Telegraph (UK): "Barack Obama criticised over 'cult-like' rallies"

[bidenista]

Always good to know how the rest of the world sees us:

Barack Obama criticised over 'cult-like' rallies

By William Lowther in Washington
Last Updated: 4:24pm GMT 23/02/2008

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.

Thousands wait in line to see him wherever he stops. Members of the audience have taken to rushing the stage during campaign rallies, forcing the public-address announcer to plead with them to back off. And when Mr Obama eventually takes the platform to rhythmic chants of his mantra-like slogan, “Yes we can, yes we can!” fans swoon with euphoria.

Now critics are quietly voicing the fear that Mr Obama and his campaign have deliberately adopted the tone and tactics of an evangelical preacher, whipping up “Obamamania” at the expense of more serious discussion of policy and government....

More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/23/wUS123.xml

[Cooley Hurd]

1. "how the rest of the world sees us..."

No, that's how Obama is viewed by his opponents - sour-grapy, I might add...

[BooScout]

26. No that's how they actually see him...

I know because I have several people asking me about his evangelical campaign on a daily basis here in the UK. Many want to know if he is actually a preacher.

[intaglio]

2. Ah, Yes the "Torygraph"

Well know bastion of right wing cobblers (rhyming slang cobbler's awls)

[jackson_dem]

9. This same rag was calling Obama the new JFK about a week ago...

[rodeodance]

21. SHHHHSSSS-can only use if site adorations don't cha know.

yup. thats the way it is.

[MadBadger]

3. Been away for a couple days? Not enough Cult articles for you to drool over?

[scheming daemons]

4. Yay! bidenista is back!

:eyes:

[rodeodance]

20. Wonderful. Joyful day. The sun is shining, the snow is beutiful.

[TexasObserver]

5. Hillary fans criticized for foisting yet another dumb argument about Obama.

Any writer who uses the term CULT is carrying water for the Clinton machine.

[ingac70]

6. I imagine the rest of the world...

sees this as an improvement over who is in our leadership currently.

Starry eyed "worshipers" excited about "change" and "hope" (dems) , or blood thirsty jingoistic warmongers (hillary worshipers and Repubs). I'm pretty sure the rest of the industrialized world has figured out long ago that we aren't like everyone else.

[madrchsod]

27. we are everyone else.......

everyone from any where in the world is an america citizen

[boston bean]

7. Hi Bidenista! Glad to see you! nt

:hi:

[Submariner]

8. Yay to the CULT

As my trust fund manager caught his Birkenstock in the door jam of my Prius and spilled our lattes, I was thinking how brainwashed I must be to be an Obama follower. I felt this way about the McGovern-cult back in the day too, I guess I'm doomed.

[Honeycombe8]

10. LOL LOL! That is so funny. As if I and others like me are in the LEAST the type of people....

who would belong to a cult! I'm white, middle aged, female, don't attend church, extremely independent, a political junkie who thinks for herself, and have NEVER belonged to a cult or even been inclined to "follow" any human being.

I decided to support Obama just a couple of months ago, after anguishing over the decision for months, and after considering ALL the other candidates, including the Republicans.

I'm the last person who would belong to a cult or worship any human being, or follow anyone blindly (or even FOLLOW anyone).

I merely support him as a candidate. Nothing more, nothing less. But he IS the most exciting, energizing, mesmerizing, inspiring politician who has come on the scene in many years. The crowds are an acknowledgement of that.

[bidenista]

13. interesting

Actually, the demographics show that Obama gets a bigger slice of non-churchgoers than he does of those who practise some religion. Maybe it's because he offers a "fix" to those people that they're not getting elsewhere?

[libbygurl]

18. Non-believers have 'found religion' in Obama's campaign speeches. Even atheist Bill Maher has. nt

[Honeycombe8]

29. I am not an atheist. I don't belong to a religion. Big difference.

There is a difference between organized religion and spirituality.

[Honeycombe8]

28. It's not a religious experience any more than when I supported Kerry. Got it?

Don't be insulting. I'm not hooked or addicted to Obama, getting fixed by him, in a trance, blinded by his charm, or in any way engulfed in his charm any more than any other mesmerizing, charismatic politician. He's just a politician, with all the foibles that politicians have.

But...he happens to be gifted in the oratory area, and have the ability to inspire others.

I am not attracted at all to religions in the typical sense, so don't be insulting.

(I of course am saying this while making the cross sign and chanting "insomnia, insomnia, bologna," shortly to be followed by turning around three times, ending facing backwards, and them spelling OBAMA backwards while quacking like a chicken. You know...the normal Obama-cult stuff.)

[FlaGranny]

15. Ditto, Indie

Me too. Went through the same process, reached the same conclusion, and I'm as much of a "loner" as anyone can be. I can be inspired by someone, but I cannot be led by anyone. I'm NOT a joiner. Perhaps Obama gets bigger, more enthusiastic crowds because his campaign actually intellectually and emotionally reaches more people. Cults come in all sizes. Using the same logic, you can say that any size group supporting any any candidate is also a "cult" if they are enthusiastic about their candidate.

Same old, same old nonsense here at DU and elsewhere.

[Honeycombe8]

30. Exactly. And I decided that "same ol', same ol'" was not what I wanted.

That's mainly how I ended up supporting Obama.

A friend said, "But he's not experienced. You don't know what he'll be like as President."

I said, "You're right. I wish he were more experienced. And I DON'T know what he'll be like as President. I don't know WHAT we'll be getting.......but I know what we've had. Including the Clintons."

[bowens43]

11. One of the stupidest anti-Obama smears, thanks for bringing it up again.

It certainly is a shame that that we have found a candidate that can inspire and rekindle the passion for freedom and our system of government, isn't it?

[demnan]

12. The link didn't work for me.

n/t

[bidenista]

14. sorry, should work now. nt

[rodeodance]

16. "fans swoon with euphoria."-They picked up the swoon factor.

[rucky]

17. "critics say..."

Critics say this is chickenshit journalism.

[libbygurl]

19. Have missed ya, bidenista! K & R! nt

[rodeodance]

22. K and R--

[OzarkDem]

23. Obama uses the same style as a televangelist

he borrows from them heavily.

[formercia]

24. The right has been using it for generations

suddenly, someone from slightly left of center gets people excited and it's a 'cult' rally.

Using someone's strengths against them is common right-wing reactionary tactic. They must be scared.

[madrchsod]

25. ohhhh...noooo,,,it`s the telegraph!

i love it when the brit`s look down their noses at the colonials...we are such a crude people...