Obama Tapes Message of Peace for Kenya
EmailABC News’ Terry Moran and Dana Hughes Report: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has taped a message to be broadcast by the Voice of America to Kenya, where a disputed election has sparked riots across the nation.
The message from the Illinois senator, whose father was a member of the Luo tribe and whose grandmother still lives in Kenya, calls for calm and an end to the violence that has erupted across the African nation since its election.
Over the weekend, President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the race, defeating opposition leader Raila Odinga by about 200,000 votes.
Obama spoke with Secretary Rice on the matter Tuesday.
The senator is hugely popular in Kenya. His father was an educated member of the Luo tribe, who much of the Luo elite — like Odinga, the president’s challenger — actually knew. Obama told ABC News that his father also knew President Kibaki personally.
He told ABC News that he hopes his popularity in the country can help stop the post-election violence.
Obama also made a point of saying his heritage in Africa and Asia would shape his presidency, giving him special insight and impact on "the next hot spots" around the globe.
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This is exactly the kind of leadership Washington needs right now.
Posted by: GObama | January 2, 2008, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
It was a solid move, politically and humanitarily. He had influence to play there and he did it, what affect it might have there or here, who knows? Even if nothing comes of it, he made a statement and showed leadership while the others were still seeing how it would spin. Decisive and acted within the scope of the power available to him.
Posted by: Louis | January 2, 2008, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
This is exactly the voice that the U.S. needs at this time there. I hope it is successful.
Posted by: Paulet | January 2, 2008, 5:37 pm 5:37 pm
Remember when we all thought it was so frickin’ hilarious that George W couldn’t find Kenya on a map?
Obama ’08
Posted by: Joe Lisboa | January 2, 2008, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
Oh I am moved…Barack Hussein Obama the “holier than thu” candidate’s hands are reaching out to the world now. He will save Africa from destruction, then he will move to the Muslim world where he will be welcome and loved by everyone and unite everybody like he plans to do it in America!
Long live for BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA!!!!
Posted by: marcia | January 2, 2008, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm
If Obama is elected, we will have troops not only in Pakistan but also in Kenya in 2009!!!
Posted by: Maria | January 2, 2008, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
dang, marcia … that’s really the best you’ve got? HUSSEIN! ooh, what a scaaaaary name. grow up, already.
Posted by: sickofher | January 2, 2008, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
The irony of the Obama hype and his followers that act like trolls really and can’t find anything wrong with him or allow anybody to say anything about Obama without even know him well or his record. They should check what he has done for Illinois, check the dubious political deals he has done and the real powers behind his campaign. The sad part of it is like during this time of realty shows and entertainment news anyone can become President.
Posted by: Pete | January 2, 2008, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm
Sickofher, you just keep supporting and believing these candidates like Obama, who keeps funding the war, and Hillary,who voted and funded the war, or better yet the Repubican Neo-cons, who think they are rulers of an American empire. Even the Rev. Martin Luther King said “do not let America convince you into believing, that it should be the policeman of the world”…. For years our foreign policies have made matters worse. Those of us who are of Latin American ancestry know first hand what MLK was referring to. It is same mentality of the English Empire’s “white mans burden”…. Sickofher, open your eyes for it is you that is pretty deceived to think other countries cannot solve their own affairs, because they are Sickofus!!!!
Posted by: Maria | January 2, 2008, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm
Marcia,
Oh, puh-lease….
Barack Hussein Obama….
That the best you’ve got?
Pathetic.
Posted by: George, Houston | January 2, 2008, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
C’mon, the Obama supporters are starting scaring me out really. They are acting like cult people; they can’t see anything wrong in this guy. Lucky man, see what 100Million, tons of free press and Hollywood celebrity can do to you. Obama!!! the new Real Celebrity King!!
Posted by: PaulIowa | January 2, 2008, 10:20 pm 10:20 pm
as for you, paul from iowa, god bless you, sir. we both know that if your candidate had been publicly endorsed by oprah winfrey, you’d have been cartwheels down the ice-ridden streets — as would i! — so just relax.
Posted by: sickofher | January 2, 2008, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm
Obama may or may not be a nice guy, but he is obviously still wet behind the ears. He does not have the experience to get us out of the Bush-made-mess we’re in, or the diplomacy to handle delicate situations in places like Africa and the Middle East.
Posted by: USMCGrandma | January 2, 2008, 11:57 pm 11:57 pm
USMC Grandma………..Good news for you it was experience that got us into IRAQ and it will be wisdom that will get us out. Therefore you should vote for Obama.
Posted by: murl41 | January 3, 2008, 12:30 am 12:30 am
USMC Grandma………..Good news for you it was experience that got us into IRAQ and it will be wisdom that will get us out. Therefore you should vote for Obama.
Posted by: murl41 | January 3, 2008, 12:32 am 12:32 am
Why doesn’t Obama tape a “peace message” for Sudan???!!!
Posted by: Daleri | January 3, 2008, 2:26 am 2:26 am
Very good move for Obama to make.It does show leadership and the ability to make a decision. For those who smear him because of his name ,look in the mirror at whom you voted for in 2000-2004.the bush family is in bed with the Sauds, and the bush regime has given our country over to others to finance a war to control middle eastern oil fields.
Posted by: pat | January 3, 2008, 7:04 am 7:04 am
Obama next “foreign affairs” move is to compete with Osama into who tapes the most messages to their people. So I can see Barack HUSSEIN Obama taping the next video to all Sunnis of the world!
The savior will bring peace all over the planet under his God willing leadership and wisdom.
Posted by: Susan | January 3, 2008, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm
Come on guys and gals … stop the bickering over things you can not handle. Talking about inexperience; how much peace will you sniper shots bring. All should be prayerful at this time of world-wide nervousness. It’s easy to sit around hearing… reading… and writing about these world-wide uproars of violence; but what will you do if the violence of world madness come to our soil. I don’t think anyone will be on a computer typing internet nastiness. How serious will you run for your life, if bombs and shells are falling in your local neighborhoods. It won’t matter whether you are Republican… Democrat… Independent… or any other classification. Stop playing with this political hate, and start seriously praying for peace; with or without taped peace messages. Kind of makes you think for at least a moment.
Posted by: Level head | January 3, 2008, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm