Rush Limbaugh is a national conservative talk radio host whose daily program is heard on stations across the country, making him one of the nation's top broadcasters. To many, Rush Limbaugh is a leading voice for the Republican party and conservative politics. He is also considered a pioneer and the model for other so-called "rightie-talkers" like Sean Hannity and Bill O' Reilly. Conversely, others have criticized Rush Limbaugh as promoting a brand of what they call hate-radio.
Considered a hero to his fans — also called "dittoheads" — and a pariah to his adversaries, Rush Limbaugh has attained the sort of "love him or hate him" notoriety that guarantees big ratings, but also has generated controversy over the years.
Limbaugh has weathered scandal, such as when his addiction to prescription drugs became public knowledge. His on-air comments have also provoked outrage, such as when he imitated the symptoms of Michael J. Fox's Parkinson's Disease. More recently, Limbaugh comments about President Obama have stirred a firestorm.
For obvious reasons, Limbaugh's comments are a near-constant topic of discussion in the blogosphere, where he provokes strong opinions both pro and con.