Obama's cult of personality
Feature Editorial
Amanda Krupman
Issue date: 10/23/06 Section: Opinions
As I flipped through the current issue of Harper's Weekly a few days ago, I was surprised to find a front page story expressly debunking the myth that Barack Obama can do no wrong. Progressives love Obama. His celebrity is unquestioned. For many-young activists, lefty bloggers, Oprah-he is the golden boy who will save America with his charisma, intellect and proven commitments to social justice.
I witnessed a typical exchange about the senator during class just earlier this week. A professor professed (as they tend to do) dismay at the unlikelihood of a black politician winning the American presidency anytime soon. A student interjected a name-"Barack Obama!"- and others nodded enthusiastically. The professor swooned, "Oh, if only...he's just wonderful."
I can personally attest to the effects Obama's presence has on a crowd. At a reproductive rights fundraiser given a few months after his senatorial win, his address sent some of the most serious grey-haired politicos into paroxysms of schoolgirl delight. The most cynical types-public interest lawyers, public health employees-listened to his speech with wet eyes, hands clasped in front of their chests. They looked, well, exceedingly hopeful. I had just re-read his famous speech at the Democratic National Convention, and besides finding him terribly attractive, was still flying high off his ideas. As he began to leave the stage, my friend turned to me, and with groupie glee whispered, "Come on-let's follow him. We've got to go talk to him."
But here's the rub, ya'll: a politician is a politician is a politician. Obama is no activist wildcard. His political career is being carefully calibrated and oiled to Washington standards by a staff that looks to the Clinton legacy for inspiration. Consider, for example, his position on Iraq. Hilary Clinton is widely derided by an increasing anti-war majority for her refusal to demand a timetable for pulling troops. Obama has followed this centrist stance to a tee. This is disappointing, considering his outspoken speech from a Chicago anti-war rally in 2002, quoted in Harper's, where he opposed members of an administration that would "shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the cost in lives lost and in hardships borne."
I witnessed a typical exchange about the senator during class just earlier this week. A professor professed (as they tend to do) dismay at the unlikelihood of a black politician winning the American presidency anytime soon. A student interjected a name-"Barack Obama!"- and others nodded enthusiastically. The professor swooned, "Oh, if only...he's just wonderful."
I can personally attest to the effects Obama's presence has on a crowd. At a reproductive rights fundraiser given a few months after his senatorial win, his address sent some of the most serious grey-haired politicos into paroxysms of schoolgirl delight. The most cynical types-public interest lawyers, public health employees-listened to his speech with wet eyes, hands clasped in front of their chests. They looked, well, exceedingly hopeful. I had just re-read his famous speech at the Democratic National Convention, and besides finding him terribly attractive, was still flying high off his ideas. As he began to leave the stage, my friend turned to me, and with groupie glee whispered, "Come on-let's follow him. We've got to go talk to him."
But here's the rub, ya'll: a politician is a politician is a politician. Obama is no activist wildcard. His political career is being carefully calibrated and oiled to Washington standards by a staff that looks to the Clinton legacy for inspiration. Consider, for example, his position on Iraq. Hilary Clinton is widely derided by an increasing anti-war majority for her refusal to demand a timetable for pulling troops. Obama has followed this centrist stance to a tee. This is disappointing, considering his outspoken speech from a Chicago anti-war rally in 2002, quoted in Harper's, where he opposed members of an administration that would "shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the cost in lives lost and in hardships borne."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 8
Lila Johnson
posted 2/09/08 @ 1:50 AM CST
It is seeming increasingly cult-like -- and regardless of whether Obama coolly planned it out from the start, the actuality of it seems to be going to his head. (Continued…)
Keera Shamley
posted 2/10/08 @ 3:00 AM CST
Obama is more than a politician. He is the truth, baby. Live with it.
John
posted 2/10/08 @ 7:58 AM CST
Obama is all in a Politician the US and the world needs. May God be with him.
Whitney-Paige
posted 2/11/08 @ 3:46 AM CST
Whoever he is, Obama has a soul. And isn't that nice? : )
Ian Spohn
posted 10/30/08 @ 8:52 PM CST
Obama is a socialist who seeks to dismantle the ideals of independence and SELF-RELIANCE put forth by our Founding Fathers. Normally, an attempt to buy the votes of our ever-increasing lower class by bribing them with tax breaks would backfire, becuase the lower classes are too ignorant/lazy to actually get out and vote. (Continued…)
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