Elly Wamari
5 June 2008
(Page 2 of 2)
Over the three years he has served in the Senate, Obama's political work has concentrated on championing for the needs of the common people. This must be the crucial factor in the support he has earned from the masses. And it is manifest in the overwhelming contributions people from a variety of backgrounds have made in favour of his campaign for the presidency. It explains the dramatic swings of delegates to his side during the nomination primaries.
During his time as Illinois senator, Obama pushed a number of legislations meant to address specific needs of the masses. Most prominent are legislations on expanded healthcare services for the poor, and broadened early childhood education support.
And while still holding the seat he earned with a 70 per cent electoral victory never experienced in the history of Illinois politics - Obama initiated a push for a website that would enable all Americans to track how the government spent their money, the aim being to heighten government accountability and to limit corruption.
Alternative energy
He has been championing the development of alternative energy and improved efficiency in oil consumption, often voicing the importance of politics that add value to the living standards of people, rather than politics of power and self-aggrandizement.
That is the change the man who lives in Chicago and is also known by his nickname, "Barry", has been selling in his campaign messages, alongside hope and the belief that change can actually be achieved.
His strong stance against racist attitudes recently provoked him to cut links with the Trinity United Church of Christ he has been a member of for 16 years. His move came after a pastor, Jeremiah Wright, and later Catholic priest Michael Pfleger, visiting the church, made unsavoury racial comments that Obama was uncomfortable with. Obama was also aware that the clergymen's sentiments weighed negatively on his presidential campaign. He severed links with the church and thanks to his gifted campaign team, and his eloquence, he managed to sail through the challenge, just as he had done with others before.
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