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.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
Debate on Economy Grows More Urgent
A surprisingly bleak employment report sent tremors through Washington and roiled the presidential campaign yesterday, infusing new urgency into the debate over how to reverse an accelerating economic slide and fueling a political contest over who to blame for it.
(By Peter Baker, The Washington Post)

Downside of Obama Strategy
Losses in Big States Spur General-Election Fears
(By Jonathan Weisman and Shailagh Murray, The Washington Post)

Israel Mourns Eight Slain Students
Thousands Attend Service for Victims of Gunman Described as Despondent Over Gaza
(By Griff Witte, The Washington Post)

D.C. Schools Chief Fires 98 Workers
Largest System Dismissal in a Decade Is Part of Pledge to Improve Efficiency
(By V. Dion Haynes and Yolanda Woodlee, The Washington Post)

In Response to Sanctions, Belarus Seeks to Expel U.S. Envoy
(By Peter Finn, The Washington Post)

More Today's Highlights

POLITICS
Downside of Obama Strategy
Democrats in Wyoming will hold caucuses today and -- following what is now a familiar pattern -- are expected to give Sen. Barack Obama the majority of their 12 pledged delegates.
(By Jonathan Weisman and Shailagh Murray, The Washington Post)

Debate on Economy Grows More Urgent
Job-Loss Report Is Worst in 5 Years
(By Peter Baker, The Washington Post)

Race for Hastert's Seat Is Unexpectedly Close
Election Today in GOP-Held District
(By Ben Pershing, The Washington Post)

Bush to Veto Bill Banning Waterboarding
(AP)

Obama Adviser Resigns Over Remark
Clinton Team Criticizes 'Monster' Comment but Focuses on Troop-Pullout Statement
(By Krissah Williams and Peter Slevin, The Washington Post)

More Politics

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NATION
Debate on Economy Grows More Urgent
A surprisingly bleak employment report sent tremors through Washington and roiled the presidential campaign yesterday, infusing new urgency into the debate over how to reverse an accelerating economic slide and fueling a political contest over who to blame for it.
(By Peter Baker, The Washington Post)

FBI Says Bomb in Times Square, Mailings to Hill Are Not Linked
(By Dan Eggen, The Washington Post)

A Coach at the Crib And a Consultant at the Potty
(By Annys Shin, The Washington Post)

Bush to Veto Bill Banning Waterboarding
(AP)

NATION IN BRIEF
(The Washington Post)

More Nation

WORLD
Latin American Crisis Resolved
BOGOTA, Colombia, March 7 -- The presidents of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela on Friday agreed to end a bitter standoff that had resulted in troop deployments, a downturn in trade and a rupture in diplomatic relations.
(By Juan Forero, The Washington Post)

China Steps Up Its Argument Over Darfur
World Leaders' Plans to Attend Olympics Used to Push View of Games as Apolitical
(By Edward Cody, The Washington Post)

A Kurdish Society of Soldiers
In Rugged N. Iraq, Guerrillas Forge a Unity Based on Hardship and Defiance
(By Joshua Partlow, The Washington Post)

Israel Mourns Eight Slain Students
Thousands Attend Service for Victims of Gunman Described as Despondent Over Gaza
(By Griff Witte, The Washington Post)

Terror-Themed Game Suspended
Iraqi-Born Artist Asserts Censorship After Exhibit Is Shut Down
(By Robin Shulman, The Washington Post)

More World

METRO
Montgomery's Finest Won't Pay Fines
Among the thousands of drivers who have been issued $40 fines after being nabbed by Montgomery County's new speed cameras are scores of county police officers. The difference is, many of the officers are refusing to pay.
(By Ernesto Londoño, The Washington Post)

ANALYSIS: Legislators' Short View Killed Va. Driving Fees
Repeal of 'Bad Law' Expected Today
(By Tim Craig, The Washington Post)

Opening the Door To Independent Living
(By Sue Anne Pressley Montes, The Washington Post)

Corruption Allegations Secondhand, Court Told
(By Raymond McCaffrey, The Washington Post)

Proposals Promote Cheaper Housing
Montgomery Panel Suggests Changes
(By Miranda S. Spivack, The Washington Post)

More Metro

BUSINESS
Mortgage Rates Change In the Blink of an Eye
In the words of more than one mortgage broker, fluctuating interest rates on traditional fixed-rate home loans have been "crazy" this week.
(By Dina ElBoghdady, The Washington Post)

A Coach at the Crib And a Consultant at the Potty
(By Annys Shin, The Washington Post)

D.C. Schools Chief Fires 98 Workers
Largest System Dismissal in a Decade Is Part of Pledge to Improve Efficiency
(By V. Dion Haynes and Yolanda Woodlee, The Washington Post)

Behind Recession Fears, Stocks Hit a Low for the Year
(By Alejandro Lazo, The Washington Post)

Heavy Job Losses in February Came in Bellwether Sectors
(By Frank Ahrens, The Washington Post)

More Business

TECHNOLOGY
AOL, CBS Team Up For Radio, Advertising
AOL's Internet radio division and CBS Radio yesterday announced a content and advertising partnership that will allow AOL's listeners to access CBS content, including University of Maryland basketball games through CBS-owned WJFK-FM (106.7).
(By Cecilia Kang, The Washington Post)

Terror-Themed Game Suspended
Iraqi-Born Artist Asserts Censorship After Exhibit Is Shut Down
(By Robin Shulman, The Washington Post)

More Technology

SPORTS
Month-Long Stress Test
Selection Sunday is eight days away, but the desperation and anxiety produced only by March is already here, felt as strongly on Georgetown's Hilltop as anywhere in America.
(By Michael Wilbon, The Washington Post)

U-Va. Has Struggled From Top To Bottom
Several Reasons Cited for Poor Year
(By Adam Kilgore, The Washington Post)

For Nats, Desmond, An Altered View
(By Barry Svrluga, The Washington Post)

Blatche Stays Cool, Wizards Win in OT
Wizards 110, Raptors 106
(By Ivan Carter, The Washington Post)

Colonials Look to Reverse Atlantic 10 Course
GW Hopes Late-Season Stumbles Will Keep It From Entering Conference Tournament Overconfident
(By Kathy Orton, The Washington Post)

More Sports

STYLE
Depopulation Boom
It turns out that the world will be such a swell place without any humans around -- better sunsets, cleaner water, less traffic -- that we can't wait to see it. Even if, you know, we're all dead.
(By Neely Tucker, The Washington Post)

NAMES & FACES
(The Washington Post)

Hitting the Funny Bones of Contention
Axis of Evil Comedy Tour Detonates Some Explosive Stereotypes
(By Paul Farhi, The Washington Post)

'August Wilson's 20th Century' Is Teeming With Rich Portrayals
(By Peter Marks, The Washington Post)

Obama Adviser Quits Over 'Off the Record' Crack at Clinton
(By Howard Kurtz, The Washington Post)

More Style

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