[Antoninus]

Rush throwing FR an bone. Truth is he thinks everyone on FR is a nutbag.

Rush actually knows and respects the power of Free Republic. He mentions us because he knows we're out there listening to him, and making up a sizable percentage of his audience. If he he had no respect for Free Republic or disliked us, he would treat us like irrelevancies - and not mention us at all.

[anniegetyourgun]

Sure, and consider the light in which he puts FR the few times he does mention it.

[ArneFufkin]

If he he had no respect for Free Republic or disliked us, he would treat us like irrelevancies - and not mention us at all.

No, mentioning someone in an insulting way is not a sign of respect. It's a sign of insult.

[Darlin']

Uh, Yeah ? Then 'splain why he mentions seminar callers, is he recognizing their importance, too ? Like it or not, a few rotten apples in the past have imprinted on the minds of some the impression that FReepers are fringe element loonies. Comments like that from Rush keep alive that premise. They aren't helpful to us just as his peevish complaints about the President do not serve the President well. The parody clever or funny, it is just derisive.

[Reagan Man]

>>>He mentions us because he knows we're out there listening to him, and making up a sizable percentage of his audience.

There are 80,000 registered members of FreeRepublic. But not all of those members can be considered true FReepers. Rushes daily audience averages out, to about 4,000,000 listeners over the shows three hours. At best, thats about 0.02% of his total listeners, are members of FreeRepublic. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

People have to realize, Rush is an entertainer, first and foremost and above all else, Rush Limbaugh is out for Rush Limbaugh. Those people who have suddenly taken a liking to Rush's show, because of his harsh criticizing of President Bush, is missing Rushes motivation for such rhetoric. Conservatism is important to Rush and so is the Republican Party, but Rushes show comes first. Holding onto to his listening base of some 20 million per week, is his main objective.

I've listened to Rush more this week, then I have in quite some time. I knew the global warming issue would be front and center. Rush knows his anti-Bush rhetoric has helped his ratings in recent weeks. So expect more of the same from El Rushbo in the future. He can't slam Bushes morals and character, like he did Clinton's and for obvious reasons. Bush ain't Clinton. So Rush has to create friction, in order to keep his viewers interested.

So, if you like hearing remarks, that are nothing short of personal pot shots being taken at President Bush --- like, "what's left for conservatism, taxes and abortion" and George W.Algore --- if you like that type of gutter talk about the President, coming from Mister Conservative, the self-professed and self-appointed leader of modern American conservatism, then I say, have at it. Just understand what is motivating Rush.

Personally, I don't find Rushes recent foray, into Bush bashing, proper conduct for someone of Rushes caliber and credentials. I think Rush is setting aside politics and for now, isn't concerned about the political endgame.

[deport]

He mentions us because he knows we're out there listening to him, and making up a sizable percentage of his audience.

Would you know what that "sizeable percentage of his audience" would be? Have any guess or data?