He thinks he is, but is in fact a mediocre intellect.
His brother was a major Cruz supporter. Might have affected Rush’s judgement. But we expect him to think for himself so he doesn’t get a pass.
I remember one show in particular in which he expressed sheer disbelief and had astonished laughter that he could not understand how his listeners could go with someone who was not a conservative when a conservative was finally doing so well (Cruz). Rush chuckled time after time about how, no matter what “stupid” thing Trump got caught up in, his supporters were, and would stay, 100% behind him.
Rush continues to eat his words.