Exit Polls: Limbaugh Effect Seems To Rear Its Head

Did Rush Limbaugh actually impact the Democratic primary?

The loud-mouthed radio talk show host has been encouraging Republicans to vote for Sen. Hillary Clinton to continue the "chaos" in the Democratic race. And a sampling of some key exit poll information suggests he may, to a certain extent, be having an effect.

Thirty-six percent of primary voters said that Clinton does not share their values. And yet, among that total, one out of every five (20 percent) nevertheless voted for her in the Indiana election. Moreover, of the 10 percent of Hoosiers who said "neither candidate" shared their values, 75 percent cast their ballots for Clinton.

These are not small numbers. By comparison, of the 33 percent of voters who said Sen. Barack Obama does not share their values, only seven percent cast their ballots in his favor. Basically, more people who don't relate to Clinton are, for one reason or another, still voting for her. These are not likely to be loyal supporters.

On a broader level, among the 17 percent of primary goers who said they would choose Sen. John McCain over Hillary Clinton in a hypothetical general election match-up, 41 percent of that group came from Clinton's own camp. In essence, roughly seven percent of Clinton support in Indiana (40 percent of 17 percent) said they would defect to the Republican should she end up the nominee. That would be a difficult punch to stomach in November. In 2004, nearly 1 million Indianans voted for John Kerry. A seven percent defection rate would have meant 70,000 less votes.

By contrast, if the general election is between Obama and McCain, 19 percent of the Indiana Democratic primary goers said they would support the Republican. But only 12 percent of that group (2.28 percent) would come from Obama's camp.

The numbers suggest one of three things: A) Clinton's support in Indiana, while clearly there, is not entirely solid; B) a large swath of Indiana primary goers simply didn't like the nominees and thought of Clinton as the lesser of two evils; or C) Limbaugh's hatchet plan could be having political ripples.

Perhaps it's a mix of all three.

Comments

[rjlwis]

Why does anybody take this "pompous, hot-air, bottom-feeding, narcistic" idiot seriously? If he had any helpful ideas why don't he present them? He is neither clever or brilliant. He is what he is...a waste of time!

[DrDemon]

You ask, "Why does anybody take this "pompous, hot-air, bottom-feeding, narcistic" idiot seriously?"

You'd probably have to ask his pidgeon brained, bigoted audience; where they believe he is not "a waste of time".

[certainot]

the problem is the GOP moneybags bought him a radio monopoly after reagan kiled the Fairness Doctrine and he is everywhere, usually the biggest and clearest stations where everyone has to go for weather, sports, traffic, and local news. in many parts there are no alternatives for current events. and every morning his staff has organized his show from faxes and emails straight from the white house and the GOP think tanks. and all his wannabes on all the same stations after him repeat the same bushit. over and over and over. and then the prechewed one liners and talking points are ready and tested for the lazy celebrity TV talking heads to repeat, knowing tens of millions have heard the same inane, lying, distorted, irrational crap coming out of a radio station near you. over and over and over, with very little chance of anyone ever challenging them on it because so few of them take real, unscreened callers. that is American media and limbaugh didn't get a 1/3BIL$ contract plus perks for wit and wisdom, he got it for selling war and incompetent and corrupt politicians and deregulation and corporate tax breaks .

[timothe]

I am offended that you would brand Rush Limbaugh listeners as "bigoted" without any proof. Racism is a very serious issue in this nation...we'll never get past it as long as people like you keep spreading propaganda that simply isn't true.

[yeswecancan]

I'd love to agree but look at the evidence -- starting with his large listening audience. The fact is that he's been succesful in getting right-wing nut jobs to commit voter fraud just for the, I dunno, fun of it? And he has the nerve to pontificate on patriotism? I'd like to see 1 brave prosecutor pull out the election fraud statutes (it IS A CRIME, people, in most states) and put a sock in his big trap. And introduce him to the niceties of the penal system.

[dbroad]

"He is neither clever or brilliant." .......Sorry, that is hilarious!

[loki]

I knew Hillary was desperate, but Rush Limpballs to help her campaign? Well, Rush did say if McCain won he would support Hillary. To bad he is only doing it because he knows that she is the best chance Rethugs have of winning this year.

[shadow322]

Sam - the more you say, the less I agree with you. I seriously doubt that Limbaugh has much effect at all on Democratic politics, regardless of where you get your spin. Ever since he was exposed for long term drug abuse, even the staunchest neocons have a hard time supporting him. I think the days of having to believe the Ann Coulters and Rush Limbaughs of this world are running things are over. It is just the hangers-on (you) that want us to believe they're still significant.

[VivaZapata]

The Limbaugh Effect: the force is strong with the weak minded.

[loki]

that is why we had Bush for 2 terms.
America," For DUH people, Of DUH people"

[JohnKemp]

Having watched the objective news coverage on TV & in print since Tuesday PM, I can only assume that the mighty HuffPo will devote as much attention to the begging, crying, whining, pleading, predicting, etc. ad nauseum, that the Chris Matthews of the world are vomiting up for Obama as it does to worrying about Rush.

[cranialknowledge]

Limbaugh is a total farce. Just saw a news crawl in which he said that Obama is the weakest Democratic candidate. He's a joke.

[tonycd]

What Limbaugh is, let's not forget, is a tool. He's ripping Obama now because the Rethuglicans recognize that Obama's nomination has now become inevitable, so he's just making a petty effort to dirty him up now that he can't be stopped in the primaries.

We can't be petty about this; we have to face reality. What Limbaugh and his ilk do is not insignificant, and it's not merely "mischief." It's another part of the GOP/corporate matrix of behaviors to steal our elections from us, and it's as ugly and un-American as he is.

[certainot]

you're right and limbaugh leads the most politically influential medium in the country, with its uncontested repetition to 50-70MIL, ignored most by the people they attack the most.

[kiga]

hey Sam,
since you are in "investigative journalist," why don't you look at public election records and see the raw numbers of the Republicans that voted for Obama (switched for one day) so that they would get him in the Fall! There is no evidence that Republicans switched in Indiana for Hillary (show me the $) where as there is evidence that in all primaries and caucuses they did it for Obama. It is public record and CNN has it too. Obama is reading 1984 to often; whatever he does, says Hillary is doing it! I just like to see how he won't seat Florida and Michigan (revote, or count their vote) and then if he is the nominee ask them to vote for him! I guess it is true, common sense is not common any more.

[DrDemon]

You say you'd, "just like to see how he won't seat Florida and Michigan.

--Well he can't seat SQUAT! He is a candidate; not the DNC.

You then say, "then if he is the nominee ask them (FL & MI) to vote for him!

--Absolutely! They'll vote for him if they have the wits to realize the fact that it was a DNC decision; and not an Obama decision. He just followed the rules.

So we'll have to take our chances and deal with the outcome; whatever it turns out to be.

But, IN NO WAY, in my opinion, should the DNC decision be changed. We already have a HYPOCRITICAL party (Repug's) in our government. WE DONT NEED ANOTHER!

[JRandomPoster]

Word to the wise: if you wish to dismiss someone else's argument, sweeping generalizations, implications, and innuendos won't cut it. Unless, of course, you are selling a war against Iraq... because, ya know, they hate our freedoms, the terrists are there, and they gots lots of WMDS.

[nk007]

kiga,

You are amazing! As always you managed to attack Obama though Rush has been openly urging Republicans to vote Hillary. Obviously you are the one reading 1984 over and over again. Any negative news about Clinton must be entirely blamed on Obama. Amazing!

[dsegal2007]

Hey, Kiga. Perhaps you aren't aware of the polls that have shown that a fair number of moderate Republicans really do support Obama. Generally, they are opposed to McVain's open-ended committment to the Iraq war, but don't trust Hillary at all.

By the way, Limbaugh really has been encouraging republicans to vote specifically for Hillary--NOT Obama. Rush may be a conservative con man, but he's not stupid; he realizes that Obama would be much more likely to defeat McVain, and end his favorite war.

As for the Michigan and Florida controversy, all Obama did was follow the rules created by the Democratic National Committee. Hillary agreed to follow them, too--until she realized that it was to her advantage to get them changed in the middle of the game. The DNC warned Michigan and Florida that their votes wouldn't count if they moved up their primaries, but those states chose to do so anyway. They have nobody to blame but themselves.

[DrDemon]

WoW - So we have a realist here who tells it as h/s see's it! Good For You! We need more of you. Very much appreciated!

[FarquadArnot]

kiga,

Holy cow! So what's your suggestion, John McCain?

'...get him in the Fall!"? Hey, Pa, get the shotgun and hurry, Barack's a comin'! That's a really unfortunate choice of words.

Why is everyone buying into this Clinton BS? Doesn't your radar light up when you see Hillary on Fox News or Rush "Thebiggestgasbagontheplanet" Limbaugh campaigning for her?

Don't you get it that Hillary is ALSO Bush's third term?

Oh crap, that's probably what you want.

You're right. Common sense isn't common any more. You just proved it.

[bassface49]

Rush is a coward of the 1st degree!
I know a Minister that grew up with this 'glorified sheep herder' and its all a facade folks!
Rush Limbaugh is the republican bozo the clown and all the little 'reptile brained' lemmings jump off his cliffs!
PATHETIC!!

[nativeeyes]

THE SECRET IS OUT...

Rush, Hannity, Hal Turner, O'Rielly,Hugh Hewitt and Mike Savage all tried their best to spew hate for Obama..

It's obvious they have penis envy and got beat up as teenagers



The Republicans want Clinton to win.. To them she is a Republican. She was brought up in a Staunch Republican Racist Household of bootleggers. She switched when she Graduated from Wellesley College..

Mccain has become the sacrificial lamb for the Republicans..

He feels he's been set up..

This is hilarious!!

He knows that he won't win, they know he won't win, so they rallied behind him as the loser as his swan song into retirement..
What a set up to be in Bush's shadow in a recession. Lol!

Those GOP are some vile sons of beeshes for doing this, WOW..

That's why no real Republican stepped up to the plate and nobody really wants the VP position.

Romney wants it, but he will help in Idaho, Utah and Nevada, that's it..

It's a losing battle that nobody wants to look as a loser. Many Repubs took their names out of the mix, because they even know that it's a losing year for Republicans this year.

The Republicans are now losing office and Congress seats in States that never ever been held by Democrats.

It started with them losing the House and it's spreading all over the US. I know many of your might not care, but things are really bout to Change around this Country..

[FarquadArnot]

Man....I hope you're right.

[Jazzbeau]

Oh please, please, please...

Let it be so!

[DrDemon]

So I'm guessing that the right is NOT SO PLEASED with yesterday's results. I heard a couple of Repub.(so-called) strategist coming up with every reason, under the son, why Hillary should not quit.

But whats more humorous about them is; it seems like they all get their talking points at the exact time, from the same source and they seem to all say the exact same thing... sometimes almost word for word. Sorta weird.

Are any of them their own person? I'm guessing - NO!

[DrDemon]

edit** - "...strategist coming up with every reason, under the (SUN),.." sorry

[timothe]

Whereas it may be a mystery where conservative talk show hosts get their talking points, it is no mystery where the liberal media gets their talking points.

mediamatters.org
moveon.org

[JRandomPoster]

Dicto simpliciter.

[OnceProudAmerican]

Rush needs to craw back under the slime covered rock from where he came.
I am sooo tired of these people who can't run their life try to screw up everyone elses! People like this should be quiet and thought a fool-Than to speak and remove all DOUBT! Like the rest of his ilk, they don't try to create or improve anything, only to destroy it by spreading lies, halftruths and hatred!
Most of the poeple who listen to him must not have the ability to think for themselves! After 8 years of the "Moral Majority" we need a change in course. Because the one we're on right now is taking this country to the crapper at a high rate of speed!!!

[FarquadArnot]

You're right, except that Rush is so brain damaged from his Oxycontin benders that he actually thought he was supporting Bush!

[druidlady42]

Here's one for you legal minds out there:

Is there a law, somewhere, which prohibits purposeful manipulation of an election? Limbaugh and his dittohead followers have openly admitted that they fraudulantly changed their party affiliation just for the primary to create "chaos" in the nomination process and inflate Hillary's numbers.Isn't that illegal? If it is, than Limbaugh should be facing charges of fraud and conspiracy, as well as being immediatedly removed as a radio commentator!

How does he get away with this, as well as all the other despicable things he has said and done?

[JRandomPoster]

Yes, there is. Read further through the thread - you'll find links to the laws and to the investigation opened up about the matter.

[timothe]

You guys made a bunch of noise after Ohio, too.

Let me make something perfectly clear.

There will be no charges brought forth against any Operation Chaos operative or Rush Limbaugh.

Your immense government has failed you...again.

[UsofA]

Before we give Limbaugh any more undeserved attention, election results show the Republican votes split between Obama and Clinton in Indiana yesterday. Limbaugh had virtually no effect. Despite his otherwise braying for acknowlegement. Even most Republicans aren't as stupid as Limbaugh insists.

[JRandomPoster]

I personally believe that there was at least some intentional, malicious cross voting. It is really hard to get numbers on this, as those who would do such a thing would probably also often lie to an exit pollster.

Still - as HumeSkeptic has noted a few times on this thread, this really is about a deeper issue; that being that a "respected" republican pundit would attempt to corrupt the process so much in order to see his "side" win.

Rush is a vile human being (you missed that one, kidshare). What is truly sad is that people lap up his, well, for lack of a better word, evil, and take it is gospel.

[kidshare]

Huffingtonpost I knew would be a source of entertainment today. Here is a synopsis of liberal bias just from this thread, and this is only the first page of (so far) 13:

Rush, Head DoDo. Gutless Chicken Conservative. Rushian Propaganda. diahrea of lies. Undermine American Democracy. Limpboy. Limberg. KKK-Oz. Pubelickin Pary. the Pubes. Auntie Rush. Seana Vanity. Michael the Silly Savage. These republicans are truly idiots. mudslinging to combat Obama. Marching orders to his flock. prick. Canned Hate. elitist. Limpaugh. "confirmation bias." "enjoy being vicarously evil and nasty through Rush." thuggish bully. false sense of righteousness. he's still fat--is also still a junkie? Let us not fall to the level of the "ditto heads." superinflated ego. demigod to the rednecks. clinical xenophbia. Freudian Projection Behavior. Gang of Pedophile. bloated draftdodger. Jesse Helms is one of the biggest bigots in the US in the last half of the 20th century. dumb dittoheads. corporate media blowhard. joweled men spewing hate. "actually begin to parrot his dark dogma as the gospel" gas bag like Rush. Rush the Racist. Rush is a sideshow and a distraction. "blind allegiance." Election fraud. Limbaugh's trickery.



Not so meaningless tonight is he? I'm not going to bother with the other (so far) 12 pages of "objective analysis" by huffingtonpost bloggers who think they will save the world by posting here.

Thanks for the entertainment, Cya after the next primary left wing diaper changing.

Vince

[JRandomPoster]

Sorry - there are a lot of Americans here who don't like to see the Rule of Law undermined. Yes, we have some colorful names for one who performs such acts. If you really want to get down to the nitty gritty, the best I can come up with are "traitor" and "anarchist".

[liberalghost]

Ya know, Vince, we at rethug headquarters watch for your kind....crossing over to the brightside. We have your name, we have your address. We'll be talking. And you know what we'll do.

[DrDemon]

WoW... The accuracy, in your synopsis, regarding KRush is absolutely amazing!

There is NOT ONE adjective there that is incorrect! Great work! Keep it up!

[dsegal2007]

Uh, Vince? Let me explain something to you, buddy. The Huff Post is an openly liberal blog. As such, it practices what is known as "advocacy journalism". It is clearly a forum for liberal opinions, which, last time I checked, was still legal.

It's also legal for conservative websites and blogs, such as the National Review and the Weekly Standard, to express their opinions. Perhaps you'd be happier over there, hmmm?

If you really want to encounter journalism that claims to be objective, but isn't, check out Fox News. If they continue to insist that they are "fair and balanced", lexicographers might have to change the definition of those words.

[bassface49]

As opposed to Limpd%#k's name calling!
and by the way, the term 'feminazi' is ideologically inaccurate. 'Femi-comrade', maybe! But
'Conserva-Nazi' is much more accurate, Hitler was from YOUR side of the aisle, so keep him there......In Fact,
You do realize that the wars we are involved in are cases of their 'conservatives' bumpin' chests with our 'conservatives'. In Fact.....
Throughout history, conservatism has pretty much been a 'SCOURGE' to mankind!
Liberalism is the manifestation of political and social evolution and the Conservative Fathers are scared to death of that evolution!
WE THE PEOPLE!!!

[JRandomPoster]

Only replying to the part of your post concerning the term "feminazi".

Has anyone else noticed that our corporate/government conglomerate loves, and has loved for years, combining the term nazi and the term fascist with other groups of people, who may be many things, but are definitely not either nazis or fascists?

Rather ironic.

[contrariandy]

Ah, Rush, Head DoDo. As un-American as the old Senator Joe, defending his tiny, fictional America against the people he despises, the American public. Gutless Chicken Conservative, hiding behind a microphone spewing his daily doses of Rushian propaganda - mouthing his endless diarrhea of lies designed to undermine American Democracy (and preserve his own personal, multi-million$ tax cut).

Call him Limpboy. Call him Limberg - the soft, white, smelly cheese of Treason Radio. And, now based on his failed campaign to undermine the DemocratIC Party, he's earned himself a new name . Now, he shall be known as the Wizard of KKK-Oz.

Did you notice Rush and the rest with their constant repetition of "Democrat-- Party", the clever dropping of the last two letters? HaHa! Funny stuff. How about if we drop the first to letters and call them the --Pubelickin' Party, the Pubes. Auntie Rush, Seana Vanity, Michael the Silly Savage, and the rest, the Grand Old Boys of the Pubelickin Party. "Grand", hell, they're simply Exquisite. Auntie Rush and his Boy's Pubelickin Party.

[contrariandy]

Maybe Rush's new name should be Grand Wizard of KKK-Oz.

It's amusing that the Lazy Legion of DoDoHeads think Rush's sophomoronic rantings are so funny, but they can't take it when their "hero" (now there's a word that the media misuses) is the butt of everyone's jokes.

This is not a joke: Misuse of patriotism is close to treason. Misuse of 911 is treason. And, what Rush does is treason against American Democracy. With his six years of patriotic service in the Marines and Navy, Rev. Wright earned the right to hold American government to higher standards. If you're so patriotic, Rush, why didn't you serve your country? If you're so right, why do you have to lie to your listeners? Why is 98.8% of what you say nothing but lies? And, why do you whine to your listeners about the "liberal" media if not to keep your lies undiscovered? DoDoHeads are not patriotic, they are complicit in treason.

And, for those sad babies who think the fat phony is being attacked by "liberals", I will note that until recently I was a registered Republican, now an Independent, who sought the truth and saw the light. America is far better than Rush and the current Republican Party.