What's in a name?

Well it's official. The election has been called for May 6th! And we got all the immediate images and sound bites thanks to morning television.

Gordon and his cabinet were talking to us outside no 10! Young Nick Clegg and Uncle Vince had a few reassuring words to say from somewhere or other. David "Dave" Cameron managed to find a soap box along the embankment....still pink-faced after the morning-jog. We saw that too... thanks to a well choreographed  photocall outside his home.  Oh and what's his name?....Alex Salmon was telling us that he would be holding the balance of power come May 6th

If that other old campaigner Aristotle had been anchoring the news broadcasts this morning he might have reflected on all the recent troubles of MP's expenses etc., and offered the advice "keep in mind Ethos, Logos and Pathos!"

• The ethics, integrity and trustworthiness of the orator.
• The logic of their argument.
• The compelling benefits of that argument.

And probably with a rider....that as far as political campaigners go Ethos, and getting across the right message about yourself is crucial.
Something that the New York Times picked up on in their March 22nd edition under a headline "Tories Put Posh Foot in Mouth!" They reported the story of Sir Nicholas Winterton and his preference for first class rail travel, and how in a radio interview he spoke of "the ghastliness of people in standard-class trains!"
The other Tory toff story they liked was about Annunziata Rees-Mogg and the suggestion from "Dave" that she might campaign as Nancy Mogg. She declined as it happens but the magnificently named Richard Grosvenor Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax was happily caste down to a humble “Richard Drax” on campaign posters.
This "de-toffing" of names may have confused New York Times readers a bit.  After all, Americans seem  quite partial to double or even treble-barrell names...apparently seeing them as an indicator of status or reputation. And clearly a good reputation can be everything when you are in politics.....or business.
And if you are in the business of persuading others, either from a presentation lectern or in a board room pitch, you can be sure that interested parties are regularly "Googling" your name...double-barrell or not? So what kind of reputation will they find? Better make sure that it is the right one!
Regarding the name thing. Personally speaking...I don't think it matters if your name is Brown or Howard-Spink!