On the accusations of Obama supporters being like cult followers.

[LoZoccolo]

Do you feel that the accusations of Obama supporters being like cult followers are highly inflammatory or divisive attacks that echo the tone or substance of our political opponents?

[Bread and Circus]

1. I think it's just stupid people who are too lazy and dumb to fight an argument

on the merits, so they use a talking point fed to them by someone who would rather not have them think for themselves.

[Kittycat]

2. Yes, but this is exactly what the pukes are best at.

[niceypoo]

8. It is official now

His campaign is now a bizarre religious cult.

Obama basic training
http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/649427.html">Volunteers told to share personal conversion stories with voters - not policy views.

[Bread and Circus]

13. I think you are a case in point.

[LittleClarkie]

23. Were Dean's supporter's cult-like as well?

Not to mention the talking points Hillary's campaign gives out as part of the "spread the word" campaign.

"I support Hillary because_________. (Tell YOUR story about your experience with
Hillary and why you support her. Have you seen her speak about the issues important to you
and your family? Did she gain your support when you learned of her work to expand health
insurance to cover all children? Or when you saw her demand that the Department of
Defense provide the body armor our soldiers need? Are you particularly concerned about the
need for more research on Alzheimer’s or autism or another disease, and know of Hillary’s
leadership?)"

Isn't that just a campaign tactic that most candidates use?

[TwilightGardener]

3. Everyone's supporters can look cult-like. This is just another smear, an

act of desperation because Obama now poses a real threat to Hillary's nomination. The next few weeks will bring an increase in this bullshit, I expect.

[billbuckhead]

7. If it walks like cult, quacks like a cult, it must be a cult

The cult meme stands on it's own merit. Here's some Obama supporters in action on YouTube
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjOjjI-hr8c>

[TwilightGardener]

11. LOL! No thanks, I'll pass. I like Obama, I think he'll make a good President.

If that makes me a "cult member", to you or anyone else, then I proudly carry the title.

[TwilightGardener]

12. dupe

[LittleClarkie]

24. Well, then I guess Hillary is promoting a cult as well

After all, she asks her supporters to share their stories about why they support her.

[rodeodance]

30. Clinton does not have training camps to learn how be....c......

[tabatha]

4. They called Dean supporters cult followers, too.

I think there is a misunderstanding of the enthusiasm after 7 hellish years.
Maybe, its jealousy as well.

[MercutioATC]

9. It's because nobody feels any passion about politics any more.

We've all resigned ourselves to the fact that it's all a game anyway. We battle for crumbs of change and accept that as our lot.

Any campaign that tries to show its supporters that things can actually change is dubbed a "cult".

[newmajority]

35. Seems to be a pattern here.

Any grass roots movement that opposes the DLC's illusion that they "own" the party, is labeled a "cult" by their spin factory. Happened to Dean. Happened to the Kucinich people. And now that someone DARES to challenge the coronation of Queen Hillary, why they must be the worst "cult" of all!

[faithfulcitizen]

5. Maybe just me, but yes=cult? and no= not cult? in other words...

are you asking about the accusations or the supporters? Sorry, it's late, I'm confused. :)

[Jed Dilligan]

6. A cult is what members of a conspiracy

call outsiders who dare to organize and claim power.

The priests of Ancient Egypt saw Christianity as a cult. Similar dynamics here.

[nonconformist]

10. Interesting that you make a religious reference.

Because I think that's what is creeping people out... it seems like it's a religion, based on hope and faith.

[Jed Dilligan]

14. It's a reference to a total usurpation of political power

from a structure that had existed for thousands of years, by people who were poor and in many cases enslaved.

If that's the best you can do...

[nonconformist]

17. Well, if you want to no why it's viewed that way, that's why.

Lots of other details, but that's the gist of it.

But yes, you're totally right that the rest of us are conspiring just to control you. I must have missed the secret handshake on that one... maybe we can borrow the BAM!

[Jed Dilligan]

19. The DLC and Republicans are the conspirators

the dupes in here just echo what they want heard

[jackson_dem]

25. The Republicans love Obama, hate Hillary and the DLC is split between Obama and Hillary

[rodeodance]

32. gee, time for the Dem voters to have their say.

[Jed Dilligan]

33. Is that why Ann Coulter said she would vote for her

and Rush Limbaugh told his fans to donate to her?

There's no way you can spin it where Obama is more "establishment" than Clinton.

[Indenturedebtor]

21. IT IS

It's an ideal!

In our darkest hours we need HOPE to do what we must to overcome the darkness.

I don't know about you but I need to be inspired to even get up in the fucking morning anymore. The minute he passes a DLC piece of legislation the dream will be gone from me... but dammit Edwards is gone, Kucinich is gone, and right now I trust him to be our only hope for true change. And fuck you for trying to take that hope from me under the sad illusion that that will turn me to the cold triangulating DLC corporate shill that's on the other hand. MY LAST choice of candidate from the beginning. She's a fucking corporate hack. And Obama is no Edwards, but Edwards was no Kucinich, and Kucinich was no FDR. What the fuck do you people want? Obama isn't perfect so we should just settle for Lieberman in a pastel pantsuit? :mad:

I'm so sick of this Cult bullshit.

The hour goes late... the world is dying. We need someone to unite us so that we can make the changes that we need to. People don't support him as they do because of sheer force of personality but coupled with the policies that we all so desperately want to see happen. I need hope right now. The hopeless have already surrendered. Get out of the fucking way.

We want our future and our country back. HRC has promised us a future without promising to give us our country back. And I BELIEVE that we need our country back before we have a chance at a future. Too obscure for you? See his work on Ethics and Transparency.

Can't criticize his platform and voting record so you turn on his supporters? Pathetic.

[Leopolds Ghost]

36. "I think that's what is creeping people out...it seems like its a religion, based on hope and faith"

And we all know how creepy that is. :shrug:

[Samantha]

15. It really is becoming quite disturbing, the number of participants

advancing the "cult" phenomenon and the associated terminology. It appears like there was a small initial orchestration, and the more successful Obama becomes in his campaign, the more the heat is turned up on this "synopsis" of his appeal.

It's dirty and disgusting ... and not accidental.

[Renew Deal]

16. It's no surprise. Hillary's supporters are right wingers.

It's in their blood.

[rodeodance]

31. its statements this yours that bring out the blindfaith cultness for so many obamababies.

[BenDavid]

18. I'm getting increasingly weirded out by some of Obama's

supporters. Some people who should know better – hard-bitten, not-so-young cynics, even – are gushing about Barack, raving about his "game-changing" politics, about his "power to inspire," about how they wept while viewing the now-famous Dipdive video, and on and on.

Excuse me, but this sounds more like a cult than a political campaign. The language used here is the language of evangelical Christianity – the Obama volunteers speak of "coming to Obama" in the same way born-again Christians talk about "coming to Jesus."

But he's not Jesus! He's not going to magically enable us to transcend the bitter partisanship that is tearing this country apart. And even if he is elected, in no way will that show that somehow we have "gotten beyond" race.Especially when it is obama himself that is guilty of playing the race card and race baiting.....and obama will finish no higher then second place.....and will go into the convention in second place.......so get used to it.....

[DebJ]

20. You ask this question because genuine leadership has become

an unknown and alien thing in this nation. Especially non-divisive leadership
that recognizes that democracy requires compromise and listening to the other
side.

[billbuckhead]

22. If this was a democracy, Al Gore would be president

and Karl Rove would be selling wobbleboxes.

[DebJ]

26. Amen.

[jackson_dem]

27. There is much validity to the cult charge

Many Obama supporters do display the traits of a cult member.

[Rowdyboy]

28. I'm still uncommitted (Edwards) and find the charge insulting and demeaning....

Trashy

[Raejeanowl]

29. It's A Poorly Constructed Question

The accusations are undoubtedly inflammatory and divisive, but not necessarily unfounded or without some basis in truth. One doesn't automatically follow the other.

Case in point: What prevents some Obama supporters from calling his critics racists, or if that won't work, closet neocons? Not much, apparently.

I have more difficulty with the latter part of the question. Whether the above is true or false, how does any of that "echo the tone" of our "political opponents?" What does that MEAN?

It certainly alters the tone of our political discourse-is that what you intended to say?

Does it allow or encourage either Obama or Clinton supporters to examine the substance of what gets people so excited about Obama? No.

And there's the pity. Obama may have less...or more to offer than you currently believe.

Maybe everyone needs to stop being so damned cocksure, vested in their egos, and think it through one more time.

[Hill_YesWeWill]

34. "Yes, They Are" highly inflammatory, I hope that's what you meant to ask, because

otherwise your poll has been tainted