to keep an audience for 3 hours every day — but he is also a leader in thought. This may make the more nuanced among the right uncomfortable, primarily because he doesn’t confer with anyone before making his thoughts known. He’s unpredictable. It is because Rush does not confer with others that he is a leader. It is because Rush is independent that he sets himself apart.
In setting himself apart he also makes fun of those he disagrees with on radio, while maintaining distance from the process. And that last is both the cosmetic and the substantive charge against him. That it’s easy for the man behind the mic to rile people. Especially when he gets paid a lot of money to do it.
This last bit is a sham. Rush has enough money. He has a contract. He doesn’t have the insecurity that comes from trying to elbow your way to the center of attention at all time. Look at his ratings: They’re always up. A friend remarked, the other day, that Obama can create his own momentum by giving a speech. The same is true of Rush — an unlikely, but accurate, comparison.
Beyond that, he also fights when others won’t. It takes a keen sense of the times to know when to direct your listeners to melt down the congressional switchboard. It takes a keen sense of the backbone of political leaders, who are more skittish, not less, than Rush. He puts his reputation at stake whenever he takes a position — and he does so gladly, because of ideas. And if you don’t buy that the man is infatuated with ideas, then listen to the first 20 minutes of his show every day for a week. Try it and say the man doesn’t have a philosophy behind his understanding of the world. Like it or leave it, just don’t be dismissive.
And he does more than most columnists. Name a person in the media that’s able to motivate others the way Rush motivates his listeners. Keith Olbermann? No. Bill O’Reilly? No. How about columnists? Does Paul Krugman motivate others? MoDo?
Oh but he’s a populist attention grabber, they say. Oh? You mean because he speaks to more listeners every day than any other host? Because he has an audience that considers what he says? When someone has people behind him, who think that for the most part, he’s right, but understands his shortcomings and sometimes disagrees (as they do on his show frequently), you know what we call that person? A leader.
You may not want to designate him as your leader. But it is the pinnacle of ignorance to think that the most-listened to radio host in America is not a leader. He does play an important part in the movement, and denying that is placing him in the category of a crazy uncle. If we assess leaders by influence, Rush wins out over Steele any day.
[To take a bit of wind out of my own sails, though, I can understand what Steele was getting at. I think he was genuinely being inarticulate. But at the point where Steele’s main qualification is his ability to fight the war in the press, it should be concerning to many that he wasn’t prepared for this familiar trap. Liberals have always tried to make conservatives apologize for the statements of their brethren. “Does Ann Coulter represent you?” is the question I always get. Note to Steele: When someone asks you something like that, respond rhetorically. Does (INSERT YOUR “CONTROVERSIAL” CONSERVATIVE PERSON HERE) claim to be my leader? And if so, why are you asking me and not him?]
View all comments (40) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by J.P. Freire
http://spectator.org/blog/2009/03/03/rush-limbaugh-is-a-leader-peri
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ruth| 3.3.09 @ 5:40PM
I won't apologize for being a Conservative and I also won't back down, just like Rush. His courage inspires me. Thanks, J.P.
WendyG| 3.3.09 @ 6:24PM
THANK YOU for this passionate and accurate defense of Rush.
Mike| 3.3.09 @ 6:39PM
"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." H. L. Mencken
Limbaugh proves the truth of Mencken's observation for around three million "dittoheads."
Mrs. Jackson| 3.3.09 @ 6:56PM
Rush is a very entertaining leader.
The amusing thing about this Michael Steele dust up is that Michael Steele tries his hand at talk radio - he fills in (frequently) for William Bennett. Mr. Steele has certainly gone to the woodshed for his error and I only hope he will take Rush's advice and focus on cleaning up the Republican primary process so that Liberals do not once again help to choose our Presidential candidate in '12.
Thank you Mr. Freire.
Ran| 3.3.09 @ 7:04PM
Er... Mencken was proven wrong by Pinky "Citizen Kane" Sulzberger and his MSM brethren. That flushing sound ain't holy books, it's Newsweek and CNN and Atlanta Journal-Constitution and New Yorker and [INSERT THE NAME OF YOUR FAVORITE MSM HERE].
ruth| 3.3.09 @ 7:49PM
Mike, Obama's election proves Mencken's point. What a joke!
Alan Brooks| 3.3.09 @ 8:06PM
but the Derb (as always) was right. the mob now rules on the Right as on the Left.
can't have it both ways; you cannot be an elitist and be a populist.
unless you're a phony. wish Rush would say "to hell with the proles".
ConservativeWanderer | 3.3.09 @ 8:28PM
Alan, is this the same Derb who, all through last year's campaign, swore up and down that the Democrats would nominate Al Gore as their only hope?
Derb is about as "always right" as Obama is.
ruth| 3.3.09 @ 8:30PM
Who is Derb?
Ran| 3.3.09 @ 9:18PM
John Derbyshire of NRO. Gets awards named after him by Andrew Sullivan.
Wrote a marvelous book: Seeing Calvin Coolidge in a Dream. I enjoyed it - Derb has heart.
Got the cover article at American Conservative this month, prating about class issues and blaming the demise of the Republicans on Talk Radio's low-brow populism, garbazh to that effect.
WendyG| 3.3.09 @ 9:21PM
John Derbyshire I think.
WendyG| 3.3.09 @ 9:23PM
>>>Got the cover article at American Conservative....
Paleocon claptrap.
Admr. S. O. B. Buniontow VI| 3.3.09 @ 9:37PM
Sounds like someone had a brain fart.
You are right in one regard: Rush is a thought leader.
But trying to make any remote comparison between Rush and Smeele (formerly known as Steele) is disingenuous.
There is nothing unpredictable about Rush. His messages mirror the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and Ronald (Magnus) Reagan. He (and I) take great pride in being American and he doesn't like freedom and liberty taken away from anyone.
He is very consistent with his correct views on the global warming hoax, the tyranny of liberalism (sorry Jeff Goldberg), and infringements on US sovereignty.
He is extremely consistent with his messages. To the extent he is an "entertainer," it is in his methods of delivery.
The RNC has a real problem in Smeele. He will continue to disappoint at a time when strong leadership is necessary.
Admr. S. O. B. Buniontow VI| 3.3.09 @ 9:41PM
The connection between Bill Bennett and Michael Smeele is an interesting one.
Bill Bennett laid an egg at CPAC with his call for civility. Reminded one of the Rodney King mantra "can't we all get along."
ruth| 3.3.09 @ 9:56PM
Thanks, I'm glad I asked. Just another whiner to ignore.
Kitty| 3.3.09 @ 11:22PM
Never apologize; it's a sign of weakness.
...
Interloper| 3.4.09 @ 12:14AM
Rush Limbaugh, a leader in thought? A leader in drug abuse. Check. A leader in marital problems. Check. A leader in borrowing Viagra for Third World sex tours. Check. A leader in making racist claims. Check. A leader in sexism and misogyny. Check. A leader in egotism. Check. A leader in being a demagogue. Check. But, a leader in thought? No way!
Seriously, we are talking about someone who confuses the preamble to the Declaration of Independence with the U.S. Constitution. Who believes that black people are genetically inferior. Who doesn't understand what evolution is. Limbaugh is a leader in NOT thinking.
But, let's look on the bright side for the big guy. J. Peter can save him another trip to the Dominican Republic by fellating Rush right here in the U.S.A. Lord know, Freire's hot, bothered and ready.
CH| 3.4.09 @ 12:25AM
You sound desperate, groper. Your Obamassiah is a bust already and you're a loser for being his butt-boi. Now you're getting crude. Pathetic sycophant.
Pingback| 3.4.09 @ 1:04AM
The News Factor: News, opinion, current events — a rewarding news experience » Blog A links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
MattSwartz | 3.4.09 @ 1:30AM
Rush jumped the shark a decade ago. He was good up to, and for a short time after, the class of 94's ascendancy. But he didn't offer a good critique of the way they ran things, and he gave Bush (who was a sub-par conservative, to put it kindly) a free pass.
Rush has always been an entertainer, and I guess he's determined that his audience doesn't want tough analysis or independence from him anymore.
Basil Plumley| 3.4.09 @ 2:17AM
Interloper, spending time behind bars, check
Interloper, believer in "separate but equal", check
Interloper, stuck on stupid, check
Interloper, still a loser, check
Interloper, Professor of Law and History or Psychology wizard, umm, not so fast
JRD| 3.4.09 @ 7:43AM
Interloper, communist character assassination , check
Interloper, miserable and wants to spread the misery index, check
Interloper, OOPS ( oppressive, obsesssive, progressive socialist), check
stu.b.con| 3.4.09 @ 8:29AM
Interloper: Fascist goon-check
Interloper: Self infatuated empty headed fascist goon-check
Interloper: Descendant of Stalin-check
Interloper: Mouth breathing self satisfier-check
Interloper: Representative of the failure of our union led fascist education system-check
Interloper: Proud to help in the destruction of America--CHECK
you make us all sick with your ad hominem personal attacks, if goons like you would bring something of substance to the table we might, might listen to you. Instead you choose the low road each and every time.
What size brown shirt do you wear? X Small
How are your goose stepping lesson going?
you sir are a fascist THUG!
stu.b.con| 3.4.09 @ 8:30AM
p.s. man would I like to share a little one on one time with you miss interloper
stu.b.con| 3.4.09 @ 8:32AM
Mr. Freire you are spot on, well said!
Gene Car| 3.4.09 @ 8:49AM
Rush Limbaugh is not an 'entertainer'. He is a conservative thought leader and/or a conservative interpretor of events/issues, who conducts himself in an entertaining way. Now that wayward beltway conservatives like Brooks and Buckley are beginning to see through Obama, maybe they will also have the humility to admit that Rush was more right than wrong.
Jeremiah| 3.4.09 @ 11:26AM
Limbaugh is a master of talk radio, which gives him a status as a leader and as an entertainer.
The question becomes what kind of leadership such a leader can offer.
Talk radio is very suited to satire and to repeating a limited number of ideas over and over (ideas whose endless repetition is justified by calling them "principles").
The medium is NOT well suited to debate, inquiry, nuance, or an exchange of ideas. There is always something proto-authoritarian about talk radio.
I'd beware of choosing a leader who is a talk radio show host -- although I wouldn't hesitate to enjoy his shows as interesting entertainment.
Pingback| 3.4.09 @ 11:34AM
Rush Limbaugh is a leader. Period. — But As For Me links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Philscbx| 3.4.09 @ 11:40AM
The only thing I do not agree with is the term entertainer. That's like calling Billy Graham the same, when all he's trying to do is inform you of the truth.
If not, I'd like to see 30 years of written deception vs truth.
But this new left is radical enough to point at a green light and call it red.
Being it's my first post, be politically correct if possible.
ruth| 3.4.09 @ 11:56AM
If the trolls don't like it, I do. Works every time.
Thuzl| 3.4.09 @ 11:59AM
The fact that we are even having this debate proves that the Obama/Alinsky strategy is working perfectly.
RULE 12: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions. (This is cruel, but very effective. Direct, personalized criticism and ridicule works.)
Bob| 3.4.09 @ 12:10PM
According to Talker's Magazine, the trade publication of talk radio, in 2008 Rush's weekly audience was 14.25 million listeners. That's about 4.7% of the U.S. population. Republicans now account for about 29% of voters and Republican social conservatives are about 18% of voters which means 11% of Republicans are "moderates".
Given that the population of the U.S. contains a lot of non-voters, it's not inconceivable that Rush reaches most of the social conservative Republican base. From a purely analytical standpoint, that does make him a leader of the Republican party.
However, Republicans can't win with just 19% of the vote and cannot win with Republican moderates included. So the issue is not Republican leadership, but how his leadership affects moderates and independents.
The reason Democrats love this is because of these numbers. Moderates and independents have a severe dislike of Rush. If the Republican party clings closer to him, they will continue to lose elections. That is Steele's management of the RNC issue. He needs to expand the party while Rush is doing a good job of making it smaller. In 2004, Republicans amounted to almost 37% of voters. The 4 year drop to 29% is huge.
J David| 3.4.09 @ 12:31PM
It matters not what any liberal publications say, Rush is still adding stations after 20+ years. Despite attempts by lying liberals to claim a declining audience, any mentally handicapped person(minus liberals, who add morally handicapped to that)that his reach is GROWING, not shrinking. Internally polling for commercial/advertising purposes (advertisers clamor to get on his expensive ad space) reveal a 20-22 million audience. Liars who claim drastically less than that hate Rush, and have an ulterior motive. They are not to be believed.
J David| 3.4.09 @ 12:33PM
Of course, for God-loathing self-worshipers, lying is a tactical issue, not a *moral* one...
Bob| 3.4.09 @ 1:41PM
J David, thank you for proving again that social conservatives lack intellectual ability. Talker's magazine is the primary industry source for audience and is not a left wing publication. There have been estimates of 20 million viewers, but not by a statistical source. Currently on Rush's website he lists 570 stations covered which is slightly down from a couple of years ago. Rush's website must be a left wing publication?
Perhaps you can give me an industry source that will back up your statements or are you pulling them from your ______.
Please show me you have some intellectual ability by giving me an industry reference.
By the way, 14.75 million viewers in talk radio is absolutely huge and takes nothing away from Rush's entertainment ability. Isn't it time you right wing whackos begin to tell the truth?
Interloper| 3.4.09 @ 3:59PM
Most interestingly, fully 40 percent of Republicans either don't support Limbaugh, or aren't familiar with or indifferent to him. Republicans make up less than 30 percent of political affiliations. Needless to say, the data for Democrats and Independents offers even less comfort to Limbaugh's cheering section. Their favorite is not the voters.'
I know most AS regulars have no use for actual data, but here is Gallup poll data for observers who do:
http://tinyurl.com/d6us34
I'm finding the rush to fellate Rush (wink) by Right Wing lackeys like Friere amusing. The anointing of Limbaugh is fated to backfire in the election booths. These same 'how high should I jump' sycophants will act as if they are not complicit when that occurs.
ruth| 3.4.09 @ 4:05PM
I knew you were a pervert. Loser.
Pingback| 3.6.09 @ 8:30AM
Our Morning Roundup: The Power of Rush - City Desk - Washington City Paper links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Portia | 3.19.09 @ 6:37AM
Hey JP,
Good piece. Excellent observations regarding Rush's sense of time and ability to draw a crowd Obama-style. Two thoughts: one, the left's real problem with Rush is a fundamental (if subconscious) recognition that he is a leader, and that scares them; two, that Rush is a leader and an entertainer makes him an easier target (unlike the holy Obama who put his - or others' - money where his mouth was).
see ya soon, boss!
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