Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh first called himself the “Doctor of Democracy” in April 1993. The title was meant to show that Limbaugh promotes freedom and liberty (democratic ideals), but also was a jab at the proposed medical care reforms of President Clinton. Limbaugh continued to use the “Doctor of Democracy” moniker long after the Clinton healthcare initiatives failed.
 
The term “Doctor of Democracy” has had infrequent use since at least 1871 and has been applied to President Woodrow Wilson and to Uncle Sam, among others.
 
 
Wikipedia: Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III ( /ˈlɪmbɔː/; born January 12, 1951) is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in conservative politics and conservatism in the United States. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United States. Limbaugh signed an 8-year, $400 million contract extension with Clear Channel in 2008.
 
Two If By Tea
Rush Limbaugh, the “Doctor of Democracy,”
has been labeled as the savior of AM radio by broadcast industry leaders. Limbaugh revolutionized the media and political landscape with his unprecedented combination of serious discussion of political, cultural and social issues along with satirical and biting humor, which parodies previously “untouchable” personalities and topics. His passion has inspired millions of Americans to be the best they can be, and kept the country on course to a bright future.
 
On August 1, 1988, Rush launched his phenomenally successful radio broadcast into national syndication, with 56 radio stations.  More than 20 years later the show is heard on nearly 600 stations by up to 20 million people each week and is the highest-rated national radio talk show in America.  Rush was awarded the Syndicated Radio Personality of the year by the National Association of Broadcasters in 1992, 1995, 2000, and 2005.  He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1993 and National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1998.
   
10 July 1871, New York (NY) Herald, pg. 4:
The Hon. A. H. Stephens has held an inquest on the Pennsylvania Democratic Address and finds in it no trace of the New Departure, but, contrariwise, “the ‘Bourbon’ ring throughout.” This is the opinion of a D.D.—Doctor of Democracy.
 
12 September 1876, Daily Nebraska Press, pg. 4:
Why did not the Doctors of Democracy cure the colored patients?
 
4 December 1890, Hagerstown (MD) Herald and Torch Light, pg. 2, col. 1:
After reading this remarkable deliverance in a house dedicated to divine worship, we are impelled to conjecture whether the ostentatious affix D. D. to his name is intended to imply Doctor of Democracy or Dabbler in Divinity, the sermon being such a unholy melange of partisan politics and holy text.
(Rev. Hall Harrison, D. D., of Howard county—ed.)
 
6 July 1920, Oregonian (Portland, OR), “All the Credit Due Wilson,” pg. 10:
This man, Woodrow Wilson, is known throughout the world as the true doctor of democracy, and Americanism is the only “ism” known to him.
 
1 May 1961, San Mateo (CA) Times, pg. 20, col. 2 editorial cartoon:
UNCLE SAM, M.D.
DOCTOR OF DEMOCRACY.
 
24 February 1969, Redlands (CA) Daily Facts, pg. 10, col. 4:
“Doctor of Democracy”
Free lance arbitrator tries
to bring peace to campus
WASHINGTON (UPI)—Ed Butler calls himself a professional revolutionary.
(...)
Butler, a 34-year-old New Orleans native who has been “kicked out of a lot of schools,” thinks he can make a living as a consultant on campus violence and other forms of turmoil.
 
Butler thinks there is room for hundreds of these “conflict managers”—in government and business as well as on the campus. He terms consumer critic Ralph Nader, sociologist Saul Alinsky and himself the pioneers of a new profession. “Doctors of democracy,” he calls them.
   
Google Groups: alt.rush-limbaugh
Newsgroups: alt.rush-limbaugh, alt.fan.rush-limbaugh
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (John Switzer)
Date: Sun, 25 Apr 1993 22:57:30 GMT
Local: Sun, Apr 25 1993 5:57 pm
Subject: Summary Fri 4/23/93
 
Unofficial Summary of the Rush Limbaugh Show
for Friday, April 23, 1993
by John Switzer
(...)
Rush is proud to have a new title: “Doctor of Democracy.”
   
Google Groups: alt.rush-limbaugh
Newsgroups: alt.fan.rush-limbaugh, alt.rush-limbaugh
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (John Switzer)
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 1993 18:19:29 GMT
Local: Fri, Apr 30 1993 1:19 pm
Subject: Summary Wed 4/28/93
 
Unofficial Summary of the Rush Limbaugh Show
for Wednesday, April 28, 1993
by John Switzer
(...)
Jack says he is worried about how Rush is using the term “Doctor of Democracy” because when Clinton’s health care reforms are implemented, Rush will be in trouble. Rush admits he hadn’t thought about the possibilities of price controls being imposed on him.
   
Google News Archive
3 July 1993, Charleston (SC) Post and Courier, “Restaurant becomes Rush room” by Tom Porter, pg. 8E, col. 1:
Limbaugh the self-proclaimed “Doctor of Democracy,” has given a voice to the silent conservative masses who feel they have been bombarded by years of media-enforced political correctness.
     
Google Books
See, I told you so
By Rush H. Limbaugh
New York, NY: Pocket Star Books
1994
Pg. 8:
To the contrary, ladies and gentlemen, it would be more accurate to describe me as Rush Limbaugh, DD — Doctor of Democracy.
 
Google Books
Delusional Democracy:
Fixing the republic without overthrowing the government
By Joel S. Hirschhorn
Monroe, ME: Common Courage Press
2006
Pg. 5:
Right wing demagogue Rush Limbaugh calls himself the “Doctor of Democracy” — which means what? Nothing, it’s just a way to paint himself a patriot better to think of Limbaugh as the “Doctor of Deception.”
   
Google Books
Ordinary People and the Media:
The Demotic Turn
By Graeme Turner
Los Angeles, TX: SAGE
2010
Pg. 114:
The Rush Limbaugh Show is the most listened to radio talk show in America, broadcast on over 600 radio stations nationwide. It is hosted by America’s Anchorman, Rush Limbaugh, also known as: America’s Truth Detector; the Doctor of Democracy; the Most Dangerous Man in America; the All-Knowing, All-Sensing, All-Everything Maha Rushie; defender of motherhood, protector of fatherhood and all-around good-guy.