Bill Clinton Hadam makes his presidential endorsement
In the battleground state of Georgia, the presidential race is a toss-up, with polls showing Obama closing the gap with McCain. This week, one boy here with a particular interest in US presidents declared his endorsement.
"Barack Obama," says Bill Clinton Hadam.
Bill's third-grade class has been discussing the candidates. So have his parents. His mom, Dawami, isn't eligible to vote yet, but she has high hopes for Obama.
"George Bush no good," she says. "Not too much job; pay small money. Everything high: doctor high, gas high. Big problem."
When the family moved from their Tanzanian refugee camp to Atlanta, two years ago this week, they got a fairly good exchange rate on the money they sent home to help Dawami's daughter pay rent.
"Now dollar low," Dawami says. She's not holding her breath, but: "Maybe Obama can fix?"
Bill's dad, Hassan, is even more skeptical. Not that he favors John McCain - but the Congolese refugee is not convinced that Americans are enlightened enough to elect "a black" as president.
For Bill, neither race nor the economy was a deciding factor. At 10, he is what pundits might call a "values voter." He supports Obama, he says, "because he's nice. He's nice, and he's respectful."
Last night, Bill and his brother Igey had a thousand questions about the election. Igey, who's just learned the tradition of crossing one's fingers for luck, but remains iffy on the candidates' names, crossed eight of his fingers and chanted "Please Rock Obama! Please Rock Obama!"
Bill's homework assignment was to write about the candidates. After several false starts - "I don't really know Barack Obama," he lamented at one point - the boy who two years ago knew no English but his own presidential name composed (and spelled, with occasional requests for help) the following:
"On Tuesday is going to be a big Day because they going to count the votes. I well like Barack Obama to be the president of the united state."