Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who hosted last week’s inaugural festivities, went all-New york pol when it came to calling upon ther star of the day to take the stage.
His voice rising with a flourish, Schumer introduced: "Barack H. Obama!" .
It’s not clear why Schumer went with "H" instead of the full name: At least one ABC affiliate believes it was Obama’s decision (although Obama used his full name in the swearing-in), and some conservative commentators are reading way too much into it, as Jed Lewison at the Daily Kos chronicles here.
My theory? Schumer kind of epitomizes the nice Ashkenazi boy all grown up. Have you heard him wrangle "shomer," the Hebrew origin of his name?
Getting the back of his throat around a ח might have proven a little too daunting.
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