12-11-2008, 06:34 PM
My brother is a junior, just like Obama. When we were all kids he had a nickname, just like Obama. It distinguished him from my father and saved him from the indignity of "Jimmy" or "Little Jim." After my brother left home he said that he preferred "Jim" instead of his nickname. I expect the same was true with Barack Obama, as he grew older he dropped his "kid" name and assumed his adult name. It just does not seem like a big deal to me. It's completely understandable if someone cares to give it some thought.