There are a lot of reasons why Obama runs a great risk that his supporters may be considered to be part of the Obama cult. America's recent history with cults do not bring forth good memories. David Koresh and the Branch Dividians come to mind. Who can forget Jim Jones and the People's Temple? Visions of mind control, and mindless actions of the indoctrinated come to mind.
Cults come in all sizes and types. Body worshipers of the nudist camp variety are considered to belong to the cult of nudism according to the Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Members of the Unification Church founded in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon are also considered to belong to a cult. Memories of teenagers wearing robes soliciting passerby's for money for Rev. Moon are not good ones.
As relates to Barack Obama, is it his fault that adoring crowds have anointed him as their savior? While that is debatable, he has willingly fed their fervor in a number of ways during the 2008 presidential campaign. Who can forget the Styrofoam columns in Denver at his nomination acceptance speech? He prepared for, and received, one of the largest crowds to ever witness such an event.
Literally, he has been bigger than life throughout the political campaign. His speaking skills, and uncanny sense of timing set him apart from politicians of recent times. Combined with his exotic background, and ethnic heritage; he was viewed as something new. His message of change matched his political voice with the inner desires of an American electorate tired of politics, as usual.
Obama's appearances took on the characteristics of something beyond political rallies. The repeated chants of Ooooo-Baaaaah-Ma echoed as if a part of a religious awakening. Even the main stream media joined in support of his quest to lead the nation.
However, now the election is over. Barack Obama won, and in a convincing manner. With financial support that dwarfed his opponent, America now has it's Prodigal Son. Now, the problems begin for the new president who is bigger than life. The expectations for his presidency are so high that the cult of followers may be disappointed.
While Bush, and the Republicans will be blamed for the economic problems of the day, that will only work for awhile. Then, the harsh reality of excess spending and greed over the past decade will present a larger challenge than anyone could imagine. To the faithful Obama followers, relief from their problems may be a long time coming.
Many of these followers are new to the political process. They are expecting change, and deliverance at the hand of the man who has been empowered to right all of the wrongs. Will they understand that the world is far more complex than recent political rhetoric regarding change indicated? Probably not. As good jobs are not immediately available, and generous checks from the Federal government are not forthcoming, they may feel betrayed.
The biggest problem with being elevated to lofty heights by an adoring following is that the fall from grace may be a long one. As special interest groups look for changes in the areas of their interests, they may tire of traditional bureaucratic inefficiency. Obama cannot be all things to all people. He is limited by the reality that every President faces when entering the White House. Many things can be changed very little, if at all in the short term.
Recently, as Obama has been selecting his key Cabinet people, some criticism has already begun by some Democrats who are not seeing things going as they had envisioned. Obama's hesitancy to address some of the pressing economic situations has drawn comment by Barney Franks, and Christopher Dodd. Nancy Pelosi has also become more aggressive in her role as Speaker of the House. Even though his term has yet to begin, they want Obama to step forward now. He, however, has chosen to respect the remaining term of George Bush, as he should.
Any of Obama's followers who would anoint his as our country's Savior are in for a big surprise, even if their name is Oprah. He may be inspirational at many levels, and seem to be more than he is. But, ultimately, he is another politician. He rode the emotions of his followers willingly enough, but is probably not empowered by the Almighty. Even if he was, would he want to share the fate of the world's First Coming?
In the end, Barack Obama will be viewed harshly by those who expected the impossible. The unknown at this moment is, what is the impossible going to be? Join me in expecting minimal results, and perhaps giving him good marks when the term of his presidency has run it's course.