Beck Is the Next Limbaugh

Two people ought to be scared of Glenn Beck, one GOP media strategist tells Politico: Barack Obama and ... Rush Limbaugh. The Fox host’s success in drumming up health care protests and taking down Van Jones have many wondering whether he’s captured Limbaugh’s crown. “Beck is the man of the moment,” says Michael Goldfarb of the Weekly Standard. “Everybody in town is watching him, waiting to see what he’ll do next.”

Rush says he’s not out to rally movements or influence Washington. “I am a broadcaster, and judge my success by those standards.” On that front, he’s definitely still on top, with 15 million to 30 million listeners and the top spot in Mediaite’s radio host power rankings. “Rush is the gold standard,” says conservative talker Mike Gallagher. But “people have asked me, ‘Who’s the next Rush,’” and the answer “seems to be Glenn.” (More Rush Limbaugh stories.)