Barack Obama

Barack Hussein Obama is the 44th president of the United States. He was elected on Nov. 4, 2008, and sworn in on Jan. 20, 2009, becoming the country’s first African-American president.

The son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas, Mr. Obama defeated more experienced candidates with a message of hope and change. The one-term US senator won the Democratic nomination after prevailing in an epic primary battle with then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. He went on to defeat Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona with 52.9 percent of the popular vote to Senator McCain's 45.7 percent, and an electoral college margin of 365 to 173.

During Obama’s first year in office, the poor economy dominated much of his agenda. With Congress’s approval, he used a $789 billion stimulus package to pump money into the economy and oversaw a controversial bailout of the financial system. He has stepped up America’s military presence in Afghanistan, while tapering off military actions in Iraq. Obama also made healthcare reform a priority, but has not succeeded in moving it all the way through Congress.

Obama was born Aug. 4, 1961, in Hawaii. He graduated from Columbia University in New York with a degree in political science, in 1983. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1991. Prior to becoming president, Obama served eight years in the Illinois state Senate and four years as a US senator from Illinois.

In 2009, Obama became the third US president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”

He is married to Michelle Robinson Obama, with whom he has two daughters, Sasha and Malia.

Latin America Monitor
The difference between Democrats and Republicans on Brazil

Engaging with Brazil is far more important to the hemisphere than Cuba or Venezuela, writes guest blogger James Bosworth. But US-Brazil relations have not been prioritized by Republicans.
The Vote
Obama talks fatherhood - and why he helps coach Sasha's basketball team

Ahead of Father's Day, Obama said in his weekly address that children need parents' time and love, plus structure. Hmm. Do 'structure' and 'youth basketball' with 10-year-olds go together?
The Vote
Obama budget: why all the number crunching by OMB may be useless

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) puts in hours and hours of overtime coordinating figures as it prepares the president's budget.
With Hu, Obama more direct about US expectations of China

Obama and Hu, at a joint news conference Wednesday, stressed benefits of US-China cooperation. But Obama also urged 'level playing field' for US firms, as Hu stressed principle of 'mutual respect.'
Gabrielle Giffords shooting: a leadership moment for Obama, Boehner

Gabrielle Giffords tragedy – and that of 19 others killed or wounded during a mass shooting Saturday – puts special demands on President Obama and new House Speaker John Boehner.
Obama's full-court press to make up with business community

Obama has named economist Gene Sperling as head of the National Economic Council. The president has made other moves to patch up relations with the business community.
The Vote
Has Obama won the tax cut staredown of 2010?

Both the left and right are mad about the tax-cut bill. Does that mean President Obama will benefit from appearing to stand at the center of American politics?
What NATO looks like in the age of European austerity

Amid budget cutbacks and a 'diminishing appetite' for war, Europe has turned increasingly to the 'soft power' assignments like training and institution-building.
At NATO summit, Obama's ride is talk of the town

Some heads of state are zipping around Lisbon, host city of the NATO summit, in no-emission electric vehicles. Security dictates that Obama travel in the no-efficiency 'Beast,' a vehicle that fascinates the local press.
The Vote
Obama and tax cuts: How far toward GOP will he go?

President Obama appears to be open to working with Republicans to extend Bush-era tax cuts. Keeping today's lower tax rates for the wealthy, temporarily, appears to be on the table.
Obama's Asia trip: the free trade conundrum

Obama will press for countries at the G20 summit to adopt measures for addressing trade imbalances. Also, the Obama administration recently stepped up talks with South Korea on modifying the free trade agreement with the US.
Will Obama face a primary challenger in 2012?

President Obama has to worry both about the newly empowered Republicans and about the possibility of a primary challenger from his left. Sen. Russ Feingold is one name that has come up, although a spokesman has denied such plans currently.
After 'shellacking,' can foreign policy be a bright spot for Obama?

The foreign policy front, including the issues of trade and arms control, could present opportunities for Obama to boost his standing with the US electorate. But pitfalls and challenges also loom.
The Vote
Barack Obama: why he's inviting Boehner and friends to White House

Barack Obama said he wants the Nov. 18 meeting with congressional leaders to focus on the economy, tax cuts, unemployment insurance, and passage of a new nuclear-arms treaty with Russia.
Obama calls midterm elections 'humbling,' promises to do better

He acknowledged the 'shellacking' Democrats took in the midterm elections. But at his press conference Wednesday, Obama did not back away from policies that got him in trouble with voters.
Why Obama is talking about working with Republicans

Polls now show that Republicans will gain control of the House of Representatives. As President Obama campaigns for Democrats, he says he can work with the GOP after the Nov. 2 elections.
Vox News
President Obama's week of wooing younger Democrats

All week President Obama has been trying to reenergize the youth vote for the Democrats. Comedians Jon Stewart and David Letterman had some suggestions for President Obama as he works to combat the Democrats' apathy.
Nicaraguans say US turns blind eye to abuses of Daniel Ortega

Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega has been accused of rigging elections, manipulating the Supreme Court, and threatening the press. Unlike during his term in the 1980s, this time Washington has other problems to deal with.
Obama's stature among Muslims slips over Israeli-Palestinian standoff

A year after Barack Obama's famous Cairo speech, failure to make headway in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has become a focal point for disappointment among Muslims. Sixty percent of Arabs say he's too weak to deliver a peace agreement.
The Vote
Who do Americans blame for the economic recession: Obama or Bush?

A new Gallup poll suggests that far more Americans still hold former President George W. Bush responsible for the economic recession. But the numbers are going the wrong way for Obama.
Obama's nuclear summit report card: incomplete, for now

In many ways, the nuclear summit was a victory for President Obama. But it also suggested that his goal of putting nuclear weapons under lock and key won't be realized quickly or easily.
Obama and Medvedev step closer to nuclear weapons-free world

A phone call today between Barack Obama and Dmitri Medvedev sealed the deal for the US and Russia to reduce strategic nuclear weapons by almost one-third and to halve the number of delivery vehicles, such as missiles and bombers.
Obama to appear on Fox News, with healthcare reform down to the wire

Obama will sit for an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, to be broadcast Wednesday at 6 p.m., Eastern time.
Obama's Nobel Prize money: education groups to get most of it

Of the 10 charities receiving part of Obama's $1.4 million Nobel Prize award, six directly support higher education for student groups that are traditionally underserved.
Obama outlines strategy to boost US exports -- and jobs

Obama is ordering the creation of an ‘export promotion cabinet’ – one of several things he described in a speech Thursday in an effort to double US exports. The goal is to create 2 million jobs within the next five years.