Kenyan group vows to defend Obama from smears

Source: Reuters

NAIROBI (Reuters) - A group of young Kenyans supporting Barack Obama launched what they called a worldwide campaign on Friday to defend the likely U.S. Democratic presidential nominee from smears by opponents.

...

Peter Mbae of Sen. Barack Obama Worldwide Supporters said the new network would organize online forums, public meetings and demonstrations to raise awareness of Obama's policies.

"We're going to march in all the major (Kenyan) towns, and then in all the African cities," he told reporters in Nairobi.

"Then we reach the whole world. It's very easy because it's a global village, and we can do things the technological way."

...

Mbae's colleague, Mwangi Mukami, said they would counter what he described as a whispering campaign questioning Obama's politics, patriotism and religious beliefs that was started online by the senator's opponents but had even spread to some churches in Kenya.

"Being a self-made man from a very shaky beginning, Sen. Obama is an inspiration of hope to millions in the USA and the world," he said. "We want to ensure that what Sen. Obama stands for is not diluted by cheap propaganda."



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/06/AR2008060601743.html

n/t

We should bring them over here. My suggestion. Have them be the filmer's for all McCain's rallys. Maybe McCain will have a "Maccaca" moment.

I believe McCain is better than that, but I've heard he has a temper...

this is so fricking cool.

jump the Mediterranean and plow across europe, then simultaneously break out in the far east, russia, the middle east, and south america.

ObamaNation - everyone wants to get on board! :bounce:

One of the cool things about Obama that I think made it easier for some white people to tolerate him is that he wasn't constantly reminding people he was African American. I say this to contrast him to people like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton who were always talking about how hard black people had it. Now of course, it's true - our country has treated blacks shamefully - but many white people prefer not to acknowledge that. Such thoughts evoke guilt and/or defensiveness, if not outright anger and denial.

Obama transcends race because he was never in our face about it. He never hid it, he never flaunted it. He's an American - pure and simple. All the Kenyans start making noise, and it reminds people of his background. Enough Americans are jingoistic and xenophobic enough to get turned off by that, by seeing Obama as "foreign" and "different"

Me personally, I don't blame the Kenyans. The smears against Obama are smears against them too. We need to have some of our narrow-minded misconceptions of other cultures shattered, and this is an opportunity to do so. I just hope it doesn't hurt Obama.

why shouldn't the Kenyans celebrate this? And to have a foreign country rally behind our presumptive nominee would be thrilling, I'd think. Has that EVER happened before? The bigots will be bigots regardless; the rest of us should rejoice and celebrate with the Kenyans.
My glass, as usual, is half full, not half empty. :hi:

isn't it? I'm a fretful cynic.

No, I knew my comments would inflame some, but you are quite reasonable to call me on this.

The Kenyans should rally to their son, and should feel enormous pride.

I guess I'm too sensitive to the smears this is sure to create. The Republicans have a diabolical talent for taking our candidate's strength and using it against him (or her). Obama has a unique perspective. His wisdom and skill in relating to people has come from his multi-cultural background. I see this as an asset in Senator Obama.

It is not just the bigots who will be bigots. Obama himself has acknowledged that many of us, even otherwise progressive people, fear something different. The defense by foreigners may drag these sentiments to the surface.

Understand, I worry it will backfire, but I think they should do it anyway. Cowering in the corner is useless, because the Republicans are going to find a way to smear Obama regardless. I want racial smears to be fought because it is the right thing to do. Not just for Obama, but for them. Not just for them, but for us.

It's completely insane to have to think like this, but total insanity is a defining trait of American politics. I keep waiting for Faux News to run a 2 hour expose on how the second cousin of Obama's mailman once smoked pot - and inhaled! :o Clear evidence of Obama's unsuitability for public office! Actually, I ought to be careful what I write, we don't need to be giving the cable news pundits any ideas. :eyes:

he'll do very well there too! :)

:kick:

to *some* white people than jesse jackson and al sharpton, who are not biracial.

http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/kenya/

They've got lions and tigers!

For foreigners to get involved in US elections?

Wow, I can't possibly see how this might backfire :sarcasm:

We may be happy that the world wants Obama, but this will only hurt us here.

Many Americans already think that he wasn't born here. This will not help.

People dumb enough to think he wasn't born here weren't going to vote for him, anyway.

I am glad to see this.

And, they're the same ones who still think he's a secret muslim.

I've got news for those who don't know it - but the WHOLE WORLD is rooting for Obama. I received an email from an Obama supporter in Germany - they want to send over students to work for Obama here.

We are truly ONE WORLD - there are those that will get it - and those that will continue to only see the "separateness".

if you were born in another country?

if you were born in another country...your parents just had to have been both Americans.

John McCain was born in Panama.

The more good people across the world working to end the reign of the Republicans in the US the better.

Imagine how difficult it would be for the Republicans to "swiftboat" Obama if we had a global effort of concerned people refuting their claims? It would be rather difficult for the media to ignore the truth and perpetuate a lie that way.

Organization is the key....

if the support isn't divided along Kenyan tribal lines. Otherwise, any inter-tribal violence will be grist for the GOP's 527-mill.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/01/03/DI2008010301688.html

I have no idea if Barack's father has tribal lineage. Or if the Kenyan support web site has funding from one tribe.

I like our chances better if we get no outside help.