Obama casts his first Senate vote

Jan 24 -- Democrat Senator Barack Obama cast his first vote Wednesday as US Senator at his first seating in the Foreign Relations Committee hearing of Dr. Condoleezza Rice, President George Bush’s nominee for Secretary of State.

Sen. Obama was among the 18 seating senators who voted for Rice’s nomination in spite of his explicit opposition for the war in Iraq. In a 16-2 vote, Sen. John Kerry, from Massachusetts and Barbara Boxer of California cast their two votes against the nomination.

Since his election last November, Sen. Obama has spent a great deal of his time toning down the high expectations most Democrats have put on him following his landslide victory in Illinois elections. Earlier before the election, Obama had given an amazing keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention last July which shot him to national political limelight.

Obama was sworn in as US senator for Illinois on Jan 4 by Vice president Dick Cheney who serves of senate president. Thereafter, a reception was held for family, friends and supporters who turned up to witness the occasion at the Library of Congress’ Montpelier Room. Sarah Obama, grandmother to Obama’s father was among family and friends from Kenya who traveled to grace this special occasion.

Kenya’s government sent Hon. Raphael Tuju, minister for tourism and information and Moses Wetengula foreign affairs assistant minister an extraordinary move that if it did happen would have been criticized by the public that has been following Obama’s campaign over the last year.

Obama, who had served a seven-year term as Illinois State Senator, is an accomplished author of a book called “Dreams from my father” a memoir that addresses his mixed race soul searching moments of his youthfulness.

Immigrants especially Kenyans in the US are keen to explore how best Obama’s roots and new statue as U.S. senator are likely to boost their interests especially for those who are lawful permanent residents and those who have opted to naturalize as new Americans