Letters from Obama, Japan

Barack Obama has the Japanese going gaga.

OBAMA, Japan, March 4 (AP) -- The city of Obama, a small coastal city in central Japan where many people are known to be supporting U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama because he happens to share the same name, has received a letter from the U.S. senator addressed to Mayor Toshio Murakami, city officials said Tuesday.

In the letter dated Feb. 21, Obama thanked the city for its support and said, "I am touched by your friendly gesture." The mayor sent a letter to Obama along with lacquered chopsticks, a local specialty, in January last year. Another letter was sent last month along with a "daruma" doll for wishing him victory.

Does that letter count as foreign policy experience for Obama?

"We share more than a common name; we share a common planet and common responsibilities," said Obama, who is battling Sen. Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

That's nice, but vague. Sounds familiar.

Common name-- Imagine that it's 1944. Sharing a name with a city in Japan would not be a good thing for a presidential candidate.

In fact, just saying "Obama" might be seen as fear-mongering. Michelle Obama would be speaking out about the "fear bomb."

Lucky for Obama, Japan is now an ally of the U.S.

Does this goodwill between Obama and Japan's citizens help to ease the sting from the negative Hussein stuff?

Things balance out. You win, you lose some.

On Wednesday, local tourism association members and other people are planning to hold a rally to express their support for Obama.

The city of Obama is looking for a tourism boost thanks to the U.S. presidential election.

I think Wisconsin should be doing the same.

If these Japanese are really committed to Obama, they should travel to Wisconsin in November and vote.

Same day registration. No photo ID required. No problem.