Because I have listened to him every day for as long as I can remember.
And none of the people you cited have stated that they have any desire to be a politician.
And yes Rush has been changed by his success.
He’s pretty non-controversial these days, and not particularly insightful or cutting edge.
Farmers listen to cows and pigs every day without becoming too attached to them. It seems to me that you may be on the “cult” side.