"Barack" and "Obama" redirect here. For other uses see Barak (disambiguation) and Obama (disambiguation). For the Kenyan economist Obama's father see Barack Obama Sr.. Barack Obama 44th President of the United States Incumbent Assumed office  January 20 2009 Vice President Joe Biden Preceded by George W. Bush United States Senator from Illinois In office January 3 2005  November 16 2008 Preceded by Peter Fitzgerald Succeeded by Roland Burris Member of the Illinois Senate from the 13th district In office January 8 1997  November 4 2004 Preceded by Alice Palmer Succeeded by Kwame Raoul Born Barack Hussein Obama II August 4 1961 (1961-08-04) (age 49)1 Honolulu Hawaii2 Political party Democratic Party Spouse(s) Michelle Robinson Obama Children Malia Sasha Residence White House (official) Chicago Illinois (private) Alma mater Occidental College Columbia University (B.A.) Harvard Law School (J.D.) Profession Community organizer Lawyer Constitutional law professor Author Religion Christian3 Signature Website The White House Barack Obama This article is part of a series on Barack Obama Background   Illinois Senate   U.S. Senate  Political positions  Public image  Family  2008 primaries  ObamaBiden campaign  Transition  Inauguration  Electoral history  Presidency (Timeline '09 '10 '11 First 100 days)   Nobel Peace Prize   Re-election campaign more...

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

A native of Honolulu Hawaii Obama is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School where he was the president of the Harvard Law Review. He was a community organizer in Chicago before earning his law degree. He worked as a civil rights attorney in Chicago and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004.

Obama served three terms representing the 13th district in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004. Following an unsuccessful bid against the Democratic incumbent for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 2000 he ran for United States Senate in 2004. Several events brought him to national attention during the campaign including his victory in the March 2004 Democratic primary and his keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in July 2004. He won election to the U.S. Senate in Illinois in November 2004. His presidential campaign began in February 2007 and after a close campaign in the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries against Hillary Rodham Clinton he won his party's nomination. In the 2008 presidential election he defeated Republican nominee John McCain and was inaugurated as president on January 20 2009. In October 2009 Obama was named the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

As president Obama signed economic stimulus legislation in the form of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009 and the Tax Relief Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 in December 2010. Other domestic policy initiatives include the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010.

In foreign policy Obama gradually withdrew combat troops from Iraq increased troop levels in Afghanistan signed the New START arms control treaty with Russia and ordered enforcement of the United Nations-sanctioned no-fly zone over Libya in early 2011. On May 1 2011 Obama announced that a small team of American military forces acting on his direct order had killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

In April 2011 Obama declared his intention to seek re-election in the 2012 presidential election.4 Contents 1 Early life and career 1.1 Chicago community organizer and Harvard Law School 1.2 University of Chicago Law School and civil rights attorney 2 Legislative career: 19972008 2.1 State Senator: 19972004 2.2 U.S. Senate campaign 2.3 U.S. Senator: 20052008 2.3.1 Legislation 2.3.2 Committees 3 Presidential campaigns 3.1 2008 presidential campaign 3.2 2012 presidential campaign 4 Presidency 4.1 First days 4.2 Domestic policy 4.2.1 Economic policy 4.2.2 Health care reform 4.2.3 Gulf of Mexico oil spill 4.3 Foreign policy 4.3.1 Iraq War 4.3.2 War in Afghanistan 4.3.3 Israel 4.3.4 Libya 4.3.5 Osama bin Laden 4.4 2010 midterm election 4.5 Cultural and political image 5 Family and personal life 5.1 Religious views 6 Notes 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External links Early life and career Main article: Early life and career of Barack Obama

Obama was born on August 4 1961 at Kapiolani Maternity & Gynecological Hospital (now called Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children) in Honolulu Hawaii5 and is the first President to have been born in Hawaii.6 His mother Stanley Ann Dunham was born in Wichita Kansas and was of mostly English descent.7 His father Barack Obama Sr. was a Luo from Nyang'oma Kogelo Nyanza Province Kenya. Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian language class at the University of Hawaii at Mnoa where his father was a foreign student on scholarship.89 The couple married on February 2 196110 separated when Obama Sr. went to Harvard University on scholarship and divorced in 1964.8 Obama Sr. remarried and returned to Kenya visiting Barack in Hawaii only once in 1971. He died in an automobile accident in 1982.11

After her divorce Dunham married Indonesian student Lolo Soetoro who was attending college in Hawaii. When Suharto a military leader in Soetoro's home country came to power in 1967 all Indonesian students studying abroad were recalled and the family moved to the Menteng neighborhood of Jakarta.12 From ages six to ten Obama attended local schools in Jakarta including Besuki Public School and St. Francis of Assisi School.13

In 1971 Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents Madelyn and Stanley Armour Dunham and attended Punahou School a private college preparatory school from the fifth grade until his graduation from high school in 1979.14 Obama's mother returned to Hawaii in 1972 remaining there until 1977 when she went back to Indonesia to work as an anthropological field worker. She finally returned to Hawaii in 1994 and lived there for one year before dying of ovarian cancer.1015 Barack Obama and half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng with their mother Ann Dunham and grandfather Stanley Dunham in Hawaii (early 1970s) Of his early childhood Obama recalled "That my father looked nothing like the people around methat he was black as pitch my mother white as milkbarely registered in my mind."16 He described his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage.17 Reflecting later on his formative years in Honolulu Obama wrote: "The opportunity that Hawaii offeredto experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respectbecame an integral part of my world view and a basis for the values that I hold most dear."18 Obama has also written and talked about using alcohol marijuana and cocaine during his teenage years to "push questions of who I was out of my mind."19 At the 2008 Civil Forum on the Presidency Obama identified his high-school drug use as a great moral failure.20 Following high school Obama moved to Los Angeles in 1979 to attend Occidental College.21 In February 1981 he made his first public speech calling for Occidental's disinvestment from South Africa due to its policy of apartheid.21 In mid-1981 Obama traveled to Indonesia to visit his mother and sister Maya and visited the families of college friends in India and Pakistan for three weeks.21 Later in 1981 he transferred to Columbia University in New York City where he majored in political science with a specialty in international relations22 and graduated with a B.A. in 1983. He worked for a year at the Business International Corporation23 then at the New York Public Interest Research Group.2425 Chicago community organizer and Harvard Law School Two years after graduating Obama was hired in Chicago as director of the Developing Communities Project (DCP) a church-based community organization originally comprising eight Catholic parishes in Greater Roseland (Roseland West Pullman and Riverdale) on Chicago's far South Side. He worked there as a community organizer from June 1985 to May 1988.2526 During his three years as the DCP's director its staff grew from one to thirteen. He helped set up a job training program a college preparatory tutoring program and a tenants' rights organization in Altgeld Gardens.27 Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for the Gamaliel Foundation a community organizing institute.28 In mid-1988 he traveled for the first time in Europe for three weeks and then for five weeks in Kenya where he met many of his paternal relatives for the first time.29 He returned in August 2006 for a visit to his father's birthplace a village near Kisumu in rural western Kenya.30 In late 1988 Obama entered Harvard Law School. He was selected as an editor of the Harvard Law Review at the end of his first year31 and president of the journal in his second year.2732 During his summers he returned to Chicago where he worked as a summer associate at the law firms of Sidley Austin in 1989 and Hopkins & Sutter in 1990.33 After graduating with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) magna cum laude34 from Harvard in 1991 he returned to Chicago.31 Obama's election as the first black president of the Harvard Law Review gained national media attention2732 and led to a publishing contract and advance for a book about race relations35 which evolved into a personal memoir. The manuscript was published in mid-1995 as Dreams from My Father.35 University of Chicago Law School and civil rights attorney In 1991 Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School to work on his first book.3536 He then served as a professor at the University of Chicago Law School for twelve yearsas a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996 and as a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004teaching constitutional law.37 From April to October 1992 Obama directed Illinois's Project Vote a voter registration drive with ten staffers and seven hundred volunteer registrars; it achieved its goal of registering 150000 of 400000 unregistered African Americans in the state and led to Crain's Chicago Business naming Obama to its 1993 list of "40 under Forty" powers to be.38 In 1993 he joined Davis Miner Barnhill & Galland a 13-attorney law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development where he was an associate for three years from 1993 to 1996 then of counsel from 1996 to 2004 with his law license becoming inactive in 2002.39 From 1994 to 2002 Obama served on the boards of directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago which in 1985 had been the first foundation to fund the Developing Communities Project and of the Joyce Foundation.25 He served on the board of directors of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge from 1995 to 2002 as founding president and chairman of the board of directors from 1995 to 1999.25 Legislative career: 19972008 State Senator: 19972004 Main article: Illinois Senate career of Barack Obama Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996 succeeding State Senator Alice Palmer as Senator from Illinois's 13th District which at that time spanned Chicago South Side neighborhoods from Hyde Park Kenwood south to South Shore and west to Chicago Lawn.40 Once elected Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation reforming ethics and health care laws.41 He sponsored a law increasing tax credits for low-income workers negotiated welfare reform and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.42 In 2001 as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules Obama supported Republican Governor Ryan's payday loan regulations and predatory mortgage lending regulations aimed at averting home foreclosures.43 Obama was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998 defeating Republican Yesse Yehudah in the general election and was reelected again in 2002.44 In 2000 he lost a Democratic primary run for the U.S. House of Representatives to four-term incumbent Bobby Rush by a margin of two to one.45 In January 2003 Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats after a decade in the minority regained a majority.46 He sponsored and led unanimous bipartisan passage of legislation to monitor racial profiling by requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.4247 During his 2004 general election campaign for U.S. Senate police representatives credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enacting death penalty reforms.48 Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his election to the U.S. Senate.49 U.S. Senate campaign See also: United States Senate election in Illinois 2004 In May 2002 Obama commissioned a poll to assess his prospects in a 2004 U.S. Senate race; he created a campaign committee began raising funds and lined up political media consultant David Axelrod by August 2002 and formally announced his candidacy in January 2003.50 Obama was an early opponent of the George W. Bush administration's 2003 invasion of Iraq.51 On October 2 2002 the day President Bush and Congress agreed on the joint resolution authorizing the Iraq War52 Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicago anti-Iraq War rally53 and spoke out against the war.54 He addressed another anti-war rally in March 2003 and told the crowd that "it's not too late" to stop the war.55 County results of the 2004 US Senate race in Illinois. Counties in blue on map were won by Obama. Decisions by Republican incumbent Peter Fitzgerald and his Democratic predecessor Carol Moseley Braun to not participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving fifteen candidates.56 In the March 2004 primary election Obama won in an unexpected landslidewhich overnight made him a rising star within the national Democratic Party started speculation about a presidential future and led to the reissue of his memoir Dreams from My Father.57 In July 2004 Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston Massachusetts58 and it was seen by 9.1 million viewers. His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party.59 Obama's expected opponent in the general election Republican primary winner Jack Ryan withdrew from the race in June 2004.60 Six weeks later Alan Keyes accepted the Illinois Republican Party's nomination to replace Ryan.61 In the November 2004 general election Obama won with 70% of the vote.62 U.S. Senator: 20052008 Main article: United States Senate career of Barack Obama Obama delivering a speech at the University of Southern California on October 28 2006. Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 4 200563 becoming the only Senate member of the Congressional Black Caucus.64 CQ Weekly characterized him as a "loyal Democrat" based on analysis of all Senate votes in 20052007. Obama announced on November 13 2008 that he would resign his Senate seat on November 16 2008 before the start of the lame-duck session to focus on his transition period for the presidency.65 Legislation See also: List of bills sponsored by Barack Obama in the United States Senate Senate bill sponsors Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Obama discussing the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act66 Obama cosponsored the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act.67 He introduced two initiatives bearing his name: LugarObama which expanded the NunnLugar cooperative threat reduction concept to conventional weapons68 and the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 which authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov a web search engine on federal spending.69 On June 3 2008 Senator Obama along with Senators Tom Carper Tom Coburn and John McCain introduced follow-up legislation: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.70 Obama sponsored legislation that would have required nuclear plant owners to notify state and local authorities of radioactive leaks but the bill failed to pass in the full Senate after being heavily modified in committee.71 Regarding tort reform Obama voted for the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 and the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 which grants immunity from civil liability to telecommunications companies complicit with NSA warrantless wiretapping operations.72 Obama and U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) visit a Russian mobile launch missile dismantling facility in August 2005.73 In December 2006 President Bush signed into law the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief Security and Democracy Promotion Act marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.74 In January 2007 Obama and Senator Feingold introduced a corporate jet provision to the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act which was signed into law in September 2007.75 Obama also introduced Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act a bill to criminalize deceptive practices in federal elections76 and the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 200777 neither of which has been signed into law. Later in 2007 Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act adding safeguards for personality disorder military discharges.78 This amendment passed the full Senate in the spring of 2008.79 He sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry which has not passed committee and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.80 Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to the State Children's Health Insurance Program providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries.81 Committees Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations Environment and Public Works and Veterans' Affairs through December 2006.82 In January 2007 he left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments with Health Education Labor and Pensions and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.83 He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee on European Affairs.84 As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe the Middle East Central Asia and Africa. He met with Mahmoud Abbas before Abbas became President of the Palestinian Authority and gave a speech at the University of Nairobi condemning corruption within the Kenyan government.85 Presidential campaigns 2008 presidential campaign Main articles: United States presidential election 2008 Barack Obama presidential primary campaign 2008 and Barack Obama presidential campaign 2008 Obama stands on stage with his wife and two daughters just before announcing his presidential candidacy in Springfield Illinois Feb. 10 2007. On February 10 2007 Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of the Old State Capitol building in Springfield Illinois.868788 The choice of the announcement site was viewed as symbolic8689 because it was also where Abraham Lincoln delivered his historic "House Divided" speech in 1858.88 Obama emphasized the issues of rapidly ending the Iraq War increasing energy independence and providing universal health care90 in a campaign that projected themes of "hope" and "change".91 Obama delivers his presidential election victory speech in Chicago's Grant Park. A large number of candidates entered the Democratic Party presidential primaries. The field narrowed to a duel between Obama and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton after early contests with the race remaining close throughout the primary process but with Obama gaining a steady lead in pledged delegates due to better long-range planning superior fundraising dominant organizing in caucus states and better exploitation of delegate allocation rules.92 Clinton ended her campaign and endorsed him on June 7 2008.93 Obama announced on August 23 that he had selected Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate94 from a field speculated to include Senator Evan Bayh and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine.95 At the Democratic National Convention in Denver Colorado Hillary Clinton called for her delegates and supporters to endorse Obama and she and Bill Clinton gave convention speeches in support of Obama.96 Obama delivered his acceptance speech not at the convention center where the Democratic National Convention was held97 but at Invesco Field at Mile High to a crowd of over 7500098 and presented his policy goals; the speech was viewed by over 38 million people worldwide.99 President George W. Bush meets with President-Elect Obama in the Oval Office on November 10 2008. During both the primary process and the general election Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records particularly in the quantity of small donations.100 On June 19 2008 Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn down public financing in the general election since the system was created in 1976.101 McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate and the two engaged in three presidential debates in September and October 2008.102 On November 4 Obama won the presidency with 365 electoral votes to 173 received by McCain.103 Obama won 52.9% of the popular vote to McCain's 45.7%.104 He became the first African American to be elected president.105 Obama delivered his victory speech before hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago's Grant Park.106 2012 presidential campaign Main articles: United States presidential election 2012 and Barack Obama presidential campaign 2012 On April 4 2011 Obama announced his re-election campaign for 2012 in a video titled "It Begins with Us" posted on his website.107108 He filed election papers with the Federal Election Commission on the same day.109 Presidency Main article: Presidency of Barack Obama See also: Confirmations of Barack Obama's Cabinet and List of presidential trips made by Barack Obama First days Wikinews has related news: Barack Obama elected 44th President of the United States The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President and Joe Biden as Vice President took place on January 20 2009. In his first few days in office Obama issued executive orders and presidential memoranda directing the U.S. military to develop plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.110 He ordered the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp "as soon as practicable and no later than" January 2010111 but during his first two years in office he has been unable to persuade Congress to appropriate funds required to accomplish the shutdown.112113114 Obama reduced the secrecy given to presidential records115 and changed procedures to promote disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.116 He also reversed George W. Bush's ban on federal funding to foreign establishments that allow abortions.117 Domestic policy Barack Obama takes the oath of office as President of the United States. The first bill signed into law by Obama was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 relaxing the statute of limitations for equal-pay lawsuits.118 Five days later he signed the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover an additional 4 million children currently uninsured.119 In March 2009 Obama reversed a Bush-era policy which had limited funding of embryonic stem cell research. Obama stated that he believed "sound science and moral values...are not inconsistent" and pledged to develop "strict guidelines" on the research.120 Obama appointed two women to serve on the Supreme Court in the first two years of his Presidency. Sonia Sotomayor nominated by Obama on May 26 2009 to replace retiring Associate Justice David Souter was confirmed on August 6 2009121 becoming the first Hispanic to be a Supreme Court Justice.122 Elena Kagan nominated by Obama on May 10 2010 to replace retiring Associate Justice John Paul Stevens was confirmed on August 5 2010 bringing the number of women sitting simultaneously on the Court to three for the first time in American history.123 President Obama with former President George H.W. Bush at the "Point of Light" forum in Texas in 2009. Obama would award Bush the Medal of Freedom in 2011.124 On September 30 2009 the Obama administration proposed new regulations on power plants factories and oil refineries in an attempt to limit greenhouse gas emissions and to curb global warming.125126 On October 8 2009 Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act a measure that expands the 1969 United States federal hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender sexual orientation gender identity or disability.127128129 On March 30 2010 Obama signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act a reconciliation bill which ends the process of the federal government giving subsidies to private banks to give out federally insured loans increases the Pell Grant scholarship award and makes changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.130131132133 In a major space policy speech in April 2010 Obama announced a planned change in direction at NASA the U.S. space agency. He ended plans for a return of human spaceflight to the moon and ended development of the Ares I rocket Ares V rocket and Constellation program. He is focusing funding (which is expected to rise modestly) on Earth science projects and a new rocket type as well as research and development for an eventual manned mission to Mars. Missions to the International Space Station are expected to continue until 2020.134 On December 22 2010 Obama signed the Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 a bill that provides for repeal of the Don't ask don't tell policy of 1993 that has prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in the United States Armed Forces.135 Repealing "Don't ask don't tell" had been a key campaign promise that Obama had made during the 2008 presidential campaign.136137 On January 25 2011 in his 2011 State of the Union Address President Obama focused strongly on the themes of education and innovation stressing the importance of innovation economics in working to make the United States more competitive globally. Among other plans and goals Obama spoke of a enacting a five-year freeze in domestic spending eliminating tax breaks for oil companies and tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans banning congressional earmarks and reducing healthcare costs. Looking to the future Obama promised that by 2015 the United States would have 1 million electric vehicles on the road and by 2035 clean-energy sources would be providing 80 percent of U.S. electricity.138139 Economic policy On February 17 2009 Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 a $787 billion economic stimulus package aimed at helping the economy recover from the deepening worldwide recession.140 The act includes increased federal spending for health care infrastructure education various tax breaks and incentives and direct assistance to individuals141 which is being distributed over the course of several years. President Barack Obama signs the ARRA into law on February 17 2009 in Denver Colorado. Vice President Joe Biden stands behind him. In March Obama's Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner took further steps to manage the financial crisis including introducing the Public-Private Investment Program for Legacy Assets which contains provisions for buying up to $2 trillion in depreciated real estate assets.142 Obama intervened in the troubled automotive industry143 in March 2009 renewing loans for General Motors and Chrysler to continue operations while reorganizing. Over the following months the White House set terms for both firms' bankruptcies including the sale of Chrysler to Italian automaker Fiat144 and a reorganization of GM giving the U.S. government a temporary 60% equity stake in the company with the Canadian government shouldering a 12% stake.145 In June 2009 dissatisfied with the pace of economic stimulus Obama called on his cabinet to accelerate the investment.146 He signed into law the Car Allowance Rebate System known colloquially as "Cash for Clunkers" that had mixed results.147148149 Although spending and loan guarantees from the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department authorized by the Bush and Obama administrations totaled about $11.5 trillion only $3 trillion had actually been spent by the end of November 2009.150 However Obama and the Congressional Budget Office predict that the 2010 budget deficit will be $1.5 trillion or 10.6% of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) compared to the 2009 deficit of $1.4 trillion or 9.9% of GDP.151152 For 2011 the administration predicted the deficit will slightly shrink to $1.34 trillion while the 10-year deficit will increase to $8.53 trillion or 80% of GDP.153 The unemployment rate rose in 2009 reaching a peak in October at 10.1% and averaging 10.0% in the fourth quarter.154 Following a decrease to 9.7% in the first quarter of 2010 the unemployment rate fell to 9.6% in the second quarter where it remained for the rest of the year.154 Between February and December 2010 employment rose by 0.8% which was less than the average of 1.9% experienced during comparable periods in the past four employment recoveries.155 GDP growth returned in the third quarter of 2009 expanding at a 1.6% pace followed by a 5.0% increase in the fourth quarter.156 Growth continued in 2010 posting an increase of 3.7% in the first quarter with lesser gains throughout the rest of the year.156 In July 2010 the Federal Reserve expressed that although economic activity continued to increase its pace had slowed and its Chairman Ben Bernanke stated that the economic outlook was "unusually uncertain."157 Overall the economy expanded at a rate of 2.9% in 2010.158 The Congressional Budget Office and a broad range of economists credit Obama's stimulus plan for economic growth.159160 The CBO released a report stating that the stimulus bill increased employment by 12.1 million160161162163 while conceding that "It is impossible to determine how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package."164 Although an April 2010 survey of members of the National Association for Business Economics showed an increase in job creation (over a similar January survey) for the first time in two years 73% of the 68 respondents believed that the stimulus bill has had no impact on employment.165 Within a month of the 2010 midterm elections Obama announced a compromise deal with the Congressional Republican leadership that included a temporary two-year extension of the 2001 and 2003 income tax rates a one-year payroll tax reduction continuation of unemployment benefits and a new rate and exemption amount for estate taxes.166 The compromise overcome opposition from some in both parties and the resulting $858 billion Tax Relief Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress before Obama signed it on December 17 2010.167 Health care reform Main article: Health care reform in the United States Barack Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at the White House March 23 2010. Obama called for Congress to pass legislation reforming health care in the United States a key campaign promise and a top legislative goal.168 He proposed an expansion of health insurance coverage to cover the uninsured to cap premium increases and to allow people to retain their coverage when they leave or change jobs. His proposal was to spend $900 billion over 10 years and include a government insurance plan also known as the public option to compete with the corporate insurance sector as a main component to lowering costs and improving quality of health care. It would also make it illegal for insurers to drop sick people or deny them coverage for pre-existing conditions and require every American carry health coverage. The plan also includes medical spending cuts and taxes on insurance companies that offer expensive plans.169170 On July 14 2009 House Democratic leaders introduced a 1017-page plan for overhauling the U.S. health care system which Obama wanted Congress to approve by the end of 2009.168 After much public debate during the Congressional summer recess of 2009 Obama delivered a speech to a joint session of Congress on September 9 where he addressed concerns over his administration's proposals.171 In March 2009 Obama lifted a ban on stem cell research.172 On November 7 2009 a health care bill featuring the public option was passed in the House.173174 On December 24 2009 the Senate passed its own billwithout a public optionon a party-line vote of 6039.175 On March 21 2010 the health care bill passed by the Senate in December was passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212.176 Obama signed the bill into law on March 23 2010.177 Gulf of Mexico oil spill Main article: Deepwater Horizon oil spill On April 20 2010 an explosion destroyed an offshore drilling rig at the Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico causing a major sustained oil leak. The well's operator BP initiated a containment and cleanup plan and began drilling two relief wells intended to stop the flow. Obama visited the Gulf on May 2 among visits by members of his cabinet and again on May 28 and June 4. He began a federal investigation and formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards after a review by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and concurrent Congressional hearings. On May 27 he announced a 6-month moratorium on new deepwater drilling permits and leases pending regulatory review.178 As multiple efforts by BP failed some in the media and public expressed confusion and criticism over various aspects of the incident and stated a desire for more involvement by Obama and the federal government.179 Foreign policy President Obama in discussion with Chinese President Hu Jintao at the 2009 Pittsburgh G-20 Summit Main article: Foreign policy of the Barack Obama administration In February and March Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made separate overseas trips to announce a "new era" in U.S. foreign relations with Russia and Europe using the terms "break" and "reset" to signal major changes from the policies of the preceding administration.180 Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab cable TV network Al Arabiya.181 On March 19 Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran.182 This attempt at outreach was rebuffed by the Iranian leadership.183 In April Obama gave a speech in Ankara Turkey which was well received by many Arab governments.184 On June 4 2009 Obama delivered a speech at Cairo University in Egypt calling for "a new beginning" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.185 On June 26 2009 in response to the Iranian government's actions towards protesters following Iran's 2009 presidential election Obama said: "The violence perpetrated against them is outrageous. We see it and we condemn it."186 On July 7 while in Moscow he responded to a Vice President Biden comment on a possible Israeli military strike on Iran by saying: "We have said directly to the Israelis that it is important to try and resolve this in an international setting in a way that does not create major conflict in the Middle East."187 British Prime Minister David Cameron and President Barack Obama during the 2010 G-20 Toronto summit. On September 24 2009 Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to preside over a meeting of the United Nations Security Council.188 In March 2010 Obama took a public stance against plans by the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue building Jewish housing projects in predominantly Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.189190 During the same month an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with a new pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries by about one-third.191 The New START treaty was signed by Obama and Medvedev in April 2010 and was ratified by the U.S. Senate in December 2010.192 Iraq War Main article: Iraq War During his presidential transition President-elect Obama announced that he would retain the incumbent Defense Secretary Robert Gates in his Cabinet.193 On February 27 2009 Obama declared that combat operations would end in Iraq within 18 months. His remarks were made to a group of Marines preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. Obama said "Let me say this as plainly as I can: By August 31 2010 our combat mission in Iraq will end."194 The Obama administration scheduled the withdrawal of combat troops to be completed by August 2010 decreasing troops levels from 142000 while leaving a transitional force of 35000 to 50000 in Iraq until the end of 2011. On August 19 2010 the last United States combat brigade exited Iraq. The plan is to transition the mission of the remaining troops from combat operations to counter-terrorism and the training equipping and advising of Iraqi security forces.195196 On August 31 2010 Obama announced that the United States combat mission in Iraq was over.197 War in Afghanistan Main article: War in Afghanistan (2001present) Early in his presidency Obama moved to bolster U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan.198 He announced an increase to U.S. troop levels of 17000 in February 2009 to "stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan" an area he said had not received the "strategic attention direction and resources it urgently requires".199 He replaced the military commander in Afghanistan General David D. McKiernan with former Special Forces commander Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal in May 2009 indicating that McChrystal's Special Forces experience would facilitate the use of counterinsurgency tactics in the war.200 On December 1 2009 Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30000 military personnel to Afghanistan.201 He also proposed to begin troop withdrawals 18 months from that date.202203 McChrystal was replaced by David Petraeus in June 2010 after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel in a magazine article.204 Israel During the initial years of the Obama administration the U.S. increased military cooperation with Israel including a record number of U.S. troops participating in military exercises in the country increased military aid and the re-establishment of the U.S.-Israeli Joint Political Military Group and the Defense Policy Advisory Group. It was reported high-ranking defense officials from both countries had been making an unusual number of trips between the two countries including Ehud Barak. Part of the military aid increase in 2010 was to fund Israel's missile defense shield. Before Adm. Mike Mullen no Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had visited Israel for over a decade but in 2010 he made two trips bringing his total to four.205 In 2011 Obama's Ambassador to the United Nations vetoed a resolution condemning Israeli settlements with the U.S. the only nation on the Security Council doing so.206 Like previous American presidential administrations Obama supports the two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on the 1967 borders with land swaps.207 Libya Main article: 2011 military intervention in Libya In March 2011 as forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi advanced on rebels across Libya formal calls for a no-fly zone came in from around the world including Europe the Arab League and a resolution208 passed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.209 In response to the unanimous passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 on March 17 Gaddafi who had previously vowed to "show no mercy" to the citizens of Benghazi210 announced an immediate cessation of military activities211 yet reports came in that his forces continued shelling Misrata.212 The next day on Obama's orders the U.S. military took a lead role in air strikes to destroy the Libyan government's air defense capabilities in order to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly-zone213 including the use of Tomahawk missiles B-2s and fighter jets.214215216 Six days later on March 25 by unanimous vote of all 28 members of NATO that international organization took over leadership of the effort dubbed Operation Unified Protector.217 Some congressmen218 questioned whether Obama had the constitutional authority to order military action in addition to questions about its cost structure and aftermath.219220 President Obama on Osama bin Laden's Death President Obama announces the death of Osama bin Laden on May 1 2011. (Full Text)  President Obama on Osama bin Laden's Death audio only version Problems listening to these files See media help. Wikisource has original text related to this article: Remarks by the President on Osama Bin Laden Osama bin Laden Main article: Death of Osama bin Laden Obama and the U.S. national security team gathered in the Situation Room to monitor the progress of Operation Neptune Spear. Starting with information received in July 2010 intelligence developed by the CIA over the next several months determined what they believed to be the location of Osama bin Laden in a large compound in Abbottabad Pakistan a suburban area 35 miles from Islamabad.221 CIA head Leon Panetta reported this intelligence to President Obama in March 2011.221 Meeting with his national security advisers over the course of the next six weeks Obama rejected a plan to bomb the compound and authorized a "surgical raid" to be conducted by United States Navy SEALs.221 The operation took place on May 1 2011 resulting in the death of bin Laden and the seizure of papers and computer drives and disks from the compound.222223 Bin Laden's body was identified through DNA testing224 and buried at sea several hours later.225 Within minutes of the President's announcement from Washington DC late in the evening on May 1 there were spontaneous celebrations around the country as crowds gathered outside the White House and at New York City's Ground Zero and Times Square.222226 Reaction to the announcement was positive across party lines including from predecessors George W. Bush and Bill Clinton227 and from many countries around the world.228 2010 midterm election Main article: United States House of Representatives elections 2010 Obama called the November 2 2010 election where the Democratic Party lost 63 seats in and control of the House of Representatives229 "humbling" and a "shellacking".230 He said that the results came because not enough Americans had felt the effects of the economic recovery.231 Cultural and political image President George W. Bush invited then-President-elect Barack Obama and former Presidents George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter to a meeting in the Oval Office on January 7 2009. Main article: Public image of Barack Obama See also: International media reaction to Barack Obama's 2008 election Obama's family history early life and upbringing and Ivy League education differ markedly from those of African-American politicians who launched their careers in the 1960s through participation in the civil rights movement.232 Obama is also not a descendant of American slaves.233 Expressing puzzlement over questions about whether he is "black enough" Obama told an August 2007 meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists that "we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong."234 Obama acknowledged his youthful image in an October 2007 campaign speech saying: "I wouldn't be here if time and again the torch had not been passed to a new generation."235 Obama is frequently referred to as an exceptional orator.236 During his pre-inauguration transition period and continuing into his presidency Obama has delivered a series of weekly Internet video addresses.237 Obama presents his first weekly address as President of the United States on January 24 2009 discussing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. According to the Gallup Organization Obama began his presidency with a 68% approval rating238 before gradually declining for the rest of the year and eventually bottoming out at 41% in August 2010239 a trend similar to Ronald Reagan's and Bill Clinton's first years in office.240 He experienced a small poll bounce shortly after the death of Osama bin Laden which lasted until around June 2011 when his approval numbers dropped back to where they were prior to the operation.241242243 Polls show strong support for Obama in other countries244 and before being elected President he has met with prominent foreign figures including then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair245 Italy's Democratic Party leader and then Mayor of Rome Walter Veltroni246247248 and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.249 According to a May 2009 poll conducted by Harris Interactive for France 24 and the International Herald Tribune Obama was rated as the most popular world leader as well as the one figure most people would pin their hopes on for pulling the world out of the economic downturn.250 Obama won Best Spoken Word Album Grammy Awards for abridged audiobook versions of Dreams from My Father in February 2006 and for The Audacity of Hope in February 2008.251 His concession speech after the New Hampshire primary was set to music by independent artists as the music video "Yes We Can" which was viewed by 10 million people on YouTube in its first month252 and received a Daytime Emmy Award.253 In December 2008 Time magazine named Barack Obama as its Person of the Year for his historic candidacy and election which it described as "the steady march of seemingly impossible accomplishments".254 On October 9 2009 the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that Obama had won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".255 Obama accepted this award in Oslo Norway on December 10 2009 with "deep gratitude and great humility."256 The award drew a mixture of praise and criticism from world leaders and media figures.257258 Obama is the fourth U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and the third to become a Nobel laureate while in office. A 2010 Siena College poll of 238 Presidential scholars found that Obama was ranked 15th out of 43 with high ratings for imagination communication ability and intelligence and a low rating for background (family education and experience).259 Family and personal life Barack Obama together with his family and a costumed Easter Bunny as they wave from the South Portico of the White House to guests attending the White House Easter Egg Roll. Main articles: Early life and career of Barack Obama and Family of Barack Obama In a 2006 interview Obama highlighted the diversity of his extended family: "It's like a little mini-United Nations" he said. "I've got relatives who look like Bernie Mac and I've got relatives who look like Margaret Thatcher."260 Obama has seven half-siblings from his Kenyan father's family six of them living and a half-sister with whom he was raised Maya Soetoro-Ng the daughter of his mother and her Indonesian second husband.261 Obama's mother was survived by her Kansas-born mother Madelyn Dunham262 until her death on November 2 2008263 two days before his election to the Presidency. In Dreams from My Father Obama ties his mother's family history to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives of Jefferson Davis President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.264 Obama's great-uncle served in the 89th Division that overran Ohrdruf265 the first of the Nazi concentration camps to be liberated by U.S. troops during World War II.266 Obama was known as "Barry" in his youth but asked to be addressed with his given name during his college years.267 Besides his native English Obama speaks Indonesian at the conversational level which he learned during his four childhood years in Jakarta.268 He plays basketball a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team.269 Obama playing basketball with U.S. military at Camp Lemonnier Djibouti in 2006270 Obama receiving a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey from Steelers owner Dan Rooney who campaigned for Obama in 2008271 Obama is a well known supporter of the Chicago White Sox and threw out the first pitch at the 2005 ALCS when he was still a senator.272 In 2009 he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the all star game while wearing a White Sox jacket.273 He is also primarily a Chicago Bears fan in the NFL but in his childhood and adolesence was a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and recently rooted for them ahead of their victory in Super Bowl XLIII 12 days after Obama took office as President.271 In June 1989 Obama met Michelle Robinson when he was employed as a summer associate at the Chicago law firm of Sidley Austin.274 Assigned for three months as Obama's adviser at the firm Robinson joined him at group social functions but declined his initial requests to date.275 They began dating later that summer became engaged in 1991 and were married on October 3 1992.276 The couple's first daughter Malia Ann was born on July 4 1998277 followed by a second daughter Natasha ("Sasha") on June 10 2001.278 The Obama daughters attended the private University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. When they moved to Washington D.C. in January 2009 the girls started at the private Sidwell Friends School.279 The Obamas have a Portuguese Water Dog named Bo a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy.280 Applying the proceeds of a book deal the family moved in 2005 from a Hyde Park Chicago condominium to a $1.6 million house in neighboring Kenwood Chicago.281 The purchase of an adjacent lot and sale of part of it to Obama by the wife of developer campaign donor and friend Tony Rezko attracted media attention because of Rezko's subsequent indictment and conviction on political corruption charges that were unrelated to Obama.282 In December 2007 Money magazine estimated the Obama family's net worth at $1.3 million.283 Their 2009 tax return showed a household income of $5.5 millionup from about $4.2 million in 2007 and $1.6 million in 2005mostly from sales of his books.284285 Obama tried to quit smoking several times sometimes using nicotine replacement therapy.286287288 Michelle Obama said he successfully quit in early 2010.289290 Religious views As he described in The Audacity of Hope Obama is a Christian whose religious views developed in his adult life. He wrote that he "was not raised in a religious household". He described his mother raised by non-religious parents (whom Obama has specified elsewhere as "non-practicing Methodists and Baptists") to be detached from religion yet "in many ways the most spiritually awakened person that I have ever known". He described his father as "raised a Muslim" but a "confirmed atheist" by the time his parents met and his stepfather as "a man who saw religion as not particularly useful". Obama explained how through working with black churches as a community organizer while in his twenties he came to understand "the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change".291 On September 27 2010 Obama released a statement commenting on his religious views saying "I'm a Christian by choice. My family didn'tfrankly they weren't folks who went to church every week. And my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew but she didn't raise me in the church. So I came to my Christian faith later in life and it was because the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to leadbeing my brothers' and sisters' keeper treating others as they would treat me."292293 Obama was baptized at the Trinity United Church of Christ in 1988 and was an active member there for two decades.294 Obama resigned from Trinity during the Presidential campaign after controversial statements made by Rev. Jeremiah Wright became public.295 After a prolonged effort to find a church to attend regularly in Washington Obama announced in June 2009 that his primary place of worship would be the Evergreen Chapel at Camp David.296 Notes "President Barack Obama". Washington D.C.: The White House. 2008. http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-obama. Retrieved December 12 2008.  "Certification of Live Birth: Barack Hussein Obama II August 4 1961 7:24 PM Honolulu". Department of Health State of Hawaii. The White House. April 27 2011. http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rssviewer/birth-certificate-long-form.pdf. Retrieved April 27 2011.  "American President: Barack Obama". Charlottesville Va.: Miller Center of Public Affairs University of Virginia. 2009. http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/obama. Retrieved January 23 2009. "Religion: Christian" . "The Truth about Baracks Faith". Obama for America. http://www.fightthesmears.com/filedownload/2/baracksfaith.pdf. Retrieved April 8 2011.  "Obama has never been a Muslim and is a committed Christian". Organizing for America-Scribd cached. November 12 2007. http://www.scribd.com/doc/36287446/Www-barackobama-com-Factcheck-2007-11-12-Obama-Has-Never. Retrieved April 8 2011.  Miller Lisa (July 18 2008). "Finding his faith". Newsweek.com. http://www.newsweek.com/id/145971. Retrieved February 4 2010. "He is now a Christian having been baptized in the early 1990s at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago." . Barakat Matthew (Associated Press) (November 17 2008). "Obama's church choice likely to be scrutinized; D.C. churches have started extending invitations to Obama and his family". msnbc.com. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27775757. Retrieved January 20 2009. "The United Church of Christ the denomination from which Obama resigned when he left Wright's church issued a written invitation to join a UCC denomination in Washington and resume his connections to the church." . "Barack Obama long time UCC member inaugurated forty-fourth U.S. President". News. Cleveland: United Church of Christ. January 20 2009. http://www.ucc.org/news/obama-inauguration.html. Retrieved January 21 2009. "Barack Obama who spent more than 20 years as a UCC member is the forty-fourth President of the United States." . Sullivan Amy (June 29 2009). "The Obama's find a church homeaway from home". Time.com. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/08599190761000.html. Retrieved February 5 2010. "... instead of joining a congregation in Washington D.C. he will follow in George W. Bush's footsteps and make his primary place of worship Evergreen Chapel the nondenominational church at Camp David." . Kornblut Anne E. (February 4 2010). "Obama's spirituality is largely private but it's influential advisers say". The Washington Post: p. A6. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/03/AR2010020303619.html. Retrieved February 5 2010. "... Obama prays privately ... And when he takes his family to Camp David on the weekends a Navy chaplain ministers to them with the daughters attending a form of Sunday school there."  "Barack Obama 2012 Campaign Officially Launches". Huffington Post. April 4 2011. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/04/barack-obama-2012-campaignn844221.html. Retrieved April 4 2011.  Henig Jess; Miller Joe (August 21 2008). "Born in the U.S.A.; The truth about Obama's birth certificate". FactCheck.org. http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/bornintheusa.html. Retrieved October 24 2008.  Maraniss David (August 24 2008). "Though Obama had to leave to find himself it is Hawaii that made his rise possible". The Washington Post: p. A22. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082301620.html. Retrieved October 28 2008.  Nakaso Dan (December 22 2008). "Twin sisters Obama on parallel paths for years". The Honolulu Advertiser: p. B1. http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Dec/22/ln/hawaii812220320.html. Retrieved January 22 2011. "at the old Kapiolani Maternity and Gynecological Hospital"  Martin Michel (October 29 2008). "Asian writer ponders first Asian president too (transcript)". Tell Me More. NPR.org. http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.phpstoryId96126355. Retrieved April 18 2010. "He'd be the first president born in Hawaii for example." . Rudin Ken (December 23 2009). "Today's Junkie segment On TOTN: a political review Of 2009". Talk of the Nation (Political Junkie blog). NPR.org. http://www.npr.org/blogs/politicaljunkie/2009/12/todaysjunkiesegmentontotn5.html. Retrieved April 18 2010. "We began with the historic inauguration on Jan. 20yes the first president ever born in Hawaii ..."  for Stanley Ann's first name see Obama (1995 2004) p. 19. a b Jones Tim (March 27 2007). "Barack Obama: Mother not just a girl from Kansas; Stanley Ann Dunham shaped a future senator". Chicago Tribune: p. 1 (Tempo). http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-0703270151mar27-archive05853572full.story. Retrieved March 27 2007.  Obama (1995 2004) pp. 910. For book excerpts see: Obama Barack (November 1 2004). "Barack Obama: Creation of tales (serialisation of Dreams from My Father)". The EastAfrican. Archived from the original on September 27 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927225314/http://www.nationmedia.com/EastAfrican/01112004/Features/PA2-2212.html. Retrieved April 14 2008.  a b Ripley Amanda (April 9 2008). "The story of Barack Obama's mother". Time.com. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/08599172952400.html. Retrieved April 9 2007.  (online) Ochieng Philip (November 1 2004). "From home squared to the US Senate: how Barack Obama was lost and found". The EastAfrican. Archived from the original on September 27 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070927223905/http://www.nationmedia.com/EastAfrican/01112004/Features/PA2-11.html. Retrieved June 25 2008.  Merida Kevin (December 14 2007). "The ghost of a father". The Washington Post: p. A12. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2007/12/13/ST2007121301893.html. Retrieved June 25 2008.  Kapi'olani Hospital (August 4 1961). "Certificate of live birth". The Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2011/04/27/obamabirthcertificate/p1Newslinks. Retrieved April 27 2011.  Karana Kinanti Pinta (December 9 2009). "Statue of a young Obama to watch over Indonesian capital". Jakarta Globe. http://thejakartaglobe.com/home/statue-of-us-president-barack-obama-to-be-unveiled-in-jakarta-park/346178. Retrieved December 8 2009.  Obama (1995 2004) pp. 4445. Maraniss David (August 24 2008). "Though Obama had to leave to find himself it is Hawaii that made his rise possible". The Washington Post: p. A22. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082301620.html. Retrieved October 28 2008.  Pickler Nedra (January 24 2007). "Obama debunks claim about Islamic school". The Washington Post. Associated Press. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/24/AR2007012400371pf.html. Retrieved December 31 2009.  "Statue of boy Obama erected in Jakarta". Xinhuanet.com. December 10 2009. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/10/content12624443.htm. Retrieved December 31 2009.  Serafin Peter (March 21 2004). "Punahou grad stirs up Illinois politics". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. http://archives.starbulletin.com/2004/03/21/news/story4.html. Retrieved March 20 2008.  Obama (1995 2004) Chapters 3 and 4. Suryakusuma Julia (November 29 2006). "Obama for President... of Indonesia". Jakarta Post. http://www.juliasuryakusuma.com/column.phpmenuid1&year2006&month11&columnid111. Retrieved June 25 2008.  Obama (1995 2004) pp. 910. Serrano Richard A. (March 11 2007). "Obama's peers didn't see his angst". Los Angeles Times: p. A20. http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-obamahawaii11-2007mar110199085full.story. Retrieved March 13 2007.  Obama (1995 2004) Chapters 4 and 5. Reyes B.J. (February 8 2007). "Punahou left lasting impression on Obama". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. http://archives.starbulletin.com/2007/02/08/news/story02.html. Retrieved February 10 2007. "As a teenager Obama went to parties and sometimes sought out gatherings on military bases or at the University of Hawaii that were mostly attended by blacks."  Elliott Philip (Associated Press) (November 21 2007). "Obama gets blunt with N.H. students". The Boston Globe: p. 8A. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/11/21/obamagetsbluntwithnhstudents. Retrieved January 4 2008.  Obama (1995 2004) pp. 9394. "Pot had helped and booze; maybe a little blow when you could afford it." 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: Seelye Katharine Q. (October 24 2006). "Obama offers more variations from the norm". The New York Times: p. A21. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.htmlres9D07E2DB173FF937A15753C1A9609C8B63. Retrieved October 29 2006.  Romano Lois (January 3 2007). "Effect of Obama's candor remains to be seen". 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"He has also been a consultant and instructor for the Gamaliel Foundation an organizing institute working throughout the Midwest."  Obama (1995 2004) pp. 299437. Gnecchi Nico (February 27 2006). "Obama receives hero's welcome at his family's ancestral village in Kenya". Voice of America. Archived from the original on March 21 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080321161040/http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-08/2006-08-27-voa17.cfm. Retrieved June 25 2008.  a b Levenson Michael; Saltzman Jonathan (January 28 2007). "At Harvard Law a unifying voice". The Boston Globe: p. 1A. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/01/28/atharvardlawaunifyingvoice/pagefull. Retrieved June 15 2008.  Kantor Jodi (January 28 2007). "In law school Obama found political voice". The New York Times: p. A1. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/us/politics/28obama.htmlpagewantedall. Retrieved June 15 2008.  Kodama Marie C. (January 19 2007). "Obama left mark on HLS". 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The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/12/AR2007051201551.html. Retrieved June 24 2008. "Obama's Family Tree Has a Few Surprises". CBS 2 (Chicago). Associated Press. September 8 2007. Archived from the original on June 2 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080602215833/http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/Barack.Obama.family.2.339709.html. Retrieved June 24 2008.  Johnson Carla K. (July 24 2008). "Obama's great-uncle recalls liberating Nazi camp". USA Today. Associated Press. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-07-24-1654309354x.htm. Retrieved March 12 2009.  "The 89th Infantry Division". United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.phplangen&ModuleId10006140. Retrieved March 12 2009.  "When Barry Became Barack". Newsweek. March 31 2008. http://www.newsweek.com/id/128633. Retrieved November 6 2008.  Zimmer Benjamin (2009). "Obama's Indonesian Redux". Language Log. http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/p1025. Retrieved March 12 2009.  "Obama: Saya Kangen Nasi Goreng Bakso dan Rambutan". http://cetak.kompas.com/read/xml/2008/11/26/00223862/obama.saya.kangen.nasi.goreng.bakso.dan.rambutan.  Kantor Jodi (June 1 2007). "One Place Where Obama Goes Elbow to Elbow". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/01/us/politics/01hoops.html. Retrieved April 28 2008.  See also:"The Love of the Game" (video). HBO: Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (YouTube (BarackObama.com)). April 15 2008. http://www.hbo.com/realsports/stories/2008/episode.133.s1.html. Retrieved April 28 2008.  "Senator Barack Obama Visit to CJTF-HOA and Camp Lemonier: August 31 September 1 2006" (video). Combined Joint Task ForceHorn of Africa (YouTube). February 6 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watchvd9GqdzQeCz0. Retrieved April 28 2008.  a b Branigin William (January 30 2009). "Steelers Win Obama's Approval". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/29/AR2009012903196.html. "But other than the Bears the Steelers are probably the team that's closest to my heart. All right"  "Barack Obama: White Sox 'serious' ball". The Swamp. August 25 2008. http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/08/barackobamawhitesoxserious.html. Retrieved December 6 2009.  "Barack Obama Explains White Sox Jacket Talks Nats in All-Star Booth Visit". MLB Fanhouse. July 14 2009. http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/07/14/barack-obama-explains-white-sox-jacket-talks-nats-in-all-star-b/. Retrieved December 6 2009.  Obama (2006) pp. 327332. See also:Brown Sarah (December 7 2005). "Obama '85 masters balancing act". The Daily Princetonian. http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2005/12/07/14049. Retrieved February 9 2009.  Obama (2006) p. 329. Fornek Scott (October 3 2007). "Michelle Obama: 'He Swept Me Off My Feet'". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on January 18 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5msGZDbMO. Retrieved April 28 2008.  Martin Jonathan (July 4 2008). "Born on the 4th of July". The Politico. http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0708/Bornonthe4thofJuly.html. Retrieved July 10 2008.  Obama (1995 2004) p. 440 and Obama (2006) pp. 339340. See also:"Election 2008 Information Center: Barack Obama". Gannett News Service. http://www.gannettnewsservice.com/cat153. Retrieved April 28 2008.  "Obamas choose private Sidwell Friends School" International Herald Tribune November 22 2008 Cooper Helene (April 13 2009). "One Obama Search Ends With a Puppy Named Bo". Nytimes.com. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/us/politics/13obama.html. Retrieved December 22 2010.  Zeleny Jeff (December 24 2005). "The first time around: Sen. Obama's freshman year". Chicago Tribune. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-051224obama01779783full.story. Retrieved April 28 2008.  Slevin Peter (December 17 2006). "Obama says he regrets land deal with fundraiser". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/16/AR2006121600729.html. Retrieved June 10 2008.  Robinson Mike (June 4 2008). "Rezko found guilty in corruption case". Associated Press. msnbc.com. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24973282/. Retrieved June 24 2008.  Harris Marlys (December 7 2007). "Obama's Money". CNNMoney.com. http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0712/gallery.candidates.moneymag/5.html. Retrieved April 28 2008.  See also:Goldfarb Zachary A (March 24 2007). "Measuring Wealth of the '08 Candidates". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/24/AR2007032400305.html. Retrieved April 28 2008.  Zeleny Jeff (April 17 2008). "Book Sales Lifted Obamas' Income in 2007 to a Total of $4.2 Million". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/us/politics/17obama.html. Retrieved April 28 2008.  Shear Michael D.; Hilzenrath David S. (April 16 2010). "Obamas report $5.5 million in income on 2009 tax return". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/15/AR2010041504485.html. Retrieved December 22 2010.  "Obama says he won't be smoking in White House". Reuters. December 7 2008. http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4B61GF20081207. Retrieved February 28 2010.  Hook Janet (March 1 2010) "Obama in excellent health doctor says but he should quit smoking" Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 28 2010. "Obama still trying to kick smoking habit" KABC-TV December 10 2010. Retrieved January 30 2011. Zengerle Patricia (February 8 2011). "Yes he did: first lady says Obama quit smoking". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/08/us-obama-smoking-idUSTRE7176EL20110208. Retrieved May 9 2011.  Sheryl Gay Stolberg (February 8 2011). "The President Quits His Cigarette Habit". The New York Times The Caucus blog. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/the-president-quits-his-cigarette-habit/. Retrieved February 8 2011.  Obama (2006) pp. 202208. Portions excerpted in:Obama Barack (October 23 2006). "My Spiritual Journey". Time. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/09171154657900.html. Retrieved April 28 2008.  Obama Barack (June 28 2006). "'Call to Renewal' Keynote Address". Barack Obama: U.S. Senator for Illinois (website). http://obama.senate.gov/speech/060628-calltorenewal/. Retrieved June 16 2008.  Obama 'Christian By Choice': President Responds To Questioner by Charles Babington and Darlene Superville Associated Press September 28 2010 Video - President Obama: "I am a Christian By Choice" by ABC News September 29 2010 Kantor Jodi (April 30 2007). "Barack Obama's search for faith". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/world/americas/30iht-30obama.5501905.html. Retrieved April 30 2007.  Obama Barack (October 23 2006). "My Spiritual Journey". Time. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/09171154657900.html. Retrieved January 30 2011.  "Obama's church choice likely to be scrutinized". Associated Press. msnbc.com. November 17 2008. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27775757/. Retrieved January 20 2009.  Sullivan Amy (June 29 2009). "The Obamas Find a Church HomeAway from Home". Time. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/08599190761000.html. Retrieved December 14 2009.  References Mendell David (2007). Obama: From Promise to Power. New York: Amistad/HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-085820-6.  Obama Barack (1995 2004). Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. New York: Three Rivers Press. ISBN 1-4000-8277-3.  Obama Barack (2006). The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. New York: Crown Publishing Group. ISBN 0-307-23769-9.  Further reading Curry Jessica. "Barack Obama: Under the Lights" Chicago Life Fall 2004. Retrieved on January 14 2008. Graff Garrett. "The Legend of Barack Obama" Washingtonian November 1 2006. Retrieved on January 14 2008. Koltun Dave (2005) "The 2004 Illinois Senate Race: Obama Wins Open Seat and Becomes National Political "Star"" in "The Road to Congress 2004" Editors: Sunil Ahuja (Youngstown State University) and Robert Dewhirst (Truman State University) Nova Science Publishers Hauppauge New York Binding: Hardcover Pub. Date: 2005 ISBN 1-59454-360-7 Lizza Ryan. "Above the Fray" GQ September 2007. Retrieved on October 27 2010. MacFarquhar Larissa. "The Conciliator: Where is Barack Obama Coming From" New Yorker May 7 2007. Retrieved on January 14 2008. McClelland Edward Young Mr. Obama: Chicago and the Making of a Black President Bloomsbury Press 2010. Zutter Hank De. "What Makes Obama Run" Chicago Reader December 8 1995. Retrieved on January 14 2008. External links Barack Obama portal Chicago portal Hawaii portal Biography portal African American portal Government of the United States portal Find more about Barack Obama on Wikipedia's sister projects: Images and media from Commons News stories from Wikinews Quotations from Wikiquote Source texts from Wikisource Listen to this article (info/dl) This audio file was created from a revision of Barack Obama dated January 13 2010 and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. (Audio help) More spoken articles Official President Barack Obama White House official website Full transcript and video of President Obama's inaugural address (from whitehouse.gov) BarackObama.com (official website) Other Biography at WhoRunsGov.com at The Washington Post Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Voting record maintained by The Washington Post Biography voting record and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart Congressional profile at GovTrack.us Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues Financial information at OpenSecrets.org Staff salaries trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission Campaign contributions at the National Institute for Money in State Politics Appearances on C-SPAN programs Appearances on Charlie Rose programs Appearances at the Internet Movie Database Collected news and commentary at The New York Times Collected news and commentary at The Guardian Works by or about Barack Obama in libraries (WorldCat catalog) Profile at Notable Names Database Barack Obama at the Open Directory Project  Barack Obama succession and navigation boxes Illinois Senate Preceded by Alice Palmer Illinois State Senator from the 13th district 19972004 Succeeded by Kwame Raoul Party political offices Preceded by Carol Moseley Braun Democratic Party nominee for Senator from Illinois (Class 3) 2004 Succeeded by Alexi Giannoulias Preceded by Harold Ford Keynote Speaker of the Democratic National Convention 2004 Succeeded by Mark Warner Preceded by John Kerry Democratic Party presidential nominee 2008 Most recent United States Senate Preceded by Peter Fitzgerald United States Senator (Class 3) from Illinois 20052008 Served alongside: Dick Durbin Succeeded by Roland Burris Preceded by George Allen Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs 20072008 Succeeded by Jeanne Shaheen Political offices Preceded by George W. Bush President of the United States 2009present Incumbent Awards and achievements Preceded by Martti Ahtisaari Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2009 Succeeded by Liu Xiaobo United States order of precedence First United States order of precedence President of the United States Succeeded by Joe Biden as Vice President v d eBarack Obama Life and politics Early life and career  Illinois Senate career  U.S. House election in Illinois 2000  2004 Democratic National Convention  U.S. Senate election in Illinois 2004  U.S. Senate career  2008 presidential primary campaign  ObamaBiden 2008  Electoral history  Political positions (Economic Social Energy Foreign/Administration foreign policy)  Nobel Peace Prize  2012 presidential re-election campaign Presidency Transition  Inauguration  Timeline: 2009 2010 2011  Judiciary (Supreme Court candidates)  Foreign policy (Obama Doctrine)  First 100 days  Health care reform  Presidential trips (2009 2010 2011)  People pardoned  Death of Osama bin Laden Books Dreams from My Father  The Audacity of Hope  Of Thee I Sing Speeches "The Audacity of Hope" (2004)  "A More Perfect Union" (2008)  "Change Has Come to America" (2008)  "A New Birth of Freedom" (2009)  Joint session of Congress (February 2009)  "A New Beginning" (2009)  Joint session of Congress (September 2009)  State of the Union (2010)  Barack Obama Tucson memorial speech (2011)  State of the Union (2011) Family Michelle Obama (spouse)  Stanley Ann Dunham (mother)  Barack Obama Sr. (father)  Lolo Soetoro (stepfather)  Maya Soetoro-Ng (half-sister)  Stanley Armour Dunham (grandfather)  Madelyn Payne Dunham (grandmother)  Marian Shields Robinson (mother-in-law)  Craig Robinson (brother-in-law)  Bo (family dog)  Public image News and political events Speeches  Tea Party protests  Oprah Winfrey's endorsement  Citizenship conspiracy theories (litigation  legislation)  Religion conspiracy theories  Bill Ayers controversy  Jeremiah Wright controversy  Republican and conservative support (2008)  Barack Obama assassination threats   2008 assassination scare in Denver  2008 assassination scare in Tennessee  Inauguration invitations  Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial  Citizen's Briefing Book  Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009  New Energy for America  American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009  Gates-Crowley Rose Garden meeting  Resignation of Shirley Sherrod Books about Self-authored (Dreams from My Father  The Audacity of Hope)  Obama: From Promise to Power  Barack Obama - Der schwarze Kennedy  The Case Against Barack Obama  The Obama Nation  Culture of Corruption  Catastrophe  Barack and Michelle  Game Change  The Speech  The Obama Story Music Obama Girl ("I Got a Crush... on Obama")  "Barack the Magic Negro"  will.i.am ("Yes We Can"  "We Are the Ones")  "There's No One as Irish as Barack O'Bama"  "S Se Puede Cambiar"  "My President"  "Deadheads for Obama"  "Air and Simple Gifts"   Change Is Now  Hope! Das Obama Musical Other media Artists for Obama  "Hope" poster  "Joker" poster  The Situation Room (photograph)  Obama logo  In comics Miscellaneous Places named after Obama  Obama Day (Kenya) Book:Barack Obama  Category:Barack Obama  Portal:Barack Obama v d eUnited States presidential election 2012 United States elections 2012  National polls  Statewide polls  Timeline Democratic Party Convention Incumbent President: Barack Obama (campaign)  (positions) Incumbent Vice President: Joe Biden Candidates:Warren Mosler  Randall Terry Prospective candidates: Alvin Greene Republican Party Convention  Primary polls Primaries Candidates: Herman Cain (campaign)  Newt Gingrich (campaign)   Gary Johnson (campaign)  Fred Karger  Andy Martin  Jimmy McMillan  Roy Moore  Ron Paul (campaign)  Tim Pawlenty (campaign)  Buddy Roemer (campaign)  Mitt Romney (campaign)  Rick Santorum (campaign)  Jonathon Sharkey Prospective candidates: Michele Bachmann  John R. Bolton  Jim DeMint  Rudy Giuliani  Jon Huntsman Jr.  Peter T. King  Thad McCotter  Sarah Palin  George Pataki  Rick Perry 2011 events: New Hampshire Straw Poll  CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference)  Texas Straw Poll  Ames Straw Poll  Third party and independent candidates Green Party Candidates: Stewart Alexander  Kent Mesplay Libertarian Party Convention Candidates: R. Lee Wrights Prohibition Party Candidates: James Hedges Socialist Party USA Candidates: Stewart Alexander Independents Candidates: Robert Burck  Joe Schriner Prospective candidates: Ralph Nader Draft movements Michael Bloomberg (movement) Other 2012 elections: House  Senate  Gubernatorial Authority control: PND: 132522136 LCCN: n94112934 VIAF: 52010985 Persondata Name Obama Barack Alternative names Short description American politician 44th President of the United States Date of birth August 4 1961 Place of birth Honolulu Hawaii United States Date of death Place of death