i do think the cult of obama has its disturbing qualities. in particular, as far as i can tell, the nytimes editorial and op-ed pages are, literally, enthralled. bob herbert today, speaking crush to power:

But beyond his specific policies (and whether one supports them or not), Mr. Obama is emerging as the very model of the type of person one would want in high public office. He is intelligent, mature, thoughtful, calm in the face of crises and, if the nation is lucky, maybe even wise.