L. Brent Bozell: Rush Limbaugh is our True North — we listen to him to understand the world

Rush is — not was, is! — a giant. Consider that his radio show has been going for over 32 years, and for the entire time he's been #1. It's almost incomprehensible. There are other giants in this field and behind them many times more, dozens upon dozens who could be the best. But they're not. Year after year, for over three decades, he's bested everyone. 

He is unapologetically the True North for an entire movement, the clarion call of personal liberty, a champion of national defense and a defender of a civil society. Millions around the country turn their radios on at noon every day, as they have week after week, month after month, year after year, to hear his take on whatever current event is dominant, knowing he'll always come through.

He can out-analyze anyone. I've kidded him that he reminds me of the old V-8 commercial where the person realizes there's something he's missed, and then slaps his forehead with the famous, "I should have had a V-8!" line. In Rush's case, it's his ability to take an analysis one step further than everyone else.

He is genuine. Rush is worth gazillions and could walk away from the microphone any day, except he really can't. His audience is his lifeblood. He'll prepare for his show, but unless it's a skit, nothing he delivers has been prepared beforehand. He can be passionately upset about something or he might find great humor in it, mercilessly poking fun at his enemies. He can be introspective, quietly discussing and sharing personal issues, or he can choose to be bombastic and braggadocious. He can put on an act but he's never an act. It is why he's not just beloved, but trusted by millions.