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Associated Press
Rush Limbaugh.
Published Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 | 11:33 p.m.
Updated Friday, Oct. 9, 2009 | 11:24 a.m.
Beyond the Sun
Maybe the Blue States should sit this one out.
Rush Limbaugh will be a judge for the 2010 Miss America Pageant set for Jan. 30 at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts. The Miss America Organization was expected to make an announcement to that effect this morning, though Fox News Network host Greta Van Susteren has reported on her blog that the organization has already sent a release quoting Miss America President and Chief Executive Art McMaster saying: “We are thrilled to have Rush join us for our pageant this year. He will bring a thrilling new dimension to the competition, and we know that the 2010 Miss America Pageant will be filled with new twists and exciting opportunities with him as one of our national judges.”
Thrilling. New. Dimension.
Of course.
Maybe Planet Hollywood can offer a suite-and-pageant-ticket Protest Package for those who find the selection of the polarizing if popular syndicated radio host an affront. There is certain to be a backlash from those who seek to keep politics out of the Miss America pageantry, which has always forged a right-leaning tenor but has never been so overtly Republican as to invite one of the party’s largest mouthpieces to serve as a judge.
But the naming of Limbaugh as the pageant’s first of seven judges for next year’s event can only help draw attention to the flagging Miss America brand. Launched in Atlantic City in 1921, the pageant has struggled to maintain relevance over the past several years. It fell off network television in 2006, moving from ABC to CMT and, currently, TLC. That year, the pageant moved to Las Vegas, to the Theatre for the Performing Arts, in an effort to add some pizazz to an institution many TV viewers felt was growing stale. The MAO has produced the reality show "Countdown to the Crown"; allowed contestants to choose their own style of swimsuits (including more sexy-fied bikinis); dusted off the Miss Congeniality Award; and installed a toothy, telegenic young celeb, Mario Lopez, as its host.
The pageant’s judging lineup has not always been apolitical. MSNBC’s “Hardball” host, the left-leaning Chris Matthews, was a member of the judging panel in 2007. But expect the addition of Limbaugh, a man who has not backed off statements that he wants President Obama to fail, to really test the poise of this year’s Miss America.
Update: Sent this morning is the official notice the Miss American Organization began issuing Thursday. It reads, in part, "Limbaugh will be one of a panel of seven distinguished judges that will help decide which of the 53 contestants will capture the Miss America 2010 title and serve as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network, as well as introduce the first Go Green platform for MAO." Yes, Limbaugh is going to serve as a spokesman for a "green" campaign.
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats.
Rush is capable of judging fairly. Yes, he is a "mouth piece" but to protest or even give a second tought to his ability to judge fairly is an unfair judgement. The pageant has nothing to do with politics. My complaint will be the people who waste time protesting just to get a blurb in the paper or on the news.
To Americangirl10, umm, yea. I like where your heart is, but let's be realistic here. This guy is an overt racist. Plain and clear. He has made statements that the NFL wanted McNabb to succeed just because he's black and plays QB (ironically, McNabb went to the Super Bowl that very season) while on ESPN. He told a black female caller to "get the bone out of your nose". And of course, he makes statements of wanting our country to fail under our current leader, (which back when people actually respected Presidents would be viewed as treason).
Do not for a minute believe his bigoted views will not come into play when he is given a choice between a gorgeous Latino, black or a white female contestant. To believe otherwise is naive. This man back in the day would have hidden behind a white sheet, but today is front and center for the right wing.
He couldn't do any worse job than that Perez Hilton idiot.
does anyone other than old ladies and gay men actually watch any of these things?
Rush Limbaugh is a sexist racist and like many have said, you better be a WHITE hottie or don't even show up. And if you a Lesbian, hide it!!! He's anti gay big time as well.
Will Gillespie be there getting his autograph and hooking the drugster up with some busted hookers? We all know NEOCONS are hypocrits.
can drug addicts judge beauty???
How gross is that?
The thought of Limbaugh leering at girls in swimsuits makes me nauseous.
I feel sorry for the ladies. This is NO gentleman.
Maybe some drunk will mow him down on the strip.
Was Dick Cheney not available?
That would be JACKPOT Mike123!!
Nothing like a little loving from the nice people on the left...
It's because they care for their fellow man...
They don't harbor any prejudice for their brothers...
No name calling from these sweethearts...
Truth is not a word in their vocabulary...
They wish no one any harm... Unless...
LarryVegas, Limbaugh is a disgusting, hypocritical human being who only serves to lie and confuse people. He is indefensible...but I guess someone has to try.
HA HA Ha you people kill me. what a bunch of angry sons of guns. lol lol lol. life is good. feed the egos.
The coclear implant Limpbaugh wears was developed by the US and Austrialian government,
government tax and spend (NASA and University of Melboure) Drug use caused him to lose his hearing.
I hope Metro and the DEA follow him, and secretly search his airplane and room for drugs and prostitutes. Since he and his fellow dittoheads are not taking the h1n1 vacination, he may get sick and not be able to attend the event.
I wonder if he can trust the members of Culinary Union? They might short sheet his bed or put something in his...
I haven't listened to Limbaugh for over 20 years. I think he is a little too far out there for me, but I wouldn't call him the names that some here do. I guess some of you probably also question your own manhood.
LarryVegas - you haven't even heard a racist soundbite from Rush in the last 20 years? I'm pretty sure you don't have your head stuck in the sand. The guy is good for one a week. You reap what you sow, so in Rush's case, people can call him whatever they want.
Actually Jerry, I haven't heard a racist soundbite from Limbaugh probably due to the fact that I don't watch those news sites that seem to dwell in that sort of thing.
My first wife tells me my head is stuck somewhere else other then in sand. Buts that another story...
This certainly will bring out the closeted homosexual side of Rush.
But for the Miss America Pageant to hire this anti-American they might as well have hired Osama bin Laden.
I can't wait to hear the boo's that will greet the drugster when he is introduced.
PR wise it is a very smart move (because we are commenting on it) but it also a total desperate move.
Ratings suck. This annual program has proved itself to be more of a joke than a pageant.
Since 99% of America does not care what this druggie, anti-American radio host has to say about politics (and is grossly misformed about the facts of which he attempts to offer an opinion on) we have to ask; what qualities would make him a good judge?
Let's think.
For one thing, just like a gay man he himself has limited to zero interpersonal relationships with women. I mean what smart woman would go down on that fat slob? He obviously has to buy it.
Let's just be honest here folks, he is a walking Larry Craig waiting to happen.
And, he is such a bad judge of character. He was dumb enough to get busted for drugs then stupidly outs himself as a total hypocrite. By his own admission he should be in jail.
The only reason his radio show is in many cities is because they give the show away. Vegas gets it for FREE.
And Rush hates Las Vegas. Hates it.
Has stated that many times.
I get the impression that Caroll does not like Rush Limbaugh.
A couple of questions for Carroll:
You state that 99% of America does not care for Limbaugh. Has there been a poll on this???
Are you stating that Limbaugh is a homosexual?
Do you hate anyone busted for drugs?
You must listen to Limbaugh often, since you state that Rush has stated many times that he hates Las Vegas
Or do you just hate Limbaugh because of his different political views then yours???
"Premiere Radio Networks, Limbaugh's national syndicator, estimated last year that 3.59 million people were in Limbaugh's audience during an average quarter-hour of his program, based on a review of Arbitron's piecemeal data about hundreds of stations. "
3.59 million out of 300 million? That means a little more than 1% of America is listening and seem to care what he's saying.
@LarryVegas -- Ha Ha!
edgewise, are you trying to prove or discredit what Carroll posted? Cause I think you helped prove it.
If over 1% of America are considered regular listeners of Limbaugh...
How does Caroll verify his statement: "Since 99% of America does not care what this druggie, anti-American radio host has to say about politics..."
I am not one of the 1%, but I am also not one of the 99% that Caroll mentions... So where do I belong??? I bet there is a majority of Americans who feel just like me and do not fall into the 99%.
I would also assume that there are approximately 100 million Americans who consider themselves Conservatives who do care for Limbaugh's political views but are not regular listeners to him.
I have not seen a poll on this topic...
Limbaugh is gonna suprise everyone, I can see it coming....
All you "Knowitalls".....
Caroll - How do you know that Rush hates Vegas and has said it a million times...that is unless you listen to him...
Rush has been married and divorced 3 times. Now he's available. I'm sure there are many Miss America type attractive bible thumpers and undereducated southern dumbbells who would love to cohabitate with such a nice person. Remember Miss South Carolina? Of course, you'll have to live in an adjacent house on his estate in Palm Beach. Like Marta did. Can't let the stupid woman see the oxy and the poppers, right, Rush?
I can't believe that miss america would invite a drug user, who shopped doctors, to judge young women.
He is not a role model and is a overweight bag of false and misleading, opinionated lies.
Is that how low this pageant has fallen?
Man, these Limbaugh haters sure get worked up into a frenzy.
Since Limbaugh is probably not the only overweight person they have encountered and...
Probably not the first person that they have heard who has abused medication...
Probably not the only person that they know is not a role model...
Surely not the only divorced person they know...
Then it must be that his is successful and his conservative political beliefs that offend them so much.
Limbaugh is a great American. Obama is a subhuman moron.
jlb101 seems to have put on his trolling hat...
Can't wait for El Rushbo to make some sleazy statement about women. Strange that nobody remembers his old whoring days or his recent trips to poor Caribbean islands on his private jet loaded with viagra.
Not that there is anything wrong in being lustful. Heck, he will fit in perfectly in Las Vegas.
are you people this stupid? huh?
beauty pageants have been dropping in the ratings for years and years.
so HOW to get more people to watch?
pick one of the most loved...and hated...people on earth to be on the show and to create free hype.
@stevem
Yup! I think you're right! Publicity is what brings in the viewers, and in turn brings in the advertising dollars and ratings.
With a controversial personalty like Limbaugh, that's what the producers of the pageant are probably hoping for.
We are getting even for Perez! lol
Limpbowel's grandfather was an attorney in Cape Giraldo MO, a major slave port on the Mississippi River, who wrote racial covenants in deeds and other documents he prepared for Klansman and others. Limbaugh once told a black caller to his show to: "take the bone out of your nose" -so it is obvious that he will vote against blacks, Asians, Jews and others.
He is heard on a local talk station here in Vegas, where one of the local hosts has bumper music that shouts "KKK" at the beginning of the person's show, which is broadcast from a white supremacist compound in central Nevada.
Limbaugh should have been made a judge at the Miss USA pageant to cancel out that moron Perez Hilton. Asking a politically charged question to a beauty pageant contestant is pathetic. Of course, if your goal is to stretch out your 15 minutes of fame, then I suppose it makes some sense.
hey, mred...i know from most of your posts you're an idiot, but it is not spelled "giraldo". idiot.
it's girardeau.
I knew mred would show up with his racist rant.
He is a true race baiter...
I always thought the the very notion of beauty pageants was more then just a bit misogynistic. Now that Rush Limbaugh is being asked to judge this contest, I'm absolutely certain of it.
Finally, something that matches his intelligence level (although barely).
I am an "old lady" and have watched Miss American with my mother for years, but not 2010. Since I still have freedom of choice, I don't listen to Limbaugh and don't plan to watch him now or in the future. Just don't like the negative, hateful attitude.
Isn't it great to have a choice? If you, like me, do not care to watch the Miss American contest, then you don't have to watch.
But some out there just can't do that. They have to name call and put people down if their political views are different from their own...
Look, he doesn't like Black people, SO WHAT!! I am sure the other judges do, it doesn't mean they will not win.. By the way he hates gays, and Mexicans also. I was wondering, is he wearing his white robe and mask while judging, I wouldn't know because I will not watch. And if the NFL lets him buy the Rams, I won't watch football anymore either.
I am sure you won't be missed cpo...
Lets put things in perspective:
You live in Las Vegas. The most
exploitive city in the world of young women.
Nothing else needs to be said.
Limpbow was fired by a sports network for racist commentary during and NFL game, I'm sure when sponsors find out he's judging they drop their support in a similar fashion.
Limpbowl used a phoney medical gimmick to dodge the draft.
LOL--
wow--another reason NOT TO WATCH!
Only grandmas watch anyway. Its always been that way.. why do you think they picked a guy that only grandmas listen too? makes sense..
Truly..don't we have more important things to worry about?
Rush Limbaugh never served one day in the military or the Boy Scouts of America yet he is called a great American hero?
He is a college dropout loser of the first order and not worthy of any lauditory comments. A racial bigot of the first order he is indeed the most dangerous man in America.
He has no qualities which warrant his being a judge for the Miss America contest. Bert Parks must be rolling in his grave at this idea...God help us with Limbaugh as fair? and balanced judge? If he can stand up after his drinking and drug binges it would be interesting if he is 'balanced' at all.
Isn't it great to have a choice? If you do not care to watch the Miss American contest, then you don't have to watch.
But some out there just can't do that. They have to name call and put people down if their political views are different from their own...
vsestini-Yes Rush dropped out of college because of his love for radio. But he is a big winner not a loser like you. For you information 275 of the richest 400 people in this country never finished college. Among them Steven Jobs (Apple), Bill Gates (Micorsoft), and Larry Ellison (Oracle). Rush is actually in some pretty elite company although not in the top 400. But then $35 million a year is not real bad. I understand his biggest joy in life is irritating lefty losers like you. The more you hate him the more he likes it. By the way which model Gulfsream do you have?
Obama has no qualities which warrant him being president either. He got through Harvard because they had to meet their quota of minorities. In fact he did not even meet the minimum entry requirements becase of his undergraduate grades. He was not qualified. He has never done anything significant other than being a welfare pimp in Chicago and a fourth rate lawyer. He admitted to be a dope smoking crack head. He makes Rush look like a choirboy.
It's unfortunate that people use the 'distance' of the internet to so easily become hateful, and not simply discuss.
The Miss America Pageant, for those who do not know, is the largest provider of scholarship assistance to women IN THE WORLD. So to say it's irrelevant is uninformed. Just ask any of the thousands of women it has helped to put through college.
Pageants, like everything else, evolve over time. The hard working folks that run Miss America simply try to appeal to different people at different times. Like choosing Rush as a judge. (And no, I do not work with Miss America, and no, I am not a Rush fan.)
Anyone who thinks that pageant contestants aren't up to the challenge of being asked "politically charged questions", as another post said, doesn't know much about these women.
Watch. Don't watch. That's part of what a free country is all about. And yes, more than grandmothers and gay men do watch.