Rush Limbaugh: 20 years of excellence in broadcasting
Today marks the 20th anniversary of Rush Limbaugh’s talk radio career.
Huzzahs, hooahs, and congrats!
Be sure to tune it at high noon and check out the festivities at RL’s website, including a special message from Vice President Cheney. (Update – Nice: President Bush and Gov. Jeb Bush, along with former President George H.W. Bush, call in to congratulate Rush.)
If Rush were a lib, he’d be feted endlessly by what he has deliciously dubbed the “drive-by media.”
There would be profiles gloating over the pathetic performance of Air America and contrasting liberal radio failures with the amazing longevity of EIB.
There would be retrospectives that spotlighted Rush’s visit to Afghanistan and his charitable work for the troops, his victory over Dingy Harry Reid’s Crush Rush campaign, and the censorious Left’s attempts to kick Rush’s massively popular show off Armed Forces Radio.
Instead, there will be radio silence by the green-eyed media brigade–and a retread of unhinged accusations from the nutroots that Rush Limbaugh’s exercise of the First Amendment is an incitement to violence and “smear“-mongering. Plus the usual declarations of premature death.
He’s been there, done that. Seen it all and battled leftist foes with trademark humor, incisiveness, boundless energy, and unparalleled rhetorical gifts that get short shrift by the drive-bys.
Here’s to the next 20 years of excellence in conservative broadcasting.
***
Tributes galore here.
Stacy McCain remembers a classic Rush moment: Dan’s Bake sale.
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Happy anniversary, Rush! Lookin’ forward to many more.
Best wishes to Rush. We are very lucky indeed to have him on the airways.
He’s been playing the messages from well wishers all this week that I’ve been able to listen. They’ve been so awesome! Outstanding job, Rush!
Rush connects because he says what a large portion of Americans think. He does not brain wash, he just reinforces our common sense views.
Education and Entertainment is a powerful combination. He’s the best in his field.
And helped me be a better conservative. GO RUSH!
First time I heard Rush was in Sacramento early/mid 80′s.
Time passed and then I was on my way to a girl friends home in Brunswick Ga. Must have been ’89.
She is long gone, but Rush is still there.
I wonder what ever became of her? As I remember she liked Rush also.
Congrats, Rush… thanks for all the great analysis and memories. Here’s to another 20 years of fun and laughs…. at liberals’ and RINOs’ expense.
I’m a stronger conservative for having listened to Rush. He woke me up to the fact that my country is losing it’s focus on family and values.
Like MM, he shows us ways to help change things.
Thanks to Rush and Michelle Malkin for all you do for us and America.
To coin a phrase, on this festive occassion:
RUSH IS RIGHT
Nice work, El Rushbo. Enjoy the fortune that you have so deliciously earned.
Is that really the prez calling to congratulate Rush?
Way to go!! Happy 20th Anniversary Rush!
Many well wishes from this conservative, to you. You rock!
Good on him, even though I have actualy never heard his show.
20 years and the pathetic liberals still can’t figure out why Rush is listened to by so many.
Congrats, Rushie!!!
Congratulations Rush!
Mega Dittos, El Rushbo!!!
Driving libs, and democrats crazy for 20 years! Good Job!!!
Listen everyday!
Thank you, Rush, for putting competition back into the airwaves, and doing it with class and humor. The liberals obviously have no defense, hence unconstitutional and desperate legislation like the so called “Fairness” Doctrine.
-from a gigadittohead
WOW….2 presidents and 1 gov call to congratulate…now THATS gravitas.
Mega Dittos, Indeed!
Worth every penny he’s paid, IMHO.
Rush is the reason conservatives rose to power in 1994. He is the reason we have stalwarts who are trying to “right” the GOP ship. He is the reason the AM radio band still exists. In fact, he is the reason many people in media have jobs.
Thanks Rush! Whatever your contract calls for in the form of compen$ation…it’s not enough to repay the debt America owes you!
Rush-Many thanks –
It was great to listen to Presidents Bush and Jeb Bush thanking you – too!
Congratulations Rush and hopefully we will have another 20 years of reports of your impending decline by the MSM (which BTW is in very real decline). It drives them crazy, and that alone justifies his success.
Rush rules!
Fairness Doctrine, Nancy and Steny?
That will work out badly for you.
Congratulations Rush. May you have another 20 years on EIB. I listen to him every day, gotta have my Rush.
L
While I personally don’t care for Rush’s “talent on loan from God” delivery, I give him all the credit in the world for keeping the conservative viewpoint in the public eye (or ear).
Congrats sir, and may the next 20 be even better.
El Rushbo brings us the best radio show in the country. He imparts good information with a punch line and a reason to laugh.
Keep on keepin’ on!!!
Congrats, and thank you to Rush, a true American patriot!
Here’s to another 20 years!
Keep stirring the pot Rush!!!
*worst Vanilla Ice Impression on:
Rush Rush Baby!
Rush Rush Baby!
What??? No lgm with his idiotic comments about how Air-head America is better? I am shocked I tell ya, just shocked.
All hail the great RUSHINATOR. You are the Conservative fangs chomp chomp chomping on the liberal asses. BON APPETIT!
Best regards, congratulations and continued success to Rush Limbaugh and the EIB network, for their hard work and inspiration for 20 years!
I’m fortunate to be offwork today, to listen into his show, and to offer up my personal congratulations to Rush for all us political bloggers, including me, at my Local Malcontent bloggie.
From one of those bitter, gun-toting, God-fearing conservatives, Rush – mega dittoes! Keep on keepin’ on!
Arguably this is the largest example of conservatism on display since the funerals of Bill Buckley or Ronaldus Magnus, and for a much more joyful occasion.
I’m sure that thousands of bloggers have also done their own tribute to Rush, here’s mine.
I know Rush is under contract through 2016, but true fans hope he doesn’t decide to retire then or even when everyone agrees with him.
Michael Swartz
http://www.monoblogue.us
Yet another one of Missouri’s favorite sons.
Rush is Right!
That call by the Bushes caught him completely off guard.
Keep up the great work!
20 years of driving liberals crazy, gotta love it.
I think the greatest quality Rush possesses is resilience. All the attacks post-drug scandal, as well as the many other fiery darts that he continually dodges make him the left’s worst nightmare.
Of course the fact that he makes more ad revenue in one day than Air America has combined since the liberals shat it out of their hole years ago is no doubt a source of consternation for the left.
Here’s some of the latest “big news” on programming for AA:
The Lionel Show has been replaced by health infomercials. Heh heh….BWAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAAAA!!!
I can’t take it. It’s the funniest thing I’ve read all week! BWAHAHAHAHAAA
Congratulations El Rushbo!
May we continue to hear your “Talent on loan from GoDDDD!” for 20 more years.
One of my best friends is also from Cape Girardeau, MO.
Congratulations to the Voice of Conservatism! May you have 20 more years of doing what you do best!
When it comes to his “talent on loan…from…God” saying, remember this (which he pointed out in his first book, The Way Things Ought To Be: We all have talent. All talents have been provided to us by God Himself. Those talents are on loan due to our mortality. Finally, God will require an accounting of what we did with that talent.
It’s not arrogance. It’s a tribute.
Since he hasn’t died, we’re free to speak ill of him. He was on the radio this morning ridiculing Spain for taking steps to conserve energy. He used all manner of empty schoolyard taunts.
He’s made himself rich talking trash to stupid people.
So?
Fixed that for ya. You’re welcome.
lgm,
Why do you tune into Rush then?
The fact he makes your skin crawl makes him good in my book. And you can use all the “kindergarten school yard taunts” calling conservatives who listen to him “stupid” you want but that only shows your own maturity level. Not that we needed a clarification on that for you… the facts speak for themselves
On August 1st, 2008 at 12:52 pm, lgm said:
Good grief, man – you were listening!
Indeed! But I’d modify that to “excellence in common sense broadcasting” since his appeal crosses party lines.
On August 1st, 2008 at 12:52 pm, lgm said:
He’s made himself rich talking trash to stupid people.
You beat me to it. Yes, lgm confessed to being a listener in his first paragraph. As I sez above, Rush has a common sense appeal that crosses paty lines.
Note to a friend, after hearing Bo Snerdley today on Rush’s show:
Now here me bro’, I don’t usually be steppin’ out in praise of our homeboy Rush Limbaugh or anything on dat show. You known what I’m sayin’? But yo, bro’, Rush been keepin’ da main talent in da back of da house. I’m speakin’ of my man Mister Bo Snerdely, who is one side-splittin’ negro. Rush done named Mister Bo as da “Official EIB Obama Criticizer.” Dat Mister Bo be crackin’ real bad on dat no-account uppity half-breed Barack Hussein Obama. I be thinkin’ Mister Bo been the brains behind dat EIB operation all along, you know what I’m saying? Like Rush been nothing but a sock puppet all these years and Mister Bo been usin’ him ’cause, you know, ain’t nobody gonna give our people a chance at no golden microphones lessin’ they got some jive-assed honky frontin’ the thing, you know what I’m saying. I better stop now ’cause I’m gettin’ real bitter…I jes’ wanted to let you know how great dis brother be doin’ on the radio. Rushbo better be watchin’his fat-ass back side, you know what I’m sayin’ ?
Congratulations Rush. I listen daily.
lgm, who the hell do you think you are to be calling anyone stupid? Your vanity is not amusing and your jealousy is repulsive.
Since when has age, illness or death slowed the torrent of filth the left spew at their enemies?
Just as I suspected. LGM is a closet Rush listener!
Do you know Camille Paglia, perhaps the most intelligent, well spoken and honest liberal in the US is a good friend of Rush and one of his biggest fans? You should be so lucky to be as stupid as she is.
As a young college student on January 18th 1991, I turned to AM radio for the first time in my adult life, frantically searching for updates during the initial wave of air assaults during Gulf War I.
Perpetually depressed by ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN news reports and analysis of impending doom for US Forces, I came across a new voice who was obviously suffering from an intense sore throat that day.
That new, rough voice was Rush Limbaugh, and he was offering fresh opinion that was completely the opposite of MSMs like Brokaw, Jennings, Rather, Shaw and Arnett. Limbaugh was telling his audience not to worry about the sensationalized doom and gloom from the major media. He was also opining that predictions of 25,000 US body bags by Sam Donaldson and other “experts” were wildly exaggerated.
Limbaugh also predicted something close to a month’s worth of air campaign and a ground war consisting of a few weeks of basically mop up, with a minimum of US casualties, was all it was going to take.
His predictions were the most accurate by far then anyone else in the MSM, and his confidence in the US Military was just what I was searching for.
I have been listening to him ever since, and have been quite comfortable with the majority of what he has opined and joked about over the years.
Thanks Rush.
Everyone, this is Rush’s moment. Ignore the naysayers and just give El Rushbo the praise he richly deserves.
After all, he could out-debate them with “half his brain tied behind his back, just to make it fair.”
lgm – the closet Rush listener.
He is pretty good, I’ve been listening since 1988, but he is no Michael Savage, who is far more honest about, well, everything. Happy annivesary just the same Rush.
I’ll jump in on the troll:
What were Rush’s schoolyard taunts?
-Stupid
-Doofus
-Uneducated
-Hitler
-Worst president ever
-Chickenhawk
-McBu$hitlerburton
-McChimpy
-Drunk
Any taunts like those?
The low road is a two-lane highway.
On August 1st, 2008 at 12:59 pm, JT said:lgm,
Why do you tune into Rush then?
Obviously, because he is good at what he does. Oh! And, I love that it drives liberals, including the MSM nuts. That’s just icing on the cake.
Ignatius Reilly, Let me help you out dude. You’re backing a “token” candidate for president. When you have absolutely no experience, no ability to communicate your thoughts without a teleprompter and your entire career is one long gaffe, You Are A Token. The democrats picked the black man to run so they could scream racism incessantly. That is the only hope they had of winning. You and all your democrat buddies are nothing but racist. And don’t say you’re not a racist. I believe I read “jive-assed honky” in that drivel you were drooling. When you lose the election, come back and read your dumbass comment. It’s people like you and Ludacris that are going to cause the token to lose.
I am SO thankful for this man….RUSH LIMBAUGH.
He is truly a national treasure, but better yet… a great human being! I love you Rush. Please do it another 20 if you so choose to.
Sorry, JT.
I misread that post. In my haste, I thought it was from lgm.
Liberals stinkers hate the fact that Limbaugh has had success. Meritocracy isn’t fair in their small minds when it trumps their liberal hog wash courtesy or the Air America failed experiment.
LGM, If you don’t like rush then there is this control on your radio called an on/off button. Use it. Freedom means the right to turn off any radio show you don’t like.
#39 lgm said:
PS – No two individuals have had more devastating effect on the democrat party, and the liberal movement as a whole, over the past fifteen years than Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh.
It is no surprise to me that the major media have utilized some of their most feculent analysis towards these two conservative leaders during their prime.
The irony of lgm’s sustained use of the conservatives = stupid people meme in conjunction with his bristling when others paint libs as “elitist” is never lost on me.
The first time I ever heard of Rush was during a conversation between a resident advisor & an upper classman around 1993. The upper classman stated that Rush was the one that he feared the most. Well, I’m glad Rush lasted long enough for me to understand what that discussion was really about.
…as long as it is your radio.
LGM
Being dead doesn’t mean you are a sacred cow. Just ask Christopher Hitchens.
Since you were listening, does that make you stupid, too?
LGM, the MSM does this all the time, but you don’t care, because you give free passes to any and all liberals.
The only difference is that people aren’t paying much attention to it, which is why Rush gets a fat contract and the San Fran Chronicle and MSNBC are teetering on bankruptcy.
Hey, man, you must have spent your youth practicing with the band and neglecting to learn how to read, or at least to read with any comprehension.
I award you the “Moron of the Day” trophy and hope you will come back for the monthly round. You could go all the way…win it all!
Over the years, every now and then, I would tune in to Rush for a good laugh.
He never failed to make me shake my head and think “this guy with his crazy far right wing views – is he on drugs?”
As it turns out, yes, he was. A LOT of drugs!
Happy anniversary Rush, you loveable recovering smack addict you!
RUSH = = = LEADER
Leadership;
Necessary to bring this country back.
(EX: Dan’s Bake Sale = coup)
Republicans showing backbone-TODAY!!!!
There’s hope !!!!
lgm, i dont think i’ve heard you speak well of *anyone*. You dont surprise me.
I would point out the following, however…you are ABSOLUTELY correct with the last part.
Of course, the message he brings is to liberals….so yeah, he is talking trash, and to stupid people! Perfect! Summed up everything i needed, and you did the work for me
Thanks!
Kudos and other granola snacks to a man who knows, not only how to bring the message to the masses, but how to keep it entertaining. (Seriously…I listened to Air America once; it sounded angry, bitter, and boring as hell. No wonder that network is within the ace of going Tango Uniform.) He even outdoes a lot of his conservative competition in the “entertainment” department.
Happy Big Two-Oh to El Rushbo, and may God extend the lease on that talent for many years to come!
Go, Rush!
Common sense on display, “talen on load from God”, funny, insightful. The libs have nothing by comparison.
May Excellence in Broadcasting continue with you for at least another 20 years!
“talent on loan from God”
Hate those fat-fingering typos.
Don’t discourage the lad from listening, SonODY. Afterall, he came out here as a closet-dittohead. Often Rush will get calls from former leftists who came to common sense by listening to his program, so there’s hope for even the most lost of souls like lgm.
But lgm being a closet-ditto-head doesn’t surprise me – many Democrats and other leftists confess listening to Rush is their “guilty pleasure”. It’s a love that dare not speak it’s name (to other leftists).
Congratulations to the harmless little fuzzball!
I bet lgm bought a couple of the XXL Club Gitmo shirts, and wears them to bed everynight, when he curls up with his El Rushbo doll.
I suspect he enjoy Allen Brothers steaks as well, and showers with hot water from a Rinnai tankless water heater.
rush is the bets, i been listening to him most the 20years, also he just said we may have gotten Al-Zawahiri yesterday..
bets = best
pimf
Capt Howdy:
Hope you never have a serious medical issue that causes you extreme pain. The docs are more than happy to start giving you pain-killers, and then more pain-killers, and then more pain-killers. And then the next thing you know, you have become physically dependant on those pain-killers.
For whatever the reason, Rush got help for that medically induced addiction. And it was Rush’s example in this whole area of medically induced addiction that kept me from going down that same road. Because of what happened to him, I was fully aware of what could happen, so instead of taking pain meds like a good little “drone”, I gritted my teeth at times and saved the pain-killers for the worst of times.
Capt Howdy, you sir are the true “maroon” on this thread. When you attack Rush because of this addiction, you are basically admitting that you have no valid criticism of him.
Rush, congratulations. Keep ‘em coming.
fourstring,
I suspect you’re right….those steaks, btw, are absolutely heaven. some of the best steak i’ve had, definetely worth getting.
I wonder if he wears any of the signature ties when he’s teaching class, or would his students catch it?
Smack addict? Since when was this about Obama?
None has suffered more attacks, risen as high nor given so much so selflessly.
Oh, the guy just wants to have fun.
he has President Bush on air now, awesome !
Oh yeah, thats me, I love smacking liberals, if it just paid more, I wouldn’t ever have to die.
Someone with such a gift to irritate, what a waste.
And modest too.
Yeah, the pay is crappy, but i love the benefits
And dont waste it! share it!
#64 Capt Howdy said:
Heroin addict? This is Rush Limbaugh’s 20th Anniverary, not Patrick Kennedy’s…or Bobby Kennedy Jr.’s…or,
Wait, which Kennedy were you mistakenly replacing Rush’s name with, Howdy?
Ignauseous Reilly said:
Sounds to me like you called Rush a jive-assed honky.
Yep, read that right too. Sound like you called him a fat-ass.
Were you praising Rush?
he is an overrated trash talker in my opinion.. I never did like him or any of the radio talking heads.
That being said he is very successful at what he does so more power to him.
sean said:
Do you mean when he is talking about libs.
Historical American voice. If you’re not listening, you are plainly not in touch.
Want evidence? His monster sized audience, and the enduring effects of his work in American public life are evidence enough.
Can you imagine how the AirAmerica crew must be seething right now? They are literally Dead Air, while Rush gets props from Bush 41 and 43 on his 20th anniversary.
Al Franken, in particular, must be thrusting tiny and impotent Fists of Fury into the air as he screams to those unlucky enough to be within earshot that HE, not Rush, “the big fat idiot”, should be getting all those plaudits.
Heh.
Sweet.
Congratulations to Rush, long may you live to give liberals indigestion!
Limbaugh has been as integral to the conservative movement in the past 20 years, as Bill Buckley was in his prime. Keep on rockin Rush; we love ya.
My hero! I’ve spoken to Rush a few times and he is quiet, charming and polite both off and on the air. Here’s to twenty more years of excellence, Rush!
One of the fondest memories I have of Rush’s show is my father nearly driving off the road because he was laughing so hard the first time we all heard “In A Yugo.” Ahhh… the stuff legends are made of.
I don’t listen to Rush much anymore, but I congratulate him. I did listen to him a lot during his first few years in syndication, and his words had a strong influence on my political beliefs during my teenage years. I always cracked up when hearing “Born Free” with the animal cries and shotgun blasts.
Congratulations Rush. Bravo!
I hope you can stay on the air for a “Golden 50th Anniversary“. Heck, Paul Harvey can do it, so can you.
I spoke well of Obama and people here called me all kinds of schoolyard names for days.
Ryskind comic tribute here.
http://ryskindsketchbook.wordpress.com/2008/07/30/20-years-of-rush-makes-me-less-bitter-about-not-having-an-fm-tuner-on-my-factory-installed-radio/
lgm-I never agree with you–
?
I have to admit-your comeback in # 96 made me smile -Do you think it’s because of the very LOOOONG blogging day
Happy Anniversary Rush!
Had even a fraction of the population of New Orleans REALLY listened to you when you started back when, the shameful social fiasco and political travesty of Katrina likely never would’ve occurred.
Wish you luck on the next 20!
James Greenidge
Queens NY