Why Rush Limbaugh Should Be Deemed the Most Influential Person of 2006

Without a doubt, any discussion of influential persons must include nationally syndicated radio talk show host and conservative spokesman Rush Limbaugh. Nearly everyone knows the name, and nearly everyone has an opinion on him. Love him or hate him, Rush Limbaugh is a household name that carries tremendous influence in political discourse throughout the country.

Born in January 1951 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is a leading voice for conservatives throughout the United States. His daily discussions of American politics and current events draw an audience of nearly 20 million listeners, making The Rush Limbaugh Show the most listened to program on the radio.

A winner of the Marconi Radio Award for Syndicated Radio Personality of the Year four times, Limbaugh's influence is far reaching. His conservative talk radio show consistently has prominent figures from government as guests, including the likes of Congressmen, the Secretary of State, the Vice President and, on occasion, the President himself. Listeners absorb not only the commentary provided by Limbaugh, but the political arguments made by some of the most important people in our nation today.

His in-depth analysis of politics and American foreign policy has been known to increase voter turnout for Republican candidates because Limbaugh is able to energize listeners to get to the polling booth. After Republicans swept to victory in Congress in 1994, Limbaugh was named an honorary member of the U.S. House of Representatives for his role in getting out the conservative vote.

Limbaugh's influence and popularity have created a desire among Democrats for a liberal talk radio show that could counter the views espoused by The Rush Limbaugh Show. To date, none has yet been able to match Limbaugh's audience size and he garners incredibly high ratings year in and year out.