He has frequently proclaimed himself to an excellent role model for the 'yout' of America. Some role model.
As far as I can tell Rush's message has always been one of personal responsibility, and now he is walking the walk. Makes for a good role model to me. He never, ever, suggested that addiction to pain killing drugs is a vitue that ought to be supported by the tax payers. That, too, makes for a good role model as far as conservatism goes.
It is precisely because of his status as a role model that Rush went to great lengths to keep his addiction away from public view, because no role model for conservatism would be consistent while publicly depending upon drugs.
Even in this case, Rush's addiction stems from medicinal, not recreational, use. This is a valid distinction. Conservatives ought to undertand there are a good many people of all stripes who suffer from addiction, and for each one there are probably six bureaucrats itching to start a new program for addicts of all kinds.
In short, the case for making this man a whipping boy is weak indeed.
He also has said that your wife and daughter would be safe alone with him, an implied use of the phrase.
These are both semi-serious, faux-righteous throwaway lines designed to get a chuckle from his fans and to tick off those people who think he's being serious with them. Seeing you guys build your case, that Rush set himself up as a role model, upon these throwaway remarks is a little like seeing people get upset at Onion articles. I'll bet you'd have a tough time quoting or remembering specific instances where Rush set himself up as such, because I honestly don't think he's said those sorts of things in seriousness. It appears to me that a lot of the beating up on Rush is really a beating up on an imagined Rush, a charicature, a strawman.