Rush Limbaugh bad for ESPN (my title)

United Feature Syndicate | 07/25/03 | Kevin McDonough

[Salo]

While we are on the subject of ESPN, why on earth did that sports channel hire Rush Limbaugh as a commentator for it's "NLF Countdown" series? Did anybody as ESPN think this through?

Watching sports is what we do when we want to forget about politics. To Limbaugh, everything is partisan. He spends three hours a day, five days a week on his radio show praising one party and demonizing another. That's his right, but why stink up football coverage with his presence?

Even if it were possible to put aside his habit of mean-spirited name-calling, one would have to wrestle with his "creative" approach to the truth. Propaganda and paranoia have no place on a sports channel.

This is a desperate publicity stunt that will hurt ESPN's credibilty and needlessly alienate fair-minded fans.

[Salo]

Perhaps the fair-minded fans will actually wait to see how he does before going off half-cocked about his mere presence on tv? Hmmmm, Kevin?

[goldstategop]

Kevin McDonough and other liberals are rattled by Rush. They can't stand him even if he's not going to talk politics. Its like they're becoming unhinged by the sight of him on the Sunday football pregame show!

[Arkie2]

War is politics by other means. Sport is practice for War. Rush will fit right in.

[Rodney King]

Just watch: An extra million people per week are going to watch this ESPN broadcast.

[Salo]

If forgot to mention - this excerpted from a longer article and any typos are mine - you can't have them.

[jammer]

You're right. And it is hilarious, even if *I* don't understand why they hired Rush for this.

[You Dirty Rats]

My guess is that his colleagues on the show will mention politics more than he will.

ESPN is attracted to Rush because (1) He is fairly knowledgable about football (2) He loves the NFL (3)He is a first-rate broadcaster.

Maybe it won't work, but it won't be because of his alleged "propaganda". "Propaganda" in politics translates to partisan fans in sports, and that's always fun.

[FourPeas]

I find it hilarious that libs panic at the mere thought of Rush. It's obvious that they believe that conservatives are one dimensional people can't discourse on any subject other than politics. Frankly, I think it'll be fascinating to see the reaction of many people who've been brainwashed into thinking that Rush is a demonic monster once they hear him give reasonable, and interesting, commentary on the NFL.

[NautiNurse]

Just watch: An extra million people per week are going to watch this ESPN broadcast.

an extra million people who are more likely to respond to advertising dollars than Alec Baldwin fans.

[Lynn]

Hmm...I've asked myself this question about half the idiots they've had in the past...

[aruanan]

While we are on the subject of ESPN, why on earth did that sports channel hire Rush Limbaugh as a commentator for it's "NLF Countdown" series? Did anybody as ESPN think this through?

Hey, it seems that I remember the name Kevin M. connected with various lame columns in the past.

[Salo]

I can't imagine that many liberals watch football anyway. I would figure they are more WNBA types. ;-)

[FourPeas]

B'waahaahaahaa! You're probably right.

[Steve0113]

To Limbaugh, everything is partisan. He spends three hours a day, five days a week on his radio show praising one party and demonizing another.

This goofball has obviously never listened to Rush's show. Same with most of his detractors, and as a result they sound like idiots when they criticize him.

[One_who_hopes_to_know]

The really big problem for liberals is that Joe (and Jane) Sixpack are going to see Rush for the normal guy that he is. People who have never heard Rush are going to realize that he is not an extremist as portrayed by the media elite.

[Tank-FL]

Yea right, like this guy watches ESPN?

I bet ol'Kevin stays tuned to A&E's Inside the Actors Studio

or National Geographic Today (even though the culture is getting hotter)

OK, I watch also!

[Ole Okie]

Its like they're becoming unhinged by the sight of him on the Sunday football pregame show!

Yeah. They're having a reaction to Rush similar to that I have to Georgie Porgie Stepalloverus (or Craponallofus) when he appears on ABC.

It's obvious this guy has no first hand knowledge of Rush's programs.

[battlegearboat]

Somebody buy that gal a lunch!

[Tom Bombadil]

To Limbaugh, everything is partisan

Rush could stand some changes in his format like adding more interviews of quality conservatives and bringing back more parodies but when he talks football it isn't as a conservative.

He's just a Steelers fan from way back.

[Renegade]

How can you go wrong with a TRUE Steelers fan ???
Still working on " One for the thumb !!"