Comments on: RNC denounces use of 'Hussein' in Obama's name

By: Me2

Me2 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:35:47 +0000

John McCain's middle name is Sidney?! I'm changing my vote to Democrat this year!

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:35:46 +0000

Nice touch. What will the RNC do to prevent the next Swift Boat organization of knuckleheads? Forgive my cynicism, but I'm thinking this is merely a smoke screen so the RNC can say it wasn't them and it wasn't official. Want to impress me? Denounce the "southern strategy". Denounce the strategy of claiming anyone with the gall to disagree with George W. Bush is unpatriotic. Denounce the strategy that implies that those of us opposed to warrantless wiretaps are "on the side of the terrorists". Denounce the implication that those of us that scorn the use of torture in our name somehow "hate America". I won't hold my breath. 327 days till the end of the Bush administration.

By: CHERYL

CHERYL — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:35:45 +0000

JUST ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE IT EASY FOR HIM!

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!

IT IS HIS NAME!

GO HILLARY!!!!!

By: Richard K. Imel

Richard K. Imel — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:35:22 +0000

Well the press sure uses Clinton's middle name a lot and nothing is said about that. Obama's middle name scares the heck out of me. I do not trust this man. Words are cheap. I have always felt this man is a plant and the American people are playing right into his hand. God help this country if he is elected!!!!

By: Nate in Mpls

Nate in Mpls — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:35:22 +0000

Soon the GOP will be trying to convince the fine people of the United States that Obama ALSO has WMDs hidden in Illinois.

By: Obsa

Obsa — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:35:20 +0000

I thought we were living in a civilized world where people are judged by their deeds not by their names. The far right should be ashamed of their smear tactic. Since they are secluded in their own world their eyes are blind and cannot see what is going on in the world. I think they are missing a golden opportunity to adjust themselves with the future. They are people of the past.

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:35:16 +0000

Can we also ban the use of the name Hillary as well? We can denounce and reject it's use.

By: John Jones

John Jones — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:35:14 +0000

Why does it matter, Obama should just say it is my middle name. By making a big deal of it seems as if someone has something to hide.

By: R

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:35:06 +0000

Well , here we go again, they find another way of making it "all about him",
where there is smoke , there is fire, and I think the media should be digging deeper in Obama 's past.
Boy , are you Americans in for a surprise, if he is elected.
Remember this is the one whose wife is only proud of her country , now that her husband is running.
I watch in amazement , how you are all falling for his "bull" and no substance.
This is the guy who thinks Canada has a President, doe he even know where we are?

By: Allen, NE

Allen, NE — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:34:59 +0000

It's not just a name that's at the heart of this matter. It is context and tone and everyone knows that. There is absolutely nothing wrong with his name, but to say his name in a manner that implies he is bomb-carrying psycho is pitiful and downright awful.

Nice duck n cover GOP. If nothing was wrong or inaccurate then I expect no retraction of what they were doing. If you’re correct then don’t back down. Because they did speaks for itself.

People who do this stuff are who we refer to as leaders. Those who suck it up are called idiots and our ‘leaders’ rely heavily on that!

By: Patty

Patty — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:34:54 +0000

It seems that the Obama campaign is getting more upset about this than they should. Wasn't it them that that claimed the picture of him on a visit to Africa was a terrible plot by the Clinton campaign and he went all negative? Now they don't like using his middle name or having it mentioned? It seems that Obama supporters have no problem in calling Hillary Clinton every name under the sun but are upset about a picture that no one should have complained about or using his real name. Who is making a fuss more than the Obama campaign? It seems they seem to be using it to their full advantage and to again claim some kind of racism? Sorry, but I am getting tired of this whole thing and it stinks! Can we say anything about him anymore without his supporters claiming foul?

By: George in Chicago

George in Chicago — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:34:14 +0000

I don't think the RNC is the biggest worry right now. Billary still lurks out there, and if I were Obama, that is what would keep me up at night. This country needs to put the stake through Billary's heart now!

By: Bill Jay

Bill Jay — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:34:11 +0000

If his middle name is HUSSEIN then use it.............................................
barack hussein obama that is what I go by....big deal.

By: Chris N

Chris N — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:34:07 +0000

Barack is not ashamed of his middle name, nor is he ashamed of his paternal links nor is he against anybody using his full name nor is any of his supporters against that too. What he and we are against is someone insinuating things and generating baseless fear in people by using his middle name in the context that it is evil, that he is Saddam Hussaine, that he is moslem, that he is anti-semitic or that he is Farrakhan. These are falsehoods, inuendoes by shameless individuals with no substance in them and who have no arguments whatsoever to make in issues concerning this nation now. This is the basis for the complaint. No one has used HRC's middle name in any suggestive manner as they have that of Barack.

By: CuriousInTexas

CuriousInTexas — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:33:45 +0000

I am disgusted with the anti-Islamic bigotry displayed on this forum and in the press. So what if he has a muslim name? Is that such a bad thing? There are millions of Americans with muslim names. It is shameful that no one at the national level is questioning the underlying premise of these allegations. This is as bad as anti-semtism.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:33:45 +0000

For all those people who say what's the big deal about using his middle name – What is John McCain's middle name? And why is it not being used? Obviously those who are stressing Barack Obama's middle name are doing so in order to create a false impression about his origins and his intentions to activate the nation's bias and stupidity.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:33:42 +0000

When is the media going to take their kid gloves off Obama. A name is a name if we're all proud Americans. If you're trying to hide something, or if you're not proud of something, you're not a proud American. If Obama is afraid of America finding out what his middle name is, what else is he afraid of us finding out?

By: Trisha Mahajan

Trisha Mahajan — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:33:28 +0000

I have noticed politicians dgoing to countries around the world and paying respect to their traditions by wearing the traditional garbs. I do not understand why Obama wearing Kenyan traditional attire is such a big issue.

Thanks
Trisha

By: Mike, Land O Lakes, FL

Mike, Land O Lakes, FL — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:33:22 +0000

The republicans know that there is a lot more excitement on the Dem side than Rep and are afraid of having Obama as the nominee. These attacks are part of their tactic to help Hillary win in hope that the hate they have for Clintons will energize and unit the Republican Party.

By: hellonewmans

hellonewmans — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:33:10 +0000

I think it's pretty disgusting and is very much akin to the school bullying that I encounter every day as a teacher...I mean, seriously, who makes fun of a person's name as an adult?!? Not to mention that is racially profiling a person.

Lay off already – you're doing more harm to your party than good.

By: w, canada

w, canada — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:33:08 +0000

Whether it is used to create fear or not - thats not the issue... what is the problem of using one's middle name when that is in fact his middle name.. if he is afraid of being linked to muslims by his middle name, then it just shows what kind of person he is

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:33:04 +0000

According to the new logic imposed on common names by the conservatives, if your last name ends in those suffixes you are now Jewish, even if you are not jewish. Whoopi Goldberg take notice.

This change is due to the fact that Obama's middle name means he's muslim. If you know any white conservatives whose last name ends in Stein, Berg or Man, please enlighten them of the new change.

Thanks and goodnight.

By: interesting

interesting — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:32:59 +0000

Now that he is a perceived threat to winning the white house – the attacks and focus on his origin truly begin in the media. Hmmmmm!

By: JA Cook

JA Cook — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:32:57 +0000

Indie in Iowa: " it just makes me wonder what Obama has to hide."

What a perfect example of how petty we can get.

By: t

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:32:48 +0000

The simple fact is that if it people were just using to pronounce his whole name that would be fine, except there are a few caveats. first, I don't see any other candidate being referred to by their middle name. Second, it is only used when he is being criticized so to add a bit of fear into ignorant people (which unfortunately there are a lot of), its not what he goes by so why should it be important in public discourse? as mentioned a few times earlier, it is a popular middle eastern and african name. third, he has had to dispel, ignorant, unfounded, and ridiculous accusations every time he has ran for office base solely on his name. If we want to make our country better we have to get past this stupid stuff, unfortunately there are people out there who do and make this a big deal because it incites fear and a cognitive reference to our war of terror even though any accusation about the is FALSE. That is why I support Barack because I think he is the person who has the best opportunity to unite people on so many different levels that, for common causes and common good.

By: Sheldon Stansfield

Sheldon Stansfield — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:32:38 +0000

There is nothing wrong with his middle name, or the tribal garb he was presented with while visiting the birth place of his father. What is wrong is the use made of it by the human garbage who are trying to frighten people into believing he is some kind of middle eastern extremist. I think they should continue, it is this sort of thing that has middle america looking for something different.

By: Mischka, Boca Raton, FL

Mischka, Boca Raton, FL — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:32:36 +0000

IT'S HIS NAME!!! GET OVER IT!!!
How ridiculous that we have come to a point that we cannot refer to someone by their given name! Political correctness at its worse!
IT'S HIS NAME!! SUCK IT UP AND DEAL!

As far as we can't debate Obama on the issues, I think it is Obama that does not want to debate the issues.
Again people! IT IS HIS NAME! MOVE ON!

By: Anne E.

Anne E. — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:32:13 +0000

The only people "concerned" about Mr. Obama's middle name are, in fact, the wingnuts and Faux Noise (same thing). They seem to think they can extend the administration's playing the fear card with tactics such as this, as well as substituting "Osama" instead of "Obama," and now capitalizing on the photo mentioned in the article. How many past presidents, first ladies, and other elected officials have traveled to other countries and dressed in a particular country's traditional garb? What's the difference in this case? Personally, I don't care WHERE Barack Obama is from, whether he does or doesn't use his middle name, I don't care about his religious affiliation, and I certainly don't care whether he chooses to dress or not dress in a particular style on any visit he makes to anyplace, be it Somali, Kenya, Seattle, or Kansas City! What I care about is how he plans to "drive the bus out of the ditch." So far, I like what I've heard and will proudly cast my vote for him.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:31:54 +0000

There ISN'T anything wrong with his middle name. HIS PRIDE OR HERITAGE IS NOT WHAT'S BEING QUESTIONED.

What is being called into question is the CONTEXT in which it's being used... a fearmongering attempt by the right to attempt to slander him, or suggest that he belongs to another faith, or misrepresent his convictions or beliefs.

I cringe to think that our public school system hasn't taught you people how to think critically or behave like civilized adults.

Obama '08!!!

By: Vickie

Vickie — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:31:09 +0000

What is going on here? Is Obama not proud of who he is? His father was from Kenya and his mother from US. He is not an African American. I wish he would stop saying that. I am an African-American woman voting for Hillary Clinton. GO HILLARY!

By: L

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:31:05 +0000

U know what.....although they used his name in a attempt to freak people out, IT IS HIS NAME, and obamas just going to have to get used to that, because its not going to go away. If he is proud of his name he should just roll with it, its part of him and its going to be used against him forever..thats the bottom line

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:31:03 +0000

Hillary Rodham Clinton! Oh my! What's in a name...

By: Marcus, Independence MO

Marcus, Independence MO — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:30:55 +0000

This is exactly why Americans are moving away from the RELIGOUS RIGHT. This is if anything discreet racism. The republicans are trying to fear mongering their way back into the white house. A sad shame that most of you don't realize the rest of the world is watching. And if they see these type of tactics being used how do you think they will respond to U.S. leadership. How do you think the Muslim world will respond to all of this? If you think your oil is high now wait until the Repbulicans are done blasting a man with a Muslim last name. Most of you guys will be walking to work.

By: TJ

TJ — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:30:45 +0000

Nowhere in this article does it say Obama is not proud of his middle name so I don't know how y'all are drawing that conclusion. It's the DNC and RNC people who are causing a stir...and rightfully so! It's at the point where the right wing has repeatedly used it as a tactic to elicit connections to the infamous Hussein family from Iraq and the Muslim faith. Oh no! Islam will take over America if Obama is elected!!!!!! It's despicable. Grow the F up.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:30:39 +0000

I pray there will come a day, when a name is just a name, a skin color is just a skin color and a gender is just a gender. It's the person we are voting for, not the ethnicity, color or sexual orientation.

If and or when Obama is elected, he will represent the entire United States, not the black United States, or the Hussein's of the United States.

If that scares some people... well.. I feel kinda sad for them.

By: Brendan H., San Antonio, TX

Brendan H., San Antonio, TX — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:30:32 +0000

And another thing........are we to believe the RNC isn't happy with this when they sat on their hands while McCain was getting skewered in South Carolina in 2000 with the same style of tactics?!?!?!

By: Jesse

Jesse — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:30:28 +0000

America will become a Muslim country. No more attacks from Osama.

Good if Obama elected. America will be part of Middle East countries.

Be prepared to become isolated from other Christian countries.

By: Jane Ward

Jane Ward — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:30:28 +0000

If anyone be offended by Senator Obama's middle name, then he obviously has no business being President of the United States! And, by the way, how did he get to be a Senator? Did his name change?

By: Tina - NY

Tina - NY — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:30:20 +0000

OK Republicans, here we go again!! Don't act like you didn't intend to spread fear and hatred by playing up Obama's middle name. Wake up America!! Do the words "Willie Horton" mean anything to you people?? Do we have to continue being fooled by the Republican hate machine every four years? Tell you what - I'll break bread with 100 muslim citizens of this country any day instead of 1 conservative christian zealot! Don't let this stunt influence you. Remember those immortal words - "Fool me once, shame on you - Fool me twice (or 4 or 5 times), shame on ME !!"

By: A CANUCK

A CANUCK — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:30:18 +0000

Hillary Rodham Clinton....is NOT her full name. Rodham is her single
surname. Just what is her MIDDLE name ????
OOOHHH........MUST BE A CONSPIRACY !!!!!!!

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:30:10 +0000

I've known Muslims before and they are good, hard working, honest people. Just because a person is a Muslim does not mean they are a radical terrorist. Yes, some are, but the VAST (and we're talking 99.999999% here) majority aren't. The comment made by the Tennessee RNC was meant to prey on fears that the name would bring up. Hussein is as common to the Muslim world as Smith is to us. There are at least several hundred million people in the Muslim world with that name who are honest and upstanding citizens of wherever they live. I don't care if his middle name is used as long as it is used with respect. As it was used by the RNC in TN, there was no point for it and as such it is suspect. Sen. Obama is a died in the wool American, raised here. He doesn't have ties to zealots simply because his name is one of the most common names in that part of the world. That's like saying everyone named Smith must be a blacksmith because traditionally that's what the name meant.

By: Ann Kuminns

Ann Kuminns — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:30:03 +0000

These are the people who demonstrate that racism is still alive and well in the US today. They wonder why so many other countries distrust us and you just have to go back to these tactics. What's in a name after all? Why is it that one usually disrespects and makes fun of names of Islamic origin? Who can anyone blame for how the Islamic countries feel about the US? We are the ones asking for it. As long as we allow such bigotry to not only exist, but to thrive, we are just burying our heads in the sand. Christians, jews and muslims, if you really study history, you know that many of these names are exactly the same, just expressed in a different way or language. Ignorance is the scourge and these "uneducated" bigots should not be allowed to destroy the basic tenets of humanity.

By: Robbie

Robbie — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:30:02 +0000

Of course it is his name, and without the slanderous intent, there is nothing wrong with using it. Unfortunately, we live in a country where politics mimics grade school name calling. No one is so stupid they could not understand the purpose behind the comments of Tennessee's Republican Party - or to have understood the attitudes of those party leaders. Makes me glad I don't live in Tennessee and makes me doubly glad I changed my registration from Republican to Democrat for this election!

By: Mariann Pepitone

Mariann Pepitone — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:30:02 +0000

Hillary Clinton uses her middle name all the time. Obama's middle name Hussein is the first name of this father and he should not be ashamed to use it. The RNC should keep their comments to themselves and not get involved in candidates names. His middle name is what it is. Maybe because it is the last name of Saddam. However if the Clinton campaign wants to use that name there is nothing the RNC can do about it. I don't know why his mother didn't name her son since he was born in this country, Why give him a Kenyan name . His father was not even a citizen of this country,. What was she thinking.

By: monica, rochester ny

monica, rochester ny — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:25:07 +0000

How many of you have ancestors who were immigrants to this country? A lot. I think you'll recall the practice immigrants had of shortening their foreign names so they would not stand out. They weren't ashamed of their names, they just knew weak minded humans have always tried to divide people based on irrelevant and meaningless differences, even being willing to condmen someone for their very name. I bet a good number of you pretending like you don't understand what's going on, have some fake name that wasn't what you're grandparents were really born with. Obama is proud of his name, but weak minded and evil people are trying to use it as a weapon of fear. You look foolish for pretending you don't understand this. How transparent.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:25:03 +0000

Maybe people should just address Mabus as Mr O since its become more and more policy to handle Obama with kid gloves afterall we dont wanna hurt anyone's feelings. Give me a break people this is a run for the most pwerfull job on Earth, he will literally have the future of the world at his fingertips....With one decision, he could throw the world into chaos....We should crawl right up his cavity and inspect it with microscopic closeness....As a people we not only have the right but we have the responsibility....I dont care what Cnn or anyone else says...America has the responsibility to know who they put into that office and give the codes to the nukes they possess!!!!!! Have a nice Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rob

By: Mike, Land O Lakes, FL

Mike, Land O Lakes, FL — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:24:30 +0000

This is the kind of thing that turns off Independents like my self. I think if Reps continue with this hateful fear mongering, they'll loose the election on every level as they did in 2006!!

By: Marika

Marika — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:24:12 +0000

In support of Obama alot of us are adopting in middle name into ours. eg. Jane "Hussein" Doe! It's a type of protest against ignorance which leads to racism. Bringing our attention what American Muslims endure all too often. Most muslims are peaceful and just want to be part of the American dream. We are proud of our "new" middle name "Hussein".

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:23:35 +0000

It is his middle name, his parents gave that too him. He should be proud of that. I have heard many politicians use thier FULL name. He will have to use it when or if he is SWORN into office. That is how things are done. Is it what you want to hear, the President of the United States, with the name Hussein?

By: Ann

Ann — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:21:43 +0000

This will be actually the problem Americans will face every day if Obama becomes the president. Bye-bye freedom of speech. Now, if you say "I don't like Obama'" you are asked "why, are you racist?" Can you imagine if he becomes president that nobody will dare to say anything against him? Do you think you'll feel comfortable to openly criticize the president like you do now with Bush? And don't tell me Obama will do everything perfect so there will be no reasons for critiques. What was so dramatic about using his middle name or photo? Nobody has a problem to show any photo they want with Hillary or to use Rodham. Why is everybody afraid to touch this man?