So this is it in a "nut"shell...

[PCIntern]

So it seems that those who rise to the top of the the celebrity pyramid in the Republican Party: the Palin, the Gingrich, the W, this O'Donnell moran on a smaller scale, Rand Paul, and a few others, all have one thing in common. They are all severely personality-disordered. People are naturally attracted to these train-wrecks and those who are possess less self-esteem identify and become inexorably connected psychologically and often romantically with these individuals. One can make the case that most people at a high level in so-called public service possess some manner of personality disorder, but this particular type which we have witnessed in the past few years, involves the seduction of masses in order to compel their loyalty and fealty in a most peculiar context.

It is most distressing to see this 'swarming'.

[ensho]

1. its ingrained racism and ingrained white christian nuttery

the religiously insane are dangerous, add racism and you are in the asylum

[no_hypocrisy]

2. I think we're witnessing mob psychology/following the herd mentality.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowd_psychology

Not a group of individuals that independently choose a candidate but rather individuals following the discretion of group that has already made a choice.

[HereSince1628]

3. Could you be a bit more precise? Is their disorder from cluster A, B or C??

High achievement in social circumstance seems possible for only a few of the 10 personality disorders listed in DSM-IV. Nonetheless, personality disorders aren't like designed dinner combos at a Chinese restaurant, it's a smorgasbord so feel free to mix and match and put whatever combination you want on your plate.

Cluster A (odd or eccentric disorders)
-Paranoid personality disorder: characterized by irrational suspicions and mistrust of others.
-Schizoid personality disorder: lack of interest in social relationships, seeing no point in sharing time with others, anhedonia, introspection.
-Schizotypal personality disorder: characterized by odd behavior or thinking.

Cluster B (dramatic, emotional or erratic disorders)
-Antisocial personality disorder: a pervasive disregard for the law and the rights of others.
-Borderline personality disorder: extreme "black and white" thinking, instability in relationships, self-image, identity and behavior.
-Histrionic personality disorder: pervasive attention-seeking behavior including inappropriate sexual seductiveness and shallow or exaggerated emotions.
-Narcissistic personality disorder: a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.

Cluster C (anxious or fearful disorders)
-Avoidant personality disorder: social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation and avoidance of social interaction.
-Dependent personality disorder: pervasive psychological dependence on other people.
-Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: characterized by rigid conformity to rules, moral codes and excessive orderliness.

Criteria Sets and Axes Provided for Further Study

The following disorders are no longer recognized but are still widely considered amongst psychiatrists as being valid disorders.
-Depressive personality disorder - is a pervasive pattern of depressive cognitions and behaviors beginning by early adulthood.
-Passive-aggressive personality disorder (negativististic personality disorder) - is a pattern of negative attitudes and passive resistance in interpersonal situations

[PCIntern]

4. DSM V coming out soon...!

We could coin some terms...Palinitis, etc.