Conservative leaders react to death of Rush Limbaugh

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Rush Limbaugh died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 at the age of 70. (Photo courtesy of RushLimbaugh.com)

PALM BEACH, Fla. – Conservative radio host, author, political commentator and giant in American media, Rush Hudson Limbaugh III, died Wednesday at the age of 70 after battling lung cancer. Limbaugh announced last year that his cancer was terminal.

Limbaugh, wrote USA Today, was a “radio icon, who made right-wing radio financially viable in American media and himself a Republican kingmaker years before Fox News.”

He was a staunch supporter of Former President Donald Trump, who told Fox News following the word of Limbaugh’s death, “His fight was very, very courageous and he was very, very sick.” He continued, “Rush is irreplaceable, unique. He had an audience that was massive. … He would get up in the show and just talk. He wouldn’t take phone calls, where people would call in every two minutes. That’s sort of easy to do. He would just talk for two hours or three hours, just talk. That’s not an easy thing to do. I once asked him, I said, ‘Do you study for the show?’ He said, ‘Actually, I study very hard,’ which a little bit surprised me. He was a fantastic man, a fantastic talent. People, whether they loved him or not, they respected him. They really did.”

Said Trump, “His honor, courage, strength and loyalty will never be replaced. Rush was a patriot, a defender of Liberty, and someone who believed in all of the greatness our country stands for. He will be missed greatly.”

Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan issued the following statement:

“The American conservative movement lost a tremendous ally and champion with the passing of Rush Limbaugh. For over three decades, ‘El Rushbo’ greeted his millions of listeners from coast to coast, standing up for our conservative values and providing news content and commentary without the mainstream media’s left-wing bias. He was truly groundbreaking and loved his listeners – his ‘ditto heads’. From being told he would never make it in the broadcast industry to rising to the be a titan of the airwaves, we share our ‘Mega Dittos’ to his service – not just behind the golden EIB microphone but as a true patriot who simply loved America and the opportunities given. 

“As a loyal listener from his first days on an AM radio, I believe, though his words and actions, Rush would want us to continue sharing and fighting for our nation’s values – this is the greatest thing we could do in his honor – and we shall. His voice may be silent on earth, but his legacy will live for generations. While he focused on the political world, he boldly stated and shared his love for Christ. We lift up our prayers to his wife, Kathryn, and his brother David, through this difficult time.”

Congressman Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama said, “I’m very sad to hear of the news of Rush Limbaugh’s passing.  For more than three decades Rush has been a voice for conservatism. When he began his nationally syndicated program, he singlehandedly changed the political landscape of America.  Rush’s message in the early 1990s helped lead to the Republican revolution of 1994, and I believe played a role in my own election in 1996. Rush will be missed.  My prayers go out to his family and his millions of listeners.”

“Over the course of many years, whether in the car or on the treadmill, there was one man who taught me so much about conservative values: Rush Limbaugh. I’m forever thankful for his impact on me and millions of Americans during his three decades on air,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama said. “Rush’s thoughtful, conservative perspective will be sorely missed, but he has paved the way for the next generation of conservative voices.  My prayers are with the Limbaugh family during this time.”

Meanwhile, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey shared, “(I’m) very saddened to hear legendary talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh has succumbed to his battle with lung cancer. His profound decades-long career as a national voice for conservatives will be sincerely missed on the airwaves.”

Limbaugh hosted “The Rush Limbaugh Show,” a nationally-syndicated radio show with millions of loyal listeners, for 32 years. Learn more about Limbaugh at www.rushlimbaugh.com.

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Wendy Sack

wendy@cullmantribune.com