Who Is Barack Obama?

Barack Obama is an American politician and attorney who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African American president of the United States. He previously served as a U.S. senator from Illinois from 2005 to 2008 and as an Illinois state senator from 1997 to 2004.

Early Life and Education

Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His mother, Ann Dunham, was an American of European descent, and his father, Barack Obama Sr., was a Kenyan economist. Obama's parents met while attending the University of Hawaii. When Obama was two years old, his father left to study at Harvard University, and the couple later divorced.

Obama was raised primarily by his mother and his maternal grandparents, Madelyn and Stanley Dunham. From ages six to ten, he lived in Jakarta, Indonesia, with his mother and stepfather, Lolo Soetoro. He then returned to Honolulu to live with his grandparents and attended Punahou School, a prestigious college preparatory school, where he excelled academically and played on the basketball team.

After graduating from high school in 1979, Obama attended Occidental College in Los Angeles for two years before transferring to Columbia University in New York City, where he majored in political science with a specialization in international relations. He graduated from Columbia in 1983 and worked for a year at Business International Corporation and then as a community organizer in Chicago.

In 1988, Obama enrolled at Harvard Law School, where he was elected president of the Harvard Law Review in his first year. He graduated magna cum laude in 1991 and returned to Chicago to practice civil rights law and teach constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004.

Early Career

Obama began his political career in 1996 when he was elected to the Illinois State Senate, representing the 13th district. During his time in the Illinois Senate, he worked on a variety of issues, including welfare reform, healthcare, and early childhood education. He gained a reputation as a thoughtful and pragmatic legislator who was able to work with members of both parties.

In 2004, Obama ran for the U.S. Senate seat representing Illinois. He delivered a memorable keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, which catapulted him to national prominence. He won the Senate election in a landslide, defeating Republican candidate Alan Keyes. As a U.S. Senator, Obama focused on issues such as energy policy, poverty reduction, and nuclear nonproliferation.

Presidential Campaigns and Elections

In February 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States. He faced a formidable opponent in Hillary Clinton, who was then a U.S. Senator from New York and the wife of former President Bill Clinton. The 2008 Democratic primary race was closely contested, but Obama ultimately prevailed, securing the Democratic nomination.

In the general election, Obama faced Republican candidate John McCain, a U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama's campaign emphasized themes of hope and change, and he mobilized a large grassroots movement of supporters. He defeated McCain in the election, winning 365 electoral votes to McCain's 173, and was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States on January 20, 2009.

In 2012, Obama ran for reelection against Republican candidate Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts. The election was closer than the 2008 election, but Obama ultimately won, securing 332 electoral votes to Romney's 206. He was inaugurated for his second term on January 20, 2013.

Presidency

Domestic Policy

During his presidency, Obama enacted several significant domestic policy initiatives. One of his signature achievements was the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, which aimed to expand health insurance coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. The ACA faced significant political opposition, but it survived numerous legal challenges and remains in effect today.

Obama also took action to address the economic crisis that began in 2008. He signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a stimulus package designed to boost economic growth and create jobs. The Obama administration also oversaw the bailout of the auto industry, which helped to prevent the collapse of General Motors and Chrysler.

Other notable domestic policy achievements of the Obama administration include the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which had prohibited openly gay people from serving in the military, and the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which aimed to prevent another financial crisis.

Foreign Policy

Obama also pursued a number of important foreign policy initiatives during his presidency. He ended the war in Iraq, authorized the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, and negotiated the Iran nuclear deal, which limited Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

The Obama administration also worked to improve relations with Cuba, normalizing diplomatic relations and easing travel and trade restrictions. Obama also launched the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade agreement with several countries in the Asia-Pacific region, although the TPP was later withdrawn by the Trump administration.

Post-Presidency

After leaving office in 2017, Obama has remained active in public life. He and his wife, Michelle Obama, established the Obama Foundation, which works on a variety of issues, including education, leadership development, and community organizing. Obama has also written a memoir, "A Promised Land," which was published in 2020 and became a bestseller.

Obama continues to be a prominent voice in American politics and is widely respected around the world. His presidency was a historic one, and his legacy is likely to be debated and analyzed for many years to come.

Legacy and Impact

Barack Obama's presidency had a profound impact on American society and politics. As the first African American president, he broke down racial barriers and inspired millions of people around the world. His policy achievements, such as the Affordable Care Act and the end of the war in Iraq, have had a lasting impact on the country.

Obama's presidency also marked a shift in American foreign policy, with a greater emphasis on diplomacy and international cooperation. He worked to restore America's standing in the world and to address global challenges such as climate change and terrorism.

Whether one agrees with his policies or not, there is no doubt that Barack Obama was a transformational figure in American history. His presidency will be remembered for its historic significance and its lasting impact on the country and the world.