Why do people still listen to Rush "I love my Oxy" Limbaugh?

[Knightshade Dragon]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/08/limbaugh-comes-out-for-obama/

Seriously, even if I was undecided I think that his uneducated and unfounded jowling would drive me away from whatever he was selling.  Anyone have a clue why (and who?!) he manages to hold an audience of any kind?

[hepcat]

He lost any credibility he might have had when I heard some of his earlier broadcasts calling for no second chances for drug addicts.  This was about 5 or 6 years before he went on "Hillbilly Heroin". 

[Jeff]

Probably the same group of idjits that think Bush is doing "a good job". The same people that make Ann Coulter a NYT best selling author. It's baffling that these people exist, in large numbers, especially considering how woeful the neocon agenda has proven to be.

[helot2000]

Angry people who don't have internet access? 

My dad used to listen to him in the '90s but grew bored with this shtick.  I found this Rassmusen poll interesting.  Rush has the highest unfavorable rating in their poll of, ahem, journalists with 62% of the public seeing him unfavorably.  Don't fret about Rush's Obama endorsement.  This is the same person who gave us the following prediction on a McCain nomination.

RUSH:  I understand what you're saying.  I hate to tell you this, but she's not alone.  I'm here to tell you, if either of these two guys get the nomination, it's going to destroy the Republican Party, it's going to change it forever, be the end of it.  A lot of people aren't going to vote.  You watch.

[cheeba]

Probably the same group of idjits that think Bush is doing "a good job".

And no doubt there's a significant portion of his audience coming from the same group of "idjits" who think Bush isn't doing "a good job."

To answer the question, it's because he's entertaining. He riles people up about issues in which it is easy to rile people. He speaks eloquently, for the most part. He exposes and ridicules the easy target that is the crappy media. He self-promotes with skill, as does every radio star. People want to hear what he's going to say next. They swarm to controversy, etc.

And no, I don't listen to him.

[hentzau]

I have a very good friend, very, very intelligent, who absolutely adores Rush.  She was afraid for the longest time to tell me that she listened to him, for fear of what my reaction would be.

I can't figure it out, but I choose to overlook this character flaw.

[denoginizer]

I have no idea why he is so popular either.  But I know quite a few people personally who listen to him regularly.  This site tends to be pretty liberal.  But I still say that the majority of Americans are conservative, at least on many social issues.  He taps into alot of anti-liberalism out there.

[rickfc]

I don't get it.  My wife, a staunch liberal, listens to some of the conservative radio, Rush included.  She says it's funny how ridiculous they are.   

[Freezer-TPF-]

He's just an offline version of a forum troll/attention whore.  Some folks love the drama, some folks love to rubberneck, and so on.

[Sarkus]

Probably the same group of idjits that think Bush is doing "a good job".

And no doubt there's a significant portion of his audience coming from the same group of "idjits" who think Bush isn't doing "a good job."

To answer the question, it's because he's entertaining. He riles people up about issues in which it is easy to rile people. He speaks eloquently, for the most part. He exposes and ridicules the easy target that is the crappy media. He self-promotes with skill, as does every radio star. People want to hear what he's going to say next. They swarm to controversy, etc.

And no, I don't listen to him.

I agree that this is the key.  Talk radio requires people who say the kinds of things that bring in callers and listeners.  Limbaugh riles people up and he occasionally makes a good point (rarely). 

Honestly, if you turned on the radio and the host had the same views you had all the time would you keep listening?  Most people wouldn't.

[Arclight]

To alot of us Canadians most of your "zealous" political personalities, Democratic or Republican, sound like used car salesmen or game show hosts.

Go Hollywood!

Whats the name of the Comedian who got a talk show who shoots himself in the foot on a regular basis?
I think he's the Democratic equivelent to Rush.........

[McNutt]

Even if you disagree with the host, talk-radio shows can still be entertaining.  I sometimes listen to Rush, but that doesn't mean I continually nod my head in agreement.