Barack Obama

Guide Note

Barack Obama is a senator from Illinois and the presumptive nominee from the Democratic Party for the 2008 Presidential Election.

Obama is the author of two books including The Audacity of Hope, a New York Times bestseller. He is married to Michelle Obama and has two daughters.

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Barack Hussein Obama II
2. Born: August 4, 1961
3. Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii
4. Illinois Senator: 2005 to present
5. Political Party: Democrat
6. June 3, 2008: Became presumptive candidate in the 2008 Presidential Election
7. 1983: Graduated from Columbia University
8. 1991: Graduated from Harvard Law School
9. Has written two books: Dreams of My Father (1995) and The Audacity of Hope (2006)
10. Spouse: Michelle Obama
11. Two children: Malia Ann and Natasha
12. Formerly a member of Trinity United Church Of Christ

Obama was born to a Kenyan father and white American mother. He spent most of his youth growing up in Hawaii. At age six, Obama moved with his mother to Jakarta, Indonesia.¹

His time spent in the predominantly Muslim country has forced Obama to dispel various myths and distortions about his ties to Islam, including the rumor that he was schooled in a Madrassa.²

Obama received his education in Indonesia in a secular school. During his high school years in Hawaii, Obama played on the Punahou High School varsity basketball team in the 1970s, helping the team win the state championship.³

Obama attended Occidental College before transferring to the University of Columbia and received his law degree from Harvard University. After law school, Obama worked as a community organizer and university lecturer.^{4 5}

Obama served in the Illinois senate from 1997 to 2004, representing Chicago's 13th district.

While in the Illinois senate, Obama sponsored legislation reforming ethics and health care laws. While running for the U.S. Senate, Obama was criticized for his voting of "present" on a series of controversial abortion bills. Obama has explained that he voted "present" simply as a tactic to avoid being pigeonholed by Republican lawmakers, and Planned Parenthood has stated that the organization worked with Obama on the votes and testified to his pro-choice views.⁶

On October 2, 2002, Obama delivered a high-profile speech during a Chicago anti-war rally. He gave his remarks on the same day President George W. Bush and congress announced the resolution authorizing military intervention in Iraq.⁷

In the speech, Obama said "I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars."⁸

Obama began his U.S. Senate career in 2005 and has worked on several pieces of high-profile legislation.¹

While serving in the Senate, Obama held assignments on the Foreign Relations Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, and the Veteran's Affairs Committee.¹

Obama announced his intention to run for the Democratic nomination for president in February, 2007.

Though his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton led in most polls until 2008, Obama's campaign attracted large numbers of small donors on the internet and remained competitive in fundraising before out-raising Clinton in 2008.⁹

Obama has touted his ability to bring change to Washington, espousing a brand of "post-partisan" politics.¹⁰

He won the Iowa caucuses and essentially tied Clinton in pledged delegates after the Super Tuesday contests on February 5, 2008. Obama went on to win all the remaining contests in February, amassing more pledged delegates than Sen. Clinton.¹¹

On June 3, 2008 Obama became the presumptive nominee of the Democratic party in the 2008 Presidential Election.¹²