Women like him because he makes them feel safe.
It's all about emotions. Have you ever seen the Star Trek episode wherein the Enterprise visits a planet and one of the crew members brings back a harmless game. To play the game, one wore a headset that projected a video image and the object was to mentally direct a saucer into a funnel. When this was successfully done, the player felt a drug-like rush. Of course, the game turned out to be dangerous and addictive.
The Republicans lining up behind Rudy are similarly hooked on the emotional rush that Rudy gives them. And like "the game," Rudy is also dangerous.
Star Trek TNG (The Next Generation).
Oh, darn! Did I just give away that I'm a Trekkie? ;^)