It's His Name, Stupid

MANIFESTO

Republican hit-and-runners like Rush Limbaugh and Bill Cunningham have made sport lately of making sure everyone is aware that Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein. "It's his name!" they declare. "How can it be unfair if it's his name?" Well, here's why:

Anyone know John McCain's middle name?

Didn't think so.

That's because a person's middle name is irrelevant to his or her ability to be President. And 98% of Americans get that.

But that is not who the GOP red-meaters are appealing to. They are simply trying to perpetuate the myth that Obama is Muslim. They are hoping the small, ignorant few that believe this to be true will be enough to swing the vote the GOP way. And they have good reason to think this. The last two Presidential elections were won by a fraction of the vote.

So yes, Hussein is Obama's name. But that doesn't absolve Republicans from charges of racism and bigotry when they try to use it against him.

(BTW, McCain's middle name is Sidney! How gay!)