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CODE NAMES.
From Mike Allen's Playbook:
FIRST FAMILY SECRET SERVICE CODE NAMES, via Chicago Tribune, which explains: “The Secret Service traditionally has given pithy, private names to those whose lives they protect. The monikers are a throwback to a time when electronic communications were not encrypted, and they no longer serve a security function. Still, they give an occasional peek at the players' personalities, in addition to serving as great trivia questions.”Who would have thought that the floweriest descriptors of the Obama clan would come not from the in-the-tank press but the Secret Service?
President-elect Obama: Renegade
Michelle Obama: Renaissance
Malia Obama: Radiance
Sasha Obama: Rosebud
Vice President-elect Joe Biden: Celtic
Jill Biden: Capri
COMMENTS (21)
George W. Bush's code name was "Tumbler." Heh.
Posted by: jeebus | November 12, 2008 10:52 AM
Meanwhile, in an alternate universe. . . .
McCain: Moribund
Cindy: Mummified
Posted by: Matt | November 12, 2008 11:02 AM
Aw, just when I thought they couldn't get any cuter! This administration might be cuteness overload!
Posted by: carrar | November 12, 2008 11:07 AM
Giving Bush the codename 'Tumbler' while busting out the badass for the Obamas shows, I think, that the Secret Service's heart is in the right place.
Posted by: NBarnes | November 12, 2008 11:29 AM
has anyone determined yet whether Biden's codename means he's an ancient European or a Boston b-baller?
Posted by: along | November 12, 2008 11:35 AM
Cindy: Mummified
Um, I think if Jill Biden gets to be "Capri," the least we can do is call Cindy "Virginia Slim."
Posted by: scythia | November 12, 2008 11:36 AM
Can anyone explain the significance of these names in operations? If they're code, the terms for the people have to be changed; if they're just descriptive, then what's the point?
Posted by: Brian | November 12, 2008 11:42 AM
Brian--the signigicance is that they're awesome. Well, except for Capri. Yeesh.
Read Mark Costello's Big If for a hilarious look at the culture of the Secret Service. No idea if it's in any way accurate, but it should be.
Posted by: Matt | November 12, 2008 11:49 AM
I'm with jeebus. The funniest thing in the whole article was that GWB's nickname is "Tumbler."
Every other president had great names that sounded strong and presidential: Eagle, Timberwolf, Rawhide. GWB has a nickname that suits a frat house rather than the White House.
Posted by: Magenta | November 12, 2008 12:02 PM
I wonder why they have this alliterative convention with the code names? Doesn't that increase the chance of a miscommunication?
Posted by: badger | November 12, 2008 12:09 PM
What is the point of having Secret Service code names when every Tom, Dick and Sally in the world knows them? Shouldn't these things be secret or something?
Posted by: Tim | November 12, 2008 12:14 PM
"has anyone determined yet whether Biden's codename means he's an ancient European or a Boston b-baller?"
Yes, hard K or soft C? I'm guessing it's the Keltic, so it goes better with Capri. But those two are curious.
Nice to send Malia into her tween years as "Radiance" Every middle school girl should get that kind of boost.
Posted by: kajey | November 12, 2008 12:29 PM
The McCains and Palins should have secret service names, they were receiving protection during the campaign. Some reporter just needs to find them.
Posted by: SP | November 12, 2008 12:30 PM
@SP: according to this wikipedia article:
John McCain: Phoenix
Cindy mcCain: Parasol
Sarah Palin: Denali
Todd Palin: Driller
Posted by: jd | November 12, 2008 12:58 PM
If they're code, the terms for the people have to be changed; if they're just descriptive, then what's the point?
This is ex recto, but my understanding is that they used to be code, but that isn't needed any more, so the main use is for easy and quick understanding. The Secret Service doesn't want to get all confused if George H.W. Bush and George P. Bush visit while George W. Bush is in office. Or maybe they're maintained just for tradition.
I wonder why they have this alliterative convention with the code names? Doesn't that increase the chance of a miscommunication?
Maybe, but I think alliteration wouldn't be nearly as confusing as rhyming. If you hear "Ren--" but background noise drowns out the rest, at least you can narrow it down to Barack or Michelle.
Posted by: Cyrus | November 12, 2008 1:14 PM
Incidentally, for an unintentionally hilarious tour at wingers' sense of "humor", check out the comments on Michelle Malkin's page on this subject: http://michellemalkin.com/2008/11/11/joe-bidens-secret-service-code-name/
Posted by: 1TW,LTR | November 12, 2008 2:19 PM
Here are the code names that were considered, but rejected:
Barack - Messiah
Michelle - Messiah's bitch
Melia - Pick
Sasha - Ninny
You can see why these wouldn't fly. I like the ones they use now better anyway!
Posted by: Anonymous | November 12, 2008 2:34 PM
Giving Bush the codename 'Tumbler' while busting out the badass for the Obamas shows, I think, that the Secret Service's heart is in the right place.
I'm guessing that "Tumbler" was a carry-over from his daddy's time as Veep, since the initial "T" applied to the whole Bush family: Marvin/Tuner; Jeb/Tripper, Neil/Trapline.
So the codename given to him in 1980 (when he was still a drinker) was kept when his daddy became prez, and when he became prez.
Posted by: pseudonymous in nc | November 12, 2008 4:36 PM
Klein: Mic
Yglesias: TrustFund
Atrios: Atrios
Drum: Irvine
Kos: Napoleon
Sullivan: Fifth
Marshall: Kane
Posted by: fun with names | November 12, 2008 5:41 PM
Is Biden's pronounced Seltic, like the basketball team or keltic? I need to know.
Posted by: Nylund | November 12, 2008 9:16 PM
Does Sasha have a sled?
Posted by: biggerbox | November 13, 2008 1:53 PM