Has anybody else noticed this?

[library_max]

Occasionally, someone in GD or Politics and Campaigns refers to a favorite candidate by his first name, calling Dean "Howard" or Kucinich "Dennis." It always seems to me from the poster's subsequent remarks that he or she has accepted that candidate as his or her personal lord and savior. It seems like an infallible sign of fanaticism.

[elfwitch]

1. nah..

I just think it is cool that there is a candidate that you can call Howie!

[trof]

2. I used to call him "Howard"

and then just the other day he said "Hey...trof...call me Howie".
So now I do.
;-)

[elfwitch]

3. chanting

Besides chanting "Howie! Howie!" is so cool!

[trof]

8. yeah...How-WEE, How-WEE...

[Guaranteed]

9. LOL n/t

[CO Liberal]

4. I Don't See It That Way

For example, sometimes I refer to Rush Limbaugh using his full name, sometimes as "Rush", other times "Limbaugh", and other times as "El Rushbo". It's no reflection on my opinion of him - whichever name I use, I still think he's a walking turd.

[Guaranteed]

7. Good point.

I think the whole first name thing is a subconscious attempt at showing familiarity.

[library_max]

12. Well, in Rush's case it's often a sign of contempt

and it fits in with the "Flush Rush" bumper stickers. But I haven't seen anybody opposed to a candidate, or less than wildly enthusiastic about him, use the first name. Actually, I do recall an exception for some posters using "Carol" instead of Mosley-Braun, but there's a sexist convention that makes firstnaming a woman more polite than firstnaming a man.

[Cat Atomic]

5. L. Ron does not like it when you say these things.

L. Ron does not like it when you say these things.

L. Ron does not like it when you say these things.

L. Ron does not like it when you say these things.

;)

[Guaranteed]

6. What's wrong with worshipping your candidate?

As long as they're "good people," of course.

[HFishbine]

10. Exceptions disprove the assumption

Hardly on my list of heros:

Rush
Dick
George
KKKarl
Arnold

You get the idea.

[library_max]

13. All right

But I was referring to supporters of this or that candidate. The very most fanatical ones always seem to use the first name. That was also true of Arnold supporters in California, I believe.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. Are you implying that only people who talk about Mr. Christ.....

do not accept him as their personal lord and saviour?