There is still some distance to go, however: for instance, I doubt, given the disfavor that a certain 1,386-year-old religion has earned for itself, that anyone with a conspicuously Muslim-sounding name would be hired in a prominent role in either of the campaigns.

I think both of the reasons you suggest do apply in this case. There are also, though, a good many people for whom the notion of a brown-skinned man with a “wacky” name, particularly the name “Hussein”, as president is entirely unpalatable.

The fact that someone with the name ‘Barack Hussein Obama’ is in the running at all for the highest office in the land is pretty ridiculously amazing. I don’t believe this could happen in the vast majority of other countries around the world.

I think it’s due to one of two reasons:
1 – The ‘can-do’ spirit inherent in American culture. I mean, why the hell not?
2 – Most people haven’t thought that much about it and there are so many wacky names in this country that it gets lost in the cultural soup.

My optimism leads me to #1, my cynicism leads me to #2. (e.g. Bush was re-elected – jeez people!)

Salim Ismail

But isn’t all this “kinda” funny? I know One-Eye, I may seem to agree more with the non-middle named Hussein Pollack, but his, what was it, a few weeks ago? That “Political Feelings Test” thingy gave me the insight that I wasn’t the right wing extremist sort I thought I was.

That is, if it wasn’t a “Left-Wing Conspiracy.”

Now take the proposition that the name, “Hussein” takes on the implication that a name in itself really does mean anything and then extend it out, just a bit.

Ask any high school senior class, “who was America’s greatest President?” More often than one might expect, well it does depend, but anyway one often hears, “George Washington.” So then, if the name “Hussein” does indeed convey any real significance then shouldn’t the name “George” carry the same baggage, and thus weight?

I’d guess it comes down to how the individual feels about names and cherry trees.

Take that, you cynics.

Baracks’ Mama was from Eldorado. The possibility of Muslims being from there was what yanked my short and curlies.

That got my attention. I’d been reading more political type “focus blogs” at the time and was looking for evidence of that “Muslim thing” you mention. Eldorado Kansas?

Back in the mid-to late ’70’s (don’t like being too specific-daughter doesn’t like it) the first bit of “college” I attended was? That and the fact that my very own eldest daughter was actually born in the hospital in Eldorado. I was aghast.