The controversy over talk show king Rush Limbaugh’s sexually-insulting and innuendo-filled three day rant against Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke for her advocacy of health plan coverage for contraceptives was ... no fluke.

Limbaugh is the 21st century’s most powerful talk show host. He spawned Rush wannabes on local talk radio stations who can’t duplicate Limbaugh’s success since they don’t have his broadcasting smarts and talent. He became the Republican Party’s de facto strategist after Senator John McCain’s 2008 Presidential defeat, and the GOP has increasingly merged its brand into his.