In 1993 I worked with a man who said I should buy one of Rush's books for my father-in-law for Christmas.
I did not get my father-in-law the book, as I did not know who Rush was, but I casually mentioned that a co-worker recommended the book for him. My father in law had a horrible reaction and said, "Why would I want a book from that pompous ass?"
I was a bit shocked, because I knew my co worker was a conservative person who I respected a lot... then I had to look into who Rush was.
Back then I usually voted Independent... and my political views were more at a local San Diego level as I had many friends who, since the mid 80's, had been working for Conservative City Council members. (Most of San Diego at that time was conservative.) It was then that I realized my father in law, who lived near Berkeley, CA, went to UC Berkeley for his Masters in Public Health... was a liberal, not a conservative. Back then I did not care too much for or about politics, other than I thought maybe Ross Perot would be a good start to a third party...
I have never listened much to Rush, but when I learned of him, it defined who my father-in-law was, and explained some of the reasons my father-in-law and I had a strained relationship over the years. Oddly when I think of Rush, I think of my father-in-law. Both could bloviate... but on different sides of the fence.
I do think without Rush, our country would have been overthrown by the progressives by now. I think Rush paved the way for other conservative talk show hosts and proved there was an audience, despite the MSM being radical liberal.
RIP Rush