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I have to say, the older (and wiser) I get, the more sense Rush makes. Having him endorse the Mac officially, with backing from Apple, would be a "good thing."

lol Rush is Right, again!!!!

Iíve asked myself this same question for several years. I even called apple about five years ago and suggested they work with Rush. Personally, I thought the addition of Al Gore to their BOD was a smart move, but the blatant disregard for Rush's dedication to the Macintosh is simply foolish and lends credence to Rush's comments. Does not a single person inside apple have the balls to say, hey, this might be a good idea? Imagine the new apple Al/Rush commercial!

Ed: I don't recall who said it (I think it was Mark Twain nee Sam Clemens), but it was something like, "I've never met a man under 25 who wasn't a Democrat, and I've never met a man over 25 who wasn't a Republican."

Wisdom comes only with age. (;

Ditto, Ditto, & Mega Dittos to the MahaRushdi!!!!!!

What a bunch of tired, old crap. Rush's complaint isn't political, but of
course he has to phrase it so for his march-in-lockstep fans. It is
standard for a radio host that regularly mentions a product to expect
a quid-pro-quo purchase of advertising, etc. Apple isn't playing ball,
so he does a little bit of whining. Besides, apparently Apple provides
a product he wants for a price he is willing to pay. Under normal
conservative ideology that is the only obligation a corporation has in
a free market. Finally, wouldn't being endorsed by the leader of a
bunch of dittoheads who are daily uploaded their new thoughts be hard to reconcile with the motto Think Different?

Rush is so dead on with this. It shouldn't matter whether you're conservative or liberal when it comes to something like a computer or technology. I love Apple and my Mac but I'm also conservative and a Republican. I certainly am on the polar opposite side of the political spectrum from Al Gore to say the least, that's for sure. I know for a fact that I'm not the only Mac user that is this way but you wouldn't know it from the way Apple goes about things. Why can't we put politics aside in this instance?? It makes absolutely no sense to not be as inclusive as you can. Try to "Think Different" about it Steve...

Why would anyone want to align themselves with mush gumball. It's good that he uses a Mac, but the guy's an idiot.

Cinque

Right on Rush. With a slogan like "Think Different" you would think Apple would want to be as INCLUSIVE as possible and not be strictly EXCLUSIVE to only liberal democrats (like most everyone from anywhere near Cupertino).

Hmm, I thought this would devolve into a name calling show before long. Listen to the clip on Rush's website and you will find that he really knows his macs. He also rants a bit about the superiority of Macintosh computers. By the way, wouldn't Rush's use of Macs qualify as thinking different? Do we only want people we completely agree with using our precious macs?

'Opinionated Jerk' doesn't begin to know just how true his handle is. To him, anyone who has ever listened to Limbaugh, or read any of his writing, or ever expressed agreement with any of his opinions, is a 'march-in-lockstep fan' who is 'daily uploaded' his 'new thoughts'.

A clue for you, O.J.: Millions of people who have never listened to a single Limbaugh broadcast find themselves agreeing with him from time to time. If you use a Mac, you're one of them. Does that make YOU a 'dittohead'? If not, then you might want to stop your silly rant against anyone else who shares opinions with the guy.

(Me, I have never heard Limbaugh's radio show, but whenever I find an opinion of his in print, the odds are good that I agree with the substance . . . & wish the man were not such an arrogant goofball in the way he chooses to present it.)

I don't think having Limbaugh advertising Macs is a good idea. I don't think having Gore on the board is a good idea, either. Aren't corporate directors SUPPOSED to be expert business people who keep an eye out for the interests of the shareholders?

A Commercial in the future:
ALGORE goes on about his values and beliefs
cut to RUSH
RUSH goes on about his values and beliefs
cut to a 2 shot of RUSH and ALGORE
"There's one thing we can agree on...
The Apple Macintosh is the most powerful, versatile and easy to use computer on earth."
ALGORE- "I like the PowerBook the Best"
RUSH-"EVERYBODY KNOWS THE G5 PowerMac is better"
and back and forth
(fade out)
If done right, it could be very cool
P.S.
To all of the Rush bashers out there, more people listen to Rush every day than use Macintosh computers every day. The Limbaugh show has a high-income, high-education demographic with a large number of self-employed and small business people. Who do you think Apple should sell their computers to?

Politics aside, has anyone noticed that to "listen live" to Rush you have to use Windows Media or RealPlayer? And below the article is a huge button to download Windows Media Player. Rush, why no Quicktime? You rave about how superior Apple is but fail to use arguably the best media format and player around. What's the deal?

I agree about the lack of Quicktime support. I suppose they had to go with the numbers.

Umm...OK, I'm Jamaican, and we have our own brand of spectacularly shitty politics (and practitioners thereof), but Limbaugh is neither here nor there to me, and I fail to see what the perceived political leanings of Apple's corporate leadership have to do with Apple's market performance whatsoever. Is he trying to say that more Republicans would buy Macs if Jobs didn't come across as some kind of Marin County pinko liberal? That's a meaningless argument, because Apple's market share is testament to the fact that liberal Democrats aren't swarming the Apple stores either. I personally think that Jobs is an immature, arrogant jackass with the stage presence of a carnival barker, and I wouldn't piss in his mouth if his teeth were on fire. But I consider him one of the great visionary minds of the computer industry, and under his leadership Apple has set the gold standard for innovation. I wouldn't dream of using anything except a Mac. Seems to me that Limbaugh is trying to drag his political views into an arena where it doesn't have any context.

Politics in Jamaica is a blood sport. I've seen the horrifying effects of political demagoguery first-hand, and it never fails to amaze me that otherwise intelligent people can get so caught up in the shrill invective and tribalising influence of commentators with personal axes to grind. I guess it's a testament to the vitality of democracy in America, that despite the idiotic posturing on both sides of the political spectrum, ‡ la CNN's Crossfire, your nation remains the greatest on the planet. The average American takes for granted the freedoms bestowed by your remarkable constitution; you know your country is great but you don't know why.

he revolutionized radio like mike tyson revolutionized politix! Howard Stern revolutionized radio. Rush is a Putz. Though his use of an apple shocks me. who would have thunk that someone so mainstream and conservitive would use a machine designed by a vegan hippy?

Apple has lost half its customers over the last 3 years... associating the companies dwindling prospects with Gore can be of no benefit. Why piss off half your base? Probably more like 70% of you your base, considering demographics. All in all, this is not what they need right now.

I run a reasonably large business on macs and it has given me reason to consider switching. If i were using pc's I would probably obsess on Gore as a reason not to use macs. It could be worse though, like making macs in France or adding Hillary to the board.

Why not let it all hang out and have every imac launch with a pro-abortion quicktime movie?

BTW- pairing Gore and Limbaugh in the same Apple ad would be priceless.

Rush has always said that regardless of race, politics, or religion, always choose the best for the job. Thus, he chooses Macs because he thinks they are the best.
By the way, at EIB, Rush employs blacks, Democrats and Jews not because they fit the demographics, but because they are the best at what they do!

Johnboy,

You sound like a nutter to me. A Christian-right-neo-conservative-insular-xenphobe.

I bet you even think the US/UK have actually done a good job in Iraq don't you ? (When they didn't even have a plan for post-war law and order beyond protecting the oil fields)

The fact that Rush would extol the virtues of Apple's products, knowing the political base of it's founder and some board members, speakes volumes about Rush. The man has far more depth than his blatant critics will admit.

Those who run large companies and ultimately choose which platform are not the tree-huggin' type. They are pragmatic, conservative, right-thinking, and mostly white men. They're not impressed with Algore, or John Lennon "Think Different" posters. And they're not buying Macs outside of their "crazy" art departments. Macs are for wacko Libs (and not for the rest of us) until Jobs either removes his wacked out politics from Apple or Apple removes Jobs.

I'd just like to point out to all of you including Rush Limbaugh that his name is Al Gore not Algore.

I am the classic lefty that Rush despises and my dad is the stereotypical Rush lover. We do agree on one thing...our love for our TiPowerBooks.

I know my dad bought his not to be more like me but because his hero, Rush has one. He feels cool knowing he has the same machine as Rush. He also knows I know a thing or two about computers and if his weirdo, commie, pinko, computer freak, homo son and Rush both have one, it must be really cool!

Rush is right (pun intended). Apple really should try harder to not exclude the rest of the world from their cool little, tiny, exclusive club.

Hey Opinionated Jerk, Rush isn't asking for free computers. Heck, he doesn't even use his health insurance, he PAYS FOR IT out of pocket. His goal isn't to get free stuff, it's to tell people about something he thinks is great...even if you don't agree with what he stands for, think of it this way...when you find something great, be it a political belief, a spiritual revelation, or even a really cool product, you WANT people to know about it, you WANT people to see the light. That's the reason he has his own show, and that's the reason he talks about his Macs the way he does. Even now, he basically advertises for them with no payoff. Separate the politics and look at it this way...what would the HARM be if Apple advertised with him. 20 million listeners? You know how uneducated many in the public sector are? ESPECIALLY if you think his listeners do only what he says...THAT'S EVEN BETTER FOR APPLE!

I for one think the commercial Adam Smith envisioned is a GREAT idea. Both these guys have a sense of humor...and I think they would BOTH have fun with it. The perfect commercial to bridge the political gap and reach everyone.

In Other Words, Rush would like free 'puters & money to keep speaking of Apple. It isn't about politics, it isn't about Al Gore, it is about getting free stuff and getting paid. Thats what "stars" expect when they talk about a particular brand!

A true Apple Loyalist does not worry about the politics of Apple, nor do we talk about Apple computers because we can get a free toaster oven with every 3 switchers we make. We are loyal and support *OUR* platform because we *FEEL* (read *KNOW*) that it is the best desktop platform out there.

It is true that Apple and Jobs do hold certain political ideology, but it has been that way from day 1. MS and many other companies like your phone company, electric company, and others choose to make political statments, donations and even create thier own political action commities (the RIAA is a great example). I live in Chicago, and I know what ComEd the electric company supports politically, it isn't my politics, but it is the choice of the company's leadership to do as they please, but you don't see Rush doing psa for the Electric Industry.

Over the years Rush has talked alot about his use of Mac's on his shows, as have many other famous people. That said, anyone who cares what Rush has to say would already know that he uses a Mac and if that was the basis for also using a Mac then everyone that is going to get a Mac because of Rush should already have one.

How many people think Rush has a following that DOES NOT already tune into his show now?

As it is now, the politics of Apple and Steve Jobs are not a front issue, even with "citizen" Al Gore on the board of directors (You would be surprised at how many former politicians are on corporate boards-Cheney & Halliburton ring any bells?). But if Apple was to make Rush into a commercial or soundbyte, by the very nature of Rush being a political entertainer it would put Apples politics front and center.

Just another example of someone tyring to make politics a way to more personal gain.

why would Apple bring him on "officially" when he apparently raves about them on air all the time? Why pay for what you're getting for free?

If he has 20 million radio listeners, that's a lot of free advertising for Apple. And this is also Apple's best for of advertising: word of mouth. You can't beat it.

Actually, I'll tell you what Apple needs to do. Nail an iBook to Britney Spears' hand.

Those things would sell like crazy.

This seems to be an inhouse article as there is no attribution. FYI, Limbaugh's radio audience was 20 million *per week*, not day, at one time. The latest figures I am aware of, admittedly dated, put him in the 17 million per week range.

The idea of Rush and Gore doing an Apple commercial together is one of the best ideas I've heard in years. It could be incredibly funny and probably double Apple's market share.

Sadly, however, "Rush is right"; Apple puts politices ahead of business and will never do it.

I will never understand why so many people value the opinion of such a self serving, egotistical Arse. If being a flaming liberal would boast his rating Rush would be a "Card carrying Liberal" Tommorrow. I am glad Rush routinely endorses Apple Products, even if he pokes at Apple known liberal tendencies in the process. In the end any publicity is good publicity and obviously Rush doesn't let his politics prevent him from being the Best Computers Money can buy... Maybe he is not as dumb as I thought.... Liberal, Moderate or Conservative, we love Apple's products the rest is just BULLSHIT!

This weeks figures for radio audiance: Rush comes in at 14.5 million, handily beating Dr. Laura at 8.0.

Politics is a bunch of crap.

I use a Mac becasue it is easy. I do IT all day long at work and while I make tons of $$$$ fixing those stupid Windoz machines I prefer a Mac when I get home.

Apple is a business. It sells computers. Only a moron would care if Rush advertises for them. It's all about making a product and selling it.

Typical of political idealogues to get into a debate over who should sell a stupid machine.

I am one of those tree-huggin', overly-creative, marchin'-to-his-OWN-drummer, far-left, screamingly-Gay, Mac users.

When Apple wanted to put up a plant in Texas, creating thousands of needed jobs for the area, but the locals shunned them for supporting same-sex couples in their medical and life insurance, Apple rightfully went elsewhere.

Apple DOES support inclusion of EVERYONE, exactly as they are, and having Rush with his archaic, Bible-thumpin', bigoted, opinions as a spokesperson would completely contradict what Apple wants to stand for.

Yes, even egocentric azzh0les can see a good product and support it, but that doesn't mean that Apple needs to support egocentric azzh0les.

Rush does not "Think Different". He thinks the world would be a better place if everyone "Thinks like Rush". I am quite sure as soon as Rush stops trying to dye the diverse and beautiful fabric of humanity into his his own solid color of olive-drab, then Apple would reconsider.


~ God made Gays so the truly creative are not burdened by children. ~

"Yes, even egocentric azzh0les can see a good product and support it, but that doesn't mean that Apple needs to support egocentric azzh0les."

You must be speaking of Algore!

Sheesh, every time you squat on the pot you lose IQ points.

Rush is upset he isn't getting PAID for his mac support. He's
bewildered that he plugs the product and Apple isn't responding
with an endorsement deal or advertising dollars.

The responses here show why Apple doesn't do a deal with this
self-important arsehole--he is a polarizing figure and any
endorsement by him would end up being much more about
him than Apple. Since he already plugs the mac to his
collection of dittohead sycophant nutters, an endorsement deal
wouldn't add any customers but instead just piss off other ones.

Besides, only a cretin would buy or not buy a computer based on what political figure likes it.

*sigh* My question still hasn't been answered. What does Apple's political leanings have to do with it's success as a business? Why is MacDailyNews reporting on politics instead of computers? I agree with Opinionated Jerk: only a cretin would buy a computer based on the political ideology of its manufacturer. The fact that Rush himself uses Macs despite Apple's supposed leftist leanings should signify that the argument is meaningless. I get the impression that Limbaugh is bent out of shape because Gore is on the board. He comes across as a petulant sorehead. How dare Apple invite someone he loathes to join its board, when he's been plugging Macs for years! The very nerve! He doesn't even have the decency to refer to Gore by his name, instead of calling him "Algore". Really immature of him. Hey Stevie baby, you could score a REALLY huge publicity coup by inviting Rush to join the board as well. Maybe that's what he's angling for.

At any rate, let's leave politics and personality out of Mac news. Like I said in a previous post, I personally don't like Jobs, but I'm damn glad he's back at Apple, and stamping his vision on the companies products. I hope he stays a long, long time.

"computer for the left of us"
or
"the computer for what's left of us"

...me thinks 1.9% market share too small to split in half.

Does anyone know if Rush has talked about the Tukwila school district refusing FREE Macs? (see article on this website). Rush likes Macs. Rush frequently talks about how school systems suck or are mismanaged. Now, whether you agree with Rush's politics (or Al Gore's for that matter) surely we can all agree that getting Rush involved in pointing out this stupid "macrimination" would be a good thing for Apple. I am ambivalent towards Rush but I sure would like to hear him rip into that superintendant Silver guy.

Actually, Apple has zero percent of what is typically considered the computer market - the 'compatible'* computer market.

Yet it has 100% of the the Macintosh computer market. So, it looks like Apple is doing quite well.

{ If this notion is too difficult for you, try this. Wendy's has 100% marketshare of the '1/4 lb. Classic SingleÆ', even tho' many others sell 'hamburgers'. If you brought home a bag of them and a bag of 'WhoppersÆ' and a bag of BigMacsÆ [hehe] everyone could have lunch. Your teeth could get to work on any of those sandwiches. If you didn't have teeth, then 'your' mouth wouldn't be compatible. But you could 'upgrade' your mouth with any brand of teeth, and all the sandwiches would now work. Provided you had the correct drivers }

The Gore/Limbaugh commercial could work, if they kept focused on the one thing they agree on.

And, Limbaugh should definately speak 'his' mind on the Tukwila situation. Given his views about the wasted resources of the school systems, it seems prudent to have such a notable conservative point out the lunacy of Mr. Silvers *'two'* decisions. (Yes kids, wrap your noodlesalad around his latest plan! Ack!)




* barely compatible

Regardless of whether you as an individual agree with Rush or not, Apple fired the shot first here by putting Gore on their board in the first place. He is loathed and despised by at least 50% of the U.S. population for what he put the country through 2 years ago with his ridiculous behavior immediately following the presidential election he lost. Again, whether you personally feel that way or not, at least 50% of the people out there do (the ones who voted for the guy who actually won). The smart thing would be for Apple to get Gore off the board immediately and not show a tendency to lean either one direction or the other politically. All that does is potentially scare away half of your business. In a market as competitive as technology, Apple needs to be as non-partisan as possible. Bringing someone like Gore in on to your board is literally like slapping the faces of half of your customers out thereÖ

Come on Lance... Apples Board of Directors is a BUSINESS ENTITY not a POLITICAL ENTITY. Apple should be able to put who ever the want on the Board without worry about POLITICAL consequences.. Apple Board ONLY has to answer to Apple stockholders and NOT the VOTING Public... Obviously the majority of Apple's Shareholders are fine with Al Gore as they have ade no effort to remove him... Don't Let you Politics blind you... Apple reamins Insanely Great with or without Al Gore.. And as for 50% od the country Despising Al Gore... Remember the other 50% Despise G. W. Bush.... who is also a Mac user by the way.... At Least our president can see past his Politics and but the "right" computer.

As a devoted Mac user for about 6 years I've presumed that those attracted to the Mac platform were a "cut above" the norm. From the invective hurled at Rush Limbaugh - a truly creative and interesting mind - it's sad to realize that Macs are not exclusive to those with the ability to reason...

Ed,
I agree.

- Mark

Today we present to you a collection of ridiculous and intolerant comments. I don't care about the political preferences of any of you in regard to this issue. Since I personally know Rush as well as anyone here, I don't believe he is angling for free computers or contributions to the RNC. This is about what I see as Appleís comfort in acknowledging liberal or progressive personalities while quietly ignoring the other half of the political population ñ except when they hold a valid credit card.

The juvenile name calling displayed here only reveals a lack of any substantial foundation for these attacks. Abandoning Appleís products because of their appointment of Al Gore is foolishly reactionary ñ likewise for those who would chastise or attack Apple for acknowledging Rush as a strong supporter of their products. Perhaps even worse is the belief that distancing itself from anything political is the best approach. That would certainly be the conservative thing to do, not to mention boring and without risk. The one thing that bonds us together is the belief that Apple makes great computers ñ the best computers. The fact that people from all walks of life, of differing ideologies, can hold this common ground is a good thing.

Windows Media Player and Real Player are the only options for listening to his net site. Isn't it ironic.

Ah yes, the eternal question of "does being inclusive mean you have to include folks who are anti-inclusive?" I don't think putting Rush on the BOD would do anything useful for Apple. If anything, he'd probably have to bite his tongue to avoid running afoul of the SEC!

I do think that the Rush/Al commercial would be AWESOME.

And of course, this chap's political influence, and Al Gore's, extend overseas?
Get your head out of the sand, Apple sells the odd piece of kit outside the US, these people's influence OS is zero.

There IS concern overseas. Not for Rush and Al Gore specifically. but certainly I'm worried by some stuff I've read on boards posted by neo-cons and the oxymoronic Christian right.

If Apple is acting in its best interest, politics are necessarily clouding its views. Rush speaks to 20 million people. Whether he is a self-proclaiming arse, or whatever is not important. 20 million people is 6.6 percent of the population, based on 300 million people (we're not quite there yet, but close, so it can include int'l listeners). That is more than double Apple's current market share. Rush is obviously ready and willing to extol the virtues of Apple products.

Why pay for something when you can get it for free? Well, hearing and seeing Rush push Macs may be pretty convincing. Seeing Apple endorse Rush would solidify it! It doesn't matter if only an idiot would buy something based on a political figure's endorsement. Only an idiot would buy ANYTHING based on ANYONE'S endorsement. So? Who cares? Money is money. Without idiots, there are no customers.

Apple's liberal customers aren't going to switch to PC if they see Rush on a commercial. Apple is simply a better product, and it needs to gain market share any way it can, regardless of who endorses it (within reason).

The Gore-Rush commercial might be as amusing and ironic as the Mini-Me-Yao commercial. Interestingly, Rush has a good question, though I am not sure Apple's lack of market share has anything to do with politics. Shareholders should ask themselves if Apple is doing enough to improve market share and raise profitability. It would seem that the G5 and its pricing is competitive with other computer offerings, so the question is, what else can Apple do to increase its business?

Apple historically has a problem marketing its products effectively. They make things that look cool and work better than the competition, which is all well and good, but if no one (or very few people) uses it, then their efforts have been largely wasted. Their ads also look pretty cơol, but the leadership needs to understand how to seize opportunities when they present themselves. How annoying or obnoxious an individual is is an irrelevant issue in business. The object is to make money.

And just for the record, I think that liberal stereotypes of conservatives, and conservative stereotypes of liberals are usually way off.