Rove: Don't "Hussein" Obama

No less an authority figure than Karl Rove has warned Republican operatives from demagoguing Barack Obama's middle name.

At a closed door meeting of GOP state executive directors in late January, Rove said the safest way to refer to Obama would be to use his honorific, "Sen. Obama."

"The context was, you're not going to stimatize this guy. You shouldn't underestimate him," one of the executive directors said. Rove said that the use of "Barack Hussein Obama" would perpetuate the notion that Republicans were bigoted and would hurt the party.

Rove also said that Republicans should refer to Hillary Clinton as "Sen. Clinton," rather than "Hillary."

Right wing figures are set to ignore Rove's advice. Rush Limbaugh used Obama's middle name more than a year ago, and Ann Coulter regularly uses the middle name, once calling him "President Hussein." So does Michael Savage, who once asked whether Obama was a "so-called friendly Muslim" or one more "radical."

Comments

Of course "right wing figures" like Limbaugh, Coulter, and Savage are going to ignore Rove's advice. They aren't in the business of winning elections, they are in the business of making money for themselves through entertaining a certain limited segment of the mass media market. And their business model depends on them being as inflammatory as possible, and they don't really care if their material offends 51%, 60%, or 90% of the country, as long as the money keeps flowing from the 10% of the media market that likes their shtick.

Posted by DTM | February 27, 2008 8:52 AM

Rove is right. No need to stoop to that level. There's more substantive issues to attack him on rather than the irony of his name. If we can't figure out what those things are, then perhaps we are already doomed in this race.

McCain doesn't help matters. Why does this seem so much like Clinton vs Dole all over again?

Posted by La' Maze Johnson | February 27, 2008 9:01 AM

Barrack Hussein Obama is his name. When you refer to him with by his full name how's that a problem? The Hussein moniker is not made up.

William Jefferson Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton. No one has ever questioned the use of those names before this election ever before.

It's a duck, It quacks like a duck, walks like a duck. Barrack went to Islamic schools. His father and step father were both Islamic, He has worn Islamic garb several times, He has met with the Nation of Islam members in Chicago. Sounds like a duck to me.

Posted by Egfrow | February 27, 2008 9:18 AM

I can't believe I am saying this but Rove is right.

But the thing is, that the VRWC can't control itself.

Racism and Xenophobia are too embedded in their bones for them to help themselves.

As an Obama supporter, I have to say that it is probably great that the republicans are like this. What the republicans are going to do is turn this election into a referendum on racism and xenophobia, and not only will they lose, but they will set back their party for a generation because younger voter don't see race like older voters do.

So, to Limbaugh, Cunningham, et all helping the republican party committ suicide, I salute you!!!!

Posted by RKA | February 27, 2008 9:23 AM

Egfrow, when did you stop beating your wife?

Posted by Gomes | February 27, 2008 9:23 AM

Yes, they wouldn't want to appear to be xenophobes.

Posted by Chris | February 27, 2008 9:26 AM

egfrow-
I am curious, do they pay people like you to spread these smears, or you just a garden variety bigot who has nothing better to do?

Posted by pittanylion | February 27, 2008 9:36 AM

With RKA, I'm mildly astonished to find myself agreeing with "Mr." Rove here about the danger that Obama's campaign presents to Republicans. Despite what you see on Sunday morning interview shows, this country isn't all white guys in the middle of post-mid-life crises.

Posted by MattF | February 27, 2008 9:39 AM

My favorite is when someone starts a sentence with "I'm really not a racist, BUT...." and then tells me that they can't vote for Obama because they heard about the email that (falsely) claims Obama went to a Muslim school. Ironically, the only religious school Obama ever attended was a Catholic school in Indonesia! The public school he attended for 2 years has been investigated thoroughly and found to be completely secular.

I wonder if we would be having this conversation if Obama was a blond guy named Fred Smith, who had been born in Hawaii and then moved to Indonesia for 4 years as a kid?

For myself, I would vote for him if he was spotted green. I like the message, the character, the temperament, and the judgment of Barack Obama. And the more I learn about his life and choices, the better I feel about my decision.

Posted by Jennifer | February 27, 2008 9:48 AM

Let me see if I got this right. There are 1.3 billion muslims in the world. But if you are a muslim or even just have a muslim father and middle name, that implies what? That you are barred from the highest office in the USA?

What about freedom of religion which in fact was one of the main reasons why many immigrants came to this nation years ago.

At Ground Zero, Muhammad Ali was asked by a reporter: "How does it feel to be of the same religion as the people who did this?" "His reply: How does it feel to be of the same religion as Hitler?"

McCarthy seems well and alive in the US in 2008. Just switch the communist for the muslim.

Posted by Jon | February 27, 2008 9:51 AM

"Egfrow, when did you stop beating your wife?"

Note that he never said he stopped beating his wife. And even if he denies it now, it's exactly what you'd expect a wife-beater to tell people.

Posted by Helter | February 27, 2008 9:51 AM

Thanks to Senor Rove, the idiot GOP has managed to do more to Balkinize and Damage this country and the Republican base much more than anyone calling that wannabee Senator Barack HUSSEIN Obama by his full name!
When are we going to wakeup and realize Senor Rove was pitiful and barely able to beat that FRAUD John Kerry and managed to decimate the GOP on the way to defeat in the '06 elections by that great AMNESTY disaster. What a stra-turd-gy that can be laid at the feet of Senor Rove, Senor Bush and Senor McCain....

Posted by Moultrie | February 27, 2008 9:52 AM

Helter,
It really is one or the other. Or do you believe someone who meets with a member of the NOI makes them a muslim? Ever see W with Muhammad Ali? I have. In fact, I have seen him holding hands with a Saudi Prince, and the saudis are good friends of his family. If it walks like a duck.... George W. Bush, closet muslim!
See how easy?

Posted by pittanylion | February 27, 2008 10:01 AM

Also, I would much rather have the middle name "hussein" than have my name be "Michael Savage Weiner".
If I had that name, I certainly wouldn't be stressing that others be called by their full names;)

Posted by pittanylion | February 27, 2008 10:08 AM

Let me get this straight... The entire left wing attack machine (Soros, MoveOn, CodePinkos, DailyKos), and even NBC News anchors (Olbermann) no less, can refer to Bush as "Hitler" and a "War Criminal" but we can't use Sen Obama's full name! Get real folks.

Posted by Paul | February 27, 2008 10:11 AM

George Bush and most republicans are all Muslims since they are always in bed and have sold the US economy to the Saudis, major banks are begging the Saudis to bail them out.

Posted by John | February 27, 2008 10:15 AM

SHE on you racists and Xenophobics.

You can't beat Sen OBAMA on issues and all you can do is try to paint him as a muslim. You right wing hypocrites - trying to tell the world that you're ready to invade countries to spread freedom, but you are bigots right here in your backyard !!!

Posted by Susan | February 27, 2008 10:18 AM

The left would like nothing better than to make this an election about race. On the other hand... listening to Rove cost the 04 elections and Bush represents' rove's thinking by never calling the truth the truth for fear of offending the other side - which plays right into their game of political correctness - the enemy gets to determine what you can say and not say - sort of a McCain Feingold of the spirit only 24/7/365.

Posted by Don L | February 27, 2008 10:18 AM

My own father's middle name was "Adolph," not a popular name to carry in his generation following WW2. People who insisted on using it were typically John Birch Society idiots ... the same as folks who make something of Obama's name in this age.

Neither of them CHOSE their middle names. Of course, most right wingers didn't choose to be born stupid, either....

Posted by Eurojudeochristian | February 27, 2008 10:21 AM

Rove has jumped the shark.

That Rove would even have the audacity to suggest that conservatives prostate themselves before the dictates of political correctness shows just how out of touch the man is.

Enjoy your retirement Rove and kindly STFU.

Lao
An American Expat in Southeast Asia

Posted by Lao | February 27, 2008 10:23 AM

Maybe we should just make up a new middle name for him and use that. How about Jefferson, it worked the last time a liberal Democrat fooled us into electing him.

Posted by flyover | February 27, 2008 10:24 AM

Jon, Islam is NOT a religion.

Islam is a satanic cult founded by a murderous pedophile. Islam appeals only to savages.

We should close all the mosques and then bomb Mecca and Medina. Its high time to finish the job the holy Crusaders didn't.

Posted by Lindemann | February 27, 2008 10:25 AM

Jennifer,
I'm not a racist, but ...
Obama stayed in Indonesia for 4 years. 2 years in Cathlic school and 2 years in a Muslim school. He was registered as a Muslim in this school and attended Friday prayers.

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 10:26 AM

Sen OBAMA had the choise to change him name, but he didn't b'cos he belives in an America where your fist/middle/last name did not determine what you become, but your hard work.

Millions are going through this fight everyaday and he chose to walk "the walk" with them, not the right-wing bigots who falsely claim they're are Chistians.

As a christian, I'm ashamed and wouldn't vote Republican again!

Posted by Mary | February 27, 2008 10:28 AM

YOU MIGHT BE AN IDIOT:-)

If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.

You Might Be An Idiot!

If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.

You Might Be An Idiot!

If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.

You Might Be An Idiot!

If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!

You Might Be An Idiot!

If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.

You Might Be An Idiot!

If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose ;-) husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary's than they had ever been before or since.

You Might Be An Idiot!

If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.

You Might Be An Idiot!

If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..

Best regards

jacksmith...

Posted by jacksmith | February 27, 2008 10:30 AM

Lao says: "That Rove would even have the audacity to suggest that conservatives prostate themselves before the dictates of political correctness shows just how out of touch the man is."

Are conservatives gonna kneel before they prostate themselves?

Posted by MattF | February 27, 2008 10:35 AM

This is BS. Pure and absolute BS. Hussein is the name his parents gave him. If he wins, and takes the oath of office, will his middle name be off limits then, too? Please. This PC crap is going to destroy America forever. I've decided to not vote for anyone for President. It doesn't matter who gets in, we are all doomed, and America will cease to be the great nation it is. PC is killing us, and this is a prime example.

Posted by jdawg | February 27, 2008 10:36 AM

Go ahead ,Limbaugh, Coulter, and Savage, and other right wing Nazi-racists like Glen Beck try to use negativism and help to define the Republican party as a party of intolerant, bigoted white males; the more you do this the more popular Obama will become among the mainstream Americans. The World is changing, the U.S. is changing, even Rove is getting it now, but amazingly some of the right wing extremists are still clueless!

Posted by Peg | February 27, 2008 10:36 AM

RKA:
"As an Obama supporter, I have to say that it is probably great that the republicans are like this. What the republicans are going to do is turn this election into a referendum on racism and xenophobia, and not only will they lose, but they will set back their party for a generation because younger voter don't see race like older voters do."

Islam is not a race. I agree that his full name should not be used (quick test: what is McCain's middle name? That should tell you how irrelevant it is). But your smears regarding Republican inclination for racism and xenophobia are a tad hypocritical coming from a protectionist party who has a former member of the KKK as a current US Senator.

Posted by Josh | February 27, 2008 10:37 AM

Go ahead ,Limbaugh, Coulter, and Savage, and other right wing Nazi-racists like Glen Beck try to use negativism and help to define the Republican party as a party of intolerant, bigoted white males; the more you do this the more popular Obama will become among the mainstream Americans. The World is changing, the U.S. is changing, even Rove is getting it now, but amazingly some of the right wing extremists are still clueless!

Posted by Peg | February 27, 2008 10:37 AM

"Are conservatives gonna kneel before they prostate themselves?"

Conservatives are long past kneeling.

lao

Posted by Lao | February 27, 2008 10:41 AM

Jacksmith,

My husband is a guitarist who performs live 3-5 nights a week. I don't play an instrument but since I have so much experience with him, maybe I should perform live too. But I don't. Because that would make me an idiot.

Of all of Hillary Clinton's arguments for the presidency - many of them good, her "working alongside Bill" is the worst. I have no idea how it's gotten so much traction.

Posted by Chaos | February 27, 2008 10:42 AM

That is false. CNN went to the school OBAMA attended and it wasn't a Muslim school - infact only rich folks could attend that school, more of an international school.

It's the FOXNews channel that started the eronoeus reporting. Check the facts. OBAMA was raised by his white grandparents. Unles the white grandparents were also muslims.

Posted by Susan | February 27, 2008 10:43 AM

Don't Hussein OBAMA? why not?

Posted by Gr8inferno | February 27, 2008 10:43 AM

Racism is not an attribute of one's political party. There are plenty of racists on both sides of the aisle.

Using Obama's middle name isn't racist, it's just stupid and makes you sound childish. There is plenty of ammunition to use on Obama between his questionable ethics and unrealistic policies without resorting to criticism of a name that he didn't even choose.

And jacksmith... I might be an idiot, but in your case there is no room for doubt.

Posted by Immolate | February 27, 2008 10:48 AM

Why do't we re-lect Pre Bill Clinton back into the whitehouse.

I'm very god at playing the keyboard and I'm married for 15 yrs. My wife sings in the choir with me all the time, so I think we shd allow her to play the keys as well since she has 15 yrs of experience watching me play.

Oh - I'm an idoit.!!

Posted by Mary | February 27, 2008 10:50 AM

Susan,
Per the CNN article you mention:
"Obama lived in Indonesia as a child, from 1967 to 1971, with his mother and stepfather and has acknowledged attending a Muslim school"

"Obama has noted in his two books, "Dreams From My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope," that he spent two years in a Muslim school and another two years in a Catholic school while living in Indonesia from age 6 to 10."

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 10:51 AM

I hope everyone sees what's going on here.

The breed of no-wing, Hidden Hand conspiracy theory nutters who traveled so extensively with the left on the anti-war issue, with ridiculous nonsence about Jeff Gannon being the president's personal concubine and 9-11 being an "inside job," have now deeply embedded themselves within the right, through nonsence like the North American Union conspiracy theory.

Ron Paul fell far short of a primary win, and it seems we're all going to have to pay for it. After all, the only candidates left are all members of the dreaded CFR!!! They mean it when they say they endorse Clinton. With the Electoral deck stacked by the shadowy elites, the only strategy left in their cosmic fantacy is "worse is better".

They may be on the leftwing boards too, perhaps trying to get you to bite into "McCain the traitor" or "McCain fathered an illegitemate black child" apples, I don't know, but I've confronted these nutters in rightwing online communities and they are impeneterable and atavistic. Be forewarned: the fringe is on the loose!

Posted by jummy | February 27, 2008 10:52 AM

You Might Be An Idiot!

If you think calling your political opponents "idiots" will help convert them to your side.

Posted by Howard | February 27, 2008 10:52 AM

A spade should be called a spade. I cannot believe that a lot of people are still trying to be politically correct. Wake up. It is not our fault if Hussein is Obama's middle name. Even Ted Kennedy mixes his name up.

Posted by Marilou | February 27, 2008 10:54 AM

I just don't understand why his kindergaten school comes in here. I'd no control of the school my parents send me. And for christ's sake, he was only six back then.

And are we saying his kindergaten school disqualifies him? Give me a break. !!!

Posted by John | February 27, 2008 10:58 AM

Rove (and McCain yesterday) are absolutely right about this. Sen. Obama is a danger to this country not because of his middle name or because he is some closeted Muslim, but because up and down the line on issues he is the most liberal Democratic Presidential Nominee since George McGovern. I'd be more than happy to have the American people decide the election on Obama's life story vs. McCain's life story, but elections should be about issues and xenophobic crap like this has no place.

Posted by Dudley Smith | February 27, 2008 10:58 AM

"It's the FOXNews channel that started the eronoeus reporting.

Posted by Susan | February 27, 2008 10:43 AM "

Actually, it was a no-name rag named Insight magazine who spent the first three paragraphs expplaining that the story was passed to them from the Clinton campaign's oppo research.

The fact is, these conspiracy nutters love Fox News Derangement as well. It's a common infection point on the body of the grassroots left.

To wit:
"Obama has noted in his two books, "Dreams From My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope," that he spent two years in a Muslim school and another two years in a Catholic school while living in Indonesia from age 6 to 10."

HE"S A MUSLEM AND A VATICANTIST! HE"S A SHAPESHIFTER!!!!

Posted by jummy | February 27, 2008 11:00 AM

shorter jacksmith:

The majority of Democrats who voted in the primaries are idiots. ;-)

Posted by yoyoyo | February 27, 2008 11:01 AM

John,
I am not advocating anything. Just correcting some inaccurate statements posted above.

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 11:01 AM

Marilou, you're right. Obama's name is his name. But the p[roblem is people are trying to use his name to paint him something he's not. He did not cjoose the name his parent's gave him.

If he'd changed his name when he became born again, the same people would say gotcha, he's got something to hide.

Posted by Eatrlen | February 27, 2008 11:02 AM

What is wrong with being a muslim in America?
is it a bad thing? Do Americans hate muslims?

Posted by waid | February 27, 2008 11:02 AM

So we may have a President whos first name we arent allowed to say?...We they be able to draw cartoons of him?

Posted by Eric | February 27, 2008 11:05 AM

So we may have a President whos middle name we arent allowed to say?...We they be able to draw cartoons of him?

Posted by Eric | February 27, 2008 11:05 AM

I guess it is relevant that some might want to emphasize Obama's middle name to avoid confusion with all of the other Barrack Obamas who are big in the national news lately. Just sayin'.

Posted by Immolate | February 27, 2008 11:06 AM

"It's the FOXNews channel that started the eronoeus reporting.

Posted by Susan | February 27, 2008 10:43 AM "

Actually, it was a no-name rag named Insight magazine who spent the first three paragraphs expplaining that the story was passed to them from the Clinton campaign's oppo research.

The fact is, these conspiracy nutters love Fox News Derangement as well. It's a common infection point on the body of the grassroots left.

To wit:
"Obama has noted in his two books, "Dreams From My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope," that he spent two years in a Muslim school and another two years in a Catholic school while living in Indonesia from age 6 to 10."

HE"S A MUSLEM AND A VATICANTIST! HE"S A SHAPESHIFTER!!!!

Posted by jummy | February 27, 2008 11:07 AM

"It's the FOXNews channel that started the eronoeus reporting.

Posted by Susan | February 27, 2008 10:43 AM "

Actually, it was a no-name rag named Insight magazine who spent the first three paragraphs expplaining that the story was passed to them from the Clinton campaign's oppo research.

The fact is, these conspiracy nutters love Fox News Derangement as well. It's a common infection point on the body of the grassroots left.

To wit:
"Obama has noted in his two books, "Dreams From My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope," that he spent two years in a Muslim school and another two years in a Catholic school while living in Indonesia from age 6 to 10."

HE"S A MUSLEM AND A VATICANTIST! HE"S A SHAPESHIFTER!!!!

Posted by jummy | February 27, 2008 11:07 AM

Of course Waid, you can clearly see that American hate Muslims.

If someone is a christian (OBAMA), goes to the same church for over 20 yrs and his father gave him a name b'cos he comes from some part of Africa where that name is common, that he shd be disqualified despite the intelect and skill he brings to the table.

Posted by Mommy | February 27, 2008 11:08 AM

Waid,
Nothing wrong with being Muslim, just something wrong when you can't call someone by their own name.

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 11:09 AM

John M,
How about quoting the rest of the article, which goes on to say that the school in question had nothing whatever in common with the kinds of extremist madrasas most imagine when they think of a Muslim school? Moreover, why is spending two years at a Muslim school supposed to turn BHO into a lifelong Muslim and America-hating terrist while two years at a Catholic school seemingly has no effect? Why would anyone in their right mind hold decisions made by Obama's parents, well before Obama was of an age to have any say in the matter, against him? Does two years at a Muslim school taint Obama's mind so deeply that more than a decade of subsequent education at some of the world's finest institutions is powerless to undo it? I'm honestly curious just what all of this is supposed to prove.

Posted by julio ointment | February 27, 2008 11:10 AM

OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT, OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!

I'm a life long republican of 65 years old, but I'm ashamed of the republican party!!! A bunch of racist , intolerant, unforgiving, selfish, hypocrite, mostly fat bastards!!! I hope Obama becomes America's president so that I least our minds start to change...

Posted by Suzan | February 27, 2008 11:10 AM

julio,
Wow. Why do facts make you so emotional? Are you some kind of troll injecting "America hating terrorist" into the discussion?
I simply corrected a previous comment where someone said Obama went to school in Indonesia for only 2 years in a Catholic school and that he did not attend a Muslim school.
These are simple facts from Obama's own books. Nothing for him to be ashamed of.

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 11:16 AM

John M - you see right there you said "American hating terrorist" suggesting that all muslims are terrorists! You're in deed shallow minded.

Posted by Neme | February 27, 2008 11:22 AM

Suzan,

I'm ashamed of the republican party!!! A bunch of racist , intolerant, unforgiving, selfish, hypocrite, mostly fat bastards!!! I hope Obama becomes America's president so that I least our minds start to change

Wow. I hope your mind starts to change. What racism are you talking about?

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 11:22 AM

What, are you people crazy?

Hussein, if anyone cares to remember, was the name of a Middle Eastern dictator that the U.S.A. happened to recently depose through military force. There were some newspaper stories about it, and a good number of people heard about it.

In other words, Obama's middle name happens to be the same as our recent foreign enemy (whom we were literally at war with). That's some bad connotations, y'know?

Yes, therere are Muslim implications involved as well (a complicated issue, waid - yes, alas, many (most?) Americans hate Muslims (because many (most?) Americans are mouth-breathing morons)), but the Iraq War connection trumps these, methinks.

Posted by S.G.E.W. | February 27, 2008 11:23 AM

Neme,
I was quoting another commenter, julio. Please direct your question to julio. Thanks.

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 11:27 AM

"OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT, OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!

"I'm a life long republican of 65 years old, but I'm ashamed of the republican party!!! A bunch of racist , intolerant, unforgiving, selfish, hypocrite, mostly fat bastards!!! I hope Obama becomes America's president so that I least our minds start to change...

"Posted by Suzan | February 27, 2008 11:10 AM"

Suzan, get a grip. nobody's interested in that kind of trolling either. And, to the extent that you're an Obama-supporting Democrat, you should better spend your time being ashamed of the Clintons and their supporters for the racist themes they've exploited all throughout their campaign.

Posted by jummy | February 27, 2008 11:28 AM

Egfrow,
In your professional or personal life, do you use your entire name? If so, good for you. However, most people do not use their middle name. If Barack Obama was going around calling himself "Barack Hussein Obama", then you would have a point. Otherwise, you should consider that in polite society, we call people what they wish us to call them. Hillary Clinton does use her middle name. Philip Seymour Hoffman uses his middle name. Bill Clinton is not "William Jefferson Clinton" when he's written about, or talked about.

S.G.E.W. = There are many people with the name Hussein in the Middle East and most of them are not murderous dictators.

Posted by Mike P | February 27, 2008 11:31 AM

So, I assume it will be offensive when Chief Justice Roberts uses it in the inauguration?

Posted by thirtypundit | February 27, 2008 11:33 AM

Susan,

Simple question. Have you even the slightest amount of dignity? Look at yourself. You simply repeat Obama's talking points without even knowing what you are doing.

Now pay attention and listen close. I happen to live over here in Southeast Asia and have for 20 years. So please spare me the mind-numbing mantra about CNN and and Obama's school. I've been there - the school is NOT what you imagine. Now I know this might be hard for you to accept, but CNN and Obama both mislead you.

Lao
An American Expat in Southeast Asia

Posted by Lao | February 27, 2008 11:33 AM

George FELIX Allen could not be reached for comment.

Posted by holdfast | February 27, 2008 11:39 AM

This little ploy doesn't work how they want anyway. Every time I hear someone say B. Hussein Obama two things happen:
1) I lose respect for the utterer (or author) of the remark.
2) I have more sympathy for Sen. Obama.

I'm still not going to vote for him but I could see a large number of less conservative/partisan people getting fed up with the passive aggressive mealy mouthed racism of the Hussein users and supporting Sen. Obama. In addition it's just the perfect in for the media to paint any opposition to Sen. Obama as racist, which they will when he is running against a Republican.

Posted by Big E | February 27, 2008 11:39 AM

holdfast,
Our last 3 presidents George Walker Bush, William Jefferson Clinton (plus his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton) and George Herbert Walker Bush couldnt be reached either.

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 11:49 AM

Posted by jummy

Jummy you get a get a grip!!! I'm not a democrat and I might actually vote for McCain!!! I just don't his stance on the war... McCain actually impressed me yesterday, he's a descent man that's probably why most of you stupids idiots don't like him! I will still vote for OBAMA 08!!!

Posted by Suzan | February 27, 2008 11:51 AM

jummy,
There you have it. Suzan represents the typical Obama voter.

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 11:54 AM

John M, what's your point???

Posted by Suzan | February 27, 2008 11:59 AM

Don't you see that Americans are tired of the 7 yrs of Bush and want change? Change in the war, economy and healthcare?

McCain is 4more yrs of Bush!!

Posted by Enclave | February 27, 2008 12:00 PM

Enclave, You are a descent American my friend!!! You make me proud.

Posted by Suzan | February 27, 2008 12:02 PM

What scares me about Obama is not that he is like Bin Laden, or Saddam, or any other ridiculous comparisons.

Obviously, he is nothing like these evil people.

What scares me is that he ACTUALLY IS just like another historical figure.

THat figure is former President Jimmy Carter

Posted by TMF | February 27, 2008 12:03 PM

You have a point TMF! one that actually makes sense! Not like most of those racist bastards!!!!

Posted by Suzan | February 27, 2008 12:06 PM

William F Buckley started a great movement, it’s sad in the year 2008 we get stuck with smear merchants like Cunningham who cannot win the debate on their intellectual merits.

I have to laugh, these morons that have found their way into the GOP think they can win elections by ridiculing someone for a name given to them by their parents at birth? Is this a bad joke or a freakin' nightmare?

Good God, please save the Republican Party and move these losers into The Constitution Party or the Nazi party or somewhere else so we can be proud of the GOP once again.

Posted by April Orit | February 27, 2008 12:10 PM

April,
You are an obvious troll. Please try harder than this.

Cunningham is an entertainer, nothing more. A person that calls someone by their own name is not a Nazi.

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 12:14 PM

So what I see happening in the country is that people have accepted the fact that the American people shd and would not be so engaged in their our politics so much so that when someone like OBAMA is able to talk straight and build a huge coalition like he's done so far, they have a problem and must bring him down.!!

I suprised we do not celebrate sucess in this country!

Posted by Conny | February 27, 2008 12:16 PM

Conny,
Shh... I think there's a presidential contest going on.

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 12:17 PM

John M

You are obviously what's wrong with the GOP of late, let me quote Captain Ed from over at HotAir who spelled it out in a way that even you will understand -

Let’s just start off by acknowledging what Cunningham didn’t or wouldn’t admit — the emphasis on “Hussein” in remarking about Obama isn’t intended on ensuring proper identification. It’s a rather naked and intellectually dishonest way to play on the Obama-as-crypto-Muslim meme and/or engage in a little free association with Saddam. It’s a clever ploy, one that allows the purveyor to say (as Cunningham did later), “Hey, I’m just using his real name!” as a dodge for what he really had in mind.

Intellectual dishonesty, bigotry, ignorance or just pure Hillbilly Madness in it's least common state, whatever, it reflects on the Party.

You are the troll, if you cared about the GOP you wouldn't be commenting the way you are.

Posted by April Orit | February 27, 2008 12:22 PM

And waht message is the USA (hope of the world, land of the free) saying to the world. Even when we need to repair our image abroad, we are telling the world that we treat a distinguished American differently solely b'cos of his middle name?

I'm disappointed. Most of my mates in school have names based on different ancestry, yet we don't even notice that and we treat each other with dignity and respect.

I'm proud of America, and we're better than thge few who make us look like bigots!!

Posted by Joshua | February 27, 2008 12:26 PM

First of all, to all the Repubs who think it's so innocent to use Obama's full name, and to all the Dems who think the Dem party is above such things, remember how the Dems in 1988 and 1992 used to call Bush 41 "George Herbert Walker Bush", to imply (correctly, IMHO) that he was a rich aristocrat who didn't relate to the working man? C'mon everybody, get real. The middle name(s) are used for a reason, both sides do it, and both sides get upset when the other does it.

Second, to Jon, who said "At Ground Zero, Muhammad Ali was asked by a reporter: "How does it feel to be of the same religion as the people who did this?" "His reply: How does it feel to be of the same religion as Hitler?""
Do you really want to quote a punch-drunk boxer who's not only ignorant about Hitler's religion but also ignorant of his own? Just because Hitler was German he must have been a Christian? Hardly. Hitler was not a Christian, he was a pagan and into the occult. He considered Christianity to be a wimpy, Jewish religion. And I once heard an interview with Ali in which he claimed that unlike the Bible, the Koran had no contradictions. Leaving aside the fact that the Bible is a compendium of books from many authors, which would tend to produce some contradictions, and the Koran was written by one person, which would make it easier to avoid contradictions, the statement itself is false. The Koran has so many contradictions that Muslims had to come up with the concept of abrogation, in which later verses abrogate what the earlier verses say. Is Ali unaware of this?

Posted by Pervy Grin | February 27, 2008 12:29 PM

April Orit,exactly you made my day that's all I've been trying to say to these bastards!!!

Posted by Suzan | February 27, 2008 12:29 PM

April,
Cunningham did not twist his name to BushHitler or the like, he simply used his REAL name. Something is wrong if you can't speak a person's name. Very wrong.

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 12:31 PM

I'm proud of America, and we're better than thge few who make us look like bigots!!

I am proud of the GOP and we're better than the few who make us look like bigots. We are coming to a point where we are shedding these bigots, they do not belong in the Republican Party anyway.

They belong in The Constitution Party with the rest of the diehard Far Right Fringe - not in the Party of Lincoln.

Posted by April Orit | February 27, 2008 12:31 PM

I agree with Mr. Rove.

As I keep reminding my white friends and skeptical liberal friends of all races, we in the GOP are welcoming of all races and religions and we must stop catering to the bigoted views that some of our Southern voters have.

I am an important coordinator here in the South for the McCain team and it is IMPERATIVE that the use of Senator Obama's middle name cease. We took a huge hit yesterday.

Posted by Samir | February 27, 2008 12:33 PM

There is nothing wrong with muslim name, also FOX news need to thread with caution especially Hannity and Colmes, people should be quoted correctly and not incorrectly, many people listen to the media alot, but when FOX news is quoting Mitchelle Obama incorrectly that question their credibility and integrity.

Posted by Sunny | February 27, 2008 12:37 PM

There is nothing wrong with muslim name, also FOX news need to thread with caution especially Hannity and Colmes, people should be quoted correctly and not incorrectly, many people listen to the media alot, but when FOX news is quoting Mitchelle Obama incorrectly that question their credibility and integrity.

Posted by Sunny | February 27, 2008 12:37 PM

There is nothing wrong with muslim name, also FOX news need to thread with caution especially Hannity and Colmes, people should be quoted correctly and not incorrectly, many people listen to the media alot, but when FOX news is quoting Mitchelle Obama incorrectly that question their credibility and integrity.

Posted by Sunny | February 27, 2008 12:37 PM

There is nothing wrong with muslim name, also FOX news need to thread with caution especially Hannity and Colmes, people should be quoted correctly and not incorrectly, many people listen to the media alot, but when FOX news is quoting Mitchelle Obama incorrectly that question their credibility and integrity.

Posted by Sunny | February 27, 2008 12:37 PM

Samir,
Why do you paint Southerners as "bigoted"? I believe Cunningham is from Ohio. Why would you make bigoted comments to support your bigotry theory?

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 12:39 PM

What 4 letter word is GW's middle name......the Liberals and Dem's have hung every 4 letter word and even up to death wishes on GW for 8 yrs....

and now we shouldnt "stoop " to that level?

would that border on fascism..

Posted by bck | February 27, 2008 12:43 PM

Samir,
Why do you paint Southerners as "bigoted"? I believe Cunningham is from Ohio. Why would you make bigoted comments to support your bigotry theory?
~~~~~~~~~~~

That again is our problem of stero=typing - placing people into buckets, red/blue etc. And we all are tired of these.

So when someone connects to our better angels in the same way we are with these divisions, we respond and that accounts for the last crows OBAMA is drawing. Republicans, wake up.

We cannot fight this guy by appearing we are hatemongers, rather lets also call for unity.
That's the winning strategy.

Posted by Connyin | February 27, 2008 12:47 PM

Samir,
Why do you paint Southerners as "bigoted"? I believe Cunningham is from Ohio. Why would you make bigoted comments to support your bigotry theory?
~~~~~~~~~~~

That again is our problem of stero=typing - placing people into buckets, red/blue etc. And we all are tired of these.

So when someone connects to our better angels in the same way we are with these divisions, we respond and that accounts for the last crows OBAMA is drawing. Republicans, wake up.

We cannot fight this guy by appearing we are hatemongers, rather lets also call for unity.
That's the winning strategy.

Posted by Connyin | February 27, 2008 12:47 PM

April,
Cunningham did not twist his name to BushHitler or the like, he simply used his REAL name. Something is wrong if you can't speak a person's name. Very wrong.

This is the problem I have with your type. You really believe that the GOP is chock full of morons who will hear his middle name and go into muslim-panic mode and readily believe all the Lew Rockwellian type conspiracy theories about Barack Obama wanting to become POTUS to overthrown the gov't.

Your intentions is to instill panic.

Most Republicans are insulted and rightly so. Do you really believe we were born yesterday?

Look, you have to make a decision here. The GOP is the Party of intellects, if you guys have to resort to the level of a Cunningham or a Lew Rockwell, perhaps this party isn't for you.

Posted by April Orit | February 27, 2008 12:54 PM

Wow. Lots of trolls out today.

Posted by John | February 27, 2008 12:55 PM

Here are a few points i'd like to make:
1-It IS Barack's middle name.
2-He's probably used to fending off unfortunate remarks since the war began.
3-People repeating "Hussain" could actually be beneficial, since the more familiar a name becomes, the less we associate it with anything other than the individual.

On the other hand:
1-People should be referred to by the name they prefer. If my name was Penelope, and I wanted to be called "Penny", it would be obnoxious for anyone to keep calling me Penelope. It's a matter of showing respect.
2-Hillary calls herself "Hillary"-on all her signs and such, so that isn't a comparable example. Barack doesn't refer to himself as "Barack Hussain Obama". Furthermore, if you WERE going to be comparable, you'd have to call Hillary "Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton". That's her full name.
3-It isn't that people are saying Obama's middle name. Obama knows what his middle name is. It's the tone, and the intention of the people using it to remind people of the negative associations. If Obama's middle name was "Joe" you can bet-that no one would feel the need to repeat it over and over.

Posted by julie | February 27, 2008 12:58 PM

The GOP is the Party of intellects... the GOP is chock full of morons who will hear his middle name and go into muslim-panic mode

April, that's bordering on being schizophrenic.

Unlike you, I have faith in people that they will not panic just from hearing a person's name.

Posted by John M | February 27, 2008 1:00 PM

Rove is a Bushy. That limits his credability with me. Bush has been far too weak against the dems, from White House vandalism thru Sandy Burger and now.

Posted by Smarty | February 27, 2008 1:02 PM

Identity Politics is Identity Politics. Rove is wrong. Barack Hussein Obama by his name alone signals he is the avatar of Identity Politics.

Which by definition exclude white guys. Period. White guys make up the largest sector of the electorate. And married women (to white guys) are invested in their husband's career cause it pays half the expenses. They can't afford to see their husbands pushed off the job for Identity Politics Affirmative Action (which takes jobs and opportunities from White Guys and gives them to Blacks, Latinos, and women).

Blue Collar White Guys are the most at-risk from Identity Politics. They make up alone 25% of the electorate (the largest single demographic slice). Getting these guys on your side by pointing out the Barack Hussein Obama threat to them from Identity Politics is entirely rational, and hardly racist. Obama pushes himself as the "Black Candidate" so he can hardly complain when others push themselves as the "White Candidate."

This is the harvest of 50 years of Identity Politics.

Posted by Jim Rockford | February 27, 2008 1:03 PM

April, that's bordering on being schizophrenic.
Unlike you, I have faith in people that they will not panic just from hea