When it comes to celebrity, we Americans have an obsession of smashing the names of famous couples together like Bennifer, Billary, Bennifer II, TomKat, Vaughniston, McGosling and of course the robust and insane sounding Brangelina. (My favorite because it sounds like a hearty breakfast cereal.) But when it comes to presidential candidates and their veeps we need to nip this thing in the bud.
Por ejemplo:
From the Duluth News Tribune's "Our View":
(B)ut there’s still the matter of their names, which caught newscasters like CNN’s Betty Nguyen hung up in a tongue-tied "Obiden."
"I’ve got to stop you," her colleague T.J. Holmes said at one point. "That’s the second time you’ve done that, ‘Obiden.’ "
"I said ‘Obiden?’ Really?" she replied.
"You didn’t realize you said it, but Obiden."
"It’s becoming a household name."
By accident, of course.
Yes. An accident. I'm sure of it.
Seriously, though, WTF? Obiden? Unless Barack Obama and Mighty Joe Oldster are "doin' it" they should not have a Portmanteau. People already treat Obama as "cute" and "superficial." He doesn't need a cute and superficial name for him and Sen. Joe Biden.
And if the media MUST dub them something, why not something presidential-like or really butch like "Ebony and I'll-Kick-Your-Ass" or "Murtaugh and Riggs."
And Biden is SOOO Riggs. He's got that mad dog, Mel Gibson look in his eye and the foot-n-mouth to prove it.
Side note: Other Portmanteaus the press could have gone with.
Bobama
Bibama
Barackden
Jarack
Obidenbama
Boerack
Jobama
Bibamaden
Jobarack
To read more of my musings on race, pop culture and politics, check out The Black Snob!