\u2026for people who hate Obama so bad they were hoping he was the antichrist.<\/a><\/p>\nIt is a curious thing, by the way, that phenomenon (confined entirely to certain apocalyptic Christian circles) of *hoping* that somebody is the antichrist.\u00a0 It\u2019s a recurring Team Sport that is sort of like doing crossword puzzles to fill up time\u00a0for that particular subculture.\u00a0 It\u2019s not really serious typically, since so many antichrist candidates have come and gone over the years without that subculture stocking up on munitions, food, water, bomb shelters, and chip implant removal kits.\u00a0 It\u2019s sort of like the Left\u2019s routine backchat about Bush being Hitler.\u00a0 As Kathy Shaidle used to point out to critics who enjoyed indulging in such bored gossip, \u201cIf Bush is Hitler, why aren\u2019t you lampshade?\u201d\u00a0 It was unserious.\u00a0 A sort of polite in-group code language for establishing one\u2019s bona fides.\u00a0 In the same way, some Christians chat idly over their morning cuppa about Obama the Antichrist, not because they really believe it, but because it\u2019s What You Say to telegraph your political and tribal allegiance in a sort of shorthand.\u00a0 A few years ago, Clinton (Hillary and\/or Bill) was Antichrist.\u00a0 So was Saddam.\u00a0 Khomeini, Gorbachev (Eek!\u00a0 He has a mark on his forehead!) and numerous others have done their turn.\u00a0 Meanwhile, antichrist speculators go on working, saving for retirement, rooting for their favorite ball club, and sleeping like babies each night.\u00a0 It\u2019s a sort of odd hobby, not a real theological commitment.<\/p>\n