Rep. King R-Iowa: Obama should skip middle name in oath

Funny how that all during the runup to the election,the Repubs couldn't mention his middle name Hussein often enough...

Rep. King R-Iowa: Obama should skip middle name in oath
BY JOSEPH MORTON
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON - Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, said Tuesday's presidential inauguration will be an extraordinary moment in history, but he takes issue with one part of the ceremony.

The incoming president will use his full name, Barack Hussein Obama, when he is sworn in.

King is no stranger to controversial statements. He started a firestorm in the middle of the presidential campaign when he said terrorists would dance in the streets if Obama won.

King said at the time that he was basing that prediction on Obama's plans to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq and on the candidate's middle name, which King said the terrorists would find meaningful.

During the campaign, Obama supporters criticized those who used the candidate's middle name as a way of implying that he was a Muslim.

Obama, a Christian, criticized King's comments as out of bounds. He was given his middle name in honor of his paternal grandfather in Kenya.

King, who represents western Iowa's 5th District, said he doesn't understand how Obama can now use his middle name for the swearing-in ceremony.

He took issue with the president-elect's suggestion that using all three names is in keeping with tradition. King said while several past presidents have used middle names at their inaugurations, most presidents have used simply a middle initial or no middle name at all.

King's prediction of terrorist jubilation did not happen when Obama won the election. In fact, Osama bin Laden released a tape last week challenging Obama.

King said the reason why terrorists aren't happy is that Obama switched positions on Iraq and now favors a more responsible approach to drawing down U.S. troops.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-07-voa30.cfm

I heard he has CHANGEd his speech several times, as much as he CHANGEd his mind on what he promised to CHANGE while campaigning on the CHANGE platform.

Artie60438 wrote:

Funny how that all during the runup to the election,the Repubs couldn't mention his middle name Hussein often enough...

Funny how that all during the runup to the election, the Messiah couldn't find enough bushel baskets under which to try and hide that name.

happy jack wrote:

Artie60438 wrote:

Funny how that all during the runup to the election,the Repubs couldn't mention his middle name Hussein often enough...

Funny how that all during the runup to the election, the Messiah couldn't find enough bushel baskets under which to try and hide that name.

Personally I don't see why the man should have ever had to try to hide or not hide his name. I couldn't tell you what Biden, Palin, or McCain's middle names were. Nor do I care because I formed my opinions on things that they said during the campaign. Obama should use whatever name he's comfortable with.

I agree wth Paul. A name is a name, it doesn't define you.

He didn't choose it, right?

happy jack wrote:

Artie60438 wrote:

Funny how that all during the runup to the election,the Repubs couldn't mention his middle name Hussein often enough...

Funny how that all during the runup to the election, the Messiah couldn't find enough bushel baskets under which to try and hide that name.

Actually I don't think that is funny at all. He was smart enough to make an effort to hide what he knew, by no fault of his own, would be just about the only thing the Rep. had left to go after him on. And smart enough to know that some men still like to call names and tease about something as personal as a name.

You know, we have a new president...I admit I did think he was being unrealistic, and the fact he came from IL, I voted the for McCain.

I respect him now, because he's elected. Let's just focus on what he's out to do...and respect him. I give him a lot of credit for the way he handled his campaign vs. McCain and Clinton, and we need to focus on going forward for the good of the country.

Just respect him. Unless he gives us a reason to not respect him. Anything is better than 8 years of Bush and the other Bush, the father, who wants old'Jed to run for President. I hate political ties, no matter what party. I vote for the individual; not the party.

I truly am going to give this guy an optimistic view, and try and disregard the press. The press is so hard up because of the internet age, they will try and drag him down as it is. Give the guy a chance before we start digging into the negatives like we did before - while they were all campaigning.

I agree with Party42. I hate my own first name, but I'm stuck with it, even though it's rarely used except for legal means. I grew up being called by my second (initial) name. I hated the first name so much, I wanted to change it in court, legally. Holy Moly, not only did my mom do this to me, my cousin has the same second name and she forgoes the first name. She and I share the same first and last name...but go by the second and last name. What's in a name?

Name that "Name"? A name is a damn name. I dropped my first name, so did my cousin. We're both always being confused when especially we write letters or columns for our old home town. They don't know which one of us wrote it in.

happy jack wrote:

Artie60438 wrote:

Funny how that all during the runup to the election,the Repubs couldn't mention his middle name Hussein often enough...

Funny how that all during the runup to the election, the Messiah couldn't find enough bushel baskets under which to try and hide that name.

No,he didn't hide anything,Americans just finally woke up to the wingnut smear machine.