if Rush is convicted, could hate radio ratings decrease?

[pstokely]

?

[hatrack]

1. No, but I'd look for a spike in Oxycontin sales

"Mega-Caplets, Rush!" ;-)

[Skittles]

2. no

Rush's fans are morons who will be easily convinced by Rush's radio peers that it is all a liberal media conspiracy to tear down good, hardworking decent conservatives. Count on it.

[Faygo Kid]

3. Nah - maybe his, somewhat

His hard core will never desert him no matter what, but sponsors might.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. Not out of the question.

Something like this tends to causereal examination of positions by people. The awaken a little, look around, and notice that things ain't like they might have thought. That maybe they have been lied to, yet again.

With all the fronts now opened on the repukes, they have now descended into thew "stamping out the small fires" phase of decline. They will have a lot of trouble fabricating, and focusing upon, a big picture.

Such are the natural results of Hubris. A lesson that I do so hope that is not being lost on the dems.

[0rganism]

5. I seriously doubt it

Rush isn't some great pioneer, he's just the latest big name in a half century of conservative slander. G. Gordon Liddy and Jesse Helms were doing his dirty work when he was still in diapers.

Rush is eminently replaceable. These days, his brand of punditry is mass produced.

[HawkerHurricane]

8. Ever hear of Father Calhoun?

Big name in Reich Wing radio during the 1930's...dropped big in popularity when the war started and he still was saying nice things about Hitler...

Call it 75 years of Reich Wing Radio.

[Faygo Kid]

9. Not to be picky, but it's Coughlin

Father Coughlin, Shrine of the Little Flower, Royal Oak, Michigan. Good observation, though - and hopefully the same parallel.

[punpirate]

6. This administration...

... would pay the expenses for him to broadcast from jail, and hide the money in Iraq reconstruction expenses....

[Blue_Chill]

7. Any of you have a link?

I've been hearing about this all day and know nothing of it. Hook me up!

[Rowdyboy]

10. They're not even CONSIDERING prosecution....

Even though he bought enormous quantities, he's just a user. This investigation is not intended to turn into prosecution. Sorry, it made me sick when I read it too. The bastard belongs in jail, but he'll never do time.

[Cat Atomic]

11. It's possible. Could be a McCarthy moment- who can say?

Though it would be nicer to catch Sean Hannity jerking off to Nazi memorabilia.

[linazelle]

12. No . . . Hannity's waiting in the wings

but Rush isn't going anywhere. I heard on the Today Show this AM that the investigation of Rush "centers on the dealers" and not Rush.

Plus, the local CON radio hosts are behind him tooth and nail. Heard one CON this morning blasting those who claim Rush said things like "take that bone out of your nose" and "who cares about blacks since they are only 12% of the population."

According to his supporters, the above quotes are urban myths. They claim there is no proof that he even said these things and they that the media is attacking Rush unfairly because they can't prove he said this.

I hope somebody finds the source of these quotes.

[MadHound]

13. It is possible

If Rush goes to jail and off the air his listeners will drift to other shows, Hanity, O'Reilly, et al. But they won't all go to the same one, and some will just drift away from radio period. Some very well could wake up to the truth of hate radio and change their outlook(I think my father in law is in this category). With contracts already in place it will be very difficult for Clear Channel to fill that three hour time slot for at least a year, so we could be left with the locals filling the spot.

All in all I think that a Rush conviction could prompt some serious soul searching on the part of his listeners. With a slam this big against the biggest blowhard on hate radio I think we might, just might see a sea change in our society.

[rasputin1952]

14. Here is a frightening scenario...

limbaugh loses his show, hence, a vaccuum.

There are many out there with the same agenda, and the hole would be filled in almost immediately by tens, if not hundreds of like minded people.

The only saving grace....they would never acquire the connections and powerbase that limbaugh has come to know.

[Stuckinthebush]

15. Conservative nature

hates a vacuum.

[kskiska]

16. I doubt he'll be convicted

I assume he'll be tried in Florida, since the investigation is in Palm Beach. Jeb will fix it. At any rate, Hannity can never fill Rush's shoes. Even the Freepers think he's shallow and limited. They don't like O'Reilly, either. He'd leave a gaping hole in talk radio. A good portion might drift away.

[VermontDem2004]

17. It will be a liberal media myth if he is convicted

The liberal media framed him, it was Clinton, not Rush.