So you’re saying the country is too full of bigots, haters and fear mongers to elect Obama? Just come out and say it then!

First – Botox and any person does have some root in how women (or men for that matter) think others see them – Hollywood, looking young, bla bla bla. But it’s also done to make you feel better about yourself – so that when you look in the mirror, you don’t feel depressed – though of course that “depression” has external roots.

But, with the name change – you aren’t recommending it in relation to anything having to do with Obama’s embarrassment are you? You’re suggesting it because of how others view it/hear it/think about it when then see or hear it.

That’s very different, though closer to the Botox reason based on how others react to aging appearances.

No one should be changing their name because of the prejudice of other people. I went through this myself when I got married – my maiden name is Miller. I was reluctant to change it to Zimon because I knew it would sound more Jewish. I realized that that just wasn’t a good enough reason – how others might change in reaction to me because I have a more Jewish-sounding last name. Remember, I went through a Catholic univ. as a blond with no NYC accent and an Amish last name. There were friends, people I knew for three years, who didn’t know I was Jewish until there was a scheduling scuffle over a Jewish holiday and I became very outspoken.

So – again – I would ask you – instead of writing about how, it’s just so awful it is this way but that’s what he should do, why aren’t you advocating that he use himself as an example of someone who won’t change it and makes it emblematic?

I don’t know if you followed Subodh Chandra’s campaign in the Dem AG primary, but he embraced his name. He didn’t win, but it wasn’t because of his name.

If I was managing his campaign, that would be my advice. If he wants to keep it real, well kudos to him, but it’s still going to hurt him down the stretch.