Rush Limbaugh's bigotry set the stage for Trump's takeover of the Republican Party
mediamatters.org/rush-limbaugh/…
mediamatters.org/rush-limbaugh/…
Limbaugh spent decades showing one could use racism, misogyny, conspiracy theories, smears, and right-wing talking points to attract a huge audience get rich, and become a GOP leader. It was inevitable that a political entrepreneur would use the same mix in a national election.
Conservatives from George H.W. Bush on down were happy to look past Limbaugh's transgressions because of the value he brought to the party. Some said he was right, others made excuses, others were silent.
They built a permission structure. And so Trump -- another racist misogynist conspiracy theorist -- found it easy to waltz in and take over the party.
I'm sorry I had to write this. It should have been @SimonMaloy. Cancer is a brutal scourge, and no one, including Limbaugh, deserves the suffering this disease and its treatment demands. I wish him a speedy recovery.
