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candidate profile
Early defeat launched rapid political rise
As the sting from the 2000 Congressional loss wore off, Barack Obama and those behind him knew he had political life left in him, knew he felt called to serve. He just needed a place to do it.
AUDIO SLIDESHOW: Obama's defining moments
Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.)
about this candidate
BORN
August 4, 1961
CURRENT HOME
Chicago's South Side
BIRTHPLACE
Hawaii
EDUCATION
Columbia University in 1983, law degree from Harvard Law School in 1991
CURRENT JOB
Junior US Senator from Illinois
RESUME HIGHLIGHTS
First African-American president of the Harvard Law Review in 1991, delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, helped pass major measures that combat the international trafficking of nuclear weapons, promote the use of alternative fuels, and open up the budget process to greater public scrutiny
ELECTIVE OFFICES
Seven years in the Illinois State Senate, one term in the US Senate
FAMILY
Wife Michelle and two daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7
CAMPAIGN E-MAIL
 (AP Photo) |
obama's position on
- Iraq
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- Education
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- Healthcare
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- Immigration
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- Environment
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- Social security
Sitting down with Barack Obama
Senator Obama sounds off on the war in Iraq, healthcare, the economy, and the issue that sets him apart.
latest obama campaign news
Obama for president
COME JANUARY, a new president will take charge of a nation diminished, an America that is far shakier economically, less secure militarily, and less respected internationally than it was eight years before. The nation needs a chief executive who has the temperament and the nerves to shepherd Americans through what promises to be a grueling period - and who has ...
Democrats may have a better Deal this time round
WASHINGTON - The "New Deal coalition" that dominated American politics from Franklin Roosevelt's election in 1932 until Ronald Reagan's in 1980 was the high-point of Democratic rule. Roosevelt governed with large Democratic majorities in Congress; John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and Jimmy Carter also worked with Congresses heavily weighted to the Democratic side.
Obama proposes halt to foreclosures, business tax breaks
TOLEDO, Ohio - Democrat Barack Obama proposed more immediate steps yesterday to heal the nation's ailing economy, including a 90-day moratorium on home foreclosures at some banks and a two-year tax break for businesses that create new jobs.
Boston Globe endorses Obama for president
The Boston Globe has endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, saying he has the temperament, nerves and vision to lead the country and restore its "place of leadership in the world."
Obama returning to NH on Thursday
Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama will hold a community gathering at an apple orchard in New Hampshire on Thursday.
Opponents of gun violence back Obama for president
Barack Obama and Joe Biden won the endorsement Monday of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
Obama calls for 90-day moratorium on foreclosures
Democrat Barack Obama proposed more immediate steps Monday to heal the nation's ailing economy including a 90-day moratorium on home foreclosures at some banks and a two-year tax break for businesses that create new jobs.
Where McCain, Obama stand on the issues
The plans of presidential candidates are never set in stone, if only because circumstances and the makeup of Congress change after the election. The uncertainty is even deeper in this election because Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain laid out most of their agenda before the government committed up to $700 billion to address the financial crisis.
Clinton's rejoinder: Jobs, baby, jobs
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton offered a Democratic rejoinder to the Republican chant of "drill, baby, drill." Said the one-time presidential candidate: "Jobs, baby, jobs."
Johnston speaks about Bristol Palin, Obama, baby
Levi Johnston, who's having a baby with Gov. Sarah Palin's daughter, can't believe all the things he's hearing. No, he wasn't held against his will on the campaign trail. No, he's not being forced into a shotgun wedding with 17-year-old Bristol Palin.
Independents split evenly between Obama and McCain
Jack Marshall says he's voting for Barack Obama this year. That's ominous news for John McCain.
McCain camp offers mixed signals on economic plan
Republican John McCain's campaign is sending mixed signals about whether the candidate will offer new proposals to address the financial crisis.
Obama asked about help for struggling families
During an hourlong visit to a neighborhood of ranch-style and split-level homes near Toledo, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was repeatedly asked what he could do to help struggling families.
Poll: Close race between McCain, Obama in Ohio
THE POLL: The Ohio Newspaper Poll, presidential race among likely Ohio voters (20 electoral votes).
Clintons campaigning for Obama-Biden in Pa.
When Bill and Hillary Clinton take the stage Sunday at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, it will be the launch of an active campaign for their former nemesis Barack Obama in the home stretch of the 2008 presidential race.
Castro: Racism in US keeps many away from Obama
Fidel Castro says a "profound racism" in the United States will stop millions from voting for Barack Obama in next month's presidential election.
Clintons launch campaign swing for Obama in Pa.
When Bill and Hillary Clinton take the stage Sunday at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, it will be the launch of an active campaign for their former nemesis Barack Obama in the home stretch of the 2008 presidential race.
McCain and Obama on US-North Korea agreement
Statements by the presidential candidates on North Korea's agreement to all U.S. nuclear inspection demands. In response, the Bush administration on Saturday removed the communist country from a terrorism blacklist.
Palin criticizes Obama on abortion at Pa. rally
Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin attacked Barack Obama on abortion on Saturday, saying the Democratic presidential candidate has "left behind even the middle ground on the issue of life."
Mass. gov to stump for Obama in NH, PA
Gov. Deval Patrick's trips to New Hampshire and Pennsylvania to stump for Barack Obama this holiday weekend are earning him some grief at home.
Riding high, Obama nods to McCain, rallies fans
His backers feeling increasingly confident, Democrat Barack Obama made a slight nod to his Republican rival on Saturday and asked voters to have faith in him as the next president.
Obama fundraiser, convicted of fraud, spills beans
Jailed political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko, the Chicago real estate developer who helped launch Barack Obama on his political career, is whispering secrets to federal prosecutors about corruption in Illinois and the political fallout could be explosive.
McCain, Obama offer dueling ideas to save economy
John McCain and Barack Obama outlined steps to counter the faltering economy and plummeting stock market on Friday, fresh evidence of the dominant role of pocketbook issues in their race for the White House.
McCain booed after trying to calm anti-Obama crowd
The anger is getting raw at Republican rallies and John McCain is acting to tamp it down. McCain was booed by his own supporters Friday when, in an abrupt switch from raising questions about Barack Obama's character, he described the Democrat as a "decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of ...
Obama welcomes Paulson plan to buy equity in firms
U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday welcomed a plan by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to buy equity in financial institutions if necessary to halt market turmoil.
Palin says supporters want tougher attacks on Obama
Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin said more than one person has whispered in her ear in Ohio that John McCain needs "to take the gloves off" in his campaign against Democrat Barack Obama. Before a friendly crowd of Republican fundraisers Friday, the Alaska governor did that herself.
McCain booed after trying to calm anti-Obama crowd
The anger is getting raw at Republican rallies and John McCain is acting to tamp it down. McCain was booed by his own supporters Friday when, in an abrupt switch from raising questions about Barack Obama's character, he described the Democrat as a "decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of ...
Leading in polls, Obama plays it safe
Barack Obama is playing it safe. Leading in polls with 25 days to Election Day, the Democratic nominee is offering careful proposals to address the economic crisis while letting allies respond to John McCain's sharpest charges.
Candidates meet 'natural-born' test despite rumors
As John McCain and Barack Obama vie to become president, certain fevered voices persist in saying they should not even be allowed to try.
Obama leads McCain solidly in two national polls
THE POLL: Fox News/Opinion Dynamics, national presidential race among registered voters THE NUMBERS: Barack Obama 46 percent, John McCain 39 percent
Obama says U.S. has tools for crisis, must use them
White House Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Friday that U.S. policymakers have the tools they need to address the deepening financial crisis but it is crucial that they use them right away.
McCain, Obama offer dueling ideas to save economy
John McCain and Barack Obama outlined steps to counter the faltering economy and plummeting stock market on Friday, fresh evidence of the dominant role of pocketbook issues in their race for the White House.
Obama-McCain dilemma puts NFL players in a state
As the presidential race revs up, political conversations in NFL locker rooms echo those in workplaces nationwide.
Obama accuses McCain of trying to divide Americans
Presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday accused Republican John McCain of trying to divide the country, but he let fellow Democrats handle harsher attacks while he kept his message mostly upbeat.
McCain TV ad raises Obama's links to ex-radical
Republican John McCain, trailing in polls and searching for a way to gain ground, assailed Democratic rival Barack Obama on Friday in a sharply worded TV ad that said: "When convenient, he worked with terrorist Bill Ayers. When discovered, he lied."
Remarks of Senator Barack Obama -- as prepared for delivery
We meet at a moment of great uncertainty for America. In recent weeks, we've seen a growing financial crisis that's threatening not only banks and businesses, but your economic security, as well. It's getting harder and harder to get a loan for that new car or that startup-business or that college you've dreamed of attending. And yesterday, millions of Americans ...
Political Play: Obama's advice: Obey your wife
Domestic issues -- policy and bliss -- were on Barack Obama's mind Thursday as he campaigned in Ohio.
Obama: U.S. must move quickly on market rescue
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama urged the Treasury Department to move quickly to carry out a rescue plan for financial markets, after U.S. stocks suffered a nearly 700-point decline on Thursday.
Gov. Patrick heading to NH to campaign for Obama
Gov. Deval Patrick is leading a busload of Barack Obama supporters to New Hampshire. The Massachusetts Democrat will lead the troupe Saturday as they knock on doors in Portsmouth.
Pro-Obama Catholic lawyer resigns board
A Catholic law professor who served on a high-profile panel formed to address the church's clergy sexual scandal has resigned from the board of a conservative Catholic university after writing a column supporting Democrat Barack Obama and declaring the abortion battle lost.
Gov. Patrick heading to NH to campaign for Obama
Gov. Deval Patrick is leading a busload of Barack Obama supporters to New Hampshire. The Massachusetts Democrat will lead the troupe Saturday as they knock on doors in Portsmouth.
McCain: Obama link to ex-radical is honesty issue
Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Thursday that questions about Democratic rival Barack Obama's association with a former war protester linked to Vietnam-era bombings are part of a broader issue of honesty.
Voter registration boom favors Obama
The surge in new voters that helped propel Barack Obama to his party's presidential nomination is carrying over to the general election -- 9 million newly registered voters who are overwhelmingly Democratic and could add up to a big victory on Election Day.
Cindy McCain claims Obama is waging dirty campaign
Cindy McCain has accused Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama of running "the dirtiest campaign in American history."
McCain and Obama's energy proposals
A look at some of the positions of the presidential candidates on energy and global warming:
Obama calls McCain mortgage plan ill-advised
Democrat Barack Obama told Ohio voters Thursday that Republican John McCain's mortgage buyout plan would cost them billions of dollars and reward bad behavior by lenders.
National Rifle Association endorses McCain
The National Rifle Association is endorsing Republican presidential nominee John McCain despite differences with the Arizona senator on gun-show rules and campaign finance restrictions.
Obama plans half-hour TV ad days before election
Already advertising at record levels, Barack Obama has scheduled a half-hour commercial for prime time on Oct. 29, six days before Election Day.
Report: Both candidates increase health coverage
John McCain's health plan would reduce the ranks of the uninsured by about 21.1 million people if fully put in place by 2010, while Barack Obama's would reduce the number by 26.6 million, an analysis predicts.
Biden calls latest attacks on Obama dangerous
As John McCain presses his attack on Barack Obama as a mysterious, risky candidate with ties to unseemly characters, Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden laid down a marker yesterday, warning that such criticism is inciting dangerous anger among some McCain backers.
Obama: McCain camp brings up Ayers to score points
Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said Wednesday that Republicans are highlighting his association with a former 1960s radical in an effort to "score cheap political points" in the final weeks before the election.
Esquire backs Obama in its first endorsement
Esquire is backing Democrat Barack Obama for president -- its first endorsement in the magazine's 75-year history.
Anti-Obama e-mail sent with DeSoto Co. computers
Government employees in a north Mississippi county were told not to use public property for political activity after a comptroller used a work computer to forward a chain e-mail asking people to pray for Barack Obama's defeat, a county official said Wednesday.
Report: Both candidates increase health coverage
John McCain's health plan would reduce the ranks of the uninsured by about 21.1 million people if fully put in place by 2010, while Barack Obama's would reduce the number by 26.6 million, an analysis predicts.
McCain rally speaker refers to Obama's middle name
For the second time in three days, a rally for the Republican presidential ticket invoked Democrat Barack Obama's middle name, Hussein, in an attempt to add to doubts about his background, faith and campaign.
Poll: Obama up by 10 points in Wisconsin
Results of a Research 2000 poll done for WISC-TV in Madison, Wis., which asked likely voters in Wisconsin for their views on the presidential race.
NRA ad uses Clinton's words against Obama on guns
The National Rifle Association is turning to Hillary Rodham Clinton to bolster its criticism of Barack Obama's positions on gun issues.
Obama rejects McCain's plan to buy mortgages
Democrat Barack Obama's campaign criticized John McCain's mortgage bailout plan Wednesday, saying it would cause the government to lose money by paying too much for bad loans.
Michelle Obama rallies NH college students
Sen. Barack Obama's wife told New Hampshire college students Wednesday that the "smart, respectful" tone her husband displayed during his last debate is the attitude he'll bring to the White House.
McCain and Obama support cut in interest rates
Statements by presidential candidates Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama on the Federal Reserve's action Wednesday to cut interest rates.
McCain pledges balanced budget, criticizes Obama
Republican presidential candidate John McCain promised Wednesday to balance the federal budget despite the nation's deepening economic distress.
Body language: confident Obama, combative McCain
The McCains and the Obamas moved about the stage separately for a little while after their debate, greeting people on the stage, but not each other. Then John McCain tapped Barack Obama's back briefly and Obama turned and reached his hand out. Rather than shaking it, McCain directed him to his wife, Cindy.
Gore toasts Obama at fundraiser
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama switched from debater to fundraiser Tuesday night, making a brief appearance at a late-night gathering at Al Gore's Tennessee home.
Analysis: Obama, McCain defy stereotypes in debate
Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain tried to rectify perceived shortcomings and played against type at key moments in Tuesday's presidential debate, but neither seemed to change a campaign dynamic that favors Obama for now.
Fact check: Obama, McCain twist records
Republican John McCain expressed incredulity in the presidential debate Tuesday that Democrat Barack Obama would tip off the enemy by saying publicly that he'd attack al-Qaida in Pakistan under certain conditions. "Remarkable," McCain said during the presidential debate, meaning remarkably irresponsible.
Post-debate polling favors Obama over McCain
John McCain dismissively called rival Barack Obama "that one," Obama mocked McCain's "Straight Talk Express," and both left the debate stage to return to the campaign trail Wednesday.
Prepared remarks of Senator Barack Obama
We meet today at a moment of great uncertainty for America. Yesterday, we saw another significant drop in the stock market as the anxiety about this financial crisis grew worse. Overnight, the same thing happened with markets around the world. And this morning, the Federal Reserve took swift action together with other nations to stem what is now a full-blown ...
Analysis: Obama gains, McCain seeks game-changer
Barack Obama made strides toward easing voters' concerns about his candidacy in Tuesday night's debate. John McCain, despite raising pointed questions about his rival's readiness, didn't create the game-changing moment he'll need between now and Election Day.
Debate quotes from McCain, Obama
Quotes from Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois during their second presidential debate on Tuesday at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.:
Fact check: Obama, McCain twist records
Republican John McCain expressed incredulity in the presidential debate Tuesday that Democrat Barack Obama would tip off the enemy by saying publicly that he'd attack al-Qaida in Pakistan under certain conditions. "Remarkable," McCain said during the presidential debate, meaning remarkably irresponsible.
Obama wishes he had more time for staying fit
Barack Obama says he wishes he had more time for staying fit. And the Democratic presidential candidate admits that he still occasionally smokes a cigarette.
Obama money from abroad could total $3.3 million
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has raised about $3.3 million from contributors who did not list a home state or who designated their state with an abbreviation that did not match one of the 50 states or U.S. territories, according to records provided by the Federal Election Commission.
Palin stretches truth in campaign speeches
Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin tells audiences the election is about the "truthfulness and judgment" needed to be president. But the Alaska governor often stretches the truth herself.
Obama camp cites SC school invites to Ayers
Barack Obama's campaign is citing the University of South Carolina's speaking invitations to William Ayers and Republican Gov. Mark Sanford's role as school trustee to counter GOP efforts to link the presidential candidate to the 1960s radical.
New poll has Obama up by 8 in NH
A new poll suggests Barack Obama is making big strides in New Hampshire. The CNN/Time Magazine/Opinion Research Corporation poll gives Obama 53 percent of the state's likely voters to 45 percent for McCain. It's the first time Obama's support rose above 50 percent in a major poll in the state.
Obama above 50 percent in NH poll; McCain at 45
THE POLL: CNN/Time magazine poll by Opinion Research Corp. in presidential race in New Hampshire (4 electoral votes).
Polls: Obama leads in Ohio and Wis., tied in Ind.
THE POLL: Washington Post -ABC News poll of 772 likely Ohio voters (20 electoral votes).