DAIVD LIMBAUGH'S COLUMN SYNDICATED

With all David Limbaugh's personnas -- lawyer, editor of his famous brother's books, Sunday school teacher -- he has long aspired to something different: to be a writer

Now the Cape Girardeau resident is about to begin writing a nationally syndicated column.

Los Angeles-based Creators Syndicate will launch Limbaugh's column April 4, and the Southeast Missourian will be one of the customers.

Limbaugh got started as a columnist late last year, writing twice a week for the Internet newspaper www.worldnetdaily.com

Eight of his columns also have appeared in the Washington Times, and he's been getting more exposure by appearing on the TV talk show "Hanitty and Colms."

His writing is as conservative as you'd expect of talk show demigod Rush Limbaugh's brother. The president's impeachment trial naturally has had his attention.

His view is that the outcome speaks more ill of the culture than of Clinton himself. "Clinton could not have pulled this off in a purer society. But he has served as a catalyst to accelerate the corruption of a culture teetering on the edge of debasement," he wrote in a column headlined "Bill Clinton: A catalyst for change."

The 46-year-old Limbaugh says he has no delusions that a news syndicate would have considered his writing if he weren't Rush Limbaugh's brother. "But I have comforted myself that they wouldn't have taken it this far if there was not something of quality here," he said.

"He's a terrific writer," says Rick Newcombe, president of Creators Syndicate. "He's one of the more outspoken, clear-thinking conservatives we see."

Creators Syndicate represents writers of differing political beliefs. Its stable includes conservatives Patrick Buchanan, Mona Charen and Robert Novak and liberals Molly Ivins, Alexander Cockburn and Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"We look for people who are talented and controversial," Newcombe said. "We look for people who will help sell newspapers."

Creators was impressed that Limbaugh's column already was on the Internet and was getting a tremendous response.

A constituency is built in. After Rush read one column on his radio show recently, the column's Internet site received 3 million hits.

Whether readers agree with his views or not, Newcombe said, they will appreciate Limbaugh's logical approach to his topics.

"He's very talented," he said.

Limbaugh graduated from the University of Missouri with political science and law degrees. He and his wife, Lisa, have two daughters, Christen and Courtney, and are expecting another child.

His brother, Rush, is encouraging him in his additional career. "I wouldn't have done it without his blessing," Limbaugh said.

They don't disagree about much politically, either. Limbaugh attributes their strong conservatism to their respect for their late father and his philosophies.

He never expected to be writing a nationally syndicated column, but says, "I hope to rise to the occasion."