Posted on 02/07/2020 6:33:27 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
When President Donald Trump bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on ailing right-wing, talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh at the State of the Union, it wasn’t just a feel-good moment for his conservative base. It was also a gesture of thanks to a (fellow) media personality who helped set the stage for Trump’s astonishing political success. Limbaugh’s brash and boorish persona, and his belief that white, male cultural centrality is, to quote the title of Limbaugh's first book, “the way things ought to be," paved the way for the political rise of the bombastic media performer currently sitting in the Oval Office.
In fact, Limbaugh’s entire career can be seen as an extended prelude to Trump’s climb to the pinnacle of power. Limbaugh was initially skeptical of Trump’s candidacy in 2015. But when he saw the electricity and excitement of Trump’s rallies, Limbaugh quickly climbed on board. No wonder: The radio personality saw something very familiar in the way Trump connected with supporters. In 2016, then-presumptive Republican nominee Trump vociferously attacked Hillary Clinton, earning a knowing wink from Limbaugh. “Trump can say this as an outsider,” the radio host said.
What Trump's and Limbaugh's rhetorical appeals have in common is the way they identify and target specific enemies that (allegedly) are making it harder for blue collar Americans to prosper. It’s much easier to direct people’s anger downward (or sideways) than it is to describe and try to address systemic problems like the impersonal forces of global capitalism. It’s much easier to bash Democrats or Mexicans than it is to critique decades of conservative economic and social policy.
Convince enough people that you’re truly on their side, and you can end up president — or with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
This was another brilliant 4D chess move by our president. These ceremonies are always in the White House attended by friends and family and never broadcast live.
President Trump awarded Rush this honor in front of the world and the best part in front of all of the ‘rats. No one expected Rush to get the Medal right there on the spot. I’m sure the ‘rats were just stewing in their seats when Trump made the announcement that made it seem it would happen in a formal ceremony some weeks later. And that’s when Trump sprang the trap!
All time best President ever!
He has it exactly backwards.
Not surprising, given his philosophy.
Obama gave out 123 Medals of Freedom....
A Medal of Freedom from Obama is meaningless...like the old tin badges in cowboys and Indians toys.
Obama never believed in freedom, only in Muslim/communist totalitarianism. His awards are phony trash.
But one from Trump, that’s pure platinum.
Maybe Rush will get a Kennedy Center award too. That would be hysterical.
obama wasn’t controversial — not his ties to known radicals..his obsession with race..marrying a wookie...
Agree!!!!
There is a kernel truth in this. I would argue destructive globalist economic policies are Libertarian and not Conservative. Classic Conservatism embraced protectionism.
No he is not. Classic Conservatism embraced protectionism. Can I prove it to you? Will you even listen to me?
Oh pleeeeeez.....Obama passed them out like cookies to donors such as....Steven Spielberg, Robert Redford, Robert DiNiro, Tom Hanks.....
OK...He is anti-capitalist...
Decades of neo “Conservative” economic polices have been very destructive to huge segments of society.
Capitalism without nationalism is suicide.
Yeah. I wonder if he considers DeNeros behavior boorish?
The property was originally intended to be “The Winter Whitehouse”...and that destiny has now been fulfilled.
Wow - what a piece of nasty cr@p ... article & author.
Geez Jackson. You could have saved a lot of time and effort by declaring:
TRUMP WINNING!
He purchased it for $10 million dollars.
“In other words, Katz is a communist bastard...”
Amen!
I kept saying....outloud in my living room....Give it to him now. I was pleased because his survival chances are 3-5%.
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