I’m not saying I have proof about Rush but I recall back in ‘96 it was widely rumored among Patriot type and conspiracy crowds that Rush had been invited into the establishment CFR circle and was seen at their gatherings. That period corresponded with his total dominance of the talk radio circuit and Rush’s extreme 10 point kook test and extreme rants on Buchanan and Alan Keyes. I remember myself while in college listening to Rush at night and being extremely befuddled at his support for NAU/globalism and free trade and his visceral hatred of Buchanan and Keyes for their specific opposition to those things. I’ve never heard Rush be as animated and almost off his rocker over anything as he would get over these issues back then. I was convinced he was the controlled opposition and given the job of controlling the respectable perimeters of conservative discussion back then. I still think this is probably the case. He has done his job well and now he can say what he wants as the jig is about up.
"Patriot-types and conspiracy crowds"...are not exactly reliable sources.
Rush’s extreme 10 point kook test and extreme rants on Buchanan and Alan Keyes.
I suspect you won't agree, but the "kook test" was fully appropriate for its time. And the likes of Buchanan and Keyes (plus Perot, etc.) weren't helping. At the time, Buchanan was practicing extreme commercialism -- he was in the business of selling books...and wrote what he knew his audience would buy. Keyes is a good man...and a rotten candidate. While Perot really was a "kook" -- whose sole interest was a personal mission to defeat George H.W. Bush.
I was convinced he was the controlled opposition and given the job of controlling the respectable perimeters of conservative discussion back then. I still think this is probably the case.
You haven't been listening lately, then, have you? He is tearing the Republican Party a new one.
And "loyal opposition" means a.) in opposition to the regime, but b.) loyal to the country.