One thing I haven’t seen discussed (much) - I’m sure it’s been discussed some, however.
Did all these businesses (exactly how many depends on whose numbers you believe) just all of a sudden “decide” to cancel advertising with Rush.
Or
Were they pressured?
And if so...
Then by whom?
And by what means?
Media Matters launched the attack and pressure.
Remember that Ad/PR guys by and large are ‘plugged in’ to the so called ‘mainstream’. So they often go with prevailing winds. Those winds often ‘say’ that the genpub is PC and so PC decisions by Co’s translates to increased revenue.
Long ago I worked with a ‘professional’ person like that. She based her ad/PR decisions on “Friends” the tv showand what was ‘popular/trendy’ there.
Company failed.
But in this case, I imagine there was some lib effort at coordination.