CAPE LAWYER TRADES PEN FOR MICROPHONE

Conservative syndicated columnist David Limbaugh of Cape Girardeau went into the KZIM broadcasting booth on Tuesday to fill in from afar for WABC radio and Fox network television personality Sean Hannity.

"I have no aspirations to be on radio, but it's fun every once in a while," Limbaugh said.

It was the second time in 18 months Limbaugh put down the pen and picked up the microphone to fill in for Hannity. The gift of gab runs in the family -- Limbaugh's brother is conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh.

"The first time I did it, I felt pretty comfortable, but they said I didn't take enough calls. So today, I took more calls," David Limbaugh said, minutes after concluding the afternoon show. "I've learned a different lesson this time: not to overdo the guest thing, because you lose control of the show."

Limbaugh hosted guests David Horowitz, a conservative author, and James Hirsen, a Texas law professor, during the three-hour broadcast to Hannity's WABC audience in New York. It could only be heard in Cape Girardeau through the Internet.

During Tuesday's program, Limbaugh, who also practices law, said he tried to "tweak" liberal listeners who likely would disagree with his views.

But he emphasized that every statement he makes, whether through his column or over the radio waves, is sincere, and is not fulfilling some marketable role.

"I fully believe what I write and what I say," he said. He added, to do any less would be intellectually dishonest.