tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871003.post9202199066667424268..comments2023-11-03T04:39:50.760-05:00Comments on Galley Slaves: How Influential Is Rush Limbaugh?Jonathan V. Lasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17426165197358366129noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871003.post-23446878870154483712009-03-07T14:32:00.000-05:002009-03-07T14:32:00.000-05:00JVL, guess you just killed any shot you ever had a...JVL, guess you just killed any shot you ever had at guest-hosting on the gold-plated EIB microphone.<BR/><BR/>: )Shannon Lasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03621697273390350859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871003.post-23070455480008381422009-03-06T23:41:00.000-05:002009-03-06T23:41:00.000-05:00A lot of good points here. Not to belittle any of...A lot of good points here. Not to belittle any of his fans, but I've taken to viewing him - and most of the pundits on both sides - in the same way I view Paris Hilton: they they are trying to stay relevant by being shocking. But in the same breath, I think we make these people influential because we need someone to lion/demonize, a figure to look up to or spit on.<BR/><BR/>Again, thank you for a really great post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871003.post-65860166224483161052009-03-05T16:39:00.000-05:002009-03-05T16:39:00.000-05:00For what it's worth, radio audiences are summed up...For what it's worth, radio audiences are summed up over a week. Rush is on five days a week. He has an audience of 4 million per day, which is reported as 20 million. This is just the way of the industry- it's not Rush shennanigans- but it makes it hard to compare Rush's numbers to Everyone Loves Raymond.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871003.post-31789701777081237002009-03-05T11:05:00.000-05:002009-03-05T11:05:00.000-05:00I don't think he can send people into movie theate...I don't think he can send people into movie theaters based on his recommendations. Two examples: United 93 and Henry Poole Is Here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871003.post-58288747756153664322009-03-05T10:24:00.000-05:002009-03-05T10:24:00.000-05:00I don't know how influential Rush is either, but I...I don't know how influential Rush is either, but I don't think that's the Democrats' point. They just want to associate conservative views (or any views they disagree with) with someone who can be easily demonized...thus, if you hold these views you must be a ditto-head and no more attention need be paid to you. <BR/><BR/>JudithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871003.post-29885186130322791112009-03-05T10:19:00.000-05:002009-03-05T10:19:00.000-05:00Consider:1) Elected GOP representative (e.g. Gingr...Consider:<BR/><BR/>1) Elected GOP representative (e.g. Gingrey) or RNC official (Steele) criticizes Limbaugh publicly.<BR/>2) Limbaugh attacks critic.<BR/>3) Critic apologizes publicly and almost immediately.<BR/><BR/>What causes this pattern of behavior on both sides?Dave S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12642181505614685541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871003.post-19532011340387914132009-03-05T09:23:00.000-05:002009-03-05T09:23:00.000-05:00Not to disagree with Anon 9:14am, but to point out...Not to disagree with Anon 9:14am, but to point out the flip-side of his argument:<BR/>Yes, jurors now expect CSI-style evidence partly as a result of the shows. That being said, when they get that evidence it usually makes the case a slam-dunk. Before CSI-style shows, I don't know how much juries considered this evidence as a slam-dunk. For example, there is no chance on earth OJ isn't convicted of murder had he been put on trial in the era of CSI. No chance. The DNA evidence was overwhelming, but the jury simply didn't pay any attention to it. <BR/><BR/>As for Rush: He's not that influential, but his influence is real in part because republicans and conservatives have ceded leadership to him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7871003.post-36704063824412907952009-03-05T09:14:00.000-05:002009-03-05T09:14:00.000-05:00Overall I think you make some decent points, but I...Overall I think you make some decent points, but I do have to quibble with the idea that "CSI" may not have had much cultural influence. Maybe it didn't in the general public sphere, but I can tell you from my experience (and that of my colleagues) that it has had a real effect in the way jurors view criminal cases and thus the way prosecutors and defense counsel approach those cases. Simply put, a lot of jurors now expect all sorts of scientific evidence to be introduced at trial -- even in cases where there is absolutely no need for it -- and woe unto the prosecutor who doesn't at least throw them a CSI-esque bone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com