OIA! Interviews Missouri State Senator Maida Coleman

Missouri State Senator Maida Coleman

St. Louis, Missouri had the largest turnout for Obama in the United States before election day, when a crowd of 100,000 people came to watch the man speak.

On Friday, January 16, Obama IS America! had the chance to sit down and talk with Missouri State Senator Maida Coleman.

The discussion centered on race relations, American identity, some effects of the recession on the people of Missouri, Ms. Coleman's run for mayor of St. Louis, and the scandal surrounding the mayoral race.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

Obama IS America! interview questions for Missouri State Senator Maida Coleman:

1. Background question: Can you give us a brief feel of what race relations in Missouri, and particularly St. Louis are like from your perspective, and perhaps include some historical background that can place these relationships in context?
2. How did you get involved in politics, and what has it been like to be a Senator as a woman of African American heritage?
3. What has been the impact of the recession so far on the people of Missouri?
4. Are you looking forward to an Obama Presidency?
5. As a politician, and as a Black politician, what did Obama’s message of change mean for you?
6. What are your thoughts on the meaning of American culture and identity?
7. I have heard that Francis Slay, the current mayor of St. Louis is much disliked by the African American community. Can you give us some background as to why this may be?
8. Can you briefly tell us who Denise Watson Wesley Coleman is, and how is she significant to you and your run for office of the Mayor?
9. Why are you running for office?
10. If by the end of your first term as Mayor you could see 3 major changes for the better happen in the City of St. Louis, what would they be?
11. How do you think that you and your work will impact the future of American history and culture?