Maiden name turns into campaign issue

In politics, nothing is off limits -- even something as seemingly innocuous as a middle or maiden name.

Take Barack Obama.

Republican talk show hosts are repeatedly invoking his middle name, Hussein, in an apparent attempt to connect him to the executed Iraqi dictator or Muslims. John McCain apologized earlier this week for such comments made by a supporter at an Ohio rally.

Now it appears to be U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean's turn.

Republican challenger Steve Greenberg circulated a news release Wednesday referring to the Barrington Democrat as Melissa Luburich Bean, adding her Serbian maiden name.

The news release blasted Bean for not supporting Kosovo's move to separate from Serbia and her backing by pro-Serbian organizations.

Greenberg defended the news release Wednesday, saying her maiden name was fair game and her support for Serbia is disturbing, especially in light of last week's attack on the U.S. embassy in the Eastern European country.

"I think ultimately when you run for office you are being vetted many ways -- your middle name and last name and you get called many names," said the Long Grove businessman. "If we are thin-skinned about it … we are probably in the wrong business."

Bean has a long record of supporting Serbian groups and Serbia's efforts to prevent a Kosovo succession. The position is in conflict with the official stance of the Bush administration and that of several key Western European allies.

The attack on the embassy was reportedly carried out by rioters upset with the U.S. support of a separate Kosovo state. The Serbian government denounced the attack.

Bean was not available for comment Thursday, but her spokesman did issue a one-sentence statement.

"As a rule, the congresswoman does not respond to ethnically and religiously divisive statements," Jonathan Lipman said.