I can agree with the baiting part. My problem is when you try to make it about race. To use Steve's example, would using someone's middle name of 'Adolph' in the 40s have been a racial reference?

Too many people run right for the race issue whenever a minority is in the news. Why does it have to be race? Religion (Islam) is NOT racial. Names are not racial.

If you want to take someone to task for emphasizing another's cultural/ethnic roots, then call it that way. But why does everyone have to trot out the race card everywhere? It's getting (or has been) worse than comparisons to Hitler or facism. I think there's a corollary to Godwin's law buried somewhere here.

Just to say [...] Everyone knows 'Bushitler' etc etc is just stupid name-calling, but people actually think that being called 'Hussein Obama' makes him a Muslim, and makes them take the madrassa, Islamic fundementalist Manchurian nonsense much more seriously.

No. Both are transparently stupid. To argue as you do is to fall into the "identity politics" trap that the left has so insidious set up.

As for George W. Bush, opponents frequently use Chimpy McBush, or GW Bushitler or variants thereafter.

Indeed people do this but these aren't people who are going on to talk immediately before a serious presidential candidate.

The difference mainly is the implication, calling GWB 'Chimpy McBush', whilst immature, isn't designed to tap into fears that GWB might be a secret chimp, whereas the 'B. Hussein Obama' references are designed to tap into fears that Obama is a secret muslim.

Just to say, I'm pretty conservative and quite like McCain, and I've no doubt that insulting names are thrown around by all sides, c'est la vie, but there is a difference with what is happening with Obama. Everyone knows 'Bushitler' etc etc is just stupid name-calling, but people actually think that being called 'Hussein Obama' makes him a Muslim, and makes them take the madrassa, Islamic fundementalist Manchurian nonsense much more seriously.

I don't remember the Reps going onto platforms to talk about Bill Jefferson Clinton, or the Dems ever discussing the policies of George Waaalker Bush.

No, they used the proper William Jefferson Clinton. As for George W. Bush, opponents frequently use Chimpy McBush, or GW Bushitler or variants thereafter. The people I ostensibly side with willingly call out their own when such slights are issued. Not so for the other side.

Posted by John425 | February 28, 2008 | 01:28 pm | Permalink

But you don't put the vocal emphasis on the middle name (or even use it at all.) I don't remember the Reps going onto platforms to talk about Bill Jefferson Clinton, or the Dems ever discussing the policies of George Waaalker Bush. Because that's how people say Hussein when they talk about Obama. Barack Husseeeeein Obama.

But, generally speaking, “red meat” doesn’t mean “racial slurs.”

An aside: Unless you are a Democrat, and then it is quite alright.

Umm, Bill Cunningham's usage of Barak's middle name is not racist. It is sophomorically stupid, but when you say it is racist, you are succumbing to the linguistic sloppiness so prevalent amongst peddlers of identity politics (i could add leftist, but that would be redundant). You are becoming inside the beltway Dr. Joyner.

Just what did the guy say that was so terrible?

No wonder you hadn't heard of the Tennessee radio station or personality.

Cunningham is just a wild personality - paid to stir it up, eat red meat on the radio and make you laugh while seeing reality, from a different point of view, at the same time.

Unfortunately he was talking radio when he was on the stage introducing McCain. He should know the difference in the environment. He should have shown better discretion, and he should be a big man, admit it, and get over it so we can all get together and win this thing

Barack Obama is McCain’s probable opponent for domestic political office. The other Muslims the campaign is “taunting” ...

The other Muslims?
I assume this was just sloppiness, and not an attempt to participate in the "Obama is a Muslim" campaign.