Newsweek: ‘Slightly Creepy Cult of Personality’ Around Obama (yes, we have seen it before; rememebr Stalin, Ceausescu,
Meacham stated that he was “very struck watching the stagecraft” of Obama and pointed out how Obama gave his victory speech by himself: “…[H]ave you ever seen a victory speech where there was no one else on stage? No adoring wife, no cute kid — he is the message.” Thomas went one step further in this vein: “There is a slightly creepy cult of personality about all of this.” Rose confronted him on his use of this phrase, and he explained that it made him “a little uneasy that he’s so singular. He’s clearly managing his own spectacle. He knows how to do it. He’s a — I think, a deeply manipulative guy…” Later, all three marveled about how it was “amazing” that Obama “watches us watching him.”