That would be interesting to find out, wouldn't it? Because despite JFK Sr's charisma, he was hated by LOTS of people.

The most disturbing aspect of the Obama cult, to me, is his & his supporters use of Christian messianic language in their political rhetoric. I find that deeply, deeply disturbing considering the money he has piled up & who gave it to him.

I'm not in favor of evangelical political populism, thanks.

We've seen this sort of Protestant political crusading before--in a rapid rise and fall during the Gilded Age. They were notoriously anti-socialism and anti-labor radicalism, and ended up being a flash in the pan.

Lots of the same themes are resonating around today that were in the zeitgeist back then too. Back then, it was Primitive Baptists, Disciples of Christ, Methodists, and other evangelical Protestants who rejected denominationalism altogether, leading the charge.

It could certainly be argued that the born again Protestant culture is "extra-denominational" if you will.

And as to race, back then it was rooted strongly in the Jim Crow south in the wake of emancipation. Today, it is the "first" black president who speaks using messianic rhetoric quite frequently, who is driving it.

Which is one of the reasons why Obama doesn't do well with Catholics, IMO.

But that's a subject for a different thread, really.