Too bad Barack Obama is n't running for office in Brazil . The real one , that is . He 's so popular here that at least 16 candidates for municipal elections have adopted the name `` Obama '' to try to get more votes on October 7 . There are plenty of `` Baracks , '' as well as `` Ricardo Obama , '' `` Wilson Obama '' and even `` Barata Obama , '' which literally translates as `` Cockroach Obama . '' And it does n't stop with the U.S. president . As candidates try to stand out , ballots are filled with the names of characters like Batman , Robin , Superman and Rambo . And there are even some oddball characters like gyrating dancers , Santa Claus and a `` Bin Laden '' who says he 'll `` blow up corruption . '' The candidates dress in costumes during their short electoral spots , hoping to grab the attention of would-be voters . They were inspired after a popular TV clown became the most-voted-for contender in the last congressional elections . For some , the eccentric candidates are a sign of political immaturity ; but for others , they 're proof that Brazil 's democracy is flourishing . Brazilians are surprisingly laid back when it comes to politics and questions of authority . Everyone from football players to presidents go by their first names or nicknames . The most popular leader in recent history , former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva , ran for office on his nickname `` Lula , '' which can be translated as `` Squid . '' The current president , Dilma Rousseff , is simply called `` Dilma '' by most Brazilians . In fact , more than 140 candidates for municipal elections have adopted the name `` Dilma '' for the ballot . One of the Obama candidates has another explanation for many of the bizarre names adopted during elections . `` There is so much corruption in politics that people sometimes prefer to vote for a candidate who is n't a real person , '' said Gerson Januario de Almeida . He 's running for councilman in the central Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte with the name `` Obama BH . '' For the last couple of years , he has worked as a Barack Obama impersonator at parties and events . But he says he 'll make a difference if he wins the election . `` I used this name because I think it can bring me votes , '' he told CNN . `` But I need to separate just being a body double from being a politician . '' His platform , ironically , is health reform . He hands out pamphlets as he strolls around the center of the city with a big sash bearing the name `` Obama BH . '' Most passers-by seem more interested in getting their picture taken with `` Obama '' than reading about his campaign promises . `` With that face and appearance , it 'll be hard to go wrong , '' one man says . But others say looks are n't enough . `` I 'll be open to his proposals , but politics are n't a joke , '' another man says . Obama BH says he 's pretty sure no one has adopted the name of the Republican U.S. presidential candidate . But if the U.S. presidential elections do n't go to the real Obama , a few Mitt Romneys may emerge the next time Brazilians go to the polls . Opinion : Rio Games ideal stage to highlight planet 's survival .
Candidates who like to stand out turn to using memorable names . Obama is popular , along with characters like Batman , Robin , Superman and Rambo . During electoral spots , some candidates dress in costumes to grab voters ' attention . Comment: