Brazil's 'Barack
Obama' Dreams of Being City Councilor
"He (the real Obama) draws
crowds when he preaches politics. He does everything with great transparency and
simplicity. He is a Black man who beat out discrimination and is a step away
from the White House."
-- Alexandre Nunes Jacinto, aka/Alexandre Barack Obama,
candidate for the city council of the municipality of Sertão
PETROLINA: What does an American
senator who could become the president of the most powerful country in the
world, have in common with a country man from Serrote do Urubu, about 9 miles
from downtown Petrolina?
You might assume that there's no correlation whatsoever, but for Alexandre
Nunes Jacinto (PSDB Brazilian Social Democracy Party ), a first-time
candidate for the city council of the municipality of Sertão, there are many
points in common. The candidate - who signs his campaign-name as Alexandre
Barack Obama - emphasizes his determination for more equitable politics as one
of them.
"He (the real Obama)
draws crowds when he preaches politics. He does everything with great
transparency and simplicity. He is a Black man who beat out discrimination and
is a step away from the White House," comments Alexandre. "But we
have differences too. He's rich and elegant, and I'm not," he laughs,
cheerfully.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
Those who imagine this rural
"Obama" as another of those exotic figures that invade municipal
elections every four years are in for a great surprise when they meet him. He's
a man of average height, well-dressed, pauses before he speaks and thinks a lot
before expressing his ideas. He states, categorically, that he chose to use the
senator's name because of the admiration he has had for the American politician
for some time. "About four years ago, I was at the house of a politician
here in Petrolina, and I saw a book that quoted the biography of Barack Obama.
I was impressed and began some research," he reveals.
While the American
senator/celebrity has two degrees (Political Science from Columbia University
and Harvard Law School), his countryside counterpart was unable to finish high
school. He makes a living selling air conditioners and is only able to take on
the campaign thanks to his family's support and the help of friends. In his
hunt for votes, he covers the geographic distance between voters by alternating
between a motorcycle and a bike. "In downtown I walk and go store to
store. When campaigning by motorcycle, I count on help from friends. One comes
and puts in the fuel, and then I circle around going after voters," he
explains.
Map of Pernambuco State. Alexandre 'Barack
Obama' is running
for city council in Sertão, just
outside Petrolina, which is on the
far west of this map.
A married father of three,
the candidacy of Barack Obama of Pernambuco [a state in Brazil
] has taken
many people by surprise. Including his family. "My wife didn't know. When
I said I wanted to run, she said we were in debt and very poor. We even fought.
But now everything is fine. I guaranteed my family that they will not have to
go without. They are all committed to the campaign," he affirms.
Over the next few days, the
candidate can count on some very special help: from his mother of 82 years.
"She is getting some medical treatment in São Paulo, but she says she
can't wait to get back to work on the campaign," he says. In a marketing
tactic, he uses religious images and two signatures on his campaign material.
Those distributed in the rural zone just have his name, Alexandre. Those in the
urban zone have "Barack Obama."
"The public in the
central region has more access to the world's political news. Those in the
interior could become confused and that could hurt the campaign," he
says.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
If he wins a seat on the
council, Alexandre intends to fight abusive sewer and electricity rates.
"I want the Council to develop more serious work and be more committed to
the people. Many councilors, even those that are educated, aren't in it for a
love of the voters. They want to be in the media but don't try to help the
people," he said. Registered with the PSDB, this country version of Barack
Obama asserts that he has no trouble holding a dialogue with politicians of
various groups. But he isn't holding back on who his model is. "I respect
all the candidates, but I have a special admiration for Oswaldo Coelho. He
holds education as his goal. Ever since I have followed him, he has encouraged
me to return to my studies."
The great dream of this man
from the countryside is to be the mayor of Petrolina. "I will be a
councilman and then mayor, for the same party, without changing to another,"
he guarantees. And who knows, maybe before that he will reach the White House.
"I want to meet Barack Obama. But for this to happen, I need to overcome
my fear of traveling by plane," he concluded.
