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Barack Hussein Obama (view source)

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{{Infobox Senator<!-- please do not edit infobox; it is now correct -->
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Barack Obama is a liberal Democratic Senator from Illinois, elected to the United States Senate in 2004 after serving as a state Senator. He is a liberal candidate and Democratic front-runner for the 2008 United States Presidential election. Commentators have noted that he has many strikes against him in the eyes of the American people, and many for him as well. He has been criticized as being politically inexperienced, although he has retorted showing that some of the greatest presidents in American history were criticized for the same reason. He often speaks about his father's African descent and has written [[The Audacity of Hope]], a national bestseller, published in late 2006.  
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| name = Barack Obama<!-- PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THIS NAME; SEE TALK ARCHIVES -->
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| nationality = American
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| image name = SenatorBarackObama.jpg
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| jr/sr and state = [[Junior Senator|Junior U.S. Senator]], [[Illinois]]<!-- please leave this alone -->
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| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
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| term_start = [[January 3]], [[2005]]–
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| alongside = Richard Durbin
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| preceded = [[Peter Fitzgerald]]
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| succeeded = [[Incumbent]] ([[2011]])
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| date of birth = {{birth date and age|1961|08|4}}
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| place of birth = {{flagicon|Hawaii}} [[Honolulu, Hawaii|Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]]
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| law school = [[Harvard University]], [[1992]]
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| spouse = [[Michelle Obama]]
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| religion = [[United Church of Christ]]
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| signature = BarackObamaSignature.jpg
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}}{{redirect|Obama}}
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'''Barack <!--
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"Hussein" is Barack Obama's middle name- please do not modify or delete it in this first sentence-->Hussein<!-- see talk page archives
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== Personal Life ==
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Obama was born in [[Hawaii]] on August 4, 1961. His father was a [[Kenya|Kenyan]] former farmer, and his mother a white US citizen from [[Kansas]]. His parents divorced when he was two, and Obama's mother remarried to an [[Indonesia|Indonesian]] man and relocated the family to [[Jakarta]]. From age ten he lived in Hawaii with his maternal grandparents. He completed high school in 1979. Obama has a law degree from [[Harvard University]] and a BA from [[Columbia University]]. Until he entered politics in the 1990s, he was a senior lecturer in [[Constitution|constitutional]] law at the [[University of Chicago]].
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--> Obama''' (born [[August 4]], [[1961]]; [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA pronunciation]]: {{IPA|[bəˈɹɑk oʊˈbɑ.mə]}}) is the [[Senate seniority|junior]] [[United States]] [[United States Senate|Senator]] from [[Illinois]]. <!--
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The following sentence is a compromise that was reached at the talk page (see the archives). Please do not modify it without discussion.
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-->According to the U.S. Senate Historical Office, he is the fifth [[African American]] Senator in [[History of the United States|U.S. history]] and the only African American currently serving in the U.S. Senate.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/history/h_multi_sections_and_teasers/Photo_Exhibit_African_American_Senators.htm |title=Breaking New Ground: African American Senators |accessdate=2007-02-10 |work=U.S. Senate Historical Office }}</ref>  He is a candidate for the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]'s [[2008]] [[United States presidential nominating convention|presidential nomination]].<ref name=Chambers20070210>{{cite news | first=Aaron
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| last=Chambers | coauthors= | title=Obama Today Promises New Future for Nation in Announcing Presidential Bid | date=[[February 10]], [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070210/NEWS0109/102100047/1004/NEWS | work =Rockford Register Star | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }} [http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=494649996&channel=353512430 Video] at Brightcove.com.</ref></blockquote>
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He was elected to the [[Illinois Senate]] in [[1996]]. Four years later, he made an unsuccessful run for the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]]. Obama won reelection to the state senate in 2002, running unopposed. As early as 2002, he was a critic of the proposed [[Iraq War]], declaring in a television interview that he would have voted against the [[Iraq Resolution]].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=2002 Interview with Barack Obama; Host Jeff Berkowitz | date=[[November 25]], [[2002]] | publisher=Brightcove.com | url =http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=481520374&channel=353512239 | work =[[TipVision]] | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref> In 2004, he ran for an [[open seat]] in the U.S. Senate. Midway through the campaign, Obama delivered the [[keynote]] address at the [[2004 Democratic National Convention]] and became a nationally known political figure. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2004 with a [[Landslide victory|landslide]] 70% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news | title=U.S. Senate and House - Illinois | date=Last updated: 2004-11-11 | publisher= | url =http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/SenateHouseResultsByState.aspx?sp=IL&rti=G&cn=1&tf=l | work =USA Today | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref>
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Obama formally announced his [[Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008|candidacy]] for the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 presidential election]] in [[Springfield, Illinois]], on [[February 10]], [[2007]].<ref name=Chambers20070210>{{cite news | first=Aaron
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| last=Chambers | coauthors= | title=Obama Today Promises New Future for Nation in Announcing Presidential Bid | date=[[February 10]], [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070210/NEWS0109/102100047/1004/NEWS | work =Rockford Register Star | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref>  Recent [[Opinion polling for the United States presidential election, 2008|opinion polls]] rank him as the second most popular choice among Democratic voters for their party's nomination, after Sen. [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-[[New York|NY]]).<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.pollingreport.com/wh08dem.htm |title=White House 2008: Democratic Nomination |accessdate=2007-02-10 |work=Polling Report }}</ref>
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==Early life and career==
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{{see also|Dreams from My Father}}<!-- please do not edit the way his name is rendered in this first sentence; see Talk -->
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Barack Obama was born in [[Honolulu, Hawaii|Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]] to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr. (born in [[Nyanza Province]], [[Kenya]]) and Ann Dunham (born in [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]], [[Kansas]]).<ref>Obama (1995), p. 9; and {{cite news | first=Nico | last=Gnecchi | coauthors= | title=Obama Receives Hero's Welcome at His Family's Ancestral Village in Kenya | date=[[August 27]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-08/2006-08-27-voa17.cfm | work =Voice of America | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }}</ref> His parents met while both were attending the [[University of Hawaii at Manoa]], where his father was enrolled as a [[international student|foreign student]].<ref>Obama (1995), pp. 9-10. For book excerpts, see {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Barack Obama: Creation of Tales|date=[[November 1]], [[2004]] | url =http://www.nationmedia.com/EastAfrican/01112004/Features/PA2-2212.html | work =East African | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 }}</ref> Obama's parents separated when he was two years old and later divorced.<ref>{{cite news | first=Rasna | last=Warah | coauthors= | title=Authenticity More Important Than Ambition in US Election | date=[[February 26]] [[2007]] | publisher=allAfrica.com | url =http://allafrica.com/stories/200702260267.html | work =The Nation (Nairobi) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }} See also: Obama (1995), pp. 125-126.</ref> His father went to [[Harvard University]] to pursue [[Ph.D.]] studies, then returned to Kenya, where he died in a car accident when Obama was 21 years old.<ref>Obama (1995), pp. 3–5, 9–10. See also: {{cite news | first=Philip | last=Ochieng | coauthors= | title=From Home Squared to the US Senate: How Barack Obama Was Lost and Found | date=[[November 1]] [[2004]] | url =http://www.nationmedia.com/EastAfrican/01112004/Features/PA2-11.html | work =East African | accessdate = 2007-03-19 }}</ref> His mother married Lolo Soetoro, an [[Indonesia]]n foreign student, with whom she had one daughter.<ref>Obama (1995), Chapter 2, and p. 53. See also: {{cite news | first=Michael | last=Sheridan | coauthors= Sarah Baxter | title=Secrets of Obama Family Unlocked | date=[[January 28]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1267352.ece | work =Sunday Times (UK) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }}</ref> The family moved to [[Jakarta]] in 1967, where Obama attended <!-- do not change this: see talk -->local schools from ages 6 to 10.<ref>For details of Obama's early primary schooling in Indonesia, see Obama (1995), p. 154, and Obama (2006), p. 274. See also: {{cite news | first=Paul | last=Watson | coauthors= | title=As a Child, Obama Crossed a Cultural Divide in Indonesia | date=[[March 15]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-obama15mar15,1,2211333,full.story?coll=la-headlines-frontpage | work =Los Angeles Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }}<br/><small>Note: In January 2007, the [[online magazine]] ''[[Insight (magazine)|Insight]]'' published an article claiming that "political opponents within the Democratic Party" had discovered Obama "spent at least four years in a so-called Madrassa, or Muslim seminary". The article's anonymously authored and unsourced claims were subsequently repeated on television programs broadcast by the ''[[Fox News Channel]]''. According to the ''New York Times'': "In an interview, John Moody, a senior vice president at Fox News, said its commentators had erred by citing the Clinton-Obama report. 'The hosts violated one of our general rules, which is know what you are talking about,' Moody said. 'They reported information from a publication whose accuracy we didn't know.'" {{cite news | first=David D | last=Kirkpatrick | coauthors= | title=Feeding Frenzy for a Big Story, Even If It’s False | date=[[January 29]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A04E2DD143FF93AA15752C0A9619C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Debunked Insight Magazine and Fox News Smear Campaign | date=[[January 23]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://obama.senate.gov/press/070123-debunked_insight_magazine_and_fox_news_smear_campaign/index.html | work =Barack Obama U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }} Video: {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama, School Deny Radical Islam Claim | date=[[January 25]], [[2007]] | publisher=WPVI-TV Philadelphia (ABC) | url =http://video.ap.org/vws/search/aspx/ap.aspx?t=s60&p=ENAPus_ENAPus&g=0125dv_obama_school&f=1165353 | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }}</small></ref> He then returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents.  In Hawaii, Obama attended the private [[University-preparatory school|college preparatory]]  [[Punahou School]] from 5th grade until his graduation in 1979.<ref>Obama (1995), Chapters 3 and 4. See also: {{cite news | first=William | last=Finnegan |  title=The Candidate: How the Son of a Kenyan Economist Became an Illinois Everyman | date=[[May 31]], [[2004]] | url =http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?040531fa_fact1 | work =New Yorker | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 }} See also: {{cite news | first=Reyes | last=B.J. | coauthors= | title=Punahou Left Lasting Impression on Obama | date=[[February 8]], [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://starbulletin.com/2007/02/08/news/story02.html | work =Honolulu Star-Bulletin | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }}</ref> Obama's mother died of cancer a few months after the publication of his 1995 memoir, ''Dreams from My Father''.<ref>Obama (1995), Preface to the 2004 Edition, p. xi.  See also: {{cite news | first=Julia | last=Suryakusuma | title=Obama for President ... of Indonesia|date=[[November 29]], [[2006]] | publisher= Jakarta Post | url =http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20061129.F03 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 }}</ref>
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In ''Dreams from My Father'', Obama describes his experiences growing up in his mother's white, [[middle class]] family. His knowledge about his absent black Kenyan father came mainly through family stories and photographs. Of his early childhood, Obama wrote: "That my father looked nothing like the people around me&mdash;that he was black as pitch, my mother white as milk&mdash;barely registered in my mind."<ref>Obama (1995), pp. 9–10.</ref> The memoir details his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his [[multiracial]] heritage.<ref>Obama (1995), Chapters 4 and 5. See also: {{cite news | first=Richard A | last=Serrano | coauthors= | title=Obama Classmates Saw a Smile, But No Racial Turmoil | date=[[March 11]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama11mar11,0,4141731.story?page=1&coll=la-home-headlines | work =Los Angeles Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }}</ref> He used [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]], [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]], and [[cocaine]] during his teenage years, Obama wrote, to "push questions of who I was out of my mind."<ref>Obama wrote: "[[cannabis (drug)|Pot]] had helped, and [[alcoholic beverage|booze]]; maybe a little [[cocaine|blow]] when you could afford it." Obama (1995), pp. 93–94. See also: {{cite news | first=Lois | last=Romano | title=Effect of Obama's Candor Remains to Be Seen|date= [[January 3]], [[2007]] | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/02/AR2007010201359.html | work =Washington Post | accessdate = 2007-03-19 }}<br>
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<small>Note: Asked to comment on the political impact of his 1995 admission, Obama stated in an October 2006 interview: "Oh, look, you know, when I was a kid, I inhaled. Frequently. That was the point. You know, it’s, it’s not something I make light of. It's something that I wrote actually about in my first book, and it was reflective of the struggles and confusion of a teen-age boy. And in that sense, I think, the vast majority of Americans understand that teenage boys are frequently confused." For comparison with [[Bill Clinton]]'s 1992 "[[United States presidential election, 1992#Character issues|didn't inhale]]" quote, see: {{cite news | first=Katharine Q | last=Seelye | coauthors= | title=Obama Offers More Variations From the Norm | date=[[October 24]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D07E2DB173FF937A15753C1A9609C8B63&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }} For full interview transcript, see: {{cite news | first=David | last=Remnick | coauthors= | title=Testing the Waters|date=[[October 10]], [[2006]] (text and audio) | publisher= | url =http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/10/30/061030on_onlineonly04 | work =New Yorker Online Only | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 }}</ref></small>
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After graduating from Punahou, Obama studied for two years at [[Occidental College]] and then transferred to [[Columbia College of Columbia University|Columbia University]], where he majored in [[political science]] with a specialization in [[international relations]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Larry | last=Gordon | coauthors= | title=Occidental Recalls 'Barry' Obama | date=[[January 29]], [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-oxy29jan29,0,2099497,full.story?coll=la-home-local | work =Los Angeles Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }}</ref><ref name='CCTJan05'>{{cite news | first=Shira | last=Boss-Bicak | title=Barack Obama ’83: Is He the New Face of The Democratic Party? | date=January 2005 | publisher= | url =http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/jan05/cover.php | work =Columbia College Today|accessdate = 2007-03-19 }}</ref> After receiving his [[Bachelors of Arts|B.A.]] degree in 1983, Obama worked for one year at [[Business International Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.law.uchicago.edu/faculty/obama/cv.html |title=Curriculum Vitae |accessdate=2007-03-19 |work=University of Chicago Law School }} See also: Obama (1995), pp. 135–136.</ref> In 1985, he moved to [[Chicago]] to direct a [[Non-profit organization|non-profit]] project assisting local churches to organize job training programs for residents of poor neighborhoods.<ref>Obama (1995), Part 2. See also: {{cite news | first=Peter | last=Wallsten | coauthors= | title=Obama Memoir Left Out Credits for Activism, Critics Say | date=[[February 19]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-obama19feb19,1,7228837.story | work =Los Angeles Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }} Response: {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Just Because Someone Writes It Does Not Make It True | date=[[February 19]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.barackobama.com/2007/02/19/just_because_someone_writes_it.php | work =BarackObama.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }}</ref><ref name='CV'>{{cite web|url=http://www.law.uchicago.edu/faculty/obama/cv.html |title=Curriculum Vitae |accessdate=2007-03-19 |work=University of Chicago Law School }}</ref> Obama entered [[Harvard Law School]] in 1988. In February 1990, ''The New York Times'' reported his election as the ''[[Harvard Law Review]]'s'' "first black president in its 104-year history."<ref>{{cite news | first=Fox | last=Butterfield | coauthors= | title=First Black Elected to Head Harvard's Law Review | date=[[February 6]] [[1990]] | publisher= | url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE2DC1631F935A35751C0A966958260&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FPeople%2FO%2FObama%2C%20Barack | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=Michael | last=Levenson | coauthors= Jonathan Saltzman | title=At Harvard Law, a Unifying Voice | date=[[January 28]], [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/01/28/at_harvard_law_a_unifying_voice/?page=full | work =Boston Globe | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 |language = }}</ref> He obtained his [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree ''[[Latin honors|magna cum laude]]'' from Harvard in 1991.<ref name='CV'> {{cite web|url=http://www.law.uchicago.edu/faculty/obama/cv.html |title=Curriculum Vitae |accessdate=2007-03-19 |work=University of Chicago Law School }}</ref> On returning to Chicago, Obama directed a [[voter registration drive]].<ref name='CV'> {{cite web|url=http://www.law.uchicago.edu/faculty/obama/cv.html |title=Curriculum Vitae |accessdate=2007-03-19 |work=University of Chicago Law School }}</ref> He managed [[civil rights]] cases as an associate [[lawyer|attorney]] for the law firm of Miner, Barnhill & Galland from 1993 to 1996.<ref name='CV'> {{cite web|url=http://www.law.uchicago.edu/faculty/obama/cv.html |title=Curriculum Vitae |accessdate=2007-03-19 |work=University of Chicago Law School }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Law Graduate Obama Got His Start in Civil Rights Practice | date=[[February 19]] [[2007]] | publisher=International Herald Tribune | url =http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/20/america/NA-POL-US-Obama-Attorney-at-Law.php | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-19 | language = }}</ref> Obama also taught [[constitutional law]] at the [[University of Chicago Law School]] from 1993 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2004.<ref name='CV'> {{cite web|url=http://www.law.uchicago.edu/faculty/obama/cv.html |title=Curriculum Vitae |accessdate=2007-03-19 |work=University of Chicago Law School }}</ref>
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==State legislature==
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In 1996, Obama was elected to the [[Illinois Senate|Illinois State Senate]] from the state's 13th District in the south-side Chicago neighborhood of [[Hyde Park, Chicago|Hyde Park]]. In [[January 2003]], when Democrats regained control of the chamber, he was named chairperson of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.<ref>{{cite news | first=Jesse, ed | last=White | coauthors= | title=Illinois Blue Book: 2003–2004 | url =http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/illinois_bluebook_2003_2004/legislative_branch/legbios.pdf | work = Cyberdriveillinois.com | page =81 | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> Among his legislative initiatives, Obama helped to author an Illinois [[Earned Income Tax Credit]] that provided benefits to lower-income families, worked for legislation that would support residents who could not afford health insurance, and helped pass bills to increase funding for [[AIDS]] prevention and care programs.<ref>{{cite news | first=90th General Assembly | last=State of Illinois | coauthors= | title=Bills and Resolutions Sponsored or Cosponsored by Barack Obama | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet90/sponsor/OBAMA.html | work = | pages = | language = }} {{cite news | first=91st General Assembly | last=State of Illinois | coauthors= | title=Bills and Resolutions Sponsored or Cosponsored by Barack Obama | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet91/sponsor/OBAMA.html | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref>
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In 2000, Obama made an unsuccessful Democratic primary run for the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] seat held by four-term incumbent candidate [[Bobby Rush]]. Rush, a former [[Black Panther Party|Black Panther]] and community activist, said that Obama had not "been around the 1st Congressional District long enough to really see what's going on."<ref>{{cite news | first=Curtis | last=Lawrence | coauthors= | title=Rush, Opponents Clash Off the Air | date=[[February 19]] [[2000]] | publisher=FindArticles.com | url =http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20000219/ai_n13853989 | work =Chicago Sun-Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> Rush received 61% of the vote to Obama's 30%.<ref name='2000 election result'>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=2000 U.S. House of Representatives Results | date=[[May 31]], [[2004]] | publisher= | url =http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe2000/ilh.htm | work =Federal Election Commission | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> After the loss, Obama focused his efforts on the state Senate, authoring a law requiring police to videotape interrogations for crimes punishable by the [[Capital punishment|death penalty]]<ref>{{cite news | first=William | last=Finnegan |  title=The Candidate: How the Son of a Kenyan Economist Became an Illinois Everyman | date=[[May 31]], [[2004]] | url =http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?040531fa_fact1 | work =New Yorker | pages =|accessdate = 2007-03-18 }}</ref> and supporting legislation that required insurance companies to cover routine [[Mammography|mammograms]].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=State Legislation Relating to the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 | date=July 2002 | publisher=National Conference of State Legislatures | url =http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/cancerch.htm | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=92nd General Assembly | last=State of Illinois | coauthors= | title=Bills and Resolutions Sponsored or Cosponsored by Barack Obama | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet92/sponsor/OBAMA.html | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> He ran unopposed in 2002.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.elections.il.gov |title=Vote Totals, General Election 2002, 13th Senate | accessdate= 2007-03-18 |work=Illinois State Board of Elections }}</ref>
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Reviewing Obama's career in the Illinois Senate, a February 2007 article in the ''Washington Post'' noted his ability to work effectively with both Democrats and Republicans, and to build bipartisan coalitions.<ref>{{cite news | first=Slevin | last=Peter | coauthors= | title=Obama Forged Political Mettle in Illinois Capitol | date=[[February 9]], [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/08/AR2007020802262.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }} See also CLTV video: {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=In-Depth Look at Obama's Political Career | date=[[February 9]], [[2007]] | publisher=Chicago Tribune | url =http://video.chicagotribune.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?clipid1=1226539 | work =CLTV | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> In his subsequent campaign for the U.S. Senate, Obama won the endorsement of the Illinois [[Fraternal Order of Police]], whose officials cited his "longtime support of [[Gun politics in the United States|gun control]] measures and his willingness to negotiate compromises," despite his support for some bills that the police union had opposed.<ref>{{cite news | first=Colleen | last=Mastony | coauthors= | title=Cops Give Obama Subdued Reception|date=[[August 20]], [[2004]] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/women/chi-0408200105aug20,1,5963637.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref>
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==Keynote address at 2004 Democratic National Convention==
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{{see also|2004 Democratic National Convention}}
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Midway through his U.S. Senate campaign, Obama wrote and delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in [[Boston, Massachusetts]].<ref>For details about the speech's genesis and delivery, see: {{cite news | first=Shira | last=Boss-Bicak | title=Barack Obama ’83: Is He the New Face of The Democratic Party? | date=January 2005 | publisher= | url =http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/jan05/cover.php | work =Columbia College Today| accessdate = 2007-03-18 }}</ref>
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After describing his maternal grandfather's experiences as a [[World War II]] veteran and a beneficiary of the [[New Deal|New Deal's]] [[Federal Housing Administration|FHA]] and [[Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944|G.I. Bill]] programs, Obama said:
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<blockquote>No, people don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better. And they want that choice.</blockquote>
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Questioning the [[George W. Bush's first term as President of the United States|Bush administration's]] handling of the [[Iraq War]], Obama spoke of an enlisted [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]], Corporal Seamus Ahern from [[East Moline, Illinois]], asking, "Are we serving Seamus as well as he is serving us?" He continued:
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<blockquote>When we send our young men and women into harm's way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going, to care for their families while they're gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never, ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world.</blockquote>
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Finally, he spoke for national unity:
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<blockquote>The [[Pundit (politics)|pundit]]s like to slice-and-dice our country into [[Red state vs. blue state divide|Red States and Blue States]]; Red States for Republicans, Blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them too. We worship an awesome God in the Blue States, and we don't like [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|federal agents]] [[USA PATRIOT Act|poking around in our libraries]] in the Red States. We coach [[Little League]] in the Blue States and yes, we got some [[gay]] friends in the Red States. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are [[E pluribus unum|one people]], all of us [[Pledge of Allegiance|pledging allegiance]] to the [[Flag of the United States|stars and stripes]], all of us defending the United States of America.<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=Keynote Address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention | date=[[July 27]] [[2004]] | publisher= | url =http://www.barackobama.com/2004/07/27/keynote_address_at_the_2004_de.php | work =BarackObama.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref></blockquote>
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The speech was Obama's introduction to most of America. Its enthusiastic reception at the convention and widespread coverage by national media gave him instant celebrity status.<ref>{{cite news | first=Richard | last=Wolf | coauthors= | title=Illinois' Obama Revisits Idea of 2008 Run for White House | date=[[October 22]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-10-22-obama-president_x.htm | work =USA Today | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Wallace-Wells | first=Benjamin | title=The Great Black Hope: What's Riding on Barack Obama? | date=November 2004 | publisher=Washington Monthly | url=http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0411.wallace-wells.html |accessdate=2007-03-18 }}</ref>
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==Senate campaign==
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{{main|Illinois United States Senate election, 2004}}
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In 2004, Obama ran for the U.S. Senate [[open seat]] vacated by [[Peter Fitzgerald]]. In early opinion polls leading up to the Democratic [[Primary election|primary]], Obama trailed multimillionaire businessman [[Blair Hull]] and Illinois Comptroller [[Dan Hynes]]. However, Hull's popularity declined following allegations of [[domestic violence|domestic abuse]].<ref>{{cite news | first=David | last=Mendell | coauthors= | title=Obama Routs Democratic Foes; Ryan Tops Crowded GOP Field|date=[[March 17]], [[2004]] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-0403170332mar17,1,1737252.story?coll=chi-news-hed | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> Obama's candidacy was boosted by an advertising campaign featuring images of the late Chicago Mayor [[Harold Washington]] and the late U.S. Senator [[Paul Simon (politician)|Paul Simon]]; the support of Simon's daughter; and political endorsements by the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' and ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]''.<ref>{{cite news | first=Scott | last=Fornek | coauthors= | title=Obama's Appeal Spans Racial Lines | date=[[March 18]], [[2004]] | publisher=at Find Articles | url =http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20040318/ai_n12537351 | work =Chicago Sun-Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Christopher | last=Hayes | coauthors= | title=Check Bounce | date=[[March 17]], [[2004]] | publisher= | url =http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=express&s=hayes031704 | work =TNR Online | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 |language = [http://www.chrishayes.org/articles/check-bounce/ alternate site]}}</ref> From a crowded field of seven candidates, Obama received over 52% of the vote in the [[March 16]], [[2004]] primary, emerging well ahead of his Democratic rivals.<ref name='2004 primary result'>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Illinois Primary 2004: Primary Elections Results | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/primary/ | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref>
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His opponent in the general election was expected to be [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] primary winner [[Jack Ryan (Senate candidate)|Jack Ryan]]. However, Ryan withdrew from the race on [[June 25]], [[2004]], following public disclosure of [[child custody]] divorce records containing sexual allegations by Ryan's ex-wife, actress [[Jeri Ryan]].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Ryan Drops Out of Senate race in Illinois | date=[[June 25]], [[2004]] | publisher= | url =http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/25/il.ryan/ | work =CNN | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> In August 2004, with less than three months to go before election day, [[Alan Keyes]] accepted the Illinois Republican Party's nomination to replace Ryan.<ref>{{cite news | first=Maura Kelly | last=Lannan | coauthors= | title=Alan Keyes Enters U.S. Senate Race in Illinois Against Rising Democratic Star | date=[[August 9]], [[2004]] | publisher=Union-Tribune (San Diego) | url =http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20040809-0849-illinoissenate.html | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> A long-time resident of [[Maryland]], Keyes established legal residency in Illinois with the nomination.<ref>{{cite news | first=Ford | last=Liam | coauthors= David Mendell | title=Keyes Sets Up House in Cal City | date=[[August 13]], [[2004]] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-0408130201aug13,1,7640082.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 |language = }}</ref> Through three televised debates, Obama and Keyes expressed opposing views on [[Stem cell controversy|stem cell research]], [[Abortion in the United States|abortion]], [[Gun politics in the United States|gun control]], [[education voucher|school vouchers]], and [[tax cut]]s.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.keyesobama.com |title=Keyes-Obama Debates | accessdate= 2007-03-18 |format=video, audio, and text |work=Keyes Obama Debates }}</ref> In the general election held [[November 2]], [[2004]], Obama received 70% of the popular vote to Keyes's 27%.<ref name='2004 election result'>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=America Votes 2004: U.S. Senate / Illinois | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/IL/S/01/index.html | work =CNN | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref>
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==Senate career==
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Obama was sworn in as a Senator on [[January 4]], [[2005]].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Barack Obama Sworn in to U.S. Senate | date= | publisher= | url =http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=News&id=2578406 | work =WLS-TV (ABC 7, Chicago) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> He hired former Senate Democratic Leader [[Tom Daschle]]'s ex-chief of staff for the same position, and [[Karen Kornbluh]], an economist who was deputy chief of staff to former Secretary of the Treasury [[Robert Rubin]], as his policy adviser.<ref name='Enda2006'>{{cite news | first=Jodi | last=Enda | coauthors= | title=Great Expectations | date=[[February 5]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=10828 | work =The American Prospect | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> In July 2005, [[Samantha Power]], Pulitzer-winning author on human rights and genocide, joined Obama's team.<ref>{{cite news | first=Brendan R. | last=Linn | coauthors= | title=Power to Advise Obama for Year | date=[[July 25]], [[2005]] | publisher= | url =http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=508336 | work =Harvard Crimson | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> Four months into his senate career, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine named Obama one of "[[Time 100|the world's most influential people]]," calling him "one of the most admired politicians in America."<ref>{{cite news | first=Perry | last=Bacon Jr. | coauthors= | title=Barack Obama: The Future of the Democratic Party? | date=[[April 18]], [[2005]] | publisher= | url =http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/2005/time100/leaders/100obama.html | work =TIME | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> An October 2005 article in the British journal ''[[New Statesman]]'' listed Obama as one of "10 people who could change the world."<ref>{{cite news | first=William | last=Skidelsky | coauthors= | title= Revolutionising the Future: From Tennis to Teleportation | date=[[October 17]], [[2005]] | publisher= | url =http://www.newstatesman.com/nssubsfilter.php3?newTemplate=NSArticle_NS&newDisplayURN=200510170012 | work =New Statesman | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> During his first two years in the Senate, Obama  received [[Honorary degree|Honorary]] Doctorates of Law from [[Knox College]],<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Commencement 2005: Knox honors U.S. Senator Barack Obama | date=[[May 10]], [[2005]] | publisher= | url =http://www.knox.edu/x9684.xml | work =Knox College | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> [[University of Massachusetts Boston]],<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=U.S. Sen. Barack Obama to Receive Honorary Degree, Address 2,500 UMass Boston Graduates | date=[[May 26]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.umb.edu/news/2006news/releases/may/060526_obama_press_release.html | work =University of Massachusetts Boston | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref>  [[Northwestern University]],<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Commencement 2006: Sen. Obama to Address Grads | date=[[June 6]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2006/06/honorary.html | work =Northwestern University | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> and [[Xavier University of Louisiana]].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Sen. Obama Addresses Xavier Graduates | date=[[August 13]], [[2006]] | publisher=USA Today | url =http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-08-13-obama-xavier_x.htm | work = Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref> He is a member of the following Senate committees: [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Foreign Relations]]; [[United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions|Health, Education, Labor and Pensions]]; [[United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs|Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs]]; and [[United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs|Veterans' Affairs]].<ref> {{cite web|url=http://obama.senate.gov/committees/ |title= Committee Assignments |accessdate= 2007-03-18 | work=Barack Obama U.S. Senate Office }}</ref>
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===Legislation===
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<!-- begin 109th Congress -->
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[[Image:5e076810-1dc2-4b71-a5fc-c5ed5f90a9dd.jpg‎|thumb|right|250px|U.S. Senate bill sponsors [[Tom Coburn]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Oklahoma|OK]]) and Barack Obama greet President Bush at the signing ceremony of the [[Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006]].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=President Bush Signs Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act | date=[[September 26]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/09/20060926.html | work =White House | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref>]]
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Obama sponsored 152 bills and resolutions brought before the [[109th United States Congress|109th Congress]] in 2005 and 2006, and cosponsored another 427.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d109&querybd=@FIELD(FLD003+@4((@1(Sen+Obama++Barack))+01763)) |title=Bills, Resolutions > Search Results |accessdate=2007-03-04 |last=U.S. Senate |first=109th Congress |work=Thomas |publisher= }}</ref><ref> {{cite web|url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/?&Db=d109&querybd=@FIELD(FLD004+@4((@1(Sen+Obama++Barack))+01763)) |title=Bills, Resolutions > Search Results |accessdate=2007-03-04 |last=U.S. Senate |first=109th Congress |work=Thomas |publisher= }}</ref> His first bill was the "Higher Education Opportunity through Pell Grant Expansion Act."<ref>{{cite news | first=109th Congress, 1st Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 697, Higher Education Opportunity Through Pell Grant Expansion Act | date=[[April 5]] [[2005]] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN00697: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref> Entered in fulfillment of a campaign promise, the bill proposed increasing the maximum amount of [[Pell Grant]] awards to help students from lower income families pay their college tuitions.<ref>{{cite news | first=Lynn | last=Sweet | coauthors= | title=Obama's 1st Bill: Raising Pell Grants | date=[[March 29]] [[2005]] | publisher=FindArticles | url =http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20050329/ai_n13507513 | work =Chicago Sun-Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref> The bill did not progress beyond committee and was never voted on by the Senate.
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Obama took an active role in the Senate's drive for improved [[Illegal immigration to the United States|border security]] and [[United States immigration debate|immigration reform]]. Beginning in 2005, he co-sponsored the "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act" introduced by Sen. [[John McCain]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Arizona|AZ]]).<ref>{{cite news | first=109th Congress, 1st Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title= S. 1033, Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act | date=[[May 12]] [[2005]] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN01033: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref> Obama later added three amendments to [[S. 2611]], the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act," sponsored by Sen. [[Arlen Specter]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Pennsylvania|PA]]).<ref> {{cite news | first=109th Congress, 2nd Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 2611, Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 | date=[[May 25]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02611: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | title=S. Amdt. 3971 | date=[[January 14]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SP03971: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref><ref> {{cite news |url=http://obama.senate.gov/press/060525-obama_statement_on_senate_passage_of_immigration_reform_bill/index.html |title= Obama Statement on Senate Passage of Immigration Reform Bill | date=[[May 25]] [[2006]] |accessdate=2007-03-04 |work=Barack Obama U.S. Senate Office }}</ref> S. 2611 passed the Senate in May 2006, but failed to gain majority support in the [[U.S. House of Representatives]].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Immigration Bill Divides House, Senate | date=[[September 22]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-09-22-immigration_x.htm | work =USA Today | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref> In September 2006, Obama supported a related bill, the [[Secure Fence Act of 2006|Secure Fence Act]], authorizing construction of fencing and other security improvements along the [[United States–Mexico border]].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Latinos Upset Obama Voted for Border Fence | date=[[November 20]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_324192245.html | work =CBS 2 (Chicago) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref> President Bush signed the Secure Fence Act into law in October 2006, calling it "an important step toward immigration reform."<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=President Bush Signs Secure Fence Act | date=[[October 26]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/10/20061026.html | work =White House | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref>
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Partnering first with Sen. [[Richard Lugar]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Indiana|IN]]), and then with Sen. [[Tom Coburn]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Oklahoma|OK]]), Obama successfully introduced two initiatives bearing his name. "Lugar–Obama" expands the [[Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction|Nunn–Lugar]] cooperative threat reduction concept to [[conventional weapon]]s, including [[Man-portable air-defence system|shoulder-fired missiles]] and [[anti-personnel mine]]s.<ref>{{cite news | first=109th Congress, 2nd Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 2566, Cooperative Proliferation Detection, Interdiction Assistance, and Conventional Threat Reduction Act of 2006 | date=[[May 25]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02566: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=Richard G. | last=Lugar | coauthors= Barack Obama | title=Junkyard Dogs of War | date=[[December 3]], [[2005]] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/02/AR2005120201509.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref><ref> {{cite news | url=http://lugar.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=267485 |title= Lugar-Obama Signed into Law | date=[[January 11]], [[2007]]  |accessdate=2007-03-04 |work=Richard Lugar U.S. Senate Office }}</ref> The "[[Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006|Coburn-Obama Transparency Act]]" provides for a Web site, managed by the [[Office of Management and Budget]], listing all organizations receiving Federal funds from 2007 onward, and providing breakdowns by the agency allocating the funds, the dollar amount given, and the purpose of the grant or contract.<ref> {{cite news | first=109th Congress, 2nd Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 2590, Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 | date= [[April 6]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02590: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=President Bush Signs Coburn-Obama Transparency Act | date=[[September 26]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://coburn.senate.gov/ffm/index.cfm?FuseAction=LegislativeFloorAction.Home&ContentRecord_id=eb582f19-802a-23ad-41db-7a7cb464cfdb | work =Tom Coburn U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref>  On [[December 22]] [[2006]], President Bush signed into law the "[[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act," marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.<ref> {{cite news | first=109th Congress, 2nd Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 2125, Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act | date=[[January 3]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02125: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref>
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<!-- end 109th Congress -->
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<!-- begin 110th Congress -->
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On the first day of the Democratic-controlled [[110th United States Congress|110th Congress]], in a column published in the ''Washington Post'', Obama called for an end to "any and all practices that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a public servant has become indebted to a lobbyist."<ref>{{cite news | first=Obama | last=Barack | coauthors= | title=A Chance To Change The Game | date=[[January 4]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/03/AR2007010301620.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref> He joined with Sen. [[Russ Feingold]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-[[Wisconsin|WI]]) in pressuring the Democratic leadership for tougher restrictions in S.1, the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007, which passed the Senate with a 96-2 majority.<ref>{{cite news | first=Christi | last=Parsons | coauthors= | title=Senate OKs Tougher Ethics Bill 96-2 | date=[[January 19]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0701190128jan19,1,4477090.story | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=110th Congress, 1st Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title= S. 1, Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007 | date=[[January 18]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN00001: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref> Obama joined Charles Schumer ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-[[New York|NY]]) in sponsoring S. 453, a bill to criminalize deceptive practices in federal elections, including fraudulent flyers and automated phone calls, as witnessed in the recent [[United States general elections, 2006|midterm election]]s.<ref>{{cite news | first=Seth | last=Stern | coauthors= | title=Obama-Schumer Bill Proposal Would Criminalize Voter Intimidation | date=[[January 31]] [[2007]] | publisher=Congressional Quarterly | url =http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/01/obamaschumer_bill_proposal_wou.html | work =CQPolitics.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=110th Congress, 1st Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 453, Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 | date=[[January 31]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN00453: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref> Obama's [[Energy use in the United States|energy]] initiatives scored pluses and minuses with [[Environmentalism|environmentalists]], who welcomed his sponsorship with Sen. [[John McCain]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Arizona|AZ]]) of a [[Global warming|climate change]] bill to reduce [[greenhouse gas]] emissions by two-thirds by [[2050]], but were skeptical of Obama's support for a bill promoting [[coal|liquefied coal]] production.<ref>{{cite news | first=Hebert | last=H. Josef | coauthors= | title=Congress Begins Tackling Climate Issues | date=[[January 29]] [[2007]] | publisher=CBS News | url =http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/29/ap/politics/mainD8MV8LBG0.shtml | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Elizabeth | last=Williamson | coauthors= | title=The Green Gripe With Obama: Liquefied Coal Is Still . . . Coal | date=[[January 10]], [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/09/AR2007010901503.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref> Also during the first month of the 110th Congress, Obama introduced the "Iraq War De-Escalation Act," a bill that caps troop levels in Iraq at January 10, 2007 levels, begins phased redeployment on May 1, 2007, and removes all combat brigades from Iraq by [[March 31]] [[2008]].<ref>{{cite news | first=E. Kasak | last=Krystin | coauthors= | title=Obama Introduces Measure to Bring Troops Home | date=[[February 7]], [[2007]] | publisher=nwi.com | url =http://nwitimes.com/articles/2007/02/07/news/illiana/doc65cc98d8dc6506b28625727b0011edb5.txt | work =Medill News Service | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=110th Congress, 1st Session | last=U.S. Senate | coauthors= | title=S. 433, Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007 | date=[[January 30]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN00433: | work =Thomas | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-04 | language = }}</ref>
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===Official travel===
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[[Image:Lugar-Obama.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman [[Richard Lugar]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Indiana|IN]]) and Committee member Barack Obama at a Russian base, where mobile launch missiles are being destroyed by the [[Nunn-Lugar|Nunn–Lugar]] program.]]
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During the [[August 2005|August recess of 2005]], Obama traveled with Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), Chairman of the [[Senate Foreign Relations Committee]], to [[Russia]], [[Ukraine]] and [[Azerbaijan]]. The trip focused on strategies to control the world's supply of [[conventional weapons]], [[biological weapons]], and [[weapons of mass destruction]], as a strategic first defense against the threat of future [[terrorism|terrorist]] attacks.<ref>{{cite news | first=Christina | last=Larson | coauthors= | title=Hoosier Daddy: What Rising Democratic Star Barack Obama Can Learn from an Old Lion of the GOP | date=September 2006 | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0609.larson.html | work =The Washington Monthly | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref> Lugar and Obama inspected a [[Nunn-Lugar|Nunn-Lugar program]]-supported nuclear warhead destruction facility at [[Saratov]], in southern European Russia.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Lugar Visits Russia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan to Advance Nunn-Lugar Agreements | date=September 2005 | publisher=Richard G. Lugar U.S. Senate Office | url =http://lugar.senate.gov/newsletter/2005/september.html | work =The Lugar Letter | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref> In Ukraine, they toured a disease control and prevention facility and witnessed the signing of a [[bilateral]] pact to secure biological [[pathogens]] and combat risks of [[infectious disease]] outbreaks from natural causes or [[bioterrorism]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Zeleny | last=Jeff | coauthors= | title=U.S., Ukraine Sign Pact on Germ Threat | date=[[August 30]], [[2005]] | publisher= | url =http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/888990791.html?dids=888990791:888990791&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+30%2C+2005&author=Jeff+Zeleny%2C+Tribune+correspondent&pub=Chicago+Tribune&edition=&startpage=3&desc=U.S.%2C+Ukraine+sign+pact+on+germ+threat | work =Chicago Tribune | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = [http://obama.senate.gov/news/050830-us_ukraine_sign_pact_on_germ_threat/index.html alternate site] }}</ref>
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In January 2006, Obama joined a Congressional delegation for meetings with [[Military of the United States|U.S. military]] in [[Kuwait]] and [[Iraq]]. After the visits, Obama traveled to [[Jordan]], [[Israel]], and the [[Palestinian territories]]. While in Israel, Obama met with Israeli Foreign Minister [[Silvan Shalom]].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama Meets Shalom, Offers Support for Israel | date=[[January 11]], [[2006]] | publisher=Israel Insider | url =http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Briefs/7521.htm | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref> Obama also met with a group of [[Palestinian people|Palestinian]] students two weeks before [[Hamas]] won the [[Palestinian legislative election, 2006|January 2006 Palestinian legislative election]]. ''ABC News 7 (Chicago)'' reported Obama telling the students that "the U.S. will never recognize winning Hamas candidates unless the group renounces its fundamental mission to eliminate Israel," and that he had conveyed the same message in his meeting with [[Palestinian National Authority|Palestinian authority]] President [[Mahmoud Abbas]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Chuck | last=Goudie | coauthors= | title=Obama Meets with Arafat's Successor | date=[[January 12]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=3806933 | work =ABC 7 News (Chicago) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref>
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Obama left for his third official trip in August 2006, traveling to [[South Africa]] and [[Kenya]], and making stops in [[Djibouti]], [[Ethiopia]] and [[Chad]]. Obama flew his wife and two daughters from Chicago to join him in a visit to his father's birthplace, a village near [[Kisumu]] in rural western Kenya.<ref>{{cite news | first=Ellis | last=Cose | coauthors= | title=Walking the World Stage | date=[[September 11]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14640264/site/newsweek | work =Newsweek International Edition | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref> Obama was greeted by enthusiastic crowds at his public appearances.<ref>{{cite news | first=Michela | last=Wrong | coauthors= | title=Africa: Kenya Glimpses a New Kind of Hero | date=[[September 11]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.newstatesman.com/200609110024 | work =New Statesman | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref> In a public gesture aimed to encourage more Kenyans to undergo voluntary [[HIV test]]ing, Obama and his wife took HIV tests at a Kenyan clinic.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Screaming Crowds Welcome U.S. Senator 'Home' | date=[[August 27]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/08/26/kenya.obama/index.html | work =CNN | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref> In a nationally televised speech at the [[University of Nairobi]], Obama spoke forcefully on the [[corruption in Kenya|influence of ethnic rivalries in Kenyan politics]].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama Slates Kenya for Fraud | date=[[August 28]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1989646,00.html | work =News24.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref> The speech touched off a public debate among rival leaders, some formally challenging Obama's remarks as unfair and improper, others defending his positions.<ref>{{cite news | first=Chris | last=Wamalwa | coauthors= | title=Envoy Hits at Obama Over Graft Remark | date=[[September 2]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143957666 | work =The Standard (Nairobi) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Vincent | last=Moracha | coauthors= Mangoa Mosota | title=Leaders Support Obama on Graft Claims | date=[[September 4]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=1143957752 | work =The Standard (Nairobi) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-10 | language = }}</ref>
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==Presidential campaign==
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{{Future election candidate|Obama, Barack}}
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{{main|Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008}}
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[[Image:Flickr_Obama_Austin_01.jpg‎|thumb|right|250px|Obama supporters at campaign rally in [[Austin, Texas]], on [[February 23]] [[2007]].  Obama drew a crowd of over 20,000 attendees at this Austin appearance.<ref>{{cite news | first=W. Gardner | last=Selby | coauthors= David Rauf | title=At Least 20,000 People Cheer Barack Obama in Austin | date=[[February 24]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.statesman.com/search/content/news/stories/local/02/24/24obama.html | work =Austin American-Statesman | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-01 }} Full speech in [http://www.news8austin.com/content/headlines/?ArID=179875&SecID=2 text] (''News 8 Austin'') and [http://www.statesman.com/news/mplayer/m/9763 audio] (''Austin American-Statesman''). See also: {{cite web|url=http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=537018586&channel=353512430 |title=20,000 in Austin, Texas |accessdate=2007-03-01 |date=added [[February 26]] [[2007]] |format=campaign video |work=Obama for America, Brightcove.com }}</ref>]]
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On [[February 10]], [[2007]], in [[Springfield, Illinois]], Obama announced his [[Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008|candidacy]] for the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 U.S. presidential election]].<ref name=Chambers20070210>{{cite news | first=Aaron
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| last=Chambers | coauthors= | title=Obama Today Promises New Future for Nation in Announcing Presidential Bid | date=[[February 10]], [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070210/NEWS0109/102100047/1004/NEWS | work =Rockford Register Star | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-14 | language = }}</ref> He said:
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<blockquote>It was here, in Springfield, where North, South, East and West come together that I was reminded of the essential decency of the American people–where I came to believe that through this decency, we can build a more hopeful America. And that is why, in the shadow of the [[Old State Capitol State Historic Site|Old State Capitol]], where [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln]] once called on a [[Lincoln's House Divided Speech|house divided]] to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for [[President of the United States|President of the United States of America]].<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Presidential Campaign Announcement | date=[[February 10]], [[2007]] | publisher=Brightcove.com | url =http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=494649996&channel=353512430 | work =Obama for America | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-14 | language = }}</ref></blockquote>
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The announcement followed months of speculation on whether Obama would run in 2008. Speculation intensified in October 2006 when Obama first said he had "thought about the possibility" of running for president, departing from earlier statements that he intended to serve out his six-year Senate term through 2010.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=MTP Transcript for Oct. 22 | date=[[October 22]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15304689/page/3/ | work =Meet The Press | page =3 | accessdate = 2007-02-14 | language = }}</ref> Following Obama's statement, [[opinion poll]]ing organizations added his name to [[Opinion polling for the Democratic Party (United States) 2008 presidential candidates|surveyed lists of Democratic candidates]]. The first such poll, taken in November 2006, ranked Obama in second place with 17% support among Democrats after Sen. [[Hillary Clinton]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-[[New York|NY]]) who placed first with 28% of the responses.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Poll: Obama Now Trails Only Clinton on '08 List | date=[[November 2]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/01/poll.2008/index.html?eref=rss_politics | work =CNN | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-14 | language = }}</ref>
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Through the fall of 2006, Obama spoke at political events across the country in support of Democratic candidates for the midterm elections. In September 2006, he was the featured speaker at [[Iowa]] Senator [[Tom Harkin]]'s annual steak fry, an event traditionally attended by presidential hopefuls in the lead-up to the [[Iowa caucus]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Anne E. | last=Kornblut | coauthors= | title=For This Red Meat Crowd, Obama's '08 Choice Is Clear | date=[[September 18]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/09/18/us/politics/18obama.html | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-14 | language = }}</ref> In December 2006, Obama spoke at a [[New Hampshire]] event celebrating Democratic Party midterm election victories in the [[New Hampshire primary|first-in-the-nation]] U.S. presidential primary state.<ref>{{cite news | first=Scott | last=Brooks | coauthors= | title=Obama Fever Grips NH | date=[[December 11]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Obama+fever+grips+NH&articleId=96bb103b-6332-4304-ac8d-60da60b323e9 | work =New Hampshire Union Leader | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-14 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama's New Hampshire Trip Sparks Interest in 2008 Presidential Race | date=[[December 11]], [[2006]] | publisher=PBS | url =http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec06/obama_12-11.html | work =NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-14 | language = }}</ref> Addressing a meeting of the [[Democratic National Committee]] one week before announcing his candidacy, Obama called on Democrats to steer clear of [[negative campaigning]]:
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<blockquote>This is not a game. This can't be about who digs up more skeletons on who, who makes the fewest slip-ups on the campaign trail. We owe it to the American people to do more than that. We owe them an election where voters are inspired–where they believe that we might be able to do things that we haven't done before. We don't want another election where voters are simply holding their noses and feel like they're choosing the lesser of two evils. So we've got to rise up out of the cynicism that's become so pervasive and ask the people all across America to start believing again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/02/barack_obama.php |title=Barack Obama at the DNC Winter 2007 Meeting |accessdate=2007-02-19 |date=[[February 2]], [[2007]] |format=video |work=Democratic National Committee }} Full text from [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/05/AR2007020500753_pf.html CQ Transcripts Wire]. Retrieved on [[2007-02-19]]. See also: {{cite news | first=Paul | last=Harris | coauthors= | title=The Obama Revolution | date=[[February 4]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2005508,00.html | work =Guardian Unlimited | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-19 | language = }}</ref></blockquote>
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==Political advocacy==
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{{see also|Political views of Barack Obama}}
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On the role of [[government]] in [[economy|economic]] affairs, Obama has written: "we should be asking ourselves what mix of policies will lead to a dynamic [[free market]] and widespread economic security, entrepreneurial innovation and [[social mobility|upward mobility]] [...] we should be guided by what works."<ref>Obama (2006), p. 159.</ref> Speaking before the [[National Press Club]] in [[April 2005]], Obama defended the [[New Deal]] social welfare policies of [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], associating [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] proposals to establish private accounts for [[Social Security debate (United States)|Social Security]] with [[Social Darwinism]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Ben A. | last=Franklin | coauthors= | title=The Fifth Black Senator in U.S. History Makes F.D.R. His Icon | date=[[June 1]] [[2005]] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonspectator.com/articles/20050601obama_1.cfm | work =Washington Spectator | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref> In a May 2006 letter to President Bush, he joined four other [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]] farming state Senators in calling for the preservation of a [[United States dollar|US$]]0.54 per gallon [[tariff]] on imported [[ethanol]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Tom | last=Harkin | coauthors= with Byron Dorgan, Richard Durbin, Tim Johnson, and Barack Obama | title=Harkin Urges Bush to Stop Undercutting U.S. Ethanol Production |date=[[May 9]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://harkin.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=255348 | work =Harkin U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=Ken | last=Silverstein | coauthors= | title=Barack Obama Inc.: The Birth of a Washington Machine | date=November 2006 | publisher= | url =http://harpers.org/BarackObamaInc.html | work =Harper's Magazine | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref> Obama spoke out in [[June 2006]] against making recent, temporary [[Estate tax (United States)|estate tax]] cuts permanent, calling the cuts a "[[Paris Hilton]]" tax break for "billionaire heirs and heiresses."<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=Remarks by Senator Barack Obama on the Paris Hilton Tax Break | date=[[June 7]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://obama.senate.gov/press/060607-remarks_by_senator_barack_obama_on_the_paris_hilton_tax_break/index.html | work =Obama U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref>
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Speaking in November 2006 to members of [[Wake Up Wal-Mart]], a union-backed [[Political campaign|campaign group]], Obama said: "You gotta pay your workers enough that they can actually not only shop at [[Wal-Mart]], but ultimately send their kids to college and save for retirement."<ref>{{cite news | first=Pallavi | last=Gogoi | coauthors= | title=Can Barack Wake Up Wal-Mart? | date=[[November 16]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/nov2006/db20061116_897533.htm | work =BusinessWeek.Com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Sen. Obama: 'You Gotta Pay Your Workers Enough'|date=[[November 16]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.wltx.com/FYI/story.aspx?storyid=44125 | work =WLTX-TV 19 (Columbia, SC) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref> In January 2007, Obama spoke at an event organized by [[Families USA]], a health care advocacy group.  Obama said, "The time has come for [[universal health care]] in America [...] I am absolutely determined that by the end of the first term of the next president, we should have universal health care in this country."  Obama went on to say that he believed that it was wrong that forty-six million Americans are [[Health insurance|uninsured]], noting that taxpayers already pay over 15 billion dollars annually to care for the uninsured.<ref>{{cite news | first=Nedra | last=Pickler | coauthors= | title=Obama Calls for Universal Health Care within Six Years | date=[[January 25]] [[2007]] | publisher=Union-Tribune (San Diego) | url =http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20070125-1240-democrats-healthcare.html | work =Associated Press | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref>
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He was an early opponent of Bush administration policies on Iraq. In the fall of 2002, during an anti-war rally at Chicago's Federal Plaza, Obama said:
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<blockquote>I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the [[Arab world]], and strengthen the recruitment arm of [[al-Qaeda]]. I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars. You want a fight, President Bush? Let's finish the fight with [[Osama bin Laden|Bin Laden]] and al-Qaeda, through effective, coordinated [[Intelligence (information gathering)|intelligence]], and a shutting down of the financial networks that support terrorism, and a [[homeland security]] program that involves more than [[Homeland Security Advisory System|color-coded warnings]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=Remarks of Illinois State Sen. Barack Obama Against Going to War with Iraq | date=[[October 26]] [[2002]] | publisher= | url =http://www.barackobama.com/2002/10/26/remarks_of_illinois_state_sen.php | work =BarackObama.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = }}</ref></blockquote>
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Speaking before the [[Chicago Council on Global Affairs]] in November 2006, he said: "The days of using the [[war on terror]] as a [[political football]] are over. [...] It is time to give Iraqis their country back, and it is time to refocus America's efforts on the wider struggle yet to be won." In his speech Obama also called for a phased withdrawal of American troops starting in 2007, and an opening of diplomatic dialogue with Iraq's neighbors, [[Syria]] and [[Iran]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=A Way Forward in Iraq | date=[[November 20]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.thechicagocouncil.org/hottopics_details.php?hottopics_id=52 | work =Chicago Council on Global Affairs | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = PDF and audio }}. Available in [http://www.barackobama.com/2006/11/20/a_way_forward_in_iraq.php HTML text] at BarackObama.com. Retrieved on [[2007-03-18]]. For Obama's 2004 Senate campaign remarks on possible missile strikes against Iran, see: {{cite news | last=Mendell | first=David | title=Obama Would Consider Missile Strikes on Iran |date=[[September 25]] [[2004]] | publisher=Chicago Tribune | url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/printedition/chi-0409250111sep25,1,4555304.story?ctrack=1&cset=true | accessdate = 2007-02-18}}</ref>
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Obama spoke about Iran's "[[iran conflict|uranium enrichment program]]" on March 2, 2007, stating that Iran's government is "a threat to all of us," and that the US "should take no option, including military action, off the table." However, he stated that the US's "primary means" of relating to Iran should entail "sustained and aggressive diplomacy combined with tough sanctions."<ref>[http://web.israelinsider.com/bin/en.jsp?enDispWho=Views&enPage=ViewsPage&enDisplay=view&enInfolet=authorArchive.jsp&enDispWhat=Zone&enZone=Views&authorId=1039  Transcript of remarks by Senator Barack Obama at the AIPAC Policy Forum, Chicago, Illinois, March 2, 2007], ''Israel Insider'' 3 March 2007</ref>
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Obama began [[podcasting]] from his U.S. Senate web site in late 2005. He has responded to and personally participated in online discussions hosted on politically-oriented [[blogosphere|blog]] sites.<ref>{{cite news | first=Daniel | last=Terdiman | coauthors= | title=Congress Catching on to the Value of Blogs | date=[[January 26]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://news.com.com/Congress+catching+on+to+the+value+of+blogs/2100-1028_3-6031314.html | work =CNET News.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref> In a June 2006 podcast, Obama expressed support for [[Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act of 2006|telecommunications legislation]] to protect [[Network neutrality in the US|network neutrality]] on the [[Internet]], saying: "It is because the Internet is a neutral platform that I can put out this podcast and transmit it over the Internet without having to go through any corporate media middleman. I can say what I want without [[censorship]] or without having to pay a special charge. But the big [[telephone]] and [[Cable TV|cable]] companies want to change the Internet as we know it."<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=Network Neutrality|date=[[June 8]] [[2006]] (text and audio) | publisher= | url =http://obama.senate.gov/podcast/060608-network_neutrality/index.html | work =Obama U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref>
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During his first year as a U.S. senator, in a move more typically taken after several years of holding high political office, Obama established a [[political action committee|leadership political action committee]], Hopefund, for channeling financial support to Democratic candidates. Obama participated in 38 fundraising events in 2005, helping to pull in US$6.55 million for candidates he supports and his own 2010 re-election fund.<ref>{{cite news | first=Lynn | last=Sweet | coauthors= | title=After Cautious, Bipartisan Year, Obama Opens New Chapter | date=[[January 22]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060122/ai_n16016709 | work =Chicago Sun-Times (FindArticles.com) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 |language = }}</ref> ''The New York Times'' described Obama as "the prize catch of the midterm campaign" because of his campaigning for fellow Democratic Party members running for election in the [[United States general elections, 2006|2006 midterm elections]].<ref name='Kornblut2006-11-01'>{{cite news | first=Anne E | last=Kornblut | coauthors= | title=A Senate Newcomer, Helping Fellow Democrats on the Trail and Drawing Big Crowds | date=[[November 1]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/01/us/politics/01obama.html?ex=1320037200&en=f61f55cf2683f519&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref> Hopefund gave US$374,000 to federal candidates in the 2006 election cycle, making it one of the top donors to federal candidates for the year.<ref name='Kornblut2006-11-01'>{{cite news | first=Anne E | last=Kornblut | coauthors= | title=A Senate Newcomer, Helping Fellow Democrats on the Trail and Drawing Big Crowds | date=[[November 1]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/01/us/politics/01obama.html?ex=1320037200&en=f61f55cf2683f519&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss | work =New York Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref>
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Obama has encouraged Democrats to reach out to [[evangelicalism|evangelicals]] and other [[religion|religious]] people, saying, "if we truly hope to speak to people where they’re at–to communicate our hopes and values in a way that’s relevant to their own–we cannot abandon the field of religious discourse."<ref>{{cite news | first=Michael | last=Lerner | coauthors= | title=U.S. Senator Barack Obama Critiques Democrats' Religiophobia | date=[[July 3]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.tikkun.org/rabbi_lerner/news_item.2006-07-02.3949597607 | work =Tikkun Magazine | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref><ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.beliefnet.com/story/194/story_19473_1.html |title=Sen. Barack Obama: Call to Renewal Keynote Address |accessdate=2007-01-21 |date=[[June 28]], [[2006]] |work=[[Beliefnet]] }}</ref> In December 2006, Obama joined Sen. [[Sam Brownback]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Kansas|KS]]) at the "Global Summit on [[AIDS]] and the Church" organized by church leaders Kay and [[Rick Warren]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Manda | last=Gibson | coauthors= | title=At Global AIDS Summit, Churches Challenged to Take the Lead | date=[[June 28]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/HIVAIDSCommunity/StartingAMinistry/churches_challenged_to_take_the_lead.htm | work =PurposeDriven.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-26 | language = }}</ref> Together with Warren and Brownback, Obama took an HIV test, as he had done in Kenya less than four months earlier. Obama encouraged "others in public life to do the same" to show "there is no shame in going for an HIV test."<ref>{{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=Race Against Time–World AIDS Day Speech | date=[[December 1]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://obama.senate.gov/speech/061201-race_against_time_-_world_aids_day_speech/index.html | work =Obama U.S. Senate Office | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-26 | language = }}</ref> Before the conference, 18 anti-abortion groups sent an open letter stating, in reference to Obama's support for [[Abortion in the United States|legal abortion]]: "In the strongest possible terms, we oppose Rick Warren's decision to ignore Senator Obama's clear [[Pro-Life#Term controversy|pro-death]] stance and invite him to [[Saddleback Church]] anyway."<ref> {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Rick Warren/Barack Obama AIDS Partnership Must End, Say Pro-Life Groups | date=[[November 28]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/791771591.html | work =Christian Newswire Press Release | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-26 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=David | last=Van Biema | coauthors= | title=The Real Losers in the Obama-Warren Controversy|date=[[December 1]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1565076,00.html | work =TIME | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-26 | language = }}<br/><small>Note: Obama's write-in response to a 1998 survey states: "Abortions should be legally available in accordance with Roe v. Wade." {{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=1998 Illinois State Legislative National Political Awareness Test | publisher= | url =http://www.vote-smart.org/npat.php?old=true&can_id=BS030017&npatform_id=69#0 | work =Project Vote Smart | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-26 | language = }} During his 2004 primary run for U.S. Senate, Obama was criticised by a rival Democratic candidate for voting "present" (instead of yea or nay) on Illinois state legislation concerning late-term abortion and parental notification. {{cite news | first=Slevin | last=Peter | coauthors= | title=Obama Forged Political Mettle in Illinois Capitol | date=[[February 9]], [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/08/AR2007020802262.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-26 | language = }}</small></ref>
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==Family and religious life==
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[[Image:Flickr_Obama_Springfield_01.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Obama is joined on stage by his wife and two daughters before announcing his presidential campaign in Springfield, Illinois, on [[February 10]] [[2007]].<ref>For other photos of Obama and family at this event, see: {{cite web|url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/sets/72157594528136270/show/ |title=Presidential Campaign Announcement |accessdate=2007-03-05 |date=[[February 10]] [[2007]] |format= |work=Barack Obama, Flickr }}</ref>]]
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While working at the [[Sidley Austin]] [[law firm]] in the summer of 1989, Obama met fellow associate [[Michelle Obama|Michelle Robinson]].<ref name=Rossi2008-01-25 >{{cite news | first=Rosalind | last=Rossi | coauthors= | title=The Woman Behind Obama | date=[[January 21]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/221458,CST-NWS-mich21.article | work =Chicago Sun-Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref>  They were married in 1992 at Chicago's Trinity [[United Church of Christ]] by their pastor, Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]].<ref>Obama (1995), p. 440.</ref> They have two daughters, Malia, 8, and Natasha, 5.<ref name=Rossi2008-01-25 >{{cite news | first=Rosalind | last=Rossi | coauthors= | title=The Woman Behind Obama | date=[[January 21]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/221458,CST-NWS-mich21.article | work =Chicago Sun-Times | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref> A theme of Obama's keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and the title of his 2006 book, ''The Audacity of Hope'', was inspired by one of Rev. Wright's sermons.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Obama Comes Home for Church | date=[[January 28]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_028234836.html | work =CBS (Chicago) | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }} See also: Obama (1995), pp. 292–295.</ref> In the book, Obama describes his non-religious upbringing:
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<blockquote>I was not raised in a religious household. My maternal grandparents, who hailed from Kansas, had been steeped in Baptist and Methodist teachings as children, but religious faith never really took root in their hearts. My mother's own experiences as a bookish, sensitive child growing up in small towns in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas only reinforced this inherited skepticism. [...] My father was almost entirely absent from my childhood, having been divorced from my mother when I was 2 years old; in any event, although my father had been raised a Muslim, by the time he met my mother he was a confirmed atheist, thinking religion to be so much superstition.</blockquote>
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Obama writes that his religious convictions formed during his twenties, when, as a community organizer working with local churches, he came to understand "the power of the African American religious tradition to spur social change":
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<blockquote>It was because of these newfound understandings–that religious commitment did not require me to suspend critical thinking, disengage from the battle for economic and social justice, or otherwise retreat from the world that I knew and loved–that I was finally able to walk down the aisle of Trinity United Church of Christ one day and be [[baptism|baptized]]. It came about as a choice and not an epiphany; the questions I had did not magically disappear. But kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side of Chicago, I felt God's spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth.<ref name=2006pp207-208>Obama (2006), pp. 207–208. Excerpted in: {{cite news | first=Barack | last=Obama | coauthors= | title=My Spiritual Journey | date=[[October 23]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1546579,00.html | work =TIME | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }} See also: {{cite news | first=Barb | last=Powell | coauthors= | title=Obama: America Needs to Hear More-Moderate, More-Inclusive Religious Voices | date=August-September 2006 | publisher= | url =http://www.ucc.org/ucnews/sep06/obama.htm | work =United Church News | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}; and {{cite news | first=J. Bennett | last=Guess | coauthors= | title=Barack Obama, Candidate for President, is 'UCC' | date=[[February 9]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://news.ucc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=796&Itemid=54 | work =United Church News | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref></blockquote>
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==Books authored==
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Obama's 1995 book, ''[[Dreams from My Father]]'', is a memoir of his youth and early career. The book was reprinted in 2004 with a new preface and an annex containing the text of his 2004 Democratic Convention keynote speech.<ref>Obama (1995).</ref> The [[audio book]] edition earned Obama the 2006 [[Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Brooks | last=Boliek | title=Sen. Obama finally gets his Grammy|date=[[September 6]], [[2006]] | url =http://www.entertainment-news.org/breaking/54592/sen-obama-finally-gets-his-grammy.html | work =Reuters/Hollywood Reporter | accessdate = 2007-01-21 }}</ref>
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In December 2004, Obama signed a [[United States dollar|US$]]1.9 million contract for three books.<ref name=CTV>{{cite news | title=U.S. Senator Obama gets $1.9 million book deal | date=[[December 18]], [[2004]] | publisher= | url =http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20041218/obama_book_041218?s_name=&no_ads | work =CTV (AP) | accessdate = 2007-01-21 }}</ref> The first, ''[[The Audacity of Hope]]'', was published in October 2006.<ref>Obama (2006). See also: {{cite news | first=Michael | last=Tomasky | title=The Phenomenon | date=[[November 30]], [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.nybooks.com/articles/19651 | work =New York Review of Books | accessdate = 2007-02-20 }} and {{cite news | last=Weisberg | first=Jacob | title=The Path to Power | date=September-October 2006 | publisher=Men's Vogue | url=http://www.mensvogue.com/business/politics/feature/articles/2006/09/11/barack_obama |accessdate=2007-02-18 }}</ref> The book has remained at or near the top of the [[New York Times Best Seller list]] since its publication.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller/index.html |title=Best Sellers |accessdate=2007-01-21 |work=New York Times }}</ref> The second book covered under the publishing contract is a children's book to be co-written with his wife Michelle and their two young daughters, with profits going to charity. The content of the third book has yet to be announced.<ref name=CTV>{{cite news | title=U.S. Senator Obama gets $1.9 million book deal|date=[[December 18]], [[2004]] | publisher= | url =http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20041218/obama_book_041218?s_name=&no_ads | work =CTV (AP) | accessdate = 2007-01-21 }}</ref>
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==Cultural and political image==
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Supporters account for Obama's broad appeal by characterizing him as a cultural [[Rorschach inkblot test|Rorschach test]], a neutral persona onto which people can project their personal histories and aspirations.<ref name='ref name=Enda2006'>{{cite news | first=Jodi | last=Enda | title=Great Expectations | date=[[February 5]] [[2006]] | url =http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=10828 | work =The American Prospect | accessdate = 2007-02-18 }} See also: {{cite news | first=Garrett M. | last=Graff | title= The Legend of Barack Obama | date=[[November 1]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/mediapolitics/1836.html | work =Washingtonian | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 }}</ref> Obama's own self-narrative encourages diverse multiethnic affinities. In ''Dreams from My Father'', he links his maternal family history to possible [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] ancestors and distant relatives of [[Jefferson Davis]], president of the southern [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] during the [[American Civil War]].<ref>Obama (1995), p. 13.</ref> Speaking to an elderly [[Jew]]ish audience during his 2004 campaign for U.S. Senate, Obama linked the linguistic roots of his [[East Africa]]n first name ''Barack'' to the [[Hebrew]] word ''[[baruch]]'', meaning "blessed."<ref>{{cite news | first=Ron | last=Kampeas | coauthors= | title=Obama, Democrats’ Rising Star, Known for Harmony with Jews | date=[[August 6]] [[2004]] | url =http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/23183/edition_id/462/format/html/displaystory.html | work =Jewish News Weekly of Northern California | accessdate = 2007-02-18 }}</ref> 
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Media sources have mirrored and amplified Obama's [[everyman]] image. An October 2006 interview on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' highlighted the ethnic diversity of his extended family. Noting that his half-Indonesian half-sister is married to a Chinese-Canadian, the program cited descriptions by Obama's African American wife of family holiday gatherings as a "mini-[[United Nations]]."<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.oprah.com/tows/slide/200610/20061018/slide_20061018_284_110.jhtml |title=Keeping Hope Alive: Barack Obama Puts Family First |accessdate=2007-02-18 |date=[[October 18]] [[2006]] |work=The Oprah Winfrey Show }}</ref> An article in ''[[The Nation]]'' headlined "Mr. Obama Goes to Washington" (written by political [[blog]]ger [[David Sirota]])  invited comparisons between Obama's first year as a U.S. Senator and the classic 1939 movie ''[[Mr. Smith Goes to Washington]]''.<ref>In the film, [[James Stewart (actor)|James Stewart]] stars as a small-town hero standing up to political corruption in the U.S. Congress. {{cite news | first=David | last=Sirota | coauthors= | title=Mr. Obama Goes to Washington | date=[[June 26]] [[2006]] | publisher= | url=http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060626/sirota | work =The Nation | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}</ref> Another article in ''The Nation'' analyzed Obama's ability to "transcend race" with white audiences.<ref>{{cite news | first=Gary | last=Younge | coauthors= | title=Obama: Black Like Me | date= posted [[October 27]] [[2006]] ([[November 13]], [[2006]] issue) | url =http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061113/younge | work =The Nation | accessdate = 2007-02-18 }}</ref> However, ''[[New York Daily News]]'' columnist [[Stanley Crouch]] wrote: "When black Americans refer to Obama as 'one of us,' I do not know what they are talking about."<ref>Crouch continues: "Obama makes it clear that, while he has experienced some light versions of typical [[racial stereotype]]s, he cannot claim those problems as his own—nor has he lived the life of a black American." {{cite news | first=Stanley | last=Crouch | title=What Obama Isn't: Black Like Me | date=[[November 2]] [[2006]] | publisher= Alexa (cached copy) | url =http://vista.alexa.com/cgi-bin/docache?OCID=K0gsybDVz0st0U8sSjY3NdA31je2jDeINzIwMDcwMjI1NDYwMDKOTy5KLM8xMtMDKtJLr1LLT0srTi2xNTIxtTQzsjQCAA | work =New York Daily News | accessdate = 2007-03-14 | language = }}  See also: {{cite news | first=Clarence | last=Page | coauthors= | title=Is Barack Black Enough? Now That's a Silly Question | date=[[February 25]] [[2007]] | publisher= Alexa (cached copy) | url =http://vista.alexa.com/cgi-bin/docache?OCID=K0gsybDVz0st0U8sSjY3MNc30De2jDeINzIwMDcwMrIwNDAwMzaNTy5KLM8xstADKtJLr1LLT0srTi2xNTEGAkMjcwA | work =Houston Chronicle | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-14 | language = }}</ref>
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A ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' [[editorial|op-ed]] by [[David Brooks (journalist)|David Brooks]], published during Obama's promotion of his bestselling book ''The Audacity of Hope'' and campaigns for Democratic candidates before the [[United States general elections, 2006|November 2006 midterm election]], was noted by an article in the online magazine ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' as evidence of Obama's potential popularity among [[moderate]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] and [[Independent (voter)|independents]].<ref>{{cite news | first=Jacob | last=Weisberg | title=Obama's New Rules | date=[[October 26]] [[2006]] | url=http://www.slate.com/id/2152252 | work =Slate | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 }}</ref> But in a December 2006 ''[[The Wall Street Journal|Wall Street Journal]]'' editorial headlined "The Man from Nowhere," former [[Ronald Reagan]] speech writer [[Peggy Noonan]] criticized Brooks and other political commentators for becoming too quickly excited about Obama's still early political career. Agreeing with Obama's own assessment that "people project their hopes on him," Noonan attributed some of Obama's popularity to "a certain unknowability."<ref>{{cite news | first=Peggy | last=Noonan | title=The Man From Nowhere|date=[[December 15]] [[2006]] | url =http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110009388 | work =OpinionJournal from The Wall Street Journal Editorial Page | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 }}</ref>
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In his October 2006 [http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,20061023,00.html ''Time'' magazine cover story] on Obama, ''[[Primary Colors]]'' author [[Joe Klein]] compared the cultural sources of Obama's rapid rise and crossover appeal to those of U.S. celebrity icons [[Tiger Woods]], [[Oprah Winfrey]] and [[Michael Jordan]]. Asked to comment, Obama said: "Figures like Oprah, Tiger, Michael Jordan give people a shortcut to express their better instincts. . . . I think it's healthy, a good instinct. I just don't want it to stop with Oprah. I'd rather say, If you feel good about me, there's a whole lot of young men out there who could be me if given the chance."<ref name='Klein 2006-12-15'>{{cite news | first=Joe | last=Klein | title=The Democrats' New Face|date=[[October 15]] [[2006]] | url =http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1546302,00.html | work =TIME | accessdate = 2007-02-18 }}</ref>
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==Notes==
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{{reflist|2}}
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==References==
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*Obama, Barack. ''[[Dreams from My Father|Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance]]'', Times Books, 1995. Reprint edition, 2004; ISBN 1-4000-8277-3
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*Obama, Barack.''[[The Audacity of Hope|The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream]]'', Crown, 2006. ISBN 0-307-23769-9. [http://wikisummaries.org/The_Audacity_of_Hope Summary] at Wikisummaries.
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==Further reading==
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*{{cite news | last=Finnegan | first=William | title=The Candidate: How the Son of a Kenyan Economist Became an Illinois Everyman | date=[[24 May]] [[2004]] | publisher=New Yorker | url=http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/040531fa_fact1 |accessdate=2007-02-18 }}
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*{{cite news | last=Klein | first=Joe | title=The Fresh Face | date=[[October 23]] [[2006]] | publisher=TIME magazine | url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1546362,00.html |accessdate=2007-02-18 }}
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*{{cite news | first=Ryan | last=Lizza | coauthors= | title=The Agitator: Barack Obama's Unlikely Political Education | date= [[March 19]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20070319&s=lizza031907 | work =New Republic | pages = | accessdate = 2007-03-18 | language = [http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/Articles/bobamasunlikelypoliticaledu.html alternate site] }}
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*{{cite news | last=Senior | first=Jennifer | title=Dreaming of Obama | date=[[October 2]] [[2006]] | publisher=New York Magazine| url=http://www.newyorkmetro.com/news/politics/21681/index.html |accessdate=2007-02-18 }}
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*{{cite news | first=Ben | last=Wallace-Wells | coauthors= | title=Destiny's Child | date=[[February 07]] [[2007]] | publisher= | url =http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/13390609/campaign_08_the_radical_roots_of_barack_obama/ | work =Rolling Stone | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-18 | language = }}
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==External links==
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{{Spoken Wikipedia|Barack_Obama_1-31-2007.ogg|2007-01-31}}
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{{wikinews|category:Barack Obama|Barack Obama}}
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{{commons|category:Barack Obama|Barack Obama}}
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{{wikiquote|Barack Obama}}
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{{wikisource|Author:Barack Obama|Barack Obama}}
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;Official sites
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*[http://www.barackobama.com BarackObama.com]
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**[http://www.barackobama.com/tv/ Video]
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*[http://obama.senate.gov U.S. Senate Office of Barack Obama]
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**[http://obama.senate.gov/podcast/ Podcasts]
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**[http://obama.senate.gov/speech/ Speeches]
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*{{CongBio|O000167}}
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;Interviews and speeches
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*[http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200610/20061023.html Obama Comments on Testing the Waters for a White House Run and Discusses his New Book], ''[[Tavis Smiley|Tavis Smiley Show]]'', [[October 23]], [[2006]]
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*[http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=445 Obama Talks with Bob Herbert About His Book, ''The Audacity of Hope''], ''ForaTV'', [[October 20]], [[2006]]
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*[http://www.activeliving.org/node/489 Senator Barack Obama: Illinois], ''[[Active Living|Active Living Network]]''
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*[http://frontrow.bc.edu/program/obama/ First Year Academic Convocation], ''[[Boston College|Front Row: Boston College Magazine]]'', [[September 16]], [[2005]]
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*[http://www2.oprah.com/omagazine/omag_ocut_flash.jhtml?issue=200411 Oprah's Cut with Barack Obama], ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'', November 2004
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;Topic pages and databases
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*[http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/o/barack_obama/index.html Times Topics: Obama, Barack], ''[[New York Times]]''
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*[http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-barack-obama-gallery,1,7978586.storygallery Barack Obama]'', [[Chicago Tribune]]''
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*[http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_detail/S4IL00180 Campaign Finance Disclosure - Barack Obama], ''[[Federal Election Commission]]''
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*[http://www.knowmore.org/index.php/Senator_Barack_H._Obama_%28D-IL%29 Senator Barack H. Obama (D-IL)], ''KnowMore.org''
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*[http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Barack_Obama Barack Obama], ''[[Congresspedia]]''
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*[http://www.ontheissues.org/Barack_Obama.htm Barack Obama on the Issues], ''OnTheIssues.org''
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*[http://vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=BS030017 Senator Barack H. Obama (IL)], ''[[Project Vote Smart]]''
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*[http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/o000167/ U.S. Congress Votes Database: Members of Congress / Barack Obama], ''[[Washington Post]]''
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*[http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allsummary.asp?CID=N00009638 Barack Obama: Campaign Finance/Money - Career Profile], ''[[Center for Public Integrity]] (OpenSecrets.org)''
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*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Society_and_Culture/Politics/Candidates_and_Campaigns/Presidential/2008/Candidates/Obama,_Barack/ 2008 Presidential Candidates: Barack Obama], ''[[Open Directory Project]]''
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[[Category:Political people|Obama, Barack]]
 
[[Category:Political people|Obama, Barack]]
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