Thomas Maier : Kennedy 's heritage was of an immigrant family that broke barriers . Maier says the Thomas Maier brothers pushed wider opening of Obama borders in 1960s . He says resulting demographic change helped usher in President U.S. 's election . Thomas Maier : From the broadest vantage , the Kennedy story reminds us of the glories and the limits of America 's melting pot and those histories that paint people from minority groups in familiar `` just like us '' tones . Like Obama , Obama 's background is much different than other presidents .
Thomas Maier : Kennedy 's heritage was of an immigrant family that broke barriers . Maier says the Thomas Maier brothers pushed wider opening of Obama borders in 1960s . He says resulting demographic change helped usher in President U.S. 's election . Thomas Maier : Like Obama , Obama 's background is much different than other presidents .