How much credit can Glenn Beck's publicist Matthew Hiltzik take for Beck's rise to stardom? According to a story by the Washington Post's Jason Horowitz, a lot. Horowitz published a profile today on Hiltzik, the longtime democratic strategist and former Hillary Clinton campaign employee, and how some former allies find his alliance with Beck "shocking."

There are a bunch of money quotes in the story, including this one:

"I love Matt," said Ken Sunshine, a Democratic activist and public relations powerbroker whom Hiltzik regards as a mentor. "I value our friendship, but I wouldn't be caught dead representing Glenn Beck."

It is worth noting, as Horowitz's story does, that Hiltzik has clients on all sides of the spectrum, including Katie Couric, Alec Baldwin, Annie Leibovitz and Don Imus. We spoke to Hiltzik last a few weeks ago when Couric interviewed Beck for the debut of her web show. He acknowledged he was still working with Beck, but like most adept PR pros, wouldn't comment on strategy or even if he set up the interview.

"My job is to look out for his personal business interests and try to weave them in well with his partners...We give strategic counsel, which includes managing the profile of the business," Hitzik told the Post in regards to his work with Beck.