Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by RS101 (talk | contribs) at 22:17, 21 August 2010 (snopes). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Many aspects of the public image of Barack Obama are unusual among United States politicians. He is the first African-American President. Questions of racial authenticity, citizenship, and religious affiliation arose during his campaign, and persist to this day.

Obama's lack of experience on the national stage became a recurring theme used by his rivals Hillary Clinton and John McCain during the presidential election season of 2008. Obama's perceived combination of political savvy, calm temperament, and some conservative support have all been credited with his election to the presidency.

This article is part of a series aboutBarack Obama
Personal Early life and career Family Honors Public image Publications Dreams from My Father The Audacity of Hope A Promised Land Summer playlist Non-profit organizations Obama Foundation One America Appeal Illinois State Senator and U.S. Senator from Illinois Illinois State Senate tenure 2004 DNC keynote address U.S. Senate tenure 2004 election sponsored bills 44th President of the United States Presidency timeline Transition Inaugurations first second Trips international Presidential library Tenure First 100 days Recovery Act Russia nuclear treaty Nobel Peace Prize Affordable Care Act Dodd–Frank Iraq withdrawal Killing of Osama bin Laden 2011 debt-ceiling crisis Libya intervention Afghanistan withdrawal Benghazi attack 2013 debt-ceiling crisis Anti-ISIL campaign Iraq Syria Tan suit controversy Iran nuclear deal Cuban thaw Sanctions against Russia Selma 50th anniversary speech Paris Agreement Policies Economy Energy Foreign policy Arctic Europe East Asia Middle East South Asia Obama Doctrine Pardons Marine Native Social Space Appointments Cabinet Judiciary Sotomayor Kagan Garland Supreme Court candidates Presidential campaigns 2008 election primaries convention debates Obama coalition 2012 election primaries convention debates
v t e

Origins and identity

Race and culture

Obama is regarded and self identifies as African-American, although he is of a biracial background. His father was a black Kenyan from the Luo ethnic group and his mother was white of European descent, mainly of English lineage. Obama, who grew to adulthood after the Civil Rights movement, had early life experiences that differed from many African American politicians who launched their careers in the 1960s through participation in that movement. He was brought up in Honolulu, Hawaii, lived in Jakarta, Indonesia as a young child, and received a private prep school and Ivy League education.

In a March 2007 op-ed, African-American film critic David Ehrenstein of the L.A. Times said that Obama was an early popular contender for the presidency not because of his political record, but because whites viewed him as a kind of "comic-book superhero", a benign magical Negro who would selflessly solve white people's problems. Black commentators such as Stanley Crouch of the New York Daily News expressed mixed feelings about his racial identity, while others like Laura Washington (Chicago Sun-Times), Gary Younge (The Nation), and Clarence Page (Houston Chronicle) reported a general ambivalence among the black community about his authenticity as an African-American.

In January 2007, The End of Blackness author Debra Dickerson warned against drawing favorable cultural implications from Obama's political rise: "Lumping us all together," Dickerson claimed it, "erases the significance of slavery and continuing racism while giving the appearance of progress." On the liberal website Salon Debra wrote, "African-American, in our political and social vocabulary, means those descended from West African slaves, because Obama is not a descendant of West Africans brought involuntarily to the United States as slaves, he is not African-American"Stanley Crouch wrote in a New York Daily News "Obama's mother is of white U.S. stock. His father is a black Kenyan," in a column entitled "What Obama Isn't: Black Like Me."

Addressing the issue of whether he was "black enough," Obama told an August 2007 meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists that the debate was not about his physical appearance or his record on issues of concern to black voters. Obama said, "we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong."

After a McCain advertisement accused Obama of being just a celebrity like Britney Spears or Paris Hilton, Obama asserted that McCain and other Republicans would try to scare voters because he (Obama) "doesn't look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills." A subsequent poll by Rasmussen Reports found that although only 22% of Americans (58% of African-Americans) viewed McCain's advertisement as racist, 53% saw Obama's response as such (44% of African-Americans). The Obama camp initially denied that the comment was on race, but campaign strategist David Axelrod later conceded that it was.

Though the media discussed his racial and ethnic heritage, a 2008 post-election poll by FactCheck.org found that about 22% of Americans incorrectly believed that Obama is nearly half Arab, possibly due to the influence of misleading blogs and e-mail messages.

Religion

In The Audacity of Hope, Obama writes that he "was not raised in a religious household". He describes his mother, raised by non-religious parents (whom Obama has specified elsewhere as "non-practicing Methodists and Baptists") to be detached from religion, yet "in many ways the most spiritually awakened person that I have ever known". He describes his father as "raised a Muslim", but a "confirmed atheist" by the time his parents met, and his stepfather as "a man who saw religion as not particularly useful". His spiritual change of heart as an adult and his coming to believe in Christianity is a major part of his autobiography Dreams from My Father. Obama has stated that he "felt a beckoning of the spirit" at this time. He has also said that his political/ethical beliefs are "guided by his Christian faith" including belief "in the power of prayer."

Although Obama is a Christian, some July 2008 polls showed that some Americans incorrectly believed that he is Muslim or was raised Muslim (12% and 26%, respectively, in Pew and Newsweek polls). Citing the latter poll by CNN's Larry King, Obama responded, "...I wasn't raised in a Muslim home," and he said that advancement of the misconception insulted Muslim Americans. In November 2008, James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute expressed in a news report (reacting in part to a satirical New Yorker cover) that ethnic caricature involving faulty depiction of Obama's faith harms Muslim Americans, impeding their "opportunity to participate in the political process."

Much of the speculations and allegations came from chain e-mails of unknown origin during Obama's presidential campaign. A publication which speculates about Obama's concealed Muslim religious affiliation include The Obama Nation (published August 1, 2008) by Jerome Corsi. His book opens with a quote by Andy Martin, who The Nation, The Washington Post, and The New York Times have identified as the primary source for the allegations that Obama is concealing a Muslim faith. Middle East scholar Daniel Pipes has also repeatedly claimed that Obama is a Muslim.

Speculation about Obama's Muslim heritage has been widely denounced in the news media by both political supporters and political opponents (such as David Freddoso in his book The Case Against Barack Obama) of Obama.

In March 2009, the Pew Research Center reported that 11% of Americans still believed that Obama was a Muslim, with the percentages highest (19%) among self-identified white Evangelical Protestants and people who disapproved of Obama's job performance, and lowest (6%) among blacks and college graduates. The poll indicated that 48% of those surveyed believed that he was Christian, down 3% from October 2008 (51%), and that 35% did not know his religion.

In August 2010, a Pew Research Center survey showed that 18% of those surveyed believed President Obama was a Muslim, and only 34% correctly said he was a Christian. The results were based on interviews conducted before Obama's August 13 comments on the Lower Manhattan Park51 project.

In response, the White House said: "Obama is Christian, prays daily."

Personal image

Youth and experience

In a December 2006 Wall Street Journal editorial headlined "The Man from Nowhere," Ronald Reagan speech writer and Fox News pundit Peggy Noonan advised "establishment" commentators to avoid becoming too quickly excited about Obama's still-early political career. Echoing the inaugural address of John F. Kennedy, Obama acknowledged his youthful image, saying in an October 2007 campaign speech, "I wouldn't be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation."

During the 2008 election season, Barack Obama's experience was a topic of contention. Both Democratic and Republican politicians criticized his experience in regard to whether he was ready to be President of the United States. After his nomination the criticism was mostly from Republican politicians; many Democratic politicians stated that they believed that Obama was ready. Criticism was almost exclusively centered on his readiness for the position of commander in chief of the armed forces. Hillary Clinton often stated during her unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic nomination that Obama would not be a candidate who's ready on "Day One". After conceding the race for the nomination, she endorsed Obama. While campaigning for president, Joe Biden said that he believed Obama was not yet ready for the job of president, but that eventually he would be ready. Biden, now Obama's vice president, has since revised his position on Obama's readiness, but his quotes from the 2008 Democratic Debates were used in campaign ads for John McCain. Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman has criticized Obama's experience and readiness, citing his response to the Russian invasion of Georgia in August 2008.

Temperament

A point of contrast between Obama and his 2008 opponent John McCain was Obama's perceived calm, even temperament, which was praised by former presidential candidate Senator Chris Dodd as well as numerous media sources as "cool" and "unflappable". Speaking in support of Obama in March 2008, retired Air Force Chief of Staff General Tony McPeak referred to him as "no drama Obama" and "no shock Barack". These characterizations were picked up and continued to be used months later by other commentators such as Andrew Sullivan and Arianna Huffington.

Political image

Political savvy

Several stories in the Anglo-American news media state that a prominent part of Obama's political image is a belief that Obama's rhetoric and actions toward political reform are matched with a political savvy that often includes a measure of expediency. For example, reporter Ryan Lizza wrote in The New Yorker, " campaigns on reforming a broken political process, yet he has always played politics by the rules as they exist, not as he would like them to exist."

The Economist has stated that "If Mr. Obama really were the miracle-working, aisle-jumping, consensus-seeking new breed of politician his spin-doctors make him out to be, you would expect to see the evidence in these eight years... Obama spent the whole period without any visible sign of rocking the Democratic boat." After Obama decided not to take public financing during his 2008 campaign, USA Today editorialized that "Real reformers don't do it just when it's convenient." The Associated Press has stated that "In office two months, he has backpedaled on an array of issues, gingerly shifting positions as circumstances dictate while ducking for political cover to avoid undercutting his credibility and authority."

Elitism

Opponents Clinton and McCain sharply criticized and accused Obama of elitism after he said of small-town Pennsylvanians, "And it's not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." Obama responded to the criticism by pointing out that he was raised by a single mother, in a family that had little money, and he benefited from scholarships to get his education.

Another allegation of elitism came from Jesse Jackson, who criticized Barack Obama in 2007 for "acting like he's white," in response to the Jena 6 beating case. Additionally, on July 6, 2008, during an interview with Fox News, a microphone picked up Jackson whispering to fellow guest Dr. Reed Tuckson: "See, Barack's been, ahh, talking down to black people on this faith-based... I want to cut his nuts out." Jackson was expressing his disappointment in Obama's Father's Day speech chastisement of Black fathers. Following his Fox News interview, Jackson apologized and reiterated his support for Obama. In June of 2008, Ralph Nader made a similar "acting white" claim when he accused Obama of trying to "talk white" and appealing to white guilt in the election campaign."

Conservative support in 2008 elections

During the 2008 election, Obama garnered support from some Republicans and conservatives. Some commentators have labeled Republicans who supported Obama as "Obama Republican"s or Obamacans. Gallup has conducted weekly polls of registered voters to measure support amongst the candidates. A poll conducted between October 13 and October 19, 2008 showed 5% support for Barack Obama from Conservative Republicans, and 15% support from Moderate/Liberal Republicans. Obama's support among Conservative Republicans peaked at 7% the week of June 16–22, 2008, and among Liberal/Moderate Republicans peaked at 21% the week of July 21–27, 2008.

Around the world

All 22 countries covered in a September 2008 BBC poll said they would prefer to see Senator Obama elected president ahead of Republican opponent John McCain. In 17 of the 22 nations, people expected relations between the United States and the rest of the world to improve if Senator Obama won. More than 22,000 people were questioned by pollster GlobeScan in countries ranging from Canada to India and across Africa, Europe and South America. The margin in favor of Senator Obama ranged from 9% in India to 82% in Kenya (location of Obama's paternal ancestry), while an average of 49% across the 22 countries preferred Senator Obama compared with 12% preferring Senator McCain. Some four in ten did not take a view.

A similar global poll was held by Reader's Digest, with respondents "overwhelmingly" in favor of Obama from all 17 countries, including Mexico, Finland, Sweden, Indonesia, Britain and Spain. Russia gave Obama the lowest score among the countries polled, but still preferred Obama over McCain with a 35% margin. An Australian poll conducted in August 2008 found that over 75% of Australians wanted Obama to win the presidential election, while only 10% showed support for McCain.

Similar results were found in New Zealand (65% in favor of Obama, 11% in favor of McCain), Japan (49% in favor of Obama, 13% in favor of McCain), France (65% in favor of Obama, 8% in favor of McCain), Italy (70% in favor of Obama, 15% in favor of McCain), Germany (67% in favor of Obama, 6% in favor of McCain) and the Netherlands (90% in favor of Obama, 6% in favor of McCain). The only country surveyed (other than the U.S.) where McCain's popularity rivaled Obama's was Jordan, where 22% were in favor of Obama and 23% in favor of McCain. Obama scored higher approval ratings in all 70 countries covered in an October 2008 Gallup poll, with the most favorable scores coming from Asian and European countries.

In 2007 German journalist Christoph von Marschall wrote a book entitled Barack Obama - Der schwarze Kennedy. The literal translation of its German title is "Barack Obama. The Black Kennedy". His book was a best seller in Germany, where other commentators had also made comparisons between the two politicians.

In addition to this, Obama has established close relationships with prominent foreign politicians and elected officials even before his presidential candidacy, notably with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whom he met in London in 2005, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who visited him in Washington in 2006 as France's Interior Minister, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who spoke with Obama by telephone from Washington D.C. in 2008 (while Obama was campaigning elsewhere), as well as with Italy's Democratic Party leader, and then Mayor of Rome, Walter Veltroni, who was welcomed in Obama's Senate office in Washington in 2005 and later wrote the introduction to Obama's The Audacity of Hope Italian edition.

Gallup polls have shown that approval ratings of U.S. leadership in other countries have significantly increased since Obama took office, including a 57 percent increase in Ireland, a 41 percent increase in the United Kingdom and a 46 percent increase in Spain.

The results of a BBC World Service poll conducted between November 2009 through February 2010, suggest a sharp, positive, increase in the way citizens of polled Countries around the World view the United States. For the first time since the Iraq War in 2003, more people around the World view the United States more positively than negatively. Director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes Steven Kull, who partnered in directing the poll, stated "after a year, it appears the 'Obama effect' is real". Referring to the fact that Obama had been in office around one year during the time the polls were taken.

In response to a petition and a Facebook group, Indonesian authorities are debating whether to relocate a bronze statue in Jakarta depicting United States President Barack Obama as a smiling 10-year-old child. The petitioners are asking the statue be relocated to the elementary school Obama had attended as a child while living in Menteng for four years.

Depictions

The West Wing writer and producer Eli Attie based the character of Matt Santos (portrayed by Jimmy Smits) on Obama. At the time the politician was only a state senator. Obama later met Smits. Will Smith expressed interest in portraying Obama in a film, citing his physical resemblance – particularly their ears – to the President, something with which Obama concurred while discussing the possibility with Smith. A musical comedy about Obama's presidential campaign, Obama on My Mind, opened in London in 2009. Actor Christopher B. Duncan portrayed Obama in 2008 on the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He will also portray Obama in the 2010 Bollywood film My Name is Khan. Reggie Brown portrayed Obama on "Hannah Montana to the Principal's Office" of season 4 of "Hannah Montana".

Obama became a popular subject for artists during his presidential campaign. Shepard Fairey designed posters captioned "Hope", and he was commonly depicted as a superhero. Alex Ross painted a portrait of Obama as Superman, tearing open his suit to reveal a shirt with an 'O'-symbol, while in Entertainment Weekly he was depicted as Spider-Man opposite John McCain's Batman. The association of Obama with Superman was picked up by the media and by the candidate himself: at the 2008 Al Smith Dinner, Obama joked, "Contrary to the rumors you have heard, I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father, Jor-El, to save the planet Earth." And The Washington Post titled two essays about the impact of Obama's election by Desmond Tutu and Ta-Nehisi Coates "The Man of Tomorrow", referencing a frequent sobriquet of Superman.

Marvel Comics released a special Inauguration Day comic of The Amazing Spider-Man with a picture portraying Barack Obama with Spider-Man hanging upside down behind him snapping his picture, quipping, "Hey, if you get to be on my cover, can I be on the dollar bill?" The comic also featuring a brief story where the Chameleon attempts to pose as Obama in order to be sworn in in his place, Obama subsequently shaking Spider-Man's hand in thanks and admitting that he's always been a fan despite the wall-crawler's negative public image. For right of publicity reasons, Marvel subsequently denied depictions of Obama as acting president in the Marvel Universe were intended to be him. Obama has been portrayed in other comic books, in the more straightforward Barack Obama: The Road to the White House by IDW (and a couple of related comics), but also as Barack The Barbarian and in Drafted: One Hundred Days by Devil's Due Publishing, as a zombie hunter in Antarctic Press' President Evil and with the zombie killer Ash Williams in Dynamite's Army of Darkness: Ash Saves Obama.

The controversial Obama "Joker" poster depicts Obama as comic book supervillain, The Joker, based on the portrayal by Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. The image, which had been described as "shocking" and "racist," led to much surprise as the identity of its creator, 20-year-old Palestinian American university student Firas Alkhateeb, was revealed. The digitally manipulated photograph has been described as the "most infamous anti–Obama image", and is often used by conservative protesters and those associated with the Tea Party movement.

Boris Johnson compared Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) in Quantum of Solace to Obama; the African-American CIA ally of James Bond is promoted to become Section Chief in South America over the previous corrupt agent.

See also

• "Yes We Can"
• Barack the Magic Negro

References

1. Harris, Paul (March 4, 2007). "Obama told of family's slave-owning history in deep South". The Guardian. London. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
2. Wallace-Wells, Benjamin (November 2004). "The Great Black Hope: What's Riding on Barack Obama?". Washington Monthly. Retrieved April 7, 2008. See also: Scott, Janny (December 28, 2007). "A Member of a New Generation, Obama Walks a Fine Line". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
3. Ehrenstein, David (March 19, 2007). "Obama the 'Magic Negro': The Illinois senator lends himself to white America's idealized, less-than-real black man". Opinion. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
4. Younge, Gary (posted October 27, 2006, November 13, 2006 issue). "Obama: Black Like Me, Beneath the Radar". African-Americans. The Nation. Retrieved April 7, 2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Crouch, Stanley (November 2, 2006). "What Obama Isn't: Black Like Me". Ideas & Opinions. New York Daily News. Archived from the original on March 8, 2007. Retrieved April 7, 2008. Washington, Laura (January 1, 2007). "Whites May Embrace Obama, But Do 'Regular Black Folks'?". Obama Commentary. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 7, 2008. Page, Clarence (February 25, 2007). "Is Barack Black Enough? Now That's a Silly Question". Viewpoints, Outlook. Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on March 8, 2007. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
5. http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/81955/february-08-2007/debra-dickerson?videoId=81955
6. http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/81955/february-08-2007/debra-dickerson?videoId=81955
7. "Is Obama Black Enough?". Time. February 1, 2007. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
8. Payne, Les (August 19, 2007). "In One Country, a Dual Audience" (paid archive). Opinion. Newsday. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
9. "Only 22% Say McCain Ad Racist, But Over Half (53%) See Obama Dollar-bill Comment That Way". Rasmussenreports.com. August 3, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2008.
10. Mark Mooney (August 1, 2008). "Obama Aide Concedes 'Dollar Bill' Remark Referred to His Race: Obama Strategist Calls McCain's Attack Ad Insulting; McCain Camp Defends It". GMA. ABCNews. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
11. Kathleen Hall Jamieson and Brooks Jackson (December 12, 2008). "Our Disinformed Electorate". Special Reports. FactCheck.org. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
12. ^ Associated Press (January 21, 2008). "Obama sets record straight on his religion: Presidential candidate battles misconception that he's a Muslim". MSNBC.com. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
13. Associated Press (July 10, 2008). "Poll: Obama extends national lead over McCain". Washington Post. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
14. Jonathan Darman (July 11, 2008). "Glow Fading? : The latest NEWSWEEK Poll shows Barack Obama leading John McCain by only 3 points". Campaign 2008. Newsweek (Web exclusive). Retrieved March 26, 2010.
15. "Interview with Sen. Barack Obama; Mortgage Crisis Affects Thousands of Homeowners". Larry King Live. CNN. July 15, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2008. {{cite news}}: Text "format:Transcripts" ignored (help)
16. "Obama cartoon riles Democrats". Baltimoresun.com. November 3, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2008.
17. Hayes, Christopher. "The New Right-Wing Smear Machine". Media Analysis. The Nation. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
18. Mosk, Matthew (October 14, 2008). "An Attack That Came Out of the Ether: Scholar Looks for First Link in E-Mail Chain About Obama". Religion: On Faith. The Washington Post. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
19. Rutenberg, Jim (October 12, 2008). "The Man Behind the Whispers About Obama". New York Times. Retrieved March 26,2010. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
20. "No Decline in Belief That Obama is a Muslim; Nearly One-in-Five White Evangelicals Think So". Pew Research Center. April 1, 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
21. Cohen, Jon; Shear, Michael D. (August 19, 2010). "Poll shows more Americans think Obama is a Muslim". The Washington Post.
22. Grier, Peter (August 19, 2010), "Why do 1 in 5 Americans think President Obama is a Muslim?", The Christian Science Monitor, retrieved August 19, 2010
23. "That useless Obama Muslim poll", Los Angeles Times, retrieved August 19, 2010
24. "Obama the White House says Obama is Christian, prays daily". Msnbc.com. August 19, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
25. "Peggy Noonan on Political Impact of Illegal Immigration". Foxnews.com. June 8, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2010. {{cite news}}: Text "work:Your World w/Neil Cavuto" ignored (help)
26. Noonan, Peggy (December 15, 2006). "The Man From Nowhere: What does Barack Obama believe in?". WSJ Opinion Archives. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 26, 2010. See also: Obama (2006), pp. 122–124. For Noonan's comments on Obama winning the January 2008 Iowa Caucus, see: Noonan, Peggy (January 4, 2008). "Out With the Old, In With the New: Obama and Huckabee rise; Mrs. Clinton falls". WSJ Opinion Archives. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
27. Dorning, Mike (October 4, 2007). "Obama reaches across decades to JFK; Kennedy speechwriter touts Illinois senator as 'only serious candidate for president'" (paid archive). Chicago Tribune. p. 6. Retrieved March 26, 2010. See also: Harnden, Toby (October 15, 2007). "Barack Obama is JFK Heir, Says Kennedy Aide". London: Telegraph.co.UK. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
28. Christopher J. Wills, Associated Press writer (August 23, 2008). "Analysis: Is Obama ready for world's toughest job?". Politics. FoxNews.com. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
29. Page, Susan (February 24, 2008). "Will any presidential candidate be ready on 'Day One'?". USA Today. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
30. Javers, Eamon (August 23, 2008). "Statesman known for slips of his tongue". Politico.com. Retrieved March 26, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
31. Lieberman: Obama shows "inexperience" over Georgia
32. Carlson, Margaret (October 9, 2008). "Obama's Temperament Proves the Right Stuff". Opinion. Bloomberg.com. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
34. "Barack Obama for President (Endorsement by the Editorial Board)". The Washington Post. October 17, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
36. Barone, Michael (November 7, 2008). "Triumph of Temperament, Not Policy". Creators Syndicate. Retrieved March 26, 2010. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
37. White, Deborah (October 21, 2008). "Five Reasons Why Obama Won the '08 Election - Steady Leadership, Calm Temperament". About.com. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
38. McManus, Doyle (November 5, 2008). "Now it's idealism versus realism". Election 2008: The Presidential Vote / News Analysis. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
39. John McCormick (March 13, 2008). "Obama enlists ex-commanders: 'No shock Barack' fires back at rivals". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 26, 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
40. Andrew Sullivan (June 5, 2008). "No Drama Obama". The Daily Dish. The Atlantic. Retrieved March 26, 2010. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
41. Arianna Huffington. "Hillary + Obama = High Drama". The Huffington Post. November 24, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
42. ^ Making It: How Chicago shaped Obama. Ryan Lizza. The New Yorker. Published July 21, 2008. Accessed March 26, 2010
43. ^ Here's looking at you, kid. The Economist. Published Sept. 18 2008. Accessed March 26, 2010.
44. ^ Our view on campaign finance: Obama's money move lifts expediency over principle. USA Today. Published June 20, 2008. Accessed March 26, 2010
45. PROMISES, PROMISES: Obama rhetoric, reality clash. By Liz Sidoti. The Associated Press. Published March 21, 2009. Accessed June 13, 2010.
46. “Opponents Paint Obama as an Elitist; Clinton, McCain Try to Score Off 'Bitter' Remark”, Washington Post (April 12, 2008): “You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania ….they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations." Accessed March 26, 2010.
47. “The Candidates Respond To ‘Elitist’ Label”, CBS News (October 15, 2008): “I think it's the Ivy League education - that somehow … puts you in this rarified air.” Accessed March 26, 2010.
48. "Jesse Jackson: Obama needs to bring more attention to Jena 6". CNN.com. September 19, 2007. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
49. Jackson regrets vulgar Obama comment, Michael Calderone, Politico, July 10, 2008. Accessed March 26, 2010
50. ^ "Jackson apologizes for 'crude' Obama remarks". CNN.com. July 9, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
51. Bai, Matt (August 6, 2008). "Is Obama the End of Black Politics?". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
52. Mooney, Alexander (June 26, 2008) "Obama using 'white guilt,' Nader says." CNN.com.
53. Regan, Tom (January 18, 2008). "Barack Obama and His Conservative Fans". National Public Radio. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
54. Conservatives should rethink their support of Obama Thomas Sowell, Deseret News July 10, 2008. Accessed March 26, 2010.
55. Candidate Support by Political Party and Ideology. Accessed March 26, 2010.
56. "Obama Urges Renewed Alliance With Europe in Berlin Speech". foxnews.com. Associated Press. July 24, 2008. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
57. ^ World wants Obama as president: poll. September 9, 2008. Accessed March 26, 2010.
58. "Obama 'wins' global polls", Gulf Daily News. Accessed March 26, 2010.
59. Knott, Matthew. "Aussies join world cheering for Obama", The Australian Online. Accessed March 26, 2010.
60. Hudson, Phillip. "Obama wins by a landslide - in Australia", The Sydney Morning Herald. Accessed March 26, 2010.
61. "NZers overwhelmingly support Obama for president", The National Business Review. Accessed March 26, 2010.
62. Ito, Masami. "Poll: Voters favor Obama for U.S.", The Japan Times Online. Accessed March 26, 2010.
63. Blaire, David. "Barack Obama beats John McCain in European vote: US election 2008", telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-10-02.
64. Yeh, Joseph. "Taiwanese favor Obama over McCain, poll shows", Taiwan News. Accessed March 26, 2010.
65. "The world loves Obama, except Jordan", Foreign Policy. Accessed March 26, 2010.
66. "Rest of world prefers Obama over McCain for US president: poll", The Sydney Morning Herald, 2008. Accessed March 26, 2010.
67. Barack Obama - The Black Kennedy?!. Accessed March 26, 2010.
68. Germany’s Got a Crush on Obama, The Caucus: New York Times politics blog, January 6, 2008. Accessed March 26, 2010.
69. "Obama to visit nuclear, biological weapons destruction facilities in former Soviet Union" - Senate.gov
70. "Sarkozy, Obama and McCain" - The Economist. Accessed March 26, 2010.
71. "Obama Statement on the U.S. Visit of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd", Obama.senate.gov, 2008.
72. Rome Mayor's Leadership Bid May Lead to Early Italian Elections. Accessed March 26, 2010.
73. VELTRONI A NEW YORK - Il politico prevale sull' amministratore. Accessed March 26, 2010.
74. Libreria Rizzoli Galleria
75. "U.S. Leadership Gets Approval Boost in Parts of Europe". Gallup.com. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
76. "World Citizens' Views on U.S. Leadership, Pre- and Post-Obama". Gallup.com. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
77. "World warming to US under Obama, BBC poll suggests". News.BBC.co.uk. British Broadcasting Company World Service Poll. April 19, 2010. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
78. "Fauzi lets court decide if little Obama stays". The Jakarta Post. January 26, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
79. Jonathan Freedland (February 21, 2008). "From West Wing to the real thing". guardian.co.uk. London: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved March 26, 2010.</
80. Jocelyn Vena (December 9, 2008). "Will Smith Still Interested In Playing Barack Obama - If He's Not 'Too Old'". MTV.com. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
81. "Barack Obama: I want Will Smith to play me". New Zealand Herald. February 27, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
82. New Musical Obama On My Mind to Premiere in London, By Mark Shenton, Jan 20, 2009, Playbill
83. Christopher B. Duncan as Obama on The Tonight Show
84. Presidential pretenders finding Web success
85. Big Spence & Christopher B. Duncan (Braxton from Jamie Foxx show) on the set of 'My Name is Khan'
86. Nisha Gopalan (October 23, 2008). "The Many Superhero Faces of Barack Obama". io9. Gawker Media. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
87. Rhee, Foon (October 17, 2008). "Candidates get funny, really". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 26, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |curly= ignored (help)
    Boucher, Geoff (October 17, 2008). "Everyday Hero Headlines". "Hero Complex" blog. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
88. Tutu, Desmond (November 9, 2008). "The Man of Tomorrow". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 26, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |curly= ignored (help)
    Coates, Ta-Nehisi (November 9, 2008). "The Man of Tomorrow". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 26, 2010. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |curly= ignored (help)
89. Colton, David (July 7, 2009). "Obama, Spider-Man on the same comic-book page". USA Today. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
90. Renaud, Jeffrey (January 14, 2009). "Creating History with the President-Elect". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
91. Marvel Comics. "The Amazing Spider-Man Variant Edition". Marvel Comics. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
92. Graeme McMillan (February 1, 2009). "Marvel: This Is Not The President You Are Looking For". io9. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
93. Phegley, Kiel (February 28, 2009). "WC: IDW Celebrates "Barack Obama!"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
94. Manker, Rob (April 4, 2009). "Barack Obama comic books: 'Barack the Barbarian' and 'Drafted: One Hundred Days"". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
95. Mail Foreign Service (April 7, 2009). "Meet Barack the Barbarian taking on scantily clad nemesis Sarah Palin in new comic superhero role". Daily Mail. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
96. Bilsborough, Jack (August 7, 2009). "Barack Obama depicted as Zombie-killer in new comic book". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
97. Phegley, Kiel (June 18, 2009). "Bringing Out the Dead w/ Ash & Obama". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
98. Borrelli, Christopher (August 19, 2009). "Talking to the Chicago college student who may be behind Obama-as-Joker poster". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
99. ^ Good, Oliver (September 1, 2009). "The joke's on who?". The National. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
100. Kirsch, Adam (October 29, 2009). "Ayn Rand's Revenge". The New York Times Book Review. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
101. Johnson, Boris (November 4, 2008). "US election: Like us, James Bond needed America's help to beat the bad guys". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved March 26, 2010.

External links

• Dickerson, Debra J (January 22, 2007). "Colorblind: Barack Obama would be the great black hope in the next presidential race -- if he were actually black". Opinion. Salon.com.
• Time Magazine: "The Five Faces of Barack Obama"
• Family biography of Obama from The Washington Post
• The Many Faces of Barack Obama - slideshow by Life magazine
• Spaniards to Win Trademark Rights to 'Obama' Belfast Telegraph, April 23, 2009
• Obama College Photos To Go On Display by Rachel Weiner, The Huffington Post, May 28, 2009
• The Obama Haters’ Silent Enablers by Frank Rich, The New York Times, June 13, 2009

• [http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp Who is Barack Obama?, Snopes.com

• Barack Obama
• Public image of American politicians