Summing up, let me just say that I reject, repudiate, renounce, denounce, dismiss and utterly regret 2008.
In fact, I categorically denounce any person or statement that disparages or causes distress to any living creature on this great planet or that serves to divide us from any other planet in this universe - or any other - and such creatures as, therein, may reside.
That being said, it is still nevertheless true that Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein.
I mention this not to cause trouble, because I categorically renounce trouble, but to cite one of the many odd utterings that defined 2008 as The Year of Denouncing and Repudiating.
Despite our professed respect for walking the walk, talking the talk is the real deal-breaker, as the past year has made clear. It is now required that anyone seeking public office be prepared to denounce any and all who have ever said anything remotely offensive to anyone. This is potentially quite a long list.
It is also a rather odd exercise, a sort of redemption-by-proxy whereby the innocent confessor, having committed no offense other than to enjoy an endorsement or association, seeks absolution through repudiation of the "guilty" party.
"If you don't like my friend, I don't like my friend."
Thus Mr. Obama sought and was granted redemption by leaving his church and distancing himself from the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., his spiritual adviser for two decades. More important than the content of a 20-year history was the denunciation, though even that sometimes isn't enough. Judgment, as always, is in the eye of one's opponent.
Sen. Hillary Clinton challenged Mr. Obama's denunciation of Louis Farrakhan, saying that Mr. Obama should have rejected the Nation of Islam leader's endorsement. Mr. Obama said fine. He would "reject and denounce" if that would make Mrs. Clinton feel better.
And then he made her secretary of state. And she did feel better.
Sen. John McCain also had to rebuke unfortunate friends, including Ohio talk-radio host Bill Cunningham and Texas televangelist John Hagee.
Mr. Cunningham couldn't resist repeatedly mentioning Mr. Obama's middle name before a McCain appearance. After the rally, Mr. McCain expressed regret for "any comments that may have been made about [Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama], who are honorable Americans."
