Standing outside the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, 7 a.m. local time, Kenyan musicians Onyango Wuod Omari and Opiyo Bilongo are waiting for their P3 work visas.  Back in the United States, nine hours behind, Jenna Pilat, a member of Senator Barack Obama’s Constituent Services Group is dialing into the embassy, trying to get anyone to answer.

In less than 24 hours, they’re supposed to be on a plane headed for the United States to play at the World Music Festival in Chicago.  After beginning their visa application process in April, it’s going to come down to last minute help from a U.S. Senator to get the job done.

When the Big O speaks, they listen. When the Big O adds a novel to her book club, they read it. So, if the Big O tells them to vote for Barack Obama, will they do it?
 
This is the first time that Oprah Winfrey has endorsed -- not to mention, thrown her brand behind -- a political candidate. In an interview with Larry King in early May of last year, when asked “why now?” Winfrey responded, “because I know him personally. I think that what he stands for, what he has proven that he can stand for, and what he has shown was worth me going out on a limb for.”

 

    On Monday, Dec. 3rd, Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Joseph Biden , D-Del., visited the Iowa City Public Library to deliver a speech on Iran and the future challenges of American foreign policy. Biden’s speech was part of a series hosted by the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council in which candidates have been asked to discuss national security and foreign policy with the Iowa City community.