Report: Limbaugh, Hannity Influenced Christian Voting Bloc

Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh

If there’s one pundit responsible for President-elect Donald Trump’s stunning electoral college victory, a new poll indicates it’s Rush Limbaugh.

The Washington Times reports a survey by the American Culture & Faith Institute measures which political commentator held the most sway among “SAGE Cons” — spiritually active, governance engaged conservatives — this election cycle.

Limbaugh finishes first in the poll, with 19 percent of the conservative Christian constituency saying the longtime, cantankerous radio host had “a lot of influence” on the way they thought about the presidential race.

Sean Hannity places second with 17 percent, followed by fellow Fox News personality Bill O’Reilly with 14 percent, and radio host Laura Ingraham with 12 percent.

Rounding out the top five is Tony Perkins, who heads the Family Research Council, a Washington D.C.-based think tank.

Mr. Perkins’ selection is something of a surprise. Although the evangelical leader hosts a daily radio program, “Washington Watch,” his audience is dwarfed by those who boasted comparable influence in the survey.

Other media personalities in the single digits include American Family Radio host Tim Wildmon (6 percent), Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly (5 percent), longtime “700 Club” pundit Pat Robertson (5 percent), columnist Todd Starnes (4 percent), Fox News pundit Eric Bolling (4 percent), Glenn Beck (3 percent) and radio host Michael Savage (3 percent).

The poll is a part of the American Culture & Faith Institute’s RightView longitudinal survey, which studies spiritually active, governance engaged conservatives who are registered voters, a group that represents about 12 percent of the population, or 30 million people.

The think tank surveyed 3,000 adults on Nov. 8 to ascertain which pundit held the most sway among the constituency during the election.