Obamamania in Africa
February 23, 2007
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U.S. Sen. Barack Obama is greeted by Kenyan dignitaries
in Nairobi in August 2006
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"You are an American? What do you think of Obama?" I heard this line more than once while recently in Kenya.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama is a larger than life hero to many in the country. When he visited his father's ancestral home in Kenya last year, he was greeted like a rock star. In their minds, Obama is Kenyan. Even though he was born in America, Obama has Kenyan blood running through his veins. His dad was Kenyan. His mother was a white American.
It is interesting to note that no one I spoke with about Obama could name anything on his political platform or recount any of his political history. It is merely the idea of an African-American President that excites many Africans. Some wondered out loud if perhaps Obama would do more to help their continent because of his roots.
There is a very interesting editorial from yesterday's edition of The Monitor. It talks about the ripple effect an American president of African descent would have on the continent.
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