I honestly think it's this. I know it's more entertaining for us to think he's a weird deviant but I think he's, instead, horribly awkward and has gotten enough power that no one tells him he's an idiot. He thinks he comes across as warm and intimate when really he's just a bundary stepper and is far too stupid to know it.

He's the perfect empty vessel for the dems because if they ever need to get rid of him... well, they can suddenly be all concerned about his creepy nature.