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 wasnt 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 Trumps astonishing political success. Limbaughs 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, Limbaughs entire career can be seen as an extended prelude to Trumps climb to the pinnacle of power. Limbaugh was initially skeptical of Trumps candidacy in 2015. But when he saw the electricity and excitement of Trumps 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. Its much easier to direct peoples anger downward (or sideways) than it is to describe and try to address systemic problems like the impersonal forces of global capitalism. Its much easier to bash Democrats or Mexicans than it is to critique decades of conservative economic and social policy.
Convince enough people that youre truly on their side, and you can end up president or with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
And Obama gave one to Ted Kennedy........let that sink in.
Piled Higher and Deeper
Is there any wonder many of ours kids are coming out of college as little stalinists? This guy must have learned from a real moron.
Just downloaded that book. It was a free ePub. Am reading it now, while listening to Rush, and FReep’n.
Oldcommie, pardoning people like Manning
and Bergdahl and Rivera is controversial
Giving Iran billions and China military secrets
and NK nuclear reactors is controversial
Not this
Rush was a Cruzer up til the last minute. This is an historical rewrote.
Always race with these people.
Well the shit just started. Rush never supported Cruze in the primary, he never supported anyone.
I find it hilarious that all you purists claim he supported not only Cruz but the other candidates as well....depending on the perspective of the resident FReepers here.
Kinda like an ignorant circle jerk of fools pointing guns at each other claiming and denying Rush supported so and so........
Give it up dude.......Sheesh!
Rush hated “Trumpists”, until he didn’t. Rush missed the whole Trump phenomenon until the VERY LAST SECOND.
One requires a long time in useless education classes and a Piled Higher and Deeper designation to become this stupid.
I don't believe that for one second. But with that being said, SO WHAT? What's that got to do with today?
Rush right about a lot of things but he is also wrong about a lot of things. Use caution.
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