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[bobf <bobford79 AT yahoo.com>]

Yesterday, for the first time, I listened to over an hour of Rush Limbaugh.  
I have never heard his radio show, though I have heard enough snippets here 
and there on tv, to know what he sounds like, and have read enough comments 
from the editorial writers and reader's comments from publications like the 
NYT to think I have a good idea of his positions and the fear he generates 
among Democrats.

He was the keynote speaker for CPAC which was aired lived on several 
channels.  So, I watched and listened.  I can't believe this is the guy of 
which the Democrats seem so paranoid.  He sounded like a fairly conservative 
mainstream republican.  And he displayed a good sense of humor.  Now, he is 
loud.  if ,on his show, he is arguing with other loud people, like many of 
the tv talking heads, it would be unbearable to listen.

But, as far as content, he sounded more mainstream than most of the (few) 
politicians who make sense to me. I am considered liberal on most social 
Issues, and I didn't hear him really allude to any except mentioning the word 
"life" which drew applause, as it would at a conservative convention.
His comments on the bail-outs made sense.  But, there was a point where he 
was defending some of the 'successes' of the NYC banking establishment 
members -- which is , to me, like calling a bank robber who hasn't yet been 
indicted -- successful.

I don't have a clue why he is popular enough to make as much money as he 
reportedly makes, but I also don't understand why pro basketball players make 
so much money or why their sport is so popular.  That's entertainment ; I 
guess.

Paul Harvey died this am.  He has lived here in Phoenix for many years.  When 
I was a kid ; in my father's truck ,or working in his shop, I did listen to 
Harvey's (very short) version of talk radio.  He probably made a bunch of 
money spinning tall tales, too.

Anyway, as someone with little exposure to talk radio, other than occasional 
NPR in the wife's car, I was neither terribly impressed nor at all frightened 
by Rush Limbaugh.  I don't understand the big deal made of him by the MSM.