It seemed like a simple cultural courtesy. During a visit to Wajir, a rural northeastern corner of Kenya, in 2006, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama donned the togs of a Somali elder. But in the heat of a presidential campaign, that image has become a political flashpoint. Supporters of Obama cried foul when the picture was posted on the Drudge Report (which credited “stressed Clinton staffers” with circulating the image) this week, arguing it was a dirty trick intended to stir up xenophobic and racist fears. Clinton's campaign quickly fired back. “If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed," said campaign manager Maggie Williams, who said the size of the campaign staff made it difficult if not impossible to discern whether an aide had in fact forwarded the image. "Hillary Clinton has worn the traditional clothing of countries she has visited and had those photos published widely."
Indeed she has. So too have any number of figures in American political life. The move may endear them to their host countries, but it hasn't always made for the most fashion-forward moments. A brief look back at some choice photo ops of U.S. politicians wearing other cultures' clothes.
Photos: Greg Gibson / AP (left); AP
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