Remembering Rush Limbaugh – A Brave, Conservative Icon Who Shaped American History

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Conservative icon, radio legend, and conscience of the Republican party, Rush Limbaugh has passed away at the age of 70.

Rush Limbaugh, the conservative icon, radio legend, and conscience of the Republican Party, has passed away at the age of 70.

Limbaugh’s wife, Kathryn, made the announcement on his radio show.

“El Rushbo” began his career as a DJ in Pennsylvania after dropping out of Southeast Missouri State University. He would go on to become the premier voice of the conservative movement in America, having rightfully been inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

The pioneering radio host learned he was battling Stage IV lung cancer in January of 2020, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump at the State of the Union address days later.

Then-First Lady Melania Trump presented America’s highest civilian honor to Limbaugh in a touching moment during President Trump’s speech.

Rush Limbaugh’s Battle

In mid-December, Rush Limbaugh gave his audience a heartbreaking but optimistic update on his battle with lung cancer.

“Every day remains a gift,” he told his audience. “You know, I wake up every morning, and I thank God that I did.”

That broadcast, remarkably, showed Limbaugh at his finest, connecting the media legend to his audience, revealing himself as the incredible human being he is by sharing his personal experience with the audience.

No relationship between host and audience has ever been more intimate.

He provided sobering details of his ongoing battle at the time, telling listeners he could no longer deny he’s “under a death sentence.”

“We all know that we’re going to die at some point, but when you have a terminal disease diagnosis that has a time frame to it, then that puts a different psychological and even physical awareness to it,” he explained in an emotional segment.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Legend

Limbaugh’s longtime producer, James Golden, who fans of the show know as ‘Bo Snerdley,’ shared an announcement of Limbaugh’s passing which said: “America loses greatest Conservative voice as golden microphone goes silent.”

“God Bless you Rush,” Golden would tweet. “I love you. Always and ever.”

Other prominent voices shared their thoughts on social media about the passing of a once-in-a-lifetime legend.

Former President Trump, during his awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Limbaugh, thanked the radio host for his “decades of tireless devotion to our country.”

“In recognition of all that you have done for our nation, the millions of people a day that you speak to and that you inspire, and all of the incredible work that you have done for charity, I am proud to announce tonight that you will be receiving our country’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” he declared.

The images of a humbled giant in American political discourse as he accepted the medal will forever remain.

Trump spoke with Fox News about his friend Rush.

“His questions were fascinating. He had an insight that few people have, even really good ones,” Trump observed. “He was very street smart. He got it.”

“His fight was very, very courageous and he was very, very sick … He was fighting until the very end. He was a fighter,” the former President lamented, revealing he had spoken to Limbaugh “three or four days” before his death.

The Wisdom of Rush Limbaugh

One thing is certain, Limbaugh was quite possibly the only conservative observer who, when you tuned into his program, was guaranteed to provide a perspective on the day’s news that you hadn’t heard of, or even thought about.

His unique commentary led to moments such as when he declared “I hope Obama fails” even before taking office.

The left went apoplectic. But Rush knew that Obama’s implementation of radical policies would be detrimental to America.

And besides, Limbaugh loved rattling liberals.

During an October broadcast, he relished the opportunity to “hang around a long time to continue to annoy the left.”

Limbaugh’s words were inspiring on a daily basis, and there’s no way he could ever know how many lives he touched over the years.

The Political Insider’s own Becky Noble credits Rush with inspiring her career.

“I heard him one day, it might have been someone on ‘Open Line Friday’ asking him something about success,” she explains.

Noble recalls these words from Limbaugh to the guest: “Figure out what it is that you are passionate about, then figure out a way to make money at it.”

“It is the reason I went back to school (for journalism) and the reason I am here today,” Noble said.

The conservative movement lost a genuine icon today. More importantly, they lost a genuinely good, good man.

What is the best way to honor Mr. Limbaugh?

To me, the best way to carry on his legacy will be to pick up his sword and fight in the only way we know. Fight for conservatism. Fight for what is right.

And always, always fight for a better America.

Rest in Peace, Rush.

By Rusty Weiss
Rusty Weiss has been covering politics for over 15 years. His writings have appeared in the Daily Caller, Fox ... More about Rusty Weiss
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