New rush study: taking 'being an asshole' to the bank

Before we get into the study, we must share what we heard Wednesday: Rush Limbaugh has uncovered that Pastor Jeremiah Wright is a "former Moslem." He points to a 2007 New Republic piece to prove it. The Agitator -- Barack Obama's Unlikely Political Education by Ryan Lizza.

Actually, it's a fine, analytical piece very favorable to Obama, but that little factoid about the preacher-man was missed by everyone -- even us -- as we read it so long ago.

But believe you us, my brother, it ain't going away.

The Wright case is still the number one issue on right-wing media and it's not going anywhere, either.

Meme-ories are made of this, the righties are building a right-scary narrative for Fall.   

The regular media have long moved on, and are busy squashing what's left of Hillary (who's already flatter than a roadkill frisbee) and thrilling over McBraveheart, the two-gun warmonger change-agent, who not only defied his WWI captors, but stood up to Bush.

But maybe the ditto-heads didn't hear the scary news about Obama's Chi-Town jihadi-daddy if you believe the study released last week by the media marketing firm Coleman Insight. (Download pdf)

They found that Big Pants' mighty audience listens to the ads more than they listen to Big Pants.

"Rush Limbaugh's nationally syndicated radio show generates higher listener shares during commercials than during the actual show. This finding shows that the Rush Limbaugh audience has extremely high anticipation for the show and tunes in through commercials — a testament to his extremely strong brand and the loyalty of his audience. [...] The conclusion that commercials during Limbaugh's show actually have a higher share of audience than does the content is a tremendous finding for all Talk Radio, for it supports that idea that radio is a medium where listeners hear commercials."

His advertisers must be thrillin', and that's really what counts. The study, via the Arbitron Portable People Meter (PPM) service, found that Rush's numbers go up when he's being neutral or negative.

When he's being a warm and fat little fuzzball, people turn him off.

The largest percentage of content on the Limbaugh show projects a neutral attitude, while content presented with a positive attitude makes up the smallest percentage. When Rush projects a positive attitude, he only achieves a 5.43 share, whereas he garners a 5.81 share when his attitude is neutral. He garners a 5.71 when he is overtly negative  This does not mean to suggest that Limbaugh should never be positive, but it may imply that he is more passionate when he is negative than when he is positive and that this passion causes his audience to react more positively to that tone. 

It's not news that The World's  King of Talk Radio, from whom all AM radio talkers flow, knows that flicking shit is the way to get and hold listeners, and of course what's always disturbed us are that percentage of his listeners who conflate this rude entertainment with truth, wisdom or real civic discourse.

If this "massive blockage endowed with the gift of gab," as James Wolcott has called Limbaugh, can influence one neuron in the collective decision-making brain of the American electorate, then truly, the end is near.

Comments

[Duffman]

Apparently Mrs Clinton's folks are also picking up on this and making it an issue. While I've not read it, Lanny Davis (on the John Gibson Show yesterday) was touting having written a piece for the WSJ in which he is still very concerned about Sen Obama's connection to Pastor Wright. He seems to be very confident that this issue will ressurect and at least partially cause the nomination to go to Mrs Clinton. [Have to remember that Davis worked for the Clintons and is still completely devoted to them].
I think Sen Obama has addressed this and that it should not be an issue. If it does return 'to the news front' he could possibly 'flip it' and put a positive spin on it to the effect that he (unlike many others) can identify in a more diverse manner to folks because he's subjected himself to 'at least' listening to the more provocative and seemingly radical sides. This would go right along with his committment to 'sit down a talk to all sides' in matters. Rush is just trying to 'stir the pot' and capitalize on a unique set of circumstances: he and Mrs Clinton (& team) have a common goal on this one and he's gonna play that for all it's worth in the effort to make it as complex and confusing as possible, leading into Denver.

[YellowPup]

This is nuts. So if my pastor is a former atheist or professional curler, then what does that make me?

[Duffman]

Hmmmm...a 'non-believer' with 'curly hair'?

[nevets]

Is it true, Randi gone from Air America?

[Duffman]

WHAT??? steven, where's your link?

[chucks]

Where did you find that picture of Obamarama with his shirt off? There is one hell of a lot more to that man than I ever suspected.
Good catch Bla'm

[Duffman]

Yep, just read it on AA! Hmmm, self-destructed - just as I thought she would.

[Duffman]

Wow, that's harsh chucks - even by blogging standards.

[Duffman]

Randi: you are a talent; stay away from the bottle and perfect your craft...you'll do fine.

[Freakin']

Randi Rhodes....OUT!!!

http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite/NewsStoryPage.aspx?ContentID=wM0Cn67fSIM%3d&Version=0

[nevets]

"Walk Hard"

[Recife]

Let that be a lesson to you, DON'T FUCK WITH THE CLINTONS! Hillary maybe a fat whore, but you missy, are a dumb unemployed whore!

[sparky]

Sorry to disappoint you boys, but......

From Liberal Talk Radio:
.....But some began speculating that Rhodes could be gone for good. First to speak up was KKGN (960AM), the station that sponsored the promotional appearance on March 22. Whether Rhodes returned to Air America was irrelevant, as Green 960 forced their hand, claiming that she will be back on the air next Monday, Air America or not. According to program director John Scott, "We have been very frustrated the past few days in our efforts to rectify the Randi Rhodes Situation (her suspension by her network, Air America Radio). It is our understanding that today (April 9th) she is no longer an employee of Air America. So we are bringing her back." Green 960 will air her return next Monday (April 14) at 4P PT.
(snip)
There is no word on whether any other stations will bring Rhodes back. Her semi-homebase station is WJNO (1290AM) in West Palm Beach, FL, which, like Green 960, is owned by Clear Channel Communications. Rhodes had hosted her show at WJNO for over a decade, long before joining Air America. Rhodes reportedly has been in the process of moving back to the area from New York. Don't be surprised to find her there next week, as they have reportedly been running best-of shows the past week. It would not be surprising to find her on WINZ (940AM) in neighboring Miami as well. Keep checking back here for other stations.
(snip)
So, as it appears Rhodes and Air America really have parted ways, where will she wind up? She has ties with Nova M Radio, which is headed by Air America co-founder Sheldon Drobny and currently employs her former producer and confidant John Manzo as CEO. They currently carry two weekday shows, and Rhodes would fit right in, provided Nova M has the resources to add her to the fold. And don't count Jones Radio Networks out either, which carries a nine hour block of progressive talk with Bill Press, Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz. Both networks, according to subscription trade site AllAccess, are in the running.

[Central Concern]

She will start Monday on KKGN in San Francisco.

[Duffman]

Unless she trips and falls, of course. -Just kidding; I wish her well and that she stays away from the well.

[nevets]

It was too perfect. I think she planned this out pretty well. She got to call Hillary a whore and not miss a beat. With Imus, he had to wait what 6 months before anyone would touch him. Just goes to show that the left has no morals.

[RedmondDem]

And you know this, HOW, Nevets?

[Hairy Buddah]

All of this fuss about Rev. Wright seems to miss the point. The church has Black Liberation Theology as its central philosophy. Has Obama been asked about his interpretation of this creed? Does he really oppose blacks striving to achieve "middle classness"? I know he ducks hard questions and potentially unfriendly interviews, but I haven't even heard it suggested that anyone ask him about his personal feelings on Liberation Theology. That answer might tell me more about the man than whether he was in the pew when Wright was spouting off.

[chucks]

Change...Change...Change....
I promise change....
Do not ask me what kind of change, I will just make change.
Yes sir, I have a ten and two fives for a twenty, but in fact with my change, you get two fives and two ones. The gummint takes the rest.
It's for the children and the folks who don't work.
Thank you, change here everybody.
Yes, I can break a hundred. Because you have a hundred, I can give you $38.00 back. You don't need all that money cause it's for the children.

[joanie hussein for obama]

Thanks, chucks. That's the new math that came with the Bush administration. Try Iraq. From what I hear, most of it is over there...

[nevets]

RedmondDem, Imus was fired in April and didn't get a new gig til October. 6 months. Randi calls Hillary a whore, gets fired and gets a new gig in less than a week. Do you know something I don't.

[nevets]

Chucks, I don't think its about "CHANGE" after reading that article. I think its all about "POWER" now. Socialist "POWER". He will be the Robin Hood President. Except he wont be robbing the hood.

[RedmondDem]

Do I know something you don't? That list is too long for here. But on this item I would say that since Randi made her comments off the air, and Imus made his during his radio program, it was ridiculous to fire her. Also, her radio show is about "Something" and his is not.

[nevets]

Thanks Puts, that was hilarious. Made me laugh really good. Just like I did yesterday, while re-reading Sparky's post on Eastern Washington Farmers going to feel the "Pinch" of global warming. Hilarious I tell you.

[nevets]

RedmondDem, what do both of those things have to do with anything? She was there representing AA. Enough said.

I remember another personality who said something he shouldn't have that was not on radio and he was ripped hard for it. So go look at your Liberal Talking Points Memo again and come up with something else with more substance.

[Derek Smalls]

Nevets, you really need to let it go.