Rush Limbaugh Daniel Cork History of Journalism 3 May 2007

Rush Hudson Limbaugh III Born January 12 th Born January 12 th Cape Girardeau Missouri Cape Girardeau Missouri Born into a family of lawyers. Born into a family of lawyers. Uncle Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. is a judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri. Uncle Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. is a judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri.

Early Years First job in radio in 1967 as ‘Rusty Sharpe.’ First job in radio in 1967 as ‘Rusty Sharpe.’ Attends Southeast Missouri State University. Attends Southeast Missouri State University. Gets a ‘D’ in speech. Gets a ‘D’ in speech. Does poorly and drops out after a year. Does poorly and drops out after a year. Exempt from the draft due to pilonidal cyst. Exempt from the draft due to pilonidal cyst.

Early Career Moves Works as a DJ for WIXZ and KQV in Pittsburgh. Works as a DJ for WIXZ and KQV in Pittsburgh. Does the top 40 hits as ‘Jeff Christie.’ Does the top 40 hits as ‘Jeff Christie.’ Repeatedly fired. Repeatedly fired. Promotional work for the KC Royals. Promotional work for the KC Royals – KMBZ – KMBZ.

Talk Show Host 1984 – Rush moves to Sacramento CA – Rush moves to Sacramento CA. Works successfully as a talk show host for KFKB. Works successfully as a talk show host for KFKB. Gets the attention of ABC Radio. Gets the attention of ABC Radio – Goes to New York City and works for WABC – AM as nationally syndicated talk show host – Goes to New York City and works for WABC – AM as nationally syndicated talk show host.

Success Rush’s three hour shows get put out on over 600 stations and reaches 20 million listeners. Rush’s three hour shows get put out on over 600 stations and reaches 20 million listeners. Turns a lot of the public against the Clinton administration. Turns a lot of the public against the Clinton administration. GOP wins control of Congress, citing Limbaugh as instrumental in this victory. GOP wins control of Congress, citing Limbaugh as instrumental in this victory. Proud of being called “Most Dangerous Man in America.” Proud of being called “Most Dangerous Man in America.” His books The Way Things Ought to Be and See I Told You So both become New York Times bestsellers. His books The Way Things Ought to Be and See I Told You So both become New York Times bestsellers.

Rush-isms ‘Dittoheads’ – Fans of Limbaugh. Often call and say “ditto Rush,” or “mega-dittos.” ‘Dittoheads’ – Fans of Limbaugh. Often call and say “ditto Rush,” or “mega-dittos.” ‘Feminazis’ – feminists that Rush believes are extreme or militant in their beliefs. ‘Feminazis’ – feminists that Rush believes are extreme or militant in their beliefs. ‘Environmentalist Wacko’ – someone Rush considers overly concerned about the environment, global warming etc. ‘Environmentalist Wacko’ – someone Rush considers overly concerned about the environment, global warming etc. ‘Halfrican American’ – Used recently to describe bi-racial candidate Barack Obama. ‘Halfrican American’ – Used recently to describe bi-racial candidate Barack Obama.

Not as big a hit on TV Rush is given a TV show in Produced by Roger Ailes of Fox News success. Rush is given a TV show in Produced by Roger Ailes of Fox News success. Cancelled in Cancelled in In 2003 he joins the ESPN staff. In 2003 he joins the ESPN staff. Resigns after his comments regarding a black quarterback cause controversy. Resigns after his comments regarding a black quarterback cause controversy.

Rush’s TV Show Rush on TV Rush on TV Rush on TV Rush on TV

Courts Controversy Regularly Impersonates Michael J Fox. Impersonates Michael J Fox. Arrested for illegal use of prescription drugs. Arrested for illegal use of prescription drugs. Makes the following comment to a caller regarding the Abu Ghraib scandal: Makes the following comment to a caller regarding the Abu Ghraib scandal:

Influence and Legacy Has won four Marconi Awards for Radio Personality of the Year. Has won four Marconi Awards for Radio Personality of the Year. Lowest listening numbers are as high as 13 million. Lowest listening numbers are as high as 13 million. Both of the Bush Presidents have been guests on his show. Both of the Bush Presidents have been guests on his show. Paved the way for conservative AM talk shows and controversial right wing speakers including Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Bill O’Reilly and Gordon Liddy. Paved the way for conservative AM talk shows and controversial right wing speakers including Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter, Bill O’Reilly and Gordon Liddy.

Works Cited Deitz, Corey. Radio Talk-Show Host Rush Limbaugh's Addiction On Newsweek Cover. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from Deitz, Corey. Radio Talk-Show Host Rush Limbaugh's Addiction On Newsweek Cover. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from ESPN. Limbaugh Resigns from NFL Show. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from ESPN. Limbaugh Resigns from NFL Show. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from Limbaugh on Obama: “Halfrican American” Retrieved May 7, 2007 from Limbaugh on Obama: “Halfrican American” Retrieved May 7, 2007 from Limbaugh on torture of Iraqis: U.S. guards were "having a good time," "blow[ing] some steam off“ Audio clip. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from Limbaugh on torture of Iraqis: U.S. guards were "having a good time," "blow[ing] some steam off“ Audio clip. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from Limbaugh, Rush. Personal interview. Rush Limbaugh Gives Sean a Rare Interview. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from Limbaugh, Rush. Personal interview. Rush Limbaugh Gives Sean a Rare Interview. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from Perkins, Jr, Ray. Logic and Mr. Limbaugh. Chicago: Open Court (xiii). Perkins, Jr, Ray. Logic and Mr. Limbaugh. Chicago: Open Court (xiii). “Rush Limbaugh.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from “Rush Limbaugh.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from “Rush Limbaugh” Clintoons. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from mbaugh+clintoons&hl=en “Rush Limbaugh” Clintoons. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from mbaugh+clintoons&hl=en “The Rush Limbaugh Show.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from “The Rush Limbaugh Show.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from

Works Cited “Jargon of the Rush Limbaugh Show.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from “Jargon of the Rush Limbaugh Show.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 7, 2007 from