One more on Bush: The Bush Cult

And then I really have more important things to concentrate on.

Was musing this morning and last night about Bush's appeal. I obviously don't get it, but it is clearly there. People really like this guy.

Ok. It bothers me, however, how many conseratives seem to have no real conservative philosophy. After all, those same conservatives badmouthed Clinton for his "tax and spend" policies, and worried openly that Clinton was increasing the power of the government and making it too invasive.

Remember those days? Now, Bush has made the executive branch far more powerful, has dramatically increased the power of the government to intrude on our personal lives, and has turned a record surplus into a gigantic debt. He isn't a conservative. Sorry.

And yet the appeal continues. It reminds me of a cult. A Bush cult. People love him because he speaks the language of the evangelical Christian. He doesn't live it, but he speaks it. He makes conservative evangelicals feel good, but he acts in ways that are contrary to their interests. But they flock to him. Imagine if Clinton had instituted "free speech zones" or made people take loyalty oaths to attend a campaign rally? Imagine a Clinton administration that had exposed a CIA operative to send a political message of intimidation? Remember Monica? And TravelGate? Clinton would have experienced several impeachment tries with this record.

But the same Christians who badmouthed Clinton on a regular basis, said his name with scorn, referred to his wife as "not a real lady, or not a lady at all,"* now line up to drink the Bush Koolade. This isn't just political support. This is cult of the personality in the Mao model.

And their fawning is embarassing. "He is such a strong Christian man." "He really lives his faith." "I am just so proud to be an American." "I want to have his baby." (last one made up) This isn't normal appeal. This isn't how people refer to politicians--even ones they like. This appeal is scary. Cultish.

I have said this before, but it really makes conservative evangelicals look easy. All you have to do to win them over is enact policies that hurt the poor, rape the environment, roll back gains for women, demonize gays, and above all, use a lot of Biblical imagery and quotes. Others should try it. And will try it. Until conservative evangelicals actually start expecting people to live it. And that list I just made? That ain't Christian.

*paraphrase of an interview from years ago on women who listen to Rush Limbaugh and how they referred to Hilary. They had already decided she wasn't a real woman. Why? I have no idea. Maybe it is a throwback to the early years of the 20th century when feminists were assumed to be gay because no normal, intelligent, or caring real woman would ever question the family.