Today, America lost one of it’s greatest heroes of conservatism. His wife, Kathryn Limbaugh began her husband’s show this morning, explaining that Rush Limbaugh had succumbed to his battle with Stage 4 lung cancer, just a year after his diagnosis.
August 1, 1988, along with many other Americans, I had the car radio tuned into the local news/talk station. A brand new show was announced, and the host grabbed the attention of the audience — beginning with a syndication of 56 markets sprinkled across the country.
The Rush Limbaugh Show was a radical departure from the normal radio talk show format. Rush rarely interviewed guests. In his early years Rush combined humor, music, satire, political commentary and spoofed liberalism. His political views were formed in the heartland of America, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He often referred to his father, a veteran of World War 2, and in his career, an attorney, as a source of his political inspiration. His brother, David, is an accomplished author and attorney.
In the early years of the program Rush used parody, humor and music to illustrate “absurdity with absurdity.” It worked. When Rush opened the daily program for calls in the early days, most callers expressed their appreciation and agreement for what was being said — so much so, there was limited time for them to get to their question or comment. At one point a caller simply said “ditto to what the previous caller said, Rush.” Something new was added to the American Lexicon; Rush’s legions of listeners became know as “Dittoheads.” There was no greater loyalty to a media personality than to Rush Limbaugh.
Early in the program’s history, Rush had to urge those who didn’t understand the humor, parody and the commentary to give the program three weeks before forming an opinion. Through the years, he had many callers admit they hated him at first but kept listening and were eventually won over. Rush heartily welcomed them into the fold, often times congratulating them for having the common sense to do so! 😊
The self-proclaimed “Doctor of Democracy” quickly became the most popular radio talk show host in the history of the media.
Despite many attacks through the years, Rush Limbaugh prevailed, and very quickly the show became the most listened to radio show in history with over 600 stations. Rush Limbaugh and his media sponsor/advisor/guru Roger Ailes, did what EVERYONE in media said could not be done — create a successful and enduring nationally syndicated radio show during the middle of the day! What seems commonplace today was unheard of in 1988. His program sparked a number of other programs for conservative voices, both local and national. A new market was created, literally out of thin air, and Rush’s show has been credited with “saving” a dying medium – AM Radio. At the time of death, over 30 million people per week would tune in to listen to Rush’s commentary of the day.
In the past year, Rush’s on air time has been limited as treatment for his disease would take him away from the “Golden EIB Microphone,” but when he hosted, he stuck to the issues of the day, rarely discussing his illness.
Rush’s specialty was National politics and news, with the emphasis on lambasting and lampooning all things in the liberal movement; extreme feminism and environmentalism, socialism and virtually all movements in the national focus contrary to conservative and traditional values.
The mixture of irreverent poking of fun at liberals, self-deprecating humor, (“documented to be RIGHT, 98.8% OF THE TIME!”) and political and social commentary proved to be a winning combination for a very long period of time.
Rush’s critics tried to diminish the influence of the program and his listeners by calling them, as Rush often said; “mind numbed robots.” In truth, Rush never gave “marching orders” to his faithful listeners. Instead, he has gave them a voice. A friend years ago told me; “finally – someone on the radio who makes sense!”
Within moments of the announcement of his death, condolences filled the airwaves.
“Rush Limbaugh had unrelenting boldness to proclaim the truth. Watching his wit, passion, and willingness to hold the media accountable informed my entire career,” former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said.
“No words … I just got news the Rush Limbaugh has passed away. thanks Rush for all you taught, gave and were. A hero to many. An icon. A patriot. A revolutionary that saved radio. Heavens gain, our loss,” radio host Glenn Beck said.
“So sad to see the death of Rush Limbaugh, he was a conservative radio phenomenon for decades and gave the silent majority a voice,” Brexit leader Nigel Farage added.
Former President Donald Trump, in his first interview since leaving office, noted Rush’s support during his campaign leading up to the 2016 Presidential election; ““Three or four days ago I called him,” Trump said. “His fight was very, very courageous and he was very, very sick and, you know, from diagnosis on. It was just something that was not going to be beat, but you wouldn’t know it.” Trump added that Limbaugh “told me he was married to an angel.”
“Every time I spoke to him, he would tell me how great she was. She took such great care. He was very brave — I mean he in theory could have been done four months ago, really. He just, he was fighting till the very end. He was a fighter,” Trump said.
For millions of people, over 32 years of American politics and policies, Rush’s commentary was a voice of reason and encouragement. His faithful listeners thought of him as a calming influence, as Isaiah 40 says; “a voice crying in the wilderness.”
By reflecting what many Americans think and feel, Rush was a barometer of the nation’s health. With humor, wit and passion, Rush took on the foes of conservatism with “half his brain tied behind his back — just to make it fair.”
In reality, it still wasn’t fair. Rush had the truth on his side, and the truth always wins in the end. After a generation, it will be odd not to hear “talent on loan from God.”
But we have God.