Would you vote for someone with the bad luck of being named Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein, or Osama bin Laden?

Question

Not the actual infamous characters, but someone unfortunately named that? I ask in reference to the issue of Barack Hussein Obama's name. Liberal supporters raise their nose and say that anyone dumb enough to vote based on a name isn't smart enough to vote at all. Honestly though, what significance does it have? I think the candidate's merits should normally be the primary concern of voters, but I doubt anyone with those names could get elected head sewer worker...

Hecate, really intelligent statement... it was a facetious example of a low position that most people wouldn't want. Actually, I applied, but they said I had to wait for you to retire...

Answer 1

Well, that depends.

If the person was born with that name, then I don't think it would be an issue. I don't think the name will garner any additional votes with the undecided groups. It will definately scare away voters on name alone, because the name is not a judgement of a person's character (I went MLK there!). I would look at voting history, where he stands on issues, whether or not I agree with him.

Then there is the issue of that person changing their name later in life. If a guy legally changed his name from Bob Robertson to Adolph Hitler, then no, I would never vote for him, regardless of why he changed his name. Because that's just too creepy regardless of where he stands on his issues (politicians DO lie).

Of course, if I were evenly divided on two candidates and absolutely could not decide......Hitler loses. Sorry pal, change your name before next election.

Answer 2

The Jews killed in the camps was just a portion of the deaths in Nazi Germany so I'd put money on Hitler, And yet, they are still finding mass graves that Saddam Hussein is responsible for, and yet We have no idea about how many attacks Bin Laden is connected to. If there's a prize, I think they have to share it.

Answer 3

REALITY CHECK:

Of course it matters. It also doesn't help him that he's a radical Liberal in addition to being African-American. You can't become President of the United States without winning a good portion of the South. That's reality. Barack Hussein Obama has no chance. He's at the height of his popularity right now, and Sen. John McCain, the War Hero and Prisoner of War, is still 30 percentage points ahead of Obama in every poll. Imagine what a blow out it would be after people start talking about Obama's former cocaine use, among whatever else comes out. Be realistic people.

Answer 4

here's the thing: i would never vote for someone named Adolf Hitler, because if they're under 40 years old then their parents KNEW what Hitler did and stood for and named their kid that anyway. that would make me think: why would you name your kid after adolf hitler, knowing what he did? there must be some tacit approval, admiration, something there. so NO to the hitler thing. (and if someone changes their name to that, that would be a double no.)

OTOH it isn't fair to judge Obama, because he isn't young enough to have been born after hussein OR osama became household names. plus, he isn't the first i've seen named Hussein. it seems to be a pretty common name. it remains to be seen if it stays that way.

Answer 5

If I was unfortunate enough to be born with a name like that - I'D CHANGE IT! and I would question anyone running for office with a name like that who didn't.

The name, Obama, on the otherhand is different enough, I wouldn't hold it against him for not changing it. I am curious as to why his parents gave him that middle name, though.

Answer 6

It is not there fault what there named unless they change there name to that then I wouldn't but otherwise yes