Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. As a member of the Democratic Party, he made history as the first African-American president in U.S. history. Prior to his presidency, Obama served as a U.S. senator for Illinois from 2005 to 2008 and as an Illinois state senator from 1997 to 2004.
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44th President of the United States In office | |
| Born | Barack Hussein Obama II August 4, 1961 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Known for | |
| Education |
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| Occupation | Politician , lawyer, author |
| Spouse | Michelle Robinson (m.) |
| Partner(s) | |
| Children | Malia , Sasha |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Obama family |
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Obama graduated from Columbia University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and later worked as a community organizer in Chicago. He attended Harvard Law School in 1988, where he became the first black president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. Afterward, he worked as a civil rights attorney and as a constitutional law professor at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. In 1996, Obama was elected to represent Illinois' 13th district in the state senate, a role he held until 2004 when he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate. During the 2008 presidential election, after a tight primary battle with Hillary Clinton, Obama secured the Democratic nomination and chose Joe Biden as his running mate, ultimately defeating Republican nominee John McCain.
Obama was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, a decision that sparked both praise and criticism. During his first term, he led efforts to address the 2007–2008 financial crisis, implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (a major stimulus package) and the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform legislation. He also appointed Supreme Court justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, with Sotomayor becoming the first Hispanic American to serve on the Court. Obama oversaw the end of the Iraq War and authorized Operation Neptune Spear, the operation that led to the death of Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks. His administration shifted away from the Bush-era counterinsurgency approach, focusing more on air strikes and special forces, while supporting host governments' military efforts. He also initiated the 2011 military intervention in Libya, which contributed to the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi.
In the 2012 presidential election, Obama defeated Republican opponent Mitt Romney. In his second term, he advocated for stricter gun control laws following the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and made strides in combating climate change by signing the Paris Agreement and enacting an executive order to limit carbon emissions. Obama also continued to implement the Affordable Care Act and pursued other key reforms from his first term. He imposed sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine and its interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and directed military operations in Iraq to combat ISIL. Obama also negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (a nuclear deal with Iran) and restored diplomatic relations with Cuba. The number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan decreased under his leadership, although American soldiers remained in the country throughout his presidency. Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to publicly support same-sex marriage and promoted inclusion for LGBT Americans.
Obama left office in 2017 with high approval ratings both domestically and internationally. He continues to reside in Washington, D.C. and remains an active figure in U.S. politics, supporting various candidates, including his Vice President Joe Biden's successful 2020 presidential bid. In addition to his political career, Obama has written three books: Dreams from My Father (1995), The Audacity of Hope (2006), and A Promised Land (2020). His presidential library, located on the South Side of Chicago, began construction in 2021. Historians and political scientists often rank Obama among the top American presidents.
Early Life and Career
Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961, at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu, Hawaii, making him the first U.S. president born outside the contiguous 48 states. His mother, Ann Dunham, was a Kansas-born American of mixed European descent, and his father, Barack Obama Sr., was a Kenyan Luo. His parents met in 1960 at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where Obama Sr. was a foreign student. They married in 1961, just months before Obama was born. The couple divorced in 1964, and Obama Sr. returned to Kenya, where he worked for the Kenyan government and later died in a car crash in 1982.
In 1963, Ann Dunham married Lolo Soetoro, an Indonesian graduate student. The family moved to Indonesia in 1967, where Obama attended local schools for several years. Fluent in Indonesian, he experienced a different culture during his early childhood. After living in Jakarta for several years, Obama returned to Honolulu in 1971 to live with his maternal grandparents and attended Punahou School, a prestigious private school in Hawaii. He continued using the nickname "Barry" during his high school years.
Obama faced challenges growing up, including navigating his identity as a biracial child, but he credited his upbringing in Hawaii for shaping his worldview, teaching him the importance of diversity and mutual respect.
Education and Early Work
After graduating from high school in 1979, Obama attended Occidental College in Los Angeles on a full scholarship, where he first became active in political causes, including advocating for divestment from South Africa due to its apartheid policy. He transferred to Columbia University in New York in 1981, majoring in political science and English literature, and graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Following his graduation, Obama worked for a year as a financial researcher at Business International Corporation and later as a project coordinator for the New York Public Interest Research Group. In 1985, he moved to Chicago to become a community organizer for the Developing Communities Project, a role that helped him gain experience working on social issues such as job training and tenants' rights.
Harvard Law School and Early Legal Career
Obama’s time as a community organizer led him to pursue law, and he enrolled at Harvard Law School in 1988, where he quickly rose to prominence. By the end of his first year, he had been selected as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. He became the first African American president of the journal in his second year. During his summers, he worked as a law clerk for major law firms in Chicago. His academic excellence and leadership earned him a magna cum laude Juris Doctor degree in 1991.
Following graduation, Obama took a position as a Visiting Law and Government Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School while also writing his first book, Dreams from My Father, a memoir about race and his family. He later taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago for over a decade, becoming a senior lecturer and making a significant impact in the field.
Political Career
In 1992, Obama led Illinois's Project Vote, a voter registration campaign that helped register 150,000 African American voters. This success marked the beginning of his political career, eventually leading him to the Illinois State Senate in 1996.
Family and Personal Life
Barack Obama has often discussed the diversity of his extended family. In a 2006 interview, he humorously remarked, "It's like a little min
i-United Nations," highlighting the wide variety of family backgrounds, with relatives of different ethnicities and appearances. Obama has a half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, with
whom he was raised, and seven other half-siblings from his Kenyan father's side. His mother was survived by her Kansas-born mother, Madelyn Dunham, who passed away in 2008, just days before Obama's election. Obama also has Irish ancestry, and in 2011, he visited his Irish cousins in Moneygall. His family's heritage, as detailed in Dreams from My Father, also includes distant connections to both Native American ancestors and even Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy during the Civil War.
In his early adulthood, Obama had a relationship with anthropologist Sheila Miyoshi Jager, but it ended after two proposals were declined. Their relationship remained largely private until after Obama's presidency.
Marriage and Children
Obama's most notable personal relationship began in 1989 when he met Michelle Robinson, a lawyer at Sidley Austin in Chicago. After initially declining his advances, Michelle and Barack started dating and became engaged in 1991. They married on October 3, 1992, and have two daughters: Malia, born in 1998, and Sasha, born in 2001. The couple struggled with fertility issues, with Michelle experiencing a miscarriage before undergoing in vitro fertilization to conceive their children.
The family moved to Washington, D.C., when Obama became president, and their daughters attended Sidwell Friends School. The Obamas also had two Portuguese Water Dogs—Bo, a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy, and Sunny, a female dog who joined the family in 2013. Bo passed away in 2021 after a battle with cancer.
Obama is a fan of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bears, though he was initially a Pittsburgh Steelers fan during his youth. He played basketball in high school and is left-handed.
In 2005, the Obama family bought a house in the Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago using proceeds from Obama's book deal. This purchase was under scrutiny due to its connection to Tony Rezko, a campaign donor whose later legal troubles became part of the media narrative surrounding Obama.
Religious Views
Obama is a Protestant Christian, though his religious views evolved over time. He was not raised in a particularly religious household; his mother was spiritual but not religious, and his father was an atheist. Obama’s faith grew during his time as a community organizer in Chicago, where he witnessed the role of black churches in driving social change. He became a Christian in his adulthood, and in The Audacity of Hope, he wrote about how the teachings of Jesus Christ spoke to him personally.
While running for president, Obama was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, led by controversial pastor Jeremiah Wright, but he resigned from the church in 2008 after Wright's statements drew criticism. Since moving to Washington, the Obama family has attended various Protestant churches but does not regularly attend services.
In 2016, Obama revealed that he carries a variety of religious items for inspiration, including rosary beads from Pope Francis, a Coptic cross, and a small Buddha statue, reflecting his broad spiritual influences.
Legal Career
Obama’s legal career included working at Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, a law firm focused on civil rights litigation and economic development. He was involved in significant legal cases, including Buycks-Roberson v. Citibank, a class action lawsuit concerning discriminatory practices by a bank. Obama also served on several nonprofit boards in Chicago, including the Woods Fund and the Joyce Foundation. He served as the president and chairman of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, an educational reform initiative. His law license became inactive in 2007, shortly before he became a U.S. senator.
Legislative Career
Illinois Senate (1997–2004)
Barack Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996, representing the 13th District, which included neighborhoods in Chicago such as Hyde Park, Kenwood, South Shore, and Chicago Lawn. He succeeded Democratic State Senator Alice Palmer. During his time in the Illinois Senate, Obama garnered bipartisan support for several pieces of legislation, including reforms in ethics, health care, and welfare. He sponsored a law to increase tax credits for low-income workers, negotiated welfare reform, and advocated for more subsidies for childcare. In 2001, as co-chair of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported payday loan regulations and efforts to prevent home foreclosures through regulations on predatory mortgage lending.
Re-elected in 1998 and 2002, Obama faced a setback in 2000 when he lost a Democratic primary race for Illinois's 1st congressional district to incumbent Bobby Rush. In January 2003, Obama was appointed chairman of the Illinois Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee, where he successfully led bipartisan efforts to monitor racial profiling by requiring police to record the race of detained drivers and making Illinois the first state to mandate the videotaping of homicide interrogations.
2004 U.S. Senate Campaign in Illinois
Obama began laying the groundwork for a U.S. Senate run in 2002, commissioning a poll and raising funds. He officially announced his candidacy in 2003. One of his key stances during the campaign was his vocal opposition to the 2003 Iraq War, which he had publicly criticized even before the U.S. invasion.
The 2004 Illinois U.S. Senate race saw multiple candidates, but Obama gained national attention after winning the Democratic primary in a landslide. His rising national profile was further solidified in July 2004 when he delivered a powerful keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, watched by millions of viewers. His speech, which called for unity across party lines, garnered significant praise and solidified his place within the Democratic Party.
In the November 2004 general election, Obama faced Republican candidate Alan Keyes, who replaced Jack Ryan after Ryan withdrew from the race. Obama won in a landslide, receiving 70 percent of the vote and becoming the first African American U.S. Senator from Illinois.
U.S. Senate (2005–2008)
Obama was sworn in as a U.S. Senator on January 3, 2005. He was the only member of the Congressional Black Caucus in the Senate. During his time in the Senate, Obama introduced landmark initiatives, including the Lugar–Obama initiative, which aimed to expand nuclear nonproliferation efforts, and the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, which led to the creation of the USAspending.gov website to track federal spending.
In 2006, Obama sponsored the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, which became law and marked his first piece of legislation enacted at the federal level. He also sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act in 2007 that added safeguards for personality-disorder military discharges and introduced the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act to divest pension funds from Iran’s oil and gas industry.
Obama was assigned to several Senate committees, including Foreign Relations, Environment and Public Works, and Veterans' Affairs, and later added Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and Homeland Security to his portfolio. As the Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee on European Affairs, Obama took official trips to regions such as Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. Notably, he met with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and spoke out against corruption in the Kenyan government.
Obama resigned from the Senate on November 16, 2008, to focus on his transition to the presidency.
Presidential Campaigns
2008
Barack Obama announced his candidacy for the U.S. presidency on February 10, 2007, in Springfield, Illinois, emphasizing issues like ending the Iraq War, energy independence, and health care reform. He gained momentum in the Democratic Party's primaries, defeating rivals including Senator Hillary Clinton. On June 2, 2008, Obama secured the necessary delegates to clinch the nomination, and Clinton endorsed him shortly after. Obama chose Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his vice-presidential running mate.
Obama's campaign broke fundraising records, particularly with small donations, and he became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn down public financing for the general election. In the fall, Obama debated Republican nominee John McCain three times and eventually won the election with 365 electoral votes to McCain's 173. He received 52.9% of the popular vote, marking a historic victory as the first African-American president of the United States.
2012
Obama filed for re-election in 2011 and faced little opposition in the Democratic primaries. His main challenger was Republican Mitt Romney, with Paul Ryan as his vice-presidential running mate. Obama won re-election on November 6, 2012, securing 332 electoral votes and 51.1% of the popular vote. He became the first Democratic president since Franklin D. Roosevelt to win the popular vote twice. Obama's victory speech highlighted his desire to focus on action and work with leaders from both parties.
Presidency (2009–2017)
First 100 Days
Obama took office on January 20, 2009. His first actions included executive orders to withdraw troops from Iraq and efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, although Congress thwarted these initiatives. He signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and expanded health care coverage for children. In his first two years, Obama appointed Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court, both historic selections.
Domestic Policy
Obama launched initiatives such as the White House Council on Women and Girls and the Priority Enforcement Program for immigration. In 2009, Obama reshaped NASA's space policy, focusing on Earth science and Mars exploration. He faced major challenges, including the 2012 Aurora shooting, and responded with gun control measures, including executive orders to expand background checks.
Obama's presidency saw significant changes in domestic policies and his global approach, including efforts for common-sense gun reform and surveillance oversight after the Edward Snowden leaks.
Racial Issues
Post-Racial America and Tensions
Obama's election sparked debate over the idea of a "post-racial America," but racial tensions persisted throughout his presidency. Many African-Americans expressed frustration with the intense racial animosity directed at Obama. Notable events, such as the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin and the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, led to widespread protests and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. Obama, initially reluctant to speak on race, began to address the disadvantages faced by minority groups by 2014, acknowledging systemic racism and calling for change.
Police and Civil Rights Activists
Obama's efforts to build trust between law enforcement and civil rights activists faced criticism from both sides. Some law enforcement officers criticized Obama's condemnation of racial bias, while racial justice activists disapproved of his empathetic remarks toward police officers. In 2016, a Gallup poll revealed that a significant portion of Americans, about one-third, expressed deep concern about race relations, reflecting the heightened tensions during Obama's presidency.
LGBT Rights
Hate Crimes Legislation and HIV Travel Ban
In 2009, Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, expanding federal hate crime laws to include those motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability. Obama also lifted the travel ban on individuals infected with HIV in 2009, a decision that was celebrated by the LGBTQ+ community. The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 allowed gay and lesbian individuals to serve openly in the U.S. military, fulfilling one of Obama's campaign promises.
Same-Sex Marriage
Initially opposing same-sex marriage, Obama evolved in his views over time. In 2012, he became the first sitting U.S. president to openly support the legalization of same-sex marriage. By 2013, the Obama administration had filed briefs urging the Supreme Court to rule in favor of same-sex couples in key legal cases, marking a significant shift in the national discourse on LGBTQ+ rights.
Economic Policy
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
In response to the 2008 financial crisis, Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009, an economic stimulus package designed to address the recession. It included investments in health care, infrastructure, education, tax breaks, and direct assistance to individuals. Obama's economic team, led by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, introduced measures such as the Public–Private Investment Program to manage the financial crisis and restore stability.
Deficit, Debt, and Economic Recovery
Obama's administration faced significant challenges with rising deficits and debt, but his economic policies were credited with helping the country recover from the Great Recession. The unemployment rate peaked at 10.0% in 2009 but gradually fell throughout Obama's tenure. The economy showed signs of recovery, with GDP growth rebounding in 2009 and continuing into 2010. While the pace of recovery was slower than many had hoped, the U.S. economy grew faster than other NATO members due to Obama's stimulus plan.
Job Growth and Economic Expansion
Obama's stimulus package is credited with creating millions of jobs, though its full impact on employment is debated. By the end of 2012, the unemployment rate had dropped to 7.7%, and it continued to fall throughout 2013 and 2014. The economy expanded, but the pace of job growth under Obama was slower than previous presidents, except George W. Bush.
Tax Relief and Income Inequality
In December 2010, Obama reached a compromise with Congressional Republicans, extending tax cuts and unemployment benefits while implementing a payroll tax reduction. In 2013, Obama called income inequality a "defining challenge of our time" and pushed for Congress to take action on raising wages and bolstering the safety net. He also advocated for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal aimed at improving economic conditions globally.
Environmental Policy
BP Oil Spill
On April 20, 2010, the BP oil spill became a major environmental disaster when an offshore drilling rig at the Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico exploded. Obama responded by visiting the Gulf, launching a federal investigation, and establishing a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards. Following this, Obama enacted a six-month moratorium on new deepwater drilling permits. Critics of the government's response expressed frustration at the lack of a swift resolution and greater federal involvement. Earlier that year, Obama had lifted a ban on offshore oil and gas drilling to help push for an energy and climate bill.
Keystone XL Pipeline
In July 2013, Obama raised concerns about the environmental impact of the Keystone XL pipeline, specifically its potential to increase carbon emissions. In February 2015, he vetoed a bill that would have approved the pipeline, marking his third veto as president.
Banning Offshore Drilling
In December 2016, Obama permanently banned new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S.-owned waters in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, using the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Act.
Federal Land Conservation
Obama utilized the Antiquities Act to create 25 new national monuments, expanding protections for 553 million acres of federal land and waters—more than any other president. This initiative emphasized his commitment to conservation.
Health Care Reform
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
One of Obama's key legislative goals was to reform healthcare. He proposed expanding insurance coverage, capping premium increases, and ensuring people could retain coverage when changing jobs. A significant feature was the establishment of a public option to compete with private insurers, aiming to lower costs and improve care. The ACA, signed into law on March 23, 2010, included provisions such as expanding Medicaid eligibility, creating health insurance exchanges, and prohibiting discrimination based on pre-existing conditions. It also introduced subsidies for low- and middle-income families to help with premiums.
Legal Challenges
The ACA faced numerous legal challenges, particularly over the individual mandate, which required Americans to purchase insurance. In June 2012, the Supreme Court upheld the mandate as a tax under Congress's authority. Further challenges arose, such as in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, where the Court ruled that some corporations could opt out of providing contraceptive coverage on religious grounds. Another significant ruling in 2015 affirmed subsidies for individuals purchasing insurance on both state and federal exchanges.
Foreign Policy
Reset with Russia and Engagement with the Muslim World
Obama sought a new approach to U.S. foreign relations. He emphasized the "reset" of U.S.-Russia relations, and in his first interview, granted a message to the Iranian government. His landmark speech in Cairo in June 2009 was aimed at improving relations between the U.S. and the Islamic world.
Drone Strikes and the War on Terror
Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen that killed Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-born Al-Qaeda leader. This marked the first time a U.S. citizen was targeted and killed by a drone. This decision led to significant debate over the violation of due process rights. Obama also authorized U.S. support for Saudi Arabia's intervention in Yemen, including intelligence and logistical assistance.
War in Iraq
Obama initially planned to end combat operations in Iraq by 2010, but the rise of ISIS in 2014 led to a shift. After ISIS captured Mosul, Obama ordered airstrikes and sent U.S. troops to help combat the group. By 2015, more than 4,000 American troops were deployed to assist in the fight against ISIS.
Afghanistan and Pakistan
Obama shifted U.S. focus from Iraq to Afghanistan, emphasizing the latter as a primary threat to U.S. security. He increased U.S. troop levels and implemented counterinsurgency tactics, and in 2009, authorized the deployment of 30,000 additional troops. Relations with Pakistan, especially its tribal areas, were critical to the U.S. strategy, as Obama aimed to eliminate terrorist sanctuaries. The complexities of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship were central to his administration's strategy in the region.
Death of Osama bin Laden
In 2011, after months of CIA intelligence work, Obama authorized the Navy SEAL raid that resulted in the killing of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. This marked a significant moment in the War on Terror, and the operation was widely celebrated as a major success.
Relations with Cuba
Obama's approach to Cuba marked a major shift, culminating in the 2014 announcement of a restored relationship with the island nation. Through secret meetings and Pope Francis’s mediation, the U.S. and Cuba restored diplomatic relations after decades of hostility. Obama’s visit to Cuba in 2016 symbolized this thaw in relations, regarded as one of his significant foreign policy achievements.
Israel
Obama maintained strong military ties with Israel but also advocated for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, challenging Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on certain issues, such as settlement expansions in East Jerusalem. His support for Israel was balanced with criticism over Israeli policies in the occupied territories.
Libya
Obama authorized U.S. military involvement in Libya in 2011 to enforce a no-fly zone and protect civilians during the Arab Spring uprising. However, the aftermath of Gaddafi's fall led to instability, and Obama later expressed regret over the lack of post-intervention planning.
Syrian Civil War
Obama took a stance against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2011 but faced challenges in Syria's complex civil war. His administration initially supported anti-Assad rebels but struggled with outcomes. Obama’s decision not to enforce a military response to Syria's chemical weapon use was a contentious moment in his foreign policy legacy.
Iran Nuclear Talks
In 2015, Obama finalized the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The deal was a centerpiece of his Middle East policy but was met with fierce criticism from both Republicans and Israel, especially regarding the lifting of sanctions and the issue of Iranian financing of militant groups.
Russia
Obama's relationship with Russia evolved from early attempts at "resetting" ties with President Medvedev to confrontations under Vladimir Putin. Obama pushed for arms control agreements, such as the New START treaty, but Russia's actions in Crimea, Syria, and the 2016 U.S. election interference led to tensions and criticism that Obama had failed to counter Putin’s ambitions effectively.
These international challenges and responses highlighted Obama's complex approach to foreign policy, balancing diplomacy, military intervention, and international agreements in a rapidly changing world.
Early Public Image:
Obama's background was distinctive in comparison to previous African-American politicians, particularly those who came up through the Civil Rights Movement. His own response to questions about his racial identity and image highlighted the generational differences in how Black identity was viewed in American politics. He was also widely praised for his oratory skills, often regarded as one of the most exceptional speakers of the 21st century.
Job Approval:
Obama’s approval ratings varied throughout his presidency, peaking at 68% at the start and dipping to the low 40s during mid-term elections. His approval spiked after the death of Osama bin Laden but fell again. However, he left office with a 59% approval rating, which was higher than that of many other recent presidents, such as George W. Bush. His post-presidency approval has remained strong, with a 63% rating in 2023.
Foreign Perceptions:
Obama enjoyed strong support internationally, being viewed as a respected and powerful leader. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, which sparked both praise and criticism. Globally, he was seen as a symbol of hope, especially during the global economic downturn, though his later years saw more complex relations, particularly with Russia and the Middle East.
Legacy and Achievements:
Obama's legacy is often viewed through the lens of his major policy accomplishments, especially the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which expanded healthcare coverage and became one of his signature achievements. His economic policies are credited with averting a depression after the Great Recession, with notable success in job creation. However, his presidency also had significant challenges, particularly with partisan gridlock and the mixed success of his foreign interventions.
Post-Presidency:
After leaving office, Obama has remained an influential figure. He established the Obama Foundation, produced content for Netflix through Higher Ground Productions, and was actively involved in supporting the 2020 Democratic campaign. He has continued to speak on key issues, including criticisms of President Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years, Obama’s public appearances, including his memoir’s release and podcasts with Bruce Springsteen, have kept him in the public eye.
Obama’s political legacy is multifaceted, with enduring respect for his leadership in areas such as healthcare reform, international diplomacy, and his role in shifting U.S. societal views on race, LGBT rights, and government accountability. However, he faced substantial criticism on issues such as military intervention, drone strikes, and the expansion of the surveillance state.
Barack Obama Presidential Center
The Barack Obama Presidential Center is planned to be Obama's presidential library, hosted by the University of Chicago and located in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago. The center will house a collection of Obama’s papers, memorabilia, and be a place for educational programs and public engagement.
Awards and Honors
Barack Obama has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his life:
- Nobel Peace Prize (2009) – Awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy.
- The Shoah Foundation Institute's Ambassador of Humanity Award (2014)
- John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award (2017)
- Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award (2018)
- Named TIME Magazine's Person of the Year in 2008 and 2012.
- Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word Album: Dreams from My Father (2006) and The Audacity of Hope (2008).
- Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Narrator for Our Great National Parks (2022) and Working: What We Do All Day (2023).
- Children’s and Family Emmy Awards.
Eponymy
Numerous places, institutions, and awards have been named after Barack Obama, reflecting his enduring influence on politics, culture, and society.
Bibliography
Barack Obama has authored several critically acclaimed books:
- Dreams from My Father (1995) – A memoir detailing his early life and struggles with identity.
- The Audacity of Hope (2006) – A book about his political philosophy and vision for America's future.
- Of Thee I Sing (2010) – A children’s book celebrating American ideals and heroes.
- A Promised Land (2020) – A memoir reflecting on his presidency and the challenges faced during his time in office.
Audiobooks
Obama has narrated the following audiobooks:
- The Audacity of Hope (2006) – Read by Obama himself.
- A Promised Land (2020) – Also narrated by Obama.
References
- Barack Obama (2022) The White House. Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/barack-obama/ (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
- Barack Obama (2025) Encyclopædia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Barack-Obama (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
- It’s been 20 years since Barack Obama made his DNC debut. he’s back to make the case for Kamala Harris (no date) WTTW News. Available at: https://news.wttw.com/2024/08/20/it-s-been-20-years-barack-obama-made-his-dnc-debut-he-s-back-make-case-kamala-harris (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
- The Obama family (no date) The Obama Family | Barack Obama Presidential Library. Available at: https://www.obamalibrary.gov/galleries/obama-family#131 (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
- Stiftung Deutsches Historisches Museum, S.H. der G. der B.D. (no date) Gerade auf Lemo Gesehen: Lemo Biografie: Barack Obama, Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Available at: https://www.hdg.de/lemo/biografie/barack-obama.html (Accessed: 14 January 2025).
