Limbaugh supported Bob Dole even though he knew, just like we all did, that Dole was a spectaculary weak candidate. I believe candidates are transparent when they have to pretend to be more conservative than they are so as to avoid losing the base they desperately need.
Most of the talk show types like Limbaugh don't have the guts to be out there on their own without a party.
I've never been that much of a fan of Hannity, although I like his politics. I have enjoyed listening to Rush since he became a tsunami, not that my views matter that much. To do what these people did from the beginning takes incredible guts. To do it day after day takes both guts and a serious dose of discipline.
There have been too many instances when they broke with the Party puppeteers (despite well meaning advice to the contrary) to suggest they do one thing or another out of fear of losing "their" Party foundation.
Limabaugh didn't even have the guts to endorse a conservative in this election.
He never has. Ever. Not until a nominee has been picked. I suspect he does realize, though, as does Hannity and Levin and Kimball, that the Republicans didn't lose in 2006. They forfeited. They forfitted when the vast majority of elected Republicans of the DC persuasion went out and groin kicked their base, and did it with extreme prejudice. I didn't know it was over until Tom Delay went ON the Rush's show and actually defended that bunch of DC Republican clowns despite Rush attempting to lob to Delay a few ephus pitches that should still be in orbit.
If the Republican Party nominates a liberal, you may see a House of Representatives with 435 Democrats next January. That many conservatives will stay home in shear disgust.
I am not staying home. I'm just not voting for McCain.
It is very important to have as many true conservatives in Congress as possible, even if they are a severe minority. The new leadership has to emerge from somewhere and we must have someone present to issue a strong voice of dissent.