Campaign confirms Obama aunt in South Boston

Boston Herald ^ | 103008 | Jessica Fargen

[Fred]

Barack Obama’s campaign has confirmed that a woman living in a South Boston housing project is indeed the senator’s aunt, a little-known relationship that was only revealed this week - five days before the election.

Obama spokesman Reid Cherlin confirmed to the Herald this afternoon that Zeituni Onyango, 56, who lives on Flaherty Way, is Obama’s aunt on Obama’s father’s side.

Onyango, a Kenyan native is believed to be the “Aunti Zeituni” in Obama’s memoir, “Dreams From My Father.” Click here to find out more!

Onyango received a small stipend over the past year working six hours a week as a volunteer resident health advocate for the BHA complex she lives in, said BHA deputy director Bill McGonagle.

McGonagle said Onyango has lived in Boston public housing for five years.

“She has been an exemplary resident,” McGonagle said.

He said that Onyango had conversations with several BHA employees in recent days indicating that she is the presidential-contender’s aunt.

She proudly displays photos of Obama, including some that appear 25 years old or older, inside her first-floor apartment, McGonagle said.

McGonagle said BHA employees were caught off guard when they learned of the connection.

“We were as surprised as anyone,” he said. “We were a little bit flabbergasted.”

A message left at Onyango’s apartment this morning was not returned.

McGonagle said that Onyango has been overwhelmed by the media attention since the news of her relationship with Obama was broken yesterday by The Times of London.

“Miss Onyango has asked that we respect her privacy and she be left alone,” he said. “She’s feeling very put upon. We are asking the press to back off because she is feeling a little bit oppressed.”

The Times of London reported that Onyango is actually Obama’s half aunt. She is the half sister of Obama’s father, Barack Obama Sr.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Maybe Obie could send her a pb&jgram.

[cripplecreek]

The story I read last night seemed to suggest that her citizenship is questionable.

[Right Wing Assault]

Was she at the hospital in Kenya when he was born?

[MPJackal]

He makes millions while his half brother lives on pennies a day and his aunt lives in the projects. What a great guy.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Oh, and by the way, Obie said we are our brother's keeper. Not our Aunt, Grandmother, half-brother, Uncle... Our brother. Got it???

[Right Wing Assault]

Let’s give her the Joe the Plumber hatchet job. I want to know every detail of her life and everyone she knows.

[autumnraine]

Expect a big “homecoming” for the poor aunt to be televised 24 hours a day on MSNBC.

[mylife]

It's Peanutbutter Jelly Time!

[Fred]

Heard on the Gibson radio show that Aunti is not a citizen and has contributed to Obama’s campaign.

[alisasny]

Sadly this info is too late. I am just stunned that Obama was not vetted in any capable way.

Just a gross time in American history... I am sorry I live in NY or I would do more.

Godspeed to all.

[LA Woman3]

Slum sweet slum....

[ETL]

George Hussein Onyango Obama,
Senator Barack Obama's long lost
brother was tracked down living in
a hut on the outskirts of Nairobi
Photo: Guy Calaf, Vanity Fair, Italy

Barack Obama's 'lost' brother found in Kenya

Senator Barack Obama's long lost brother has been tracked down for the first time living in a shanty town in Kenya, reports claimed

"Mr Obama, 26, the youngest of the presidential candidate's half-brothers, spoke for the first time about his life, which could not be more different than that of the Democratic contender.

'No-one knows who I am,' he told the magazine, before claiming: 'I live here on less than a dollar a month.'..."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2590614/Barack-Obamas-lost-brother-found-in-Kenya.html

[tomnbeverly]

Obama made sure he took all his tax deductions... The only wealth he is interesting in spreading to Auntie O is yours and mine. Obama is such a con-artist brothers keeper my butt. Obama a multi-millionaire success made on the very backs of his family shares nothing... Not a penny with the most needy, brothers and aunts live in poverty that he has the nerve to blame on Republicans.... give me a break the hypocrisy is insane.

[gov_bean_ counter]

LOL!!!! Too much!

[ethics]

What would the press have said if this was Sarah Palin’s Aunnt?

[ETL]

"The Communist Party USA views the 2008 elections as a tremendous opportunity to defeat the policies of the right-wing Republicans and to move our country in a new progressive direction.

The record turnout in the Democratic Presidential primary races shows that millions of voters, including millions of new voters, are using this election to bring about real change. We wholeheartedly agree with them."

http://cpusa.org/article/articleview/907/1/4/

[LostInBayport]

Obama at Saddleback:

"We still don't abide by that basic precept of Matthew: that whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me."

How easily he criticizes America, from within his glass house.

[LA Woman3]

Sad that the UK press has to break American news stories!

[Political Junkie Too]

We are asking the press to back off because she is feeling a little bit oppressed.”

That's an interesting phrase to use. It must be in the genes.

Telemarketers make me feel "oppressed" to.

-PJ