There is absolutely NO objective evidence that Rush Limbaugh's ratings are falling. In fact, he has been picking up more and more stations that carry his program. And, he became a widely heard radio host well before Bill Clinton was elected. I can remember listening to his program back in 1988, while driving from Boise to eastern Idaho 2-3 times per week on business.
Keep in mind that in the USA, we actually have Freedom of Speech! You can not be fined, or imprisoned, for saying that the holocaust is not real; or that some ethnic or racial group is "substandard", etc., etc. The ONLY things that you can be hit by the government for would be openly calling for an armed revolt against the government, calling for someone to assassinate the President or very similar things.
If you slander or libel someone, they have the right to sue you in the civil courts. And, if they can prove that you actually did slander or libel them, you can be made to pay damages. BUT, if you are a public person, then you have a SIGNIFICANTLY higher hurdle to surmount, you have to prove that the person that slandered you did so knowingly, or with a reckless disregard for the truth.
Hate speech is repugnant. BUT, driving it underground is always a mistake. It is FAR better to publicly label people that engage in such speech as liars, racists, fools and poltroons, than it is for the government to interfere.
Like those that claim that the Holocaust never happened. They are so easily proved to be absolute fools, racists and bigots. BUT, if you drive them underground, then their movements tend to spread, because there are far too many people out there that believe that government makes just about everything up.
I AM a Conservative Republican, and I do NOT care for Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glen Beck and their ilk. They do NOT support Republican ideals, they are flat out Libertarians, and ultra far right wing Libertarians at that. I support the ideals of Barry Goldwater, who said before he died that people like Rush are idiots.
They did more to cause the defeat of at least 3 Republican Candidates for President, than the Democrats ever could have.