A.G. Gancarski
In West Palm Beach Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed expectations that he would order flags to half staff to memorialize the death of radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who was a Florida resident.
The lowering will happen when funeral arrangements are announced, which DeSantis spokesperson Meredith Beatrice confirmed was protocol.
For those tracking the Governor’s messaging in the days since the conservative talk show host died of lung cancer on Ash Wednesday, the lowering of the flag represents tribute, recognition, and respect for the man regarded by many as the standard bearer of American conservatism.
DeSantis, during an appearance on “Fox and Friends” Thursday, credited the just-deceased radio talk titan with helping him reach voters and ultimately win the Governor’s race.
“He had me on when I was running for Governor,” DeSantis said. “I was getting the tar kicked out of me every day and he had me on the week before the election in 2018. He didn’t have a lot of guests. I was honored to be on his show a couple of times.”
Hours before, DeSantis showed up on the Laura Ingraham show Wednesday night, describing Limbaugh as “the Babe Ruth of radio” and offering a unique insight into the more performative nature of the craft of the conservative commentator.
“He would have been great in radio even without the conservative thing. He’s just that talented. Obviously he was a conservative icon up there with (Antonin) Scalia, (Ronald) Reagan, and (William F.) Buckley,” DeSantis said, invoking the conservative trinity of the former Supreme Court Justice, the Republican President of the 1980s, and the father of the postwar conservative movement.
Describing Limbaugh as a “personal friend” and a “warm and decent man,” DeSantis said that he was “proud that [Limbaugh] was in the Southern Command down in Florida for so long.”
Announcing the lowering of the flags came at an event flush with enthusiastic partisans. DeSantis clearly timed it to please a stacked crowd, showing that while Limbaugh may have passed on, his legacy is alive and well in the Governor’s Mansion.
Democrats, including a potential 2022 opponent, were roiled.
“DeSantis is lowering Florida’s flags to half–staff for Rush Limbaugh. But he had no words for Congressman John Lewis. Priorities,” tweeted Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried Friday.
2018 gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham posed the question: “How dare you lower Florida flags for a racist?”
South Florida Congressman Ted Deutch blasted the “disgusting” decision by DeSantis as “embarrassing to our state.”
“Lowering the flag of the United States is a high honor reserved for those who have honorably and bravely served our state and our nation. Unfortunately, Governor DeSantis has now transformed this distinction into a partisan political tool to salute a man who served no other interests than his own and did his best to deeply divide a country along political fault lines,” said Senate Democratic Leader Gary Farmer, who added the move “should be rescinded.”
Sen. Annette Taddeo questioned the legality of the proposal, wondering how Limbaugh qualified for the honor.
“How does a man like Rush Limbaugh, that spewed bigotry & blatant racism to anyone that would listen, qualify under FL Flag rules? Either you didn’t bother to know the rules or you just don’t care!”
The Florida Senate Democrats likewise challenged the move.
“Rush Limbaugh met none of the Governor’s office qualifications. He was not a former Governor or prominent U.S. or state official, he was not a member of military on active duty (in fact, he never served), and he was not law enforcement or a firefighter killed in the line of duty.”
“Rush Limbaugh was a racist. Period. That’s the tweet,” added Rep. Angie Nixon, a state Representative from Jacksonville.
58 comments
tjb
February 19, 2021 at 10:47 am
DeSantis, are you joking when you described Rush as a ” “warm and decent man”.
Half staff for a racist and hate monger. Why about half staff for the 30,000 Floridians who died from Covid 19.
James M. Mejuto
February 19, 2021 at 10:49 am
re: Lumbar: This foreign governor of Florida has no idea
how the American flag is a symbol of honor.
Lush Lumbar is not a ‘hero’ nor is he a patriot.
Why in the world(except for republican politics)
would anyone want to honor this asshole, yet
he’s ordered the flags at half-staff.
mr brooks
February 21, 2021 at 7:02 pm
Wish I could meet up with you at perhaps a Legion or VFW post where you can vocalize your righteous indignation. I relish political debate in just about any political arena. I will even tie one hand behind my back just to make it fair; as Rush used to say!
It sounds like your brain has been on a steady diet of liberal/progressive mush since you got your DD214. Maybe Keith Oberlman is your uncle. Maybe you believe what the Clinton’s told you as opposed to your own lying eyes. There are plenty out there like you in lemming land.
I, too, am a veteran of that same conflict era. I, however, turned right when I ETS’d. You turned left. Sorry bout that.
David
February 22, 2021 at 7:10 am
Sounds less like you turned right and more like you turned in your brain.
Dave
February 22, 2021 at 8:34 pm
Tie one hand behind your back? Sounds like you don’t relish a political discussion but a physical. confrontation.
Typical Trumplican. I’m up for it tho since one hand will be tied and your head is still obviously in DJT’s burger filled colon.
Frankie M.
February 19, 2021 at 10:56 am
You’ve got to be shitting me. A pure limbaugh move designed to piss off anybody with a brain.
Chad Sexington
February 19, 2021 at 11:20 am
What a disgrace! Honoring a bigoted hatemonger who’s only achievement was sowing discourse and spreading racism, sexism, and encouraging idiocracy is an embarrassment to our state. Priorities, Ronnie D! Can you actually govern, or is pandering your only skill?
Debra Everton
February 19, 2021 at 11:55 am
Disgraceful! Limbaugh was a racist, lying SOB. Hope he rots in hell. Will not lower my flag for him.
DisplacedCTYankee
February 19, 2021 at 11:57 am
Please, please G$d, tell us that this story is a joke.
trump lost
February 19, 2021 at 12:00 pm
DeSantis….doing everything he can to lose in 2022.
Darryl Highsmith
February 19, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Can the governor order the US flag half-staffed for anyone he or she chooses? No.
Section 7m of the Flag Code authorizes a governor to half-staff the US flag upon the death of a present or former official of the government of the state, or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from that state who dies while serving on active duty.
Governors can order the flag to half-staff to honor fallen soldiers from their state (see Public Law 110-41). The change was the result of governor proclamations, like this one from Governor Granholm of Michigan.
Some object to this extension of a governor’s authority because they feel half-staffing the flag for every fallen soldier can be seen as anti-war. Some feel that overuse cheapens the symbolic power of half-staffing the flag, traditionally reserved for political leaders.
Patty Wolf
February 19, 2021 at 12:16 pm
It figures our little greaseball gangster governor would honor a sexist, racist, bigoted “local.”🙄
Shon
February 19, 2021 at 12:19 pm
Limbaugh was a terrible man..he was misogynistic, bigoted, racist, xenophobic and sadly the sweetheart of the ultra right conservatives. In reality he was a pompous, callous, unpalatable ultra right wing zealot. He did nothing but continue to deepen division between parties, promote lies, conspiracy theories, He was an outright hateful little troll.
DeSantis is pandering to Trump country because he’s hoping it gets him re-elected – and lets be real, anything that resembled the GOP is dead, so we might as well be hanging the flag at half mast for the death of the Republican Party as it has become the brainwashed party of Trump supporters and QAnon enthusiasts.
mr brooks
February 21, 2021 at 4:09 pm
Pretty strong commentary from somebody who most likely never actually listened to Rush through the years. Sounds like you got your info through those low ratings liberal radio stations. God gave you a brain, use it. THINK FOR YOURSELF! Limbaugh did!!
Mel
February 23, 2021 at 11:33 am
Amen Mr. Brooks, my thoughts exactly.
David
February 23, 2021 at 12:53 pm
Yeah, I listened to a little bit of his drivel now and then. I could only take a few minutes at a time before I wanted to throw up.
Mike Undane
February 19, 2021 at 12:43 pm
Sure. Why not. Trumpists have lowered every other standard in this country, may as well lower that one too.
Paul Hunt
February 19, 2021 at 12:46 pm
Limbaugh was the worse purveyor of lies and misinformation for about the last 30 years or more. Listening to Limbaugh for 15 minutes or more, which I forced myself to do frequently, and you would hear more obvious lies and misinformation than all the other right-wing media combined. Maybe now we can get people to listen to credible news sources who adhere to professional journalism standards. After drinking Limbaugh’s Kool-Aid for years it would be a shock for too many people. I served honorably in the U.S. Army (during the Vietnam Era) and am outraged that my beloved flag of the country I served would be so dishonored by flying it a half-staff for such a disruputable individual. He should be forgotten as soon as possible and the damage he inflicted repaired.
mr brooks
February 21, 2021 at 4:32 pm
Wish I could meet up with you at perhaps a Legion or VFW post where you can vocalize your righteous indignation. I relish political debate in just about any political arena. I will even tie one hand behind my back just to make it fair; as Rush used to say!
It sounds like your brain has been on a steady diet of liberal/progressive mush since you got your DD214. Maybe Keith Oberlman is your uncle. Maybe you believe what the Clinton’s told you as opposed to your own lying eyes. There are plenty out there like you in lemming land.
I, too, am a veteran of that same conflict era. I, however, turned right when I ETS’d. You turned left. Sorry bout that.
Daniel Feldman
February 19, 2021 at 12:56 pm
Some people object when I refer to Florida as the Sunshine Shithole (or the Sunshine Cesspool when I want to be more polite). You, they and everyone morally conscious know it’s true and the governor is Exhibit #1.
That doesn’t mean I don’t want to be in Florida this very minute rather than snowy New York. It is what it is, that’s all.
brian
February 19, 2021 at 1:07 pm
You liberals are sick and you HATE the truth !!!!
Jorge Reyes
February 19, 2021 at 1:26 pm
I really don’t care what anyone else thinks and perhaps neither does the governor. I applaud the governor, Limbaugh was a patriot who promoted American exceptionalism and should be recognized and honored as such.
Gussie
February 25, 2021 at 10:18 pm
I agree. Rush told the truth and was never afraid to do so. He will be greatly missed.
Jorge Reyes
February 19, 2021 at 1:26 pm
I really don’t care what anyone else thinks and perhaps neither does the governor. I applaud the governor, Limbaugh was a patriot who promoted American exceptionalism and should be recognized and honored.
David
February 23, 2021 at 12:56 pm
“American exceptionalism” aka Fascism.
Amy Hill Stone
February 19, 2021 at 1:29 pm
Gov. DeSantis: you are a f—-ing idiot. Representing yourself as a friend of Rush Limbaugh says everything about you.
mike butler
February 19, 2021 at 1:52 pm
You fools denigrating Rush Limbaugh are the hatemongers here. I guarantee none of you have ever listened to his radio program to find out what he actually said, and instead choose to parrot third-hand disinformation about him. He was none of the derogatory epithets you idiots call him, and he was a great American who shone the light of truth on this country and revolutionized the once-dying media of broadcast radio. His patriotism will never be forgotten, and I salute the governor for honoring him.
MLCATD727
February 19, 2021 at 2:14 pm
Ron is the MMMMMMAAAAANNNNNNN! Cracking up reading these responses! He will go far because he feels no need to pat the bottoms of the crying, lying lefties! Misogynistic, bigoted, racist, xenophobic..leftie words when they are unhappy, SO OVERUSED! (Thanks AOC)
Ginger Li
February 19, 2021 at 2:36 pm
What an absolutely vile commentariat patrol this site. If one doesn’t genuflect to and approve of the weird cultures of the degenerate left, out of respect for their Christian beliefs, a generally very peaceful and tolerant community, one is treated to the most vicious hate mongering and bigotry one could not even imagine otherwise. OTOH, they give the Muslims a pass to hate it and them all they will. It just goes to show what insecure lives they live, and how tentative are the beliefs they hold. Long live Governor DeSantis.
Karellen
February 19, 2021 at 3:19 pm
Rational people should expect nothing less from this Dump wanna be of a Governor. Limpblob was a sex tourist who Dr. shopped to feed his opioid addiction. To call him vile human being would be a compliment.
Ocean Joe
February 19, 2021 at 3:22 pm
Was surprised and pleased to see flags here lowered for Rep. Elijah Cummings some time back. Republican heroes are getting fewer and far between, so allow them to use government facilities to honor a guy who spent so much time trying to tear government down. I would go so far as to lower the flag for deregulation, witnessing the consequences over in Texas. And lower the flag for politicians’ trips to Cancun, that is probably dead too. Rush is to be admired for turning hot air into a fortune. If the talk show folks on the far extremes all croak we might get America back.
Jeri
February 19, 2021 at 4:28 pm
I am literally floored at these negative comments about Rush! I had heard people were celebrating his death but I didn’t believe it until now. I bet not a single one of you ever really listened to him. He was a true Patriot and loved this country. He knew more truth about things than anyone else I’ve ever listened to. 30 plus years I listened to him and not one single time did a racist remark come out if his mouth. His Presidential Medal of Freedom award was well deserved! I commend our great Governor Ron DeSantis for making the move to lower our flag which represents our freedoms that so far we still hold, in honor of Rush who was one of the greatest Americans to ever live. The hate spewing from you here speaks volumes as to why unity will never happen! Y’all have so much hate in your hearts that I don’t know how you sleep at night. You all must be miserable!
David
February 22, 2021 at 7:22 am
“Look, let me put it to you this way: the NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it.”
To a caller he couldn’t understand, “Take that bone out of your nose and call me back.”
“Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?”
Maybe you just weren’t listening at the right times, or maybe you don’t consider those racist remarks.
Mel
February 23, 2021 at 11:48 am
Sad news for you … Jesse Jackson is a racist. Not saying that because of Limbaugh, saying it because I imagine that’s why Limbaugh felt free to make fun of him. Don’t know that Jesse is a criminal, but he ain’t no Reverend. Maybe, you’re the one with the problem, not Rush. You can’t tell which ones are the racists and which ones aren’t.
David
February 23, 2021 at 1:10 pm
LOL dream on
Hester Prynne
February 24, 2021 at 6:05 am
True Patriot except for when it was his turn to serve his country. Then , not so much.
dan ehrlich
February 19, 2021 at 5:03 pm
Such an honor is reserved for someone who serves all Americans, not a deeply partisan minority.
Limbaugh was the father of conspiracy theories and divided people in this country…a flag tribute to him would be as disgraceful as Trump, the multiple draft dodger, being buried at Arlington
Ed
February 19, 2021 at 6:32 pm
Republicans are the best people out there doing Republicans in. You’re positions are that of a dinosaur, DeSantis. The people are awake and disgusted by you and the likes of your truly sad misguided tribe.
Michael
February 19, 2021 at 6:53 pm
WTF!!!!!
Edward Hara
February 19, 2021 at 7:22 pm
I note the many brain-dead comments by liberals here who apparently never listened once to Rush’s program. He didn’t have a hateful bone in his body. He constantly said that the goal of Conservatism was to lift all people up by giving them opportunity to make the most of their talents, while the goal of the Left is simply to keep them enslaved to the welfare system and the government. Democrat policies show this to be true. If Democrats would spend the money they spend on elections on helping people instead, I might believe them. When Nancy Pelosi starts buying houses and giving them to the homeless, then I’ll believe her screed about caring for people.
Good going, Governor DeSantis. Rush did love this country and he loved people. The only “hate” Democrats can find is that he said the truth about the race-hustlers like Jesse Jackson and the wrongness of homosexual behavior. Liberal Democrats think that every form of sexual degeneracy is just fine, and that it is okay for wierd men who think they are women to be let in schools to tell impressionable young kids that being “transgender” is really cool and normal.
David
February 23, 2021 at 1:12 pm
Rush loved money and OxyContin; he was good at amassing both.
Palmer Tom
February 19, 2021 at 7:34 pm
Maybe he can do it for other popular disc jockeys. Just when you think the bar is too low, you’re surprised. Limbaugh was a skillful radio personality, but not worthy of this honor.
Neda West
February 19, 2021 at 8:05 pm
This is an insult to every courageous and honorable American living and dead. To honor a man (I use the term loosely) who had no honor and took every opportunity to revile and degrade is beyond disgusting.
Jamie D Williams
February 19, 2021 at 8:10 pm
The lowering of the American flag is to honor greatness in shared grief. This person does not meet the criteria for greatness nor is the grief shared. A selfish move by the Florida Governor yet again.
Palmer Tom
February 19, 2021 at 8:28 pm
I was thinking we need a posthumous recognition for Charlie Murdock at WQAM and Bill Vermillion at WLOF. I enjoyed their shows more than Limbaugh’s ranting.
mr brooks
February 21, 2021 at 6:49 pm
Wish I could meet up with you at perhaps a Legion or VFW post where you can vocalize your righteous indignation. I relish political debate in just about any political arena. I will even tie one hand behind my back just to make it fair; as Rush used to say!
It sounds like your brain has been on a steady diet of liberal/progressive mush since you got your DD214. Maybe Keith Oberlman is your uncle. Maybe you believe what the Clinton’s told you as opposed to your own lying eyes. There are plenty out there like you in lemming land.
I, too, am a veteran of that same conflict era. I, however, turned right when I ETS’d. You turned left. Sorry bout that.
Joey
February 19, 2021 at 10:47 pm
Let him lower the flag. A raciest honorion another raciest. The good part is that him.is dead dead GOD is good. lol.
Beth
February 19, 2021 at 11:58 pm
Wow DeSantis loves those disgusting racist sexist creeps, the more corrupt the better. Our governor is in need of some serious psychological help. His childish antics have made FL the laughingstock of the nation and the world. He needs to be voted out and placed on the trash heap of history with the rest of the sociopaths.
Kevin
February 20, 2021 at 12:12 am
The banana republic of Florida.
DAYLE L Jones
February 20, 2021 at 6:35 am
My biggest regret is that I never had the Honor to meet Rush Limbaugh myself. He was a stable in our household each day and was definitely not a racist. He STOOD for what was right and God Bless President Trump for giving him the Honor of Freedom!!
Praying for his dear wife Kathryn!❤️
Jay Flynn
February 20, 2021 at 9:19 am
There goes my lunch.
Roy Bull
February 20, 2021 at 4:02 pm
Can’t wait read what they’ll write about the Gov. when he passes. Hopefully from Covid
Carol
February 23, 2021 at 3:42 pm
What a disgusting thing to say…typical of a true liberal!
Robert Wolfing
February 21, 2021 at 11:29 pm
I’ve always found that the people that objected the loudest, called Rush racist, and besmirched his good name were the people who never listened to his radio program.
Mel
February 23, 2021 at 11:34 am
Amen Mr. Brooks, my thoughts exactly.
Nora
February 24, 2021 at 9:58 am
I won’t vacation in Florida until De Santis is out. Any state that would elect a racist goon like DevSantis is not worthy of my vacation dollars. Imagine honoring an ugly, mysoginistic racist like Rush. It boggles the mind.
David Gordon
February 24, 2021 at 10:21 pm
I don’t blame you.What other states with racist goon Governors won’t you be visiting. I mean,. I lived here and I’m embarrassed that Death Santis is Governor but look at the rest of the country.
Good Luck.
Sonja Fitch
February 25, 2021 at 4:21 am
If in doubt that there is no Republican Party the Duffus Desantis act of honoring a damn racist sexist jerk, there it is! GOPQ Desantis honors a. Racist sexist jerk!
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