Hi Matt (edit),
I don't think you can hold Obama responsible for the enthusiasm others feel for his candidacy. At the same time, the use of the word "Messianic" is sort of tinged with the idea that those who think he would be a good president are a little deranged and cultist.
Words are important. And this one sounds like it was constructed in the lab!!!
I think many folks sense he is a man with strong principles. Christian ones, at some level. And they hope he can do more good than any of the other candidates.
That's all there is to it.
As it happens, I disagree with him on Iraq, on the grounds that while I didn't support the war, I recognise an obligation has been created as a result of it; and I supported the new policy of Mr Gates and General Petraeus because of this and because I thought if the right strategy was put in place, the situation was reversible. In both cases, I did so when few others did, as weby will likely attest.
I also thought he was really silly to come over all macho about Al Qaeda in Pakistan.
So I have some reservations about him of my own. But I recognise that he is something rare and special all the same. T%here aren't many who can make people believe unusual things are possible. And they certainly never get done by people who cannot make people hope.
AI
