The Award on Drugs

Public Eye, Metro News, October 30-November 5, 2003

One of San Jose's liberal legislators will likely turn down the luncheon invite he received recently from L.A.'s gun-toting, ballistic-missile-loving, three-strikes-law-lauding Claremont Institute. But, Rush Limbaugh will be there.

Drug rehabber Limbaugh, called "a big fat idiot" by at least one detractor and other times referred to as the "Great One," is slated to received the Claremont Institute's "statesmanship award" during the Nov. 21 Churchill Dinner at the Westin Bonaventure in L.A.

Limbaugh turned over a new leaf last month when he announced he would check himself into a 30-day rehab program to defeat his addiction to painkillers. The National Enquirer, which outed him as a druggie, interviewed his former maid Wilma Cline, who professed to be his drug connection. The Florida state attorney's office also reportedly started an investigation.

Following these revelations, the popular radio big mouth was roundly criticized as being a hypocrite because of comments he made in the mid-'90s attacking people who like to get high. It's unclear how recognizing Limbaugh fits into the Claremont Institute's mission "to restore the principles of the American Founding to their rightful, preeminent authority in our national life."

The institute's president, currently in D.C., plans to issue a statement on the war on drugs after he returns. Claremont Institute marketing director Melanie Marlowe tells Eye that Limbaugh gets out of rehab 10 or 11 days before the dinner. Limbaugh joins such previous statesmanship honorees as Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Clarence Thomas and Bill Buckley.

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Rush Limbaugh to Keynote Churchill Dinner on 11/21

November 21, Los Angeles, CA

The Claremont Institute is proud to give nationally syndicated talk-show host and political commentator Rush Limbaugh its Statesmanship Award at the annual Churchill Dinner in Los Angeles on Friday, November 21. Limbaugh will be the keynote speaker; fellow radio commentator Hugh Hewitt will serve as master of ceremonies. The dinner will be at the Westin Bonaventure, 404 S. Figueroa Street. Reception begins at 6:00, dinner at 7:00. Business attire.

To make a reservation, please contact Nancy Padilla at (909) 621-6825, or RSVP online at https://www.claremont.org/events/churchill_rsvp.html