Illinois
U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama spoke Tuesday night at the 2004
Democratic National Convention in Boston, MA.
The keynote speech, which many have been dubbed as exceptional,
has aroused reactions across continental U.S.A and in Kenya where
Obama's father was born. Mashariki Leo is pleased to share some
of these reactions.
Obama:
A man from an ordinary background
Wow! That was an electrifying speech. The delivery was masterful
while the issues raised were as pertinent as they could be. Here
is a man from an ordinary background (foreign student father and
mother of a blue collar working family) that has made it almost
to the pinnacle of American politics.
Commentators
agree that he is a rising star in the Democratic Party and that
the convention provided him with a stage to clinch the November
elections to the Senate!
Now,
ask ye all: doesn't this man inspire many beyond the American border
when he talks about possibilities, and relates these to his own
background.
Ask
again: how come we (Obama is of Kenyan heritage) cannot produce
or offer opportunity to our own Kenyan sons in service to the country.
Are we doomed to cynicism and condemned to the ravages of corruption?
Years
from now, there will be another one whose epiphany came with Obama's
speech to the convention.
Matunda
Nyanchama
Ontario, Canada
Obama:
l know gold when l see one
Ladies and Gentlemen: I have been around and l know gold when l see
one. This guy Obama is a true rising star. If an African American
could become a US President, he is the person. He has every thing
going for him. Education, smarts, looks, poise and you name it.
Olisa H. Osita,
California
Obama:
He is heading for the US senate
That young man
Obama excited me tremendously yesterday. I believe his performance,
compared to Emeka Okafor on the basketball court, and a number of
growing African Children in the America, is an indication of things
to come from our African homes in this generation. Barring any unforeseeable
stumbling blocks, he is heading for the US senate, and with an African
Dad and Uncles, he could easily make the Presidency in this country.
Obama is my
kind of guy, bringing people together, flagging hope signs, and
confidently letting people realizes that there is a greater tomorrow
in people. There is future in Obama, if he keeps his head above
the tantalizing waters of fame temptations and the delusion and
invisibility of arrogance. Take care.
Joe Igietseme
Obama:
Masterpiece of a genius
I too was transfixed as I watched Obama charm the national audience.
All I can say is that it was the masterpiece of a genius. Even though
he took a moderate stance, he painted his picture with a golden paintbrush.
The republicans in the State of Illinois must be shining in their
pants!
Fred Omondi
Obama:
Kenyan leaders should learn
from if …
The communication waves were turned into electrical currents. In turn,
these currents shook the hearts of many around the country and beyond.
That is very necessary for the future expected actions for which,
if ever, all those Kenyan leaders including Raila, Kombo, Uhuru who
came over should learn. I have no words to express my sensitivity
and yet few noted why he said this "Barack is an African name
which means blessed". He didn't mention the meaning of Obama
because it definitely looks self-explanatory. He said it is no barrier
to success in America and he is an example of that. Nyabuto
Mangerere
New Jersey, NJ
Obama:
One day, a similar individual will lead Kenya
That was definitely the unveiling of possibly (and
the pundits unanimously agree) the future first Black president
of the US. The fact that he will be the first Black ever elected
(in three months) to the US Senate is wonder enough and is exuberated
by the fact that he will representing the land of Lincoln; Illinois.
My issue with him over the years is that he had
rarely publicly embraced his Kenyan roots. Yesterday on the national
platform, addressing over 40 million people he `put' Kenya on the
US political map as he explained whom his grandfather and father
were. The meaning of his name Barack…….made me understand
why he had waited for a national event as African American's cried
and Whites cheered as he embraced the motherland.
Obama has a Harvard pedigree and a telegenic family.
He's a university professor and an author; he is young, idealistic
and also realistic (he said yesterday `Tonight is a particular honor
for me because, let's face it, my presence on this stage is pretty
unlikely.) He gave a moderate message about the limits of governments,
the necessity to go to war, corporate tax cuts and delivered the
speech with skill that conjured up memories of Malcolm X. He spoke
to over 40 million Americans without breaking a sweat and spoke
directly to the kinds of middle class values that Democrats embody.
Maybe we can have the audacity to hope that, one
day, a similar individual will lead Kenya.
Carpe
Futurum!
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