Who knows, maybe he is waking up. It can happen to anyone, even him, not likely, but it can.
It isn't "happening" to him at all, he's just trying to sound rational and measured so he can keep his show and the $$$ it gives him. The Rush backlash is nipping at his heels and he needs to do something to keep his show.
The man is an incorrigible lout, he just wants to keep the money rolling from his HBO sweet spot.
Saying one thing that sounds good (broken clocks are right twice daily) doesn't give him amnesty for everything else he's said......