Obama Distances Self from Middle Initial?
It’s one thing for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, to distance himself from his minister, his home lender, his pledge to try to work out an agreement to use public financing, or the importance of telecom immunity in the FISA bill.
But his own middle initial?
In today’s New York Times, Adam Nagourney and Jeff Zeleny take a look at the difficult process of reconciliation between staffers of Obama and those of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY:
"In the primary, aides to Mrs. Clinton referred to their rival as B.H.O. — initials of Barack Hussein Obama, including his middle name, which has been a politically sensitive issue — while Mr. Obama’s team simply referred to him as B.O. The B.H.O. shorthand is frowned upon inside Mr. Obama’s campaign headquarters, a warning for any Clinton staff members coming aboard."
Just for some context, the three-initial shorthand on campaigns — GWB, JSM, JRE, HRC, WJC — is pretty standard.
Especially in this day and age of blackberries and text messaging. I frequently email Obama campaign staffers using "BHO" as shorthand, and McCain campaign staffers using "JSM" as shorthand — with no malice intended at all. (And I did the same for Johnny Reid Edwards, Hillary Rodham Clinton, etc. Though I didn’t use "WMR" for Willard Mitt Romney, I confess.)
Clearly, however, the middle name "Hussein" is not an automatic crowd-winner, and the Obama campaign is sensitive to any reminder — no matter how internal or benign — of said name. To his credit, unlike some other Democratic presidential hopefuls, Obama didn’t legally change his name.
Certainly Obama’s staffers can use whatever initials they want in their inter-office communiqués. I’ve just never considered use of a middle initial to be an insult.
- jpt
Email
Santorum Wins Three States: What Does It Mean?
Rick Santorum Wins Minn., Mo. and Colo. Primaries
BHO wishes he was JFK. But he’s no JFK.
Posted by: riley | June 26, 2008, 10:31 am 10:31 am
don’t you know, this is the new political dictionary, according to Barack Hussein Obama. We can’t say his middle name, even though it is on his (fake) birth certificate, and his parents gave him that name. He can call himself black, but we can not. He can use the race card, we can not. Any criticism of him is racist. So he can get away with anything, and no one can touch him. “articulate” is a compliment, but don’t you dare call Obama that, it is racist. God help us all, we are in a downward spiral.
Posted by: doublestandard | June 26, 2008, 10:45 am 10:45 am
Ya……….wn.Ok I give up,tell me again why we should care what initials his staff uses.
Posted by: linda n carolina | June 26, 2008, 10:51 am 10:51 am
Re: McCain’s Role in the WMDCover up
John McCain and Charlie Black’s War
How a Senator and a Lobbyist Led the Deception Campaign
that Tricked the U.S.
Who’s responsible for the “intelligence failure” that plunged the U.S. into the Iraq War? As much as anyone else, that distinction is shared by two Americans who discovered and nurtured Ahmad Chalabi and “Curveball”, and pushed their fortunes in Washington.
One of those men is currently the presumptive Republican candidate for President of the United States, and the other is his chief political fixer.
This is the story about how they did it, and then shifted the spotlight of intelligence failure, political scandal, and criminal conspiracy off themselves.
Posted by: Story | June 26, 2008, 11:01 am 11:01 am
Barack Hussein Obama comes across as a wannbe dictator. He is calling all the moves …. he did not get my vote; he will not get my vote. Looks like I am switching parties in November.
Posted by: mistybelle64 | June 26, 2008, 11:07 am 11:07 am
It is unfortunate that, in this wonderful, free country of ours, that we cannot use our middle name if it insinuates any kind of terrorist group or odd religion,whether it does or not.
People are so closed minded, that if BO stops to speak to a person who is wearing a turban, or a drape he is plotting a terrorist attack. Get real people!!! We need to be looking at the real issues here!!!
Posted by: militarymom | June 26, 2008, 11:12 am 11:12 am
Jeff…how about all the guys who were maimed physically and mentally in Vietnam? These guys weren’t even supported when they came home. Now the Bush administration is talking and trading with Vietnam…My God man!!! What is going on???
Posted by: militarymom | June 26, 2008, 11:15 am 11:15 am
That’s gotta’ be the ultimate “under the bus” action! Wonder how long it will take for “distance” to turn into “disavow” to become “that was never my name in the first place.”
Posted by: Charlie35 | June 26, 2008, 11:22 am 11:22 am
Obama H. wants to be anything one wants him to believe. That’s why he attacks instead of defends. He certainly doesn’t want to be caught with a policy he can be tied to.
An empty suit by any name!
Posted by: A | June 26, 2008, 11:24 am 11:24 am
How can you “distance yourself” from your heritage and your own personal history? We are who we are!
Posted by: Rhys | June 26, 2008, 11:29 am 11:29 am
BHO has a nice ring to it. I wonder why he avoids the ‘H’.
Posted by: Aston | June 26, 2008, 11:36 am 11:36 am
riley, Obama is not JFK and do not want to be JFK, but believes in his ideas and his vision like MLK Jr’s. No child has chosen his own name and in the Netherlands laws exist which allow people to change their name if it is source of distraction, discrimination, or stigma. God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.
Posted by: BKMC | June 26, 2008, 11:45 am 11:45 am
Who cares what he wants, ok his middle name is Hussein!! Barack Hussein Obama
Come on say it with me ‘Barack Hussein Obama’
Maybe he does not want us to realize he was Muslim before he converted!!
What is he ashamed of.
If Liberal/Marxists think there way is what America wants why do they hide there true intentions!!
BHO is no MLK nor is he JFK, nor RMN nor GWB – Barack Hussein Obama is a liar that goes back on his promises, like debating John McCain he turned down the townhall debates after he said he would do them.
What is he afraid of the truth, he has put out two ads so far and both are straight out lies!!
Can anyone answer what his middle name has to do with Race??
At this point since anything you say about Obama is racist, that means his supporters are racists!!
Posted by: spock | June 26, 2008, 11:47 am 11:47 am
he wants to throw the ‘husein’ part under the bus. My God this guy is the biggest fraud and fake that ever made it to politics. Is this the best the democratic party has to offer?
Posted by: ex-democrat | June 26, 2008, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Doublestandard, you wrote: “Any criticism of him (Sen. Obama) is racist.”
Sen. Obama has already sent a pre-emptive strike when just last week he said: “They’re (Republicans are) going to try to make you afraid of me. He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?”
EVERYTHING Sen. McCain says about Sen. Obama WILL be labeled as being racist. And that is the way the general election will be unless Sen. McCain selects an African-American to be his VP nominee. With an African-American VP, Sen. McCain can then totally ignore Sen. Obama and stick to his own positive message. His VP nominee can then be the “attack dog” and drive home the fact that Sen. Obama IS young and he IS inexperienced. But he will also be able to point out that Sen. Obama is the most liberal senator in the Senate; he is a socialist who wants the government to completely run his womb-to-tomb universal healhcare program; and he will be just another tax and spend Democrat — NO CHANGE there!
Posted by: James Danley | June 26, 2008, 11:50 am 11:50 am
He Should use BTO the “t” stands for teflon, he seems to be coating himself in it to repell his bad character decisions or anything else that shows the true Obama
Posted by: john | June 26, 2008, 11:51 am 11:51 am
THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES!!! I can’t believe how stupid the DNC is.
Posted by: Cardsgal | June 26, 2008, 11:53 am 11:53 am
It might well be B.S.
Posted by: country_voter | June 26, 2008, 11:55 am 11:55 am
Ex-Democrat: Sadly, this MUST be the best the Dems. have to offer. No wonder you are “ex.”
Posted by: Lisa Again | June 26, 2008, 11:55 am 11:55 am
The more you know BHO, the more you scare of this guy. That is why he keeps hiding his past and his real thoughts from the public.
Posted by: Pat | June 26, 2008, 11:56 am 11:56 am
Thanks to George Bush, poor John McCain is going to have an extraordinary struggle ahead of him in November. The fact that the American people have become so sickened by the Republicans is soley the fault of George Bush and his administration.
Now we have BHO running for the highest office in the land? Pleeez.
Posted by: Lisa Again | June 26, 2008, 11:57 am 11:57 am
This is the absurdity that this “no news lately” elcection cycle is becoming. BO vice BHO? Who cares? I doubt that when he wins the election, news organizations would refer to him as President Barack Hussein Obama in the first place. They only say George W. Bush because there was ANOTHER President George Bush. The W. instead of H. W. differintiates. Get some REAL news.
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 11:58 am 11:58 am
That’s …differentiates…
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 11:59 am 11:59 am
It’s so racist to say what President Obama’s middle name is, you people should be ashamed, deeply deeply ashamed, please get some sensitivity training!
Posted by: barf simpson | June 26, 2008, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm
Lots of negative Obama stuff here. That’s VERY good to see!
Posted by: jb | June 26, 2008, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm
it is impossible for obama to win in November….this non-issue is irrelevant
Posted by: chris | June 26, 2008, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm
So why didn’t Hillary Use “Rodham” It served her well up until now.
Posted by: zebradeun | June 26, 2008, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm
Ya, I know, were all racists. Obama sounds like a recording machine.
Posted by: John F. | June 26, 2008, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm
Obama, I guess the truth hurts…
Posted by: jean | June 26, 2008, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm
Jess,
Tell me when did Rev. Wright and Father Pfleger become so “controversial”? The instance they went against the established norm? These are just two individual ministers. No one had even heard of them intil this election cycle. Please…you cannot believe that “two” ministers are the worst in our society?!?!
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm
That’s the pitfalls of an affirmative action nominee, if he gets the nomination.
Posted by: Jane R | June 26, 2008, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm
Wow! This is a story! Get real: There are very few people when you think about it who actually run around identifying themselves using their middle initial. How about stories comparing Senator Obama and Senator McCain’s tax , domestic or foreign policy agendas. How do they view relationships with Latin America, Africa, Middle East, Europe, Russia, China? What are their visions on Health
Care? On services for the aging population? Sustainable Energy (not the gimmics)? Environment/Climate Change? Economy? I would much prefer getting to substantive issues than these nonsensical and worthless personal nonissues.
Posted by: 63tango | June 26, 2008, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
Clair,
And, you say this so difinitely because…??? Most of you have no idea why you even associate “Hussein” with hate. Before August 1990 when SADDAM HUSSEIN (not U. S. Senator Barack Hussein Obama) invaded Kuwait, none of you even knew where Iraq, Kuwait, or even half the (Muslim) countries in the Middle East were.
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm
that’s…definitively
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
Obama, if we use your middle name we are racists. That line is getting very old.
Posted by: Paul | June 26, 2008, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm
Nothing has solidified my opinion about Obama more than his 20-year affiliation with Rev. Wright’s church. If he did not go into a coma as soon as the sermons began, or attended church so infrequently that he was lucky enough to accidentally miss the vile messages of hate, he has no excuse for retaining his membership there. However, if heard more than one sermon calling on God to damn America, he should have been “outa there!” There are plenty of UCC churches in the Chicago area, so if it was to that denomination’s doctrine that he was drawn, he certainly could have found one that was not so anti-American. He apparently sat there for 20 years never imagining that this would come to light and that, becoming a national political figure, his religious affiliation would be questioned.
Posted by: Mary | June 26, 2008, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm
Why ?????This is an election and no need to do all the crap he is doing.I get mail form him and support him but honest if he don’t start telling us his answers to some of these subjects I may stay home Sick of hearing Mc Cain is wrong sooooooooooooooo what the hell are you going to do about it.I have been invited to Unity here in NH but I am not going for she does NOT really want him in the White house and her expressions show it.I trurl thik she is going to NOT help same as Bill and she will run again in 12 but she don’t stand a chance she screwed herself….
Posted by: Indp..Voter | June 26, 2008, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm
When november rolls around, three choices: Hillary, John or Ralph. Please note, I didn’t say “Hussein”.
Posted by: Gene | June 26, 2008, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
Yet ANOTHER weak issue.
You guys can come up with all of the lame, sorry, and sad issues, all you want to…..Barack is going to SMASH “whats his name” in November.
YES WE WILL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Order | June 26, 2008, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
Hussein is as common in the Arabic culture as Jones or Smith here. It’s merely a name, not an assignment of religiosity or kinship to Saddam. Maybe it’s a middle name that needs to be emphasized in defiance of the fear mongering associations.
Posted by: kat | June 26, 2008, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
Heard that it has been reported that if only 4 million out of Hillary’s 18 million voters do not vote for Barack Hussein Obama in November, he loses….
Posted by: francine223 | June 26, 2008, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm
Cry like a baby. The truth is Americans love Obama. Have you seen today’s polls? Obama is trouncing McBush by 17 points in some states. He is winning in all battle ground states. You can keep on barking about a name of a person in a country where individuals are free to name their kids whatever they wish. The movement of change will go on.
Posted by: tom | June 26, 2008, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm
Gene,
You do realize there will be no “Hillary” on the ballot? Vote for whoever you vote for, get whatever you get!!!
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm
Heard that it has been reported that if only 4 million out of Hillary’s 18 million voters do not vote for Barack Hussein Obama in November, he loses….
Posted by: francine223 | June 26, 2008, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm
francine,
The problem with that “4 million Hillary for McCain” crap is, Obama is pulling in more than 7 million new voters. So lose 4, gain 7, so actually he still wins!!!
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
BESO:
Barack Empty Suit Obama.
Better yet :
BFFO
Barack Flip Flopper Obama
Posted by: J | June 26, 2008, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
Posted by: tom | Jun 26, 2008 12:23:34 PM
IF you are referring to that Quinnepac poll, they were wrong most of the time in the primaries.
Posted by: J | June 26, 2008, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
J,
Empty suit? Let’s see…graduated from TWO Ivy League clleges (Columbia, Harvard), Illinois State Senator, United States Senator, First major Party African American nominee in HISTORY…WOW, I guess we should all aspire to be so EMPTY!!! How’s your emptiness coming along?
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
J,
I didn’t even have to mention Univ. of Chicago lecturer/Law Professor, author of two NY Times Best Sellers, Millionare, husband, father…etc! Got any emptiness for your resume’?
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm
He could drop himself too while he’s at it.
Posted by: pepsi_lover08 | June 26, 2008, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
FYI,
That’s CLASSIC!!!
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
Obviously there’s some disconnect as to what the convention is… People always referred to Hillary as HRC… well Rodham isn’t her middle name, it’s her maiden name. If we’re going First-Middle-Last initial she should be HDC or HDRC if she wanted to include her middle name this week or not (it varies depending on what demographic she’s speaking to)…
Posted by: Rob, Indianapolis | June 26, 2008, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
When you find yourself dwelling on such trivial things as an initial then you should understand why you voted BUSH twice. OBAMA’s Father was known as BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA. He is called after his father for crying out loud…he did not name himself. Most of us dont …our parents do. I hope you get the logic here. Its trivial chasing things like that!
Posted by: OTIENO | June 26, 2008, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm
What is wrong with you people? You got nothing else to talk about? No one cares what his name is, all anyone wants to know is if he can change the direction this country is going in? We need him people, he is what this country needs. People all over the world look at this country as leaders of the free world and you know what, they laugh at us, we are a joke to them. He is here to restore our good integrity in the world’s eyes and if you won’t vote for him because of his middle name then you all are very foolish and racist……
Posted by: Karen | June 26, 2008, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
Champ,
I was not convinced with Sen. Obama early on. Each candidate had their pros/cons. He ran a great campaign. I liked John McCain in 2000, and thought he would have been a terrific President. But, I must admit, I didn’t KNOW him. For all this “Obama is an empty suit, unknown” crap, I’ve read his books, researched his career, watched the ENTIRE Rev. Wright, Father Pfleger sermons…etc He has simply done what I thought is necessary for this country at this time. And yes, as an African American male, I unashamedly, unapologetically support Senator Barack Hussein Obama!!!
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
Yes, we can = No, we can’t
Change = Please change the subject!
Hope = Hope that you will forget my midle name HUSSEIN
Hmmm hummm ha humm blah blah blah blah….!
Posted by: LOL | June 26, 2008, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
I’ve got a new middle initial for Barack Obama — POTUS.
Posted by: loovill | June 26, 2008, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
I agree with Dr. Sam. At this point, it is McCain who is the “dangerous, unknown” running for President. His own party has no clue what this guy is up to.
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
Why do so many anti-Obama statements contain the phrase “under the bus”? I don’t understand. Is this some sort of Fox News mantra or something? That and “empty suit”. It’s as though zombies are just wandering the streets, mumbling “empty suit” and “under the bus”. Kinda creepy.
Posted by: loovill | June 26, 2008, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
BruhMan: You may have noticed… the 2008 McCain model is drastically different than the 2000 version. The ’00 appeared to be a solid presidential choice — certainly better than the one we got — but the ’08 is less than a shadow of the one from eight years ago. The ’08 McCain is so desperate to win that he is willing to bend over and take it from the current administration while saying, “Thank you sir, may I have another”. We already have a puppet POTUS, we don’t need another. The GOP’s nominee is simply the ’08 Bush wearing a John McCain suit, and it’s not a good fit.
Posted by: Champ | June 26, 2008, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm
maggie,
It is the public trying to make Senator Obama be what they want him to be. He has to be for black issues, he must talk white, he can’t be seen with Muslims, he has to denounce his pastor, he must show his birth certificate…on and on and on. Who else is subjected to this crap? I even had someone tell me they’d like to see Colin Powell run for President. I told him to look at what’s happening to Senator Obama and get back to me when he figures out why General Colin Powell won’t even touch politics anymore.
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm
The reason Jake posts these “trivial” political stories every day is to get us all riled up enough to blog our comments and then argue ad nauseum with each other. Lots of hits on the website means more money for ABC. Feed the kitty.
Posted by: loovill | June 26, 2008, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
B.O. should be preferred as being more descriptive of the man, because he stinks. But for those of you who believe we need to move towards a Marxist society, for those who believe the U.S. Constitution was a erroneous side trip in history, for African-Americans who want someone with AA ancestry as President just because it would make you feel a little better, for women who think he’s cuter than McCain, by all means vote for him. Neither candidate is qualified to even be in the Senate, much less the White House, but Mr stinky B.O. will do far more damage to the U.S. and freedom here and in the world with his empty-headed Marxist schemes than McCain will do – think Jimmy Carter without the integrity. We’re Screwed!
Posted by: Herman | June 26, 2008, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
When he distances himself from his Socialist soul, I might not consider him to be the danger that he is to the American people. Please do not vote for this person.
Posted by: Lisa Again | June 26, 2008, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
His middle name is the least of his problems…
Posted by: carljr. | June 26, 2008, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm
All of us are suppose to do everything the Obama way. It is the new rule. Obams people claim he is responsible for the sunshine, the rainbows and he will heal the earth with his magical oratory. Phrases such as Obama will enlighten us and we will reach for the skies and Obama will change the world with his beliefs and Obama will usher in world peace etc etc etc ….. TOO FUNNY !!!
When are many of you people going to wake up. Obama is nothing but DRAMA ….ObamaDRAMA – that should be his middle name. but folks, FYI his real name is Barack Hussein MOHAMMED Obama but he WILL NEVER admit it. He’s a player- he plays to each audience and tells them what they want to hear. I cannot believe that the DNC chose this clown over someone like Hillary Clinton-What a joke this is….Truly , as Bill Clinton said, a FAIRY TALE. Obama will only win if Hillary is his running mate. If not he loses the electoral college. He cannot win it without Ohio and Florida and he brazenly said he doesnt need them. Well we dont need you either BAM BAM, Barry, BARACk or whatever you are calling yourself !!!
Posted by: jimbo | June 26, 2008, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
Champ,
Agree. McCain realized in order to gain the GOP nomination, he had to drop the “Maverick” crap. And, I did some research into his background. I remembered the Keating 5, the distorted “Hero” record, the no to MLK Day, the anti-womens, affirmitive action votes…all of it. Talk about flip-flop!?!? John McCain won against a field of relative “unknowns”.. who knew Huckabee, Romney, Paul, or Tancredo before last year? McCain just stayed the course.
Posted by: BruhMan | June 26, 2008, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm
I explained to my children that our world and our lives are cyclic. Today they are witnessing the Hussein’s of discover America just like Columbus did 600 years ago. Pack your bags Americans and hit the reservations, we will soon be the minorities of our land. I am American born and raised, my ancestry is Irish, but please do not hold the shamrock against me, I just want to live in peace. If Osama Obama is your man, I am on the next bus to mind…probably stuck in the dessert or in downtown…which ever is more disgusting to Hussein.
Posted by: me | June 26, 2008, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm
Having a Hussein Obama as a president will improve the relationship with the Arab world and, Create jobs and the oil price will drop, and Osama bin Laden will surrender..the Moslem community is begging him to came to Chicago and he is ignoring theme.how is he going to have the world united and change
Posted by: sampf15 | June 26, 2008, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
I course Obama is dropping his middle initial. It is about the game called chicanery. The pure art of smoke & mirrors, trickery, and deceit. I have a feeling Obama will be fully exposed by November and it will not be a pretty sight.
Posted by: Bill | June 26, 2008, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
Can we please get back to the subject that should be talked about? What are either of the presidential nominees going to do for this country that has been run into the ground in the last 8 years?
Posted by: sle | June 26, 2008, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
Three cheers to ABC for perpetuating a non-story. A story that follows Rove’s fear mongering playbook. Well done, ABC!!
Posted by: Brad | June 26, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
It sound like Obama’s own supporters find the name Hussein offensive, they sure are making an issue of it.
Posted by: roger123 | June 26, 2008, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
“Egalitarian candidate vows to eschew divisive punctuation?”
Posted by: marymary | Jun 26, 2008 1:35:41 PM
**********
Yes, John McCain has just announced that all three first letter of his last name will now be Capitalized…
MCCain….and he will now be know only as: The MCC, in order to get the youth vote, LOL!
Posted by: jmc663 | June 26, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
Obama is arrogant and insensitive enough to change his positions, throw others under the bus, play the race card, and expect to be “selected” for the most powerful position in the world. Yet, he is too sensitive over his middle name. My advice to Obama: “Sweety, you need to get over it”
Posted by: evie | June 26, 2008, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
Who cares what his name is? You people are sick. Whether his name is Mohammed or Jose or Andre, so what? Is his name going to fix the problem? Some Americans can be so ignorant, not all though. You should be more concerned about what his ideas are for presidency not his name.
Posted by: Barack-rocks | June 26, 2008, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
“He is here to restore our good integrity in the world’s eyes …”
I thought he was running for the office of President of the United States. If he really believes that is the job, he isn’t qualified for the job.
It’s the side effect of a well-run administration but it isn’t the goal. Read the oath:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Posted by: len | June 26, 2008, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
ABC is the only news organization that has actually been doing some objective reporting on this election. It’s come to the point that I distrust any reporting coming from NBC or MSNBC, whether it’s campaign related or not.
Posted by: bedy | June 26, 2008, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
Republicans don’t have a platform to stand on … so they go after a person’s name???? Come on, Republicans, do something for your country positive instead of fear for this and fear for that or sit this one out … for all of us.
Posted by: newz4i | June 26, 2008, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
bedy: I don’t think you and I share the same definition for ‘objective’.
Posted by: Champ | June 26, 2008, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm
If Obama did want to use his middle name, it looked like he tried to hide something.
Posted by: July | June 26, 2008, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
Of course he hides from his name, just as he hides from the various things that reveal his true political philosophy. He’s a fraud, any way you look at him, and any way you say his names.
Posted by: tanarg | June 26, 2008, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
All of you McCain lovers must be rich because all he is going to do is repeat the Bush era. We’ll be paying $10 a gallon for gas if he is placed in the oval office. He will also have our american soldiers fighting another war. Enough is enough, people.
Posted by: Janae | June 26, 2008, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
A former presidential candidate
- neither black nor Muslim -
changed his name from Gary
Warren Hartpence to Gary Hart.
Obama went back to Barack his
real given name from the
insubstantial and cheap-sounding
Barry.
Posted by: anon | June 26, 2008, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
I could not care less what Obama’s middle name is, or that he is black (and white, for that matter.) But I do care that he is inexperienced (143 actual days in the US Senate and writing two books is not enough) and he flip-flops on any given issue depending on what day it is or who’s asking the question. I cannot support a candidate in whom I cannot believe and whose policies change from day to day. I just don’t believe in Obama.
Posted by: Justmy.02 | June 26, 2008, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
Allen – You say Obama is a devout christian man. Hilarious. Can I stop laughing now? Do devout Christians lie, for personal gain, and political expediancy? Do they refer to their grandmother as typical white person? Do they refuse people of Muslim faith a seats behind Obama in camera view. He is a devout POLITICIAN. Period. No way Nobama
Posted by: Badger1 | June 26, 2008, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
Obama is proving to be an imbecile. Is it to late for the Dems to change their mind and nominate Hillary instead.
Posted by: janephilip | June 26, 2008, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
So when it does not benefit Obama he distances himself. LOL
And he wants to be our President….Not with my vote.
Posted by: Barb | June 26, 2008, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
You are correct, Barack is no John F. Kennedy. We forget the issues that danced around JFK when he was president. Of course, we all have short memories it is our nature. Mr. Obama will be the next president of the United States and all this hoopla over these inconsequential issues will quickly become a thing of the past.
Posted by: Robert Brown | June 26, 2008, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
If Barry gets elected we will have four years of race card playing and any time you criticize him you will be labeled a racist and every little thing will be about his race for four years. If BO becomes President it will begin the most racially divisive period in our nation’s history. Yes it would be great for our country to elect a President of African descent but BHO isn’t the right guy. General Colin Powell is the right guy and he would win in a landslide. It’s not about BOs race it’s about him being the most liberal Democrat (see Marxist), it’s about him belonging to a radical black liberation church, it’s about his friends who bombed our federal buildings, it’s about his inexperience, it’s about his shady Chicago political friends, it’s about his being wrong about the surge in Iraq, it’s about his opposition to gun ownership in Chicago, it’s about his poor judgment, it’s about his lack of compassion for poor low wage American workers who have to compete for jobs with illegal aliens, it’s about him, he’s not ready for primetime. No business experience, no military experience, no economic experience and no concept of how dangerous Islamic extremists are. He’s an elitist empty suit.
Posted by: joey | June 26, 2008, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
When Obama’s mother enrolled him at a Catholic school in Indonesia, there were 5 choices to check off on the form for the child’s religion choice – she checked “Muslim” – thus he received Muslim training each school day. Sharia law says that when a child is born to a Muslim parent and is given a Muslim name, he is a Muslim forever. While Obama is not openly a Muslim, his denials of this are lies. In fact, his own siblings have been interviewed and agree that what I have written is true. I don’t think that the Hussein is going to go away even though Obama and his staff will try their best.
Posted by: Jaye | June 26, 2008, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Since when does a canidate get to set all their own rules and then have the press follow them? Don’t talk about church, don’t talk about middle name, do not talk about how he can’t get through a speech without a teleprompter, don’t talk about his business dealings, dont talk about how hateful his wife is, dont talk about his lack of experience–this must be the change he is talking about.
Posted by: alice | June 26, 2008, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
“unless Sen. McCain selects an African-American to be his VP nominee.”
That’s the best joke I’ve heard in a while…Thanks!
Posted by: jon c. | June 26, 2008, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm
With regard to some of the earlier postings here, it seems that anyone who disagrees with Obama and any of his promised changes is a racist. It seems that Obama wants it both ways – BOTH HIS WAYS!
Posted by: Jaye | June 26, 2008, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
Would it help McCain if he changes his middle name from Sidney to Poitier?
Posted by: MJ Parlier | June 26, 2008, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
Would it help McCain if he changes his middle name from Sidney to Poitier?
Posted by: MJ Parlier | June 26, 2008, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
It is funny to see all these anti-Obama people calling calling him an empty suit, a marxist, saying he plays the race card and implying that his name has anything to do with his upbringing, his political agenda, or his religion. George Bush had plenty of experience, look where that got us. None of you even know what marxism or socialism is. And if you do, I would love to hear your definition and not one I can find in a dictionary. Thirdly, why does his name matter? He didn’t name himself. If your parents named you Mohammed that would not disqaulify you from anything because you might not even be muslim. Get a grip and try making some sense. There are muslims in this country and in the world who worship the same God by a different name. There are fringe christian groups as well as islamic fringe groups. He’s dissasociating himself because of the incredible intolerance of americans. Base your opinion on facts and evidence and then maybe you won’t sound so unintelligent.
Posted by: Sense | June 26, 2008, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
Sense: what you can’t seem to understand is the Sharia law that Obama was raised under. Of course he portrays himself to be a Christian now, but he also denies that he was ever a Muslim. That is the point. He is lying. Why can’t he admit to his upbringing and move on from there? I have read extensively about this school and find what you say untrue. Any child attending this school was given instruction in the religion listed in his registration. I attest this to be true just as much as your denial of it. Please don’t be so judgemental of me personally – each one of us has a right to our opinion and also where we get our facts.
Posted by: Jaye | June 26, 2008, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm
If elected, will BHO have formal invitations and communications from the White House drop the middle initial? I am still one who believes in proper etiquette and formality and just curious how he and MRO will respond. Mind you I don’t think either are very presidential/First Lady like and often seem to miss some of the social appropropriateness that’s associated with the position(s). But maybe in 2008/09, proper etiquette really doesn’t matter or does it?
What has been the standard at the White House and state events?
Posted by: Carla Purks | June 26, 2008, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Jaye,
You are right.
He attended 2 different school in Indonesia.
One was Catholic school and the second was Muslim school.
He was registered as Muslim at school.
CNN reported only the Catholic School not the Muslim school.
Student which register as a Muslim must pray in a Muslim room.
Posted by: crisi08 | June 26, 2008, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
Carla, I worked in the WH Social Office for many years. All presidents in modern history have used their entire names (i.e. President William Jefferson Clinton and Mrs Clinton request your presence ….) on an invite. The Obamas will be not be care-takers of formal history much like the Bushes have been. They seemingly have no class at this point. Perhaps, if elected, they will have to bone up on the etiquette that will be expected of them.
Posted by: Jaye | June 26, 2008, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm
Maybe like Prince (who wanted to be known by a symbol), He-Whose-Middle-Name-Must-Not-Be-Mentioned can be represented by a gigantic “presidential” seal.
Posted by: California voter | June 26, 2008, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
pottery said:
It just shows how stupid Obama is; he’d rather be referred to as BO than BHO.
**********
OR maybe…just maybe…he’s a grown adult and not mindful of schoolyard -taunts. Name calling is for the young and uneducated, they both believe their words hold power.
Posted by: jmc663 | June 26, 2008, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm
jmc663
Fat chance!
Posted by: T | June 26, 2008, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
My Candidate is Smarter Than Yours!
Your intelligence is showing !
Posted by: T | June 26, 2008, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
If he converted to Christianity, why did he not change his name to a Christian name? Certainly there are former Christians who converted to Islam who changed their name to a Muslim name — I give you Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay).
Posted by: kh | June 26, 2008, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
why did he not change his name to a Christian name?
*********
Why does he need to? They are not his voting block anyway. Obama doesn’t need stupid, McCain is desperate, go vote for him, he’ll take anyone!
Posted by: My Candidate is Smarter Than Yours! | June 26, 2008, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
Since Barack Obama claims to have become a Christian 20 years ago, why doesn’t he drop the Muslim name HE gave himself and re-adopt his Christian name.
Even if he is illegitimate he would be Barry Dunham–so what’s wrong with that?The people who cared most about him and raised him were not Muslim, so why does he insist on keeping the name HE chose instead of his Christian name?
What is WRONG with being a Christian?
Posted by: FORMERCRAT | June 26, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
One good thing about the extended Primary is that all the really ignorant and just plain stupid people have left the Democratic Party.
Thank you!! Now maybe we can put this Party back to the once proud name it had. Geez, I think Bill Clinton attracted all the low-info voters into the Party.
Good riddance!
Posted by: My Candidate is Smarter Than Yours! | June 26, 2008, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
My Candidate is Smarter Than Yours!
I see you like living in a world of assertions. You must have a hard time finding people to talk with you about anything complex.
Posted by: A | June 26, 2008, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
Snob Obama.. fake, elite, poser Obama. It doesn’t matter which way you spell or say his name, all he boils down to his a BIG FAT ZERO. He is disgusting, witchy wife included. He is throwing his own middle name under the bus now.
I can’t see them being in the White House. They hold nothing sacred and have no class whatsoever. Par for the course for Obama, change everything whichever way the wind blows.. he doesn’t even believe in himself. Poor soul.
Posted by: MJL | June 26, 2008, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
Does Senator Obama have a personality disorder?? He flip-flops so much and now does not want to be called by his legal name. It seems he is not mature enough to reasearch a policy/position and stick with it. He changes his position according to who he is speaking to or the whims of the current group of new supporters. It like two young kids who love/hate each other according to the toys they want to play with.
Posted by: Mai | June 26, 2008, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
I think it going to be seriously strange to have a president that you can’t say their middle name or initial. There are so many serious things to worry about in the world and we’re worrying about this kind of crap? It’s right up there with flag pins.
Posted by: JKR | June 26, 2008, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
A,
Nope, just glad the Dems are finally cleaning house.
The Party used to that of Roosevelt and JFK.
Nowadays, it’s over run with Jethro and Ellie May!
Posted by: My Candidate is Smarter Than Yours! | June 26, 2008, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
You people need to think about what going on in the country. Why dont all of you go somewhere else to live. Insted of making all of us to suffer with you anymore.
Posted by: janet | June 26, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
Hillary and Bill Clinton have more class, intergity and good sense in their little fingers than Obama has in his whole body. So many rational, intelligent voters have left the Democratic Party because they refuse to vote for a very corrupt socialist from Chicago and the gang of crooked politicians backing him up. The real Democratic Party is no more, it has been flushed down the drain by Obama and supporters.
Posted by: Maggie | June 26, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
–Sense– The people who will not vote for Senator Barack H Obama show a incredible amount of intelligence. They have researched his background, professional and political life and came away with a set of truths that will now allow them to support Senator Obama.
Non-supporters of Obama have rights too.
Posted by: Henry | June 26, 2008, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm
Obama is an all-American
politician with a Kenyan
name.
Posted by: anon | June 26, 2008, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
It’s not him. His campaign, if
true as stated in the article,
is only saying there are enough
bigots who are spooked by H, so
until he’s elected it’s BO,
thereafter when occupies the
White House it’ll be BHO.
Posted by: anon | June 26, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
Perhaps this is nothing; but why has the Senator’s campaign (Obama’s, that is) refused to produce a certified copy of his birth certificate?
The Democrats and the MSM even caused a flap recently because McCain was apparently born in Panama and they wanted to make sure he was a citizen.
Why the roar of silence when it comes to BHO?
Posted by: Trustbutverify | June 26, 2008, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
I agree that there are many people, both democrat and republican that show a great deal of intelligence, but what I am saying is that anyone who would vote based on someone’s name, fake rumors about their religion, or their race have no intelligence. Obama has never been a Muslim, any credible source would comply, but if he had been, what would be so bad about that? I would like to know a negative difference that is not a stereotype between christianity and islam? Jaye– you’re correct in saying that we each have our opinions and are entitled to them, but where we derive our “facts” are different. If we get two different answers from two different places on whether Obama has ever been a Muslim, one of them has to be wrong. I’d love to know what two schools he went to and what source you have for that implication.
Posted by: Sense | June 26, 2008, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm
It’s not him. His campaign, if
true as stated in the article,
is only saying there are enough
bigots who are spooked by H, so
until he’s elected it’s BO,
thereafter when he occupies the
White House it’ll be BHO.
Posted by: anon | June 26, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
Again…anyone who refers to Obama as being a Marxist/Socialist. Please let me know what about Obama makes him a marxist. I haven’t been able to find one person who can make a comparison between Obama and Marxism. You are writing that word because you have heard it from some pundit and his/her drabble. Don’t be mislead by the media!
Posted by: Sense | June 26, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
Sense:
People have labeled Barack a “marxist” because he’s got long ties to some pretty famous ones from the Sixties.
If McCain liked to hang out with former members of the KKK (other than Senator Byrd)that would be relevant. Why isn’t it relevant when Barack likes to hang out with former yippies and members of the Weather Underground?
Posted by: Trustbutverify | June 26, 2008, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
anon said “Obama is an all-American
politician with a Kenyan name.”
So what — he’s still a world class liar who can’t be trusted. He makes Nixon look like a saint!
Posted by: A | June 26, 2008, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
“Why isn’t it relevant when Barack likes to hang out with former yippies and members of the Weather nderground?”
Many of todays generation goes for “charisma” and liberal thinking.
Posted by: Billw | June 26, 2008, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
Barack Hussein Obama is not the man he knew… heheheee
Posted by: Billw | June 26, 2008, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
Which famous marxists? Just because I associate with atheists doesn’t mean I am one. I have conservative friends. I’m not a conservative. We shouldn’t be thrown in the hat with the company we “keep”. See my point?
Posted by: Sense | June 26, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm
I always thought that is was *more* polite to use BHO for Senator, because when I grew up “BO” meant “body odor”.
Posted by: Annie May | June 26, 2008, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm
Sense said
” conservative friends. I’m not a conservative. We shouldn’t be thrown in the hat with the company we “keep” ”
Conservatives and non-conservatives are acceptable. Terrorists, anti-Americans, crooks, and crackpots are not. There’s a difference.
Posted by: Billw | June 26, 2008, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm
Why does his name matter at all? Shouldn’t you be concerned about the health plans and gas prices? Even if he was Muslim, I don’t see what’s wrong with that? It’s not like he was involved with some terrorist group or something. Muslims don’t bomb anything, cause then they’re not considered Muslims. Some of you are close-minded. When the 9/11 happened, everyone is afraid of Muslims. And when the IRA happened, no one says anything. First of all, it was said that the bombers were 19 arabs, not muslims! You need to open your ears and listen to the real news. Anyways, all we ever had for president is white, anglo, saxon males. Let us change.
Posted by: Barack-rocks | June 26, 2008, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
Sense:
The marxists with whom Obama has been friends include Frank Marshall Davis, William Ayers, and Bernadine Dohrn, just to name a few.
Or did you seriously not know that? My guess is, your next move will be to argue about whether these three are “marxists,” rather than addressing the point.
Any well-known conservatives Obama can call “friends” in the same manner as Davis, Ayers and Dohrn?
I thought not.
Posted by: Trustbutverify | June 26, 2008, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm
“Why does his name matter at all? Shouldn’t you be concerned about the health plans and gas prices? Even if he was Muslim, I don’t see what’s wrong with that?”
——-
I couldn’t agree with you more. So the question is, why is Obama himself so touchy about it? Why NOT use his middle initial? Why NOT sit in front of a couple of head-scarf wearing women?
I feel like he should be standing up and saying “I am not a Muslim, but if I were I would not be ashamed of that fact. And I am not ashamed of my African heritage, or of my middle name. I am happy to be seen in the company of observant Muslims.”
So what is HIS problem with it? That’s what I’d really like to know.
Posted by: Annie May | June 26, 2008, 9:38 pm 9:38 pm
Barack-rocks, you wrote: “First of all, it was said that the bombers were 19 arabs, not muslims!”
The people of Saudi Arabia are predominantly Sunni Muslim.
Posted by: James Danley | June 27, 2008, 8:51 am 8:51 am
Obama never speaks about his father. Who was African and a Muslim. Now he wants to drop his middle name , to distant himself from the Muslim world. Why doesn’t he go back to Barry. the name used in his past?To get the blue collor vote, he speaks of his white mother and hard working white grandparents. Just because he has the black vote , now he distant himself from his father.
Posted by: jp,michigan | June 27, 2008, 10:54 am 10:54 am
James Danley, that doesn’t mean that they’re all Muslims. Half the people in Saudi Arabia aren’t Muslims, but Christians and other types of religions. You can’t truly believe all Americans are Christians, and all people in the middle east are Muslims. That’s one of the dumbest things probably heard of. Many people go to Saudi Arabia because of their high technogoly.
Posted by: Barack-rocks | June 27, 2008, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm
deep in my heart I feel as if BHO (no disrespect) is the Antichrist in the flesh! With all that has been & Bn said about him seem pretty fitting. Read the bible & c 4 yourself. This Dude is too mysterious & doing things that r on his agenda!
Posted by: Melchizedek | June 28, 2008, 1:33 am 1:33 am
From the very beginning I tried to warn everyone that Osama Obama is essentially a covert terrorist. He will not have anything happen during his reign of terror in the U.S, but the seeds he plants to destroy us from within will be sewn when he leaves office. There will be many people who challenge and flat out show disdain for the truth but the reality is they are mindless, unthinking sheep that cannot see the forest through the trees. We can take back our country but it will require a complete disregard for the talking heads on television and start from grass routes movements in the states. You may think I am wrong but no one thought planes would fly into buildings in NY either. be smart people, stand up now and say NO to OSAMA OBAMA’s terror plot against our country.
Posted by: tco123 | June 4, 2009, 9:51 am 9:51 am