Until recently, I was undecided about who I would support for the 2008 Democratic nomination. I enjoyed watching the race from the sidelines without choosing sides. And in the back of my mind, I did think that Hillary was inevitable. And besides, I like her.
But Andrew Sullivan’s December article in the Atlantic, Goodbye to All That, made an impression on me. After letting it stew for a while, along with continuing to follow the news and speeches made by both Hillary and Barack, I became convinced that Barack was the candidate who could bring about much-needed change in this country — not just a change of policy (and anyway, I’m convinced that all of the major Democratic players are essentially the same on policy), but a change in tone — and enable us to move on from the culture war that’s had us stuck in political deadlock for so long. Maybe it’s naive, but I’ve really bought into Obama’s message of hope.
I saw the Iowa primary results on the Bloomberg network from my hotel room in Saigon (our only English-language news channel). Having not followed the primaries in the preceding weeks that I’d been on vacation in Vietnam, I found that I was not only very surprised but also ecstatic about Obama’s win. So I suppose that confirmed for me that I really am an Obama supporter.
I’ll certainly support Hillary if she wins the nomination. And I genuinely like her and often find myself defending her when I hear others criticize her. But I’d be much more excited to get behind Barack. In any case, it’s going to be an interesting primary season.
Be Aware of the Hypnotic Power of the O’Bama Kool Aid…
Is It DANGEROUS?
Yes, Obama is a powerful speaker, make no mistake about that. As with all motivation speakers like Anthony Robbins and Marshall Sylver, he has a hypnotic quality about him. However, what’s he really saying? As his voice lowers in pitch, softens a bit, you’ll also notice the lights are lowered, the background music gets the audience pumped, he meets your gaze eye to eye during the rally and his voice seems to lull you into the ‘feelings’ of hope, inspiration and excitement. But when you leave the rally, you are left with one message. ‘Change.’ The amazing principle of Group Think is applicable, but there is another side to the coin.
At the same time Clinton is being bashed and McCain is being brutilized, both the media and the ‘political’ ones that be hesitate to criticize Obama’s message…nevermind the fact that he has a message of change with no real statistics or details to back up his mantra! And those that do criticize his message of change are harassedd and ridiculed…like Michael Fauntroy for example. Is that fear in the air?
It is an intersting ‘power’ when you consider that not even the current president of the United States, in theory the most powerful man in the country, has over the media or his political ‘enemies.’
So, who is this empowering man that can inspire thousands of young, innocent, voters to go to the poles, even on blistery, dangerous highways during an ice storm..such as it was in Virginia and Maryland on February 12? What is this power that he holds over the crowd that convinces a nation to nominate the one man with the least amount of experience, no detailed policy on the economy, Iraq or healthcare and one slow, mesmirizing message of generic ‘change’?
It is the same power that convinces thousands of unsuspecting enthusiasts to drink the red Kool Aid which leads to their ultimate destruction. It’s called Mind Control, or in some circles, Hypnosis.
Mr. Obama is highly skilled at bypassing the critical thinking mind and getting straight to the subconscious mind; he knows how to hit what really makes voters tick. It is said in the world of Mind Control, when you control someones emotions, you control them. This is same tool and technique highly recognized in the speaking industry and used by the Anthony Robbins and Marshall Sylvers of the world. Unlike Bush, who used the Fear of Terrorists, O’bama’s fear hits even closer to home. It is a sublimina fear of being publicly ridiculed if you say anything negative about a ‘well liked’ black candidate. Other emotions target the votes as they hope to stay out of a recession, fear losing their homes, desire a better life with greener pastures, excitement builds as the democratic race is the best reality TV to observe…
Keep this in mind when you place your vote. Do you want to be vote with your heart and emotions, with the facts or jump on a band wagon with a mysterious pull to drink the Obama Kook Aid?
Both McCain and Clinton have executed great skill during their tenures in public office, have master minds advising their policies for ‘experienced’ change; and, both can give you the intricate details of the tactics for implementing those changes.
McCain is obvoisly more than ‘experienced’ at warfare and military tactics, as Clinton has not one, but 5 retired highly decorated military bipartisan generals advising her on the Iraq exit strategy. Obama has Mrs. Winfrey, George Clooney and a host of other starlets backing him, but who are his political advisors? What are his strategies for change and WHO advised him on these strategies?
So, the question of the day “Is the Obama Kool Aid dangerous?” goes unanswered, but in this case, the US would be better served to not find out the hard way.
Cristi Adkins, RN Cht
I thought about writing a response to this, and then I found the words I wanted to say right on Mr. Sulivan’s site:
This Obama Kool Aid phenomenon is a great analogy of how political candidates can use the power of the emotions (hope) to persuade the masses as eloquently spoken by the author above from Mr. Sullivan’s site.
Like the opinion of the author above, it is evident of this political persuasion in many past and current political leaders within this country. There are also great examples of Mass Persuasion in many other countries, as well as smaller communities. Charismatic leaders are not unique to politics.
Just look at the FDLS church which has dominated the media in the past few weeks. When one looks at the polygamists cult, then wonders how so many women and men could follow obviously bizarre ways of life, ideals and morals… or lack thereof… it becomes obvious that some type of mass allure, magnetism and persuasion is in charismatic abundance.
Are the followers gullible? Or are they hopeful Americans looking to be far removed from the past suffering, destitution and deprivation that overwhelmed their life; their hope is inspired by an idea that life within this community there will be a revolutionary lifestyle. And, they hope it’s for the better. Or, they may even be fed such intense fear that living outside of the compound invites horrific images and terrifies followers from daring to defy the charismatic teachings.
As Lauren above pointed out, when voting for Obama, you are voting for change with hope an energetic buzz around the booth. And, all Americans must hope that he uses the common sense when making executive decisions. Say, the same common sense he has shown with staying a follower for 20 years of Pastor Wright.
With this fascinating appeal that Obama possesses, should he become president we must hope that we do not succumb to the whims of a leader with false intelligence on a mission to destroy ‘terrorists’ that do not exist. We must hope that the change executed is for the better for the whole of the country rather than select elite.
In reality, it is always hope that is the driving force behind so many of us diving into those voting booths and placing a ballot. We are making a statement when selecting our candidate in that moment of assertation! That vote represents our own agenda’s based on internal motivations, morals and values.
Hope and charisma is not unique to one particular candidate, but in the case of one so cherished by his supporters and prized by the media, I personally HOPE that the promises are kept and the expectations are met. Mass disappointment of this proportion may have detrimental effects. In that respect, again one must ask, is it dangerous?
I find it insulting that you accuse Obama supporters of drinking kool-aid. As an Obama supporter, I am aware of who and what Obama is and what he stands for, good and bad. But in the end, I still believe he is the best candidate. Now before you call him an empty suit, maybe you should look at his accomplishments, like the Coburn-Obama Tranparency Act, or the Lugar-Obama Nuclear Proliferations Act. Obama has done a lot in ethics reform as a State Senator and as a US Senator. In fact, why don’t you look at his website and see what he’s about instead of labeling Obama supporters and spewing anti-Obama rhetoric for Fox News. I can do the same thing you are doing and call you a typical Clintonite; bitter, whiny, and delusional, but I won’t. So before you campaign for John McCain, (Obama will be the nominee and Hillary won’t) ask yourself, do you really want to vote for guy that voted AGAINST equal pay for women? I could get into the war and tax cuts, but’s a dead horse. Anyway, I advise you to actually do some research on Obama, and if you have, check again, because apparently you missed a bunch of information.
thisisntme — are you responding to my original post, or the comment above yours?
If the former, did you even *read* my post, or just the title??
Thisisntme is responding to my post and to a recent fox interview, Lauren. This is a typical attack from another Obama supporter…which are rampant these days.
In fact, this is the same type of attack Clinton and McCain supporters have received since the beginning of the campaign when someone disagrees with their choice of presidential candidate. I’ve received much worse in fact; and yet they still amaze me…as I simply state, I will not vote for Obama.
I intend to vote for either Hillary or McCain and thus am tagged a ‘racist’ by those who cannot stand to see their ‘chosen one’ refuted in any way. Again, the attacks are really common; in fact, a Clinton supporter in Charleston, WV has 3 bullets in his van after being shot by individuals shouting ‘Obama.’ The picture of his van was on CNN.
To answer the Obama supporters questions, who have so kindly linked my name to a sleazy question just to boost their google status for Obama donations, I have donated to Clinton; thousands in fact. Against the advice of my accountant, a McCain supporter.
Furthermore, I have and will donate to McCain and that will be an aggressive donation on my part. It is detestable that these supporters aren’t satisfied with attacking Clinton alone. They must also attack her supporters now as well. But, John McCain will reap the rewards of these sour grapes; which, I might add, makes GREAT WINE.
As stated on Neil Cavuto, I will never vote for Obama. Prior to going on the show, many other Clinton supporters, from all over the country, sent their opinion to me so I could present their views and just feelings. And, they were all unanimous. NOBAMA. The reason is simple, the Obama supporters, the media and the ‘One’ himself are simply too nasty. The sleazy Chicago thieves have left a sour taste in our mouths.
In fact, many state they will write in Clinton, even if it goes uncounted. Still others will vote for McCain and there are a few who will even stay home. The harsh feelings have come from what some in the Clinton camp are calling ‘bullying by the Chicago thugs’ that have turned them from the Democratic party for good. They made their bed…
As I stated on the previous two blogs, when you see attacks by the Obama supporters, one must wonder what the dangers are of this cult like following. This is just the beginning of the mass worshiping…as soon it very well may become an Obama-nation
Last thought, will the real thisisntme please stand up? If you are a true hero and someone to be believed, put yourself ‘out there’ like a real woman..rather than hide behind anonymoty.
First of all, that was not even an attack. Second of all, you are so desperate to label me as a typical Obama supporter that you didn’t even to read my post. All I was doing was telling you that I don’t appreciate being generalized. Instead, you accuse me of acting like a thug when you know nothing about me. And please don’t act like the Clinton supporters are victims of the evil Obama Nation, or Hillary is so honest and square dealing. In fact, let’s be really honest; none of these three candidates have any executive experience. It’s one thing to write a bill, it’s another to enforce that bill, and no, being first lady doesn’t count. There’s a big difference between being the wife of a President and being a President. Besides, Bush had executive experience and look how well that turned out. So before you attack me, read my post and understand that I am just having a conversation whether you want to believe that or not.