McCain disavows comments about Obama

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Stop dodging the question/s.

So. Again. why aren't they calling any of the other candidates by their full names?

Why is it relevant to do this in Obama's case, but not the other candidates?

Why isn't John McCain being referred to as John Sidney McCain?

I am not dodging the question. Refer to him as John Sidney McCain if you like. Use everyones full name. You still can't tell me it's wrong to use the mans real name.

Its not wrong to use it. But you seem to be under the impression that Bill Cunningham is doing so honestly, and that there isn't a smear campaign against Obama painting him as some sort of Muslim agent.

Yes you are dodging the question - So for the 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 100th time - why aren't the commentators giving the other candidates the same treatment?

I don't care if they are. I am objecting to the PC view that we can't use his middle name.

You might not care whether they are - but again that's avoiding the question. So yet again I ask - why aren't any other of the candidates full names being spelled out in the popular usage?

Don't answer - this one is rhetorical. Noone is using Diane or Sidney for Clinton and McCain because the names are for lack of a better word irrelevant to their campaigns and their aspirations to presidential office. Hussein should be irrelevant also - except its being spelled out for the sole reason that it ties in with certain internet smears being promoted by certain parts of media.

Its a 1+1=2 scenario. Not hard to follow. The point is obvious - and you keep missing it.

I see your point. I just don't agree with it. I don't care if they use everyones middle name or use no ones middle name. But I don't like the idea that we somehow CAN'T use someones middle name. His name is his name and if someone says it it's just that, his name.

You can use it. What's being said here is simply - why is this relevant?

Why make a big deal about spelling out that Obama's name is Hussein? It is, and should be irrelevant.

Its irrelevant where the other candidates are concerned - so why is this Talk Radio guy taking pains to establish that Obama has a middle name - and it is Hussein? His agenda is obvious. To everyone, but you...

It's not a PC thing. The guys using his middle name are doing so as a quiet dog-whistle smear. Oh, we just said his middle name! That's not a smear, wink wink nudge nudge. We can stoke racism and prejudice while keeping our hands clean! There's a contingent that believes that Obama is a secret Muslim who is going to overthrow the United States and that he may be the Antichrist. This guy is pandering to them.

Is there anything wrong with his middle name? No. Is there something wrong with repeatedly saying it (when it's not common to refer to McCain as John SIDNEY McCain or... hmm, I can't think of anyone else's middle name off the top of my head. Wonder why?) just so the nutjobs can get their hate on? Yeah.

As much as it would be if you were running for office, Gary, and some racists hated interracial marriage, and your opponents campaign made sure everytime they mentioned you, they made a big deal over your Filipina wife on unrelated issues. Anything wrong with marrying Luz or mentioning it? No. Something fishy with stoking the fires of hatred? Yeah.

McCain honorably called the guy on his bullshit. Good for him. Why would he want to pander to prejudiced morons?

Well said.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Im trying to draw a comparison between the outrage for a person who says a persons middle name versus the happiness one feels when they see Bushs head on a hitler uniform.

I don't feel happy when I see Bush's head on Hitler uniform.

Im trying to draw a comparison between the outrage for a person who says a persons middle name versus the happiness one feels when they see Bushs head on a hitler uniform.

I don't feel happy when I see Bush's head on Hitler uniform.

Oddly enough - neither do I.

Im trying to draw a comparison between the outrage for a person who says a persons middle name versus the happiness one feels when they see Bushs head on a hitler uniform.

I don't feel happy when I see Bush's head on Hitler uniform.

I don't think anyone who is posting here will be happy to see Bush's head on Hitler uniform.

Can any of you point to any of your past posts where you have shown the same outrage as you are showing here in this thread?

Oddly enough - "outrage" is a bit of a strong word to describe my feelings toward this thread. I'm not "outraged" by this at all. The fact that it has spun out to so many pages is simply because Gary doesn't want to connect obvious dots - or recognise an obvious double-standard.

Personally, I think this whole thing is rather silly.

It is very silly! The one thing also bothers me is that Obama is letting the media run with it. Why hasnt he came out and shown pride for his name or even said anything about it ?

[Caladan 19]

He has said something in the past (like years ago) about both of his names being family names. It's not really a big deal, unless you're a right-wing talk show host or an audience of slavering idiots.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It is very silly! The one thing also bothers me is that Obama is letting the media run with it. Why hasnt he came out and shown pride for his name or even said anything about it ?

Why hasn't he? For the simple reason that its totally irrelevant. Irrelevant to all, except those who want to use it as a xenophobic racist dig.

When did you hear someone stand in front of the media and say "Gee, I'm so proud my name is Jeffrey".

Ridiculous.

Why should he (or any candidated) allow his campaign to be distracted to deal with these sorts of baseless rumours and silly tinkering over his name?

Though clearly that sort of distraction is what the folks propagating this stuff seem to want. You can't talk about policy if you're having to defend yourself from this sort of rubbish. Hence the best strategy, surely, is to call it out for what it is and then ignore it.

Edited February 27, 2008 by Number 6

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

He has said something in the past (like years ago) about both of his names being family names. It's not really a big deal, unless you're a right-wing talk show host or an audience of slavering idiots.

ironically the same people who compare McCain to Hitler and other intelligent stuff

[Caladan 19]

I've never compared McCain or Bush to Hitler.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

He has said something in the past (like years ago) about both of his names being family names. It's not really a big deal, unless you're a right-wing talk show host or an audience of slavering idiots.

Complaining about someones use of anothers name and then calling people " slavering idiots" Its okay for you? Thanks for makin my point! Well done.

A left wing classic remark.

Edited February 27, 2008 by CarolsMarc

[Caladan 19]

I figure anyone who believes Obama is the literal Antichrist qualifies as a slavering idiot. That's not an insult so much as an observation.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I've never compared McCain or Bush to Hitler.

I know - I meant the people who are suggesting Obama is the muslim anti-christ have also compared McCain to Hitler. Kind of ironic!

[Caladan 19]

I've never compared McCain or Bush to Hitler.

I know - I meant the people who are suggesting Obama is the muslim anti-christ have also compared McCain to Hitler. Kind of ironic!

Oh, well, see, they're nuts.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

I figure anyone who believes Obama is the literal Antichrist qualifies as a slavering idiot. That's not an insult so much as an observation.

Caladan, the hate you feel in your heart for the right is shining through. Obama would surely disapprove. After all he will reach across the aisle to get things done. Hope buddy HOPE!

[GaryC 7]

Look, here is my point. I understand that the talk show host was using his middle name as a way to slam him. I agree that it wasn't right. But the idea that anyone that uses his middle name is somehow wrong is what I object to. His name is his name and it's not right to be afraid of using it. I detest PC thinking above all else. That is all I have ever said.

And where did anyone call Obama the anti-christ? That is a new one on me.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Look, here is my point. I understand that the talk show host was using his middle name as a way to slam him. I agree that it wasn't right. But the idea that anyone that uses his middle name is somehow wrong is what I object to. His name is his name and it's not right to be afraid of using it. I detest PC thinking above all else. That is all I have ever said.

And where did anyone call Obama the anti-christ? That is a new one on me.

Noone has said or implied that his middle name is taboo. Everyone is responding to the specific context that it is being used in (i.e. the internet rumours, and the comments coming out of Talk Radio), and the obvious reasoning behind that context.

There's nothing wrong with Obama's middle name. That being the case - why do people feel the need to mess with established terms of address? There's no call to throw in "Sidney" in between John McCain, and likewise there's no reason (outside of the smear rationale already explained) to do that to Obama either.

Edited February 27, 2008 by Number 6

[Peikko 1,575]

I have to confess, I thought Rodham was Clinton's middle name. I now know it is her maiden name which is fine but funny to me too, kinda.

[GaryC 7]

Look, here is my point. I understand that the talk show host was using his middle name as a way to slam him. I agree that it wasn't right. But the idea that anyone that uses his middle name is somehow wrong is what I object to. His name is his name and it's not right to be afraid of using it. I detest PC thinking above all else. That is all I have ever said.

And where did anyone call Obama the anti-christ? That is a new one on me.

Noone has said or implied that noone can use his name. Everyone is responding to the specific context that it is being used in, and the obvious reasoning behind that context.

There's nothing wrong with Obama's middle name. That being the case - why do people feel the need to mess with established terms of address?

There's no call to throw in "Sidney" in between John McCain, and likewise there's no reason (outside of the smear rationale already explained) to do that to Obama either.

I have seen full names used in print and TV all the time for our presidents. I get the feeling that it would change where Obama is concerned.