A "cult" connotation stamped onto a political campaign is simply a slide into a political slur. In other words, it is just another political dirty trick, but a vile one at that.

It is not a coincidence the “cult” reference is starting to crawl out of a myriad of different corners. It is an orchestrated attempt to slime a political campaign, using a word with connotations reminding the listener or reader of creeps such as Charles Manson and David Koresh. Though slickly presented in various forms such as earnest political commentary, that very discussion does not negate the fact the word “cult” is political sludge with the potential to smear those upon whom it is heaped. What seemed at first a random observation on the earnestness of Obama and his supporters is rapidly morphing into a treacherous meme, the repetition of which appears to grow vociferously each day. Religious zeal inferences attach. Suggestions of a brainwashed multitude abound. Terminology that would make a snake charmer blush permeates our daily reads.

There are three preferred terms used by “Inside-the-Beltway” players to instantly Demonize a political target. He or she is a liar. He or she is a crook. He or she is insane. That "cult" connotation is simply a variation of the last one on the list. After all, what sane person participates in a cult phenomenon?

Holy Moley! Next will come the whisperings into the ears of the Religious Right in Southern congregations. That word “cult” will play in the South as a ritualistic threat upon The Word itself and a direct assault upon the First Commandment. Email to follow.

Let’s define that “cult” stamp word for what it is – a potent word weapon. It has political campaign destruction tool written all over it. The stench from that word wafting through the air has the potential to mold a political campaign into a dark caricature of itself.

More importantly, Democrats deploying this weapon at the primary level run the risk of possibly seeing that same weapon picked up and redeployed by their true opponent against them in the General Election. It is potentially a self-defeating tactic to use this maneuver.

It is just another political dirty trick but a very ugly one at that. STOP THIS in its tracks before it escalates to the point it snakes back to bite us in our political posterior during the real race for the White House.