The Billiken's Bluff

On NPR tonight, One G.O.P. strategist, when asked about Barack Obama's chances to win the presidency in 2008 or even the Democratic party's nomination, referred to him as Barack "Hussein" Obama. I assumed this "Hussein" was in quotes and italics and that the strategist was insinuating that the American voting public would associate Obama with Osama by way of homonym, and lump him in with the Saddam Hussein by way of him sounding like a foreign other, brother.



But, fleshing it all out, which is bound to happen with greater scrutiny during a run at the commander in chief, Barack H. Obama will verily become Barack Hussein Obama. This is his full given name.



Obama is well-spoken, multi-racial, he embodies change, if not actually having ideas for policy change, although he did oppose the 2nd Iraq War from its conception. He would certainly energize the disenchanted just by taking up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.



One of us in power, or at least not one of them, again for the last 232 years later.



Something along the lines of:

Why is Bush acting like he trying to get Osama
Why don't we impeach him and elect Obama

But this fight will be about nomenclature, color(s), pedigree, perception and a game of Guesstures.



It sounds like....







This election will expose American politics for what it really is. Prejudice, pre-conceived notions, public relations, and gut-feelings.



A name that will unite center city liberals. A name that is so laden with meaning that it requires no spin doctoring. You can't even spin it because it would be like taking advantage of a disabled person.



It is such an obvious impairment, that it's clear that it requires not a single iteration.



But who will vote for a disabled man that will alienate entire swaths of states?



Barack Hussein Obama is handicapped by birth, by birth certificate and this will be his undoing.



But this is important, we need this.



Who's coming with me?