I think this line of attack is being floated about Obama’s candidacy because it attacks his identity without racial overtones. While there are elements of truth to the attack, what successful presidential candidates don’t have blind, fervent supporters based on emotional connections? Living in Crimson red Alabama I witnessed quite a bit of this with George W. Bush’s 2nd campaign. Many of his supporters deified him based on their belief in his faith and patriotism. I myself was moved by images such as the one of him crying and hugging the little girl who lost her father in 9/11. I projected my own emotions about those events and what I hoped America could accomplish onto Bush.
I believe many of the people who support Obama are projecting their own desires that we live in a racially and politically unified nation onto their candidate. His rhetoric cultivates this legitimate desire. His ability to move and motivate masses of individuals to support him and his ideas could potentially make him a strong catalyst for enacting legislative policy. Furthermore, while many of his policy ideas and stances are liberal, they are not outside of the historical American political mainstream.
Thus, I believe this Obama a cult leader meme is unfair and inaccurate.
