Barack Obama

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Barack Obama, President of the United States, was formerly the jr. senator for the state of Illinois

Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., a Democrat, is President of the United States. He was the only African-American currently serving in the U.S. Senate, the fifth in U.S. history and the third since Reconstruction. He was elected President of the United States on November 4, 2008, after winning the Democratic Party nomination. On November 4,2008 he was elected to the Presidency along with Joe Biden, becoming the first African American President of the U.S. On November 16, 2008, he resigned from his seat in the U.S. Senate. On January 20th, 2009 he became the 44th President of the United States of America.

Contents

Record, positions and controversies

Congressional scorecards

Click through the score to see the records of other members of Congress and full descriptions of the individual votes.

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Organization 2007 Scorecard
Score - Agree ratio 		2008 Scorecard
Score - Agree ratio
American Civil Liberties Union not avail. not avail.
American Conservative Union 7 - 1/25 not avail.
AFSCME 100 - 7/7 not avail.
Americans for Democratic Action 75 - 15/20 45 - 9/19
Club for Growth not avail. not avail.
Drum Major Institute not avail. not avail.
Family Research Council 0 - 0/9 0 - 0/9
Information Technology Industry Council 100 - 2/5 100 - 2/5
League of Conservation Voters not avail. 18 - 2/11
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People not avail. not avail.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce 33 - 2/11 not avail.


Education policy

Summary (how summaries work)

Obama received an "A" or 100% rating in 2005, 2006 and 2007 from the National Education Association.

Main article: Barack Obama/Education Policy


Elections and government policy

Summary (how summaries work)

Obama has been very active on ethics, election and campaign finance reform since he joined Congress.

Main article: Barack Obama/Elections and Government Policy


Economic policy

Summary (how summaries work)

Obama was a strong advocate of federal funds to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. He threatened to call hearings on what he called the slow reconstruction response of the Bush administration.

Additional Economic Policies continue to be inserted within campaign announcements within key swing states. Obama has included policy ideas regarding the creation of 5 million green energy jobs within during his first term. CBS News indicated that the idea was initially presented by Senator Clinton.

Main article: Barack Obama/Economic Policy


National security and foreign policy

Summary (how summaries work)

Iraq

Barack Obama opposed the Iraq War even before it began in 2002, though he hedged that opposition during the 2004 election, when the Democratic ticket had voted for the war. In 2007, Obama introduced a bill to remove most troops from Iraq within 16 months, a position he continues to hold, though an advisor has referred to this as a "best case scenario." Obama has a mixed record on Democratic attempts to end the war by defunding it - he has spoken against the tactic but also voted at least once against a bill containing further funding.

While publicly opposed to the war in Iraq, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari claimed that Barack Obama tried to persuade Iraqi leaders to stall a troop withdrawal. According to Zenari, Obama sought in July of 2008 to delay an agreement until after a new administration was established in Washington.

Veterans and soldiers conditions

In the wake of the Walter Reed scandal, Obama introduced legislation increasing standards of care and oversight of VA programs.

Darfur

Obama has called on the Bush administration to support a UN or NATO force in Darfur, increase pressure on Sudan to share power in Darfur, put pressure on nations supporting Sudan, and impose sanctions on Sudan.

Main article: Barack Obama/National Security and Foreign Policy


Energy and environment issues

Summary (how summaries work)

Energy issues

In 2006 Obama called for a deal with U.S. auto makers to pick up 10% of their $6.7 billion in retiree health costs in exchange for bringing more fuel-efficient vehicles to market. He also criticized the Bush administration for what he called a failure to back up with policies its call for "energy independence."

In 2007, activists protesting what they called Obama's lack of a clear position on nuclear waste disposal say they were forced to leave one of his presidential rallies.

Main article: Barack Obama/Energy and Environment Policy


Labor, immigration and retirement policy

Summary (how summaries work)

Minimum wage

In 2006, Obama sponsored a bill that would limit congressional raises to the same rate as increases in the federal minimum wage.

Main article: Barack Obama/Labor, Immigration and Retirement Policy


Rights, liberties and courts issues

Summary (how summaries work)
Main article: Barack Obama/Rights, Liberties and Courts Policy


Food and agriculture

Summary (how summaries work)
Main article: Barack Obama/Food and Agriculture Policy


Health policy

Summary (how summaries work)
Main article: Barack Obama/Health Policy


Tobacco control policy

Summary (how summaries work)
  • 2005: Obama voted to create the "Display of Tobacco Products Act" which makes it unlawful to sell, offer for sale, give away, or display tobacco products for sale at any location where the consumer can acquire those products through self-service. It also requires tobacco products to be displayed from behind a sales or service counter so that consumers cannot access tobacco products without assistance by an employee.
  • 2004: Obama voted to restrict the display of tobacco advertisements.
  • 2003: Obama co-sponsored a bill to use money from the Tobacco Settlement Recover Fund for comprehensive tobacco use prevention and reductions program to be administered by the Department of Health.
  • 2003: Obama sponsored a bill to make illegal alcoholic cigarette wrapping paper. 2003: Obama voted to prohibit cigarette distribution/sales within 1000 feet of a school.
  • 2003: Obama sponsored a bill to increase the minimum age to buy tobacco to 19 years.
  • 2002: Obama supported an Increase In the Illinois cigarette tax with revenues used to boost state funding.
  • 2002: Obama voted to allow employees of the Department of Revenue to arrest any person violating the Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1995.
  • 2001: Obama sponsored a bill prohibiting distribution of bidis (a type of cheap Indian cigarette made unprocessed tobacco wrapped in leaves).
  • 2001: Obama voted for a bill that taxed snuff (powdered tobacco sniffed up the nose instead of smoked).
  • 2001: Obama sponsored a bill to tax out-of-state tobacco distributors when they sell tobacco products to retailers and consumers in Illinois.
  • 2000: Obama sponsored a bill to ban the sale of bidi cigarettes.[1]
Main article: Barack Obama/Tobacco Control Policy


Communications, science and intellectual property

Summary (how summaries work)

Obama supports network neutrality legislation.

Main article: Barack Obama/Communications, Science and Intellectual Property


Infrastructure and Transportation Policy

Summary (how summaries work)
Main article: Barack Obama/Infrastructure and Transportation Policy


Social policy

Summary (how summaries work)
Main article: Barack Obama/Social Policy


Misc. controversies

Summary (how summaries work)

2005 investments

In 2007, it was reported that Obama had invested more than $50,000 in two companies whose major investors were some of his largest political donors. In 2005, Obama had pushed for more funding for avian flu, where one company had interests. The other company's principal backers included four friends and donors who had raised over $150,000 for his political committees. However, the latter company was invested in through a blind trust and a spokesman said that when Obama learned of the investments in late 2005 he sold both at a $13,000 loss.


Civilian National Security Force

On July 2nd, in Colorado Springs, Obama gave a speech where he called for a "civilian national security force" with as much power and funding as the U.S. military.


Main article: Barack Obama/Controversies


Biography

Obama was born August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Obama studied for two years at Occidental College, before transferring to Columbia University. There he majored in political science, with a specialization in international relations. Upon graduation, he worked for a year at newsletter publisher Business International (now part of The Economist Group), and moved to Chicago, where he was a community organizer in the Altgeld Gardens housing project on the city's South Side. It was during his time spent here that Obama joined the Trinity United Church of Christ. [1]

He left Chicago to study law at Harvard University, where he was elected the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. He graduated magna cum laude. After law school, he returned to Chicago and organized an aggressive voter registration effort that registered over 100,000 voters and aided in the election of President Bill Clinton and Senator Carol Moseley Braun, the first African-American woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate. Soon after, he joined a local civil rights law firm, and he became a lecturer of constitutional law at the University of Chicago.

Political career

In 1996, Obama was elected to the Illinois State Senate from the south side neighborhood of Hyde Park, in Chicago. He served as chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee when the Democrats regained control of the chamber. Regarded as a staunch liberal, but also "respected ... as a bipartisan dealmaker," during his tenure in the legislature, he helped to author a state Earned Income Tax Credit that provided benefits to the working poor. He also worked for legislation that would cover residents who could not afford health insurance. He successfully helped pass bills to increase funding for AIDS prevention and care programs. Obama also passed bills that put limits on racial profiling and put cameras in police interrogation rooms. [1]

In 2000, he ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for Illinois' 1st Congressional district against incumbent Bobby Rush. Rush had suggested during the campaign that Obama "wasn't black enough" for the position. Rush received 61% of the vote, while Obama received 30%. [1]

Obama was chosen to deliver a keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.

The April 18 2005 issue of TIME magazine listed the 100 most influential people in the world. Obama was included on the list under the section of 'Leaders and Revolutionaries' for his high-profile entrance to federal politics and his popularity within the Democratic Party. [1] British journal the New Statesman listed Obama as one of 10 people who will change the world in its October 2005 edition.

2004 Senate Race

In 2004, Obama ran for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Sen. Peter Fitzgerald. Obama squared off against Republican Jack Ryan, who ultimately had to drop out of the race due to sensationalistic scandal. Alan Keyes was chosen as the new GOP candidate. Keyes had gained much attention as a conservative firebrand in his unsuccessful presidential campaigns in 1996 and 2000. A Marylander, Keyes had established legal residency in Illinois with the nomination, the only requirement to run for office. The Chicago Tribune sarcastically greeted Keyes by editorializing: "Mr. Keyes may have noticed a large body of water as he flew into O'Hare. That is called Lake Michigan."

After a campaign in which Keyes called Obama's position on abortion, "the slave-holder's position", accused gays and lesbians of being "selfish hedonists", and claimed that Jesus would not vote for his opponent, Obama won handily in the general election, receiving 70% of the popular vote to Keyes's 27%.

First moves as a senator

Obama was sworn in on January 4, 2005. He ranked 99th out of 100 Senators in terms of official seniority (greater seniority brings greater privileges in the Senate).

Obama's first action in the Senate was to decline to be the Senate co-sponsor of a move to question Ohio's Electoral College votes following the 2004 presidential election. He then voted against the resolution. [1]

Obama came to the Senate with a plan that resembled the career of another high-profile Senator's first term, Hillary Clinton. Obama's "Plan" called for him to focus his energies on his home state, and in spite of overtures from more liberal activists, to stay out of the spotlight. In the first few months Obama held 39 town hall meetings. However, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the picture of class and race that it exposed caused Obama to step into the national spotlight sooner than he expected. He said of his first year, "I could have been much more quiet this year than I have been and gotten away with it ... People would have explained it as, 'He is taking the Hillary model.'"[1]

2008 presidential race

Obama announced on January 16, 2007 that he would "create a presidential exploratory committee" as the first step towards his potential candidacy for the 2008 presidential election [1]

On February 10, 2007, he announced in Springfield, Illinois that he would indeed seek the presidency in 2008. [1]

Also in February 2007, Dan Shapiro announced that he would become Obama's political advisor/strategist. [1] Shapiro was a long-time political operative on Capitol Hill, and was previously an advisor to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.). The appointment of Shapiro coincided with Obama's desire to deliver several speeches (including at the March 2007 AIPAC annual conference) to stress his devotion to Israel.

Shmuel Rosner described his view of the events in his Haaretz blog: "Oh, let's just say it: Jewish voters are major donors to the Democratic Party and its nominees." [1] Worth noting is that Lee Rosenberg, AIPAC's treasurer, is also "a backer, and a member of Obama's finance committee."[1] On July 11, 2007, the Obama campaign appointed Eric Lynn as its "liaison to Jewish Community" and advisor on Middle East issues.[1] Immediately after his appointment, Lynn beamed out an email that can be seen here. It's subject was "Barack Obama: A Strong Record of Supporting Israel."

Resignation from Senate

On November 16, 2008, President-Elect Obama resigned his seat in the United States Senate. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, will appoint a replacement.[1]

Money in politics

This section contains links to – and feeds from – money in politics databases. For specific controversies, see this article's record and controversies section.

Top Contributors to during the 2008 Election Cycle
DonorAmount (US Dollars)
University of California$ 1,598,395
Goldman Sachs$ 1,058,595
Harvard University$ 892,397
Microsoft Corp$ 837,117
Google Inc$ 809,436
JPMorgan Chase & Co$ 747,732
Citigroup Inc$ 723,840
Sidley Austin LLP$ 618,598
University of Chicago$ 616,115
Time Warner$ 608,584
Source: The Center for Responsive Politics' www.OpenSecrets.org site.
Note: Contributions are not from the organizations themselves, but are rather from
the organization's PAC, employees or owners. Totals include subsidiaries and affiliates.
Links to more campaign contribution information for Barack Obama
from the Center for Responsive Politics' OpenSecrets.org site.
Fundraising profile: 2008 election cycle Career totals
Top contributors by organization/corporation: 2008 election cycle Career totals
Top contributors by industry: 2008 election cycle Career totals


Committees and Affiliations

Committee assignments in the 110th Congress (2007-2009)

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

Coalitions and Caucuses

Boards and other Affiliations

More Background Data

Wikipedia also has an article on Barack Obama. This article may use content from the Wikipedia article under the terms of the GFDL.

Contact

Transition office contacts

Website: http://www.change.gov/

Twitter

Articles and Resources

See also

Resources

8New York PostObama Tried To Stall Gis' Iraq Withdrawal.

Articles about Barack Obama

By Barack Obama

Articles by Barack Obama

Interviews and Speeches

Published Works by Barack Obama

Local blogs and discussion sites

Related Congresspedia/SourceWatch Resources

References


    Semantic data

    Retrieved from "http://www.opencongress.org/wiki/Barack_Obama"
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