Biography for
Date of Birth
Birth Name
Barack Hussein Obama II
Nickname
Barry
Bama
Rock
The One
No Drama Obama
Height
6' 1" (1.85 m)
Mini Biography
Barack Obama was born to a white American mother, Ann Dunham,
and a black Kenyan father,Barack Obama Sr., who were both young
college students at the University of Hawaii. When his father left for
Harvard, she and Barack stayed behind, and his father ultimately
returned alone to Kenya, where he worked as a government economist. Barack's mother remarried an Indonesian oil manager and moved to
Jakarta when Barack was six. He later recounted Indonesia as
simultaneously lush and a harrowing exposure to tropical poverty.
He returned to Hawaii, where he was brought up largely by his
grandparents. The family lived in a small apartment - his grandfather
was a furniture salesman and an unsuccessful insurance agent and his grandmother worked in a bank - but Barack managed to get into
Punahou School, Hawaii's top prep academy. His father wrote to him
regularly but, though he traveled around the world on official
business for Kenya, he visited only once, when Barack was ten.
and a black Kenyan father,Barack Obama Sr., who were both young
college students at the University of Hawaii. When his father left for
Harvard, she and Barack stayed behind, and his father ultimately
returned alone to Kenya, where he worked as a government economist. Barack's mother remarried an Indonesian oil manager and moved to
Jakarta when Barack was six. He later recounted Indonesia as
simultaneously lush and a harrowing exposure to tropical poverty.
He returned to Hawaii, where he was brought up largely by his
grandparents. The family lived in a small apartment - his grandfather
was a furniture salesman and an unsuccessful insurance agent and his grandmother worked in a bank - but Barack managed to get into
Punahou School, Hawaii's top prep academy. His father wrote to him
regularly but, though he traveled around the world on official
business for Kenya, he visited only once, when Barack was ten.
Obama attended Columbia University, but found New York's racial
tension inescapable. He became a community organizer for a small
Chicago church-based group for three years, helping poor South Side
residents cope with a wave of plant closings. He then attended
Harvard Law School, and in 1990 became the first African-American
editor of the Harvard Law Review. He turned down a prestigious
judicial clerkship, choosing instead to practice civil-rights law back
in Chicago, representing victims of housing and employment
discrimination and working on voting-rights legislation. He also
began teaching at the University of Chicago Law School, and married
Michelle Robinson, a fellow attorney. Eventually he was elected to
the Illinois state senate, where his district included both Hyde Park
and some of the poorest ghettos on the South Side.
tension inescapable. He became a community organizer for a small
Chicago church-based group for three years, helping poor South Side
residents cope with a wave of plant closings. He then attended
Harvard Law School, and in 1990 became the first African-American
editor of the Harvard Law Review. He turned down a prestigious
judicial clerkship, choosing instead to practice civil-rights law back
in Chicago, representing victims of housing and employment
discrimination and working on voting-rights legislation. He also
began teaching at the University of Chicago Law School, and married
Michelle Robinson, a fellow attorney. Eventually he was elected to
the Illinois state senate, where his district included both Hyde Park
and some of the poorest ghettos on the South Side.
In 2004 Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat,
representing Illinois, and he gained national attention by giving a
rousing and well-received keynote speech at the Democratic
National Convention in Boston. In 2008 he ran for President,
and despite having only four years of national political experience,
he won. In January 2009, he was sworn in as the 44th President of
the United States, and the first African-American ever elected to
that position. Obama was reelected to a second term in November 2012.
representing Illinois, and he gained national attention by giving a
rousing and well-received keynote speech at the Democratic
National Convention in Boston. In 2008 he ran for President,
and despite having only four years of national political experience,
he won. In January 2009, he was sworn in as the 44th President of
the United States, and the first African-American ever elected to
that position. Obama was reelected to a second term in November 2012.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous
Spouse
| Michelle Obama | (3 October 1992 - present) 2 children |
Trivia
His first name comes from the word that means "blessed by God"
in Arabic.
in Arabic.
In the Kenyan town where his father was born, the long-brewed
"Senator" brand of beer has been nicknamed "Obama."
"Senator" brand of beer has been nicknamed "Obama."
U.S. Senator from Illinois since 3 January 2005.
Won a Grammy for Best Spoken Word for the CD version of his
autobiography "Dreams From My Father" (2006).
autobiography "Dreams From My Father" (2006).
Lived in Hyde Park in Chicago.
On "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (1993), he revealed that President
George W. Bush nicknamed him "Bama" and "Rock".
George W. Bush nicknamed him "Bama" and "Rock".
Related to Park Overall.
Candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 US presidential
election. Several celebrities including; Halle Berry, George Clooney,
Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Topher Grace, Macy Gray, Bruce Springsteen,
Oprah Winfrey Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Hayden Panettiere,
Zachary Quinto, Eddie Murphy and John Cleese support his 2008
presidential campaign. Robert De Niro gave his endorsement at the
same rally where Barack was endorsed by Caroline and Ted Kennedy.
election. Several celebrities including; Halle Berry, George Clooney,
Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Topher Grace, Macy Gray, Bruce Springsteen,
Oprah Winfrey Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Hayden Panettiere,
Zachary Quinto, Eddie Murphy and John Cleese support his 2008
presidential campaign. Robert De Niro gave his endorsement at the
same rally where Barack was endorsed by Caroline and Ted Kennedy.
Enjoys playing basketball and poker.
At his wife's suggestion, he quit smoking before his campaign to
win the Democratic nomination began.
His paternal relatives still live in Kenya. Confessed teenage drug
experiences in his memoirs "Dreams from My Father". One of his
ancestors was Mareen Duvall, also an ancestor of actor Robert Duvall.
win the Democratic nomination began.
His paternal relatives still live in Kenya. Confessed teenage drug
experiences in his memoirs "Dreams from My Father". One of his
ancestors was Mareen Duvall, also an ancestor of actor Robert Duvall.
Shares his surname with a small city in western Japan, which
means "small shore" in Japanese. Plays basketball.
means "small shore" in Japanese. Plays basketball.
Born to Barack Obama Sr. (1936-1982) and Ann Dunham (1942-1995)
married from 1961 to 1965. Named one of Time magazine's "100
most influential people in the world" list in 2005 and 2007. Chosen as
one of "10 people would change the world" by New Statesman
magazine (2005). Won his second Grammy Award for Best Spoken
Word Album for "The Audacity of Hope" (2008).
married from 1961 to 1965. Named one of Time magazine's "100
most influential people in the world" list in 2005 and 2007. Chosen as
one of "10 people would change the world" by New Statesman
magazine (2005). Won his second Grammy Award for Best Spoken
Word Album for "The Audacity of Hope" (2008).
On June 3, 2008 he won the Montana primary election giving him
enough delegates to become the first Black American presidential
candidate to win a major political party's presumptive nomination
for the office of President of the United States.
enough delegates to become the first Black American presidential
candidate to win a major political party's presumptive nomination
for the office of President of the United States.
Is a die-hard Chicago White Sox fan. More than 215,000 people
attended his speech in Berlin on 24 July 2008.
attended his speech in Berlin on 24 July 2008.
Has one half-sister, Maya, born to his mother and stepfather in 1970.
Has his look-alike puppet in the French show "Les guignols de l'info"
(1988). Barack Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham died
Sunday November 2, 2008 in the early evening in Honolulu from cancer.
She was 86. Is the first African-American man to be elected President
of the United States (November 2008).
(1988). Barack Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham died
Sunday November 2, 2008 in the early evening in Honolulu from cancer.
She was 86. Is the first African-American man to be elected President
of the United States (November 2008).
When elected President, he won the battleground states of Florida,
Virginia and Colorado - all of which had voted Republican in 2004.
Virginia and Colorado - all of which had voted Republican in 2004.
Is the first American president to be born in Hawaii.
Was the 27th lawyer to be elected American president.
Was elected to be the 44th president of the Unites States of America
on 4 November, 2008. As a child growing up in Hawaii, his classmates
knew him as Barry. Presidential campaign slogan: "Change we can
believe in". Is primarily of Kenyan and English ancestry. Favorite
movies are Casablanca (1942), Lawrence of Arabia (1962),
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), The Godfather (1972),
and The Godfather: Part II (1974). Is a fan of "The Wire" (2002).
on 4 November, 2008. As a child growing up in Hawaii, his classmates
knew him as Barry. Presidential campaign slogan: "Change we can
believe in". Is primarily of Kenyan and English ancestry. Favorite
movies are Casablanca (1942), Lawrence of Arabia (1962),
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), The Godfather (1972),
and The Godfather: Part II (1974). Is a fan of "The Wire" (2002).
First ever US President to address a Muslim community at an
inaugural speech. Shares the same birthday as long-time White
House correspondent and journalism legend, Helen Thomas. On her
89th birthday (and his 48th), they celebrated by blowing birthday
cupcakes together in front of the press corps. First United States
Senator to be elected President since John F. Kennedy. October 2009,
won the Nobel Peace Prize. Fourth US President to win a Nobel
Peace Prize (2009) after Theodore Roosevelt (1906), Woodrow Wilson
(1919) and Jimmy Carter (2002).
inaugural speech. Shares the same birthday as long-time White
House correspondent and journalism legend, Helen Thomas. On her
89th birthday (and his 48th), they celebrated by blowing birthday
cupcakes together in front of the press corps. First United States
Senator to be elected President since John F. Kennedy. October 2009,
won the Nobel Peace Prize. Fourth US President to win a Nobel
Peace Prize (2009) after Theodore Roosevelt (1906), Woodrow Wilson
(1919) and Jimmy Carter (2002).
Defended his decision not to issue a formal written statement on
the death of controversial pop star Michael Jackson on 25 June 2009.
the death of controversial pop star Michael Jackson on 25 June 2009.
Merited a position in Time magazine's - The 100 Most Influential
People in the World ("Leaders" category) - with an homage contributed byDavid Remnick (Issue: May 10, 2010).
People in the World ("Leaders" category) - with an homage contributed byDavid Remnick (Issue: May 10, 2010).
Received a gift of a Portuguese water dog from Senator Ted Kennedy
and his wife Victoria. Because the particular breed is reportedly hypo-allergenic, the First Family and friends were highly unlikely to suffer any allergic reactions in the pet's presence. [2009] Obama's appearance
on "The View" (1997) (29 July 2010) made him the first ever sitting US President to appear as a guest on a daytime TV talk show.
and his wife Victoria. Because the particular breed is reportedly hypo-allergenic, the First Family and friends were highly unlikely to suffer any allergic reactions in the pet's presence. [2009] Obama's appearance
on "The View" (1997) (29 July 2010) made him the first ever sitting US President to appear as a guest on a daytime TV talk show.
Obama's birthplace of Hawaii makes him the first U.S. president not
born in the continental United States. Brother-in-law of basketball
player, coach and author Craig Robinson. Son of Barack Obama Sr..
born in the continental United States. Brother-in-law of basketball
player, coach and author Craig Robinson. Son of Barack Obama Sr..
The character of Matt Santos in 'The West Wing' is based on him.
The first US President to be born after the Vietnam War started.
Is a big fan of the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man and
collected the comics as a youth. Counts "Homeland" (2011) as one
of his favorite TV shows. First U.S. President to be personally
presented with an Apple iPad 2 by Steve Jobs before it was officially
released domestically. Obama is frequently seen using Apple devices.
collected the comics as a youth. Counts "Homeland" (2011) as one
of his favorite TV shows. First U.S. President to be personally
presented with an Apple iPad 2 by Steve Jobs before it was officially
released domestically. Obama is frequently seen using Apple devices.
Notable for being the first United States President to participate
in social media. He is the first President to have a personal
Facebook page and a Twitter account, and the first President
to hold Q&A sessions via those forums and YouTube. He is also
the first sitting President to own and use an iPod, Blackberry
(custom made for security purposes), and iPad.
in social media. He is the first President to have a personal
Facebook page and a Twitter account, and the first President
to hold Q&A sessions via those forums and YouTube. He is also
the first sitting President to own and use an iPod, Blackberry
(custom made for security purposes), and iPad.
His daily newspapers are The New York Times, The Wall Street
Journal, and The Washington Post. He claims to not watch cable
TV news stations. Introduced the 50th anniversary television
broadcast of To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).
Journal, and The Washington Post. He claims to not watch cable
TV news stations. Introduced the 50th anniversary television
broadcast of To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).
Can speak Indonesian to a certain degree, having lived in Indonesia
for a number of years during his childhood. The TV presidential
election campaign commercial for Obama featured, Carl Reiner,
Garry Marshall, Larry Gelbart, Valerie Harper, Danny DeVito, Rhea
Perlman, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara (slogan: "This Ain't Funny,
it's a serious election. Don't vote out of fear, vote for hope - Vote
for Obama").
for a number of years during his childhood. The TV presidential
election campaign commercial for Obama featured, Carl Reiner,
Garry Marshall, Larry Gelbart, Valerie Harper, Danny DeVito, Rhea
Perlman, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara (slogan: "This Ain't Funny,
it's a serious election. Don't vote out of fear, vote for hope - Vote
for Obama").
Was a classmate of Hill Harper's at Harvard Law School.
First United States President to be elected twice with over 50% of
the popular vote since Ronald Reagan and the first Democratic
President elected as such since Franklin D. Roosevelt.
the popular vote since Ronald Reagan and the first Democratic
President elected as such since Franklin D. Roosevelt.
First two-term President to take the Oath of Office four times.
The first time, during his televised first inauguration, Chief Justice
John Roberts made a mistake while reading the Oath of Office,
which Obama repeated to avoid embarrassment. A few days later,
he called Roberts into his office to do it again, and this time read
it correctly. By law, the President is sworn in at noon on January 20.
In 2013, the month and date fell on a Sunday, but to comply with
the Blue Law (no work on Sunday), he was sworn in privately in
the Oval Office, and then again publicly the next day. The two
before him that were sworn in on Monday, January 21st, were
Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957 and Ronald Reagan in 1985.
The first time, during his televised first inauguration, Chief Justice
John Roberts made a mistake while reading the Oath of Office,
which Obama repeated to avoid embarrassment. A few days later,
he called Roberts into his office to do it again, and this time read
it correctly. By law, the President is sworn in at noon on January 20.
In 2013, the month and date fell on a Sunday, but to comply with
the Blue Law (no work on Sunday), he was sworn in privately in
the Oval Office, and then again publicly the next day. The two
before him that were sworn in on Monday, January 21st, were
Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957 and Ronald Reagan in 1985.
One of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the
World (2013).
World (2013).
Personal Quotes
[from keynote speech given at the 2004 Democratic party national
convention] There's not a liberal America and a conservative America.
There's the United States of America. We worship an awesome God
in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents poking around
our libraries in the red states. We coach Little League in the blue
states, and have gay friends in the red states. There are patriots
who opposed the war, and patriots who supported it. We are one
people, all of us pledging allegiance to the Stars and Stripes, all
of us defending the United States of America. And it lives on in
those Americans -- young and old, rich and poor, black and white,
Latino and Asian and Native American, gay and straight -- who
are tired of a politics that divides us and want to recapture the
sense of common purpose that we had when John Kennedy was
President of the United States of America.
convention] There's not a liberal America and a conservative America.
There's the United States of America. We worship an awesome God
in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents poking around
our libraries in the red states. We coach Little League in the blue
states, and have gay friends in the red states. There are patriots
who opposed the war, and patriots who supported it. We are one
people, all of us pledging allegiance to the Stars and Stripes, all
of us defending the United States of America. And it lives on in
those Americans -- young and old, rich and poor, black and white,
Latino and Asian and Native American, gay and straight -- who
are tired of a politics that divides us and want to recapture the
sense of common purpose that we had when John Kennedy was
President of the United States of America.
[regarding former President Bill Clinton's support for his wife--and
Obama's opponent for the 2008 Democratic presidential
nomination--Hillary Rodham Clinton] Sometimes I don't know who
I'm running against. [when asked whether he would call on
Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton to release their tax returns,
after Hilary loaned $5 million of her own money to her campaign]
I'll just say that I've released my tax returns. That's been a policy
I've maintained consistently. I think the American people deserve
to know where you get your income from. But I'll leave it up to you
guys to chase it down . . . I think we set the bar in terms of
transparency and disclosure that has been a consistent theme of
my campaign and my career in politics. In the unlikely story that
is America, there has never been anything false about hope. When
I am this party's [Democratic party] nominee, my opponent will not
be able to say that I voted for the war in Iraq; or that I gave
[George W. Bush] the benefit of the doubt on Iran; or that I
supported Bush-Cheney [former VP Dick Cheney] policies of not
talking to leaders that we don't like. And he will not be able to
say that I wavered on something as fundamental as whether or
not it is okay for America to torture - because it is NEVER okay.
That's why I am in it. As President, I will end the war in Iraq. We
will have our troops home in sixteen months. I will close Guantanamo.
I will restore habeas corpus. I will finish the fight against Al Qaeda.
And I will lead the world to combat the common threats of the 21st
century - nuclear weapons and terrorism; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease. And I will send once more a message to those
yearning faces beyond our shores that says, "You matter to us.
Your future is our future. And our moment is now."
Obama's opponent for the 2008 Democratic presidential
nomination--Hillary Rodham Clinton] Sometimes I don't know who
I'm running against. [when asked whether he would call on
Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton to release their tax returns,
after Hilary loaned $5 million of her own money to her campaign]
I'll just say that I've released my tax returns. That's been a policy
I've maintained consistently. I think the American people deserve
to know where you get your income from. But I'll leave it up to you
guys to chase it down . . . I think we set the bar in terms of
transparency and disclosure that has been a consistent theme of
my campaign and my career in politics. In the unlikely story that
is America, there has never been anything false about hope. When
I am this party's [Democratic party] nominee, my opponent will not
be able to say that I voted for the war in Iraq; or that I gave
[George W. Bush] the benefit of the doubt on Iran; or that I
supported Bush-Cheney [former VP Dick Cheney] policies of not
talking to leaders that we don't like. And he will not be able to
say that I wavered on something as fundamental as whether or
not it is okay for America to torture - because it is NEVER okay.
That's why I am in it. As President, I will end the war in Iraq. We
will have our troops home in sixteen months. I will close Guantanamo.
I will restore habeas corpus. I will finish the fight against Al Qaeda.
And I will lead the world to combat the common threats of the 21st
century - nuclear weapons and terrorism; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease. And I will send once more a message to those
yearning faces beyond our shores that says, "You matter to us.
Your future is our future. And our moment is now."
This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are
stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian
children and Hispanic children and Native American children. This
time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids
can't learn; that those kids who don't look like us are somebody
else's problem. The children of America are not those kids, they
are our kids, and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st century
economy. Not this time. Change is coming to America. In America,
we have this strong bias toward individual action. You know, we
idolize the John Wayne hero who comes in to correct things with
both guns blazing. But individual actions, individual dreams, are
not sufficient. We must unite in collective action, build collective
institutions and organizations.
stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian
children and Hispanic children and Native American children. This
time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids
can't learn; that those kids who don't look like us are somebody
else's problem. The children of America are not those kids, they
are our kids, and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st century
economy. Not this time. Change is coming to America. In America,
we have this strong bias toward individual action. You know, we
idolize the John Wayne hero who comes in to correct things with
both guns blazing. But individual actions, individual dreams, are
not sufficient. We must unite in collective action, build collective
institutions and organizations.
In Washington, the call this the Ownership Society, and it is
especially tempting because each of us believes we will always
be the winner in life's lottery, that we're the one who will be the
next Donald Trump, or at least we won't be the chump who Donald
Trump says: "You're fired!"
especially tempting because each of us believes we will always
be the winner in life's lottery, that we're the one who will be the
next Donald Trump, or at least we won't be the chump who Donald
Trump says: "You're fired!"
In America, we have this strong bias toward individual action. You
know we idolize the John Wayne hero who comes in to correct things
with both guns blazing. But individual actions, individual dreams are
not sufficient. We must unite in collective action, build collective
institutions and organizations.
know we idolize the John Wayne hero who comes in to correct things
with both guns blazing. But individual actions, individual dreams are
not sufficient. We must unite in collective action, build collective
institutions and organizations.
In Washington, we call this the Ownership society, and it is
especially tempting because each of us believes we will always be
the winner in life's lottery, that we're the one who will be the next
Donald Trump, or at least we won't be the chump who Donald Trump
says: "You're fired!"
especially tempting because each of us believes we will always be
the winner in life's lottery, that we're the one who will be the next
Donald Trump, or at least we won't be the chump who Donald Trump
says: "You're fired!"
To avoid being mistaken for a sellout, I chose my friends carefully.
The more politically active black students. The foreign students. The
Chicanos. The Marxist professors and the structural feminists and
punk rock performance poets. We smoked cigarettes and wore
leather jackets. At night in the dorms, we discussed neocolonialism,
Franz Fanon, Eurocentrism and patriarchy. When we ground our
cigarettes in the hallway carpet or set our stereos so loud that the
walls began to shake, we were resisting bourgeois society's stifling constraints. We weren't indifferent or careless or insecure. We were
alienated. (visiting Ireland) My name is Barack Obama of the
Moneygall O'Bamas. And I've come to find the apostrophe we lost
along the way.
The more politically active black students. The foreign students. The
Chicanos. The Marxist professors and the structural feminists and
punk rock performance poets. We smoked cigarettes and wore
leather jackets. At night in the dorms, we discussed neocolonialism,
Franz Fanon, Eurocentrism and patriarchy. When we ground our
cigarettes in the hallway carpet or set our stereos so loud that the
walls began to shake, we were resisting bourgeois society's stifling constraints. We weren't indifferent or careless or insecure. We were
alienated. (visiting Ireland) My name is Barack Obama of the
Moneygall O'Bamas. And I've come to find the apostrophe we lost
along the way.
Hopefully, more and more people will begin to feel their story is
somehow a part of the larger story of how we're going to reshape
America in a way that is less mean spirited and more generous. I
mean I really hope to be a part of the transformation of this country.
somehow a part of the larger story of how we're going to reshape
America in a way that is less mean spirited and more generous. I
mean I really hope to be a part of the transformation of this country.
I'm not interested in the suburbs. The suburbs bore me. And I'm not interested in isolating myself. I feel good when I'm engaged in what
I think are the core issues of the society, and those issues to me are
what's happening to poor folks in this society.
I think are the core issues of the society, and those issues to me are
what's happening to poor folks in this society.
It's crucial that people don't see my election as a sign of progress in
the broader sense that we don't sort of point to a Barack Obama any
more than you point to a Bill Cosby or a Michael Jordan and say "Well
things are hunky dory".
the broader sense that we don't sort of point to a Barack Obama any
more than you point to a Bill Cosby or a Michael Jordan and say "Well
things are hunky dory".
To that extent, as radical as I think people try to characterize the
Warren court, it wasn't that radical. It didn't break free from the
essential constraints that were placed by the founding fathers in the Constitution, or at least as it's been interpreted and Warren court
interpreted in the same way, that generally the Constitution is a
charter of negative liberties, Says what the states can't do to you.
Says what the Federal government can't do to you, but doesn't say
what the Federal government or the state government must do on
your behalf, and that has shifted and one of the, I think, tragedies
of the civil rights movement was, um, because the civil rights
movement became so court focused I think there was a tendency to
lose track of the political and community organizing and activities on
the ground that are able to put together the actual coalition of
powers through which you bring about redistributive change. In some
ways we still suffer from that.
Warren court, it wasn't that radical. It didn't break free from the
essential constraints that were placed by the founding fathers in the Constitution, or at least as it's been interpreted and Warren court
interpreted in the same way, that generally the Constitution is a
charter of negative liberties, Says what the states can't do to you.
Says what the Federal government can't do to you, but doesn't say
what the Federal government or the state government must do on
your behalf, and that has shifted and one of the, I think, tragedies
of the civil rights movement was, um, because the civil rights
movement became so court focused I think there was a tendency to
lose track of the political and community organizing and activities on
the ground that are able to put together the actual coalition of
powers through which you bring about redistributive change. In some
ways we still suffer from that.
Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan
Coalition. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own
electoral ends. Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built
entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing
legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere
political correctness or reverse racism.
Coalition. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own
electoral ends. Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built
entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing
legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere
political correctness or reverse racism.
You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small
towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years, and nothing's replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton
administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said somehow these communities are going to
regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get
bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who
aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment
as a way to explain their frustrations.
towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years, and nothing's replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton
administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said somehow these communities are going to
regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get
bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who
aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment
as a way to explain their frustrations.
It's great to be here this evening in the vast, magnificent Hilton
ballroom, or what Mitt Romney would call a little fixer-upper.
ballroom, or what Mitt Romney would call a little fixer-upper.
You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are
same-sex couples. There have been times where Michelle and I have
been sitting around the dinner table and we're talking about their
friends and their parents and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn't dawn on
them that somehow their friends' parents would be treated differently.
It doesn't make sense to them and frankly, that's the kind of thing
that prompts a change in perspective. (May 9, 2012)
same-sex couples. There have been times where Michelle and I have
been sitting around the dinner table and we're talking about their
friends and their parents and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn't dawn on
them that somehow their friends' parents would be treated differently.
It doesn't make sense to them and frankly, that's the kind of thing
that prompts a change in perspective. (May 9, 2012)
I have to tell you that over the course of several years, as I have
talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about
members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed
monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising
kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines
or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel
constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they
are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point
I've just concluded that for me, personally, it is important for me to
go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to
get married. (May 9, 2012)
talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about
members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed
monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising
kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines
or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel
constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they
are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point
I've just concluded that for me, personally, it is important for me to
go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to
get married. (May 9, 2012)
I believe the majority of gun owners would agree we should do
everything possible to prevent criminals and fugitives from
purchasing weapons. And we should check someone's criminal
record before they can check out a gun seller. A mentally unbalanced individual should not be able to get his hands on a gun so easily.
These steps shouldn't be controversial. They should be common sense.
everything possible to prevent criminals and fugitives from
purchasing weapons. And we should check someone's criminal
record before they can check out a gun seller. A mentally unbalanced individual should not be able to get his hands on a gun so easily.
These steps shouldn't be controversial. They should be common sense.
We can't continue to sustain a situation in which some countries are maintaining surpluses, others massive deficits and there never is the
kind of adjustment with respect to currency that would lead to a more balanced growth pattern. My image of Onyango, faint as it was, has
always been of an autocratic man - a cruel man, perhaps. But I had
also imagined him an independent man, a man of his people, opposed
to white rule... What Granny had told us scrambled that image
completely, causing ugly words to flash across my mind. Uncle Tom. Collaborator. House nigger.
kind of adjustment with respect to currency that would lead to a more balanced growth pattern. My image of Onyango, faint as it was, has
always been of an autocratic man - a cruel man, perhaps. But I had
also imagined him an independent man, a man of his people, opposed
to white rule... What Granny had told us scrambled that image
completely, causing ugly words to flash across my mind. Uncle Tom. Collaborator. House nigger.
The only way my life makes sense is if - regardless of culture, race,
religion, tribe - there is this commonality, these essential human
truths and passions and hope and moral precepts, that we can reach
out beyond our differences. If that is not the case, then it is pretty
hard for me to make sense of my life. That is the core of who I am.
religion, tribe - there is this commonality, these essential human
truths and passions and hope and moral precepts, that we can reach
out beyond our differences. If that is not the case, then it is pretty
hard for me to make sense of my life. That is the core of who I am.
[on election night, November 4, 2008] This is your victory. I will ask
you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been
done in America for 221 years - block by block, brick by brick, callused
hand by callused hand.
you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been
done in America for 221 years - block by block, brick by brick, callused
hand by callused hand.
[on the political choice as he sees it in 2012] This isn't a matter of
who's more patriotic or who is more empathetic toward people or who
is nicer. It's a hardheaded assessment of what makes our economy
grow. And the facts are on my side in this argument.
who's more patriotic or who is more empathetic toward people or who
is nicer. It's a hardheaded assessment of what makes our economy
grow. And the facts are on my side in this argument.
Part of the reason that our politics seems so tough right now, and
facts and science and argument does not seem to be winning the day
all the time, is because we're hardwired not to think clearly when we're scared. What I wake up determined to accomplish every single day is
making the best decisions I can. And the only thing then to guide you
is what you genuinely think is best for the country. Because if you start
trying to guess what's going to be most politically advantageous or
try to game all that stuff out, you'll get lost very quickly.
facts and science and argument does not seem to be winning the day
all the time, is because we're hardwired not to think clearly when we're scared. What I wake up determined to accomplish every single day is
making the best decisions I can. And the only thing then to guide you
is what you genuinely think is best for the country. Because if you start
trying to guess what's going to be most politically advantageous or
try to game all that stuff out, you'll get lost very quickly.
We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our
homes on 72 degrees at all times... and then just expect that other
countries are going to say OK. That's not leadership. That's not going to happen. I do think at a certain point you've made enough money.
homes on 72 degrees at all times... and then just expect that other
countries are going to say OK. That's not leadership. That's not going to happen. I do think at a certain point you've made enough money.
If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help.
There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped
to create this unbelievable American system that we have allowed you
to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a
business - you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen.
There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped
to create this unbelievable American system that we have allowed you
to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a
business - you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen.
Governor Romney seems to have a tendency to shoot first and aim
later. As President of our country and Commander-in-Chief of our
military, I accept that people are going to call me awful things every
day, and I will always defend their right to do so.
later. As President of our country and Commander-in-Chief of our
military, I accept that people are going to call me awful things every
day, and I will always defend their right to do so.
If you can't beat your opponent's ideas, you distort those ideas and
maybe make some up. If you don't have a record to run on, than you
paint your opponent as someone people should run away from.
maybe make some up. If you don't have a record to run on, than you
paint your opponent as someone people should run away from.
[on Donald Trump's refusal to trust the validity of the President's
personal documents] This all dates back to when we were growing up
together in Kenya.
personal documents] This all dates back to when we were growing up
together in Kenya.
I've always believed that education begins at home, with parents who
take responsibility - who read to their kids, set limits on the TV and
instill a lifelong love of learning. But there is no substitute for a good
school or the teacher who stands in front of the classroom.
take responsibility - who read to their kids, set limits on the TV and
instill a lifelong love of learning. But there is no substitute for a good
school or the teacher who stands in front of the classroom.
[to the crowd at the 2013 Presidential Inauguration] I want to look
out one more time. I'm not going to see this again.
out one more time. I'm not going to see this again.
The truth is that we have steadily become a more diverse and tolerant
country that embraces people's differences and respect people who are
not like us. That's a profoundly good thing. That's one of the strengths
of America. [on the 2012 campaign trail] If you buy into the cynicism
that the change we fought for isn't possible, well, change will not
happen. Other voices will fill the void: lobbyists and special interests,
the people with ten million dollar checks who are trying to buy this
election. [on Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma)] The people of
Oklahoma are lucky to have someone like Tom representing them in Washington - someone who speaks his mind, sticks to his principles
and is committed to the people he was elected to serve. Each of us
still hopes the other will see the light. But in the meantime, we'll
settle for being friends. [ at the 2009 White House Correspondents
Dinner] Mother's Day is a tough holiday for Rahm Emanuel because
he's not used to saying the word 'day' after 'mother'.
country that embraces people's differences and respect people who are
not like us. That's a profoundly good thing. That's one of the strengths
of America. [on the 2012 campaign trail] If you buy into the cynicism
that the change we fought for isn't possible, well, change will not
happen. Other voices will fill the void: lobbyists and special interests,
the people with ten million dollar checks who are trying to buy this
election. [on Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma)] The people of
Oklahoma are lucky to have someone like Tom representing them in Washington - someone who speaks his mind, sticks to his principles
and is committed to the people he was elected to serve. Each of us
still hopes the other will see the light. But in the meantime, we'll
settle for being friends. [ at the 2009 White House Correspondents
Dinner] Mother's Day is a tough holiday for Rahm Emanuel because
he's not used to saying the word 'day' after 'mother'.
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