Living Limbaugh: $400 Million Contract, Gulfstream, Scented Candles, And The "Business" Of Hating Liberals

The New York Times Magazine has a big cover story on Rush Limbaugh this week, almost 8,000 words about how Rush Limbaugh has built himself into one of the most influential voices in America. With an estimated 14 million listeners (Limbaugh claims it's more like 20 million), he's far and away the top-rated radio talk-show host in America. That's partisan radio talk-show host — and he has no intention of being left out of this election. He already created big waves, first by publicly dissing John McCain and then by encouraging Republicans to mix into the democratic primaries and vote for Hillary Clinton and keep the Democratic nomination battle in play, in what he called "Operation Chaos." Both Karl Rove and John Kerry gave it credit for having had an effect.

Now Limbaugh has extended his contract through 2016 — $38 million per year with a "nine-figure signing bonus." The total package is valued at "north of $400 million."

Author Zev Chafets got more access to Limbaugh than any other journalist, being the first from the "hated mainstream media" to gain access to his studio and home. Here are some excerpts from the story:

Limbaugh on why he will reluctantly support McCain: ''It's like the Super Bowl...you root for the team you hate less. That's McCain.''

Limbaugh on how he plans to take on Obama: ''I'll approach Obama with fearless honesty...He's a liberal. I oppose liberals. That's all that's involved here.''

Limbaugh's tactics for doing so: Chafets reports on Limbaugh's appointment of his associate, Bo Snerdly, as the "Official Obama Criticizer" of his show. "Snerdly introduced himself as an ''African-American-in-good-standing-and-certified-black-enough-to-criticize-Obama guy,'' and declared that he was speaking, ''on behalf of our E.I.B. brothers and sisters in the hood.'' The bit was typical Limbaugh -- confrontational, deliberately insensitive and funny. It was also a declaration of independence. Whatever special courtesies John McCain might plan to extend to Barack Obama, Limbaugh is going to conduct his air war, as he always has, by his own rules of engagement."

On Living Limbaugh: "There are five homes -- all of them his -- on the property. The big house is 24,000 square feet. Limbaugh lives there with a cat. He's been married three times but has no children."

Chafets on Limbaugh's domestic preferences: "His staff lights fragrant candles throughout the house to greet his arrival from work each day."

On the view from his private humidor: "The room opens onto a patio, a putting green and a beach. On the table was a brochure for Limbaugh's newest airplane, a Gulfstream G550. It cost him, he told me, $54 million."

Limbaugh on success: ''Do you know what bought me all this?...Conservatism didn't buy this house. First and foremost I'm a businessman."

Limbaugh on his substance abuse: ''You know, I've had a problem with substance abuse. I don't deal with the future anymore. I take things one day at a time.''

What you see when you walk into Limbaugh's nondescript studio headquarters: "An American flag stands in the corner. Only a small, framed picture of Limbaugh, bearing the caption ''America's Anchorman,'' reveals that this is the headquarters of one of the country's most admired and reviled figures."

The full story will be online here shortly.

Comments

[oncethere]

Rush stands for greed, conspicous consumption, exploitation of others and selfishness---in other words, he is a Republican.

[protagonia]

Bad peole love him because he says what they think. They are just as greedy as he is. He DOES represent them.

They're ones that biblical floods wash clean.

[thinklib]

If you think Rush has a lot of adoring, unthinking lemmings as fans, get a load of Barack Obama.

[hoopesaz]

That was funny! Oh how true.

[RatgurlSD]

Hey, now. Be nice.

[benedict15]

Yeah, but Obama's lemmings are highly educated and high income. It has yet to be proven that lemmings are unthinking, I think they may just be depressed about living in Norway, or wherever in hell they actually live.

[protagonia]

Why would you magically be correct on this one, all of a sudden?

[mikebythesun]

Rush is talented at what he does and he is smarter than most people give him credit for, but don't dare call him honest. I've heard that man twist facts in the most blatant fashion, and I've heard him be wrong about more things than just about anyone else.

And an arrogant SOB as well. I bet his only regret is having confessed to the world back in 1996 (I believe that was the year) that he once was on unemployment and his yard grew overgrown because he was so poor that he couldn't afford to pay anyone from the neighborhood to mow it.

Now he's making $38 million a year... he's come a long way since sitting on his ass while the taxpayer covered his rent. I wonder if things would've turned out the same way if the "oppressive" federal government didn't give him a hand when his chips were down.

Like he says, he's a businessman before being a conservative, at least evidenced by the fact that he's given the "liberal tyrant" NYT Magazine an exclusive. Yawn...

[DesertLight]

I wish more people here just had the audacity to admit that they never have watch RL and that all they have done is listen to distorted news about him.

It is absolutely laughable and obvious to read the "ign0rance on fire" here.

[Kim445588]

I don't "watch" him, since he is on the radio, but I do listen on occassion just to see how worked up Obama is getting him and the zombie "ditto heads". I can't stand it for long, but it is great for a laugh because they get so crazy.

He is hateful every day of the week. You'd think this drug attic could spare some empathy for others, but sadly no.

[johnnygoodwud]

rush is an entertaine­r/commenta­tor, not a journalist. most people don't understand the difference

[benedict15]

The difference, of course, is between one who lies for big money and one who tells the truth for peanuts.

[protagonia]

benedict15 See Profile I'm a Fan of benedict15

The difference, of course, is between one who lies for big money and one who tells the truth for peanuts.
----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­---------

BINGO!

I love the subconscious! It tells the truth no matter what crap the mind manufactures.

There's a small good man buried down there in you, trying to get out through your words.

[Superbus]

Rush Limbaugh's show is entertaining and at times quite hilarious, especially when poking fun at those ideas he disagrees with.

Lots of liberals listen just for the entertainment value.

Can't say the same for the former Air America host who failed and is now running for the Senate.

[gladys46]

Hmmmmmmm, "radio" ... okay is that 20 million continuous listeners or in out auto drive timers!

At that $$$$ doesn't really matter ... but what does matter is the total mis/disinformation being let!! That has cost the complete dumbing down of all too many americans!

[McSpikeV]

14 million suckers stroked every day from 11-2

[DesertLight]

no that would be nine to noon.

[McSpikeV]

tape-delay here I guess...do­n't care though... don't listen.

[99hockeyman]

Look how many people voted for Bush.

[ptobe]

the free market at work.

the free market is pathetic.

[ohiomark]

If you can't make it in the free market, don't blame the market, blame yourself.

The free market works every time it's tried. The good ones succeed and the bad ones fail.

[oncethere]

Almost everything Limbaugh says is projection.

[popecorvo]

As Edward Gibbon said of the Fourth Century Roman poet Ausonius:

"His fame condemns the taste of his Age."

[Durango]

Excellent.

[Superbus]

Rush Limbaugh is the man most responsible for the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994, the defeat of Clinton Care, the defeat of Algore and John Kerry and the nomination of Barack Obama.

He has made a fortune poking fun at humorless liberals.

[HumeSkeptic]

Oh yeah! Then how come he couldn't stop Mc Cain from getting the nomination? Some big influence he has. He can't even get Repubs to take him seriously.

[McSpikeV]

At least he's done one thing right... Obama says thank you

[HumeSkeptic]

But he couldn't stop Mc Cain from getting the nomination. Some influence he has, even among Republicans.

Think much?

[babylonandon]

He was a bit outgunned by both the MSM (desparate to make sure to get the most beatable Republican) and a generation of 55 - 80 year olds who venerate Cain's military record.

He destroyed Guiliani and emasculated Huckabee to the point that only the pure antiabortion crowd still followed him.

[kkuate]

Limbaugh is also the man most responsible for partisanship, and a stagnant government who can not agree on solving the energy, health care, and environmental crisis in America...­... He is also a powerful and loud voice who has sold his millions of listeners the idea the George Bush has been positive for our country and the world.....­. Limbaugh has made his fortune giving his radio show followers an emotional orgasm every time he critizices Bill and Hillary...­... His fans love him because he knows how to demonize progressive ideas to scare them shitless..­...I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, Progressive and Liberal people have learned there is no reason to be embarrased for being called those adjectives­.....on the contrary, there is satisfaction in knowing we liberals are working for building a better America where all people, and any person, can have an equal chance to opportunities and obligations.

Limbaugh can have his $400 million, but not a penny from my purse... He is free to continue to exploit the low life emotions of some Conservatives though.

[snakehead]

I'm in absolute agreement kkuate. Limbaugh is the epitome of what's wrong with our politics. Purposely deceiving listeners, outright lying about the position of those opposed to his idealogy. It's somewhat sickening to see that so many people allow themselves to be fooled by this clown.

How can anyone, for the most part, spew the nonsense of every liberal idea being bad and every conservative idea is good. Basically, he's pretty childish.

And it's not hard at all to talk for a few hours and lie to people--day in and day out (without any type of fact finding). Of course he's scripted, but you'd be amazed at what ego drives people to do! Look at the numbnut we have as president now!!

[99hockeyman]

I did not know Rush was on the Supreme Court.

[benedict15]

No, just five of his true believers.

[MPCarr]

Rush Limbaugh is by far the best, most insightful conservative commentator there is, period. All other talk show hosts acknowledge this. He is #1.

He makes more money that all of the network evening anchors combined.

He is successful because he is a talented radio broadcaster and fills the void of conservative commentary, and is honest about what he says and who he is.

[Myshkin57]

Hahahahaha­hahahahaha­hahaha

[PanFx]

I'll give you that he is a talented broadcaster. I prefer huckster, but hey, pick your poison.

He does fill the voice of conservative commentary, if that commentary is empty-headed and utterly void of virtuous substance. What ever floats your boat, as they say.

Honest about what he says, and who he is? That's rich. And you call progressives, "humorless?" That last part will have me laughing for days. Thanks for that.

[MPCarr]

Please give me one example of his commentary that is "empty-headed and utterly void of virtuous substance," and one example of him being dishonest.

[HumeSkeptic]

Rush Limbaugh is by far the best, most insightful conservative commentator there is, period.
--------

LOL. And that, you think, is good?

[Canaris]

No, that would be George Will, not that William F. Buckley has passed on.

Here is a little tidbit of info for you, from a 20 year plus broadcaster. People don't tune in to talk radio to learn and get informed, they tune in to a talk radio show to validate what they already think. To put it another way, the vast majority of people want to hear songs that they already know. I make my living by observing that simple rule.

You don't have to be insightful or honest (Rush is neither) to be a success in talk radio, you just have to tell your audience what they want to hear. Rush Limbaugh does that better than anyone on the radio right now.

[MPCarr]

You are right. the people want politics discussed from a conservative pint of view. You can't find this in anywhere in the media except talk radio. And Rush is the best at it.

[kkuate]

His honesty has got nothing to do with being a responsible human being, and being devoted to truth.

His money-making ability is just a sign of his expertise in exploiting the minds of those who have not learned to have a little respect for themselves­.... His followers remind me of Senator Larry Craig, who loves to hate homosexuality and, in the private, sticks his hand under the bathroom stall divider, soliciting "love".

Yes, I agree, he is #1, but he can not count on the majority of the American public to embrace his style and dogmatic tradition of hate and intolerance, and of course, he can not count on me to knowingly patronize any corporation that advertises in his show.

[yoli647]

Such a pitiful man, with all that money, he has no one to share it with. He is an entertainer with 14 million idiots who listen to his garbage.

[DesertLight]

..and never spends a H0liday alone.

[HumeSkeptic]

Only someone as intimate with him as you would know that.

[Glowcy]

my jaw is dropped and swinging, my eyes are bulging: people get to rant with the chief ranter and the chief ranter makes large quantities of money collecting and directing the ranters

capitalism run amok

[DesertLight]

Or just plain Li-beralism exploited!

[useyourbrain]

I wonder if in Rush's perfect world, where everyone is a conservative millionaire and the government never gets involved in your personal lives (except on who you can marry -- and what's the story of three wives an no kids? isn't marriage for the sole purpose of reproducing? Why should he be allowed to marry or stay married if he has no kids?) and where the government doesn't give handouts to people but they do to corporatio­ns.......w­hat would he have to rant about? Would he become "liberal" just to be contrarian?