When backing Barack feels like joining a cult

[AlpineJunkie]

When backing Barack feels like joining a cult

By Margery Eagan | Thursday, February 21, 2008 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Columnists


I’m an Obama girl and my man throttled Hillary Clinton, again, Tuesday night.

Suddenly, the impossible is real.

Suddenly, I’m nervous. Very nervous, actually.

I’m nervous because an otherwise normal grownup told me yesterday she’s watched the will.i.am (Black Eyed Peas) “Yes We Can” Obama video about 100 times and gets “weepy” every time.

I’m nervous because a longtime political type, normally quite cynical, now waxes rhapsodic about Obama’s “cool.”

“He’s elegant, controlled, the best-dressed candidate ever,” he says. Never a red tie, yellow or bright blue. No, Obama does a subdued lean charcoal gray suit with a gray or silvery tie. Everything muted, measured, fluid. “He floats onto the stage, a bit of the Fred Astaire thing going.”

Fred Astaire?

This same man, 100 percent anti-illegal aliens, fears Obama could pull a Reagan or a JFK on the Mexican border, head down there, chanting, “Tear down this wall!” or even do an “Ich bin ein Tijuana!!!”

He’s with Obama anyway.

I’m nervous because Harvard political genius Elaine Kamarck told me Hillary understands the various messes we’re in far better than Obama.

Suppose Kamarck’s right?

I’m nervous about the “O’Bambi” factor. Will the terrorists move in next door when Obama’s in the White House?

I’m nervous because Michelle Obama, about whom I just wrote a fawning puff piece, now says that until her husband’s stunning ascendancy, she’s never before been proud of America. Huh?

Barack now claims she didn’t mean it. Oh, yes she did. We all know the insufferable, holier-than-thou, Blame-America-First types who lecture the unwashed from the rarefied air of Cambridge and Brookline.

If I wanted lecturing, I’d be with Hillary.

I’m nervous because too many Obama-philes sound like Moonies, or Hare Krishnas, or the Hale-Bopp-Is-Coming-To-Get-Me nuts.

These true believers “Obama-ize” everything. They speak Obama-ese. Knit for Obama. Run for Obama. Gamble - Hold ’Em Barack! - for Obama. They make Obama cakes, underwear, jewelry. They send Valentine cards reading, “I want to Barack your world!”

At campaign rallies people scream, cry, even faint as Obama calmly calls for the EMTs. When supporters pant en masse, “I love you!” (like The Beatles, circa 1964), Barack says, “I love you back” with that deliciously charming, almost cocky smile.

Oh - I’m nervous because it’s all gone to his head and he hasn’t even won yet.

I’m nervous because it’s gone to a lot of other people’s heads as well. Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings introduced Obama last week in Baltimore and said, “This is not a campaign for president of the United States, this is a movement to change the world.”

“He walks into a room and you want to follow him somewhere, anywhere,” says George Clooney.

“I’ll do whatever he says to do,” says actress Halle Berry. “I’ll collect paper cups off the ground to make his pathway clear.”

I’m nervous because nobody’s quite sure what Obama stands for, even his supporters. (“I can’t wait to see,” said actress/activist Susan Sarandon, declaring full support nonetheless).

I’m nervous because even his biggest fans can’t name Obama’s accomplishments, including Texas state Sen. Kirk Watson, an Obama-man who humiliated himself when MSNBC’s Chris Matthews asked him about five times to name something, anything, Obama’s done. Watson hemmed. Watson hawed. Watson gave up.

I’m nervous because John McCain says Obama’s is “an eloquent but empty call for change” and in the wee, wee hours, a nagging voice whispers, suppose McCain’s right, too? Then what?

[bklyn]

How many threads can you start in one day?

[lemon boy]

SUCK IT

what shit.

[AlpineJunkie]

How many threads can you start in one day?

I'm sure no where near 3,444.

[lemon boy]

I'm sure no where near 3,444.

you're an idiot.

[AlpineJunkie]

you're an idiot.

Thanks for the bump!

[RootSkier]

Welcome to my ignore list...way to make friends and influence people.

P.S. I'll never see your response to this, but you are the first person on my ignore list who didn't post poop and prolapsed rectum pictures.

[AlpineJunkie]

Welcome to my ignore list...way to make friends and influence people.

P.S. I'll never see your response to this, but you are the first person on my ignore list who didn't post poop and prolapsed rectum pictures.

Thanks for the bump!

[vin]

Good for you Alpine. Everyone can have an opinion
your welcome for the bump.

[anthill]

And in this day and age, it's even easier to find someone willing to give you your opinion...

[AlpineJunkie]

Good for you Alpine. Everyone can have an opinion
your welcome for the bump.

Dude it's not my opinion it's a columnists.

[DharmaBum]

It's about the revolution you moron. We don't need details, we just want change because what we got right now sucks big green donkey dicks. But change is hard, and scary, and some of you will cling to the familiar no matter how bad it is for you. That's o.k., we'll move on without you, come back and pick you up later when we figure out where this goes.

[AlpineJunkie]

We don't need details, we just want change .

That right there pretty much somes up this "revolution". It also sums up why it will fizzle in a couple months. Obama's campaign is all emotion. Emotion fades. You can ride the wave of emotion for a few months, but not 12.

[timvwcom]

That right there pretty much somes up this "revolution". It also sums up why it will fizzle in a couple months. Obama's campaign is all emotion. Emotion fades. You can ride the wave of emotion for a few months, but not 12.

Yes, like the "emotion" around that JFK dude fizzled just after he was shot... We never seem to hear about him anymore.

[AlpineJunkie]

Yes, like the "emotion" around that JFK dude fizzled just after he was shot... We never seem to hear about him anymore.

You haven't seen him win any campaigns since then have you? Didn't think so.