I think the sentiment couldn't be more dead one.
From the germination of Reagan's ideas
... to Limbaugh's nationwide, daily articluation of his conservative ideals since 1988
... to the Republcian Congress est 1994
... to Matt Drudge in the late 1990s which made the internet a destination for News
... to Fox News breaking though as the dominant player in cable news
... and finally to the real time critcism of the news of the day on Free Republic which truly showed its might during this election cycle.
While Reagan supplied the blue prints for communicating conservative ideals, Limbaugh demonstrated the ability to do so day after day.
Limbaugh's daily appeal to the American people in arena of ideas, not only gave many solace that there were 20 million dittoheads that shared thier values but created a marketplace where their voice could be heard.
There is an entire new generation of media superstars that draws from Rush Limbaugh.
Matt Drudge & Sean Hannity are genuine superstars in media, while Brian Williams will replace Tom Brokaw at NBC.
Drudge and Hannity reach 10 Million+ every single day via the internet and radio. It is unlikely that Brian Williams will ever get that type of regular audience on the NBC nightly news.
Limbaugh has also inspired a 24 Hour a day media watchdog here at Free Republic. A mild-mannered website David, that literally slew a media Goliath, in CBS, with an air tight case of document forgeries within minutes of broadcast.
The Limbaugh Legacy will continue to grow, long after he has hung up the golden EIB microphone. All because Rush confirmed that there was an audience in America for conservative ideas.
I nominate Rush Limbaugh for the Free Republic lifetime achievement award.
and don't forget David Limbaugh (with Sean, Fox News, etc...). His columns and books have been outstanding contributions to the advancement of conservative ideals.