A sign that Obama just might be “ready” Posted by Moira Whelan

Joe Klein has the run down of Barack Obama’s recent efforts to confront the challenges in Kenya, his father’s homeland. He’s done a VOA message, talked to Desmond TuTu and Condi Rice among other things…all in the days and hours leading up to race that would define his political future.

I gotta say, I’m pretty impressed. You can say what you will about politics, but it seems to me that this was one of those things that transcended the Iowa Caucuses for Obama and it speaks volumes for how he would perform and what he expects from himself.

After all, look at what we’ve grown used to: Bush is getting on a plane tomorrow to go to Israel for the first time and to visit the Middle East in his first official trip…after 7 years!

It would certainly be nice to have someone running things who can walk and chew gum at the same time…and has the foresight to do it properly.

On top of that, Kenya is a major story in smallish circles. At a time when even where you buy a cup of coffee is calculated, Obama isn’t chasing the popular issue but is instead bird-dogging something about which he cares deeply and about which he knows has tremendous implications for the region.

Regardless of what happens in the coming weeks, this sets the standard for what we should expect of any potential president.

Comments

[Dan Kervick]

Obama gave a terrific speech at the University of Nairobi in 2006.

[Greg Sanders]

Yeah, I'd been wondering if he'd had any response and am glad to here what he's doing.

[Simmons]

Call me cynical, but I'd bet his efforts are more than just personal.

[Mike M.]

What Obama's doing is great. But comparing him to Bush? You're kind of setting a low bar...

[Peace]

It is impressive that Obama treats the people of Kenya as actual human beings , who are equal citizens of this world, as opposed to the foreign policy establisment who views Africans as children.