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.



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today's papers The Power of Two By Daniel Politi Posted Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 6:05 AM ET The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today lead with news that Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines agreed to merge in a deal that would create the world's largest airline. The companies had been going back and forth for months and last night the announcement came that they had reached a deal. The new combined airline, which would keep the Delta name, would have more than 800 planes and 75,000 employees. The value of the combined airlines would be approximately $17.7 billion. The New York Times leads with a look at how the slowdown in the economy, coupled with the credit crunch, is leading to a number of bankruptcies in retail stores across the country. So far, at least eight "midsize chains" have filed for bankruptcy protection, but the trouble is expected to spread to larger stores. The paper gets word that Linens 'n Things, for example, may be preparing to file for bankruptcy. And even companies that can stay out of bankruptcy are closing down stores in order to make ends meet. The Wall Street Journal leads its world-wide newsbox with the continuing debate between the Democratic presidential contenders over Sen. Barack Obama's remarks that rural voters in Pennsylvania "cling to guns or religion." The paper points out that as Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton continue to discuss guns and family values, Republicans clearly see an opportunity. Sen. John McCain said he would use Obama's remarks to paint him as an out-of-touch elitist. To continue reading, click here. Daniel Politi writes "Today's Papers" for Slate. He can be reached at todayspapers@slate.com. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE \| READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Business & Tech Ad Report Card: What's With That Ginormous Red Umbrella? News & Politics Better Explanations for White Working-Class Bitterness News & Politics What if Hillary Clinton Called You at 3 a.m.?	Advertisement
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