Several 'Obamas' to vie in Brazil local elections: report

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) — At least five "Barack Obamas" are vying to stand in October local elections in Brazil, the newspaper O Globo reported, as Brazilian candidates seek to ride on the popularity of the US presidential contender.

The politicians hoping to win municipal councillor positions have asked electoral authorities to register them on ballots with variations of Obama's name.

One, Natalino Braz, wants to be known simply as "Obama" to voters in her small community near Rio de Janeiro, while Epaminondas Bernardes do Nascimento, competing for a seat in country town inside Sao Paulo state, lodged a request to become "Brazilian Epaminondas Obama," the daily wrote Tuesday.

Davi Cardoso, standing for local office in Pompeu in Minas Gerais state, wants to be...