It seems to me that the right is more prone to hero worship than the left. They create idols of people like Limbaugh, Rand, Rick Warren (or whomever the pastor of the moment is), Bill O'Riley, Glenn Beck etc. Who is on the left that has the same mass appeal? Obama and possibly Rachel Maddow? The left is all over the place while the right worships in lock-step. It's interesting that the GOP is something people "have faith in" while on the left there are a divergence of opinions, so much so that it's difficult for them to get anything accomplished. Blind faith and obedience seem to be a "blessing" and a curse. A curse for the left and a "blessing" for the right. Also, I've never seen Rand look better than in the artists depiction, really it is too flattering.
Really, FDR? I guess I could see JFK in there. I didn't make a clear enough point. I meant non-politicians. You could also throw Reagan in there, Eisenhower etc. It just seems that the right are prone to being "believers" and the left "meanderers". As for Rand: Do you mean the Mike Wallace show? I'm not familiar with the Mike Douglas show, but I've seen her interview with Wallace. comely.
Non politicians? The kids of the left certainly follow Jon Stewart much more closely than I think he warrants. And post-politician carpetbagger Al Gore gets a lot of love, as does Bill Clinton. Possibly I would throw people like Bono in the mix as well. Yep, Mike Douglass. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Douglas -XC
Huh, can't find that Rand/Douglas interview. Was going to post it. I think Jon Stewart is loved on both sides of the aisle, you see this in the guests that are willing to come on his show and he on theirs. O'Riley comes to mind. Al Gore? People still like that guy? Who is Bono? jk. Clinton is a politician that managed to transcend the white-house and remain relevant after his terms. Must suck to be Bush#2 these days, the DEM's embrace Clinton whole heartedly and the GOP does all it can to duck the shadow of GW.
That sounds to me like very much of an outsider's perspective. You've set up this nebulous idea of the "GOP" which is the mirror image of the "liberal" straw man the Fox pundits refer to. As a registered Republican, I've got to say there are a lot of voters here in the GOP who have very diverse opinions on anything that's not Obama. I'd also say both sides have their hero-figures. People will find people they like, and raise them above others. Often undeservedly. Also I agree that Ayn Rand was not a looker. She wasn't a very good writer either.