I was listening to a lecture on NPR the other day by a Cognative Linguist about how different modes of thinking and the use of language apply to politices and the conservative/progressive divide.
Forgive me for bringing politics into this discussion, but I think the lecturer's main point deals directly with your question about why so many people devote themselves to a man like Pat Roberts.
Basically, he said that the Democratic Party campaigns towards the voter's self-interests, meaning Social programs, the Environment and so on, while the Repuplican party campaigns towards the voters' Identity, meaning morals, character and so on, and that American culture puts a much higher priority on the latter.
If you extend this example to Religious Conservatives (a populous demographic to be sure) you can see why so many are drawn to "moral" authority figures even if it contradicts there own self interest.
I'm certainly not saying that one Party or people is more Moral than the other, and I'm not using the term "Self Interest" in the negative sense. I only wish to point out how American culture is attracted to perceived notions of strong character and the "Stern Father"
I imagine many of his staunch supporters also cringe or roll their eyes when he spouts of like this, but are able to put that aside given his broader role as a moral authority. It's kind of like how I can ignore Howard Stern's cruder segments and still listen (if he was still on in Canada that is
), waiting for his more inspired bits.