Posted on 11/16/2003 5:48:47 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Rush is back on the air Monday – just as he promised. And a NewsMax online survey taken over the past month shows that his audience can’t wait for his return to the airwaves and will embrace him more than ever. In the largest online survey ever conducted by NewsMax.com – more than 251,000 have voted so far – we discovered that Americans are backing Rush to the hilt. Despite a barrage of negative press that began with a cover story in the National Enquirer in early October, Rush’s audience is sticking with him. Asked if they "support Rush Limbaugh," some 92 percent of NewsMax voters said unequivocally "yes." The NewsMax poll is a good indicator that Rush’s core audience will not desert him, despite his acknowledgement of an addiction to prescription painkillers. NewsMax’s polls have offered an uncanny gauge of Republican and conservative opinion. This summer, NewsMax’s survey of more than 100,000 voters found 70 percent support for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s gubernatorial bid. As it turned out Republicans and conservatives solidly supported the former actor’s election. While Rush’s supporters strongly support him, they are wary of the media’s coverage of his troubles. Some 89 percent said they thought "the media is out to get Rush and other conservatives." Responding to another question, only 10 percent of voters thought Rush has been treated fairly by the media. As for claims by the media that Rush is a "hypocrite" for having a prescription drug addiction, some 88 percent of respondents said he was not guilty of hypocrisy. On the crucial question of whether recent revelations had "changed your support of Rush’s radio show," more than 9 out of 10 (91 percent) of survey takers said "no" – and the same group said that their feelings about Rush’s show were "the same or better" despite the controversy. Largest Audience in History? Rush’s audience Monday may turn out to be the largest single audience in radio history. But, as Rush’s fans already know, Rush has already made history. His popular radio program has been credited with helping Republicans take back the Congress after more than a half-century of Democratic dominance. He has consistently offered a counterbalance to what a majority of Americans describe as a liberally biased media establishment. Even though the hosts who subbed for Rush did a great job, there’s no replacing Rush’s extraordinary ability to decimate the liberals with his insights and scornful humor of their absurdities. As Joel C. Rosenberg, best-selling novelist and author of the "The Last Days" says, Rush really does have "talent on loan from God" – a phrase Rush humorously describes himself as having. Rosenberg recalled his anguish when he learned about Rush’s troubles: "It’s not easy to see a friend in pain, and no doubt Rush and his family have been through some dark days." "But I suspect that as hard as it’s been, the Limbaugh family has also experienced the gentle touch of a loving God. So many people around the country have been praying for them over the past few weeks, and not just saying they would pray, but really praying. For rest. For a full recovery." Rush’s brother David, also a best-selling author and columnist for NewsMax.com, has been giving Rush’s listeners periodic updates on Rush’s progress. This past Friday, David phoned in to Rush’s show, hosted by Matt Drudge. Noting that Rush has successfully completed just the first phase of his treatment, David said Rush is "very realistic about the long road ahead of him and he’s committed to staying the course, just as he is and has always been committed to his EIB broadcasts … and to his family of listeners." Rush, David added, is deeply moved by the love and loyalty of his audience, and is especially overwhelmed by the prayers and support he’s received. According to his brother, Rush is jumping back in with both feet. From Monday on, David said his brother will be hosting all three hours of his national program. And, David added, "he’s all excited" to be back. "He’s totally pumped up and mindful of the challenges ahead, and he’s super-psyched and ready to get back on schedule.” Rush expressed his gratitude for the incredible support he received during his absence. The depth of that support has been revealed in NewsMax’s Internet-wide survey. The NewsMax survey further buttresses the poll conducted last weekend for Rush’s syndication company by Burke Incorporated, an independent polling firm. The poll revealed that more than 9 out of 10 listeners said that news of Limbaugh’s drug dependency had not diminished their regard for him. Moreover, fully 22 percent of those questioned said they had gained more respect for Rush "because of the way he is handling his problems," while a bare 8 percent said they had less respect for him. An overwhelming 95 percent of the sample agreed that "Rush is human, he has made mistakes, and is entitled to a second chance with a clean slate." And more than 99 percent of those surveyed said they expected the show to be just as good if not better when Limbaugh returns. The survey also revealed that Rush continues to inspire enormous trust among his listeners. When asked to rate on a scale of 1 to 10 how much trust they "usually have" in Limbaugh (1 being "no trust" and 10 being "complete trust"), roughly half of those questioned put him at 9 or 10. Rush’s quick return to EIB’s golden mike, despite the intense back pain he no doubt is still experiencing, shows why he enjoys that kind of support from his listeners. Anyone who hears his broadcast Monday may never know what Rush has just been through. Rush is too much of a professional to reveal his pain. And nobody can really feel another person’s pain. But what we can feel is Rush’s love and respect for his audience and the important business he has left for America. Welcome back, Rush Limbaugh!
But seriously, best of luck to Rush, and welcome back.
MANY DITTOS, PHIL !!
I would love to see that. I particulary liked this line from the article: Rush’s audience Monday may turn out to be the largest single audience in radio history.
FULL THROTTLE UP!,
'cause baby, they're going to need all the power they can get.
Crank up the wattage, Scotty!
P.S. Will Rush be broadcasting from his Palm Beach studio?
I need to know which direction to point my tin-hat antennae!!!
Somebody wake me up when and if he ever gets around to spending more than 15 minutes on a subject other than hinself.
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