Rush Limbaugh talks with former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in the East Room of the White House in January 2009, a few days after then-Vice President Dick Cheney said he’d rather follow Limbaugh into combat -- political combat, that is, over the future of the Republican Party -- than former Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)
Limbaugh and then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich join for a taping of NBC’s “Meet the Press” in 2005. The topic of the show was showdown and shutdown regarding to the federal budget. (Doug Mills / Associated Press)
Limbaugh puffs on an Ashton VSG cigar while waiting to tee off during third round play of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in 2001. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press)
Rush Limbaugh in 1995. (Joe Tabacca / For The Times)
