It is of a piece with the contention that the President has been so extraordinarily successful a Commander-in-Chief as to be unassailable politically with regard to his stewardship of national security and foreign policy.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: It Ain't Necessarily So

What Gates says carries weight on Capitol Hill not because he's particularly cozy with politicians (he's not), but because republicans and democrats seem to hold his reputation as a chief executive and philanthropist in high regard.

FORBES: Magazine Article

MAB's chief spokesman, seems to regard Mr Galloway's outfit as a strategic tool to be used among many others, including tactical voting with established parties.

ECONOMIST: Leftists and Muslims get together

If he is no longer making fun of himself, because he is too busy proving to the nation that he is a serious commander-in-chief-in-waiting and if his followers regard humour as apostasy, then the man is in danger of becoming an icon on a pedestal.

BBC: Washington diary: Political humour