Post Election Expectations for Barack Obama by the Obama Relatives

[eshfemme]

This might be a bit tangential and a bit jumping the gun as I am assuming that Obama will win the Presidency. But is anyone bothered by the increasing reports of the Obama's extended paternal relatives? They seem to be coming out of the woodworks and I don't know if it's because the extended campaigning has made me feel a personal affinity with Barack Obama but I can't help but feel annoyance on his behalf every time anyone other than his stepgrandmother, Sarah Obama, is referenced as feeling proud and possessive of him. I'm talking about the half-siblings, the stepmothers, the cousins however removed, who all seem intent on claiming a piece of him just because he's successful and will be powerful (being optimistically hopeful!).

From how they speak, it's as if they think that once Barack is elected, they will have an automatic entry to the White House no matter what and with it, all the powers and influence accorded to relatives of the President. I know Barack isn't into cronyism at all but is it weird of me to feel bothered on his behalf that his relatives on his father's side seem to feel this way? I know that there's a cultural gap here too because in Kenya, there is the social assumption that richer relations take care of their poorer relations but I can't help but feel that is unfair to Barack Obama. First of all, he barely knows them-- they are strangers to him. They did help in his finding his roots but they are still mostly strangers related to him by blood and not love the way his two Grandmas are to him. I can't help but feel like they're being leeches to him and I don't appreciate how they are also a potential weakness that the Republicans have been trying to exploit.

On the one hand, the Republicans have been trying to emphasize the relative poverty that the Obama relatives live in and how "little" Obama's done for them and then on the other hand, if Obama does help them all, he could be accused of being too nepotistic. I'm just frustrated for Barack because of this situation. It's a weird melding of the personal and business here. This doesn't even begin to address the whole tribalistic assumption of Africans in general that Obama will be directly beholden to them.

Am I being crazy in my annoyance here? I hope I'm not being too much of a concern troll and this might have to do with my personal issues of having had distant relatives who had no hand in my upbringing basically try to take credit for my accomplishments and it raises my hackles. So, thanks for letting me vent.

EDIT:
Links to the video and articles that gave me this impression that there are people looking to cash in on Barack Obama:
http://www.cnn.com/video/politics/2008/11/03/rumsey.uk.obama.stepmother.itn
http://www.eastandard.net/mag/InsidePage.php?id=1143998355&cid=499

During my short stay in this super power country, my association with Senator Obama, though very distant, allowed me to enjoy several privileges. For instance, doors opened easily for me because I was a Kenyan, while my colleagues were not accorded such privileges.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article5068714.ece
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5068651.ece

Note that this isn't meant to rain on the parade of genuine celebration WHEN Obama wins but I can't help but feel that Obama's a man who will be the United States President. It doesn't make him the genie who'll grant 3 wishes for everyone with any sort of tangential relationship to him.

[FrenchieCat]

1. I'm sure Barack will handle his extended family just fine.

Remember that he didn't grow up knowing these folks. Just like his being related to Dick Cheney, I don't believe he will be claiming many of these folks other than the fact that they can claim they are related to him on his Father's side.

[eshfemme]

3. I'm not worried about him claiming them. I'm worried about THEM making demands of him.

That's all I'm worried about. For Obama to become the United States President is probably akin to winning a multimillion lottery-- the relatives all queue up to get a piece of the money and that's what I'm afraid of for Obama. I know that he probably wouldn't get angry with them because that's what kind of class act he is but I can't help but feel angry that these people who haven't had anything to do with forming his basic character are so eager to claim such close intimate relationships with him when it's kinda obvious that they aren't and haven't put in the years of love and devotion such intimacy is based on.

Sorry but I think I was just angered watching the video of Obama's stepmother so proudly claiming that he's her son and such when I distinctly remember a news item where the Obama family initially reacted with anger upon hearing of Barack Sr's marriage to a white woman (http://web.archive.org/web/20071124054850/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-0703270151mar27,0,589824,full.story).

Stanley Ann's prospective father-in-law was furious. He wrote the Dunhams "this long, nasty letter saying that he didn't approve of the marriage," Obama recounted his mother telling him in "Dreams." "He didn't want the Obama blood sullied by a white woman."

And now that the product of "sullied" Obama blood is actually poised to be the most powerful man on Earth, they are now so fucking proud of him. Obama might not be able to evince that disgust for such hypocrisy but I can.

I don't know... maybe I'm being too judgmental but I can't help but feel protective of the man. Barack Obama has had to go through a grueling 2 years of campaigns where he can't even respond to personal attacks for fear of the "angry black man" stereotype and now that his endurance and patience has paid off, everyone's jumping on the bandwagon. I don't doubt my fellow DUers but I think some of the latecomers to the party would be just as happy to kick him while he's down if Obama stumbles and I feel it so sad that Obama has so many relatives on his father's side but they seem more like fairweather friends than family he can depend on.

[kestrel91316]

2. Thank you for your concern. Dumbest . Post. Ever.

[eshfemme]

4. Thanks for your rude honesty

I've already acknowledged that it's possible I'm being overly concerned. But we'll just know if my concerns are unwarranted after Nov 4, huh? In the meantime, I guess it's too much to hope that even simple civility is to be expected. It IS the internet.

[kestrel91316]

5. Well I didn't call you any names. You, OTOH, seem to have no compunction about doing so,

by way of your artwork.

I find your insinuation that Obama might use the WH as a virtual whorehouse for doling out and receiving favors from foreign relatives more than a little offensive.

[eshfemme]

6. Please read through the post more thoroughly

I've already stated that I don't believe that Obama will be nepotistic or into cronyism at all. But I find it horrible for Obama because his relatives don't seem to share that sentiment. I am sympathetic to Barack's possible quandary because it's obvious some of the people he is related to need a reality check and it could turn ugly for Obama when he's forced to give them that reality check. That is all.

Also, most people laugh when I post that artwork because the anonymity of the Internet usually loosens rules of conduct where strangers feel perfectly empowered to be dicks to each other. When you label my post as "dumbest. post. ever." with little substance behind that sentiment and with a further reply that shows that you didn't even read it very carefully, it basically proves the point exactly. If you recognize similarities in your behavior to the theory then you are pricked. If not, then you will just be amused. It just says to me that you're looking to be offended and insulted.

[secondwind]

7. a very long and needless post..........these folks will all be just fine.......not to worry