Barack Obama

Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Barack Obama, Sr. (born in Nyanza Province, Kenya) and Ann Dunham (born in Wichita, Kansas). Barack Hussein Obama (born August 4, 1961) is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Democratic Party.

Obama grew up in culturally diverse surroundings. He spent most of his childhood in the majority-minority U.S. state of Hawaii and lived for four years in Indonesia. Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention while still an Illinois state legislator. Since announcing his candidacy in February 2007, Obama has emphasized ending the Iraq War and implementing universal health care as campaign themes.

As a member of the Democratic minority in the 109th Congress, Obama co-sponsored the enactment of conventional weapons control and transparency legislation, and made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Obama's parents separated when he was two years old and later divorced. His father went to Harvard University to pursue Ph.D. studies, then returned to Kenya, where he died in an auto accident when the younger Obama was twenty-one years old.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Among Top Officials, 'Surge' Has Sparked Dissent, Infighting
For two hours, President Bush listened to contrasting visions of the U.S. future in Iraq. Gen. David H. Petraeus dominated the conversation by video link from Baghdad, making the case to keep as many troops as long as possible to cement any security progress. Adm. William J. Fallon, his superior,...
(The Washington Post)

Analysis: Bush Moves to Put Himself in a Position For Troop Drawdown
Reduced U.S. Presence in Iraq Is Hinted At
(By Michael Abramowitz, The Washington Post)

The New Al-Qaeda Central
Far From Declining, the Network Has Rebuilt, With Fresh Faces and a Vigorous Media Arm
(By Craig Whitlock, The Washington Post)

Mark Warner Weighs His Options
Will Va. Politician Run for Senate or Another Go as Governor?
(By Tim Craig, The Washington Post)

Pet Projects' Veil Is Only Partly Lifted
Lawmakers Find Other Paths To Special-Interest Funding
(By John Solomon and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, The Washington Post)

More Today's Highlights

POLITICS
Last
On the drive over the Potomac from his apartment in Arlington, Mike Gravel tells his chief campaign staffer that he doesn't want him parking in any pricey downtown hotel garage. "Find a space on the street," Gravel says. "There've gotta be spaces with meters."
(By Michael Leahy, The Washington Post)

Among Top Officials, 'Surge' Has Sparked Dissent, Infighting
(The Washington Post)

Pet Projects' Veil Is Only Partly Lifted
Lawmakers Find Other Paths To Special-Interest Funding
(By John Solomon and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, The Washington Post)

His Task: Sell Hispanics on GOP
Immigration Conflict Puts Sen. Martinez in Tough Position
(By Jose Antonio Vargas, The Washington Post)

Hagel Is Expected to Quit Electoral Politics
Nebraskan Reportedly Will Not Seek Senate Reelection or Run for President
(By Jonathan Weisman and Chris Cillizza, The Washington Post)

More Politics

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NATION
Among Top Officials, 'Surge' Has Sparked Dissent, Infighting
For two hours, President Bush listened to contrasting visions of the U.S. future in Iraq. Gen. David H. Petraeus dominated the conversation by video link from Baghdad, making the case to keep as many troops as long as possible to cement any security progress. Adm. William J. Fallon, his superior,...
(The Washington Post)

Radio Telescope And Its Budget Hang in the Balance
(By Rick Weiss, The Washington Post)

Presidential Politics Roil Emotions on Eve Of Sept. 11 Tribute
Giuliani's Role at New York Event Is Challenged
(By Anthony Faiola, The Washington Post)

The Conservative Democrat | Dan Boren
(The Washington Post)

First Lady Has Surgery for Pinched Nerves
(The Washington Post)

More Nation

WORLD
Suicide Attacker Kills 15 in Sadr City
BAGHDAD, Sept. 8 -- A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-packed vehicle near a row of stores in the Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City on Saturday, killing at least 15 people, police and hospital officials said.
(The Washington Post)

Killings on the Campaign Trail
50 Guatemalan Candidates, Activists Have Died in Run-Up to Vote
(By Manuel Roig-Franzia, The Washington Post)

The New Al-Qaeda Central
Far From Declining, the Network Has Rebuilt, With Fresh Faces and a Vigorous Media Arm
(By Craig Whitlock, The Washington Post)

Among Top Officials, 'Surge' Has Sparked Dissent, Infighting
(The Washington Post)

Iraq Report Includes Troops Timetable
Institute Supports Complete Exit in Five Years, Presses Factions to Negotiate
(By Robin Wright, The Washington Post)

More World

METRO
Report Finds Lack of Bidding, Oversight In Montgomery's Clarksburg Management
Montgomery County officials have failed to carefully oversee at least $10 million in road projects in Clarksburg Town Center, by ignoring competitive bidding rules and casually monitoring contractor expenses, the county's inspector general said in a new report.
(By Miranda S. Spivack, The Washington Post)

Ethiopian Millennium Events Reveal Pride, Rifts
(By Karin Brulliard, The Washington Post)

Black Families Flock to Annual Reunion
Heat Doesn't Deter Those Seeking Fun and Inspiration at Event
(By Sylvia Moreno, The Washington Post)

State Mulls Return to Energy Regulation
Increase in Electricity Prices Has Raised Suspicions of Gouging
(By Lisa Rein, The Washington Post)

Preventing a Repeat
As work continues on its Sept. 11 memorial, a separate effort has converted the Pentagon into a fortress able to withstand a greater attack.
(By Steve Vogel, The Washington Post)

More Metro

BUSINESS
Some Mortgage Originators Skip State Licensing
Concerned about mortgage fraud and predatory lending practices, many states have toughened their laws by requiring loan officers or originators to undergo extensive background checks and show proof of professional experience and training. Still, attracted by the lucrative mortgage business, many ...
(By Michelle Singletary, The Washington Post)

Ignoring the Pitches: No Cost, No Obligation
(By Martha M. Hamilton, The Washington Post)

Getting the Most Out of Exchange-Traded Funds
Used Smartly, Niche Investments Can Spice Up Portfolios
(By Karen Blumenthal, The Washington Post)

Checks, Please
Restaurateurs Find a New Source of Start-Up Cash: Their Loyal Diners
(By Michael S. Rosenwald, The Washington Post)

Pet Projects' Veil Is Only Partly Lifted
Lawmakers Find Other Paths To Special-Interest Funding
(By John Solomon and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, The Washington Post)

More Business

TECHNOLOGY
Techies Ponder Computers Smarter Than Us
SAN FRANCISCO -- At the center of a black hole there lies a point called a singularity where the laws of physics no longer make sense.
(By MARCUS WOHLSEN, AP)

Fast Forward's Help File
(By Rob Pegoraro, The Washington Post)

Radio Telescope And Its Budget Hang in the Balance
(By Rick Weiss, The Washington Post)

The New Al-Qaeda Central
Far From Declining, the Network Has Rebuilt, With Fresh Faces and a Vigorous Media Arm
(By Craig Whitlock, The Washington Post)

Whiny Techies, I
(The Washington Post)

More Technology

SPORTS
Henin Completes An Unblemished Run at U.S. Open
FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y., Sept. 8 -- Justine Henin was three points from winning her second U.S. Open Championship on Saturday night when a spectator at Arthur Ashe Stadium let out a whoop just as the Belgian tossed the ball for a second serve.
(By Liz Clarke, The Washington Post)

A Redskins Great Stages Revival Meeting With Campbell
(By Mike Wise, The Washington Post)

Sluggish Terps Shake Off FIU
Maryland 26, Fla. International 10
(By Marc Carig, The Washington Post)

Hokies Falter Early As Defense Lapses
LSU 48, Virginia Tech 7
(By Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post)

England Shuts Out Israel, France Plays Italy to a Draw
(The Washington Post)

More Sports

STYLE
Trying Again to Flip Sondheim's Flop
Stephen Sondheim famously loves puzzles, but maybe not this one: At the peak of his career, riding high on the success of "Sweeney Todd" and a landmark partnership with director Hal Prince, Sondheim wrote "Merrily We Roll Along."
(By Nelson Pressley, The Washington Post)

The Lauren Legacy: A Pony Tale
(By Robin Givhan, The Washington Post)

"I've seen most of them broke, drunk or naked -- or all three."
Singer Bettye LaVette, Eclipsed by Famous Friends, Finally Steps Out of the Shadows
(The Washington Post)

Pitches That Will Never Be Caught
(The Washington Post)

The Hit List
(The Washington Post)

More Style

EDITORIALS
Accepting Iraqi Reality
MULTIPLE reports on the "surge" of U.S. forces in Iraq -- including that due tomorrow from Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker -- ought to compel both the Bush administration and congressional Democrats to rethink their strategies. First and foremost, President Bush must accept the...
(The Washington Post)

Energy to Burn
Congress will get around to convening that energy-bill conference -- sometime.
(The Washington Post)

The Immigrant-Bashing Tack
In Virginia, the GOP finds its whipping boy.
(The Washington Post)

More Editorials

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