2008: ‘Slightly Creepy Cult of Personality’ Around Obama

[Luminous Animal]

The above is headline pulled from an article in Newsweek. I find it amusing that many of those who aggressively support Obama and Clinton are using very similar rhetoric to smear Bernie.

"CNN repeats smear of Obama supporters as "creepy" and "cult-like""
http://mediamatters.org/research/2008/02/15/cnn-repeats-smear-of-obama-supporters-as-creepy/142590

CNN's Carol Costello said that audience response at a Barack Obama rally is "a scene some increasingly find not inspirational, but 'creepy,' " quoting columnists who have likened Obama supporters to members of a cult or described their enthusiasm as "creepy." On-screen text during Costello's report read: "OBAMA-MANIA BACKLASH" and "PASSION 'CULT-LIKE' TO SOME." Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer similarly cited other writers to make the same assertion: "ABC's Jake Tapper notes the 'Helter-Skelter cult-ish qualities' of 'Obama worshipers,' what Joel Stein of the Los Angeles Times calls 'the Cult of Obama.' "

Barack Obama criticised over 'cult-like' rallies
"http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1579618/Barack-Obama-criticised-over-cult-like-rallies.html

For many it is simply a sign of his charisma. But for a growing number of Barack Obama sceptics, there is something disturbing about the adulation with which the senator and Democratic presidential frontrunner is greeted as he campaigns for the White House - unnervingly akin to the hysteria of a cult, or the fervour of a religious revival.

Obamamania verges on obsession
http://www.politico.com/story/2008/02/obamamania-verges-on-obsession-008605

But is there a downside to being viewed as a political deity?
Critics, including Clinton, Arizona Sen. John McCain and members of the Republican chattering class clearly think so.
A competing narrative has formed in recent weeks in which opponents try to turn Obama’s popularity into a negative by hinting that there’s something uninformed and empty — or just plain creepy — about his impassioned support.
For weeks, Clinton and her campaign have increasingly centered their critique of Obama on the notion that while he can wax poetic on the stump, she offers more experience and on-the-job training.
Last week, Clinton adviser Sid Blumenthal e-mailed an article from The American Conservative implying that Obama's support was, at least in part, due to white liberal guilt.

And here from Clinton supporter Paul Krugman

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/11/opinion/11krugman.html?_r=0

Supporters of each candidate should have no trouble rallying behind the other if he or she gets the nod.

Why, then, is there so much venom out there?

I won’t try for fake evenhandedness here: most of the venom I see is coming from supporters of Mr. Obama, who want their hero or nobody. I’m not the first to point out that the Obama campaign seems dangerously close to becoming a cult of personality. We’ve already had that from the Bush administration — remember Operation Flight Suit? We really don’t want to go there again.

[Hortensis]

1. I never noticed it, but then I wasn't here then. Pretending that

the nests of extremists making so much unpleasant noise around Obama then and Bernie today are typical of the 70 million liberals and conservative progressives who elected Obama by a good majority is silly. They're not even typical of Bernie supporters today, mercifully for his chances.

[Doctor_J]

2. Unfortunately Prof. Krugman abandoned his innate liberal tendencies and became a cult member

He was calling Obama supporters names in 2008, and now supports all of the president's policies even if he bashed then when they were Bush policies. There are so few dependable liberals in the media these days.

[hootinholler]

3. Leopards and spots

Apparently are similar to behaviors in they are not easily changed.

What's really impressive is the old tropes are out much earlier this time around.

[frylock]

9. I've seen the term 'Messiah' thrown out there several times already.

[beam me up scottie]

4. They called him the "messiah" too.

Another right wing talking point we often see here now.

[frylock]

10. Whoops! Didn't see your post..

Yep, SSDD.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

5. They need to sell Bernie hair wigs at rallies so all the cultists can blend in ;) nt

[artislife]

6. *chortle nt

[LoveIsNow]

7. I remember the night of his election.

I was living in the dorms at the University of South Florida. When CNN called the election, students took to the street that ran through the dorms to celebrate. I remember a number of students waving 3x5 flags with Obama's face on them. In my ecstasy, I remember having the fleeting thought "I hope I didn't just vote in the next Stalin". Time would prove that I had voted for the best of the four presidents of my lifetime so far (I would give him a B - I would consider FDR the last "A" president), and a president who was, if anything, frustratingly restrained.

I think this is just what a popular campaign looks like in the 21st century.

Hopefully this time, we will remember that our candidate needs our enthusiasm after election day as much, if not more than, during the campaign.

[murielm99]

11. I worked hard for Obama's first election,

and kept the headquarters open on election night. My oldest daughter was one of the lucky ones with a ticket to Grant Park.

For his second election, I phone banked a lot, and put out signs for people. In some places, they were stolen or vandalized as soon as my back was turned. I was lucky enough to get two passes to McCormick Place on election night. It was crowded, exhausting and fun.

I have to be honest. The first time around, I did think some of the younger Obama supporters, those with little or no experience on a campaign, did behave in a cult like manner. I did not like that much. I have been to state and national conventions where the enthusiasm was high, but this had a different flavor.

I think people have to grow and learn. There are different types of enthusiasm. You are correct when you say we need to remember that enthusiasm after the election, too. We need to remind people especially that that enthusiasm is needed for midterm elections, and for down ticket races!

[Warren DeMontague]

8. Refusing to acknowledge that new, improved Hillary™ has WHAT VOTERS CRAVE

Is creepy, cult like behavior!

[MisterP]

12. if you make politics about personality you don't need policy

there's still DUers insisting that he got us out of Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan