Rush Limbaugh – A gift for the Democrats

We all know that Rush Limbaugh is basking in the “glory” of being called out by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. The ongoing feud between the White House and the outspoken conservative talk show host certainly helps Limbaugh in the ratings. But what are the political implications of the perception of Rush Limbaugh as the “leader” of the conservative/republican movement? In order to fully understand this dynamic we must look at the most recent presidential election.

In 2008, Barack Obama won the White House by establishing support among nontraditional voters and independents. In 2008, 63% of eligible voters turned out to the polls to vote, the highest number since 1960. Obama was able to carry states such as Iowa, North Carolina, Indiana, and other traditionally “red” states by appealing to independents and new voters. Voters who described themselves as “moderate,” making up 44% of the electorate, voted for Obama at a rate of 60%, while only 39% of those voters chose McCain. For the Republican Party to regain any power in the future, these are the voters they will have to appeal to.

So how does Rush play with these voters? As this Gallup Poll shows, it’s not good for Republicans.

As you can see, nearly twice as many independents view Rush Limbaugh unfavorably than those who view him favorably.

In short, the future of American political power lies with the moderates. The inability to reach these voters will result in a total loss of credibility and power. Perception is reality in politics. While Obama may be pursuing “leftist” economic policies, most of Americans still view him as a moderate ideologically speaking, as seen by his 62% approval rating. Meanwhile, Rush Limbaugh is perceived as the intellectual force behind the Republican Party. When the leading voice of a major American political party is as hyper-partisan and divisive as Rush Limbaugh is, that party's future is not bright.

So if you are a Democrat, you want to see more of this guy.