Rush Limbaugh admits what he does every day: “It’s a business”

Recently, in a speech given in acceptance of a talk radio industry award, Rush Limbaugh openly admitted that his number one priority as a broadcaster is not to influence policy or sway peoples’ opinions. Rather, his foremost priority every day is to attract as large an audience as possible, hold that audience as long as possible, and then deliver that audience to advertisers in exchange for large sums of money.

His admission comes at around the 3:40 minute mark.

From last year’s New York Times July 6th article titled Late-Period Limbaugh by Zez Chafets:

Limbaugh can afford to live the way he wants. When we met he was on the verge of signing a new eight-year contract with his syndicator, Premiere Radio Networks. He estimated that it would bring in about $38 million a year. To sweeten the deal, he said he was also getting a nine-figure signing bonus. (A representative from Premiere would not confirm the deal.) “Do you know what bought me all this?” he asked, waving his hand in the general direction of his prosperity. “Not my political ideas. Conservatism didn’t buy this house. First and foremost I’m a businessman. My first goal is to attract the largest possible audience so I can charge confiscatory ad rates. I happen to have great entertainment skills, but that enables me to sell airtime.”

How does Rush’s admission affect how you view his show? Does it change how you view him?

How do you feel about the statements that Rush Limbaugh makes on his radio talk show?

Do you think he makes outrageous statements simply to attract and hold an audience? Why or why not?