Maureen Dowd plays the false indignation card in her pay-per-view column of today, What’s in a Name, Barry?
The gist: those mean Republicans are trying to tar the rising star of the Democratic party [legally-mandated descriptor] by making malign associations with his moniker. The GOP's latest mischief - letting people know that the middle name of the junior senator from Illinois is "Hussein."
Bunk. Any possible shock value in the Barack Hussein Obama handle has already largely faded. And this being a nation that likes to see itself as open and accepting, I'd say that, should he stay in the race, by election time his name will be an absolute advantage. Predicted opening line at the 2008 DNC Convention - if it comes to that - "I am an American. And my name is Barack Hussein Obama." Cue the wild cheering on the floor as Katie Couric gets all misty up in the booth.
Trying to make her case against the GOP, Dowd takes things a campaign too far: "The Republicans are expert at tying Democrats to villains. . . Lee Atwater, yoked Willie Horton to Michael Dukakis." Sorry, Maureen. It was Dukakis who yoked Horton to himself by giving a weekend pass to the convicted murderer who took the occasion to rape a woman twice and brutally assault her boyfriend.
Even the Dukakis campaign had to acknowledge, in its own way, that the infamous "Willie Horton ad" was fair. Note this from a 2004 Roger Simon column:
"What was [Dukakis] going to say about Willie Horton that the public would buy? This was best demonstrated at the time by a senior Dukakis aide who disgustedly pushed a piece of paper across a table at me and said: 'OK, you write our response to Willie Horton. You write the catchy phrase. You come up with the 30-second spot. You come up with the jingle. What are we supposed to say? That Horton wasn't let out of prison and that he didn't rape that woman? What the hell are we supposed to say?'"
Precisely. What made the Horton ad so effective was that it was true.
But back to Barack. His problem with the voters will not be his name. It will be his down-the-line liberal views that are at odds with the American electorate. Democrats might point to their mid-term success as proof that the country has moved left. But throwing the Republican bums out is one thing. Electing a Commander-in-Chief with a 100% rating from the uber-liberal ADA is another. Call him Barry Hunter O'Brien, and Americans still won't buy it.
Finkelstein recently returned from Iraq. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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For most people, if they've e
December 2, 2006 - 07:02 ET by sublight68For most people, if they've even heard of him at all, what they know of Barack probably goes no further than the "rising star" label. Everyone just assumes he's an impressive powerhouse because that's all they've heard.
He's like the untested second string quarterback -- when the starter falls out of favor (Hillary), everyone starts clamoring to put in the backup, with starry-eyed visions that he'll lead the team to the SuperBowl.
Then, when he finally hits the field, and all his weaknesses and foibles are exposed, the fans realize he's not so great after all, jump off the bandwagon, and start looking forward to the draft.
Mark, What exactly do you mea
December 2, 2006 - 07:39 ET by Donovan16Mark, What exactly do you mean that "Democratic" is the legally mandated descriptor? Pres. Bush doesn't use that term and neither should we.
I was referring, tongue-in-
December 2, 2006 - 07:45 ET by Mark FinkelsteinI was referring, tongue-in-cheek, to the phrase "rising star of the Democratic party."
hey, even Steve Dils managed
December 2, 2006 - 10:41 ET by PeskyDanehey, even Steve Dils managed to play for 10 years... LOL
Barack HUSSSEIN Obama will never be president
December 3, 2006 - 05:25 ET by PShannonBarack HUSSEIN Obama is an apostate Muslim. He was educated in madrassas in Hawaii and Indonesia from an early age up until high school, when his mother divorced her second Muslim husband and returned to Hawaii.
He joined the Trinity United Church of Christ in his early twenties, at the beginning of his public life.
In his 1995 memoir, "Dreams from My Father", Obama admits to using marijuana and cocaine.
He opposes the death penalty and school vouchers, supports racial preferences, gun control, and the right to partial-birth abortions
America will never elect an uber-liberal, apostate Muslim and self-admitted drug user to the Office of the President of thre United States.
Barry Hunter or Berry Hunte
December 2, 2006 - 07:47 ET by Red JeepBarry Hunter or Berry Hunter?
the Democratic party [legal
December 2, 2006 - 08:08 ET by Jack Bauerthe Democratic party [legally-mandated descriptor]
Oddly enough Rush covered this point earliar in the week on his show.
As he said, it is the Democrat Party -- and that it really annoys some Democrats who want to change it to Democratic.
Anything that annoys the Democrat party has to be a good thing.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast
militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
Arrgh. My focus was not o
December 2, 2006 - 08:22 ET by Mark FinkelsteinArrgh. My focus was not on the Democrat-Democratic divide, but just an attempt at humor noting the way Barack is inevitably referred to nowadays as a "rising star" or "rock star."
I did hear Rush on the "Democrat party" thing, and don't go along. I think the Dems have a point that they are entitled to be called what they want, and Republicans who refer to them as the Democrat party tend to sound petty to me.
"rock star."I al
December 2, 2006 - 08:29 ET by Jack Bauer"rock star."
I always wonder why he's never referred to as a Rap Star?
Bit racist by the media methinks. Almost as if the MSM consider that a pejorative term with a predominently white electorate.
And clearly they never thought of Keith Moon, Kurt Cobain or Courtney Love when thinking "rock star."
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast
militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
BHO by any name is still be
December 2, 2006 - 09:02 ET by Right2thePointBHO by any name is still being hyped by the MSM like the latest and greatest diet plan guaranteed to get your sweety to prom weight in 3 days without even trying.
All spin with no substance.
As far as the Democrat/Democratic thing, I believe you are wrong and Rush does make an important distinction that it is wrongful attempt to try to put a conceptual spin thru relabeling. I think you underestimate the the baseness of the attempt.
Hey Mark.
December 2, 2006 - 13:29 ET by Gary HallHas there ever been (OK - limited to, say the past 30-35 years or so) a Repulican who was trumped up in the MSM, as a "rising star" or "rock star" or "a rising voice" or how about "a good person?"
Oddly enough, Rush is wrong.
December 2, 2006 - 15:36 ET by crsheddOddly enough, Rush is wrong. The legally organized name is Democratic Party. Hard to believe Rush could get something wrong. Even Wikipedia was able to correctly identify one of two major parties in the United States. Saying Democrat Party is just another way for conservatives to attempt to show how witty they are. Boy, I can hardly wait for Fox's answer to the Daily Show.
LMAO crashed.....Wikipedia yo
December 2, 2006 - 15:41 ET by bigtimerLMAO crashed.....Wikipedia you say, as if that is the be all and end all...
I think NOT! It is the defeatocratic party, and don't you forget that....
"Once the coffers of the federal government are opened to the public, there will be no shutting them again." - Grover Cleveland
Funny, go to wikipedia and
December 2, 2006 - 16:09 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsFunny, go to wikipedia and look at 'democrat party' and you will see it listed as a slam by conservatives and, too funny, it was last edited about the time cr(ushed)head posted his comment. 2 December 2039 internet time. Guess that will soon change once this is seen. Can you say shill?
DSG
Could someone please tell m
December 2, 2006 - 08:42 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsCould someone please tell me how Barack Hussein Obama is any more or less qualified than my 'Pet Rock' for the office of President Of The United States Of America?
DSG
Barack has 10 years experienc
December 2, 2006 - 15:48 ET by crsheddBarack has 10 years experience as an elected official. George Bush had 5 years (as govenor of Texas, which is not a very powerful govenorship) of experience as an elected official. Ronald Reagan had 8 years as an elected official (govenor of California is a very powerful govenorship).
Once again, you fail to ans
December 2, 2006 - 16:12 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsOnce again, you fail to answer the question.
DSG
Okay, subtle is not your stro
December 2, 2006 - 16:18 ET by crsheddOkay, subtle is not your strong suit.
Barack has as much or more experience than Ronald Reagan (oops, I forgot his tenure as Pres of Screen Actors Guild, sorry) and GWBush when they ran for President.
My local dogcatcher has 12
December 2, 2006 - 16:27 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsMy local dogcatcher has 12 years experience in public service as an elected official. According to your assessment, this alone qualifies him for President.
DSG
On the empty suit
December 2, 2006 - 18:46 ET by UnsaneIf history is any guide, crshedd, Obama would do much better running for governor of IL next go around. Note the following Presidents and their last political positions before becoming President:
FDR - Governor.
Truman - Vice President.
Eisenhower - Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (a four star general is not voted on by the public, but this is a leadership position, and Eisenhower WAS President)
JFK - Senator.
LBJ - Vice President.
Nixon - Vice President (failed run for CA governor, 1962).
Ford - Vice President.
Carter - Governor.
Reagan - Governor.
Bush - Vice President.
Clinton - Governor.
Bush - Governor.
Note that all, except Kennedy, had experience as an executive before becoming President. A great many Senators want to be President, but history has not been too kind as of late to Senators. Can it be argued that those who become President get executive experience before doing so? I would argue yes.
Incidentally, no Representative has gone straight from there to the Presidency since Garfield did in 1880.
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
...but Unsane, I think the le
December 2, 2006 - 18:57 ET by bigtimer...but Unsane, I think the leftist msm and the loony leftists want Osama Obama to be their first black Kennedy....
"Once the coffers of the federal government are opened to the public, there will be no shutting them again." - Grover Cleveland
No doubt!
December 2, 2006 - 21:10 ET by UnsaneThere is NO DOUBTING that. But not to worry. I, for one, immediately treat all that is gushed over by the MSM as suspect.
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
I don't know what sort of pre
December 2, 2006 - 08:47 ET by AlgerHissI don't know what sort of president he'd make. He talks and talks and talks. He'd make a helluva wife. Groucho Marx
Rochester, Minnesota: A Fem_Leftist City!
What do you want to bet that
December 2, 2006 - 09:16 ET by OklahomaIsShapedFunnyWhat do you want to bet that John Kerry has had a discussion with himself about changing his middle name to Abdullah?
LOL - clubhouse leader for
December 2, 2006 - 09:24 ET by Mark FinkelsteinLOL - clubhouse leader for best comment of the day!
"Theyre entitled to be c
December 2, 2006 - 10:09 ET by Donovan16"Theyre entitled to be called what they want"
Sorry but a party that screams "Fraud, Irregularities and Theft" everytime an election doesn't go their way doesn't get to be called "Democratic." And if they are the Democratic Party then what does that make us? The un-democratic or anti-democratic party?
Granted at first it sound awkward saying it but now I can't imagine saying something like "Democratic leaders." Democrat leaders sound perfect once you get used to it.
O'Bama
December 2, 2006 - 10:43 ET by iveseenitallThe media created the results of the last election. Now they've created O'Bama with the hope that the suckers out there will fall for their crap again. Are Americans too smart for this? Before the last election I would have answered "yes"; now I'm not so sure.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
iveseenitall
December 2, 2006 - 13:41 ET by SportPoliticsAll B Hussein O has to do is stand up there and make some glowing speeches, and the rest of the msm will do the " hey this is the guy to coronate - he's just so great it's unbelievable ", then every person who can't stand politics and never follows it will hear " he's so great, he should win", and they will say they like him and vote for him, because it will seem "acceptable".
I'd say that's 95% of those who do and may vote democrat.
If you ever ask them " Why, what has he done ?" , you'll get a blank stare and no answer.
what is wrong with this count
December 2, 2006 - 11:27 ET by buddycwhat is wrong with this country and liberals in particular is that a so called "pretty face" is more important than substance. the libs gave us Gore (borderline retard) and then Kerry and then Edwards. All pretty boys. All on the feminine side. All mental lightweights. Now we get Barack who likes a woman, has NO substance, no expreience.
Um, did I miss something here
December 2, 2006 - 12:10 ET by SvenUm, did I miss something here? Can anybody tell me why Barack Obama is being touted as the next great hope of the Dem Party and possible presidential contender in '08?
Can anybody tell me what's on this mans resume that makes him so appealing to the Dems?
I hate to say this (well maybe I don't), but it appears the Dems are once again using a person who is a perceived "victim" (African American), to help push their liberal agenda. We all know any questions on this man's qualifications or particular stands on issues will draw swift and strong accusations by the Dems and MSM as racism and intolerance.
Other examples of the Dems/MSM putting forth victims immune (in their eyes) from criticism include: Cindy Sheehan, Sen. John Murtha and Michael J. Fox.
I can only imagine Lynn Swann and Michael Steel sitting back watching the MSM's fawning and salivating over Mr. Obama, and thinking, "Who are the real racists?"
Welcome back Mark and thanks
December 2, 2006 - 13:21 ET by Dee BunkWelcome back Mark and thanks for the excellent reporting from Iraq. I didn’t have time to comment on your stories but read them all and you described things so well that I could really picture what you saw. I wonder if Maureen will ever go to Iraq?
Sorry for the tangent - I agree with you on Obama's record being a problem but it will still be a very steep hill for the Republicans to climb because the press will not talk about his record. Republicans will need a lot of money to get the word out. In IL they wouldn’t talk about his record at all and made it seem like his opponent was making things up. I know a lot of Republicans who voted for Obama because they think he is a moderate.
Thanks, DB, very glad to he
December 2, 2006 - 13:25 ET by Mark FinkelsteinThanks, DB, very glad to hear you enjoyed the Iraq Diary.
If Obama does become the Dem candidate the GOP is sure to have a lot of money available to get the word out on his very liberal record.
This explains it all to those
December 2, 2006 - 15:18 ET by bigtimerThis explains it all to those who were asking last night about Osama Obama.....Kennedy is being imitated here by Paul Shanklin....
"Once the coffers of the federal government are opened to the public, there will be no shutting them again." - Grover Cleveland
as my head explodes
December 2, 2006 - 16:21 ET by Rackie"I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States and will................." AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KABOOM!
Does anyone here know if Musl
December 2, 2006 - 17:40 ET by aeroDoes anyone here know if Muslims would consider Obama to be aspostate? I know he's a professed Christian, but I also know that at least one of his parents is/was Muslim and that he may have spent some of his childhood as a practicing Muslim. These are just rumors that I'm hearing and reading--I haven't confirmed or debunked them yet. Thought someone here might know better than I do. (I just don't know much about Obama yet. But since he's the MSM's new darling, I figure I'd better start finding out more about him.)
Anyway, if Muslims would consider Obama to be apostate, would leaders and diplomats from the more fundamentalist Islamic nations be allowed by their religious leaders to deal with Obama if he were president? Just curious. I know apostasy is punishable by death in the Islamic faith. When they can't execute an apostate, do they treat them like pariahs, or what? Just wondering.
The junior, not quite one-third done with the first term Sen
December 2, 2006 - 18:49 ET by UnsaneActually, I'd like to know why he is already being gushed over when he hasn't even finished one-third of his first term in office just yet. He isn't even the senior Senator from IL!
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
Four fingers pointing at yourself
December 2, 2006 - 23:43 ET by nkviking75Dowd says Republicans are good at linking Democrats to villains, yet it was no less than Teddy Kennedy who confused Obama with Osama in a speech. Rush and other Republicans have only been making fun of Teddy, not suggesting Obama=Osama. Just as in the case of Willie Horton, who was introduced to the world by Democrat Al Gore, Dowd is placing the blame on the wrong party.
Just barrack Barack. You kn
December 3, 2006 - 05:53 ET by Jack BauerJust barrack Barack. You know it makes sense.
And just to be totally non-PC here... when is someone going to mention the WHITE ELEPHANT in the room here.
That would be he WHITE mother, who raised him when his father deserted his wife and son.
Maybe they're saving that one for a Presidential run when he suddenly rediscovers his honky roots.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast
militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
Well, he can't run with the
December 3, 2006 - 12:59 ET by lnthompWell, he can't run with the hope of being the "first black President" -- white-as-cottage-cheese WJC already claimed that title.
LNTHOMP previously posting as LEENT. U.S. Navy (ret.)
My success and happiness are not determined by who wins elections.