CITIZEN RUSH: WHAT WOULD HE SAY AS PRESIDENT?

NEW YORK (NEA) Had enough of George Bush? OK. Wary of Bill Clinton? All right. Unhappy with Ross Perot? No problem.

What about Rush Limbaugh for president? He isn't exactly tanned, rested and ready. But the conservative media star does have the fullblown zeal of a top political campaigner. He's also got millions of faithful supporters.

Limbaugh's raucous blend of politics and humor has made him the most popular radio talk-show host in America. His new book, "The Way Things Ought To Be," is No. 1 on the best-seller lists. Plus his syndicated TV show debuted on Sept. 14 in 183 markets, representing 95 percent of the country.

Despite an uncharacteristic twinge of modesty over what he calls "this little bout of success that I've had," Limbaugh doesn't hesitate to consider the kind of presidential speech he would deliver on Inauguration Day 1993.

"I would tell the people that the reason the country is great is because of what they do, not because of what the president or anybody else does," says Limbaugh. "The reason the country is great is because individuals going out and making the most of themselves, having the freedom to do that, at any rate are really what make this country work."

What would President Limbaugh say to Americans from the steps of the Capitol in January about coming to grips with hard times?

"I would simply try to make people feel positive about their future and about the country," he declares, "and that means making them feel good about themselves." His definition of leadership: the ability to inspire.

Citizen Rush knows just what the top priority would be for the first 100 days of his administration: "The confidence of the American people regarding the economic viability and the future of the country. And that's not necessarily with a series of government economic programs, unless somebody wants to be very serious about tax reduction and the creation of small business and jobs, rather than how you handle people who are unemployed.

"Let's find a way for the private sector to feel confident enough that people in it will invest in new businesses."

Of course, Limbaugh, who has turned himself into a one-man industry, is busily cashing in on his own investment in the media business. He jokes: "The American economy cannot be revived without someone getting rich. Why not me?"

Limbaugh's income is expected to zoom past the nearly $1.7 million he reportedly earned last year. He boosts his earnings, here and there with newsletters, merchandising and political speaking tours.

But Limbaugh, who kids constantly about being described as "the most dangerous man in America," doesn't see himself as Mr. Right for U.S. voters. He says his controversial broadcast career is more than enough.

"None of this is the result of any master plan," says Limbaugh.

Which may be a relief to his critics. Though often playful, Limbaugh's wit can range abruptly from irony, satire or mimicry to derision, mockery or ridicule. Not only liberals have been stung by his outspokenness.

Limbaugh enjoys stirring up what he calls the Arts & Croissant Crowd Environmentalist Wackos and the "fewer than 25 known Feminazis in the United States" women who supposedly advocate "as many abortions as possible."

His calculated barbs and tongue-in-cheek boasting ("We don't give equal time I am equal time!") have earned Limbaugh about 13 million listeners a day on more than 500 U.S. radio stations. Notwithstanding skeptics.

"Believe me when I say that my purpose is not to offend," Limbaugh urges. "It bothers me when someone is honestly offended because I don't consider myself an offensive guy. I am just a harmless lovable little fuzzball."

Limbaugh, a hefty 6-footer who has had the biggest impact on daytime radio of anybody since Arthur Godfrey wants his audience to be discerning.

"If some people don't understand the radio show, it's their fault," says Limbaugh about his pointed brand o~f humor. "I've got 15 hours a week and if they don't understand it, I think they're going to be intrigued enough to keep listening until they do. And I do believe that's what happens."

Listeners to his New York-based Excellence in Broadcasting Network were rewarded on Sept. 21 when Limbaugh's most famous fan, President Bush, dropped by for a chat. The host of the broadcast had been an overnight guest at the White House in June. No wonder. The producer of his TV show, Roger Ailes, used to be the media guru of the Reagan-Bush campaign team.

Limbaugh's hero is still Ronald Reagan, "the great communicator."

"Let me just tell you something," says Limbaugh. "If Bush loses this election and according to the polls it looks like that's going to happen it's not going to be because a majority of people in this country can't wait to be led by that `great statesman' and `fine leader' Bill Clinton. It's because they're so fed up with whatever it is about Bush that angers them."

Limbaugh dismisses Clinton as "Willhelm von Slick Willie" and he feels that backers of Ross Perot will just be throwing away their votes.

Will the liberals really have the last laugh on Election Day?

Maybe not, says Limbaugh: "I don't think it's going to be a finish that's anything like the snapshot that's being taken now."