Rigin - you are 100% correct that Limbaugh was really the first person to take advantage of what happened to the Fairness Doctrine, and it probably enabled the leash to be removed and he was able to spew his venom without fear of reprisal. What also happened was that in the late 90's, Limbaugh moved to New York and became syndicated, something that would not have happened if the Fairness Doctrine was still in effect.

Limbaugh is very skilled on radio, and he failed miserably on television. He mastered the skills that are required to convince an audience that he is speaking the truth - when he really talks out of his ass. Without the fairness doctrine, and more importantly - without a matching voice from the left, Limbaugh reigns.