Yet, it is difficult to make the case that he is one. Why?

For the same reason that other things can hide in plain sight. Examples of similar objects include “Don’t question my patriotism”. “Criticizing radical Islam is hurtful hate speech.” “Asking me these questions is a form of McCarthyism”. “Anyone who questions this is climate criminal.” The procedure is simple: you disconnect discourse from reason. Evidence plays no part because everything is political. And once everything is political then it is all a matter of who shouts the loudest; who has the biggest gang; who owns the streets.

My own misgivings about Obama arise precisely from the type of defense he employs: they are fascistic and antidemocratic. Now some will say it’s just his overenthusiastic followers, but if so, what sort of leader is he if he follows his followers?