Rush Limbaugh has been beating that drum for over 18 years now. Rush opened doors for that ranting lunatic Savage. Savage just doesn't have the onions to thank Rush.
Rush Limbaugh is in fact so good at what he does, that he only serves to block other conservative talk show hosts from rising to stardom. To reach the top you have to be able to compete with the best, and your messages have to ring true to your listeners. Savage has accomplished this inspite of having to compete with the Rush. Both of these men have succeeded because of their brilliance, energy, politcal savvy, patriotism and humor.
If Mark Twain were a conservative and were alive today, I think he'd be a lot like Savage. Brains, quick wit, humor, political savvy and gruffness are what made Twain so popular in his day. Though unfortunately Twain was a liberal, his gruffness and crotchityness are what helped him become a legendary figure. But back then a display of emotion other than a plastered on Bhuddist grin wasn't considered to be unmanly or 'insane', it's only in today's feminized America that male emotion is a tougher sell.