Obama "cult"?

[Fitswimmer]

I haven't seen the kind of rhetoric from other candidates and the response to it that I have seen from him. It is something that I had not noticed until his candidacy. He reminds me of a preacher.

how about Bill Clinton? He certianly had a cult following, still does. As does Reagan and GW. All of these leaders have a segment of followers that could be described the same way that Obama's followers are being described. Reagan was one heck of a speaker-he didn't have the same style as Obama, but then he didn't come up in the same culture. Bill Clinton is also a speaker that inspires people-his style is closer to Obama's but not all the way there. Lord knows speaking isn't GW's strong suit, but he does have a group of followers that believe he can do no wrong.

All I'm saying is that this phenomenon is not unique to Obama. I think it was unexpected, which is why people-especially political reporters who didn't predict it-are having trouble with it.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

So people have something to say when people aren't energized and involved in politics and then they have something to say when people are enthusiastically behind their candidate?

I see no problem in people finally getting active and involved AND VOTING!

I guess I'm a cult member too then.

Tim, do you mind if I use you as an example? No? Good...

You're a young guy (way younger than me anyhow) who is fired up about Obama. You are also very well-versed on his stance on the issues. I think there are more like you (fired up AND informed) than just "fired up". Yet I also se what the blogger I linked to in the OP means about a camp-meeting atmosphere at Obama rallies too.

 

[sassyat30]

I haven't read any of the other replies yet, but I did want to address the OP.

I'm an agnostic and I really don't hear any of that when I listen to Obama. What I hear is people who are proud of their country, who are finally excited about the possibility of a "new" government, and a man that is able to inspires millions of people with his ideas.

I have *never* donated to a campaign before, but I have to Obama's.

I wouldn't say its "cultish"...maybe just at a fever-pitch and a bit over excited?

 

[mefordis]

As both a devout atheist and a die-hard Obama supporter, I love that so many people are excited by his campaign. Personally, it makes me feel something that I haven't felt in a very long time - pride. It's amazing to get that feeling from a politician, and I can certainly see why Obama supporters are thought of as being a bit over-zealous. I do think that it is genuine, though, and not at all cult-ish.

Me, too. I got choked up listening to one of his speeches the other day.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Me, too. I got choked up listening to one of his speeches the other day.

I'm trying to figure stuff out here. What in his speech made you choke up?

 

[frndshpcptn]

I'm clearly too much of a cynic to be part of the movement.

I want to be.

But maybe it's my New Yorkness speaking when I say, eh, talk is good but I won't be impressed until I actually SEE some real change.

It's one thing to talk idealistically about it. It's another to be able to really make it happen.

I'm still not convinced that the dreams can turn into reality once he gets to Washington.

But, I am in PR. I listen to (and create my own) "messages" all day for a living so I may particularly jaded!

 

[NewJersey]

Tim, do you mind if I use you as an example? No? Good...

You're a young guy (way younger than me anyhow) who is fired up about Obama. You are also very well-versed on his stance on the issues. I think there are more like you (fired up AND informed) than just "fired up". Yet I also se what the blogger I linked to in the OP means about a camp-meeting atmosphere at Obama rallies too.

I don't think I see the camp-meeting attitude - I see it as people who are finally excited about a campaign and excited that they finally can vote for a candidate they believe in instead of voting against a candidate they don't want to see win.

I don't think the media or the naysayers expected the huge rush that seems to be carrying Obama into each primary (and winning so far). Conventional wisdom is saying that Independents, even some Repubilcans, and Democrats of all shapes and sizes and backgrounds can't join a campaign together, but it is happening with Obama.

My parents are shocked at how involved I am with the campaign and how excited I was over the weekend leading up to Super Tuesday - they said it's something they haven't seen in any campaign since JFK.

 

[lilyv]

how about Bill Clinton? He certianly had a cult following, still does. As does Reagan and GW. All of these leaders have a segment of followers that could be described the same way that Obama's followers are being described. Reagan was one heck of a speaker-he didn't have the same style as Obama, but then he didn't come up in the same culture. Bill Clinton is also a speaker that inspires people-his style is closer to Obama's but not all the way there. Lord knows speaking isn't GW's strong suit, but he does have a group of followers that believe he can do no wrong.

All I'm saying is that this phenomenon is not unique to Obama. I think it was unexpected, which is why people-especially political reporters who didn't predict it-are having trouble with it.

Ahhh...But Bill's a different story. He's Bill. Bill can preach, and it's still OK. Yikes, he even paraphrases SCRIPTURE!!! He mentions..the Bible! They sure aren't offended when Bill combines church and state....from an actual church pulpit. Clinton gave this sermon while he was President.

Quote: "Why are we here today? Or, at least, why am I here today, instead of down the street at the Foundry, where I normally am on Sunday. Ephesians says we should speak the truth with our neighbors, for we are members, one of another. I believe that. I think that is the single most important political insight, or social insight, in the bible. And I think it is what should drive us as we behave together. We have to decide whether we are members, one of the other; is my destiny caught up in yours; are your children my children; do you care about my daughter; are we part of the same family of God. It's not enough to say that we are all equal in the eyes of God. We are all also connected in the eyes of God. (Applause.)

http://www.clintonpresidentialcente...-president-at-metropolitan-baptist-church.htm

Note all the (applause) I certainly hope the audience was very quiet when they were applauding.

I am a big free speech advocate. I'm not so big on hypocrisy. Personally, I understand the difference between a church sermon and a political rally. Don't know why Obama gets grief for being inspiring at a political rally, while Clinton can climb up to all the pulpits he wants and give the Sunday sermon with no criticism.

 

[Colson39]

I love that this is the kind of stuff people worry about :/

 

[sassyat30]

Tim, do you mind if I use you as an example? No? Good...

You're a young guy (way younger than me anyhow) who is fired up about Obama. You are also very well-versed on his stance on the issues. I think there are more like you (fired up AND informed) than just "fired up". Yet I also se what the blogger I linked to in the OP means about a camp-meeting atmosphere at Obama rallies too.

I'd like to feel that I'm also "fired up and informed" (there is only one issue that I disagree with Obama on and that one isn't that important to me) but I sure hope people don't think I'm becoming "cultish" or over-zealous.

I think a lot of people have (or did) discount the youth vote in this country. The young republicans (when you can find them ) have no momentum at all. Zilch, zero, nada.

 

[NewJersey]

I'm trying to figure stuff out here. What in his speech made you choke up?

I haven't choked up but his speeches, especially after South Carolina, have given me goosebumps. I also find myself clapping, jumping up and down, and screaming to the TV 'OBAMA!!!' when he's on TV speaking.

This isn't something that I've ever experienced before.

 

[momto2girls]

I definitely see what the author of that blog is talking about. He definitely reminds me of a preacher and the fervor around him does seem cult-ish to me. I don't see anything sinister about it though. I'm glad that some people are really excited about their candidate although some of their actions do really seem over-the-top. Of course, I really don't understand the excitement at all because I just listen to him and feel afraid, not inspired.

 

[CathrynRose]

Well put. It is funny....when they need something to complain about, they decide they don't like the way Obama talks.
Yea, that's a great argument.
Last time I checked, it was OK for groups at political rallies to be enthusiastic. We do live in a Democracy, don't we?

I don't know what all the fuss is about Obama. If you like him, vote for him. If you aren't inspired by his hopeful vision, there is another choice. No reason to get upset.

I'm not old enough to remember the energy surrounding the Bobby Kennedy campaign, but I'm told - and have seen in several places - that the feeling is very similar between the two. I wonder if stodgy Republican types called his following "cult-like" back then, or if the label is merely a reflection of the cynicism in today's political world? Somehow, I suspect the latter.

Or maybe it's simply fear in some people that a popular president that doesn't bow to the Bush doctrine will manage to clean up the mess he's made...

See - at least for me, this isnt what I mean. Im not shaking in my boots over losing a republican president. Im not scared of Obama - nor am I looking for something to complain about.

TO ME - his speeches arent anything but weird. I dont get choked up - frankly because theres too much YES WE CAN to hear much of anything else.

And IMO - sounding like Jesse Jackson as a previous poster commented on, isnt much to be proud of, again - IMO.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I don't think I see the camp-meeting attitude - I see it as people who are finally excited about a campaign and excited that they finally can vote for a candidate they believe in instead of voting against a candidate they don't want to see win.

I don't think the media or the naysayers expected the huge rush that seems to be carrying Obama into each primary (and winning so far). Conventional wisdom is saying that Independents, even some Repubilcans, and Democrats of all shapes and sizes and backgrounds can't join a campaign together, but it is happening with Obama.

My parents are shocked at how involved I am with the campaign and how excited I was over the weekend leading up to Super Tuesday - they said it's something they haven't seen in any campaign since JFK.

I think that's really the problem for the pundits-they didn't see this coming so they have to somehow find a negative in it.

I watched the Super Tuesday returns come in while OTP with DN. She's 21 and SO excited about Obama. She was the one that got me to look at his issues, read his book and get involved. I love that the younger generation is so into an election-it's been a long time since that happened.

 

[lillielil]

Of course, I really don't understand the excitement at all because I just listen to him and feel afraid, not inspired.

What scares you?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I think a lot of people have (or did) discount the youth vote in this country. .

I notice the same thing sometimes, which is really weird to me since our whole culture is very youth-driven. Why is politics not?

 

[Robinrs]

The comparison of a politician to a preacher is somewhat redundant. It's a preacher's job to attract loyal people to come to a place where they are not paid to go to. It's also a politician's job to get that same loyalty. The common thread is charisma.

I am old enough to remember John and Bobby Kennedy. That was the last time I saw this kind of "cult" following. When a huge throng of people are unsatisfied and "lost" they look for a leader to bring them out of it. When they are satisfied or not as anxious it's difficult to compell them to follow you.

The atmosphere in the nation BEGS for change. GW did his job for his cronies and now people want something new and different. You all can thank him and his administration for that.

His followers had what in the last 8 years? Al Gore and John Kerry... WHERE was the excitement there? Now we have a YouTube contender with a fresh outlook and a charismatic theme...

It's not a cult, which is nice to say to take away the common sense and thought processes of the people who took the time to listen to him and find him interesting. There's a reason people want change. He wouldn't have the same effect if we hadn't all lived through this mess.

 

[keishashadow]

cult of personality

nice to see lots of peeps who were never invested before step up to the plate & vote for somebody - anybody

don't know what caused the motivation, just hope it's not because Oprah said to do the right thing without checking out the platform for themselves.

i'm not supporting John McCain (until i see who wins the Democratic nod), however; as to questioning his engery/fervor level - perhaps he lost some of it when interred in POW camp...still waters can run very deep.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I haven't choked up but his speeches, especially after South Carolina, have given me goosebumps. I also find myself clapping, jumping up and down, and screaming to the TV 'OBAMA!!!' when he's on TV speaking.

This isn't something that I've ever experienced before.

I think that's totally cool, but what was it that made you feel that way?

 

[NewJersey]

I'd like to feel that I'm also "fired up and informed" (there is only one issue that I disagree with Obama on and that one isn't that important to me) but I sure hope people don't think I'm becoming "cultish" or over-zealous.

I think a lot of people have (or did) discount the youth vote in this country. The young republicans (when you can find them ) have no momentum at all. Zilch, zero, nada.

I think you bring up a great point. At least you and I (and I'm sure there are lots of others) don't agree with everything Obama stands for and says, which in relation to this thread, is important. It shows that we don't just follow him like drones and believe everything he says. We have made informed decisions on who to support and believe he is the best choice out there.