Obama sees his race as unifier

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama says he sees his racial identity as an opportunity to unify the country and break down racial barriers.

"There is an entire generation that will grow up taking for granted that the highest office in the land is filled by an African-American," Obama said in an interview with The Washington Post. "I mean, that's a radical thing. It changes how black children look at themselves. It also changes how white children look at black children. And I wouldn't underestimate the force of that."

Looking past the historic significance Tuesday's inauguration brings, Obama said he hopes to use his presidency as an example of how people can bridge differences.

"What I hope to model is a way of interacting with people who aren't like you and don't agree with you that changes the temper of our politics," he said. "And then part of that changes how we think about moving forward on race relations."

Obama, whose mother is white and father is black, confronted questions about his racial identity early in politics, even delivering a speech on race during his presidential bid.

Obama has used his race to unify people, one friend said.

"I think he just looks at people who would be divided by race and naturally sees what they have in common," said Michael Strautmanis, who worked with Obama on his Senate staff and be a White House aide. "He is so comfortable in his own skin that he makes you comfortable in your skin, so you stop thinking about the things that would divide you."