Join The Movement or Has the Obamamania Gotten Out of Hand

[kerrygoddess]

Join The Movement or Has the Obamamania Gotten Out of Hand
February 7th, 2008 @ 3:30 pm

I have written here a few times in recent days about of the hype around the Obama “movement” as he calls it and the fact many people don’t want to “join” a “movement,” they want a leader. In some ways, I have told a few people in conversation off The Dem Daily, the Obama “movement” reminds me of the Dean “movement” in ‘04, another movement I was not swayed to join.

It’s not that I don’t see the attraction he holds for some, I just personally feel it leaves me cold. I’m not a joiner, I’m an independent think, a leader not a follower. When someone pushes me to join or participate in something that involves group think, I tend to run the other way, so perhaps that is why I never caught the Obama fever.

I’m glad to see the media and others in the blogosphere are catching on to the “fact that some Obama supporters’ exhuberance seems to be getting a little out of hand.” In a spot on and snarky post on ABC’s Political Punch, Jake Tapper writes:

MORE & LINKS HERE: http://thedemocraticdaily.com/2008/02/07/join-the-movement-or-has-the-obamamania-gotten-out-of-hand/

[mrreowwr_kittty]

1. Blogger Joins In The Blog Groupthink About Obama Campaign's Groupthink

The irony, it burns.

[blm]

10. They have been PROGRAMMED to repeat the 'cult' spin against Obama voters.

Sad to see in this particular instance.

[kerrygoddess]

24. Good gracious

I would think after all these you would know I am independent thinker. That should be clear given I chose my own path in supporting Hillary and didn't follow, JK's. Not that it was an easy decision. I simply see her as a better leader, and more qualified. And I also don't buy into the rabid Hillary hatred that is unfortunately prevelent among many fellow Kerry supporters. Truth be known, the more Hillary hatred I read from fellow Kerry supporters, the more I was compelled to see for myself that she was qualified.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

42. I'm totally convinced by your "conversion" to HRC on 1/17

Your prior posts bashing Obama, complete with citations from Paul Krugman (free-trade loving former Reagan advisor then Clinton crony who pretends to be a liberal and pretended to be an Edwards supporter) gave no clue that you were going to do that. :eyes:

[blm]

45. Qualified to keep the books closed for those citizens UNINTERESTED in open government.

.

[kerrygoddess]

17. Oh no I came to this conclusion long ago

Which you would gather if you read before commenting.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

18. Why are we only hearing about it recently?

Had to wait to be told that's what you think, I'm guessing.

[kerrygoddess]

29. Go read my blog

You'll see this isn't recent.

http://thedemocraticdaily.com/2008/02/04/obamas-defense-against-the-noise-machine-and-other-things-that-dont-add-up/

http://thedemocraticdaily.com/2008/02/03/for-voters-its-not-all-about-iraq/

http://thedemocraticdaily.com/2008/01/24/untruths-and-victims/

http://thedemocraticdaily.com/2008/01/22/the-american-people-should-not-have-to-work-so-hard/

http://thedemocraticdaily.com/2008/01/17/yes-she-can/

http://thedemocraticdaily.com/2008/01/15/tilted-to-the-right-less-progressive/

http://thedemocraticdaily.com/2008/01/14/the-clinton-obama-iraq-feud/

[mrreowwr_kittty]

37. I don't see anything resembling groupthink or cults until 2/4

Right around the time the media and blogosphere became "concerned" about it. Glad to see you're no bandwagon jumper. :thumbsup:

[Mass]

39. Because her blog repeats the Clinton campaign talking points, The cult talking point is new.\nt

[kerrygoddess]

46. Guess you don't read the DD much

FYI, at least 2 writers endorsed Obama there, another had endorsed Edwards. But as I said below I see you have followed along with repeating Obama talking points.

[Mass]

48. You come and attack Obama supporters with a talking point and you are surprised that

you are not welcome by them with roses. Get over it. Given that I have no claim to glory, I do not really care what you think about me.

[kerrygoddess]

58. What talking points?

Honestly I read here more than I comment I see you using this line on all the Clinton supporters. Is that the best you can do?

And FYI, I don't expect any of you from the Kerry group to be receptive to me, I learned that long ago in the Kerry Forum. I get more respect from his staff than his supporters to be honest.

[blm]

87. The point is you should KNOW we follow the RECORDS and NOT spin/style and yet you portray

Obama supporters as if we are basing our support for shallow reasons.

You look at the records in BCCI and the consistent support for Bush on his terrorism and Iraq war decisions and think that Clintons should have the chance to lead this nation again. I don't. And I trust MY read of the actual records far more than yours.

In my opinion YOUR support of Hillary is shallow because I think you FAILED to comprehend the MAGNITUDE of the deceit perpetrated by the Clintons upon our party and this nation.

[kerrygoddess]

40. quick reader - eh?

For months I have been writing about not being swayed by Obama. Whatever.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

44. All you gotta do is hit control then "f"

No need to wade through a Taylor Marsh wannabe's talking points.

[Coexist]

2. ....

http://www.wickedsunshine.com/WagePeace/Election2004/Images/AwJeez,NotThisShitAgain!.jpg

[madrchsod]

50. here ya go--->

[NightWatcher]

3. I'd rather support someone who's "hope" and "change" ideas inspire and unite

Movements are a good thing. I work best when I have at least one each day.

[BlackVelvet04]

8. And the Obama movement like your movement are

composed of the same thing.

[NightWatcher]

9. think of that one all by yourself?

[BlackVelvet04]

27. it's a gift, what can I say? n/t

[madfloridian]

4. I was a cultist for Dean, now for Obama.

Proud of it.

Media spin is out of control. Disappointed that blog is picking up that crap. Isn't it Kerry people doing it?

[kerrygoddess]

19. Hey there Madflorian

The Dem Daily has a long tradition in supporting John Kerry, however, as owner - editor of The Dem Daily I didn't follow his lead in this election. I think the bottom line is that not everyone sees Obama in the same way, but I will as I hope everyone else will, back who ever the nominee is.

[blm]

25. Kerry people are ABSOLUTELY NOT part of calling Obama supporters cultists

and in fact most of us have been in the battles AGAINST the meme. Kg is speaking for herself and NOT any Kerry group.

[madfloridian]

32. Glad to hear that.

:hi:

[fedupinBushcountry]

75. Absolutely NOT n/t

[Danger Mouse]

5. You should join our cult. We have awesome robes.

And our Human Sacrifice Saturdays are nifty keen!
Every night, after Supreme Overlord Obama speaks in tongues and drinks goat's blood from the skull of a two-headed baby, we gather round the camp fire for a weenie roast and hours of chanting 'Obama' over and over again.

[MoonRiver]

7. "Elrond Hubbard?"

Well, you would know. Thanks for sharing! :rofl:

[Danger Mouse]

15. Scientologists ain't got nothin on us Obamaniacs.

We go cruising looking for nubile virgins to sacrifice to our Dark Lord, and sometimes when we're feeling a bit crazy...we break out the Thunderbird and the Night Train.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

20. I prefer to be called an Obamatarian, thanks. nt

[Danger Mouse]

60. How about Obamaton?

It makes us sound like robots. AWESOME robots.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

63. AWESOME!! Will we have phasers? nt

[Danger Mouse]

64. We'll have Obamanators.

You can set them to 'stun, kill, sexy, or AWESOME'

[MoonRiver]

21. Lol

Yes, I suspected as much! :D

[Danger Mouse]

61. Now that you know our secrets...

you have been granted a special honor by Dark Lord Obama himself...
Come to our human sac...errr...rally this saturday.
It'll slay you!
Er...forget I said that.

[blm]

6. I'm with Obama because I READ the National Security Archives, kg, and I know enough to

NEVER vote for a Bush or a Clinton.

I love my country and this is a chance for a real open government. We had that chance in 2004 and it was sabotaged by those who need government to stay closed.

Truth matters.
http://consortiumnews.com/2006/111106.html

Clintons protect Bushes. They always have and always will.

You need an awful lot of FAITH in the Clintons' integrity to support them. They certainly don't have it from everything I know.

[Political Heretic]

16. Screw "working with these people." Try "prosecuting and incarcerating them into obscurity!"

:mad:

[kerrygoddess]

22. Bottomline is this

whoever the nominee is, I hope we all step up to the plate and support that nominess - Obama or Clinton. I know I will and I know that John Kerry, who you and I both admire and respect will also.

[blm]

35. I think championing Clinton is immoral knowing what Clintons have done to

protect the Bushes for years - and what they did throughout 2003-4 to make SURE there would not be a true open government advocate in the oval office.

And you can share that with Pete.

I don't mean this to hurt at you in particular, but I am not fake enough to pretend, even with you, that it's alright with me and kumbaya when I am committed to open government and AGAINST the corruption that keeps government closed for the powerful.

[kerrygoddess]

36. Really - so you would rather sell out the progressive movement

Which is what Obama is doing cozying up to the Republicans. Hillary isn't Bill - you need to get over that line of thinking.

[blm]

41. His moderate tone is a black man not having the LUXURY of skincolor to act fiery and

leftist and still get the votes of the majority of people. For all the CAMPAIGN rhetoric of the Clintons they have always sold out and rolled over FOR the RW when it comes to legislation.

And they rolled over and SOLD out accountability Dems like Kerry and Gonzalez when Bill deep-sixed all the ongoing investigations that should have put BushInc in jail, not preparing to come back to the WH in 2000.

Now Hillary would have to keep the books closed because Bill's legacy is intertwined with Bushes thanks to the protection given them for years.

And YEAH, I also think it's immoral to spread a meme about young energized supporters and call them out as cultists. Care to call Kerry or me cultists to OUR faces?

Pete has jumped the shark.....AGAIN.

[fedupinBushcountry]

71. So it is alright

for you to be an independent thinker, but nobody else, huh? Not agreeing with your boss's talking points disqualifies all the rest of us thinkers. :crazy:

[kerrygoddess]

82. My boss???? OMG - I didn't know I was getting paid?

WTF? WHo's paying you??? Kerry and Obama? Must be.

[blm]

93. You want to dare accuse ME of not KNOWING the records of each candidate, kg?

.

[kerrygoddess]

94. when you find out who's paying me, please let me know. I sure could use the money.

when you find out who's paying me, please let me know. I sure could use the money.

[GoldieAZ49]

72. isn't THAT group think?

what happened to encouraging independent thinking or thinkers?

huh

[mtnsnake]

23. Good for you, so you're with Obama because you hate the Clintons. What else is new.

Give me independent thinkers like the OPer any day of the week and twice on sunday rather than someone who picks a candidate based on their hatred of others.

[blm]

26. I hate closed government that comes back and flies into NY buildings.

You prefer closed government.

I prefer open government and Obama.

You prefer closed government and the Clintons.

Simple.

[mtnsnake]

33. Only you would infer that Bill Clinton caused those planes to fly into the Twin Towers

Why are you here?

[blm]

49. No. Bill Clinton's allowing BushInc off the hook ended up being a tragic decision

as the same matters for which Bush needed protection directly caused 9-11.

Please be accurate, mtnsnake. I know that is difficult for you, but if you focus on the actual words, even you can do it.

[mtnsnake]

You'e the one who needs to be careful with your implications, not me. n/t

[blm]

62. Why are you so desperate to keep the Bushes protected? Is your name Marvin?

Pierce? Jeb? Jenna?

[mtnsnake]

66. Yes, it's Marvin, & I heard it through the grapevine that yours is Ken Starr (snicker)

or do you just pattern yourself after him?

[blm]

67. If I was Ken Starr I'd have gone into Rose Law Firm and EXPOSED Jackson Stephens

dealings on BCCI. Because I'd use his identity as cover while being an anti-corruption, open government Democrat who believes that citizens need truth not dog and pony shows.

What would YOU do if you had that power?

[ProSense]

11. So Hillary's campaign is afraid of Obama's grassroots "movement"?

Only desperation would force some to equate a grassroots campaign in a democracy with a "cult."

[mtnsnake]

31. hmmm, let me guess where your link leads to...

Does it by any chance lead to one of your own threads with 5 or 10 links in THAT thread which lead to MORE of your own threads? :shrug:

[kerrygoddess]

38. LOL!

So transparent that is...

[desi]

65. I can't see who you are exchanging pleasantries with

but just from your side of the "conversation" I'm going to guess kick!, kick!, kick!, kick! kick! and kick! again.

[Cameron27]

69. You've got that right,

trying to get through her links is like walking through a house of mirrors, old ones at that. I gave up on it a long time ago.

[Adelante]

12. Bleh

You, too. How disappointing.

[goodgd_yall]

13. I can see this used by the Republicans

in the GE, if our candidate were to be Obama. The tactic would be to ridicule and diminish his candidacy by showing how la-la and ga-ga some of his supporters are.

[Prefer]

14. Consider that optimism is harder to attack

that's what I like about Barack - he doesn't have much to attack. Sure you can create stuff but it is pretty weak.

I think the point is this: We get something not too specific but that doesn't matter because it OUR candidacy. We're going to get out what we put into it. Americans are getting involved. When have people ever payed this much attention to primaries?

We need to take back the power and transform the entire system to work for us. With the social consciousness raised by our current suffering under this maladministration, the time is NOW.

[Mass]

28. At least, we know that talking points work just fine in the Clinton campaign.

That must be a sign of independent thinking.

[kerrygoddess]

30. Well - likewise it's good to see

that the Obama people are spinning Obama TP's - yourself included.

[madfloridian]

34. I was a Dean cultist, now an Obama cultist.

Proud to be both.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

52. I was a Clarkie, then a Kerryite

Then one day Tom Cruise called and told me that this man named Obama would change my life.

Don't forget Saturday is Blood Drinking Night! :hi:

[Bucky]

43. Enter the Obamatrix! Don't choose between Red & Blue; take the Purple Pill.

:rofl: I slay me!

Seriously, tho, it's not a cult at all. It's simply people enjoying the fun part of knowing lots of others share our values. Obama is, like any pol, an imperfect creature. No serious Obama supporter will tell you otherwise.

If his ideas sound okay and you think he can win, sign up and think of it as a mosh pit instead of a cult. After all, who doesn't enjoy a good old fashioned mosh pit?

[kerrygoddess]

47. There you go! Take the purple pill!

Thanks for the laugh. This all gets so serious and people get so offended by other's opinions. I appreciate the humor.

[mtnsnake]

55. No, don't be tempted by the purple pill. Take the Hill Pill instead

and become one...with the Goddess of Peace :smoke:

[kerrygoddess]

57. I took the I'll think for myself pill

and I chose to support Hillary. :)

[mtnsnake]

59. pass those babies around, kg

:)

[Straight Shooter]

51. So Barack himself calls it a "movement," not a campaign?

Words matter. Movement? He's surpassing bush with messianic code words ("epiphany," for example), and I never thought I'd see that in a Dem. No wonder he's alarming people.

I supported Dean, but it had nothing to do with charisma or oratory. When Dean said something, you knew what he meant.

[hill08]

53. agreed

valid point

[ProSense]

54. Here's what's got the Hillary campaign spooked

this

[Jed Dilligan]

56. I would rather be the one whose "movement" has gotten "out of hand"

than the long-favored nominee slipping to a draw while most Americans continue to despise her.

[stillcool]

68. I surely hope so....

the thing about 'movements' is that they are inspired by leaders. What is the worst thing that could happen with an Obama President? Change is scary. Feel the fear and do it anyway.

[kerrygoddess]

84. Change is coming regardless.

Bush will be gone no matter who is elected. I reject the notion that Obama IS the ONLY candidate of change.

[stillcool]

88. I did not say that Obama...

is the only candidate 'of change'. Change is certain...always. It depends on what kind of change, and who you think will bring the kind of change you're looking for. I see many on this board, who do not want to see a certain kind of change that does not coincide with the values they were brought up with. We are all a product of our environment, and in that environment are some long held beliefs regarding success, worth, the value of doing things as they've always been done, etc. I could point you to certain posts that are striking in their revelation of attitude, and the fears ingrained in those attitudes.

[beachmom]

70. Come on, I'm mostly in the Kerry cult (SKULL & BONES!), but I'll hang with the Obama cultists

but you know, they're the Harvard types, so not as cool, and without the Halloween imagery.

:)

[ProSense]

76. LOL! n/t

[dwahzon]

73. KG

I very seldom venture into GDP but I find myself compelled this time to note that you have overstepped the bounds of civilized discourse with this one.

If those you are decrying in this post had been saying the same kinds of things about Hillary, you would have no problem at all with what they are saying.

It is merely that they say it about a candidate that you do not support and who has developed into a serious threat to your candidate.

Try spelling out critical differences in issues. Leave the amateur psychology routine out of the discussion.

[mtnsnake]

74. "I very seldom venture into GDP"

I can understand why!

btw, would you mind not speaking in a monotone next time you venture in, Professor? Thanks. :)

[Straight Shooter]

79. Good grief. I feel like someone has been swinging a pendulum in front of my eyes.

:hi:

[mtnsnake]

81. LOL, exactly!

:hi:

[kerrygoddess]

85. thank you for sharing. n/t

[ray of light]

77. KerryGoddess. you've convinced me. I've adopted ...

Obama as my candidate thanks to your efforts. And actually, I've just made my first donation to him too...as another way to thank you for your efforts!

GObama!!! Yes We Can!!!

Yes, We Can!!

Yes

WE

CAN!!!

[beachmom]

80. You rock, Ray. Welcome to the cult, baby!!

[Colobo]

78. The "Obama cult" meme is alive and kickin'!

[avrdream]

83. Good article. Good analysis.

Thanks for bringing it here for us to read.

[thoughtcrime1984]

86. Yup, all Obama supporters are "groupthinkers"

You must be one of the only independent thinkers on the face of the earth. Congrats!

[workinclasszero]

89. Movement = People Power

People that want a "Leader" want to be lead around by the nose and told what to do. You want a leader cause you fear the people. Why is that?

[Neecy]

90. *yawn*

Because we're not supporting the DLC candidate we get trashed and smeared with this shit. Nice thing to do to fellow Democrats...

[CyberPieHole]

91. K&R n/t

[SOS]

92. Youthful enthusiasm has NO place in the Democratic Party!