Why does Rush Limbaugh....

Myself | 07/12/2010 | SeekAndFind

[SeekAndFind]

This is not an important question and you can ignore it if you wish.

I have been listening to Rush Limbaugh since 1998 ( only when I can of course), but for the life of me cannot understand why he does the following ( I am sure he has reasons but I've never heard him explain it ) :

* When he mentions Jesse Jackson, he never used the name : "Jesse Jackson", but almost always says -- The Reverend Jackson, in a very strange tone, as if trying to sound very respectful ( I can't quite describe it. Experienced listeners will understand ).

* Where on earth is Rio Linda and why does he refer to that place everytime he mentions some important FACTOID that we all should know...

* Why does he mock the Former Secretary of Labor's name everytime he uses it as in ROBERT REICHSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS ( lasting about 10 seconds ).

Let's start with the above 3 first and I'm sure I have other Limbaugh mannerisms I'd like to ask about later.

Thanks.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: He is mocking the way RR says his own last name.

This guy RR must have a lisp that only occurs when he introduces himself or something ?

[Marathoner]

On the RRREEIIICCCHHHHHHHHH deal, I seem to remember he was making fun of the way Reich identified himself on a statement he made in his days as Clinton’s Sec Labor.

[llevrok]

as I recall Buckley’s voice in my head.

I recall that he was just becoming known in media circles and was invited on Buckley's talk show "Firing Line" and could not take his mind off how Buckley kept saying the Master Shake Down Artist's name.

[VR-21]

I think he was emulating the way William Buckley said “the Reverend Jackson”

I believe you're right. I recall Rush explaining it that way about a year ago.

[infidel29]

Robert Reich's name looks as if it were to be pronounced as REICH as in "Third Reich". Someone once over ennunciated the SHHHHHHH.... sound at the end to illustrate the difference.

Rush, among others has latched onto that and blows the ennunciation wwaaaayyyy out of proportion.

[WestwardHo]

Rush lived and worked in Rio Linda. He refers to them as happy days, and his comments are meant in fun and affection for the community. Never, has he insulted Rio Linda by suggesting they asked dumb questions.

[isthisnickcool]

Interesting questions. I see they have been answered.

One thing I find about Limbaugh that is amazing is that he is in a business that is all about sound and the man is deaf.

[Jack Wilson]

Limbaugh has explained his pronunciation of Reverend Jackson as an imitation of how William F. Buckley did it.

[llevrok]

The Rio Linda is for people who are not so bright and need explanat

Goes back to when Rush got his job on Sacramento and a near by town, Rio Linda, was about as backwards as any place oft lampooned in back woods of the South. He's now picking on Port St Lucie Fla for similar reasons

[Persevero]

I actually have a relative who lives in Rio Linda now. I couldn’t believe it when they moved there.

It just seems a little rural and working class there to me, nothing that bad. Of course I have only visited once.

[Bernard Marx]

I interpret it as mocking Jackson's claim to be a "revernd" and a man of the cloth. His actions betray him as just the opposite.

Rio Linda refers to a low-end suburb of Sacramento, CA where Rush originated his current show format. People from Rio Linda were pretty dense and didn't "get" Rush's humor and references. A person "from Rio Linda" is someone who's totally out of the loop.

The Reisch thing dates to the first Clinton administration. I've never figured out any reason for the exaggerated pronunciation beyond the fact that Reisch is a very arrogant, self-important little man. Rush is giving him mocking "respect."

[CGASMIA68]

He is a well informed political entertainer.....lots of his speak is laced with “Ebonics” for effect.like “benus” for business....He also likes to throw in a W F Buckley dialect on occasion.......

[mad_as_he$$]

You claim to have listened since 1998 and you do not understand these things? Are you learning impaired?

[cbkaty]

If you have to ask....you apparently do not listen that often.

You'd also need the historical perspective most listeners have of each character you listed.

[DustyMoment]

1) the REV-rum JAC-szon - because there is no evidence that Jackson ever attended or graduated from a seminary or even was the pastor at a church. He just woke up one morning and decided he would call himself a Reverend because, if anyone challenged him on it, he could just claim that they were being racist!!

And, it has worked!!

2) Rio Linda is an actual place in California. I’m not sure why he does the Rio Linda gag but, I assume that it has something to do with it being loaded (presumably) with California libs who are the product of California’s “progressive” education system. IOW, they know how to put a condom on a cucumber, but can’t figure out how to put one on themselves!!

3) Reich worked for Clinton on his cabinet and had some pretty rigid leftist ideas.

In all cases, Rush is showing his contempt and disdain for these people.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: You claim to have listened since 1998 and you do not understand these things?

I’m not as smart as you are that’s fer sure.

[RichInOC]

The “Reichhhhhhhh” thing is a parody of Robert Reich’s speaking style, just like “the Revrunnnnnd Jacksonnnnnn” is a parody of Jesse’s.

[FrankR]

Here are the understandings I have gleaned from listening to Rush since the late 80's (when I can). * When he mentions Jesse Jackson, he never used the name : "Jesse Jackson", but almost always says -- The Reverend Jackson, in a very strange tone, as if trying to sound very respectful ( I can't quite describe it. Experienced listeners will understand ).

He is mocking Jackson himself, who has a slight speech defect (cleft palette, "hairlip"), saying his own name.


* Where on earth is Rio Linda and why does he refer to that place everytime he mentions some important FACTOID that we all should know...

Rush explained this one day years ago..."Rio Linda" - I think is a town in California, near where he used to work years ago; after some not-so-bright phone calls from there, he began prefacing anything over 3rd grade level as something that needs to be simplified so as to be understood.


* Why does he mock the Former Secretary of Labor's name everytime he uses it as in ROBERT REICHSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS ( lasting about 10 seconds ).

I think (not 100% sure about this one) that he is - again - mocking the subject in the way he pronounces his own name, and, insofar as it is a German origin name, with Hitler, 3rd Reich, and all of that, he is implying a connection to the liberal ways of Reich.


These - and others like "formerly nicotine stained fingers" - have become Limbaugh "trademarks", more or less.

Hope this helps.

[Persevero]

He does imitate Buckley frequently, not just when say “Reverend Jackson.”

I suppose Buckley must have been an inspiration to Rush.

I do miss William F. Buckley. I am glad he was not privy to his son’s endorsement of, I can not believe this, Obama.

[llevrok]

TEN POINT BONUS ROUND

Name all of Rush's wives. 5 points extra to do so in order.

You may open your blue books now......