Obama draws crowds on slum tour

[IndianaGreen]

These has been the most extraordinary tour ever taken by a US politician. Obama's visit to his ancestral village, and meeting with his grandmother, was one of those dramatic events similar to Alex Hailey's visit to Africa.

Last Updated: Sunday, 27 August 2006, 22:33 GMT 23:33 UK

Obama draws crowds on slum tour


Obama promised the crowd he
would tell Americans their story

US Senator Barack Obama has visited one of Africa's largest slums in the Kenyan capital on the fourth day of his trip to his late father's homeland.

"You are all my brothers and sisters," Mr Obama told crowds of excited residents who craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the senator.

Earlier Mr Obama visited Wajir, a rural area in north-eastern Kenya which has been hit by a severe drought.

He is the only black US Senator and is seen as a rising star of the Democrats.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5290844.stm

[goclark]

1. Now that is a leader ~

[BadGimp]

2. Who would be the closest counterpart to Senator Obama in the GOP?

Is there one? There has to be right?

The way this story is unfolding you can not help but be inspired by this man and these people. CNN has some free video of his family members and some from his fathers' village before the Senators' arrival. Watching it was a moving and powerful experience for me.

This link is to the story. The video link is in para 4.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/08/26/kenya.obama/index.html

If it does not work, try doing a search for Obama on the CNN site.

........

Ahh to actually be inspired by a leader once again. We miss you Bill. You too Al!

[IndianaGreen]

3. Here are other LBN threads on Obama's trip to Kenya

CNN/AP: Senator Obama, in Kenya, takes AIDS test to fight stigma
Topic started by DeepModem Mom on Aug-26-06 09:55 AM

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2476672

Senator Obama Received Warmly in Kenya (NYT)
Topic started by Omaha Steve on Aug-25-06 05:27 PM

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2475748

Kenya ready to fete Obama return
Topic started by Judi Lynn on Aug-24-06 06:07 AM

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2472394

[Erika]

4. Well, blue blood Babs Bush can visit her Eurpopean lineage

She brags about it all the time.

Oh, this is different? She can't profit from telling the Katrina victims how well off they are?

[AtomicKitten]

5. here's another thread

that was ignored:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2799629&mesg_id=2799629

[noonwitch]

6. Kenya is a good nation for us to build ties with

It's one country in Africa that doesn't hate us (at least not yet). They are friendly toward the west, they have potential for tourism, both by being on the coast and because of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the wildlife refuge nearby.


They could use our help with agricultural development and we need an ally in East Africa.

[warrens]

7. Oh, man, did he piss off the govt

The Chicago reporter travelling with him reported last night that all his meetings with Kenyan officials were abruptly canceled when he blasted African governments for tolerating rampant corruption. Which is massively the case.

Good for Obama. I still think that he's going to be our candidate in 08, and standing up to (black) thugs is the sort of thing that will help him.

[JNelson6563]

8. Oh dear God no!!

I still think that he's going to be our candidate in 08,

We need a more grizzled veteran for 08. He shows some promise but he's waaaaaaaaaaaaay to green!!

Julie

[IndianaGreen]

9. Yes, he is too green and young

but who knows what will happen in 2016.