Rush Limbaugh: Not Shilling Anymore

A remarkable admission from the great bloviator:

"There have been a bunch of things going on in Congress, some of this legislation coming out of there that I have just cringed at, and it has been difficult coming in here, trying to make the case for it when the people who are supposedly in favor of it can't even make the case themselves—and to have to come in here and try to do their jobs."

If I'm reading this correctly, Limbaugh is conceding that he openly advocated for bad, unconservative policies to protect the GOP's hold on power.  Which makes him about as credible an advocate for real conservatism as Ken Mehlman. 

It's a telling anecdote for what's gone wrong on the right.  There were precious few voices for real conservatism over the last six years.  Only voices for Republicanism.  That wasn't always the case.  Rush, you might remember, was once pretty skeptical of George W. Bush and the whole notion of "compassionate conservatism."  And the early Rush was harsh on Republicans who were insufficiently critical of entitlements, spending, and the regulatory state.

Since Bush 43, he's little more than a mouthpiece for the RNC—Sean Hannity with a bigger audience and back spasms.  The quote above is really only surprising in its frankness.

Via Andrew Sullivan.