Early Years
Barack Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4th, 1961. His father, Barack
Obama Sr., was born and raised in a small village in Kenya, where he
grew up herding goats with his own father, who was a domestic servant to
the British.
Barack's mother, Ann Dunham, grew up in small-town Kansas. Her father
worked on oil rigs during the Depression, and then signed up for World
War II after Pearl Harbor, where he marched across Europe in Patton's
army. Her mother went to work on a bomber assembly line, and after the
war, they studied on the G.I. Bill, bought a house through the Federal
Housing Program, and moved west to Hawaii.
It was there, at the University of Hawaii, where Barack's parents met.
His mother was a student there, and his father had won a scholarship
that allowed him to leave Kenya and pursue his dreams in America.
Barack's father eventually returned to Kenya, and Barack grew up with
his mother in Hawaii, and for a few years in Indonesia. Later, he moved
to New York, where he graduated from Columbia University in 1983.
The College Years
Remembering the values of empathy and service that his mother taught
him, Barack put law school and corporate life on hold after college and
moved to Chicago in 1985, where he became a community organizer with a
church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor
neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment.
The group had some success, but Barack had come to realize that in order
to truly improve the lives of people in that community and other
communities, it would take not just a change at the local level, but a
change in our laws and in our politics.
He went on to earn his law degree from Harvard in 1991, where he became
the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. Soon
after, he returned to Chicago to practice as a civil rights lawyer and
teach constitutional law. Finally, his advocacy work led him to run for
the Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years. In 2004, he
became the third African American since Reconstruction to be elected to
the U.S. Senate.
Political Career
It has been the rich and varied experiences of Barack Obama's life -
growing up in different places with people who had differing ideas -
that have animated his political journey. Amid the partisanship and
bickering of today's public debate, he still believes in the ability to
unite people around a politics of purpose - a politics that puts solving
the challenges of everyday Americans ahead of partisan calculation and
political gain.
In the Illinois State Senate, this meant working with both Democrats and
Republicans to help working families get ahead by creating programs like
the state Earned Income Tax Credit, which in three years provided over
$100 million in tax cuts to families across the state. He also pushed
through an expansion of early childhood education, and after a number of
inmates on death row were found innocent, Senator Obama worked with law
enforcement officials to require the videotaping of interrogations and
confessions in all capital cases.
In the U.S. Senate, he has focused on tackling the challenges of a
globalized, 21st century world with fresh thinking and a politics that
no longer settles for the lowest common denominator. His first law was
passed with Republican Tom Coburn, a measure to rebuild trust in
government by allowing every American to go online and see how and where
every dime of their tax dollars is spent. He has also been the lead
voice in championing ethics reform that would root out Jack
Abramoff-style corruption in Congress.
As a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama has fought
to help Illinois veterans get the disability pay they were promised,
while working to prepare the VA for the return of the thousands of
veterans who will need care after Iraq and Afghanistan. Recognizing the
terrorist threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, he traveled to
Russia with Republican Dick Lugar to begin a new generation of
non-proliferation efforts designed to find and secure deadly weapons
around the world. And knowing the threat we face to our economy and our
security from America's addiction to oil, he's working to bring auto
companies, unions, farmers, businesses and politicians of both parties
together to promote the greater use of alternative fuels and higher fuel
standards in our cars.
Whether it's the poverty exposed by Katrina, the genocide in Darfur, or
the role of faith in our politics, Barack Obama continues to speak out
on the issues that will define America in the 21st century. But above
all his accomplishments and experiences, he is most proud and grateful
for his family. His wife, Michelle, and his two daughters, Malia, 9, and
Sasha, 6, live on Chicago's South Side where they attend Trinity United
Church of Christ.
Civil Rights
There is no more fundamental American right than the right to vote.
Before the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act, barriers such as literacy
tests, poll taxes and property requirements disenfranchised many
Americans, especially minorities. More than 40 years later, there are
still numerous obstacles to ensuring that every citizen has the ability
to vote.
Disabilities
"We must build a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and
discrimination .... policies must be developed, attitudes must be
shaped, and buildings and organizations must be designed to ensure that
everyone has a chance to get the education they need and live
independently as full citizens in their communities."
Economy
As president, Barack Obama will implement a 21st century economic agenda
to help ensure that America can compete in a global economy, and ensure
the middle class is thriving and growing. He will increase investments
in infrastructure, energy independence, education, and research and
development; modernize and simplify our tax code so it provides greater
opportunity and relief to more Americans; and implement trade policies
that benefit American workers and increase the export of American goods.
Education
Throughout America's history, education has been the vehicle for social
and economic mobility, giving hope and opportunity to millions of young
people. Our schools must prepare students not only to meet the demands
of the global economy, but also help students take their place as
committed and engaged citizens. It must ensure that all students have a
quality education regardless of race, class, or background. Barack Obama
is committed to strengthening our public schools to maximize our
country's greatest natural resource - the American people. Obama
believes that we must equip poor and struggling districts, both rural
and urban, with the support and resources they need to provide
disadvantaged students with an opportunity to reach their full
potential. Too often, our leaders present this issue as an either - or
debate, divided between giving our schools more funding, or demanding
more accountability. Obama believes that we have to do both, and has
offered innovative ideas to break through the political stalemate in
Washington.
Energy & Environment
Senator Obama has been a leader in the Senate in pushing for a
comprehensive national energy policy and has introduced a number of
bills to get us closer to the goal of energy independence. By putting
aside partisan battles, he has found common ground on CAFE, renewable
fuels, and clean coal.
Ethics
Throughout his political career, Barack Obama has been a leader in
fighting for open and honest government. As a U.S. Senator, he has
spearheaded the effort to clean up Washington in the wake of the Jack
Abramoff scandal. In a politically charged election year, Obama
acknowledged that corruption was a problem that plagued both political
parties. He subsequently enlisted the help of Republican allies to limit
lobbyist influence, shine sunlight into the earmarks process and promote
open government.
Faith
In June of 2006, Senator Obama delivered what was called the most
important speech on religion and politics in 40 years. Speaking before
an evangelical audience, Senator Obama candidly discussed his own
religious conversion and doubts, and the need for a deeper, more
substantive discussion about the role of faith in American life.
Family
Strong families raise successful children and keep communities
together. While Senator Obama does not believe that we can simply
legislate healthy families, good parenting skills or economic success,
he does believe we can eliminate roadblocks that parents face and
provide tools to help them succeed. A husband and father of two, Senator
Obama has promoted strong families in the Senate.
Fiscal
"The cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the
federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our
cities and states of critical investments in infrastructure like
bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of
critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our
seniors of the retirement and health security they have counted on ...
If Washington were serious about honest tax relief in this country, we'd
see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible
fiscal policies." - Barack Obama, Speech in the U.S. Senate, March 13,
2006
Foreign Policy
As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Obama
has fought to strengthen America's position in the world. Reaching
across the aisle, Obama has tackled problems such as preventing the
spread of weapons of mass destruction and stopping the genocide in
Darfur.
Healthcare
"I...believe that every American has the right to affordable health
care. I believe that the millions of Americans who can't take their
children to a doctor when they get sick have that right...We now face an
opportunity - and an obligation - to turn the page on the failed
politics of yesterday's health care debates. It's time to bring together
businesses, the medical community, and members of both parties around a
comprehensive solution to this crisis, and it's time to let the drug and
insurance industries know that while they'll get a seat at the table,
they don't get to buy every chair."
Homeland Security
Five
years after 9/11, our country is still unprepared for a terrorist
attack. From improving security for our transit systems and chemical
plants, to increasing cargo screening in our airports and seaports,
the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission have been underfunded and
ignored. The 9/11 Commission gave the government five F's and 12 D's
on the implementation of its recommendations. Senator Obama is a
member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Committee and has supported efforts to base homeland security
spending on risk rather than pork-barrel politics. He has also
introduced legislation to strengthen chemical plant and drinking
water security and to enhance disaster preparedness.
Immigration
Barack Obama has played a leading role in crafting comprehensive
immigration reform. Obama believes the immigration issue has been
exploited by politicians to divide the nation rather than find real
solutions. This divisiveness has allowed the illegal immigration problem
to worsen, with borders that are less secure than ever and an economy
that depends on millions of workers living in the shadows.
Iraq
Before the war in Iraq ever started, Senator Obama said that it was
wrong in its conception. In 2002, then Illinois State Senator Obama said
Saddam Hussein posed no imminent threat to the United States and that
invasion would lead to an occupation of undetermined length, at
undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. Since then, Senator
Obama has laid out a plan on the way forward in Iraq that has largely
been affirmed by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group led by James Baker and
Lee Hamilton.
Poverty
There are 37 million poor Americans. Most poor Americans are in the
workforce, yet still cannot afford to make ends meet. And too many poor
Americans are single mothers who are raising children. Barack Obama has
been a lifelong advocate for the poor -- as a young college graduate, he
rejected the high salaries of corporate America and moved to the South
Side of Chicago to work as a community organizer. As an organizer, Obama
worked with churches, Chicago residents and local government to set up
job training programs for the unemployed and after school programs for
kids.
Rural
"We are at that critical and urgent moment. If Washington continues
policies that work against America's family farmers, our rural
communities will fall further behind - and so will America. But if we
reject the politics that has shut ordinary folks out, we can create a
new story for rural America ... The dreams of rural Americans are
familiar to all Americans - to make a good living, to raise a healthy
and secure family, and to leave our children a future of opportunity.
It's time for real leadership for rural America to extend that American
dream. That's the dream of opportunity that I've spent my life fighting
for. And that's what our rural agenda will do."
Service
"Your own story and the American story are not separate - they are
shared. And they will both be enriched if we stand up together, and
answer a new call to service to meet the challenges of our new century
... I won't just ask for your vote as a candidate; I will ask for your
service and your active citizenship when I am president of the United
States. This will not be a call issued in one speech or program; this
will be a cause of my presidency."
Seniors & Social Security
Americans turning 65 this year have grown our economy by 4.5 times
over the course of their working lives. They have tilled our soil,
defended our country, taught our children, worked in our factories, and
raised a new generation to build upon their successes. And yet, many
struggle to get by. Threats to Social Security and Medicare,
skyrocketing health costs, and abuse and neglect of seniors all
jeopardize our unspoken covenant: our seniors worked hard to take care
of us, and now we must be here for them.
Technology
"Let us be the generation that reshapes our economy to compete in
the digital age. Let's set high standards for our schools and give them
the resources they need to succeed. Let's recruit a new army of
teachers, and give them better pay and more support in exchange for more
accountability. Let's make college more affordable, and let's invest in
scientific research, and let's lay down broadband lines through the
heart of inner cities and rural towns all across America."
Veterans
As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Senator Obama
is committed to helping the heroes who defend our nation today and the
veterans who fought in years past. A grandson of a World War II veteran
who went to college on the G.I. Bill, Senator Obama has reached out to
Republicans and Democrats in order to honor our commitment to America's
veterans.
For more detailed information on any
of these subjects go to Barack's website:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/
To contact Barack:
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