AUSTIN BAY: The Megalomaniacal Style In American Politics:

Gadafi, Mugabe, and Chavez are charismatic figures – their charisma is now institutionalized as cult of the personality propaganda spewed by state controlled press agencies. Obama swept into office on personal charisma –a charisma reinforced by mainstream media idolatry. No, America is not Libya, Zimbabwe, or Venezuela. Anything but. We are, however, living with what results when personal charisma magnified by media adulation trumps executive management experience, demonstrated knowledge, proven judgment, the proven ability to coordinate and lead in crisis, practical private sector business experience, and the ability to forge a workable compromise.

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