The Boston Globe had an interesting observation today about Bush’s campaign events.
Bush campaign rallies often have the feel of revivals — not only in the religious references sprinkled through the president’s stump speeches, but also because of the intensity of his supporters’ adoration. The crowds are screened to ensure that only Bush supporters attend, and Bush likes to tell them that “you have lifted my spirits” by attending.
Bush can say, do, and believe literally anything, and never lose the blind faith his supporters have in him. As Slate’s Chris Suellentrop noted from a Bush rally in Port St. Lucie, Fla., the president’s sycophants are even prepared to recite a “Bush Pledge.”
“I want you to stand, raise your right hands,” and recite “the Bush Pledge,” said Florida state Sen. Ken Pruitt. The assembled mass of about 2,000 in this Treasure Coast town about an hour north of West Palm Beach dutifully rose, arms aloft, and repeated after Pruitt: “I care about freedom and liberty. I care about my family. I care about my country. Because I care, I promise to work hard to re-elect, re-elect George W. Bush as president of the United States.”
I know the Bush-Cheney campaign occasionally requires the people who attend its events to sign loyalty oaths, but this was the first time I have ever seen an audience actually stand and utter one. Maybe they’ve replaced the written oath with a verbal one.
I’m sorry, but this is just creepy. It’s vaguely cult-like. I’ve always found Bush fans to be misguided, but now they’re just freaking me out.