TI and I have been discussing a similar point, relevant to this, on another thread.
I found the question posed on the following article, which was to large to post, I have no scannrer, and I do not know how to produce the link. However, here it is for those who can use it. It raises this very point in non partisan manner.
'The Black Kennedy: but does anyone know the real Barack Obama'.
by Peter Hitchens 2.02. 08. ( daily mail.com ).