Pubdate: Wed, 22 Oct 2003
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Section: Nation/Politics; Inside The Beltway
Copyright: 2003 News World Communications, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.washingtontimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492
Author: John McCaslin

RUSH-THRU TREATMENT

Inside the Beltway has learned that Rush Limbaugh's painkiller-addiction 
"treatment is going extremely well" and "we are confident that, as he 
promised, Rush will be back on the air within a few days of completing his 
30-day treatment program."

So says Kraig Kitchin, president and chief operating officer of Premiere 
Radio Networks, which distributes the widely popular "Rush Limbaugh" radio 
show.

"What's more, after meeting with Florida prosecutors, Rush's lawyer, Roy 
Black, said flatly on MSNBC last week that he doesn't 'believe that Rush 
will ever be arrested or charged with anything,' " Mr. Kitchin was pleased 
to inform Premiere senior management in an Oct. 20 memorandum obtained by 
this column.

The conservative commentator, who lives in Palm Beach, Fla., acknowledged 
on Oct. 10 that he is hooked on painkillers and was immediately checking 
into a drug-treatment center. The 52-year-old Mr. Limbaugh also confirmed 
he is cooperating with law enforcement authorities in Florida who are 
investigating the black-market drug trade.

"I'm also happy to report that there has not been a single defection from 
Rush's affiliate roster," Mr. Kitchin writes, not mentioning the fact that 
stations like Baltimore's WBAL have chosen to air their own local talent 
during Mr. Limbaugh's three-hour time slot rather than Premiere's lineup of 
guest hosts, many out-of-market radio commentators affiliated with the network.

"It is also important to know that we have received an overwhelming flood 
of e-mails expressing solid support for Rush, his advertisers and his 
affiliates," writes Mr. Kitchin, seeking to keep stations, listeners and 
advertisers pumped up and on board during Mr. Limbaugh's minimum monthlong 
absence.

"Listeners seemed particularly moved by Rush's straightforward acceptance 
of responsibility for his problem," he notes, expecting "Rush's admission 
will likely help countless others deal with similar problems."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman