Who’s More Obama than Obama?
Politicians around the world would love a piece of Barack Obama's popularity. So, a few are campaigning on their proximity to the U.S. president -- both real and imagined.
Nicholas Rajula
Nicholas Rajula
Country: Kenya
Obama factor: Claims to be the president’s cousin.
Yes, he can? The 47-year-old textbook distributor ran unsuccessfully for Parliament in December 2007 based entirely on the claim that he shares a bloodline with Barack. The Obama campaign denied the connection. Rajula did, however, attend the U.S. presidential inauguration with seven members of the extended Obama clan in tow.
Claudio Henrique dos Anjos
Country: Brazil
Obama factor: Ran for office under the name Claudio Henrique-Barack Obama.
Yes, he can? Thanks to quirky election laws, candidates in Brazil can run under any name they wish. Hoping to become the first black mayor of Belford Roxo, a poor suburb of Rio de Janeiro, dos Anjos picked a name he thought people could believe in. In October, supporters campaigned in a pickup truck blaring the slogan, "Vote for Barack Obama!" Unfortunately, dos Anjos lost.
David Lammy
Country: Britain
Obama factor: A young, black, left-leaning politician who was educated at Harvard and raised by a single mother. Sound familiar? (Plus, they’re friends.)
Yes, he can? The youngest member of the House of Commons when he was elected in 2000, Lammy displays a picture of his pal Barack on his Web site. And he’s none too thrilled about other Brits claiming the "British Obama" mantle. He wrote an editorial attacking Conservative leader David Cameron for adopting Obama-esque rhetoric.
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