The Hussein Dilemma

Much of the news cycle over the past few days has focused on Barack Obama's middle name. At a rally for John McCain, radio host Bill Cunningham repeatedly referred to "Barack Hussein Obama," adding a series of disparaging comments for which McCain had to apologize. Yesterday, the Tennessee Republican Party defended a press release in which they used Obama's middle name while suggesting he was anti-Semitic. Even Jon Stewart joked about Obama's name during his opening monologue at the Academy Awards.

The Obama campaign has responded aggressively to tactics that suggest he may be a Muslim-in-disguise, letting very little time elapse before releasing a statement. When it comes to his middle name, however, he rarely offers an answer beyond accepting an inevitable apology.

But opinion makers, sympathetic to Obama, are not lockstep with the campaign, often drumming up serious media attention in the aftermath of the utterance of "Hussein." Keith Olbermann was critical of Jon Stewart for having joked about Obama's name at the Academy Awards, asking how rightwing talking points could have entered his monologue. Others have sounded similar notes. But their swift reaction to condemn the use of Hussein is actually perpetuating the story they mean to extinguish. Such a posture, by those who can influence the narrative, screams, "This matters."

If it matters, every time it's uttered, it will make the news. When it does, the name Hussein will be repeated again and again, drumming up those uncomfortable feelings that Obama has, so far, succeeded at pushing into the shadows.

The Obama campaign needs to respond. Ignoring the attack will prevent the campaign from controlling the tempo and pitch of the story. Responding aggressively will bring unwanted attention. Instead he should use a disarming humor to dismiss the story, producing a sound bite with laugh-track included.

Obama can turn these events into a new line in his stump speech, one that will make him seem all the more genuine to his supporters. With a touch of self-deprecation, he can cite the embarrassment with which so many can empathize, the plight of a bad middle name. He can be playful, even sarcastic, making the line a common refrain. In doing so, he can ensure that any future such news coverage will include his remarks.

Obama must also take ownership of his name, saying it with comfort and ease. If "Hussein" is treated as forbidden ground, its invocation will be that much more severe. In the same way that Americans grew comfortable with the name Obama, they too can grow at ease with Hussein -- as long as they're allowed. Ultimately, if Obama and those who support him can dismiss the issue for its smallness, the stories will diminish.

Comments

[cktirumalai]

I heard an interview with Bill Cunningham yesterday, in which he said that his giving Obama his full name was no different from his calling JFK John FitzGerald Kennedy. Can't imagine he expected many to believe him. And he concluded by saying that he was so disappointed in John McCain, whom he met on more occasions than the Senator cared to remember, that he might well endorse Hillary.

[Clinton]

The same people who make an issue of this would probably use racial slurs if they could get away with it. Obama shouldn't need to educate people on the origins and frequency of arabic names.In any case:

The boy's name Hussein \hu(s)-sein\ is pronounced hoo-SAYN. It is of Arabic origin, and its meaning is "good; small handsome one". The name of a prominent person in Shiite Islam and a royal name in Jordan. from http://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080123142342AAMBhqe

It is clear that only racists want to bring this up, so they should be called what they are:racists.

[bellecloche]

First of all, I agree that embracing his name with no sense of embarrassment would appear strong and inspiring to most of us - but in America it is a tight rope walk when you calculate in all the viewers (and HuffPo commentators) who lose it whenever they hear someone of a minority bring up their minority status, screaming "_____ card!" Second of all, Obama HAS discussed all aspects of his background in greater depth than any other candidate and proves that having a unique background of which you are proud can be a uniting factor. We see Hawaiians, Kansans, Indonesians, and Kenyans all cheering for their native son during this election. His wonderfully diverse heritage was a central tenet to his keynote address at the DNC convention, and he's written a New York Times bestselling book on the topic - that's hardly dodging the issue. Then again, he knows that those who obsess over his middle name as a substantial political topic don't like to read books to find answers, which is why he wrote in his second book that Limbaugh and all the others can call him "Osama" as much as they want - he only cares what the real news organizations write about him. He wouldn't be wrong to disarm this xenophobic hysteria with humor as you suggest, Mr. Loewe, but no one should have to answer stupid questions about their heritage.

[OSUMercutio]

Agreed. In defense of Jon Stewart, however, he wasn't making fun of Obama's middle name. Rather, he was making fun of idiots like Anne Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, and the other right wing nut jobs who think they can make political hay out of this issue. Also, Steven Colbert has been doing a good job this week on his show parodying the issue.

[Moose49]

"Obama can turn these events into a new line in his stump speech, one that will make him seem all the more genuine to his supporters. With a touch of self-deprecation, he can cite the embarrassment with which so many can empathize, the plight of a bad middle name. He can be playful, even sarcastic, making the line a common refrain. In doing so, he can ensure that any future such news coverage will include his remarks."

Good point and plenty of good comparisons. Think of Milhous, whom most people today know as a pathetic Simpson's character rather than Nixon's middle name.

[RickO]

One thing you don't hear enough of is a candidate answering a question like that in a way the embarrasses the reporter for asking it. For example: "Since you were smart enough to come up with such an important question, I'll do my best to give a serious answer". Or, "I know you just couldn't wait to ask me that...again...so, just like before, here's the same answer...again.", "I guess inquiring minds wnat to know, huh?."

At some point, it might be helpful to even ridicule the media for asking really stupid questions. "Where'd you say you graduated from?" "Did you come up with that one all by yourself?"

[JimR]

"That's an interesting question about my middle name, Timothy John Russert, Jr."

[Bagger]

Unfortunately stupid issues like a person's birth given name becomes an issue in America. Shows how small minded some of us are in judging people.

Your recommendation is excellent though...humor will blunt any criticism of his "unfortunate" middle name. I know he hates doing it but Obama needs to tackle these pathetic issues aggressively because people need to be comfortable with him first before they vote for him.

[gopindrag]

I was talking to someone who works same place I do but down in the basement. When the subject of Obama came up, this 30ish guy whispered, 'you know his middle name is Hussein.' I whispered back at him 'you know he's going to be President.'

[Beelzebufo]

Actually, he should simply change his middle name. Have any Neanderthals questioned him on his attitude towards the latest release of the Prophet cartoons?

[mbh210]

Too late now that everyone knows about Hussein. A name change now would give his opponents even more reason to harp on it.