george herbert walker bush

[kirbsam]

i remember when the clintons called him this. all the democrats thought it was so appropriate because it told everyone about his background and it was implied that his name meant something that was no good. that was 1992. fast forward 16 years and they are using barack hussein obama for the same reason, and the same people that thought it was no big deal(why should he be ashamed of his name?) now call it unfair? am i missing something here?

 

[va32h]

i remember when the clintons called him this. all the democrats thought it was so appropriate because it told everyone about his background and it was implied that his name meant something that was no good. that was 1992. fast forward 16 years and they are using barack hussein obama for the same reason, and the same people that thought it was no big deal(why should he be ashamed of his name?) now call it unfair? am i missing something here?

I'm really having a hard time following the logic of your post. A few capital letters and some grammar would help. But I'll take a stab at it.

I worked on the Clinton 1992 campaign and I honestly don't recall that it was based around the fact that George Sr. had two middle names. However, it could certainly be argued that the Bush family was not (and is not) quite as "good ol' country boy" as they presented themselves to be.

When I have heard Obama's full name used, it has been used as an ethnic and religious slur. "His middle name is Hussein! Like the bad guy in Iraq! See, he's Muslim and if we elect him, Christians will be dragged into the streets and beheaded!"

And yes - I have actually received emails making those claims.

 

[NewJersey]

When people are saying, "Barack Hussein Obama" they are trying to invoke the pathetic fears in people that he is somehow tied to Muslim terrorists.

Comparing that to George Herbert Walker Bush is comparing apples to oranges.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I don't remember the Clintons or "all the Democrats" using Bush 41's full name during the 1992 campaign. I seem to remember someone -- Ann Richards maybe? -- doing so during a speech either in 1988 or 1992 at the convention. I just don't remember precisely whom. It was used to imply that Bush was rich and aristocratic and out of touch with middle America. Aside from that, I don't remember his full name being used that often.

The situation with Obama is similar only in a couple of respects. It's not something the opposition campaign is doing widespread; rather, it's being done by a few supporters of the opposition. Also, it's an attempt to inspire negative opinions about the candidate.

I seem to remember Bush's full name being said with more of a sneer than that talk show host did when using Obama's full name. The more recent incident is much more distasteful because it does come off as more of a slur.

 

[yeartolate]

i remember when the clintons called him this. all the democrats thought it was so appropriate because it told everyone about his background and it was implied that his name meant something that was no good. that was 1992. fast forward 16 years and they are using barack hussein obama for the same reason, and the same people that thought it was no big deal(why should he be ashamed of his name?) now call it unfair? am i missing something here?

I said this in another thread.

Everytime I see "all the libs " this and "all the conservatives" that....I just shut down.

BTW, I agree with Obi-Wan.

 

[smartestnumber5]

Who are "Herbert" and "Walker"? Are those names supposed to ring a bell, because I have no idea.

I was only 10 at the time of the 92 election, so I don't remember any of this, but still if using the names were at all analogous to to using Obama's middle name, you'd think the names would have to actually mean something to the average person.

They don't mean a darn thing to me. (I guess other posters are saying the idea was that using the full name would bring up associations of being rich and an aristocrat. Is it supposed to be merely the # of names or the particular names he has that are supposed to bring up that association? I can't say I've ever made the association before.)

 

[KristaTX]

I was 22 during the '92 election, and I'm as confused as smartestnumber5 on the George H W Bush thing. I've also been trying to figure out why "Herbert Walker" would make me think something negative .

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I was 22 during the '92 election, and I'm as confused as smartestnumber5 on the George H W Bush thing. I've also been trying to figure out why "Herbert Walker" would make me think something negative .

Ditto, and I was 28.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I don't recall hearing a whole lot of President Bush's full name and I don't recall hearing a whole lot Obama's full name, either.

 

[rparmfamily]

I only thought that his full name was used sometimes to not confuse him w/his father. I wasn't aware that Herbert Walker were anything other than middle names.

 

[ilisao]

i remember when the clintons called him this. all the democrats thought it was so appropriate because it told everyone about his background and it was implied that his name meant something that was no good. that was 1992. fast forward 16 years and they are using barack hussein obama for the same reason, and the same people that thought it was no big deal(why should he be ashamed of his name?) now call it unfair? am i missing something here?

There is a huge difference in using the Bush's full name and Obama's. People that use the name Barack Hussein Obama are playing on the irrational fear this country has of Muslims. People who used George Herbert Walker Bush - and frankly, it was used very little - were trying to evoke images of wealth. Two completely different things.

 

[shortbun]

I think the first time I heard Bush Sr.'s full name was when he said, "I, George Herbert Walker Bush...." Why on earth would people take anything negative away from any of those or the sum? Actually, I rather like it; it think it's a good strong name. eta: hard to believe from this die hard democrat, I know, but I liked GHWBush. I thought he was elegant and statesmanlike. I think W must have been the postman's child. lol!

 

[JPN4265]

They used President Bush's full name , they use Hillary's full name, but they don't use Obama's full name because it makes people remember him as being named after a murderous dictator (Saddam Hussein). He is also an african American so that gives him another reason to object to using his full name, by allowing his followers to cry racism. Its all in the perception.

 

[DawnCt1]

When people are saying, "Barack Hussein Obama" they are trying to invoke the pathetic fears in people that he is somehow tied to Muslim terrorists.

Comparing that to George Herbert Walker Bush is comparing apples to oranges.

George Herbert Walker Bush, William Jefferson Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Fitzgerald Kennedy......Barrack Hussein Obama. So what. That's his name. If he doesn't like his name, let him change it.

 

[Laura]

They used President Bush's full name , they use Hillary's full name, but they don't use Obama's full name because it makes people remember him as being named after a murderous dictator (Saddam Hussein). He is also an african American so that gives him another reason to object to using his full name, by allowing his followers to cry racism. Its all in the perception.

I haven't heard anyone use Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton's full name. What's McCain's middle name? The truth must out!!!

And like the others, I only remember hearing George H. W. Bush's middle names when he was sworn in on Inauguration Day. Of course since George W. Bush isn't George H. W. Bush, Jr. we know his middle name so we can differentiate him from his father.

 

[DawnCt1]

There is a huge difference in using the Bush's full name and Obama's. People that use the name Barack Hussein Obama are playing on the irrational fear this country has of Muslims. People who used George Herbert Walker Bush - and frankly, it was used very little - were trying to evoke images of wealth. Two completely different things.

Unless someone tells you that is why they are using his middle name, then I think its a lot for anyone to assume as true. The real fear that people should have of Obama is that his policies are in line with Karl Marx.

 

[Laura]

Unless someone tells you that is why they are using his middle name, then I think its a lot for anyone to assume as true. The real fear that people should have of Obama is that his policies are in line with Karl Marx.

Well, there's a radio talk show host who stuck Mohammed in there... "Barack Mohammed Hussein Obama". I think he had some ulterior motives.

But Obama's middle name and the use of it, to me, is a total non-issue. I think anyone who wouldn't vote for Obama because of his middle name wouldn't have voted for him in the first place. My middle name is French, does that mean anything to anyone?

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I won't vote for Obama. That being said, the other day this guy at work had the radio on and the guy who did movie reviews who now talks politics was on. I never even liked his movie reviews and his voice grates on me. (Medved?) But he was talking about this topic and he made a good point.

If someone had turned to Mitt Romney during a debate and called him Willard people would have thought that person was an idiot. It's a grade school-type of attack.

Obama has chosen not to use his middle name, people shouldn't use it. It seems like common courtesy to me.

 

[ilisao]

I only thought that his full name was used sometimes to not confuse him w/his father. I wasn't aware that Herbert Walker were anything other than middle names.

George Herbert Walker Bush IS the father.

 

[MoniqueU]

I love George Bush Sr. I don't recall his name being used like that in the election. And I do think ussing Barracks middle name is derogatory the way peoploe are using it.