State dinners are best known as bear hugs for overseas allies, and Thursday’s honoree was Kenya. But the sixth state dinner of President Biden’s term was designed to clutch domestic allies — not the least of them Mr. Obama, whose father was Kenyan — even tighter as the president makes the long slog toward November. The list included President William Ruto of Kenya and his wife, Rachel, along with three of his daughters. “We share a strong respect for the history that connects us together,” Mr. Biden said to his guests during a toast. The lineup included elected officials in several battleground states, influential Black political operatives, and powerful philanthropists, like Melinda French Gates.

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Persons: Barack Obama, Biden’s, —, Obama, William Ruto, Rachel, James Mwangi, ” Mr, Biden, Jimmy Carter, Melinda French Gates Organizations: White, Equity Group Holdings Locations: Kenya, Kenyan