Backlash to Limbaugh smear campaign?

By Thomas Lifson

The establishment media in the United States fears Rush Limbaugh more than any other media figure. Liberals who actually start to listen to his show frequently discover that his insights are rewarding, his humor is entertaining, and his combination of common sense and sophisticated analysis is compelling. Ever since his national show began, those who depend on establishment media for their information have been fed the line that he is hateful, racist, crude, and above all, not to be listened to.

The ability to persuade those who pay little attention to politics that Limbaugh is anathema to all that is decent and good lies behind the mindless acquiescence of NFL Commissioner Goodell to the smear campaign. Having fabricated two decades of smears, the media have been able to peddle the lies about Limbaugh successfully enough to get him dropped from the group seeking to buy the St. Louis Rams.

Fortunately, Rush has the ability to make his voice heard, and he has truth on his side. The American people believe in fair play, love football, and are quite aware that racism charges are quite casually hurled without any basis in fact in 21^st century America.

There is at least a chance that a backlash to this libel will build. Rush has the resources to pursue those who have libeled and slandered him in court. Yes, a public figure has little protection, and must prove actual malice. However, CNN and other media sources compete with Rush, so he may be able to prove malice.

For example, take a look at the photo used by CNN in reporting on the current Limbaugh controversy. (My friend Bookworm spotted this and blogged about it.)

Here are two photos of the slimmed down Rush Limbaugh, who is a role model for many overweight Americans in his successful effort to lose weight:

Speaking of Rick Sanchez, on whose show the phony fat photo appeared, Erick Erickson of Red State points out he has a past far more chekered than Rush.

I relish the thought of a Limbaugh lawsuit against CNN delving into the process by which the network chose the outdated and inaccurate photo. Was that the newest photo CNN had available? The discovery process might unearth some interesting facts about the way CNN managed to use a years-old inaccurate photo.

I think this story is far from over. Having established a standard for ownership, other NFL owners are now in the spotlight, and are not going to enjoy the process of being held up to the Limbaugh Standard. I hope they they come to appreciate the importance of getting to the truth and seeing though media smear campaigns when the entire process plays itself out. The NFL faces some tough times aghead, as fewer fans can afford their ticket prices, television advertising revenue is threatened, and a nation facing years of stagnation and inflation tightens its belts. Can it really afford to alienate a large fan group?