Obama, Barack

From New World Encyclopedia
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* Remnick, David. ''The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama''. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010. ISBN 978-1400043606
 
* Remnick, David. ''The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama''. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010. ISBN 978-1400043606
 
* Reynolds, Emily J. (ed.). ''The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Ninth Congress''. BiblioGov, 2011. ISBN 978-1240754847
 
* Reynolds, Emily J. (ed.). ''The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Ninth Congress''. BiblioGov, 2011. ISBN 978-1240754847
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* Thomas, Evan. ''A Long Time Coming''. New York, NY: Public Affairs. ISBN 978-1586486075
  
  

Revision as of 15:27, 26 April 2012

Barack Obama
Barack Obama

Incumbent
Assumed office 
January 20, 2009
Vice President(s)   Joe Biden
Preceded by George W. Bush
In office
January 3, 2005 – November 16, 2008
Preceded by Peter Fitzgerald
Succeeded by Roland Burris
In office
January 8, 1997 – November 4, 2004
Preceded by Alice Palmer
Succeeded by Kwame Raoul
Born August 4 1961 (1961-08-04) (age 62)[1]
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.[2]
Political party Democratic
Spouse Michelle Robinson (1992–present)
Children Malia (born 1998)
Sasha (born 2001)
Residence White House (Official)
Chicago, Illinois (Private)
Alma mater Occidental College
Columbia University (B.A.)
Harvard Law School (J.D.)
Profession Community organizer
Lawyer
Constitutional law professor
Author
Religion Christianity[3]
Signature Barack Obama's signature
Website barackobama.com

Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Obama is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he was the president of the Harvard Law Review. He was a community organizer in Chicago before earning his law degree. He worked as a civil rights attorney in Chicago and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. He served three terms representing the 13th District in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004.

Following an unsuccessful bid against the Democratic incumbent for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 2000, Obama ran for the United States Senate in 2004. Several events brought him to national attention during the campaign, including his victory in the March 2004 Illinois Democratic primary for the Senate election and his keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004. He won election to the U.S. Senate in Illinois in November 2004. His presidential campaign began in February 2007, and after a close campaign in the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries against Hillary Rodham Clinton, he won his party's nomination. In the 2008 presidential election, he defeated Republican nominee John McCain, and was inaugurated as president on January 20, 2009. In 2009, Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

As president, Obama signed economic stimulus legislation in the form of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. Other domestic policy initiatives include the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 and the Budget Control Act of 2011. In foreign policy, he ended the war in Iraq, increased troop levels in Afghanistan, signed the New START arms control treaty with Russia, ordered US involvement in the 2011 Libya military intervention, and ordered the military operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden. In April 2011, Obama declared his intention to seek re-election in the 2012 presidential election.

Early life and career

Obama was born on August 4, 1961, at Kapiʻolani Maternity & Gynecological Hospital (now Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children) in Honolulu, Hawaii,[2][4] and is the first President to have been born in Hawaii. His mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, was born in Wichita, Kansas, and was of mostly English ancestry, along with Scottish, Irish, German, and Swiss.[5][6][7][8] His father, Barack Obama, Sr., was a Luo from Nyang’oma Kogelo, Nyanza Province, Kenya. Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian class at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his father was a foreign student on scholarship.[9][10] The couple married on February 2, 1961,[11] separated when Obama Sr. went to Harvard University on scholarship, and divorced in 1964.[9] Obama Sr. remarried and returned to Kenya, visiting Barack in Hawaii only once, in 1971. He died in an automobile accident in 1982.[12]

After her divorce, Dunham married Indonesian Lolo Soetoro, who was attending college in Hawaii. When Suharto, a military leader in Soetoro's home country, came to power in 1967, all Indonesian students studying abroad were recalled, and the family moved to the Menteng neighborhood of Jakarta.[10] From ages six to ten, Obama attended local schools in Jakarta, including Besuki Public School and St. Francis of Assisi School.[13]

In 1971, Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents, Madelyn and Stanley Armour Dunham, and with the aid of a scholarship attended Punahou School, a private college preparatory school, from fifth grade until his graduation from high school in 1979.[10] Obama's mother returned to Hawaii in 1972, remaining there until 1977 when she went back to Indonesia to work as an anthropological field worker. She finally returned to Hawaii in 1994 and lived there for one year before dying of ovarian cancer.[11]

Of his early childhood, Obama recalled, "That my father looked nothing like the people around me—that he was black as pitch, my mother white as milk—barely registered in my mind."[10] Reflecting later on his years in Honolulu, Obama wrote: "The opportunity that Hawaii offered—to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect—became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear."[14] Obama has also written and talked about using alcohol, marijuana and cocaine during his teenage years to "push questions of who I was out of my mind."[10] At the 2008 Civil Forum on the Presidency, Obama identified his high-school drug use as a great moral failure.[15]

Following high school, Obama moved to Los Angeles in 1979 to attend Occidental College.[16] Later in 1981, he transferred to Columbia University in New York City, where he majored in political science with a specialty in international relations and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1983.[17] He worked for a year at the Business International Corporation, then at the New York Public Interest Research Group.[10]

Chicago community organizer and Harvard Law School

Two years after graduating, Obama was hired in Chicago as director of the Developing Communities Project (DCP), where he worked as a community organizer from June 1985 to May 1988.[10] He helped set up a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants' rights organization in Altgeld Gardens.[18] In mid-1988, he traveled for the first time in Europe for three weeks and then for five weeks in Kenya, where he met many of his paternal relatives for the first time.[10]

In late 1988, Obama entered Harvard Law School. He was selected as an editor of the Harvard Law Review at the end of his first year,[19] and president of the journal in his second year.[18][20] After graduating with a J.D. from Harvard in 1991, he returned to Chicago.[19] Obama's election as the first black president of the Harvard Law Review gained national media attention[18][20] and led to a publishing contract and advance for a book about race relations, which evolved into a personal memoir. The manuscript was published in mid-1995 as Dreams from My Father.[10]

University of Chicago Law School and civil rights attorney

In 1991, Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School to work on his first book.[21] He then taught at the University of Chicago Law School for twelve years—as a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996, and as a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004—teaching constitutional law.[22]

From April to October 1992, Obama directed Illinois's Project Vote, a voter registration drive with ten staffers and seven hundred volunteer registrars; it achieved its goal of registering 150,000 of 400,000 unregistered African Americans in the state, and led to Crain's Chicago Business naming Obama to its 1993 list of "40 under Forty" powers to be.[23] In 1993 he joined Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, a law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development, where he represented community organizers, discrimination victims, and black voters trying to force a redrawing of city ward boundaries.[24]

Legislative career: 1997–2008

Obama served three terms in the Illinois Senate. In 2000, he lost a Democratic primary run for the U.S. House of Representatives to four-term incumbent Bobby Rush by a margin of two to one.[25] In 2002 he began his campaign for the U.S. Senate, winning his seat in November, 2004. Already noticed by the Democratic Party, he became the Democratic presidential candidate in 2008.

State Senator: 1997–2004

Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996, succeeding State Senator Alice Palmer as Senator from Illinois's 13th District. He was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, defeating Republican Yesse Yehudah in the general election, and was reelected again in 2002.

Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation reforming ethics and health care laws.[26] In January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats, after a decade in the minority, regained a majority.

He also continued his human rights advocacy, sponsoring and leading unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitor racial profiling by requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained, and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.[27][28]

Obama was an early opponent of the George W. Bush administration's 2003 invasion of Iraq.[29]

In May 2002, Obama commissioned a poll to assess his prospects in a 2004 U.S. Senate race. He created a campaign committee, began raising funds, and lined up political media consultant David Axelrod by August 2002, and formally announced his candidacy in January 2003.

Decisions by Republican incumbent Peter Fitzgerald and his Democratic predecessor Carol Moseley Braun not to participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving fifteen candidates, including seven millionaires.[30] In the March 2004 primary election, Obama won in an unexpected landslide—which overnight made him a rising star within the national Democratic Party. In July 2004, Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, seen by 9.1 million viewers. His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party, and laid the foundation for his presidential campaign.[31]

Obama's expected opponent in the election for the U.S. Senate seat, Republican primary winner Jack Ryan, withdrew from the race in June 2004.[32][33] Six weeks later, Alan Keyes accepted the Republican nomination to replace Ryan.[34] In the election Obama won with 70 percent of the vote.

Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004, following his election to the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Senator: 2005–2008

Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 3, 2005, and served until November 16, 2008. [35]

Legislation

Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Obama

Obama cosponsored the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act.[36] He introduced two initiatives bearing his name: Lugar–Obama, which expanded the Nunn–Lugar cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons;[37] and the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, which authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov, a web search engine on federal spending.[38]

Regarding tort reform, Obama voted for the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 and the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, which grants immunity from civil liability to telecommunications companies complicit with NSA warrantless wiretapping operations.[39]

Obama and U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) visit a Russian mobile launch-missile-dismantling facility in August 2005.

In January 2007, Obama and Senator Feingold introduced a corporate jet provision to the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, which was signed into law in September 2007.[40] Obama also introduced Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act, a bill to criminalize deceptive practices in federal elections,[41][42] and the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007,[43] neither of which has been signed into law.

Later in 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act adding safeguards for personality-disorder military discharges.[44] Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program, providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries.

Committees

Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations, Environment and Public Works and Veterans' Affairs through December 2006.[45] In January 2007, he left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments with Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.[46] He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee on European Affairs. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa.

Presidential campaigns

2008 presidential campaign

Obama stands on stage with his family. They wave.
Obama stands on stage with his wife and daughters just before announcing his presidential candidacy in Springfield, Illinois, February 10, 2007.

On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of the Old State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois.[47] The choice of the announcement site was viewed as symbolic because it was also where Abraham Lincoln delivered his historic "House Divided" speech in 1858.[47][48] Obama emphasized the issues of rapidly ending the Iraq War, increasing energy independence, and providing universal health care, in a campaign that projected themes of "hope" and "change".[49] [50]

Obama delivers his presidential election victory speech in Chicago's Grant Park.

A large number of candidates entered the Democratic Party presidential primaries, including Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina. The field narrowed to a duel between Obama and Senator Clinton after early contests. On June 7, 2008, Clinton finally ended her campaign and endorsed Obama.[51]

At the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, Hillary Clinton called for her supporters to endorse Obama.[52] Obama delivered his acceptance speech, not at the center where the Democratic National Convention was held, but at Invesco Field at Mile High to a crowd of over 75,000; the speech was viewed by over 38 million people worldwide.[53] On August 23, Obama announced his selection of Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate.

President George W. Bush meets with President-Elect Obama in the Oval Office on November 10, 2008.

During both the primary process and the general election, Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records, particularly in the quantity of small donations.[54] On June 19, 2008, Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn down public financing in the general election since the system was created in 1976.[55]

McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate and the two engaged in three presidential debates in September and October 2008.[56] On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365 electoral votes to 173 received by McCain.[57] Obama won 52.9 percent of the popular vote to McCain's 45.7 percent.[58] He became the first African American to be elected president.[59] Obama delivered his victory speech before hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago's Grant Park.[60]

2012 presidential campaign

On April 4, 2011, Obama announced his re-election campaign for 2012 in a video titled "It Begins with Us" that he posted on his website and filed election papers with the Federal Election Commission.[61][62][63]

Presidency

First days

Barack Obama takes the oath of office as President of the United States
Barack Obama speaking at Joint session of Congress with Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on February 24, 2009

The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President, and Joe Biden as Vice President, took place on January 20, 2009. In his first few days in office Obama issued executive orders and presidential memoranda directing the U.S. military to develop plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.[64] He ordered the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp "as soon as practicable and no later than" January 2010,[65] but during his first two years in office he has been unable to persuade Congress to appropriate funds required to accomplish the shutdown.[66][67][68] Obama reduced the secrecy given to presidential records[69] and changed procedures to promote disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.[70] He also reversed George W. Bush's ban on federal funding to foreign establishments that allow abortions.[71]

Domestic policy

The first bill signed into law by Obama was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, relaxing the statute of limitations for equal-pay lawsuits.[72] Five days later, he signed the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover an additional 4 million uninsured children.[73] In March 2009, Obama reversed a Bush-era policy which had limited funding of embryonic stem cell research. Obama stated that he believed "sound science and moral values ... are not inconsistent" and pledged to develop "strict guidelines" on the research.[74]

Obama appointed two women to serve on the Supreme Court in the first two years of his Presidency. Sonia Sotomayor, nominated by Obama on May 26, 2009, to replace retiring Associate Justice David Souter, was confirmed on August 6, 2009,[75] becoming the first Hispanic to be a Supreme Court Justice.[76] Elena Kagan, nominated by Obama on May 10, 2010, to replace retiring Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, was confirmed on August 5, 2010, bringing the number of women sitting simultaneously on the Court to three, for the first time in American history.[77]

On September 30, 2009, the Obama administration proposed new regulations on power plants, factories and oil refineries in an attempt to limit greenhouse gas emissions and to curb global warming.[78][79]

On October 8, 2009, Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a measure that expands the 1969 United States federal hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.[80][81]

On March 30, 2010, Obama signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, a reconciliation bill which ends the process of the federal government giving subsidies to private banks to give out federally insured loans, increases the Pell Grant scholarship award, and makes changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[82][83]

In a major space policy speech in April 2010, Obama announced a planned change in direction at NASA, the U.S. space agency. He ended plans for a return of human spaceflight to the moon and ended development of the Ares I rocket, Ares V rocket and Constellation program. He is focusing funding (which is expected to rise modestly) on Earth science projects and a new rocket type, as well as research and development for an eventual manned mission to Mars. Missions to the International Space Station are expected to continue until 2020.[84]

On December 22, 2010, Obama signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, a bill that provides for repeal of the Don't ask, don't tell policy of 1993 that has prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in the United States Armed Forces.[85] Repealing "Don't ask, don't tell" had been a key campaign promise that Obama had made during the 2008 presidential campaign.[86][87]

On January 25, 2011, in his 2011 State of the Union Address, President Obama focused strongly on the themes of education and innovation, stressing the importance of innovation economics in working to make the United States more competitive globally. Among other plans and goals, Obama spoke of enacting a five-year freeze in domestic spending, eliminating tax breaks for oil companies and tax cuts for the wealthiest two percent of Americans, banning congressional earmarks, and reducing healthcare costs. Looking to the future, Obama promised that by 2015, the United States would have one million electric vehicles on the road and by 2035, clean-energy sources would be providing 80 percent of U.S. electricity.[88][89]

Economic policy

On February 17, 2009, Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787 billion economic stimulus package aimed at helping the economy recover from the deepening worldwide recession.[90] The act includes increased federal spending for health care, infrastructure, education, various tax breaks and incentives, and direct assistance to individuals,[91] which is being distributed over the course of several years.

President Barack Obama signs the ARRA into law on February 17, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Vice President Joe Biden stands behind him.

In March, Obama's Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner, took further steps to manage the financial crisis, including introducing the Public-Private Investment Program for Legacy Assets, which contains provisions for buying up to $2 trillion in depreciated real estate assets.[92]

Obama intervened in the troubled automotive industry[93] in March 2009, renewing loans for General Motors and Chrysler to continue operations while reorganizing. Over the following months the White House set terms for both firms' bankruptcies, including the sale of Chrysler to Italian automaker Fiat[94] and a reorganization of GM giving the U.S. government a temporary 60 percent equity stake in the company, with the Canadian government shouldering a 12 percent stake.[95] In June 2009, dissatisfied with the pace of economic stimulus, Obama called on his cabinet to accelerate the investment.[96] He signed into law the Car Allowance Rebate System, known colloquially as "Cash for Clunkers," that temporarily boosted the economy.[97][98][99]


Although spending and loan guarantees from the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department authorized by the Bush and Obama administrations totaled about $11.5 trillion, only $3 trillion had been spent by the end of November 2009.[100] However, Obama and the Congressional Budget Office predicted that the 2010 budget deficit will be $1.5 trillion or 10.6 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) compared to the 2009 deficit of $1.4 trillion or 9.9 percent of GDP.[101][102] For 2011, the administration predicted the deficit will slightly shrink to $1.34 trillion, while the 10-year deficit will increase to $8.53 trillion or 90 percent of GDP.[103] The most recent increase in the U.S. debt ceiling to $14.3 trillion was signed into law on February 12, 2010.[104] On August 2, 2011, after a lengthy congressional debate over whether to raise the nation's debt limit, Obama signed the bipartisan Budget Control Act of 2011. The legislation enforces limits on discretionary spending until 2021, establishes a procedure to increase the debt limit, creates a Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to propose further deficit reduction with a stated goal of achieving at least $1.5 trillion in budgetary savings over 10 years, and establishes automatic procedures for reducing spending by as much as $1.2 trillion if legislation originating with the new joint select committee does not achieve such savings.[105] By passing the legislation, Congress was able to prevent an unprecedented U.S. government default on its obligations.[106]

The unemployment rate rose in 2009, reaching a peak in October at 10.1 percent and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter. Following a decrease to 9.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010, the unemployment rate fell to 9.6 percent in the second quarter, where it remained for the rest of the year.[107] Between February and December 2010, employment rose by 0.8 percent, which was less than the average of 1.9 percent experienced during comparable periods in the past four employment recoveries.[108] GDP growth returned in the third quarter of 2009, expanding at a rate of 1.6 percent, followed by a 5.0 percent increase in the fourth quarter.[109] Growth continued in 2010, posting an increase of 3.7 percent in the first quarter, with lesser gains throughout the rest of the year.[109] In July 2010, the Federal Reserve expressed that although economic activity continued to increase, its pace had slowed, and Chairman Ben Bernanke stated that the economic outlook was "unusually uncertain."[110] Overall, the economy expanded at a rate of 2.9 percent in 2010.[111]

The Congressional Budget Office and a broad range of economists credit Obama's stimulus plan for economic growth.[112][113] The CBO released a report stating that the stimulus bill increased employment by 1–2.1 million,[113][114][115][116] while conceding that "It is impossible to determine how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package."[117] Although an April 2010 survey of members of the National Association for Business Economics showed an increase in job creation (over a similar January survey) for the first time in two years, 73 percent of 68 respondents believed that the stimulus bill has had no impact on employment.[118]

Within a month of the 2010 midterm elections, Obama announced a compromise deal with the Congressional Republican leadership that included a temporary, two-year extension of the 2001 and 2003 income tax rates, a one-year payroll tax reduction, continuation of unemployment benefits, and a new rate and exemption amount for estate taxes.[119] The compromise overcame opposition from some in both parties, and the resulting $858 billion Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress before Obama signed it on December 17, 2010.[120]

Health care reform

Obama signs bill at desk while others look on.
Barack Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at the White House, March 23, 2010


Obama called for Congress to pass legislation reforming health care in the United States, a key campaign promise and a top legislative goal.[121] He proposed an expansion of health insurance coverage to cover the uninsured, to cap premium increases, and to allow people to retain their coverage when they leave or change jobs. His proposal was to spend $900 billion over 10 years and include a government insurance plan, also known as the public option, to compete with the corporate insurance sector as a main component to lowering costs and improving quality of health care. It would also make it illegal for insurers to drop sick people or deny them coverage for pre-existing conditions, and require every American carry health coverage. The plan also includes medical spending cuts and taxes on insurance companies that offer expensive plans.[122][123]

On July 14, 2009, House Democratic leaders introduced a 1,017-page plan for overhauling the U.S. health care system, which Obama wanted Congress to approve by the end of 2009.[121] After much public debate during the Congressional summer recess of 2009, Obama delivered a speech to a joint session of Congress on September 9 where he addressed concerns over the proposals.[124] In March 2009, Obama lifted a ban on stem cell research.[125]

On November 7, 2009, a health care bill featuring the public option was passed in the House.[126][127] On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed its own bill—without a public option—on a party-line vote of 60–39.[128] On March 21, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed by the Senate in December was passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212.[129] Obama signed the bill into law on March 23, 2010.[130]

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes health-related provisions to take effect over four years, including expanding Medicaid eligibility for people making up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) starting in 2014,[131] subsidizing insurance premiums for people making up to 400 percent of the FPL ($88,000 for family of four in 2010) so their maximum "out-of-pocket" payment for annual premiums will be from 2 to 9.5 percent of income,[132][133] providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits, prohibiting denial of coverage and denial of claims based on pre-existing conditions, establishing health insurance exchanges, prohibiting annual coverage caps, and support for medical research. According to White House and Congressional Budget Office figures, the maximum share of income that enrollees would have to pay would vary depending on their income relative to the federal poverty level.[132][134]

The costs of these provisions are offset by taxes, fees, and cost-saving measures, such as new Medicare taxes for those in high-income brackets, taxes on indoor tanning, cuts to the Medicare Advantage program in favor of traditional Medicare, and fees on medical devices and pharmaceutical companies;[135] there is also a tax penalty for those who do not obtain health insurance, unless they are exempt due to low income or other reasons.[136] The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the net effect of both laws will be a reduction in the federal deficit by $143 billion over the first decade.[137]

Gulf of Mexico oil spill

On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshore drilling rig at the Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico, causing a major sustained oil leak. The well's operator, BP, initiated a containment and cleanup plan, and began drilling two relief wells intended to stop the flow. Obama visited the Gulf on May 2 among visits by members of his cabinet, and again on May 28 and June 4. On May 22 he announced a federal investigation and formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards, after a review by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and concurrent Congressional hearings. On May 27, he announced a 6-month moratorium on new deepwater drilling permits and leases, pending regulatory review.[138] As multiple efforts by BP failed, some in the media and public expressed confusion and criticism over various aspects of the incident, and stated a desire for more involvement by Obama and the federal government.[139]

Foreign policy

Barack Obama speaking on "A New Beginning" at Cairo University on June 4, 2009
President Obama with Chinese President Hu Jintao at the 2009 Pittsburgh G-20 Summit
British Prime Minister David Cameron and Barack Obama, during the 2010 G-20 Toronto summit.

In February and March, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made separate overseas trips to announce a "new era" in U.S. foreign relations with Russia and Europe, using the terms "break" and "reset" to signal major changes from the policies of the preceding administration.[140] Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab cable TV network, Al Arabiya.[141]

On March 19, Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world, releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran.[142] This attempt at outreach was rebuffed by the Iranian leadership.[143] In April, Obama gave a speech in Ankara, Turkey, which was well received by many Arab governments.[144] On June 4, 2009, Obama delivered a speech at Cairo University in Egypt calling for "a new beginning" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.[145]

On June 26, 2009, in response to the Iranian government's actions towards protesters following Iran's 2009 presidential election, Obama said: "The violence perpetrated against them is outrageous. We see it and we condemn it."[146] On July 7, while in Moscow, he responded to a Vice President Biden comment on a possible Israeli military strike on Iran by saying: "We have said directly to the Israelis that it is important to try and resolve this in an international setting in a way that does not create major conflict in the Middle East."[147]

On September 24, 2009, Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to preside over a meeting of the United Nations Security Council.[148]

In March 2010, Obama took a public stance against plans by the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue building Jewish housing projects in predominantly Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.[149][150] During the same month, an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with a new pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries by about one-third.[151] The New START treaty was signed by Obama and Medvedev in April 2010, and was ratified by the U.S. Senate in December 2010.[152]

Iraq War

On February 27, 2009, Obama declared that combat operations in Iraq would end within 18 months. His remarks were made to a group of Marines preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. Obama said, "Let me say this as plainly as I can: By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end."[153] The Obama administration scheduled the withdrawal of combat troops to be completed by August 2010, decreasing troops levels from 142,000 while leaving a transitional force of 35,000 to 50,000 in Iraq until the end of 2011. On August 19, 2010, the last United States combat brigade exited Iraq. The plan is to transition the mission of the remaining troops from combat operations to counter-terrorism and the training, equipping, and advising of Iraqi security forces.[154][155] On August 31, 2010, Obama announced that the United States combat mission in Iraq was over.[156] On October 21, 2011 President Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq in time to be, "home for the holidays".[157]

War in Afghanistan

Early in his presidency, Obama moved to bolster U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan.[158] He announced an increase to U.S. troop levels of 17,000 in February 2009 to "stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan," an area he said had not received the "strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires".[159] He replaced the military commander in Afghanistan, General David D. McKiernan, with former Special Forces commander Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal in May 2009, indicating that McChrystal's Special Forces experience would facilitate the use of counterinsurgency tactics in the war.[160] On December 1, 2009, Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan.[161] He also proposed to begin troop withdrawals 18 months from that date.[162][163] McChrystal was replaced by David Petraeus in June 2010, after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel in a magazine article.[164]

Israel

Obama meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres, 2009

During the initial years of the Obama administration, the U.S. increased military cooperation with Israel, including a record number of U.S. troops participating in military exercises in the country, increased military aid, and the re-establishment of the U.S.-Israeli Joint Political Military Group and the Defense Policy Advisory Group. It was reported high-ranking defense officials from both countries had been making an unusual number of trips between the two countries, including Ehud Barak. Part of the military aid increase in 2010 was to fund Israel's missile defense shield. Before his retirement in September 2011, Adm. Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made four trips to Israel during his four-year tenure, two of them in 2010. Prior to 2007 no Chairman of the Joint Chiefs had done so for over ten years.[165]

In 2011, Obama's Ambassador to the United Nations vetoed a resolution condemning Israeli settlements, with the U.S. the only nation on the Security Council doing so.[166] Like previous American presidential administrations, Obama supports the two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on the 1967 borders with land swaps.[167]

Libya

In March 2011, as forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi advanced on rebels across Libya, formal calls for a no-fly zone came in from around the world, including Europe, the Arab League, and a resolution[168] passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.[169] In response to the unanimous passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 on March 17, Gaddafi who had previously vowed to "show no mercy" to the citizens of Benghazi[170]—announced an immediate cessation of military activities,[171] yet reports came in that his forces continued shelling Misrata.[172] The next day, on Obama's orders, the U.S. military took a lead role in air strikes to destroy the Libyan government's air defense capabilities in order to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly-zone,[173] including the use of Tomahawk missiles, B-2 Spirits, and fighter jets.[174][175][176] Six days later, on March 25, by unanimous vote of all of its 28 members, NATO took over leadership of the effort, dubbed Operation Unified Protector.[177] Some Representatives[178] questioned whether Obama had the constitutional authority to order military action in addition to questioning its cost, structure and aftermath.[179][180]

Obama and the U.S. national security team gathered in the Situation Room to monitor the military operation resulting in the death of Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011.


Osama bin Laden

Starting with information received in July 2010, intelligence developed by the CIA over the next several months determined what they believed to be the location of Osama bin Laden in a large compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, a suburban area 35 miles from Islamabad.[181] CIA head Leon Panetta reported this intelligence to President Obama in March 2011.[181] Meeting with his national security advisers over the course of the next six weeks, Obama rejected a plan to bomb the compound, and authorized a "surgical raid" to be conducted by United States Navy SEALs.[181] The operation took place on May 1, 2011, resulting in the death of bin Laden and the seizure of papers and computer drives and disks from the compound.[182][183] Bin Laden's body was identified through DNA testing,[184] and buried at sea several hours later.[185]

2010 midterm election

Obama called the November 2, 2010 election, where the Democratic Party lost 63 seats in, and control of, the House of Representatives,[186] "humbling" and a "shellacking".[187] He said that the results came because not enough Americans had felt the effects of the economic recovery.[188]

Cultural and political image

Group portrait of five men in dark suits and ties
President George W. Bush invited then-President-elect Barack Obama and former Presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter to a meeting in the Oval Office on January 7, 2009.


Obama's family history, upbringing, and Ivy League education differ markedly from those of African American politicians who launched their careers in the 1960s through participation in the civil rights movement.[189] Obama is also not a descendant of American slaves.[190] Expressing puzzlement over questions about whether he is "black enough," Obama told an August 2007 meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists that "we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong".[191] Obama acknowledged his youthful image in an October 2007 campaign speech, saying: "I wouldn't be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation."[192]

Obama is frequently referred to as an exceptional orator.[193] During his pre-inauguration transition period and continuing into his presidency, Obama has delivered a series of weekly Internet video addresses.[194]


According to the Gallup Organization, Obama began his presidency with a 68 percent approval rating[195] before gradually declining for the rest of the year, and eventually bottoming out at 41 percent in August 2010,[196] a trend similar to Ronald Reagan's and Bill Clinton's first years in office.[197] He experienced a small poll bounce shortly after the death of Osama bin Laden, which lasted until around June 2011, when his approval numbers dropped back to where they were prior to the operation.[198][199][200] Polls show strong support for Obama in other countries,[201] and before being elected President he has met with prominent foreign figures including then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair,[202] Italy's Democratic Party leader and then Mayor of Rome Walter Veltroni,[203] and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.[204]

In a February 2009 poll conducted by Harris Interactive for France 24 and the International Herald Tribune, Obama was rated as the most respected world leader, as well as the most powerful.[205] In a similar poll conducted by Harris in May 2009, Obama was rated as the most popular world leader, as well as the one figure most people would pin their hopes on for pulling the world out of the economic downturn.[206][207]

Obama won Best Spoken Word Album Grammy Awards for abridged audiobook versions of Dreams from My Father in February 2006 and for The Audacity of Hope in February 2008.[208] His concession speech after the New Hampshire primary was set to music by independent artists as the music video "Yes We Can," which was viewed 10 million times on YouTube in its first month[209] and received a Daytime Emmy Award.[210] In December 2008, Time magazine named Obama as its Person of the Year for his historic candidacy and election, which it described as "the steady march of seemingly impossible accomplishments".[211]

On October 9, 2009, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that Obama had won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".[212] Obama accepted this award in Oslo, Norway on December 10, 2009, with "deep gratitude and great humility."[213] The award drew a mixture of praise and criticism from world leaders and media figures.[214][215] Obama is the fourth U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and the third to become a Nobel laureate while in office.

Family and personal life

Barack Obama with his family and a costumed Easter Bunny, as they wave from the South Portico of the White House to guests attending the White House Easter Egg Roll.

In a 2006 interview, Obama highlighted the diversity of his extended family: "It's like a little mini-United Nations," he said. "I've got relatives who look like Bernie Mac, and I've got relatives who look like Margaret Thatcher."[216] Obama has a half-sister with whom he was raised, Maya Soetoro-Ng, the daughter of his mother and her Indonesian second husband and seven half-siblings from his Kenyan father's family – six of them living.[217] Obama's mother was survived by her Kansas-born mother, Madelyn Dunham,[218] until her death on November 2, 2008,[219] two days before his election to the Presidency. Obama also has roots in Ireland; he met with his Irish cousins in Moneygall in May 2011.[220] In Dreams from My Father, Obama ties his mother's family history to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.[221]

Obama was known as "Barry" in his youth, but asked to be addressed with his given name during his college years.[222] Besides his native English, Obama speaks Indonesian at the conversational level, which he learned during his four childhood years in Jakarta.[223] He plays basketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team.[224]

Obama about to take a shot while three other players look at him. One of those players is holding is arms up in an attempt to block Obama.
Obama taking a shot during a game on the White House basketball court, 2009

Obama is a well known supporter of the Chicago White Sox, and threw out the first pitch at the 2005 ALCS when he was still a senator.[225] In 2009, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the all star game while wearing a White Sox jacket.[226] He is also primarily a Chicago Bears fan in the NFL, but in his childhood and adolesence was a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and recently rooted for them ahead of their victory in Super Bowl XLIII 12 days after Obama took office as President.[227]

In June 1989, Obama met Michelle Robinson when he was employed as a summer associate at the Chicago law firm of Sidley Austin.[228] Assigned for three months as Obama's adviser at the firm, Robinson joined him at group social functions, but declined his initial requests to date.[229] They began dating later that summer, became engaged in 1991, and were married on October 3, 1992.[230] The couple's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born on July 4, 1998,[231] followed by a second daughter, Natasha ("Sasha"), on June 10, 2001.[232] The Obama daughters attended the private University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. When they moved to Washington, D.C., in January 2009, the girls started at the private Sidwell Friends School.[233] The Obamas have a Portuguese Water Dog named Bo, a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy.[234]

Applying the proceeds of a book deal, the family moved in 2005 from a Hyde Park, Chicago condominium to a $1.6 million house in neighboring Kenwood, Chicago.[235] The purchase of an adjacent lot—and sale of part of it to Obama by the wife of developer, campaign donor and friend Tony Rezko—attracted media attention because of Rezko's subsequent indictment and conviction on political corruption charges that were unrelated to Obama.[236]

In December 2007, Money magazine estimated the Obama family's net worth at $1.3 million.[237] Their 2009 tax return showed a household income of $5.5 million—up from about $4.2 million in 2007 and $1.6 million in 2005—mostly from sales of his books.[238][239]

Obama tried to quit smoking several times, sometimes using nicotine replacement therapy, and, in early 2010, Michelle Obama said that he had successfully quit smoking.[240][241]

Religious views

Obama is a Christian whose religious views developed in his adult life. He wrote in The Audacity of Hope that he "was not raised in a religious household." He described his mother, raised by non-religious parents (whom Obama has specified elsewhere as "non-practicing Methodists and Baptists"), to be detached from religion, yet "in many ways the most spiritually awakened person that I have ever known." He described his father as "raised a Muslim," but a "confirmed atheist" by the time his parents met, and his stepfather as "a man who saw religion as not particularly useful." Obama explained how, through working with black churches as a community organizer while in his twenties, he came to understand "the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change".[242]

In an interview with the evangelical periodical Christianity Today, Obama stated: "I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life."[3]

On September 27, 2010, Obama released a statement commenting on his religious views saying "I'm a Christian by choice. My family didn't—frankly, they weren't folks who went to church every week. And my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew, but she didn't raise me in the church. So I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead—being my brothers' and sisters' keeper, treating others as they would treat me."[243][244]

Obama was baptized at the Trinity United Church of Christ, a black liberation church, in 1988, and was an active member there for two decades.[245] Obama resigned from Trinity during the Presidential campaign after controversial statements made by Rev. Jeremiah Wright became public.[246] After a prolonged effort to find a church to attend regularly in Washington, Obama announced in June 2009 that his primary place of worship would be the Evergreen Chapel at Camp David.[247]

Philanthropy

Obama makes regular donations to charitable organizations. On his 2010 income of $1.7 million, he gave 14 percent to non-profit organizations, including $131,000 to Fisher House Foundation, a charity assisting wounded veterans' families, allowing them to reside near where the veteran is receiving medical treatments.[248][249]

Notes

  1. ↑ The White House, President Barack Obama Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 The White House, Certificate of Live Birth
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Christianity Today: "Q&A: Barack Obama" Interview by Sarah Pulliam and Ted Olsen, January 23, 2008
  4. ↑ David Maraniss, Though Obama had to leave to find himself, it is Hawaii that made his rise possible The Washington Post (August 24, 2008). Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  5. ↑ Ewen MacAskill and Nicholas Watt, Obama looks forward to rediscovering his Irish roots on European tour The Guardian (May 20, 2011). Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  6. ↑ Obama urged to create own tartan. BBC News (20 January 2009). Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  7. ↑ Researchers: Obama has German roots. USATODAY (6/4/2009). Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  8. ↑ Honorary citizenship papers sent to Obama. Swissinfo (Jul 14, 2010). Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Tim Jones, Barack Obama: Mother not just a girl from Kansas; Stanley Ann Dunham shaped a future senator Chicago Tribune (March 27, 2007). Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 Barack Obama, Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance (New York, NY: Three Rivers Press, 2004, ISBN 978-14000827734).
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Amanda Ripley, The story of Barack Obama's mother Time Magazine (Apr. 09, 2008). Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  12. ↑ Kevin Merida, The ghost of a father The Washington Post (December 14, 2007). Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  13. ↑ Nedra Pickler, Obama debunks claim about Islamic school The Washington Post (January 24, 2007.) Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  14. ↑ B.J. Reyes, Punahou left lasting impression on Obama Honolulu Star-Bulletin (February 8, 2007). Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  15. ↑ Ed Hornick, Obama, McCain talk issues at pastor's forum CNN (August 17, 2008). Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  16. ↑ David Remnick, The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama (New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010, ISBN 978-1400043606).
  17. ↑ Shira Boss-Bicak, Barack Obama '83 Columbia College Today (January, 2005). Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Linda Matchan, A Law Review breakthrough The Boston Globe (February 15, 1990). Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Michael Levenson and Jonathan Saltzman, At Harvard Law, a unifying voice The Boston Globe (January 28, 2007). Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Fox Butterfield, First black elected to head Harvard's Law Review The New York Times (February 6, 1990). Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  21. ↑ James L. Merriner, The Friends of O Chicago Magazine (June 2008). Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  22. ↑ Statement regarding Barack Obama University of Chicago Law School. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  23. ↑ Veronica Anderson, "40 under Forty: Barack Obama, Director, Illinois Project Vote" Crain's Chicago Business 16(39) (1993): 4.
  24. ↑ Mike Robinson, Obama got start in civil rights practice The Boston Globe (February 20, 2007). Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  25. ↑ Christopher Wills, [Obama learned from failed Congress run USA Today (October 24, 2007). Retrieved April 4, 2012.
  26. ↑ Peter Slevin, Obama Forged Political Mettle in Illinois Capitol The Washington Post (February 9, 2007). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  27. ↑ Anne Marie Tavella, Profiling, taping plans pass Senate Daily Herald (April 14, 2003). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  28. ↑ V. Dion Haynes, Fight racial profiling at local level, lawmaker says; U.S. guidelines get mixed review Chicago Tribune (June 29, 2003). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  29. ↑ Chinta Strausberg, Opposition to war mounts Chicago Defender (September 26, 2002). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  30. ↑ Monica Davey, Closely watched Illinois Senate race attracts 7 candidates in millionaire range The New York Times (March 7, 2004). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  31. ↑ David Bernstein, The Speech Chicago Magazine (June 2007). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  32. ↑ Ted Barrett, John Mercurio, and John Bisney, Ryan drops out of Senate race in Illinois CNN (June 25, 2004). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  33. ↑ David Mendell, Obama: From Promise to Power (Amistad, 2008, ISBN 0060858214).
  34. ↑ Maura Kelly Lannan, Alan Keyes enters U.S. Senate race in Illinois against rising Democratic star Union-Tribune (August 9, 2004). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  35. ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, OBAMA, Barack, (1961 - ). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  36. ↑ The Library of Congress, Bill Summary & Status 109th Congress (2005 - 2006) S.1033 Thomas. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  37. ↑ Richard G. Lugar and Barack Obama, Junkyard Dogs of War The Washington Post (December 3, 2005). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  38. ↑ John McCormack, Google Government Gone Viral The Weekly Standard (December 21, 2007). Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  39. ↑ Daniel Fisher, November Election A Lawyer's Delight Forbes (August 11, 2008). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  40. ↑ Federal Election Commission Announces Plans to Issue New Regulations to Implement the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 Federal Election Commission (September 24, 2007). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  41. ↑ Seth Stern, Obama–Schumer Bill Proposal Would Criminalize Voter Intimidation The New York Times (January 31, 2007). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  42. ↑ Library of Congress, Bill Summary & Status 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) S.453 Thomas (January 31, 2007). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  43. ↑ Krystin E. Kasak, Obama Introduces Measure to Bring Troops Home NWI Times (February 7, 2007). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  44. ↑ Philip Dine Bond Calls for Review of Military Discharges St. Louis Post-Dispatch (December 23, 2007). Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  45. ↑ Emily J. Reynolds (ed.), The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Ninth Congress (BiblioGov, 2011, ISBN 978-1240754847).
  46. ↑ Nancy Erickson (ed.), The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Tenth Congress (BiblioGov, 2011, ISBN 978-1240755066)
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Rick Pearson and Ray Long, Obama: I'm running for president Chicago Tribune (February 10, 2007). Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  48. ↑ Christi Parsons, Obama's launch site: Symbolic Springfield: Announcement venue evokes Lincoln legacy Chicago Tribune (February 10, 2007). Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  49. ↑ Barack Obama on the Issues: What Would Be Your Top Three Overall Priorities If Elected? The Washington Post Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  50. ↑ Evan Thomas, A Long Time Coming (New York, NY: Public Affairs, ISBN 978-1586486075).
  51. ↑ Nagourney, Adam, "Clinton to End Bid and Endorse Obama", The New York Times, June 5, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
  52. ↑ Kate Snow and Eloise Harper, Clinton Concedes Democratic Nomination; Obama Leads Party in Fall ABC News (June 7, 2008). Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  53. ↑ Mara Liasson, and Michele Norris, Obama To Accept Nomination At Mile High Stadium NPR (July 7, 2008). Retrieved April 26, 2012.
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  57. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named electoral votes
  58. ↑ General Election: McCain vs. Obama. Real Clear Politics. Retrieved February 20, 2009.
  59. ↑ "Obama wins historic US election", BBC, November 5, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
  60. ↑ Johnson, Wesley, "Change has come, says President-elect Obama", The Independent, November 5, 2008. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
  61. ↑ Shear, Michael D., "Obama Begins Re-Election Facing New Political Challenges", The New York Times, April 4, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  62. ↑ "Obama announces re-election bid", April 4, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  63. ↑ Zeleny, Jeff, "Obama Opens 2012 Campaign, With Eye on Money and Independent Voters", The New York Times, April 4, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  64. ↑ "Obama asks Pentagon for responsible Iraq drawdown", China Daily, January 23, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  65. ↑ Glaberson, William, "Obama Orders Halt to Prosecutions at Guantánamo", The New York Times, January 21, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2009.
  66. ↑ "Senate blocks transfer of Gitmo detainees", msnbc.com, May 20, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  67. ↑ Obama, Barack (December 15, 2009). Presidential Memorandum—Closure of Detention Facilities at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. whitehouse.gov. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  68. ↑ Serbu, Jared, "Obama signs Defense authorization bill", Federal News Radio, January 7, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  69. ↑ Executive Order—Presidential Records. Retrieved January 22, 2009.
  70. ↑ Doyle, Michael, "Obama restores some of the 'Freedom' to FOIA", McClatchy Newspapers, January 23, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2009.
  71. ↑ Gerstein, Josh, "Obama: End Abortion 'Politicization'", Politico.com, January 24, 2009.
  72. ↑ "Obama Signs Equal-Pay Legislation", The New York Times, January 30, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
  73. ↑ Levey, Noam N., "Obama signs into law expansion of SCHIP health-care program for children", Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
  74. ↑ "Obama overturns Bush policy on stem cells", CNN, March 9, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2010.
  75. ↑ "Senate confirms Sotomayor for Supreme Court", CNN, August 6, 2009. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
  76. ↑ Obama nominates Sotomayor to Supreme Court, CNN, accessed May 26, 2009.
  77. ↑ Sherman, Mark, "New Era Begins on High Court: Kagan Takes Place as Third Woman", October 4, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  78. ↑ Broder, John M., "E.P.A. Moves to Curtail Greenhouse Gas Emissions", The New York Times, October 1, 2009.
  79. ↑ US moves to limit industrial greenhouse gas emissions. Google.com (October 1, 2009). Retrieved April 18, 2010.
  80. ↑ "President Barack Obama signs hate crimes legislation into law", October 28, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  81. ↑ "Obama signs hate crimes bill into law", CNN, October 28, 2009. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  82. ↑ Parsons, Christi, "Obama signs student loan reforms into law", Los Angeles Times, March 30, 2010. Retrieved April 18, 2010.
  83. ↑ Branigin, William, "Obama signs higher-education measure into law", The Washington Post. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  84. ↑ Robert Block and Mark K. Matthews. "White House won't fund NASA moon program", LA Times, January 27, 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  85. ↑ Jesse Lee. The President Signs Repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell": "Out of Many, We Are One". Whitehouse.gov. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  86. ↑ "'Don't ask, don't tell' repealed as Obama signs landmark law", Guardian, December 22, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  87. ↑ Obama to delay 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal. Washington Times (November 21, 2008). Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  88. ↑ Albanesius, Chloe (2011-01-25). Obama Pushes Innovation in Tech-Heavy State of the Union. PCMag.com.
  89. ↑ Kornblut, Anne E.; Wilson, Scott, "State of the Union 2011: 'Win the future,' Obama says", The Washington Post, 2011-01-26. Retrieved 2011-05-18.
  90. ↑ "Stimulus package en route to Obama's desk", CNN, February 14, 2009. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
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  92. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named markets opened
  93. ↑ "White House questions viability of GM, Chrysler", The Huffington Post, March 30, 2009.
  94. ↑ "Chrysler and Union Agree to Deal Before Federal Deadline", The New York Times, April 27, 2009. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  95. ↑ John Hughes, Caroline Salas, Jeff Green, and Bob Van Voris. "GM Begins Bankruptcy Process With Filing for Affiliate", Bloomberg, June 1, 2009.
  96. ↑ "Obama Presses Cabinet to Speed Stimulus Spending", The Wall Street Journal, June 9, 2009.
  97. ↑ Dana Hedgpeth. "U.S. Says 'Cash for Clunkers' Program Will End on Monday", The Washington Post, August 21, 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  98. ↑ Joseph R. Szczesny. "Was Cash for Clunkers a Success?", Time, August 26, 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  99. ↑ (September 1, 2010)The Effects of Fiscal Stimulus: Evidence from the 2009 'Cash for Clunkers' Program.
  100. ↑ Goldman, David (April 6, 2009). CNNMoney.com's bailout tracker. Bailout tracker 06.
  101. ↑ Montgomery, Lori, "Federal budget deficit to exceed $1.4 trillion in 2010 and 2011", The Washington Post, July 24, 2010. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  102. ↑ Bull, Alister, "Obama's 2010 budget: deficit soars amid job spending", Reuters, February 1, 2010. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  103. ↑ Dickson, David M., "CBO report: Debt will rise to 90% of GDP", Washington Times, March 26, 2010. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  104. ↑ "Obama signs debt limit-paygo bill into law" (February 12, 2010). Reuters [website]. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  105. ↑ By NBC's Sylvie Stein. First Read —A breakdown of the debt-limit legislation. msnbc.com. Retrieved 2011-08-03.
  106. ↑ House passes debt ceiling bill. msnbc.com (2011-03-08). Retrieved 2011-08-03.
  107. ↑ (2011). Unemployment Remains High in 2010. Monthly Labor Review 134 (3): 3–22.
  108. ↑ (2011). Payroll Employment Turns the Corner in 2010. Monthly Labor Review 134 (3): 23–32.
  109. ↑ 109.0 109.1 Percent Change in Real Gross Domestic Product (Quarterly). National Income and Product Accounts Table. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  110. ↑ Harding, Robin (July 28, 2010). Beige Book survey reports signs of slowdown. Financial Times. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
  111. ↑ Percent Change in Real Gross Domestic Product (Annual). National Income and Product Accounts Table. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  112. ↑ Estimated Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Employment and Economic Output From October 2009 Through December 2009. Congressional Budget Office, Pub. no. 4104 (February 2010). Retrieved August 8, 2010.
  113. ↑ 113.0 113.1 "New Consensus Sees Stimulus Package as Worthy Step", The New York Times, November 20, 2009. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  114. ↑ CBO: Stimulus created as many as 2.1 million jobs (February 23, 2010). Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  115. ↑ Krugman, Paul, "Too Little of a Good Thing", The New York Times, November 2, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  116. ↑ Isidore, Chris, "Best economic growth in six years", CNN, January 29, 2010. Retrieved April 18, 2010.
  117. ↑ Estimated Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Employment and Economic Output. Congressional Budget Office. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
  118. ↑ New NABE Survey Shows Business Recovery Gaining Momentum, with More Jobs Ahead. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  119. ↑ Herszenhorn, David M.. "Democrats Skeptical of Obama on New Tax Plan", December 7, 2010.
  120. ↑ "Obama signs tax deal into law", CNN, December 17, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  121. ↑ 121.0 121.1 Sweet, Lynn, "Obama July 22, 2009 press conference. Transcript", Chicago Sun-Times, July 22, 2009
  122. ↑ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay. "Obama, Armed With Details, Says Health Plan Is Necessary", September 9, 2009.
  123. ↑ Obama will hedge on public option. Politico.com. Retrieved September 9, 2009.
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  125. ↑ Stem cell retrieved 19 March 2011
  126. ↑ Hulse, Carl; Robert Pear, "Sweeping Health Care Plan Passes House", The New York Times, November 7, 2009. Retrieved November 8, 2009.
  127. ↑ Herszenhorn, David M.; Jackie Calmes, "Abortion Was at Heart of Wrangling", The New York Times, December 7, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2009.
  128. ↑ Hensley, Scott. "Senate Says Yes To Landmark Health Bill", NPR, December 24, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
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  134. ↑ An Analysis of Health Insurance Premiums Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
  135. ↑ Peter Grier, Health care reform bill 101: Who will pay for reform?, Christian Science Monitor (March 21, 2010).
  136. ↑ Grier, Peter, "Health care reform bill 101: Who must buy insurance?", The Christian Science Monitor, March 19, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  137. ↑ Congressional Budget Office, Cost Estimates for H.R. 4872, Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Final Health Care Legislation) (March 20, 2010).
  138. ↑ "Obama Halts Drilling Projects, Defends Actions", National Public Radio, May 27, 2010.
  139. ↑ Jonsson, Patrik, "Gulf oil spill: Obama's big political test", The Christian Science Monitor, May 29, 2010. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  140. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named preceding administration
  141. ↑ "Obama reaches out to Muslim world on TV", msnbc.com. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
  142. ↑ DeYoung, Karen, "Nation U.S. to Join Talks on Iran's Nuclear Program", The Washington Post, April 9, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
  143. ↑ "Iranian Leaders Ignore Obama's Outstretched Hand", Fox News Channel, March 20, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
  144. ↑ "Obama speech draws praise in Mideast", The Guardian, January 23, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
  145. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named middleeast
  146. ↑ "Obama dismisses Ahmadinejad apology request", The Washington Times, June 26, 2009.
  147. ↑ Obama: No green light for Israel to attack Iran, CNN, July 7, 2009
  148. ↑ Chidanand Rajghatta, "Barack 'No Bomb' Obama pushes for world without nukes", The Times of India, September 24, 2009.
  149. ↑ Robert Berger, "Israel Refuses to Halt Construction in East Jerusalem", Voice of America, March 26, 2010.
  150. ↑ Kershner, Isabel, "Israel Confirms New Building in East Jerusalem", The New York Times, March 24, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  151. ↑ Peter Baker, "Obama Seals Arms Control Deal With Russia", The New York Times, March 26, 2010.
  152. ↑ Baker, Peter, "Senate Passes Arms Control Treaty With Russia, 71-26", The New York Times, December 22, 2010.
  153. ↑ Feller, Ben, "Obama sets firm withdrawal timetable for Iraq", The Detroit News, February 27, 2009. Retrieved March 3, 2009.
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  156. ↑ MacAskill, Ewen, "Barack Obama ends the war in Iraq. 'Now it's time to turn the page'", The Guardian, September 1, 2010.
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  175. ↑ Ian Pannell. "Gaddafi 'not targeted' by allied strikes", Bbc.co.uk, 2011-03-21. Retrieved 2011-07-03.
  176. ↑ Jones, Sam, "F-15 fighter jet crashes in Libya", The Guardian, March 22, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  177. ↑ NATO No-Fly Zone over Libya Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR. NATO (March 25, 2011).
  178. ↑ Montopoli, Brian, "Is Obama's Libya offensive constitutional?", CBS News, March 22, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  179. ↑ Stein, Sam, "Obama's Libya Policy Makes Strange Bedfellows Of Congressional Critics", The Huffington Post, March 21, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  180. ↑ "Obama juggles Libya promises, realities", CNN, March 25, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  181. ↑ 181.0 181.1 181.2 Mazzetti, Mark; Helene Cooper, Peter Baker, "Clues Gradually Led to the Location of Osama bin Laden", The New York Times, 3 May 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  182. ↑ "Osama bin Laden is killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan" - washingtonpost.com Retrieved May 2, 2011
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  184. ↑ Schabner, Dean; Karen Travers, "Osama bin Laden Killed by U.S. Forces in Pakistan", ABC News, 1 May 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
  185. ↑ Baker, Peter; Helene Cooper, Mark Mazzetti, "Bin Laden Is Dead, Obama Says", The New York Times, 2 May 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2011.
  186. ↑ Paul Harris in Oakland and Ewen MacAskill in Washington. "US midterm election results herald new political era as Republicans take House", Guardian, November 3, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  187. ↑ "Obama calls midterm elections a 'shellacking' for Democrats", The Christian Science Monitor, November 4, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  188. ↑ See Obama's first paragraph of his transcript. All Things Considered. NPR (November 3, 2010). Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  189. ↑ Wallace-Wells, Benjamin, "The Great Black Hope: What's Riding on Barack Obama?", Washington Monthly, November 2004. Retrieved April 7, 2008. See also:Scott, Janny, "A Member of a New Generation, Obama Walks a Fine Line", International Herald Tribune, December 28, 2007. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
  190. ↑ Harris, Paul, "Obama told of family's slave-owning history in deep South", The Observer, March 4, 2007. Retrieved April 18, 2010.
  191. ↑ Payne, Les, "In One Country, a Dual Audience", Newsday, August 19, 2007. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
  192. ↑ Dorning, Mike, "Obama Reaches Across Decades to JFK", Chicago Tribune, October 4, 2007. Retrieved April 7, 2008. See also:Harnden, Toby, "Barack Obama is JFK Heir, Says Kennedy Aide", Daily Telegraph, October 15, 2007. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
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  194. ↑ YouTube – ChangeDotGov's Channel. Youtube.com. Retrieved April 18, 2010.
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  196. ↑ "Obama hits low point in Gallup Poll—41%", USA Today, 2011-04-15. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
  197. ↑ Jon Terbush (2010-12-09). Approval By Numbers: How Obama Compares To Past Presidents. Tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
  198. ↑ "Bin Laden bounce? New poll shows jump in Obama approval", James Oliphant. Los Angeles Times. May 11, 2011. Accessed June 7, 2011
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  200. ↑ "Washington Still Working Hard to Plug Gaps in The Bin Laden Story", Patrick Henningsen. 21st Century Wire. May 23, 2011. Accessed June 7, 2011
  201. ↑ "World wants Obama as president: poll", ABC News, September 9, 2008.
  202. ↑ Obama.senate.gov (August 24, 2005). Obama to visit nuclear, biological weapons destruction facilities in former Soviet Union. Press release. Retrieved on October 12, 2011.
  203. ↑ Scherer, Steve (2007-09-12). Rome Mayor's Leadership Bid May Lead to Early Italian Elections. Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
  204. ↑ Pedder, Sophie, "Sarkozy, Obama and McCain", The Economist, February 20, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
  205. ↑ Freed, John C., "Poll shows Obama atop list of most respected", The New York Times, February 6, 20009. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  206. ↑ "Obama Most Popular Leader, Poll Finds", The New York Times, May 29, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  207. ↑ "Obama remains a popular symbol of hope", France 24, June 2, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  208. ↑ Goodman, Dean. "Obama or Clinton? Grammys go for Obama", Reuters, February 10, 2008. Retrieved November 24, 2008.
  209. ↑ Strange, Hannah, "Celebrities join YouTube revolution", The Times, March 5, 2008. Retrieved December 18, 2008.
  210. ↑ Wappler, Margaret, "Emmys give knuckle bump to will.i.am; more videos on the way", Los Angeles Times, June 20, 2008. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  211. ↑ Von Drehle, David, "Why History Can't Wait", Time, December 16, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2008.
  212. ↑ The Nobel Peace Prize 2009. Nobel Foundation. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
  213. ↑ "Obama: 'Peace requires responsibility'", CNN, 2009-12-10. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
  214. ↑ Philp, Catherine, "Barack Obama's peace prize starts a fight", The Times, TimesOnLine, October 10, 2009. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  215. ↑ Samuelsohn, Darren. "Obama Wins Nobel Prize in Part for Confronting 'Great Climatic Challenges'", The New York Times, October 9, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2010.
  216. ↑ Keeping Hope Alive: Barack Obama Puts Family First. The Oprah Winfrey Show (October 18, 2006). Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  217. ↑ Fornek, Scott, "Half Siblings: 'A Complicated Family'", Chicago Sun-Times, September 9, 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2008. See also:"Interactive Family Tree", Chicago Sun-Times, September 9, 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  218. ↑ Fornek, Scott, "Madelyn Payne Dunham: 'A Trailblazer'", Chicago Sun-Times, September 9, 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  219. ↑ "Obama's grandmother dies after battle with cancer", CNN, November 3, 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
  220. ↑ Smolenyak, Megan, "Tracing Barack Obama's Roots to Moneygall", The Huffington Post, May 9, 2011.
  221. ↑ Obama (1995, 2004), p. 13. For reports on Obama's maternal genealogy, including slave owners, Irish connections, and common ancestors with George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Harry Truman, see:Nitkin, David; Harry Merritt, "A New Twist to an Intriguing Family History", Baltimore Sun, March 2, 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2008.Jordan, Mary, "Tiny Irish Village Is Latest Place to Claim Obama as Its Own", The Washington Post, May 13, 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2008."Obama's Family Tree Has a Few Surprises", CBS 2 (Chicago), September 8, 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
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  225. ↑ "Barack Obama: White Sox 'serious' ball", The Swamp, August 25, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2009.
  226. ↑ "Barack Obama Explains White Sox Jacket, Talks Nats in All-Star Booth Visit", MLB Fanhouse, July 14, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2009.
  227. ↑ Branigin, William, "Steelers Win Obama's Approval", January 30, 2009.
  228. ↑ Obama (2006), pp. 327–332. See also:Brown, Sarah, "Obama '85 masters balancing act", The Daily Princetonian, December 7, 2005. Retrieved February 9, 2009.
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  231. ↑ Martin, Jonathan (July 4, 2008). Born on the 4th of July. The Politico. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
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  233. ↑ "Obamas choose private Sidwell Friends School", International Herald Tribune, November 22, 2008
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  235. ↑ Zeleny, Jeff, "The first time around: Sen. Obama's freshman year", Chicago Tribune, December 24, 2005. Retrieved April 28, 2008.
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  237. ↑ Harris, Marlys, "Obama's Money", CNNMoney.com, December 7, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2008.
    See also:Goldfarb, Zachary A, "Measuring Wealth of the '08 Candidates", The Washington Post, March 24, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2008.
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  240. ↑ Elsner, Alan. "Obama says he won't be smoking in White House", December 7, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  241. ↑ Zengerle, Patricia, "Yes, he did: first lady says Obama quit smoking", February 8, 2011. Retrieved May 9, 2011.
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  243. ↑ Obama 'Christian By Choice': President Responds To Questioner by Charles Babington and Darlene Superville, Associated Press, September 28, 2010
  244. ↑ Video - President Obama: "I am a Christian By Choice" by ABC News, September 29, 2010
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  247. ↑ Sullivan, Amy, "The Obamas Find a Church Home—Away from Home", Time, June 29, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
  248. ↑ Solman, Paul, "How Much Did President Obama Make in 2010?", PBS NewsHour, April 18, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  249. ↑ Solman, Paul, "The Obamas Gave $131,000 to Fisher House Foundation in 2010; What Is It?", PBS NewsHour, April 27, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2012.

Works by Barack Obama

  • Obama, Barack. Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press, 2004 (original 1995). ISBN 978-1400082773
  • Obama, Barack. The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. New York, NY: Crown Publishing Group, 2006. ISBN 978-0307455871
  • Obama, Barack. In His Own Words: Barack Obama - The American Promise. CreateSpace, 2008. ISBN 978-1440423185
  • Obama, Barack. Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf Books, 2010. ISBN 978-0375835278

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Erickson, Nancy (ed.). The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Tenth Congress. BiblioGov, 2011. ISBN 978-1240755066
  • Mendell, David. Obama: From Promise to Power. Amistad, 2008. ISBN 0060858214
  • Remnick, David. The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010. ISBN 978-1400043606
  • Reynolds, Emily J. (ed.). The Senate of the United States Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Ninth Congress. BiblioGov, 2011. ISBN 978-1240754847
  • Thomas, Evan. A Long Time Coming. New York, NY: Public Affairs. ISBN 978-1586486075


External links


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