In an item posted earlier today, a pro-Deval Patrick blogger
argues that it's not fair to call Patrick's supporters a "cult," as
Joan Vennochi does in today's
Globe. She
prefers the term "movement." "A cult is centered around a particular, charismatic, powerful
individual," she explains. "[A] movement grows out of ideas, debate,
and discussion."
The name of her blog?
The Deval Experience.*
Here's what I find cultish about some--
some--of Patrick's supporters: if you make
any criticism whatsoever of their candidate, however measured or
subtle, a certain segment of Patrick loyalists automatically
dismisses you as a purveyor of cynicism. (In doing so, by the way,
they're following the
candidate's own lead.) This, in turn, creates an
insular worldview in which the merits of Patrick's candidacy simply
can't be debated.
Let me be perfectly clear: I think Patrick is a likable guy and a
really intriguing candidate. But I also think his supporters should be
willing to defend his campaign on the merits, instead of automatically
hiding behind the cynicism argument.
*NOTE: Not "The Deval Patrick Experience," as I initially wrote.