Every politician, deep in his or her heart, wishes to get 75,000 or 150,000 or 500,000 very excited people to show up at a local appearance he or she makes. It's what they are aiming for. Some succeed, due to a unique combination of their own personal attributes and the general circumstances all around them.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing when it happens? Well, it could be either, depending on the nature of the politician, right?

If Obama would make a good president, then it's a good thing. If he would not, then it's a bad thing.

Celebrity Worship Syndrome itself then...can be a good thing...or a bad thing...or a neutral thing. Depending on the circumstances and how they play out.