Hubert Humphrey was the Democratic vice-presidential candidate in the 1964 presidential election. The era, marked by racial unrest and urban rioting, was rife with talk of "backlash" and "frontlash."

When the Republican candidate issued a sarcastic comment on Humphrey's middle name (Horatio), he replied: "In the name of charity I must warn him. The hidden middle-name vote -- all those youngsters blessed by loving parents with a middle name they choose to convert into an initial -- may rise against him. He should beware of the midlash."