I’m disappointed in a number of friends and fellow-travellers who have taken the opportunity to pile onto talk-radio of late. First of all, in a quick note on Derb’s previously mentioned piece, the miles between Michael Savage and Rush Limbaugh are more than I’m equipped to travel in this lifetime. And, David Frum writes: “Rush knows what he is doing. The worse conservatives do, the more important Rush becomes as leader of the ardent remnant. The better conservatives succeed, the more we become a broad national governing coalition, the more Rush will be sidelined.” First of all, I can’t really remember a time in 20 years now when Rush was sidelined. (Or we wouldn’t all know about, for instance, his struggle with drug addiction, which David reminds us of in case anyone forgot.) Second of all, what if he were? Rush has a great house, loves golf, and has put in his time. He gets on the air and analyzes and entertains and teaches and shares everyday because he believes what he’s talking about and he loves his country–and this is what he’s equipped to do for it, and quite successfully. The Rush Limbaugh Show is objectively a financial success. And I’d argue the man has had a positive influence on American politics by reminding people of some ideas that might otherwise not be heard between the hours of 12 and 3 EST.