Is Barak Obama turning into the liberal’s Bob Avakian? I kid of course, but a few friends have made comments that are similar to an emerging “meme” in the blogosphere. There is a clear and rising chorus on the left-liberal side of the spectrum that expresses worry about a cult of personality around Barak Obama. I’ve only ever really been a poputchik with any movement and personality, so I’ve never had to “recover” from anything. But I am intrigued by the fact of a chorus about this. Dahlia Lithwick in Slate:
I know this is going to sound strange, but it’s not you, Barack, it’s me. Really it always was me, but now it’s really, really about me. I don’t know when we started to feel weird supporting you, but: My friend Hanna thinks it started with that “Yes We Can,” video. I mean, last week I was totally crying watching it. Now just thinking about how choked up I got gives me the creeps. I think I felt something at the time, but even if I did, I’m pretty sure I don’t want to feel it anymore. Feeling inspired is soooo early-February.
Or maybe it started when everyone began madly posting last week about how you are not the Messiah. And that got me thinking. Then, when commentators started accusing me of being a venomous drone in a “cult of personality,” I just needed to get out. I mean cults are soooo 1970s. And cults of personality? So totally first century.
Cult or no cult, this week I just started getting really confused about you. I mean, when people start to say that your strengths are actually weaknesses? That just makes sense, if you really think about it. I mean, what’s the point of being such an inspirational speaker if all you can do is give inspirational speeches? Do better, Barack. I mean, do worse!