Rush Limbaugh Is Just Getting Started

NY Times Magazine ^ | 03 July 2008 | Zev Chafets

[txradioguy]

THE ATMOSPHERE in the studio on the morning after our dinner at Trevini was relaxed, even festive. When I arrived around 11, Limbaugh was at his computer, wearing shorts and doing prep.

Augusto, his personal chef, was there, preparing lunch, signaling an occasion. Limbaugh skipped the meal, explaining that he doesn’t eat close to show time for reasons of “burp prevention.” Snerdly, Dawn and the engineer joined me in the dining room, which looks as if it were decorated by Nancy Reagan’s fussy aunt.

Limbaugh’s program that day was, as usual, a virtuoso performance. He took a few calls, but mostly he delivered a series of monologues on political and cultural topics. Limbaugh works extemporaneously. He has no writers or script, just notes and a producer on the line from New York with occasional bits of information. That day, and every day, he produced 10,000 words of fluent, often clever political talk.

There was nothing he said that was startling — he spent parts of the show mocking Obama’s “change” mantra and excoriating those who believe in global warming and talking about foreign affairs. But if you think it is easy turning ancient Greenland, the influence of the teachers’ unions or changes in E.U. foreign policy into polemical comedy that will hold an audience for three hours — try it for 15 minutes at your next cocktail party.

Limbaugh entertains, but he also instructs. He provides his listeners with news and views they can use, and he teaches them how to employ it. “Rush is an intellectual-force multiplier,” Rove told me. “His listeners are, themselves, communicators.”

[MaryFromMichigan]

I wouldn’t want to add to their revenue.
Still, it was a good article.
Surprising, huh?

[Mr. Pumblechook]

Grow up, please.

[Mr. Pumblechook]

Oh, you’ve called me a newbie. Sleep shall not come easily tonight.

[MaryFromMichigan]

Ignore the mods at your peril.
They told you to knock it off.
Words to the wise.

[Mr. Pumblechook]

Thanks for the tip.

[WVKayaker]

Greetings, pumblewhatever

I couldn't help but note so many of your posts on this thread, and I made a couple of observations.

1st, you seem to be consumed with envy. As a conservative (which is the vast majority of us here on this FReerepublic), you should be happy that the man is so successful, and provides a very good living, for a lot of other folks. It is his persona that puts the bucks in the bank to pay his $MILLIONS. Along the way, he generates income for a host of support and management folk. His employers get to buy BIG yachts with money he makes them.

If he decides to put M-80's into $20 cigars and blow them up, it is his right and privilege. He has EARNED it. If he decides that he wants to drink a good Scotch Whiskey with his cigar, would you bemoan him that privilege, as well, since others might also do it?

What other prohibitions would you place on El Rushbo? Do you even have a clue about how business works, and why some people make more than others? What business is it of yours, or mine, how anybody spends their own bucks? Class envy doesn't become you. His cigar motivation may be whatever, but it isn't for us to question, is it, and how does it really matter, in the grand scheme of things?

Rush was smart enough to capture the minds and hearts of millions of us with like minds. Roger Ailes saw his "diamond in the rough". Rush has done it with humor and guile. He has presented himself succinctly, as what he is, what he likes, and why he does what he does. If you don't like him, Don't listen, and PLEASE don't continue your infantile tirades.

You should be the one to "grow up". Maturity doesn't seem to have reached you, thus far.

Look up those words you don't understand, and lighten up, woodya? Rush is worth every penny he makes... and the many millions as well!

[WVKayaker]

You seem to be consumed with envy. You should be the one to “grow up”. Maturity doesn’t seem to have reached you, thus far.

I'm impressed, that anyone can be so obtuse. You could be First rate Zot material! Have a good life.

AdminMod, would you consider adding "Zot bait" to the title... after all, the weekend starts today, instead of Friday... and I would like to nominate a candidate for this weekend pastime!

[WVKayaker]

[Admin Moderator]

What part of ‘knock it off’ do you not understand?

[AnnaZ]

Which raises a question; to buy this issue or not to buy? To add to their coffers? or to send them a message that we liked this issue because of Rush?

I don't listen to Rush*, but I'm going to buy it. Even for the $4 they charge for it here. I get the added bonus of the crossword puzzle, something I used to indulge in weekly when I lived in Manhattan. It's going to be a very chill weekend.

= )


* I do occasionally read his transcripts here when they're posted and thus must agree with this quote: He has no writers or script... That day, and every day, he produced 10,000 words of fluent, often clever political talk. ... yep... he can be pretty freaking brilliant.

[eddie willers]

Oh well...Who is John Galt?

$omeone who $moked cigarette$.

[Unrepentant VN Vet]

Ah, the sweet smell of zotted llort.

Vielen danke.

[OKIEDOC]

The photo of Rush with the cigar sort of looks like an old photo of Orson Wells in Citizen Kane.

Believe it or not America needs more Rush Limbaugh's not less.

[OKIEDOC]

Wow! Houston we have a problem.

Either you are a troll which I suspect is a probability or else you are the original lonely guy or gal or whatever.

[OKIEDOC]

I got a big laugh out of that comment and finally defines Bill O’Really to a T.

[OKIEDOC]

On my way to San Diego the other night I listened to a few minutes of a rebroadcast of O’Really.

Because I was in the mountains it was the only thing on air except for 15 or 20 Mexican station's.

All I can say is Bill O’Really is what Texans call a Post Turtle.

[y6162]

Listening to Hannity is like listening to a broken record. He constantly repeats himself, the same lines, over and over and over.