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| "Hussein" is Barack Obama's middle name — please do not modify or delete it in this first sentence-->Hussein<!-- see talk page archives | "Hussein" is Barack Obama's middle name — please do not modify or delete it in this first sentence-->Hussein<!-- see talk page archives | ||
| --> Obama''' (born ], ]) is |
--> Obama''' (born ], ]) is a nigger. | ||
| The following sentence is a compromise that was reached at the talk page (see the archives). Please do not modify it without discussion. | |||
| -->The ] lists him as the fifth ] Senator in ] and the only African American currently serving in the U.S. Senate.<ref> {{cite news|url=http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/history/h_multi_sections_and_teasers/Photo_Exhibit_African_American_Senators.htm |title=Breaking New Ground: African American Senators |accessdate=2007-07-22 |work=U.S. Senate Historical Office }}</ref> | |||
| Born to a ]n father and an ] mother, Obama grew up in culturally diverse surroundings. He spent most of his childhood in the ] U.S. state of ] and lived for four years in ]. After graduating from ] and ], Obama worked as a ], university ], and ] lawyer before entering politics. He served in the ] from 1997 to 2004, launching his campaign for U.S. Senate in 2003. | |||
| Obama delivered the keynote address at the ] while still an Illinois ]. He went on to win election to the U.S. Senate in November 2004 with a ] 70% of the vote in an ] marked by ] gains.<ref>{{cite news | first=Randal C | last=Archibold | coauthors= | title=The Illinois Candidate; Day After, Keynote Speaker Finds Admirers Everywhere | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A03E7DB103DF93AA15754C0A9629C8B63 | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=U.S. Senate and House - Illinois | date=Last updated: 2004-11-11 | publisher= | url =http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/SenateHouseResultsByState.aspx?sp=IL&rti=G&cn=1&tf=l | work =USA Today | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> As a member of the Democratic minority in the ], Obama co-sponsored the enactment of ] control and ] legislation, and made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. | |||
| He is among the Democratic Party's leading candidates for nomination in the ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Jim | last=Malone | coauthors= | title=2008 US Presidential Campaign in Full Swing | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-05-18-voa37.cfm | work =Voice of America | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news|url=http://www.pollingreport.com/wh08dem.htm |title=White House 2008: Democratic Nomination |accessdate=2007-07-22 |work=Polling Report }} {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Top Democratic Contenders: Support in National Samples of Democratic Voters | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.pollster.com/ATopDems.php | work =Pollster.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Since announcing his ] in February 2007, Obama has emphasized ending the ] and implementing ] as campaign themes.<ref name=BBC20070210>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama Launches Presidential Bid | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6349081.stm | work =BBC News | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} at Brightcove.com.</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Robin | last=Toner | coauthors= | title=Obama Calls for Wider and Less Costly Health Care Coverage | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/us/politics/30obama.html | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} {{cite news | first=Angela | last=Galloway | coauthors= | title=Obama Fires Up Crowd in Seattle | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/318258_obama02.html | work =Seattle Post-Intelligencer | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> He married in 1992 and has two daughters. He has authored two bestselling books: a memoir of his youth entitled '']'', and '']'', a personal commentary on U.S. politics.<ref>{{cite news | first=Carol | last=Memmott | coauthors= | title=Obama's Books Drive Talk of '08 Presidential Run | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2007-01-29-obama-prez-books_x.htm | work =USA Today | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ==Early life and career== | |||
| {{see also|Dreams from My Father}}<!-- please do not edit the way his name is rendered in this first sentence; see Talk --> | |||
| Obama was born in ], ] to Barack Obama, Sr. (born in ], ]) and Ann Dunham (born in ], ]).<ref> {{cite news|url=http://www.barackobama.com/about/ |title=Meet Barack |accessdate=2007-07-22 |work=BarackObama.com }} See also: Obama (1995), Chapter 1.</ref> His parents met while both were attending the ], where his father was enrolled as a ].<ref>Obama (1995), pp. 9–10. For book excerpts, see {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Barack Obama: Creation of Tales|date=], ] | url =http://www.nationmedia.com/EastAfrican/01112004/Features/PA2-2212.html | work =East African | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 }}</ref> Obama's parents separated when he was two years old and later divorced.<ref>Obama (1995), pp. 125–126. See also: {{cite news | first=Tim | last=Jones | coauthors= | title=Obama's Mom: Not Just a Girl from Kansas | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-0703270151mar27,1,3372079.story?coll=chi-news-hed | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> His father went to ] to pursue ] studies, then returned to Kenya, where he died in an auto accident when the younger Obama was twenty-one years old.<ref>Obama (1995), pp. 3–5, 9–10. See also: {{cite news | first=Philip | last=Ochieng | coauthors= | title=From Home Squared to the US Senate: How Barack Obama Was Lost and Found | date=] ] | url =http://www.nationmedia.com/EastAfrican/01112004/Features/PA2-11.html | work =East African | accessdate = 2007-07-22 }}</ref> His mother married Lolo Soetoro, an ]n foreign student, with whom she had one daughter, Maya.<ref>From his father's side, Obama has two half-sisters and five surviving half-brothers. {{cite news | first=Michael | last=Sheridan | coauthors= Sarah Baxter | title=Secrets of Obama Family Unlocked | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1267352.ece | work =Sunday Times (UK) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: Obama (1995), Chapter 2 and Chapters 15–19 (Part 3: Kenya).</ref> The family moved to ] in 1967, where Obama attended <!-- do not change this: see talk -->local schools from ages 6 to 10.<ref>For details of Obama's early primary schooling in Indonesia, see Obama (1995), p. 154, and Obama (2006), p. 274. For media responses to the January 2007 '']'' article titled "Hillary's Team Has Questions About Obama's Muslim Background", see : {{cite news | first=Kim | last=Barker | coauthors= | title=Obama Madrassa Myth Debunked | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-070325obama-islam-story,0,7180545.story?coll=chi-news-hed&?track=sto-relcon | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} {{cite news | first=David D | last=Kirkpatrick | coauthors= | title=Feeding Frenzy for a Big Story, Even If It’s False | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A04E2DD143FF93AA15752C0A9619C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Debunked Insight Magazine and Fox News Smear Campaign | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://obama.senate.gov/press/070123-debunked_insigh/index.php | work =Barack Obama U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama, School Deny Radical Islam Claim | date=], ] | publisher=WPVI-TV Philadelphia (ABC) | url =http://video.ap.org/vws/search/aspx/ap.aspx?t=s60&p=ENAPus_ENAPus&g=0125dv_obama_school&f=1165353 | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = video }}</ref> He then returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents while attending ] from 5th grade until his graduation in 1979.<ref>Obama (1995), Chapters 3 and 4. See also: {{cite news | first=Reyes | last=B.J. | coauthors= | title=Punahou Left Lasting Impression on Obama | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://starbulletin.com/2007/02/08/news/story02.html | work =Honolulu Star-Bulletin | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Obama's mother died of ] a few months after the publication of his 1995 ], ''Dreams from My Father''.<ref>Obama (1995), Preface to the 2004 Edition, p. xi. See also: {{cite news | first=Julia | last=Suryakusuma | title=Obama for President ... of Indonesia|date=], ] | publisher= Jakarta Post | url =http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20061129.F03 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 }}</ref> | |||
| In the memoir, Obama describes his experiences growing up in his mother's ] family. His knowledge about his absent ] father came mainly through family stories and photographs.<ref>Obama writes: "He was an African, I would learn, a Kenyan of the Luo tribe, born on the shores of ] in a place called Alego." Obama (1995), p. 9. See also {{cite news | first=Nico | last=Gnecchi | coauthors= | title=Obama Receives Hero's Welcome at His Family's Ancestral Village in Kenya | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-08/2006-08-27-voa17.cfm | work =Voice of America | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Of his early childhood, Obama writes: "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."<ref>Obama (1995), pp. 9–10.</ref> The book describes his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his ] heritage.<ref>Obama (1995), Chapters 4 and 5. See also: {{cite news | first=Richard A | last=Serrano | coauthors= | title=Obama's Peers Didn't See His Angst | |||
| | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1230439131.html?dids=1230439131:1230439131&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+11%2C+2007&author=Richard+A.+Serrano&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=A.20&desc=THE+NATION | work =Los Angeles Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = paid archive}}</ref> He used ], ], and ] during his teenage years, Obama writes, to "push questions of who I was out of my mind."<ref>In the book, Obama writes: "Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it." Obama (1995), pp. 93–94. For analysis of the political impact of the quote and Obama's more recent admission that he smoked marijuana as a teenager ("When I was a kid, I inhaled."), see: {{cite news | first=Lois | last=Romano | title=Effect of Obama's Candor Remains to Be Seen|date= ], ] | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/02/AR2007010201359.html | work =Washington Post | accessdate = 2007-07-22 }} {{cite news | first=Katharine Q | last=Seelye | coauthors= | title=Obama Offers More Variations From the Norm | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D07E2DB173FF937A15753C1A9609C8B63&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| After graduating from Punahou, Obama studied at ] for two years, then transferred to ], where he majored in ] with a specialization in ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Larry | last=Gordon | coauthors= | title=Occidental Recalls 'Barry' Obama | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-oxy29jan29,0,2099497,full.story?coll=la-home-local | work =Los Angeles Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref name='CCTJan05'>{{cite news | first=Shira | last=Boss-Bicak | title=Barack Obama ’83: Is He the New Face of The Democratic Party? | date=January 2005 | publisher= | url =http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/jan05/cover.php | work =Columbia College Today|accessdate = 2007-07-22 }}</ref> He received his ] degree in 1983, then worked for one year at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.law.uchicago.edu/faculty/obama/cv.html |title=Curriculum Vitae |accessdate=2007-07-22 | work=University of Chicago Law School }} See also: Obama (1995), pp. 135–136.</ref> In 1985, Obama moved to ] to direct a ] project assisting local churches to organize job training programs.<ref>Obama (1995), Part 2. See also: {{cite news | first=Bob | last=Secter | coauthors= John McCormick | title=Portrait of a Pragmatist | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0703300121mar30,1,282774.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> He entered ] in 1988.<ref>{{cite news | first=Michael | last=Levenson | coauthors= Jonathan Saltzman | title=At Harvard Law, a Unifying Voice | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/01/28/at_harvard_law_a_unifying_voice/?page=full | work =Boston Globe | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 |language = }}</ref> In 1990, ''The New York Times'' reported his election as the '']'s'' "first black president in its 104-year history."<ref>{{cite news | first=Fox | last=Butterfield | coauthors= | title=First Black Elected to Head Harvard's Law Review | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE2DC1631F935A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FPeople%2FO%2FObama%2C%20Barack | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} </ref> He completed his ] degree '']'' in 1991.<ref name='CV'> {{cite web|url=http://www.law.uchicago.edu/faculty/obama/cv.html |title=Curriculum Vitae |accessdate= 2007-07-22 |work=University of Chicago Law School }}</ref> On returning to Chicago, Obama directed a ].<ref name='CV'> {{cite web|url=http://www.law.uchicago.edu/faculty/obama/cv.html |title=Curriculum Vitae |accessdate= 2007-07-22 |work=University of Chicago Law School }}</ref> As an associate ] with Miner, Barnhill & Galland from 1993 to 1996, he represented ], ] claims, and ] cases.<ref name=Civil_Rights>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Law Graduate Obama Got His Start in Civil Rights Practice | date=] ] | publisher=International Herald Tribune | url =http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/20/america/NA-POL-US-Obama-Attorney-at-Law.php | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> He was a lecturer of ] at the ] ] from 1993 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004.<ref>{{cite news | first=Abdon M | last=Pallasch | coauthors= | title=Professor Obama was a Listener, Students Say | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/253391,CST-NWS-prof12.article | work =Chicago Sun-Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ==State legislature== | |||
| Obama was elected to the ] in 1996 from the state's 13th District in the south-side Chicago neighborhood of ].<ref>{{cite news | first=David | last=Jackson | coauthors= Ray Long | title=Obama Knows His Way Around a Ballot | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070403obama-ballot,1,57567.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In 2000, he made an unsuccessful Democratic primary run for the ] seat held by four-term incumbent candidate ].<ref> {{cite news | first=Edward | last=McClelland | coauthors= | title=How Obama Learned to Be a Natural | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/02/12/obama_natural/ | work =Salon | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> He was overwhelmingly reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998 and 2002, officially resigning in November 2004, following his election to the U.S. Senate.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.senatedem.state.il.us/obama/index.html |title=13th District: Barack Obama |accessdate=2007-07-22 |date=] ] |work=Illinois State Senate Democrats, Internet Archive |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20000824102110/http://www.senatedem.state.il.us/obama/index.html |archivedate=2000-08-24 }} {{cite web|url=http://www.senatedem.state.il.us/obama/index.html |title=13th District: Barack Obama |accessdate=2007-07-22 |date=] ] |work=Illinois State Senate Democrats, Internet Archive |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041009213335/http://www.senatedem.state.il.us/obama/index.html |archivedate=2004-10-09 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Jodi S | last=Cohen | coauthors= | title=Obama's Springfield Seat Goes to Lawyer | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-0411070178nov07,1,94275.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Among his major accomplishments as a state legislator, Obama's U.S. Senate web site lists: "creating programs like the state ]"; "an expansion of ]"; and "legislation requiring the videotaping of interrogations and confessions in all ] cases."<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=About Barack Obama | date= | publisher= | url =http://obama.senate.gov/about | work =Barack Obama U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=Rick | last=Pearson | coauthors= Ray Long | title=Careful Steps, Looking Ahead | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-0705030101may03,1,7439904.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Reviewing Obama's career in the Illinois Senate, a February 2007 article in the '']'' noted his work with both Democrats and Republicans in drafting bipartisan legislation on ] and ].<ref name=Slevin20070209>{{cite news | first=Peter | last=Slevin | coauthors= | title=Obama Forged Political Mettle in Illinois Capitol | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/08/AR2007020802262.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>See also: {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=In-Depth Look at Obama's Political Career | date=], ] | publisher=Chicago Tribune | url =http://video.chicagotribune.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?clipid1=1226539 | work =CLTV | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> During his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign, Obama won the endorsement of the Illinois ], whose officials cited his "longtime support of ] measures and his willingness to negotiate compromises," despite his support for some bills the police union had opposed.<ref>{{cite news | first=Colleen | last=Mastony | coauthors= | title=Cops Give Obama Subdued Reception|date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/women/chi-0408200105aug20,1,5963637.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=Sam | last=Youngman | coauthors= and Aaron Blake | title=Obama’s Crime Votes Are Fodder for Rivals | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obamas-crime-votes-are-fodder-for-rivals-2007-03-13.html | work =The Hill | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> He was also criticized by a rival ] candidate in the Democratic primary and by his Republican ] opponent in the general election for having voted either "present" or "no" on anti-] legislation.<ref name=Slevin20070209>{{cite news | first=Peter | last=Slevin | coauthors= | title=Obama Forged Political Mettle in Illinois Capitol | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/08/AR2007020802262.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=John | last=Chase | coauthors= | title=A Big Split Over Abortion, Stem Cells | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-0410040132oct04,1,5739543.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=Sam | last=Youngman | coauthors= | title=Abortion Foes Target Obama Because of His Vote Record on Illinois Legislation | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/abortion-foes-target-obama-because-of-his-vote-record-on-illinois-legislation-2007-02-15.html | work =The Hill | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ==Keynote address at 2004 Democratic National Convention== | |||
| {{see also|2004 Democratic National Convention}} | |||
| Obama wrote and delivered the keynote address at the ] in ], while still serving as a ].<ref>For details about the speech's genesis and delivery, see: {{cite news | first=Shira | last=Boss-Bicak | title=Barack Obama ’83: Is He the New Face of The Democratic Party? | date=January 2005 | publisher= | url =http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/jan05/cover.php | work =Columbia College Today| accessdate = 2007-07-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=David | last=Bernstein| title=The Speech | date=June 2007| publisher= | url =http://www.chicagomag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=8642F5EFCEA14A939100AB7214F31861&nm=Archives&type=PubPagi&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle+Title&mid=61BFC65300D24DB58350C761094153A1&tier=4&id=864D9B81ECE746529042D982A9FED8A3 | work =Chicago Magazine| accessdate = 2007-07-22}}</ref> After describing his maternal grandfather's experiences as a ] veteran and a beneficiary of the ] ] and ] programs, Obama said: | |||
| <blockquote>No, people don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better. And they want that choice.</blockquote> | |||
| Questioning the ] management of the ], Obama spoke of an enlisted ], Corporal Seamus Ahern from ], asking, "Are we serving Seamus as well as he is serving us?" He continued: | |||
| <blockquote>When we send our young men and women into harm's way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going, to care for their families while they're gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never, ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world.</blockquote> | |||
| Finally, he spoke for national unity: | |||
| <blockquote>The pundits like to slice-and-dice our country into ]; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the Red States. We coach ] in the Blue States and yes, we got some gay friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=Keynote Address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.barackobama.com/2004/07/27/keynote_address_at_the_2004_de.php | work =BarackObama.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref></blockquote> | |||
| The speech was Obama's introduction to most of America. Its enthusiastic reception at the convention and widespread coverage by national media gave him instant celebrity status.<ref>{{cite news | first=Richard | last=Wolf | coauthors= | title=Illinois' Obama Revisits Idea of 2008 Run for White House | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-10-22-obama-president_x.htm | work =USA Today | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Wallace-Wells | first=Benjamin | title=The Great Black Hope: What's Riding on Barack Obama? | date=November 2004 | publisher=Washington Monthly | url=http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0411.wallace-wells.html |accessdate=2007-07-22 }}</ref> | |||
| ==Senate campaign== | |||
| {{main|Illinois United States Senate election, 2004}} | |||
| In 2003, Obama began his run for the U.S. Senate ] vacated by ]. In early opinion polls leading up to the Democratic ], Obama trailed ] businessman ] and Illinois ] ].<ref name=Mendell20040317>{{cite news | first=David | last=Mendell | coauthors= | title=Obama Routs Democratic Foes; Ryan Tops Crowded GOP Field|date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-0403170332mar17,1,1737252.story?coll=chi-news-hed | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> However, Hull's popularity declined following allegations of ].<ref name=Mendell20040317>{{cite news | first=David | last=Mendell | coauthors= | title=Obama Routs Democratic Foes; Ryan Tops Crowded GOP Field|date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-0403170332mar17,1,1737252.story?coll=chi-news-hed | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Obama's candidacy was boosted by an advertising campaign featuring images of the late Chicago Mayor ] and the late U.S. Senator ]; the support of Simon's daughter; and political endorsements by the '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite news | first=Scott | last=Fornek | coauthors= | title=Obama's Appeal Spans Racial Lines | date=], ] | publisher=at Find Articles | url =http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20040318/ai_n12537351 | work =Chicago Sun-Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Christopher | last=Hayes | coauthors= | title=Check Bounce | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=express&s=hayes031704 | work =TNR Online | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 |language = }}</ref> Obama received over 52% of the vote in the March 2004 primary, emerging 29% ahead of his nearest Democratic rival.<ref name='2004 primary result'>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Illinois Primary 2004: Primary Elections Results | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/primary/ | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| His opponent in the general election was expected to be ] primary winner ]. However, Ryan withdrew from the race in June 2004, following public disclosure of ] divorce records containing sexual allegations by Ryan's ex-wife, actress ].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Ryan Drops Out of Senate race in Illinois | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/25/il.ryan/ | work =CNN | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In August 2004, with less than three months to go before election day, ] accepted the Illinois Republican Party's nomination to replace Ryan.<ref>{{cite news | first=Maura Kelly | last=Lannan | coauthors= | title=Alan Keyes Enters U.S. Senate Race in Illinois Against Rising Democratic Star | date=], ] | publisher=Union-Tribune (San Diego) | url =http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20040809-0849-illinoissenate.html | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> A long-time resident of ], Keyes established legal residency in Illinois with the nomination.<ref>{{cite news | first=Ford | last=Liam | coauthors= David Mendell | title=Keyes Sets Up House in Cal City | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-0408130201aug13,1,7640082.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 |language = }}</ref> Through three televised debates, Obama and Keyes expressed opposing views on ], ], ], ], and ]s.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.keyesobama.com |title=Keyes-Obama Debates | accessdate= 2007-07-22 |format=video, audio, and text |work=Keyes Obama Debates }}</ref> In the November 2004 general election, Obama received 70% of the vote to Keyes's 27%.<ref name='2004 election result'>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=America Votes 2004: U.S. Senate / Illinois | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/IL/S/01/index.html | work =CNN | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ==Senate career== | |||
| Obama was sworn in as a Senator on ], ].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Barack Obama Sworn in to U.S. Senate | date= | publisher= | url =http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=News&id=2578406 | work =WLS-TV (ABC 7, Chicago) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> He hired former Senate Democratic Leader ]'s ex-chief of staff for the same position, and ], an economist who was deputy chief of staff to former Secretary of the Treasury ], as his policy adviser.<ref name='Enda2006'>{{cite news | first=Jodi | last=Enda | coauthors= | title=Great Expectations | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=10828 | work =The American Prospect | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In July 2005, ], Pulitzer-winning author on human rights and genocide, joined Obama's team.<ref>{{cite news | first=Brendan R. | last=Linn | coauthors= | title=Power to Advise Obama for Year | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=508336 | work =Harvard Crimson | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> An October 2005 article in the British journal '']'' listed Obama as one of "10 people who could change the world."<ref>{{cite news | first=William | last=Skidelsky | coauthors= | title= Revolutionising the Future: From Tennis to Teleportation | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.newstatesman.com/nssubsfilter.php3?newTemplate=NSArticle_NS&newDisplayURN=200510170012 | work =New Statesman | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Three months into his Senate career, and again in 2007, '']'' magazine named Obama one of "]."<ref>{{cite news | first=Perry | last=Bacon Jr. | coauthors= | title=Barack Obama: The Future of the Democratic Party? | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/2005/time100/leaders/100obama.html | work =Time | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} {{cite news | first=Joe | last=Klein | coauthors= | title=The TIME 100: Barack Obama | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100/article/0,28804,1595326_1615513_1615496,00.html | work =Time | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| During his first two and a half years in the Senate, Obama received ] Doctorates of Law from ],<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Commencement 2005: Knox honors U.S. Senator Barack Obama | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.knox.edu/x9684.xml | work =Knox College | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=U.S. Sen. Barack Obama to Receive Honorary Degree, Address 2,500 UMass Boston Graduates | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.umb.edu/news/2006news/releases/may/060526_obama_press_release.html | work =University of Massachusetts Boston | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Commencement 2006: Sen. Obama to Address Grads | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2006/06/honorary.html | work =Northwestern University | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Sen. Obama Addresses Xavier Graduates | date=], ] | publisher=USA Today | url =http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-08-13-obama-xavier_x.htm | work = Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> and ].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=SNHU Commencement with Sen. Barack Obama | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.snhu.edu/6736.asp | work =Southern New Hampshire University | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> He is a member of the Senate committees on ]; ]; ]; and ];<ref> {{cite news|url=http://obama.senate.gov/committees/ |title= Committee Assignments |accessdate= 2007-07-22 | work=Barack Obama U.S. Senate Office }}</ref> and the ].<ref> {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Member Info | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.house.gov/kilpatrick/cbc/member_info.html | work =Congressional Black Caucus | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=Jeff | last=Zeleny | coauthors= | title=When It Comes to Race, Obama Makes His Point--With Subtlety | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-050626obama-race,1,7205709.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ===Legislation=== | |||
| <!-- begin 109th Congress --> | |||
| Obama sponsored 152 bills and resolutions brought before the ] in 2005 and 2006, and cosponsored another 427.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d109&querybd=@FIELD(FLD003+@4((@1(Sen+Obama++Barack))+01763)) |title=Bills, Resolutions > Search Results |accessdate=2007-07-22 |last=U.S. Senate |first=109th Congress |work=Thomas |publisher= }}</ref><ref> {{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d109&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Sen+Obama++Barack))+01763)) |title=Bills, Resolutions > Search Results |accessdate=2007-07-22 |last=U.S. Senate |first=109th Congress |work=Thomas |publisher= }}</ref> His first bill was the "Higher Education Opportunity through Pell Grant Expansion Act."<ref>{{cite news | first=109th Congress, 1st Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 697, Higher Education Opportunity Through Pell Grant Expansion Act | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN00697: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Entered in fulfillment of a campaign promise, the bill proposed increasing the maximum amount of ] awards to help students from lower income families pay their college tuitions.<ref>{{cite news | first=Lynn | last=Sweet | coauthors= | title=Obama's 1st Bill: Raising Pell Grants | date=] ] | publisher=FindArticles | url =http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20050329/ai_n13507513 | work =Chicago Sun-Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> The bill did not progress beyond committee and was never voted on by the Senate. | |||
| Obama took an active role in the Senate's drive for improved ] and ]. Beginning in 2005, he co-sponsored the "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act" introduced by Sen. ] (]-]).<ref>{{cite news | first=109th Congress, 1st Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title= S. 1033, Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN01033: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Obama later added three amendments to ], the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act," sponsored by Sen. ] (]-]).<ref> {{cite news | first=109th Congress, 2nd Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 2611, Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02611: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | title=S. Amdt. 3971 | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SP03971: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref> {{cite news |url=http://obama.senate.gov/press/060525-obama_statement_on_senate_passage_of_immigration_reform_bill/index.html |title= Obama Statement on Senate Passage of Immigration Reform Bill | date=] ] |accessdate=2007-07-22 |work=Barack Obama U.S. Senate Office }}</ref> S. 2611 passed the Senate in May 2006, but failed to gain majority support in the ].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Immigration Bill Divides House, Senate | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-09-22-immigration_x.htm | work =USA Today | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In September 2006, Obama supported a related bill, the ], authorizing construction of fencing and other security improvements along the ].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Latinos Upset Obama Voted for Border Fence | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_324192245.html | work =CBS 2 (Chicago) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> President Bush signed the Secure Fence Act into law in October 2006, calling it "an important step toward immigration reform."<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=President Bush Signs Secure Fence Act | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/10/20061026.html | work =White House | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ].<ref>White House Press Release, , September 26, 2006</ref>]] | |||
| Partnering first with Sen. ] (]-]), and then with Sen. ] (]-]), Obama successfully introduced two initiatives bearing his name. "Lugar-Obama" expands the ] concept to ]s, including ] and ]s.<ref>{{cite news | first=109th Congress, 2nd Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 2566, Cooperative Proliferation Detection, Interdiction Assistance, and Conventional Threat Reduction Act of 2006 | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02566: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=Richard G. | last=Lugar | coauthors= Barack Obama | title=Junkyard Dogs of War | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/02/AR2005120201509.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref> {{cite news | url=http://lugar.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=267485 |title= Lugar-Obama Signed into Law | date=], ] |accessdate=2007-07-22 |work=Richard Lugar U.S. Senate Office }}</ref> The "]" provides for a web site, managed by the ], listing all organizations receiving Federal funds from 2007 onward, and providing breakdowns by the agency allocating the funds, the dollar amount given, and the purpose of the grant or contract.<ref> {{cite news | first=109th Congress, 2nd Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 2590, Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 | date= ] ] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02590: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=President Bush Signs Coburn-Obama Transparency Act | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://coburn.senate.gov/ffm/index.cfm?FuseAction=LegislativeFloorAction.Home&ContentRecord_id=eb582f19-802a-23ad-41db-7a7cb464cfdb | work =Tom Coburn U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> On ] ], President Bush signed into law the "] Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act," marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.<ref> {{cite news | first=109th Congress, 2nd Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 2125, Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02125: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| <!-- end 109th Congress --> | |||
| <!-- begin 110th Congress --> | |||
| On the first day of the Democratic-controlled ], in a column published in the ''Washington Post'', Obama called for an end to "any and all practices that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a public servant has become indebted to a lobbyist."<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=A Chance To Change The Game | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/03/AR2007010301620.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> He joined with Sen. ] (]-]) in strengthening restrictions on travel in corporate jets to S.1, the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007, which passed the Senate with a 96-2 majority.<ref>{{cite news | first=Christi | last=Parsons | coauthors= | title=Senate OKs Tougher Ethics Bill 96-2 | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/1196841501.html?dids=1196841501:1196841501&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+19%2C+2007&author=Christi+Parsons%2C+Washington+Bureau&pub=Chicago+Tribune&edition=&startpage=4&desc=Senate+OKs+tougher+ethics+bill+96-2+ | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = paid archive}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=110th Congress, 1st Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title= S. 1, Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007 | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN00001: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Obama joined Charles Schumer (]-]) in sponsoring S. 453, a bill to criminalize deceptive practices in federal elections, including fraudulent flyers and automated phone calls, as witnessed in the ]s.<ref>{{cite news | first=Seth | last=Stern | coauthors= | title=Obama-Schumer Bill Proposal Would Criminalize Voter Intimidation | date=] ] | publisher=Congressional Quarterly | url =http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/01/obamaschumer_bill_proposal_wou.html | work =CQPolitics.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=110th Congress, 1st Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 453, Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN00453: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Obama's ] initiatives scored pluses and minuses with ], who welcomed his sponsorship with Sen. ] (]-]) of a ] bill to reduce ] emissions by two-thirds by ], but were skeptical of Obama's support for a bill promoting ] production.<ref>{{cite news | first=Hebert | last=H. Josef | coauthors= | title=Congress Begins Tackling Climate Issues | date=] ] | publisher=CBS News | url =http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/29/ap/politics/mainD8MV8LBG0.shtml | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Elizabeth | last=Williamson | coauthors= | title=The Green Gripe With Obama: Liquefied Coal Is Still . . . Coal | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/09/AR2007010901503.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Also during the first month of the 110th Congress, Obama introduced the "]," a bill that caps troop levels in Iraq at January 10, 2007 levels, begins phased redeployment on May 1, 2007, and removes all combat brigades from Iraq by ] ].<ref>{{cite news | first=E. Kasak | last=Krystin | coauthors= | title=Obama Introduces Measure to Bring Troops Home | date=], ] | publisher=nwi.com | url =http://nwitimes.com/articles/2007/02/07/news/illiana/doc65cc98d8dc6506b28625727b0011edb5.txt | work =Medill News Service | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=110th Congress, 1st Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 433, Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007 | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN00433: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ===Official travel=== | |||
| ] winner ] for a tree planting in Nairobi's ].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama: 'Press Freedom is Like Tending a Garden' | date=] ] | publisher=Mail & Guardian (South Africa) | url =http://www.mg.co.za/articledirect.aspx?articleid=282220 | work =Sapa-AFP | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref>]] | |||
| Obama traveled to ], ], and ] in August 2005 with Sen. ] (]-]), then Chairman of the ]. The trip focused on strategies to control the world's supply of ], ], and ], as a strategic first defense against the threat of future ] attacks.<ref>{{cite news | first=Christina | last=Larson | coauthors= | title=Hoosier Daddy: What Rising Democratic Star Barack Obama Can Learn from an Old Lion of the GOP |date=September 2006 | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0609.larson.html | work =The Washington Monthly | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Lugar and Obama inspected a ]-supported nuclear warhead destruction facility at ], in southern European Russia.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Lugar Visits Russia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan to Advance Nunn-Lugar Agreements |date=September 2005 | publisher=Richard G. Lugar U.S. Senate Office | url =http://lugar.senate.gov/newsletter/2005/september.html | work =The Lugar Letter | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In Ukraine, they toured a disease control and prevention facility and witnessed the signing of a ] pact to secure biological ] and combat risks of ] outbreaks from natural causes or ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Zeleny | last=Jeff | coauthors= | title=U.S., Ukraine Sign Pact on Germ Threat | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/888990791.html?dids=888990791:888990791&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+30%2C+2005&author=Jeff+Zeleny%2C+Tribune+correspondent&pub=Chicago+Tribune&edition=&startpage=3&desc=U.S.%2C+Ukraine+sign+pact+on+germ+threat | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| In January 2006, Obama joined a Congressional delegation for meetings with ] in ] and ]. After the visits, Obama traveled to ], ], and the ]. While in Israel, Obama met with Israeli Foreign Minister ].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama Meets Shalom, Offers Support for Israel | date=], ] | publisher=Israel Insider | url =http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Briefs/7521.htm | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Obama also met with a group of ] students two weeks before ] won the ]. '']'' reported Obama telling the students that "the U.S. will never recognize winning Hamas candidates unless the group renounces its fundamental mission to eliminate Israel," and that he had conveyed the same message in his meeting with ] President ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Chuck | last=Goudie | coauthors= | title=Obama Meets with Arafat's Successor | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=3806933 | work =ABC 7 News (Chicago) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| Obama left for his third official trip in August 2006, traveling to ] and ], and making stops in ], ] and ]. He flew his wife and two daughters from Chicago to join him in a visit to his father's birthplace, a village near ] in rural western Kenya.<ref>{{cite news | first=Ellis | last=Cose | coauthors= | title=Walking the World Stage | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14640264/site/newsweek | work =Newsweek International Edition | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Enthusiastic crowds greeted Obama's public appearances.<ref>{{cite news | first=Michela | last=Wrong | coauthors= | title=Africa: Kenya Glimpses a New Kind of Hero | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.newstatesman.com/200609110024 | work =New Statesman | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In a public gesture aimed to encourage more Kenyans to undergo voluntary ]ing, Obama and his wife took HIV tests at a Kenyan clinic.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Screaming Crowds Welcome U.S. Senator 'Home' | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/08/26/kenya.obama/index.html | work =CNN | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In a nationally televised speech at the ], he spoke forcefully on the influence of ethnic rivalries and ].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama Slates Kenya for Fraud | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1989646,00.html | work =News24.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> The speech touched off a public debate among rival leaders, some formally challenging Obama's remarks as unfair and improper, others defending his positions.<ref>{{cite news | first=Chris | last=Wamalwa | coauthors= | title=Envoy Hits at Obama Over Graft Remark | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143957666 | work =The Standard (Nairobi) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Vincent | last=Moracha | coauthors= Mangoa Mosota | title=Leaders Support Obama on Graft Claims | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143957752 | work =The Standard (Nairobi) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ==Presidential campaign== | |||
| {{main|Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008}} | |||
| ], on ] ]. Obama drew a crowd of over 20,000 attendees at this Austin appearance.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=More Than 20,000 Gather for Barack Obama | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://keyetv.com/topstories/local_story_054223608.html | work =CBS 42 (Austin) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=Philip | last=Elliott | coauthors= | title=Obama Measuring Campaign Success not Just in Cash, but Crowds Too | date=] ] | publisher=Boston Globe | url =http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/05/28/obama_measuring_campaign_success_not_just_in_cash_but_crowds_too/ | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref>]] | |||
| In February 2007, standing before the ] building in ], Obama announced his ] for the ].<ref name=BBC20070210>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama Launches Presidential Bid | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6349081.stm | work =BBC News | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} at Brightcove.com.</ref> Describing his working life in Illinois, and symbolically linking his presidential campaign to ]'s 1858 ] speech, Obama said: "That is why, in the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a house divided to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for President of the United States of America."<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Presidential Campaign Announcement | date=], ] | publisher=Brightcove.com | url =http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=494649996&channel=353512430 | work =Obama for America | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> The announcement followed months of speculation on whether Obama would run in 2008. | |||
| Through the fall of 2006, Obama had spoken at political events across the country in support of Democratic candidates for the midterm elections. In September 2006, he was the featured speaker at ] Senator ]'s annual steak fry, an event traditionally attended by presidential hopefuls in the lead-up to the ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Anne E. | last=Kornblut | coauthors= | title=For This Red Meat Crowd, Obama's '08 Choice Is Clear | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/09/18/us/politics/18obama.html | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Speculation intensified in October 2006 when Obama first said he had "thought about the possibility" of running for president, departing from earlier statements that he intended to serve out his six-year Senate term through 2010.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=MTP Transcript for Oct. 22 | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15304689/page/3/ | work =Meet The Press | page =3 | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Following Obama's statement, ]ing organizations added his name to ]. The first such poll, taken in November 2006, ranked Obama in second place with 17% support among Democrats after Sen. ] (]-]) who placed first with 28% of the responses.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Poll: Obama Now Trails Only Clinton on '08 List | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/01/poll.2008/index.html?eref=rss_politics | work =CNN | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In December 2006, Obama spoke at a ] event celebrating Democratic Party midterm election victories in the ] U.S. presidential primary state.<ref>{{cite news | first=Scott | last=Brooks | coauthors= | title=Obama Fever Grips NH | date=], ] | publisher= | url =http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Obama+fever+grips+NH&articleId=96bb103b-6332-4304-ac8d-60da60b323e9 | work =New Hampshire Union Leader | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama's New Hampshire Trip Sparks Interest in 2008 Presidential Race | date=], ] | publisher=PBS | url =http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec06/obama_12-11.html | work =NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| Obama's campaign raised ]58 million during the first half of 2007, topping all other candidates and exceeding previous records for the first six months of any year before an election year.<ref>{{cite news | first=Jim | last=Malone | coauthors= | title=Obama Fundraising Suggests Close Race for Party Nomination | date= ] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-07-02-voa52.cfm | work =Voice of America | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Observing that $9.7 million of his $33 million in second quarter donations came from contributions of $200 or less, the ''Los Angeles Times'' commented that it was "an unusually large number and one that surprises campaign finance experts."<ref>{{cite news | first=Dan | last=Morain | coauthors= Doug Smith | title=Small Donors Give Big to Obama | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-money16jul16,1,3876162.story | work =Los Angeles Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In May 2007, Obama became the earliest presidential candidate to be assigned ] protection.<ref> {{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/05/03/obama.protection/index.html | title=Obama Placed Under Secret Service Protection | work=CNN | date= ] ] | accessdate=2007-07-22}} </ref> The ] polling organization reported in May 2007 that 49% of Americans consider it "somewhat likely" or "very likely" that Obama will be elected.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=49% Say Obama May Be Next President | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/49_say_obama_may_be_next_president | work =Rasmussen Reports | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Also in May and again two months later, ] reported that Obama leads all prospective Republican opponents in polling for the 2008 general election.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama Remains Strong Against GOPers | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1338 | work =Zogby International | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> If elected, Obama would become the first non-white U.S. president.<ref>{{cite news | first=Jonathan | last=Alter | coauthors= | title=Is America Ready? | date=] ] - ] ] | publisher=MSNBC | url =http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16238556/site/newsweek/ | work =Newsweek | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ==Political advocacy== | |||
| {{see also|Political positions of Barack Obama}} | |||
| On the role of ] in ] affairs, Obama has written: "we should be asking ourselves what mix of policies will lead to a dynamic ] and widespread economic security, entrepreneurial innovation and ] we should be guided by what works."<ref>Obama (2006), p. 159.</ref> Speaking before the ] in ], Obama defended the ] social welfare policies of ], associating ] proposals to establish private accounts for ] with ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Ben A. | last=Franklin | coauthors= | title=The Fifth Black Senator in U.S. History Makes F.D.R. His Icon | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonspectator.com/articles/20050601obama_1.cfm | work =Washington Spectator | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In a May 2006 letter to President Bush, he joined four other ] farming state Senators in calling for the preservation of a US$0.54 per gallon ] on imported ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Tom | last=Harkin | coauthors= with Byron Dorgan, Richard Durbin, Tim Johnson, and Barack Obama | title=Harkin Urges Bush to Stop Undercutting U.S. Ethanol Production |date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://harkin.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=255348 | work =Harkin U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=Ken | last=Silverstein | coauthors= | title=Barack Obama Inc.: The Birth of a Washington Machine | date=November 2006 | publisher= | url =http://harpers.org/BarackObamaInc.html | work =Harper's Magazine | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Obama spoke out in ] against making recent, temporary ] cuts permanent, calling the cuts a "]" tax break for "billionaire heirs and heiresses."<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=Remarks by Senator Barack Obama on the Paris Hilton Tax Break | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://obama.senate.gov/press/060607-remarks_by_senator_barack_obama_on_the_paris_hilton_tax_break/index.html | work =Obama U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Speaking in November 2006 to members of ], a union-backed ], Obama said: "You gotta pay your workers enough that they can actually not only shop at ], but ultimately send their kids to college and save for retirement."<ref>{{cite news | first=Pallavi | last=Gogoi | coauthors= | title=Can Barack Wake Up Wal-Mart? | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/nov2006/db20061116_897533.htm | work =BusinessWeek.Com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Sen. Obama: 'You Gotta Pay Your Workers Enough'|date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.wltx.com/FYI/story.aspx?storyid=44125 | work =WLTX-TV 19 (Columbia, SC) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In January 2007, Obama spoke at an event organized by ], a health care advocacy group. Obama said, "The time has come for ] in America I am absolutely determined that by the end of the first term of the next president, we should have universal health care in this country."<ref>{{cite news | first=Nedra | last=Pickler | coauthors= | title=Obama Calls for Universal Health Care within Six Years | date=] ] | publisher=Union-Tribune (San Diego) | url =http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20070125-1240-democrats-healthcare.html | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| He was an early opponent of Bush administration policies on Iraq. In the fall of 2002, during an anti-war rally at Chicago's Federal Plaza, Obama said: | |||
| <blockquote>I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of al-Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars. You want a fight, President Bush? Let's finish the fight with Bin Laden and al-Qaeda, through effective, coordinated intelligence, and a shutting down of the financial networks that support terrorism, and a homeland security program that involves more than color-coded warnings.<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=Remarks of Illinois State Sen. Barack Obama Against Going to War with Iraq | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.barackobama.com/2002/10/02/remarks_of_illinois_state_sen.php | work =BarackObama.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref></blockquote> | |||
| ] rally at the ] in ] on ] ]]] | |||
| Addressing the ] in November 2006, Obama called for a phased withdrawal of troops and an opening of diplomatic dialogue with Iraq's neighbors, ] and ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=A Way Forward in Iraq | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.thechicagocouncil.org/hottopics_details.php?hottopics_id=52 | work =Chicago Council on Global Affairs | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = PDF and audio }}. Available in at BarackObama.com. Retrieved on ].</ref> In March 2007, speaking before ], a pro-Israel ], he said that while the U.S. "should take no option, including military action, off the table, sustained and aggressive diplomacy combined with tough sanctions should be our primary means to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons."<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=AIPAC Policy Forum Remarks | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://obama.senate.gov/speech/070302-aipac_policy_forum_remarks/index.html | work =Barack Obama U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} For Obama's 2004 Senate campaign remarks on possible missile strikes against Iran, see: {{cite news | last=Mendell | first=David | title=Obama Would Consider Missile Strikes on Iran |date=] ] | publisher=Chicago Tribune | url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/printedition/chi-0409250111sep25,1,4555304.story?ctrack=1&cset=true | accessdate = 2007-07-22}}</ref> At the ] rally in April 2006, he called for more assertive action to oppose ] in the ] of ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Jim | last=Doyle | coauthors= | title=Tens of Thousands Rally for Darfur | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/05/01/MNGFBIIFOA1.DTL | work =San Francisco Chronicle | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Obama has ] US$180,000 in personal holdings of Sudan-related stock, and he has urged divestment from companies doing business in Iran.<ref>{{cite news | first=Jim | last=Kuhnhenn | coauthors= | title=Giuliani, Edwards Have Sudan Holdings | date=] ] | publisher=WTOP (Washington, DC) | url =http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=213&sid=1143856 | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama, Brownback Want Iran Divestment | date=] ] | publisher=Yahoo | url =http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070518/obama_iran.html | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| Obama began ] from his U.S. Senate web site in late 2005. He has responded to and personally participated in online discussions hosted on politically-oriented ] sites.<ref>{{cite news | first=Daniel | last=Terdiman | coauthors= | title=Congress Catching on to the Value of Blogs | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://news.com.com/Congress+catching+on+to+the+value+of+blogs/2100-1028_3-6031314.html | work =CNET News.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In a June 2006 podcast, Obama expressed support for ] to protect ] on the ], saying: "It is because the Internet is a neutral platform that I can put out this podcast and transmit it over the Internet without having to go through any corporate media middleman. I can say what I want without ] or without having to pay a special charge. But the big ] and ] companies want to change the Internet as we know it."<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=Network Neutrality|date=] ] (text and audio) | publisher= | url =http://obama.senate.gov/podcast/060608-network_neutrality/index.html | work =Obama U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| During his first year as a U.S. senator, in a move more typically taken after several years of holding high political office, Obama established a ], Hopefund, for channeling financial support to Democratic candidates. Obama participated in 38 fundraising events in 2005, helping to pull in US$6.55 million for candidates he supports and his own 2010 re-election fund.<ref>{{cite news | first=Lynn | last=Sweet | coauthors= | title=After Cautious, Bipartisan Year, Obama Opens New Chapter | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060122/ai_n16016709 | work =Chicago Sun-Times (FindArticles.com) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 |language = }}</ref> ''The New York Times'' described Obama as "the prize catch of the midterm campaign" because of his campaigning for fellow Democratic Party members running for election in the ].<ref name='Kornblut2006-11-01'>{{cite news | first=Anne E | last=Kornblut | coauthors= | title=A Senate Newcomer, Helping Fellow Democrats on the Trail and Drawing Big Crowds | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/01/us/politics/01obama.html?ex=1320037200&en=f61f55cf2683f519&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Hopefund gave US$374,000 to federal candidates in the 2006 election cycle, making it one of the top donors to federal candidates for the year.<ref name='Kornblut2006-11-01'>{{cite news | first=Anne E | last=Kornblut | coauthors= | title=A Senate Newcomer, Helping Fellow Democrats on the Trail and Drawing Big Crowds | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/01/us/politics/01obama.html?ex=1320037200&en=f61f55cf2683f519&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| Obama has encouraged Democrats to reach out to ] and other ] people, saying, "if we truly hope to speak to people where they’re at—to communicate our hopes and values in a way that’s relevant to their own—we cannot abandon the field of religious discourse."<ref>{{cite news | first=Michael | last=Lerner | coauthors= | title=U.S. Senator Barack Obama Critiques Democrats' Religiophobia | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.tikkun.org/rabbi_lerner/news_item.2006-07-02.3949597607 | work =Tikkun Magazine | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.beliefnet.com/story/194/story_19473_1.html |title=Sen. Barack Obama: Call to Renewal Keynote Address |accessdate=2007-07-22 |date=], ] |work=] }}</ref> In December 2006, Obama joined Sen. ] (]-]) at the "Global Summit on ] and the Church" organized by church leaders Kay and ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Manda | last=Gibson | coauthors= | title=At Global AIDS Summit, Churches Challenged to Take the Lead | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/HIVAIDSCommunity/StartingAMinistry/churches_challenged_to_take_the_lead.htm | work =PurposeDriven.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Together with Warren and Brownback, Obama took an HIV test, as he had done in Kenya less than four months earlier. Obama encouraged "others in public life to do the same" to show "there is no shame in going for an HIV test."<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=Race Against Time—World AIDS Day Speech | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://obama.senate.gov/speech/061201-race_against_time_-_world_aids_day_speech/index.html | work =Obama U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Before the conference, 18 ] groups published an ] stating, in reference to Obama's support for ]: "In the strongest possible terms, we oppose Rick Warren's decision to ignore Senator Obama's clear ] stance and invite him to ] anyway."<ref> {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Rick Warren/Barack Obama AIDS Partnership Must End, Say Pro-Life Groups | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/791771591.html | work =Christian Newswire Press Release | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=David | last=Van Biema | coauthors= | title=The Real Losers in the Obama-Warren Controversy|date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1565076,00.html | work =TIME | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22| language = }}</ref> | |||
| In July 2007 Obama argued against ] ] and Vice President ], providing as reason that he thinks "it's very important for us not to get into the habit as a political culture that we impeach every President; it's supposed to be a rare occurrence and I think it'd be an enormous political distraction."<ref>{{cite news | first=Jay | last=Newton-Small | coauthors= | title=Obama Says Iraq Has 'Distracted' Us | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1645473,00.html | work =Time | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ==Personal life== | |||
| In 1988, while employed as a summer associate at the Chicago law firm of ], Obama met ], who also worked there.<ref>Obama (2006), pp. 327-332. See also: {{cite news | first=Eric | last=Tucker | coauthors= | title=Family Ties: Brown Coach, Barack Obama | date=] ] | publisher=ABC News | url =http://www.abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=2916437 | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> They were married in 1992 and have two daughters, Malia, born in 1999, and Natasha ("Sasha"), born in 2001.<ref>Obama (1995), p. 440, and Obama (2006), pp. 339-340. See also:{{cite news | first=Rosalind | last=Rossi | coauthors= | title=The Woman Behind Obama | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/221458,CST-NWS-mich21.article | work =Chicago Sun-Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> The family moved from their ] condominium to a nearby US$1.6-million home in 2005.<ref>{{cite news | first=Jeff | last=Zeleny | coauthors= | title=The First Time Around: Sen. Obama's Freshman Year | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-051224obama,1,1815354.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> The house purchase and subsequent acquisition of an adjoining strip of land drew media scrutiny in November 2006 because of financial links with controversial Illinois businessman ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Peter | last=Slevin | coauthors= | title=Obama Says He Regrets Land Deal With Fundraiser | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/16/AR2006121600729.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first= Conor | last= Clarke | coauthors= | title=Show Trial: Barack Obama's Non-Scandal | date=] ] | publisher= Google cache | url = http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:mGQzs3Ri7_EJ:www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml%3Fi%3Dw061218%26s%3Dclarke122006 | work =New Republic | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = web only }}</ref> Obama plays ], a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team.<ref>{{cite news | first=Jodi | last=Kantor | coauthors= | title=One Place Where Obama Goes Elbow to Elbow | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/01/us/politics/01hoops.html | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Neal Karlinsky | last=Dan Morris | coauthors= | title=The 'Rat-Ballers': Obama's High School Crew | date= | publisher=ABC News | url =http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=3095109 | work =Nightline | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Before announcing his presidential candidacy, he began a well-publicized effort to ]. "I've never been a heavy smoker," Obama told the ''Chicago Tribune''. "I've quit periodically over the last several years. I've got an ironclad demand from my wife that in the stresses of the campaign I don't succumb. I've been chewing ] strenuously."<ref> {{cite news | first=Christi | last=Parsons | coauthors= | title=Obama Launches an '07 Campaign--To Quit Smoking | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-0702060167feb06,0,373462.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} </ref> Replying to an ''Associated Press'' survey of 2008 presidential candidates' personal tastes, he specified "]" as his alternate career choice and "]" as his favorite meal to cook. Asked to name a "hidden talent," Obama answered: "I'm a pretty good ] player."<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Questions for the Candidates | date=] ] | publisher=WTOP News | url =http://www.wtop.com/?nid=213&sid=1143599 | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| A theme of Obama's keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and the title of his 2006 book, ''The Audacity of Hope'', was inspired by his pastor, Rev. ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Jodi | last=Kantor | coauthors= | title=A Candidate, His Minister and the Search for Faith | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/us/politics/30obama.html | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: Obama (1995), pp. 292–295.</ref> In Chapter 6 of the book, titled "Faith," Obama writes that he "was not raised in a religious household." He describes his mother, raised by non-religious parents, as detached from religion, yet "in many ways the most spiritually awakened person that I have ever known." He describes his Kenyan father as "raised a ]," but a "confirmed atheist" by the time his parents met, and his Indonesian step-father as "a man who saw religion as not particularly useful." The chapter details how Obama, in his twenties, while working with local churches as a ], came to understand "the power of the African American religious tradition to spur social change." Obama writes: "It was because of these newfound understandings—that religious commitment did not require me to suspend critical thinking, disengage from the battle for economic and social justice, or otherwise retreat from the world that I knew and loved—that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of ] one day and be baptized."<ref>Obama (2006), pp. 202-208. Portions excerpted in: {{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=My Spiritual Journey | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1546579,00.html | work =TIME | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=J. Bennett | last=Guess | coauthors= | title=Barack Obama, Candidate for President, is 'UCC' | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.ucc.org/news/barack-obama-candidate.html | work =United Church News | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ==Books authored== | |||
| ]'', with "#1 ''New York Times'' Bestseller" banner.]] | |||
| Obama has authored two bestselling books. The first, '']'', was published after his graduation from law school and before entering politics. In it he recalls his childhood in ] and ], college years in ] and ], and his employment as a community organizer in ] in the ]. The book's last chapters describe his first visit to Kenya, a journey to connect with his ] family and heritage. In his preface to the 2004 revised edition, Obama explains that he had hoped the story of his family "might speak in some way to the fissures of race that have characterized the American experience, as well as the fluid state of identity—the leaps through time, the collision of cultures—that mark our modern life."<ref>Obama (1995), p. vii.</ref> ''Time'' magazine's ] wrote that the book "may be the best-written memoir ever produced by an American politician."<ref>{{cite news | last=Klein | first=Joe | title=The Fresh Face | date=] ] | work=Time | url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1546362,00.html |accessdate=2007-07-22 }}</ref> | |||
| The ] edition earned Obama the 2006 ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Brooks | last=Boliek | title=Sen. Obama Finally Gets His Grammy|date=], ] | url =http://www.entertainment-news.org/breaking/54592/sen-obama-finally-gets-his-grammy.html | work =Reuters/Hollywood Reporter | accessdate = 2007-07-22 }}</ref> | |||
| His second book, '']'', was published in October 2006, three weeks before the 2006 midterm election. It was an immediate bestseller and remains on the ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Julie | last=Bosman | coauthors= | title=Obama’s New Book Is a Surprise Best Seller | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/09/books/09obam.html | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} {{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/books/bestseller/0729besthardnonfiction.html |title=Best Sellers: Hardcover Nonfiction |accessdate=2007-07-22 |date=] ] |work=New York Times }}</ref> The ''Chicago Tribune'' credits the large crowds that gathered at book signings with influencing Obama's decision to run for president.<ref>{{cite news | first=Mike | last=Dorning | coauthors= Christi Parsons | title=Carefully Crafting the Obama 'Brand' | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-obama_senate_recordjun12,1,48733.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Former presidential candidate ] describes the book as Obama's "thesis submission" for the U.S. presidency: "It presents a man of relative youth yet maturity, a wise observer of the human condition, a figure who possesses perseverance and writing skills that have flashes of grandeur."<ref>{{cite news | first=Gary | last=Hart | coauthors= | title=American Idol | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D02E1D61531F937A15751C1A9609C8B63 | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Reviewer ] writes that it does not contain "boldly innovative policy prescriptions that will lead the Democrats out of their wilderness," but does show Obama's potential to "construct a new politics that is progressive but grounded in civic traditions that speak to a wider range of Americans."<ref>{{cite news | first=Michael | last=Tomasky | coauthors= | title=The Phenomenon | date=] ] | publisher=Internet Archive | url =http://web.archive.org/web/20070401154934/http://www.nybooks.com/articles/19651 | work =New York Review of Books | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> An Italian translation was published in April 2007 with a preface by ], Mayor of ].<ref> {{cite web|url=http://store.libreriarizzoli.it/4DLink/4DAction/MostraScheda?Codice=978881701658 |title=L’Audacia Della Speranza. Il Sogno Americano Per Un Mondo Nuovo |accessdate=2007-07-22 |date= |work=Libreria Rizzoli }}</ref> Spanish and German editions were published in June 2007.<ref>{{cite news | first=Annelena | last=Lobb | coauthors= | title=Obama, en Español | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2007/06/19/obama-en-espanol/ | work =Wall Street Journal Online | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Riemann - Barack Obama - Hoffnung wagen | date=June 2007 | publisher=Riemann | url =http://www.randomhouse.de/book/edition.jsp?edi=248620 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-20 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ==Cultural and political image== | |||
| Supporters and critics have likened Obama's popular image to a cultural ], a neutral persona on which people can project their personal histories and aspirations.<ref name='ref name=Enda2006'>{{cite news | first=Jodi | last=Enda | title=Great Expectations | date=] ] | url =http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=10828 | work =The American Prospect | accessdate = 2007-07-22 }} See also: {{cite news | first=Garrett M. | last=Graff | title= The Legend of Barack Obama | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/mediapolitics/1836.html | work =Washingtonian | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=John | last=Podhoretz | coauthors= | title=Obama: Rorschach Candidate | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.nypost.com/seven/12122006/postopinion/opedcolumnists/obama__rorschach_candidate_opedcolumnists_john_podhoretz.htm?page=0 | work =New York Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Obama's own self-narrative reinforces what a May 2004 '']'' magazine article described as his "]" image.<ref>{{cite news | last=Finnegan | first=William | title=The Candidate: How the Son of a Kenyan Economist Became an Illinois Everyman | date=] ] | publisher=New Yorker | url=http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/040531fa_fact1 |accessdate= 2007-07-22 }} See also: {{cite news | first=Jonathan | last=Tilove | coauthors= | title=In Obama Candidacy, America Examines Itself | date= ] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1170922945129720.xml&coll=1&thispage=1 | work =Times-Picayune (New Orleans) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> In ''Dreams from My Father'', he ties his maternal family history to possible ] ancestors and distant relatives of ], president of the southern ] during the ].<ref>Obama (1995), p. 13. See also: {{cite news | first=David | last=Nitkin | coauthors= Harry Merritt | title=A New Twist to an Intriguing Family History | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/politics/bal-te.obama02mar02,0,3453027.story | work =Baltimore Sun | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} {{cite news | first=Mary | last=Jordan | coauthors= | title=Tiny Irish Village Is Latest Place to Claim Obama as Its Own | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/12/AR2007051201551.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Speaking to an elderly ]ish audience during his 2004 campaign for U.S. Senate, Obama linked the linguistic roots of his ]n first name ''Barack'' to the ] word '']'', meaning "blessed."<ref>{{cite news | first=Ron | last=Kampeas | coauthors= | title=Obama, Democrats’ Rising Star, Known for Harmony with Jews | date=] ] | url =http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/23183/edition_id/462/format/html/displaystory.html | work =Jewish News Weekly of Northern California | accessdate = 2007-07-22 }}</ref> In an October 2006 interview on '']'', Obama highlighted the diversity of his extended family: "Michelle will tell you that when we get together for Christmas or Thanksgiving, it's like a little mini-]," he said. "I've got relatives who look like ], and I've got relatives who look like ]. We've got it all."<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200610/20061018/slide_20061018_284_110.jhtml |title=Keeping Hope Alive: Barack Obama Puts Family First |accessdate= 2007-07-22 | date=] ] | work=The Oprah Winfrey Show }}</ref></blockquote> | |||
| Obama's rapid rise from Illinois state legislator to U.S. presidential candidate has attracted conflicting analyses among commentators challenged to align him with traditional social categories. In her January 2007 '']'' article asserting that Obama "isn't black," columnist ] writes: "lumping us all together erases the significance of ] and continuing ] while giving the appearance of progress."<ref>{{cite news | first=Debra J | last=Dickerson | coauthors= | title=Colorblind | date= ] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/01/22/obama/index_np.html | work =Salon | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> Expressing a similar view, '']'' columnist ] wrote: "When ] refer to Obama as 'one of us,' I do not know what they are talking about."<ref>Crouch continues: "Obama makes it clear that, while he has experienced some light versions of typical ]s, he cannot claim those problems as his own — nor has he lived the life of a black American." {{cite news | first=Stanley | last=Crouch | title=What Obama Isn't: Black Like Me | date=] ] | publisher= Internet Archive | url =http://web.archive.org/web/20070308142850/www.nydailynews.com/news/ideas_opinions/story/467300p-393261c.html | work =New York Daily News | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=Clarence | last=Page | coauthors= | title=Is Barack Black Enough? Now That's a Silly Question | date=] ] | publisher=Internet Archive | url =http://web.archive.org/web/20070308133020/www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/4580864.html | work =Houston Chronicle | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> But in an October 2006 article titled "Obama: Black Like Me," British columnist ] describes Obama as "a black man who does not scare white people."<ref>{{cite news | first=Gary | last=Younge | coauthors= | title=Obama: Black Like Me | date= posted ] ] (], ] issue) | url =http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061113/younge | work =The Nation | accessdate = 2007-07-22 }}</ref> Film critic ], writing in a March 2007 '']'' article, compares the cultural sources of candidate Obama's favorable polling among whites to those of "]" roles played by black actors in ] movies. Ehrenstein says these films are popular because they offer U.S. audiences a comfort for "]."<ref>{{cite news | first=David | last=Ehrenstein | coauthors= | title=Obama the 'Magic Negro' | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-ehrenstein19mar19,0,5335087.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail | work =Los Angeles Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| Writing about Obama's political image in a March 2007 '']'' opinion column, ] characterized him as "the personification of ''both-and''," a messenger who rejects "either-or" political choices, and could "move the nation beyond the ]s" of the ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Eugene | last=Robinson | coauthors= | title=The Moment for This Messenger? | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/12/AR2007031200983.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | last=Senior | first=Jennifer | title=Dreaming of Obama | date=] ] | publisher=New York Magazine| url=http://www.newyorkmetro.com/news/politics/21681/index.html |accessdate=2007-07-22 }}</ref> Obama, who defines himself in ''The Audacity of Hope'' as "a Democrat, after all,"<ref>Obama (2006), p. 10. See also: {{cite news | first=Michael | last=Tomasky | coauthors= | title=The Phenomenon | date=] ] | publisher=Internet Archive | url =http://web.archive.org/web/20070401154934/http://www.nybooks.com/articles/19651 | work =New York Review of Books | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> has been criticized for his political actions by self-described ] commentator ],<ref>{{cite news | first=David | last=Sirota | coauthors= | title=Mr. Obama Goes to Washington | date=] ] | publisher= | url=http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060626/sirota | work =The Nation | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> and complimented for his "Can't we all just get along?" manner by ] columnist ].<ref>{{cite news | first=George F | last=Will | coauthors= | title=Run Now, Obama | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121301901.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }}</ref> But in a December 2006 '']'' editorial headlined "The Man from Nowhere," former ] speech writer ] advised Will and other "]" commentators to get "down from your tippy toes" and avoid becoming too quickly excited about Obama's still early political career. Agreeing with Obama's own assessment that "people project their hopes on him," Noonan attributed some of Obama's popularity to "a certain unknowability."<ref>{{cite news | first=Peggy | last=Noonan | title=The Man From Nowhere|date=] ] | url =http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110009388 | work =OpinionJournal from The Wall Street Journal Editorial Page | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 }}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist|2}} | |||
| ==Cited works== | |||
| *Obama, Barack. '']'', Times Books, 1995. Reprint edition, 2004; ISBN 1-4000-8277-3 | |||
| *Obama, Barack.'']'', Crown, 2006. ISBN 0-307-23769-9. | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| *{{cite news | first=Jessica | last=Curry | coauthors= | title=Barack Obama: Under the Lights | date=Fall 2004 | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagolife.net/content/politics/Barack_Obama | work =Chicago Life | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} | |||
| *{{cite news | last=Klein | first=Joe | title=The Fresh Face | date=] ] | publisher= | url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1546362,00.html | work =Time |accessdate=2007-07-22 }} () | |||
| *{{cite news | first=Ryan | last=Lizza | coauthors= | title=The Agitator: Barack Obama's Unlikely Political Education | date= ] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20070319&s=lizza031907 | work =New Republic | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} () | |||
| *{{cite news | first=Larissa | last=MacFarquhar | coauthors= | title=The Conciliator: Where is Barack Obama Coming From? | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/05/07/070507fa_fact_macfarquhar | work =New Yorker | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} | |||
| *{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=Renewing American Leadership | date=July-August 2007 | publisher= | url =http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20070701faessay86401/barack-obama/renewing-american-leadership.html | work =Foreign Affairs | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} | |||
| *{{cite news | first=Kirsten | last=Scharnberg | coauthors= Kim Barker | title=The Not-So-Simple Story of Barack Obama's Youth | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-070325obama-youth-story,0,5069625.story?coll=chi-news-hed&?track=sto-topstory | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} | |||
| *{{cite news | first=Ben | last=Wallace-Wells | coauthors= | title=Destiny's Child | date=] ] | publisher= | url =http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/13390609/campaign_08_the_radical_roots_of_barack_obama/ | work =Rolling Stone | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} | |||
| *{{cite news | first=Richard | last=Wolffe | coauthors= Daren Briscoe | title=How Obama Is Shaking Up Campaign | date=] ] | publisher=MSNBC | url =http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19651719/ | work =Newsweek | pages = | accessdate = 2007-07-22 | language = }} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
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Revision as of 16:03, 23 July 2007
| Barack Obama | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator from Illinois | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2005Serving with Richard Durbin | |
| Preceded by | Peter Fitzgerald |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Michelle Obama |
| Alma mater | Columbia University, Harvard Law School |
| Signature |  |