Rush Limbaugh celebrates his 19th year on the air today. People love him and people hate him and just like my post on Bill Bennett yesterday, I’ll get the predictable ridicule for praising Rush today. But you know what? People love Rush and people hate Rush because he matters and he matters because he is effective. He has a wildly successful radio show (see Byron) that works because he’s good at what he does. He’s a smart entertainer — he’s funny and he’s clearly having fun those three hours daily. And so you want to listen. For 19 years now.

He also does more for conservative ideas that he typically gets credit for. For all the good and important opeds and policy papers and congressional and academic debates, he’s the one bringing these ideas we’re hashing out to a heck of a lot of busy Americans who are never going to have the time to be refreshing The Corner or money to be going to Heritage Foundation seminars or have any idea what the American Enterprise Institute is. And he does it with clarity and compelling passion and style.

Anyway, the man’s an institution and congratulations to him for 19 years well done. I know I’ve enjoyed listening and been grateful. So thanks, Rush, for the excellence.

Now don’t be retiring anytime soon– we need you man. President Clinton again????