I find the ovations that candidates receive rather creepy...

[cboy4]

Almost cult-like.

I could never see myself yelling and screaming for any politician, sorry.

Nothing wrong with polite applause...but jumping up and down just because you're seeing the person you support out on the trail like the person is a rock star?

Does anyone really deserve that type of reaction?

Maybe a teacher or a heart transplant surgeon or a firefighter.

But a politician?

Uh, no.

[MADem]

1. It's a groupthink thing.

When it comes to Oprah, Leno, Conan and other hosts, they have 'fluffers' (which is a naughty term) or 'whippers' to get the crowd all psyched up. Many famous comedians started out doing warm-up to get the crowd relaxed and in good humor, and then they'd show them how to respond to the "applause" sign.

Some campaigns seed staff throughout some venues, to help generate that kind of response.

[cboy4]

7. Yea, that sounds plausible, even though I've

not really witnessed it per se.

[MonkeyFunk]

2. Then you should stay away from political rallies

they've always been like that, and likely always will be.

[Lint Head]

3. Kinda like 'Sieg Heil' isn't it.

:dem:

[cboy4]

5. Yea a little. There's just something about it that bugs

me.

[Ian David]

4. ...

CBOY4!!!!!!
YAY!!!!

CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!! CBOY4!!!!!!!

[cboy4]

6. ........

:spray:

whatever

[BornagainDUer]

8. It's way overdone. I think some of the people who want this person to win

believe that the louder they scream the more people will like the candidate.

[zalinda]

9. I think people are desperate for someone to save

their country. When everything around you seems out of control, you want a hero. And right now, it seems a politician is the only one who will be able to keep this world alive. Sad, but true. We have no power.

zalinda

[eyesroll]

10. Does a rock star or an athlete deserve that treatment?

Hey, for many people, politicians (the good ones) are their rock stars.

[cboy4]

11. That's a good point and I expected someone to raise it.

I just don't get it.

Rock stars, athletes and performers. Yea, I can at least grasp that.

Politicians? Don't get.