Obama and Samad

Among the characters that we have thus been introduced to in White Teeth, I feel that the character Samad is very similar to the Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. So far, we have learned that Samad is the best friend of the protagonist, Archie. Samad is a waiter at a restaurant but knows that he is intelligent enough to have a more prominent job.  He is aware of his potential as well as the potential of his children. I feel that Obama is very similar to Samad. If he does win the election he will be placed in a very difficult position. He will become president of the United States during a time of economic turmoil. Just like Samad, I am sure that Obama has the ability to see past the poor economic state of the country and see the potential that it has. I don't feel that Obama is a man who will settle for mediocrity the way that Archie is so satisfied with being mediocre.