by Ted Sherman

Created on: February 14, 2007   Last Updated: April 07, 2007

By any business standards, Rush Limbaugh's program is today's most popular and successful American daily radio talk show. It has been on the air for nearly 20 years, and it continues to flourish. That said, the host is one of the most controversial characters in the US. He has legions of fawning, loyal fans who proudly call themselves "Dittoheads", while at the same time there are many who think of him as an arrogant, super right-wing Republican blabber-mouth. He is immensely proud of both opinions.

He takes many mean swipes at all Democrats, distorting the names of politicians and otherwise ridiculing them and their actions. While many people believe he has great political influence, his most glaring failure has been his blatant hate of Hillary Clinton. It started when she was First Lady and put forth radical plans for a national health plan, which he opposed with all the fury as if he were a member of the American Medical Association. Her plan failed, and he often takes credit for that. He laughed when the Arkansas native announced her intention to run for the Senate from New York, and predicted she couldn't possibly win. She won, and her influence flourished. Now that she has become the leading Democrat in her bid to run for President, his anger has exploded, and so has his verbal attacks on her.

Rush always takes the opportunity to criticize Hillary Clinton and other Democrats who have legal or marital problems. Yet he has had three failed marriages and was caught in a highly-publicized illegal drug purchase case.

Although Rush won't admit it publicly, rumors are that he is also one of America's highest paid celebrities, hauling in as much as $25 million a year from his radio show and other business enterprises. On his plus side, he is known for his support of various charities, and respect for American troops deployed in war zones. He has visited them at least once.

In spite of his flaws, and he has at least as many as the Democrats he criticizes, Rush Limbaugh is an important force in the American entertainment industry. He too often plays the clown, but down deep he is a patriot and a loyal supporter of the US government and its commitments throughout the world. For that stand, of course, he continues to attract more people who love him and more who hate him.

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