Zev Chafets wrote an interesting article in the Los Angeles Times:
. . . Limbaugh's influence is greater than ever. No single Republican -- not
Karl Rove or Roger Ailes,
James Dobson or Sean Hannity -- has his reach
and clout. Certainly President Bush doesn't. Limbaugh is, very simply,
the single most influential conservative voice in America.
A lot of Limbaugh's critics dismiss him as a buffoon or a fanatic. These are people who don't listen to his show. Limbaugh is not only a brilliant communicator, he is a smart political strategist. Other radio hosts and TV commentators (on both sides) take their talking points from campaign central -- but the people who write the Republican talking points are getting their ideas, often as not, from Limbaugh. Listen to him on a daily basis and you know what Republican candidates are likely to be saying in a day or two. [more . . .]