By Demella Dalton
Observer
Staff member
(Charlestown, Nevis) – Barack Obama is not running for office in the Federation, but he seems to be having an impact on Nevisian youths, according to statements from a group of young people who were asked about his candidacy.
First, a little background about the candidate:
Barack Hussein Obama – born Aug. 4, 1961 – is the junior United State Senate from Illinois. He is nominee of the Democratic Party in 2008 presidential election and the first African American to be nominated by a major party for President of the United States.
A graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he served as president of the Harvard Law Review, he worked as a community organizer and practiced as a civil rights attorney before serving in Illinois state senate from 1997 to 2004. He also taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004.
In 2000, he had an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He announced his campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2003.
After a primary victory in March, 2004, Obama delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in July, 2004. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in November, 2004, with 70 percent of the vote.
On February 10, 2007, he announced his candidacy for president of the United States in front of the Old Capitol Building in Springfield, Illinois.
His opponent in the presidential campaign is Republican Sen. John McCain.
Even though the election is for the United States, those who live Caribbean are affected by who will be the next President of the United States.
Youths are not of age to vote, but they do have feelings when it comes to how things should be run. Some young Nevisians recently spoke about the election of the United States.
Their responses are below:
Observer Q: Do you want to see Obama win and why?
Respondent 1: Yes, It is time for a change and they need a black president.
Observer Q: Do you like and why do you like him?
Respondent 1: I like him because he stands up for what he believes in.
Observer Q: If he wins what would you like to see him do?
Respondent 1: I would like him to stop the war in Iraq and start new programs for the citizens.
Observer Q: Does his running have any influence on your life?
Respondent 1: Yes, it tells me to have a positive attitude and never give up.
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Observer Q: Do you want to see Obama win and why?
Respondent 2: Yes, because he has a good personality and he will be good as a president.
Observer Q: Do you like and why do you like him?
Respondent 2: I like him because he wants change and is the best to me.
Observer Q: If he wins what would you like to see him do?
Respondent 2: I would like him to stop the war in Iraq
Observer Q: Does his running have any influence on your life?
Respondent 2: Yes. If I want something, I must work hard at getting it.
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Observer Q: Do you want to see Obama win and why?
Respondent 3: Yes, I want to see America have something new, the first black president.
Observer Q: Do you like and why do you like him?
Respondent 3: I like the way he speaks.
Observer Q: If he wins what would you like to see him do?
Respondent 3: I would like him to make America better.
Observer Q: Does his running have any influence on your life?
Respondent 3: Yes. Black people are standing for themselves and wanting change.
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Observer Q: Do you want to see Obama win and why?
Respondent 4: Yes, because I like him
Observer Q: Do you like and why do you like him?
Respondent 4: I like his personality.
Observer Q: If he wins what would you like to see him do?
Respondent 4: I’d like to see him end the war and change America in every possible way he can.
Observer Q: Does his running have any influence on your life?
Respondent 4: Yes. Fight in what you believe in.
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Observer Q: Do you want to see Obama win and why?
Respondent 5: Yes, it is time for a change.
Observer Q: Do you like and why do you like him?
Respondent 5: Yes, I like him because he is smart and will do a great job in leading.
Observer Q: If he wins what would you like to see him do?
Respondent 5: I like to see him stop the war and change the name of the White House.
Observer Q: Does his running have any influence on your life?
Respondent 5: Yes. Not because of the colour of your skin, but we can do anything and we are capable.
