RUSH IS BACK - OR IS HE?

It's A More Touchy-Feely Limbaugh Who Returned To The Airwaves

For a radio legend who made his mark vilifying political correctness, Rush
Limbaugh returned to the air on Monday from his stint at an Arizona drug
rehab center sounding pretty darned touchy-feely.

"I am no longer trying to live my life by making other people happy," said
Limbaugh, in a tone of voice that lacked a lot of the old swaggering
self-assurance. "I can no longer turn the power of my feelings over to
other people."

Weaning yourself from the sort of powerful drugs that Limbaugh reportedly
ingested daily is no easy matter. So whether you think him a hypocrite or
yourself a faithful "dittohead," Limbaugh's efforts to overcome his
addictions are something all political camps should cheer.

Nevertheless, it is difficult to believe that the fellow with "talent on
loan from God" lived exclusively to please others.

To anyone familiar with the theatrics of talk radio, Rush's cocky on-air
bombast was clearly a carefully honed bit of showmanship.

Years ago, Rush saw an opportunity, carved out a niche, and made talk-radio
history. He developed a Reagan-esque persona brimming with confidence and
cleverness, and captured the political hearts of millions.

On his first day back from rehab, however, that persona popped.

It's understandable, of course, under the circumstances. But it remains odd
to hear the conservative movement's most resounding voice sounding like an
earnest invention of Al Franken.