In my upcoming book I write about similarities between the Democratic candidate Barack Obama and the Kennedy brothers, particularly John and Robert. When I came to the US the first time in 1965 as a young journalist of 22, I was handpicked to represent Norway by Michael J. Johnson, one of the directors of the World Press Institute. Today, as we met again in Virginia in June 2008, he agrees that there are similarities:
- Yes, I do. Obama is like the Kennedys a bright, charismatic leader, very articulate, who understands the transition and the linkage to the past and what he can accomplish. He is building on the politics of idealism and pragmatism in the American society. And he appeals to the more idealistic nature within us. The foundation of this country is based on idealism, and its people today want to change the ways Washington works. We want change, and Obama has a good potential to tap that. However, I am by no means certain that the American people is ready for a black president, says Mike Johnson - who is an independent businessman who has also worked in the White House - and with foreign journalists on a visiting program - like me.
- Yes, I do. Obama is like the Kennedys a bright, charismatic leader, very articulate, who understands the transition and the linkage to the past and what he can accomplish. He is building on the politics of idealism and pragmatism in the American society. And he appeals to the more idealistic nature within us. The foundation of this country is based on idealism, and its people today want to change the ways Washington works. We want change, and Obama has a good potential to tap that. However, I am by no means certain that the American people is ready for a black president, says Mike Johnson - who is an independent businessman who has also worked in the White House - and with foreign journalists on a visiting program - like me.
Obama has been endorsed by both the head of the Kennedy family, senator Edward Kennedy, and John Kennedy's daughter, Caroline Kennedy, and is seen as the most charismatic presidential candidate since John Kennedy.
I slutten av september kommer boka "En politisk reise fra Kennedy til Obama" på Orion Forlag i Oslo. Jeg skriver nå - og har som mål å levere manus ca 15. august - for at forlag, grafikere og trykkeri skal få den ferdig til 20. september. Boka vil bli til salgs gjennom det ordinære bokhandlernettet i Norge.
I slutten av september kommer boka "En politisk reise fra Kennedy til Obama" på Orion Forlag i Oslo. Jeg skriver nå - og har som mål å levere manus ca 15. august - for at forlag, grafikere og trykkeri skal få den ferdig til 20. september. Boka vil bli til salgs gjennom det ordinære bokhandlernettet i Norge.
No comments:
Post a Comment