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February 26, 2008
Majoring in the Minors
While introducing John McCain at a political rally this afternoon, radio personality Bill Cunningham repeatedly referred to "Barack Hussein Obama" and was less than civil in his comments about the Democratic nominee. McCain criticized Cunningham, and rightly so says Captain Ed.
Some will ask what problem there could be with saying the candidate's full name. After all, Cunningham and others aren't making up names for Obama; Hussein is his real name. How can that possibly be "disrespectful", in McCain's own words?There are a lot of valid reasons to criticize Obama. His lack of foreign policy experience, his vacuous rhetoric, his extremely liberal record, etc. Focusing on his name muddles the message and just hands the Obama campaign a chance to portray Republicans as cheap-shot artists who are criticizing their candidate for something he couldn't control.The intent makes all the difference. Those emphasizing the middle name want to drive home the heritage of Obama, specifically his father. It seeks to extend the urban myth of Obama's supposed Muslim identity. The name "Hussein" has other connotations as well, a not-so-subtle link to Saddam Hussein, one of the worst dictators in recent times.
None of this is subtle, and anyone professing innocence of these intentions are either lying to us or lying to themselves. If we need to refer to Obama, his last name will suffice, or Senator Obama, or Barack Obama. Using the full name three times in an introduction makes it quite clear that the speaker wants to invoke a less-than-intellectual response to the likely Democratic nominee.
After all, how many of us got to choose our middle name at birth? I didn't have much say at the time. Neither did Obama. Heritage is not destiny.
Posted by slublog at February 26, 2008 08:05 PM
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Comments
So why was he sticking up for Hillary and her honorableness in the same sentence? I don't even know her middle name.
It wasn't the name thing McCain was reacting to. He had no idea what had been said or about whom. He was told disrespectful things were said about both Democrats, and he leapt to the defense of their honor.
Yes, the "Hussein" is a cheap shot. That's why most of the stories emphasize that, rather than Cunningham's assertion that Obama is "a hack Chicago politician from the Daley political machine."
That whole "collegial atmosphere of the Senate" is why we so rarely elect any of them president. They care for each other more than they care for us.
Posted by: S. Weasel at February 27, 2008 07:47 AM
I've also seen people criticize McCain for this because he actively apologized for Cunningham's remarks.
Posted by: Hal at February 27, 2008 04:40 PM
Right on Captain Ed! I couldn't agree more. It would be nice to have the election process elevated out of the gutter and for the issues to be focused upon rather than petty, 3rd grade name calling.
So far Obama has taken the high road. I am glad MCCain is joining him there. I hope it can continue.
Posted by: Lisa at February 28, 2008 09:33 AM