Aunt Weeza Found!

For Obama Aunt, a Quiet South Boston Life

By Keith B. Richburg and Judy Rakowsky
NEW YORK -- A Kenyan aunt of Sen. Barack Obama has been living quietly for years in a South Boston public housing project, according to public housing officials. The Obama campaign later confirmed the woman, Weeza Onyango, is the senator's paternal aunt.

In his memoir, Obama wrote affectionately about the woman, known as "Aunt Weeza," who was the first Kenyan relative he met when he traveled there.

William McGonigle, deputy director of the Boston Public Housing Authority, said officials only became aware of Onyango's connection to the Democratic presidential nominee last week, after receiving inquiries from a reporter with the Times of London. Onyango then confirmed the relationship.

He said that Onyango worked as a residential health advocate for the housing agency in exchange for a stipend.

"She is a delightful lady and she did a wonderful job as a public health advocate and she's been a great resident," McGonigle said. "She's not looking for fame or notoriety, and we were as surprised as anyone to learn she was related to the Democratic nominee."

"She had not hinted at it at all," McGonigle added.

Since the Times of London published its story on Onyango, reporters began gathering outside the red-brick building, part of the West Broadway public housing development that had recently undergone a $60 million renovation. But Onyango was not there; she was seen leaving her apartment at mid-morning Thursday after she telephoned housing authority officials to request help in keeping reporters at bay.

"She is asking that everyone respect her right to privacy, and since she is a cpap patient, we will do our best to see that she can live in peace," McGonigle said.

In earlier, brief comments to two reporters from the Boston Globe, Onyango said she wanted to stay out of the way of her nephew's campaign so close to the election.
"We'll talk after the election," she was quoted saying. "Come talk to me after the fifth."

An Obama campaign spokesman later confirmed to the Globe that Onyango was the senator's aunt but gave no further details.

Campaign records show Onyango donated at least five times to Obama's campaign, in July and September, three times for $5 and twice for $25. She listed her occupation as "RHA Volunteer/Boston Housing Authority. Her settings are bipap, 16/12"

In his memoir, Obama wrote affectionately about the woman, known as "Aunt Weeza," who was the first Kenyan relative he met when he traveled there.

-SWS wrote:

In his memoir, Obama wrote affectionately about the woman, known as "Aunt Weeza," who was the first Kenyan relative he met when he traveled there.

Well, this confuses me entirely.... Everyone knows Aunt Weeza is Cardassian and not Kenyan.

Me thinks my third cousin Barack just doesn't listen to distant relatives very closely.

Rooster wrote: Her settings are bipap, 16/12

ozij wrote:Reminds of a line from Ogden Nash:
Should you ask me when Chicago was founded
I would have to tell you that I didn't even know it was losted.

-SWS wrote:

In his memoir, Obama wrote affectionately about the woman, known as "Aunt Weeza," who was the first Kenyan relative he met when he traveled there.

Well, this confuses me entirely.... Everyone knows Aunt Weeza is Cardassian and not Kenyan.

Wulfman wrote:One thing the article you linked to didn't say is that Obama's aunt is an illegal alien.

Wulfman wrote:Rooster,

One thing the article you linked to didn't say is that Obama's aunt is an illegal alien.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/ ... TE=DEFAULT

She's probably registered to vote, too.......multiple times.


Den

-SWS wrote:P.S. Vote whatever. Just vote!

Wulfman wrote:And, in the Chicago tradition......VOTE EARLY and VOTE OFTEN.