No one who did not protest naming CVNs after living Republican politicians has anything to complain about.
I complained about the other as well. I also complain regularly to my hubby about our beloved university putting up statues of coaches, especially living ones.
FYI the only “dead” rule is for destroyers. We’ve had a couple lately named after Navy Seals who gave it up. The rest , however, are judgment calls. Not only do we have carriers Reagan and Bush but sub Carter. The brass knows if they get too dopey they won’t be able to keep a crew on board. This one might get quietly renamed——riding the “Gabby Giffy” might turn out to be a non-crew-draw?
Jim, I objected when they selected Ford for the CVN 21 class ships for just that reason.
Jerry Ford’s service in WWII was undeniably heroic, but I still think it is totally gauche to name ships after living politicians.
As another poster said, I’ll make an exception for Reagan because no President in living memory was more beloved than the Gipper.
Those Republicans had ships named after them for something they had done, not for something that was done to them.