Thanks guys.

I got the lever out but it clearly doesn't match the elver I have to replace it with. The one that came out is round all the way down with a a groove and small bump/key that I assume turns the wiper switch. The one I have is round and then flattens out and has a hole in it that seems to be for a set screw of some sort.

I am starting to think that I bought the wrong part in my rush to dress up this ugly column.

Anybody else faced this dilemma. I am thinking I may grind the one I have into the shape of the one that came out. What do you think?