I was a reliable talk-radio listener for many years. Since Michael was a Seattle resident he got favorable billing on our local radio station (right after Rush). So I caught his show nearly every day.
I enjoyed how he would tie leftists up in their own BS. But he changed, and not for the better. The acerbic wit that was entertaining got redirected to true conservatives. And he got even worse and unlistenable after his stroke.
Does he still pretend to be conservative?
Yes, he proudly proclaims that he's a conservative and that Dwight Eisenhower, who in his view represents true conservatism, is his role model.