Radio talker for president?

Is talk radio host Herman Cain hoping to move from behind the microphone and into to the Oval Office?

Cain, a WND columnist, told the Atlanta Journal Constitution last week that he was "one step closer" to announcing a bid for the presidency.

Asked about all his possible rivals in the race, Cain replied, "This ain't the first rodeo I've been to. You don't not go to the rodeo just because there are some tough broncos out there. That doesn't discourage me, and it doesn't discourage my team."

Rush Limbaugh

Rush Limbaugh didn't return from his Christmas vacation until Tuesday. The ever-popular Mark Steyn sat in for Rush during much of his vacation and manfully handled an instant-classic call from "Shannon the educator" (FREE audio).

Upon his return, Rush noticed that the mainstream media remained obsessed with him, even while he was away, with MSNBC voting him "One of the Most Influential Americans of the 21st Century (So Far)" (FREE video).

As the new Congress was sworn in, Rush assured readers that "the cavalry has arrived." Limbaugh cut in live to the ceremonies and offered his play-by-play about Reid, Pelosi and John Boehner (FREE audio).

Michael Savage

Michael Savage's latest book, "Trickle Up Poverty," remains on the New York Times political bestseller list, as one of the most popular books for December.

This week, millions of Americans were riveted to the story of the homeless panhandler with "the golden voice" who is now getting more broadcasting job offers than he can handle. Savage was unimpressed. Why, he asked, was the media and the public focused on that "feel good" story while the mysterious death of former White House aide John Wheeler was mostly ignored? (FREE audio)

"Gary the Numbers Guy" called in to tell Savage and his listeners what to expect in 2011, based on numerology. Among other things, Gary predicted that "Canada will go bust" this year!

Sean Hannity

Sean Hannity has been called a lot of unflattering names, but not "the Larry Flynt of talk radio" – until Alec Baldwin blogged that at the Huffington Post.

Baldwin is still stinging over an on-air run-in the two men had back in 2006, prompted by Baldwin's abusive voicemail message to his then-11-year-old daughter.

This week, Alec's brother Stephen also castigated Hannity for making a very mild joke about that embarrassing incident on Tuesday.

Hannity responded, "Alec trash-mouths all the time, including me, and it's too bad he needs his little brother to defend him,"

"I don't need lectures from any Baldwin on conservatism, religion, politics or anything else," Hannity said. "That's one screwed-up bunch."

Hannity fought it out with Democratic strategist Steve McMahon on the issue of "end-of-life counseling," which Obamacare critics fear is the precursor to "death panels."

Hannity said: "Let's say you have an 85-year-old grandmother, 85-year-old grandfather, they go into a doctor and they're not capable of making the same decision as a young person, and the government's now going to pay doctors to do this. I would think as a compassionate liberal you'd have a problem with that."

Mark Levin

Mark Levin has been inundated with condolences following the death of his beloved rescue dog, Griffen. This week, he thanked listeners who'd donated to animal rescue missions across America in memory of the little terrier.

Back on the air, Levin tore apart the "lame duck" session of Congress in its last days (FREE audio).

He also called upon Chuck Schumer to denounce the selfish sabotage that New York unions were taking part in during the snow storm that crippled the Big Apple (FREE audio).

Laura Ingraham

"The time for timidity is over," Laura Ingraham told listeners as she returned to the airwaves after Christmas vacation.

The captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise was relieved of his duties this week, after videos emerged of the "controversial" moral boosting entertainment nights that Captain Honors hosted on the ship. Two veterans who'd served under Honors called in to condemn the firing, calling it political correctness run rampant.

Nikki Haley and Dick Armey both joined Laura to warn the GOP establishment that American conservatives will no longer accept "business as usual" on the Beltway (FREE audio).

Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck started the new year by unveiling his new project. His "E4 Solution" invites Americans to embrace "fundamental transformation" in 2011 and explore "Enlightenment, Education, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship."

Beck has also been promoting his new self-help book, "The 7: Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life," co-authored with Dr. Keith Ablow.

Beck's show was dropped in two of the nation's most important radio markets – New York City and Philadelphia – due to low ratings.

Despite that, Beck says he has hired 40 new employees, including – surprisingly – the former CEO of The Huffington Post, Betsy Moran. She'll be in charge of Beck's recently launched website, TheBlaze.com.

And now, from the left side of the dial ...

Rosie O'Donnell received a reluctant education on the realities of government-run health care from a Canadian caller who told the progressive radio host that there are "2,000 people ahead of me" for a surgical procedure.

O'Donnell actually made a good point, when she asked rhetorically, "How can universal health care be 'universal' if you're waiting seven years?" (FREE audio)

However, she revealed a very "American" attitude when she asked the caller what would happen if "you called and sort of were persistent in saying to them, 'I really need this.'"

As a Canadian, let me explain: Under our system, there is no one to "call." The mysterious bureaucratic keepers of the "waiting list" are unknown and unnamed – on purpose.

It seems that many Americans (who are much more outspoken and assertive than we are) really understand what they are in for if they adopt Canadian-style "health care."