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.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
U.S. Seeks Data Exchange
The United States is negotiating deals with European countries to exchange fingerprint and DNA data in criminal and terrorist cases, and in some circumstances to transfer data on race or ethnic origin, political and religious beliefs, or sexual orientation.
(By Ellen Nakashima, The Washington Post)

Candidates Diverge on How to Save Social Security
(By Perry Bacon Jr., The Washington Post)

Chávez, Seeking Colombia Role, Distances Himself From Rebels
(By Juan Forero, The Washington Post)

Blood on the Mountain
In 1981, Randall Smith Murdered Two Campers on a Path He Was to Cross Again
(By Wil Haygood, The Washington Post)

The Post's New Executive Editor Once Headed Wall Street Journal
(By Howard Kurtz, The Washington Post)

More Today's Highlights

POLITICS
Candidates Diverge on How to Save Social Security
Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are both proposing dramatic changes to Social Security, taking on the financially fragile "third rail of American politics" that Congress and recent presidents have been unable to repair.
(By Perry Bacon Jr., The Washington Post)

Court Nominee Accused of Plagiarism Won't Withdraw
(By Carrie Johnson and Del Quentin Wilber, The Washington Post)

EPA Enforcement Is Faulted
Agency Official Cites Narrow Reading of Clean Water Act
(By Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post)

Another Obstacle Conquered
House Speaker's Rostrum Will Be Accessible by Wheelchair
(By Carol D. Leonnig, The Washington Post)

More Politics

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NATION
EPA Enforcement Is Faulted
An official administration guidance document on wetlands policy is undermining enforcement of the Clean Water Act, said a March 4 memo written by the Environmental Protection Agency's chief enforcement officer.
(By Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post)

Census Switch Worries Some
Return to Paper Forms Leaves Little Time for Adjustment
(By N.C. Aizenman, The Washington Post)

Obama to Accept Nomination at Broncos' Stadium
Thousands More Can Attend Speech
(By Shailagh Murray, The Washington Post)

Court Nominee Accused of Plagiarism Won't Withdraw
(By Carrie Johnson and Del Quentin Wilber, The Washington Post)

Bush Facing Rebuffs On Key Issues at G-8
Tanzanian Leader Resists Zimbabwe Plan
(By Michael Abramowitz, The Washington Post)

More Nation

WORLD
Maliki Suggests U.S. Troop Timetable
BAGHDAD, July 7 -- Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has for the first time suggested establishing a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, a step that the Bush administration has long opposed.
(By Sudarsan Raghavan and Karen DeYoung, The Washington Post)

Chávez, Seeking Colombia Role, Distances Himself From Rebels
(By Juan Forero, The Washington Post)

Before Games, China Puts Conflict on Hold
As State Urges Citizens to Keep Quiet On Grievances, Anger Turns to Violence
(By Jill Drew, The Washington Post)

Suicide Bombing Leaves 40 Dead In Central Kabul
Indian Embassy Is Target of Attack
(By Javed Hamdard and Candace Rondeaux, The Washington Post)

Europe Debates Perfection It Demands of Its Produce
(By John Ward Anderson, The Washington Post)

More World

METRO
Advocates Speak Up for Illegal Day Laborers Cheated of Wages
It was a relatively small amount, $720, that José was owed for 72 hours of construction work in the District. Most immigrant day laborers, fleeced by a casual employer and unaware they had any legal recourse, would have swallowed their anger and let the matter drop.
(By Pamela Constable, The Washington Post)

Ex-Salon Owner Charged as Early Cohort in Tax Scam
(By Del Quentin Wilber, The Washington Post)

Landowner Sues Town, Alleging Discrimination
Muslim Sect Was Denied Permit to Build
(By Jacqueline L. Salmon, The Washington Post)

Reality Checkpoint
Trinidad Residents Reflect on Their Neighborhood's Future
(By Paul Schwartzman, The Washington Post)

Appointments Spark Hearings
Some Charge Mayoral Meddling in Personnel Changes
(By Nikita Stewart and Elissa Silverman, The Washington Post)

More Metro

BUSINESS
Shares of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Plummet
Investors dumped shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac yesterday based on worries that the two pillars of the housing market could be forced to raise $75 billion of capital, potentially confronting them with an overwhelming burden and crippling already struggling financial markets.
(By David S. Hilzenrath, The Washington Post)

Fed, SEC Team Up On Bank Oversight
Deal Formalized to Coordinate on Wall St.
(By Neil Irwin, The Washington Post)

Deconstructing Salsa In Search of Salmonella
Stakes Are High as Probe Widens to Jalapeños, Cilantro, Peppers
(By Annys Shin and Simone Baribeau, The Washington Post)

The Post's New Executive Editor Once Headed Wall Street Journal
(By Howard Kurtz, The Washington Post)

Candidates Diverge on How to Save Social Security
(By Perry Bacon Jr., The Washington Post)

More Business

TECHNOLOGY
Metro Posts Alerts for Bus Riders
Metro has begun posting service-disruption information for Metrobus on its Web site as a way to improve communication with riders on its more than 350 bus routes. The agency has been posting such information for rail riders for years.
(By Lena H. Sun, The Washington Post)

U.S. Seeks Data Exchange
Newer European Union Countries Want Waiver From Visa Requirements
(By Ellen Nakashima, The Washington Post)

More Technology

SPORTS
Advantage: Tennis
The sports world doesn't stop for tennis now the way it did 30 years ago, but those who have stood by the sport have much to celebrate after the Wimbledon men's final.
(By Michael Wilbon, The Washington Post)

Capitals' Alzner Enjoys Being On the Defensive
(By Katie Carrera, The Washington Post)

AT& T Tournament May Go Out of Area
Alternate Course Necessary for 2010-11
(By Leonard Shapiro, The Washington Post)

Trying to Make Contact
Hobson Hopeful of Another Big League Call-Up
(By Mark Viera, The Washington Post)

Catch Kastles' S. Williams In D.C. for One Night Only
(The Washington Post)

More Sports

STYLE
Blood on the Mountain
BRUSHY MOUNTAIN, Giles County, Va. High on the mountain, the sun has to fight its way down through the thick forest. The light takes on a spectral elegance, as if yellow diamonds are falling to the ground. The two campers loved so much about the mountain. How it gave to its visitors, how generous...
(By Wil Haygood, The Washington Post)

The Reliable Source
(By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts, The Washington Post)

Back From War, Into Tabloid Territory
Foreign Affairs Correspondent Lara Logan's Public Private Life
(By Howard Kurtz, The Washington Post)

In N.Y., Comedies Bursting the Seams
(By Peter Marks, The Washington Post)

Beck's 'Modern Guilt': Downbeat, but Catchy
(By J. Freedom du Lac, The Washington Post)

More Style

LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Book World: 'The Lincolns'
Author Daniel Mark Epstein, author of 'The Lincolns: Portrait of a Marriage,' discusses one of the most intriguing First Couples in American history.
(Daniel Mark Epstein, washingtonpost.com)

Freedom Rock
(J. Freedom du Lac, washingtonpost.com)

K Street
(Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, washingtonpost.com)

Books: 'Fighting to Report -- and Survive -- the War in Iraq'
(Kimberly Dozier, washingtonpost.com)

Opinion Focus
(Eugene Robinson, washingtonpost.com)

More Live Discussions

Mr. Obama on Iraq
His hint of softening on his unrealistic withdrawal plan was only sensible.
(The Washington Post)

Reform With Rewards
The District proposes a bold new way to pay teachers.
(The Washington Post)

Food Finder
Hunting the source of the salmonella outbreak could be a lot easier.
(The Washington Post)

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