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Blame Rush and Co. for GOP's Fall

Divisiveness makes for good ratings, bad political movement

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 17, 2008 12:40 PM CST

(Newser) – Blame has been flying in Republican circles, but not enough has stuck where it belongs: on conservative talk radio. Rush Limbaugh and his imitators skyrocketed to prominence by being "rabble-rousers—high intensity, 'hot' performers whose appeal is based on energizing their base," writes Steven Stark in the Boston Phoenix. That's “all well and good for radio,” he argues, but “a terrible way to structure a mainstream political movement.”

Ronald Reagan is their idol, but Reagan’s own radio persona was "genial, low key, calm, and measured." In an era with relatively few media outlets, building a mass audience was more important than riling up true believers. The GOP has a similar figure today in Mike Huckabee, but today’s talkers are intent on finding niches, so they prefer the familiar divisiveness of Sarah Palin. Like them, she’s “good for ratings; bad for politics.”

[Images (3)]

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In this Jan. 30, 2008, file photo, radio personality Rush Limbaugh arrives for a screening of Bernard and Doris at the Time Warner Center in New York. (AP Photo/Gary He, file)

NOVI, MI - MAY 3: Radio talk show host and conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh speaks at 'An Evenining With Rush Limbaugh' event May 3, 2007 in Novi, Michigan. (Getty Images)

Radio talk show host and conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh speaks at 'An Evenining With Rush Limbaugh' event May 3, 2007 in Novi, Michigan. (Getty Images)

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Unless the Republicans learn how to preach to the masses and not the choir, they're going to remain in the proverbial wilderness for a very long time. - Steven Stark

Divisiveness is as profitable in radio as it is fatal to a mass political movement. - Steven Stark

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 11 comments

drlarrymitchell

Jan 27, 2009 2:57 AM CST

Not all conservatives are stupid, but most stupid people are conservative.

NewserScooter

Nov 20, 2008 8:34 PM CST

There is NOTHING hateful about Rush. That is dumb. What do you know from hate.....

Guest

Nov 18, 2008 2:33 AM CST

Corona: Practice what you preach. Why are you calling people "whack jobs of the left?" Rush is no libertarian -- he is a businessman, and I have no problem with that. It's America. But PLEASE don't make Rush out to be NONPARTISAN. That's like Fox News calling itself "fair and balanced".

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talk radio • Rush Limbaugh • Mike Huckabee • Ronald Reagan • right-wing media • conservative base • Sarah Palin • conservative movement

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Blame Rush and Co. for GOP's Fall