If you're listening to Colorado's Morning News on KOA 850-AM radio at about 6:50 a.m. each weekday, you hear a one-minute commentary from Rush Limbaugh, the conservative talk radio host.

On Thursday, for example, during Colorado's Morning News, Limbaugh denounced the "arrogant self delusions" of "meddling liberal tyrants," and he suggested that liberals be voted out of office. He regularly attacks Barack Obama and Democrats.

The Limbaugh commentary functions mostly as a Republican political commercial, with no counterpoint.

Coming in the midst of KOA's flagship news program, Colorado's Morning News, Limbaugh's commentary degrades the entire KOA news department - not because Rush is a conservative, but because there's no regular commentator on the news show representing the left.

You may be thinking, KOA radio is all about broadcasting conservative opinions anyway, with a lineup of conservative talk show hosts ranging from Mike Rosen to Jon Caldara.

Who would expect KOA to be fair?

Actually, basic journalistic standards of fairness and accuracy are not only evident on Colorado's Morning News but in all of KOA's local news reporting, which continues with updates during the day.

I don't mean to say that Colorado's Morning News, airing from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., is radio journalism at its finest. It's overly chatty, with lots of weather, soft news, and sports, sports, sports.

But sandwiched around the fluff are news and serious interviews about major political and social issues.

So it's bizarre when you hear, "It's time for Rush Limbaugh," and his voice fills the air.

"The contract for Rush requires affiliates to broadcast the commentary in morning drive," Kris Olinger, Director of AM programming for Clear Channel of Denver, which owns KOA, e-mailed me.

Wow. What a clever way for Rush to market his show and, of course, to deliver a political message on more than 600 radio stations across the country when radio audiences are highest - during drive time.

Olinger continued: "Beyond that, Rush is one of our most listened to shows, and the majority of our audience wants to hear the commentary. We don't carry a response because I'm not aware of any short-form commentaries currently available that are compelling."

I asked Olinger, "Does this mean that you will consider short-form commentaries from a progressive perspective to balance Rush, and if one is compelling enough you might use it?"

My respect for journalism at KOA was confirmed when I got her response: "I would consider a short-form commentary if the quality was comparable to what Rush and Paul Harvey provide."

Here's a nationally syndicated radio commentator who definitely qualifies: Jim Hightower, the former Texas agricultural commissioner.

He's about as far to the left as Limbaugh is to the right, and his commentaries are a good match for KOA.

A recent Hightower commentary lampooned Proctor & Gamble and other corporations that try to "dodge their tax responsibilities." Hightower explained that Proctor and Gamble argued successfully in court that its Pringles "potato crisps" aren't really potato products, due to all the junk ingredients, and thus Pringles should not be subject to a British tax on products made from potatoes. Listen to more Hightower at jimhightower.com.

The trouble is, High- tower's comments are two minutes, rather than one, like Limbaugh's. But balance could be achieved by airing Hightower every other day, and KOA could do this for free. Hightower's commentators are underwritten by foundations and other donors.

Hightower looks perfect for Colorado's Morning News on KOA. But maybe you've got a better suggestion. E-mail me yours, and I'll pass it on to Olinger and report back in a future column.

Pollster gods. When reporters ask pollsters to interpret polls, they should insist that they be clear on whether their opinions are based on actual data in the poll - or whether they are just offering an opinion like any other pundit.

For example, in an article about a Quinnipiac University poll in The Denver Post on July 25, arguing that high gas prices are moving voters toward Republicans, pollster Floyd Ciruli said, "Being related to the industry and being able to argue that 'I know production, and we need to get it going' is now a much more positive position to be in for Republicans."

The Post should have asked Ciruli to point to poll data to back up his opinion. Still, The Post deserves credit for finding data in the poll that contradicted Ciruli: Renewable energy is seen by Colorado voters as the best way to solve the energy crisis, by a 54 percent to 21 percent margin over drilling, according to the survey.

Jason Salzman, president of Effect Communications, is the author of Making the News: A Guide for Activists and Nonprofits. Reach him at salzmanj@RockyMountainNews.com.