Anti-war boycott hurting Rush? (It causes Rush Limbaugh's listeners to tune in more)

worldnetdaily ^ | 2/3/2003 | WorldNetDaily

[TLBSHOW]

Anti-war boycott hurting Rush?

The leader of an anti-war activist media lobby and a report in CBS MarketWatch claim a boycott of Rush Limbaugh sponsors is working.

Kicked off just over a week ago by Take Back The Media, the effort seeks to intimidate sponsors of the No. 1 radio show in the country.

Micheal Stinson, a Vietnam-era veteran and co-founder of Take Back The Media, claimed on Bill O'Reilly's Fox News Channel show tonight that RadioShack, Bose and Amtrak have all dropped the Limbaugh program as a result of the boycott.

According to CBS MarketWatch, RadioShack spokesmen said any ads that aired on Limbaugh's show were a mistake to begin with. The company said it "strictly adheres to a policy of not intentionally buying advertising space on programs that might be political or socially controversial or that promote any one individual's agenda or point of view."

Amtrak told CBS MarketWatch that its ads were part of a complicated barter deal and that it normally does not sponsor political shows and "in the future ... will communicate [that] practice to" other partners.

All three companies told O'Reilly show staffers that the boycott had no impact on its advertising decisions.

Other advertisers targeted by Take Back the Media include Darden Restaurants' Red Lobster chain, Pfizer, AutoZone and online retailer Overstock.com – none of which would comment to CBS MarketWatch.

Limbaugh is syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications. While not addressing whether the show had lost any advertisers as a result of the boycott, Premiere issued the following written statement:

"There have been many times in the 15-year history of 'The Rush Limbaugh Program' when national and world events have generated increased listening as well as increased communication with individuals who have opposing points of view," said company President Kraig Kitchin. "The kind of compelling radio that generates opposition also causes Rush Limbaugh's weekly 20 million listeners to tune in that much more and listen longer."

[mykdsmom]

I tried out a Select Comfort bed at the mall yesterday and they had me fill out their questionaire.

One of the questions was where I had heard about the bed and 2 of the many choices were on Rush Limbaugh's and Sean Hannity's radio shows.

I checked both, does that count?

MKM

[Commander8]

Launching this boycott is like Jughead trying to beat up Superman, it just can't be done.

[billhilly]

#;^D

[yooper]

Well, we all know the solution to this horseshit folks. Go out and buy a product from one of these companies. Tell them you heard their add on Rush.

"Gee, you're thirsty for orange juice."

[Mr. Mojo]

Is Rush back from his golf vacation yet, or does he plan on playing in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am this week?

[ysoitanly]

They're continuing to kill themselves. Theory: just keep getting the message out that they're 'for free speech' as long as it's Dem ranting. This is a laugh.

Won't work.

[hoot2]

this should have started with, "once upon a time...."
remember "florida orange juice"....nuff said.

[Rollee]

Micheal Stinson, a Vietnam-era veteran and co-founder of Take Back The Media, claimed on Bill O'Reilly's Fox News Channel show tonight that RadioShack, Bose and Amtrak have all dropped the Limbaugh program as a result of the boycott.

I saw this greasy moron on H&C this evening. Doesn't the name "Take Back The Media" have a slightly intolerant ring to it?

Also, how many listeners does Rush have anyway? I doubt an advertiser would be stupid enough to offend that many potential customers. If any do drop off, I am sure there are thousands more who would be happy to take their place.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Hot Spring Portable Spa
We purchased one of these in November, 2002, and mentioned Rush.
Live with it.

[Rollee]

Was your comment directed to me? I am hooked on Rush's show. I can't live without him ;)

[cyn]

Also to this point: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/835332/posts -- 'Tell Limbaugh Advertisers to Stand Firm !' -- says "ACTION ITEM: Go to our site below now to send a FREE, pre-written editable message to all of the current advertisers on the Rush Limbaugh show, asking them to STAND FIRM in their support of Rush's show." [link: http://www.conservativealerts.com/020303.htm]

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You were next in line to respond to.
I listen every day, too.

[cyn]

Note on above website: Although part of their email message can be replaced w/my own words (which I always prefer to do), there is a required portion that unfortunately cannot be changed. One must also insert name & address.

I would prefer to have those email addy's of the companies listed separately rather than going through this.

I plan to contact Bose to ask them to reconsider.

[joesnuffy]

Vietnam Era?
Even Algore is at least a Vietnam vet ...having actually set foot in country....
what a punk a*s MF

[cyn]

http://www.bose.com/contact_us/ -- and this is a SECURE site, unlike the "anti-boycott" website.

[John Jorsett]

O'Reilly pretty much demolished this Stinson guy. His show called up all the sponsors, and they denied that Stinson's group was the reason they've stopped advertising. As O'Reilly pointed out, it's now post-Christmas, so naturally advertisers are going to be changing things around. He challenged Stinson to produce any sort of written proof. Stinson mumbled that maybe he could come up with an email or something. Pretty weak.

[ysoitanly]

As Bugs would say , "What a MAROON". Saw the guy on tv. I can't believe how this burnt-out yesterday hippie thinks he's gonna change the airwaves. Looked like a reject from South Park, and honestly, as much as he can sometimes annoy me, I applauded O'Reilly's deftly skewering this weasel.

[Auntie Mame]

Thank you for the link to the Bose site.

For the record, here's my email to them. (Hope you don't think it's too stupid.) Every word is true. If they reply to me I'll post it here.

I just heard that you have quit advertising on Rush Limbaugh's radio show. Is this true?

I heard it was because a group called "Take Back the Media" (or something like that) has started some kind of campaign threatening your company if you don't quit advertising on Rush Limbaugh's radio show. Is this true?

My husband, an avid Rush fan, has in the past bought me the Bose radio, the Bose CD player, and just the other day bought me your super duper incredibly expensive noise suppressing headphones.

The headphones have not yet been used, I just opened the box and oohed and ahed (they're a Valentine's Day present). What is your return policy?

I hope to hear your answer to my question because I am not feeling very good about hubby's purchase right now (let's face it, the product is very good, but it's also VERY expensive) and I am thinking about asking him to return them.

Please, say it isn't so!

Sincerely,

my name here
my email address
my home phone number
my work phone number
my street address
my city and state and zipcode