'The Assassination Of Rush Limbaugh'

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Talk Titan Again Used To Sell Books?





Borrowing a page from Al Franken, a Texas- based author apparently hopes that associating himself with talk titan Rush Limbaugh will send units flying off of bookstore shelves. Is it a mere marketing gimmick, or dream come true for El Rushbo's many enemies?

With his new political thriller The Assassination of Rush Limbaugh, author Tom Layne will soon find out whether placing into book form this longtime fantasy of some lefties will quickly propel him onto the bestseller lists.

After looking at the two preview chapters available online, it's hard to get a sense of the plausibility of the novel's story line. Here's a brief excerpt:

As Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, it was McCoff’s job to see that a democrat was the next occupant of the White House. He replied, “He’s got to be nearing retirement age. Maybe we’ll just get lucky, and he’ll go away quietly.”

Jacquiline Hill inserted herself into the conversation. “I’ve heard him say that he never intends to retire, that he’ll probably die behind that damned EIB microphone.” She was, in addition to being Edmund’s wife of thirty-five years, the senior United States Senator from Mississippi.

“We should be so lucky,” Governor Hill said.

“Maybe it’s time to stop leaving things to luck,” she suggested, her emerald green eyes angry, narrow slits.

If McCoff or Governor Hill took her words seriously, neither of them showed it.

McCoff said, “Why can’t we find a liberal talk show host to counter his venom?”

“Oh for Christ’s sake, Jerry, who would you suggest?” asked the governor, waving his arms about wildly. “Mario Cuomo tried it. Sam Donaldson tried it. Hell, Al Gore tried back in 2004 to establish a liberal TV network and the liberal Air America radio network. We all know how that turned out.” Edmund Hill was fifty-nine years
old, looked ten years younger. He was slim, fit, and handsome with wavy blond hair and gold-hazel eyes. He had attended Ole Miss, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and then topped his class at Mississippi Law but never practiced the profession, going instead immediately into politics. His enemies, as well as a few of his friends, liked to say that he had never held an honest job.

Senator Hill added, “Even if we could find someone, Limbaugh is too far ahead of us. The only way to have a fair chance is to start even. That means getting that son-of-a-bitch off the air.” The Hills and most liberal democrats insisted that Rush Limbaugh had been the main reason Al Gore had not defeated George W. Bush handily in
2000, and they were convinced that Limbaugh was responsible for W’s re-election victory over John Kerry and for Jeb Bush’s narrow victory over Hillary Clinton in 2008 and his humiliation of her in 2012.

“Even if we found a way to get him off the air, Sean Hannity or some other right-winger’d take his place,” offered McCoff, as he finished his gin and tonic and set the glass on the coaster before him on the coffee table.

“No,” the governor said, “not even Hannity could take Limbaugh’s place. Besides, if we could figure out a way to get Limbaugh off the air, we could do the same to Hannity or Savage or Boortz or any of the other right-wingers.” Governor hill stepped over to the bar, a refurbished Empire period cabinet, and poured himself another bourbon and water. He didn’t offer to make another drink for either his wife or his guest.

Despite a frequent unwillingness to even consider non- fiction titles from conservatives, Layne's Limbaugh novel was apparently a top priority for the New York Times. From reviews posted at the book's website:

"The perfect election-year thriller. A cleverly sinister blend of suspense, politics, organized crime, and America's #1 talk radio host. The who, how and why are so skillfully conceived, then mixed with fact and fiction, that the unthinkable becomes frighteningly plausible. An exhilarating ride with plenty of twists and surprises.” - New York Times Book Review

“The Assassination of Rush Limbaugh by Tom Layne is an engaging and suspenseful novel about the coming struggle of the American Democratic party and the relentless political power embodied by the Republicans. Featured in the year 2015, The Assassination of Rush Limbaugh is about two immigrant families and their historical clashing as one of them was immediately taken by the right wing political spectrum and the other eased into the Democratic Party's enraged discontent. Very highly recommended reading, The Assassination of Rush Limbaugh is a gripping fictional tale of who, what, how and why Limbaugh’s assassination took place.” – Midwest Book Review

"A cabal of high-ranking Democrats plots to kill Rush Limbaugh...[a] political thriller...a devious plot...Ambitious." -- Kirkus Discoveries

For the reviewers, one question: if it were instead called "The Assassination of Al Franken", would you be so quick with the glowing reviews? It certainly appears that Mr Layne knows how to get the mainstream media's attention.

ALSO: In a Baytown Sun story on the book, the author says this:

Layne said he and his publishing company submitted galley proofs of the novel to the real-life Limbaugh’s company for comment, but received no response.

“I’m not sure he even saw it,” he said.

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Franken - Moore photoshop: Pete at IHillary