Going for the middle (initial)
By Matt Viser, Globe Staff
Middle names have a long history in politics, and Republicans appear to have started trying to take advantage, by increasingly using John McCain’s middle initial when referring to their presidential nominee.
“No leader in America,” vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin said at rallies over the weekend, "presents so clear a threat to business as usual in Washington as John S. McCain." She did the same when McCain announced her as his running mate last week in Ohio, and in her televised address Wednesday night, she referred to him as, “The next president of the United States, John S. McCain.”
US Senator Joe Lieberman did the same thing on Tuesday night in his address at the Republican National Convention.
“Only one leader has shown the courage and the capability to rise above the smallness of our politics to get big things done for our country and our people," Lieberman said. "And that one is John S. McCain.”
So why the sudden use of the middle initial?
It could be to add more gravitas. Perhaps it’s a way to tie John S. McCain to Harry S Truman (whose parents couldn’t agree on a middle name, but did come to terms on S, without the period), another political maverick.
It could also be a way to subtly remind voters of Barack Obama’s middle name, Hussein.
Others have used middle initials to great effect. There’s been FDR and LBJ. John F. Kennedy. John F. Kerry, who idolized Kennedy, also used the middle initial (first, in a failed congressional bid for 1972, then resurrected for his presidential run). George W. Bush, known simply as W, to differentiate himself from his father. Richard M. Nixon dropped his middle initial after winning the presidency (perhaps for the better, since it stood for Milhous).
Nowhere on McCain’s campaign website -- even the campaign biography -- does McCain use the middle initial.
In case you’re wondering, the S stands for Sidney, which is a family name. The presidential nominee’s full name is John Sidney McCain III. With his first wife, Carol Shepp McCain, he has a daughter named Sidney, and with his current wife, Cindy Lou Hensley McCain, he has a son named John (“Jack”) Sidney McCain IV.
And, it turns out, someone has registered the website johnsidneymccain.com as a hoax that ridicules most of McCain’s positions.
wow, that would be a low blow. Par for the course for the GOP, but still low. Pathetic.
This is how republicans give speaches: rarely do the facts support their positions or even the off the wall remarks. Her votes, Senior Huchabuck, were 909; Biden recieved 79,754
But there was nothing in her speech and she never told anything truthful about herself just a bunch of info that was totally false - even as the news about her is coming out in buckets. Her response to that was attacking the press..what a joke.
Explain why Levi Johnston shouldn't be arrested as a pedophile.
How can she protect the country if she can't protect her own kids from pedophiles?
This is his second child; the first was with a 13 year old girl. Even by Alaskan standards (which are very loose) that is a bit young.
Sick.... really sick... yea, we want her in the White House. Her and her husband are good evangelicals, and typical of the breed. But lets move on to other issues.
Her husband and daughter: is child #5 really Sarah's? I don' believe so after looking at family photos on the internet. The eldest daughter is the mother for sure, but is the father of that child Sarah's husband? Let's do a little DNA test.
Will she support states that wish to secede from the United States, since her and her husband were both in a party pushing to have Alaska secede from the Union?
Will she legalize pot since she smokes it herself?
Will she change her position and start supporting unwed mothers, particularly teens so they can finish an education through college?
Last night, this woman was pathetic. Nothing to say that was grounded in reality and less to say about solving our problems except continue the same old republican bull that has existed since Reagan and have proven a failure to all but the rich.
What a joke on McCain by his own party.
basementfrog...you are an idiot
Go Sarah! I'm voting for the cutest candidate!
PTA to Presidency
The GOP's plan is to attack attack attack. Every move they make is with the intent to derail Obama's momentum.
They don't have a plan for thousands of Americans lossing their jobs, skyrocketing Health Care cost or the cost of two possibly three wars.
Not this time!
Eight is enough!
McShame is making a mockery out of this election, plain and simple!
Palin's a friggen joke, the GOP says a senator with 4 years under his belt is not experienced to lead this country, how about a govenor with 2 years under her belt? GOP calls that experience? especially since McShame could easily drop dead at any second!
Next, what about trooper-gate, a govenor who utilizes her executve power for personal vindication really shows the country how she would lead now doesn't it?
Third, Palin barks and barks about abstinence in schools & won't allow for condoms to be distributed and her own 17 year old is knocked up? THAT IS PLAIN HYPOCRACY, which IS a Repuklican motto!
This simply shows how poor of judgement McShame really has! He is NOT qualified to be President which is displayed by his failure as a fighter pilot!
I rest my case - OBAMA ALL THE WAY IN NOVEMBER - NOW MORE THAN EVER!
McCain's choice of Palin proves him incompetent and reckless. McCain had only met with Palin one time before he chose her to be his running mate. His staff had not vetted her. And yet he chose her to be a 72-76 year old heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States of America. McCain's poor judgement mirrors that of Bush's. Palin (and all republicans), continue to give big oil ownership of America, your wallet, and eventually your mortgage. Not to mention the fact that conservative republicans despise the Constitution of the United States, (not that Americans really care about small details like that - our main concern is being able to afford gas right now.)
Woah woah woah... basementfrog, a kid by a 13-year-old? Show me the website where they're talking about that. Seriously, I want to see it.
So far, there has not been a truly educated comment regarding this article. No wonder we have a total douchebag for President now.... Americans are so ignorant!
Hooossein needs to stop playing so much basketball, and start focusing. That boy has gotta focus, man.
basementfrog may actually be qualified to be involuntarily committed or perhaps just mentally handicapped. raving liberal lunatic.
I noticed the "S' in Palin's speech last night and found it kind of odd and jarring... I was thinking, "is there some other John McCain running for president?" Whatever their stupid plan is, it's not going to work.
And I bet basementfrog also believes that 9/11 was a government plot planned by Bush and Cheney. Get a life and get out of the basement. As far as her kids go, do the math which should be fairly easy as you have 10 fingers to count with and you only need 9.
The media looks for everything to enable them to criticise the Republican ticket. Now you are criticising the use of a middle initial. How sad and how low you have sunk. I am a 69 year old lady and I use my middle initial most all the time as I am proud of it. Why did all those Democrats use middle initials: FDR, LBJ, JFK, etc.
If you don't have any more important news to report, just don't report any.
Basementfrog needs to listen to something else besides CNN (Communist News Network) - try Fox for the TRUTH!
I'm still on the floor, holding my gut, laughing over all this Palin stuff. It's so unbelievable. It's so hypocritical. It's sooooo Republican. Yeah, we're seeing "history" here, folks. Palin and McCain (and the Republican regime) are definitely history after Nov. 4!
I think she was GREAT and even though I am demo, think i will switch parties.
Palin Fan, voting for someone because they win the "cute" or "pretty" contest could really spell disaster for the rest of us, who actually care about foreign policy, energy independence, public education, heath care, unemployment, etc. Please save your vote for the beauty contest.
Barak Hussein Obama - Barak H. Obama - BHO - ObamaBiden - Obama bin Liden - Oh darn! Forget his name... let's just listen to Joe Biden and Hillary who both agree - He is not ready to be president or answer the phone at 3 AM.
Those with glass windows shouldn't throw stones!
the only perfect person was crucified.
McCain has my vote and I like a sister with five kids, I have five too
I wasn't sure about the running mate, but now I am a fan.
Obama is a smart person and I would like to see a person of color as
President someday, but Powell isn't running.
Have I said enough?
The S stand for shi.head. He did not support our nations veterans and tried to stop the GI Bill from passing thereby not giving education benefits to those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sarah Palin is Dick Cheney with lipstick. Want more of the clowns vote these two in.
No Way No How No Mc Cain.
basementfrog - Your comments demonstrate the intelligence of a frog. Geez.
krystyn - What exactly is the low blow you're talking about? Do you really believe that the GOP is using "John S. McCain" to remind people about BO's middle name? Seriously? Please, use some common sense. If you're going to attack the GOP, then at least attack them for pointing out BO's lack of executive experience, his tax-and-spend economics, his ill-conceived thoughts on the U.N., his long-standing ties to very questionable people, his short-sighted views on energy independence, etc.
go back to your basement, frog.
The downfall of this country will be attributed to folks with minds like that of "basementfrog". If we in anyway want to stop this downward spiral lets permanatly get rid of those uneducated people like "basementfrog" - regardless of what party they belong to. We are one people,. we are one country. The problem occurs when morons have power and media coverege. - morons such as "basementfrog".
The coginitive dissonence reaches deafening proportions. How can anyone listen to Palin invoking “the permanent political establishment in Washington.” (??), which happens to have been republican for the last 8 years, and many would argue for at least the four years before that.
How can they listen to mitt romney (“It’s time for the party of big ideas, not the party of Big Brother!”) (??), in the face of this Republican administration's domestic wiretapping program, and not have their head explode?
I. Don't. Get. It.
Maybe my head is the one that will explode . . .
What is Obama's middle name? Anyone know. I have not heard it mentioned either.
maybe basementfrog could be the spokesperson for the Dem's; that would ensure a GOP victory. What a loon.
basementfrog.........lighten up on the Kool-Aid. You've drank yourself stupid.
Ralph.........maybe it already has!
I don't think it is Kool-Aid some are drinking but a special broth from the Government trough of social aid! Perhaps they need to look what it takes to actually earn a buck and then pay 35 cents on the dollar to support someone with no work ambition who is not part of their family. Most will willingly give the shirt off their back if needed but disdain free rides!
Many Liberals scream bloody murder and state it is personal when one of their own gets exposed for unsavory acts but when it is someones child on the right , (who made a life changing mistake) they are fair game for political fodder. Get real people, the ones who actually win the elections are the ones who are elected by the quite ones who listen and voice little opinion before or after an election. Those are the people that see though the
political BS and see the person behind the rhetoric.
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