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The Nine Lives of Rush Limbaugh

FOUR LETTERS: ESPN

Limbaugh’s comments about race and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb may have cost him his ESPN job, but they certainly didn’t harm his radio audience. Here’s the transcript, taken from Limbaugh’s website, of his remarks:

RUSH: I've been listening to all of you guys, actually, and I think the sum total of what you're all saying is that Donovan McNabb is regressing, is going backwards —

TOM JACKSON: Mmm-hmm. (Nodding)

RUSH: —and my... I'm sorry to say this, I don't think he's been that good from the get-go. I think what we've had here is a little social concern. I think the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.

HE TAKES ON HIS OWN PARTY. HIS PARTY CAPITULATES.

Since when do the leaders of a 155-year-old political party rank second to a 58-year-old talk-show host? Since January 2009, to be specific, when Limbaugh was far ahead of his party in expressing the base’s frustration with President Obama.

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March 4, 2009 | 6:07am
Comments ()
quick2no

Rahm stated Limbaugh was the intellectual influence of the Republican party. At first I was appalled that Rahm could make such a mis-step. But then I see the cunning. Putting Limbaugh out front and letting Limbaugh's rants hit the mainstream airwaves, stops any real intellectual dialogue from emerging from the party. Jindal can't unite. Palin also was devisive. Limbaugh is polarizing. And Rahm is the Pied Piper of Hamlin.

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6:58 am, Mar 4, 2009
connie47

If the Republican Party's goal is to divide the country even further, if that's possible, then they're on the right track with Rush. If they think that's patriotic, they're deluded.

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7:42 am, Mar 4, 2009
Mixpixlix

We've seen demi-gods before. They usually sef-destruct. If cable news network didn't give him a free ride with almost daily clips from his broadcast, he would fade away.

How an obese, drug addict, racist, woman hating, windbag keeps his show on the air is a mystery. Most of his listners, like those who listen to O'Reilly are elderly, uninformed and raging aganist a system they neither like or understand. Yet, they make no effort to get facts. It's too easy to swallow is propaganda and it's sad. It's also poison.

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8:48 am, Mar 4, 2009
BernieO

It's about time the media showcase this dishonest liar. I wish someone would dig up the clip of Rush telling Tim Russert on MTP that ,as an entertainer, he did not have an obligation to tell the truth. This was years ago - in the 90's I think . I expected an outcry then, but the media just shrugged it off. Russert didn't even blink at Rush's reply.

Imagine if the public had heard as much about the fact that Rush had no compunctions about lying as they did about all those stupid sex scandals? There is no way Rush would have been able to keep wielding such influence over the public debate.

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8:49 am, Mar 4, 2009
BernieO

Forgot to add - Jon Stewart did a great bit about Rush last night.

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8:49 am, Mar 4, 2009
rowland

If you don't like him, don't listen to him. But if you don't listen to him, don't criticize him.
The Beast has probably exposed me to more Rush in this one post than I've ever had before.
When will people learn to stop raising the profiles of those whom they loathe and using indignation to try to silence those with whom they disagree?

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9:55 am, Mar 4, 2009
Martyz42

Please folks, lets allow Rush to stay in control of the religious Confederate republican congress people. With Rush, Bobby, Sarah & Mc Same the republicans can hope to get maybe a 25% share of the people in this country. (With luck) Let's all pray or for those with a brain, hope they stay in charge

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9:58 am, Mar 4, 2009
chef1234

Rush is necessary for our country! He says what he means and means what he says. He cuts to the heart of the matter and I for one appreciate it. No Nonesence. Thank God there are people like Rush! If all we had to digest is the slobbering libral media pablum, none of us would have a clue how dupped the general population can become. Most news sources create the outcome they want to be accepted instead of just giving the facts and letting the public make up its own mind. Rush does use some outlandish brash language, mostly to shake up the status que to get people to think. And let us not forget the merciless slaying of the Bush administration. Come on people, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. If you can dish it out...then be prepared to take it!

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10:12 am, Mar 4, 2009
Snooper

Is this not a free country? Everyone shoud have right to their opinion, and be able to express it w/o criticism.

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10:17 am, Mar 4, 2009
cbl99201

Rush Limbaugh wants President Obama to fail? That's OK.

Conversely, I want Rush to succeed. I want his conservatism to completely dominate the Republican party, so that their smaller base can no longer compete in national elections.

Go, Rush, Go!!

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10:55 am, Mar 4, 2009
mgregg12

You know I really get tired of these people who try to bring down people. How many of these negative comments apply to you? Yes, Rush is a recovering drug addict, he is not a woman hater or a racist, and yes he is over-weight as most Americans. Yes, I guess I am just an old wind bag who knows nothing. The young people today need to learn some facts and lessons. This country is going to have the greatest financial crash ever known and you don't get it. He does not want Pres. Obama to fail, he wants his policies to fail, get it right!!There is a difference between policies and the Presidency . We cannot continue to pay out and pay out with no consequences. Where do you all think the money is coming from for these bailouts? I have asked many and they say, taxes. Not so, there is not enough tax money coming in to pay for all of this mess. We are borrowing and just barely paying the interest. If government would stay out of the private sector, it would have corrected itself. I am amazed GM does not go bankrupt and restructure in a foreign country. A long time ago I had a college teacher who said that all major business would someday be in a foreign country and we would be left with service jobs that pay nothing. Well, it is happening more and more.

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11:20 am, Mar 4, 2009
miggsb

Thanks for showing a clip from my interview with Rush. He was a good sport through this, his first TV appearance, inspite of a wicked snow storm and a bomb scare called into the Cablevision studios, causing us to stand outside for an hour in just our shirts and ties (and pants), before taping could resume

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12:30 pm, Mar 4, 2009
CNinNYC

Rahm is brilliant! Keep talking Rush..... Keep Talking......

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12:36 pm, Mar 4, 2009
LitaMarieH

Snooper, you don't think that people have a right to have opinions, but shouldn't have opinions about other people's opinions?

Erm...?

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12:57 pm, Mar 4, 2009
LitaMarieH

Snooper, you think people have a right to have opinions, but that they shouldn't have opinions about other people's opinions?

Erm...?

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12:59 pm, Mar 4, 2009
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The Nine Lives of Rush Limbaugh

by The Daily Beast Video

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