No question that he remains -- for now -- the king of the hill. He earned his way there, and he brought political consciousness to many, much to the benefit of the conservative cause.
But every act gets stale. Someone has to be the first to say it: "Talent on loan from God" is no longer a line that makes me laugh.
And I think sometimes that talk hosts, like congress critters, should have term limits. After so long a time, it becomes really more about their celebrity status, their golf, etc., than about the concerns of the people who "sent them there" or who "keep them there."
You heard it here first.
You said: And I think sometimes that talk hosts, like congress critters, should have term limits. After so long a time, it becomes really more about their celebrity status, their golf, etc., than about the concerns of the people who “sent them there” or who “keep them there.”
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Ah, but there is an election every day, every hour, in talk radio. Those who find Rush unworthy of their time may simply change the station or turn off the radio. I have done so from time to time when the topic didn’t interest me. I agree that some of Rush’s schtick is less funny than it was when first introduced, and I lament that he had fewer “updates” than in years gone by, but there is no real dispute that Rush remains King of the Hill. Laura Ingraham is good, and Sean Hannity is loud, but they don’t really touch Rush. I like Levin, but he is a little too abrasive for many.
But the article dealt with why there is no liberal version of Rush, and the answer to that is simple. The liberal point of view cannot be intelligently discussed over a three hour time slot. There is just too little to it. Just as liberal callers to Rush and other conservative talk shows usually last less than a minute before insults and name calling take over, liberal talk shows cannot maintain substantive discussion for any meaningful length of time. They inevitably rely upon bashing the opposition rather than promoting their own agenda, which is government baby sitters for all but the powerful, and the butt of a gun for those who think they don’t need government help. Check out the Young Tur(d)ks on Air America sometime, or Randi Rhodes, if you can stomach her. Listen for the liberal point of view to be explained, and you will be listening a long time.
Another sexually inappropriate comment from this self-satisfied jerk.
I still chuckle at it after 17 years of listening, not because it is funny (it never was funny to me) but because of the tweak it gives to libs. I know any lib who is listening and hears it is going nuts. Besides much of the stuff that may seem stale to old listeners, new listeners are hearing for the first time. As long as there is politics Rush will be fresh. It's indisputable that he has a knack for quality entertainment. To be enterataining while informing the audience at the same time is a Rush trademark. He does it best.
Talk radio has to be a bit about personality and not just about issues. There has to be a bit of showmanship.
The music signature, the cute phrases (e.g., talent on loan), etc., are part of the shtick. And they do slowly transition.
What separates Rush from others is his insight. He really does have a unique take on things that has so often proven to be right on the money in in predictive ability.
Don’t miss the forest for the trees.
They have this new thing...it’s called a DIAL...try it.