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.

Monday, July 14, 2008

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS
U.S. Unveils Plan to Aid Mortgage Giants
The federal government unveiled a broad program yesterday evening to bolster troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, extending unprecedented support to the companies and proposing new authority to lend them money and even buy their stock.
(By Neil Irwin and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, The Washington Post)

Offshore Drilling Backed as Remedy for Oil Prices
Push for U.S. Exploration Gains Traction, but Big Political Hurdles Remain
(By Steven Mufson, The Washington Post)

In Obama's Circle, Chicago Remains The Tie That Binds
(By Shailagh Murray, The Washington Post)

Owning His Gay Identity -- at 15 Years Old
Youths Coming Out Sooner, but Protections Against Harassment Lag
(By Theresa Vargas, The Washington Post)

More Today's Highlights

POLITICS
Gramm's Role Reduced
While Sen. John McCain might not be sending his friend and former Senate Republican colleague Phil Gramm off to Belarus quite yet, he is definitely done trotting him out on the campaign trail, and he is also minimizing the Texan's role among his team of advisers.
(The Washington Post)

U.S. Unveils Plan to Aid Mortgage Giants
Federal Officials Offer Sweeping Proposal to Help Shore Up Fannie, Freddie
(By Neil Irwin and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, The Washington Post)

Candidates Pushing Hard for the Latino Vote
(By Perry Bacon Jr. and Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post)

Offshore Drilling Backed as Remedy for Oil Prices
Push for U.S. Exploration Gains Traction, but Big Political Hurdles Remain
(By Steven Mufson, The Washington Post)

In Obama's Circle, Chicago Remains The Tie That Binds
(By Shailagh Murray, The Washington Post)

More Politics

Add topics to this e-mail

Make this e-mail your own by selecting the topics and columnists that interest you! Personalize this e-mail now.

NATION
N.Y. Mayor Offers New Poverty Gauge
NEW YORK, July 13 -- Calling the current federal poverty measure broken and outdated, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg (I) on Sunday unveiled a new method that he and his aides said gives a more accurate picture of the poor, and that he hopes eventually will become the new national standard.
(By Keith B. Richburg, The Washington Post)

Older Americans May Be Happier Than Younger Ones
-
(By Shankar Vedantam, The Washington Post)

U.S. Unveils Plan to Aid Mortgage Giants
Federal Officials Offer Sweeping Proposal to Help Shore Up Fannie, Freddie
(By Neil Irwin and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, The Washington Post)

Nats Left Blanked
Hitters Again Fail to Pitch In for Starter : Astros 5, Nationals 0
(By Chico Harlan, The Washington Post)

More Nation

WORLD
Nine U.S. Soldiers Killed in Firefight
KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, July 13 -- Nine U.S. soldiers were killed in heavy fighting Sunday at a military base in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border, according to a Western official. The attack was the deadliest against U.S. forces in the country since 2005.
(By Candace Rondeaux, The Washington Post)

Taking On Russia's Ubiquitous Bribery
President Has Pledged to Undo 'a Way of Life'
(By Peter Finn, The Washington Post)

Desperate for Army Aid in Baghdad
(By Andrea Bruce, The Washington Post)

Goa's Hippie-Era Holdover Is a Shopping Dream
(By Emily Wax, The Washington Post)

Pope May Apologize To Australian Victims
He Calls for 'Healing and Reconciliation'
(By Rohan Sullivan, The Washington Post)

More World

METRO
District Cites Gains in Jail's Treatment of Youths
A year after being criticized for the poor conditions under which minors were being held at the D.C. Jail, the city has improved the educational offerings, beefed up training of corrections officers and hired additional case managers and counselors.
(By Robert E. Pierre, The Washington Post)

Owning His Gay Identity -- at 15 Years Old
Youths Coming Out Sooner, but Protections Against Harassment Lag
(By Theresa Vargas, The Washington Post)

A Rarity for Those in D.C. Area: Taking Time to Enjoy Potomac's View
(By David A. Fahrenthold, The Washington Post)

Geyser of Steam Erupts From Street
(By Elissa Silverman and Martin Weil, The Washington Post)

A Real Sorority Doll Who's Pretty in Pink -- and Green
(By Sindya N. Bhanoo, The Washington Post)

More Metro

BUSINESS
Government May Aid Mortgage Giants
The federal government unveiled a broad program yesterday evening to bolster troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, extending unprecedented support to the companies and proposing new authority to lend them money and even buy their stock.
(By Neil Irwin and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, The Washington Post)

Hispanic Radio Hits Rough Wave
Ads Decline With Lagging Economy
(By Alejandro Lazo, The Washington Post)

Small Coffee Shops Turn the Tables
Little Guys Manage to Thrive Even as Starbucks Is in Retreat
(By Michael S. Rosenwald, The Washington Post)

Offshore Drilling Backed as Remedy for Oil Prices
Push for U.S. Exploration Gains Traction, but Big Political Hurdles Remain
(By Steven Mufson, The Washington Post)

IT Firm Lifts Off After Slow and Steady Climb
(By Anita Huslin, The Washington Post)

More Business

TECHNOLOGY
IT Firm Lifts Off After Slow and Steady Climb
Over the past 25 years, Chevy Chase-based Abacus Technology has evolved slowly but deliberately from a one-man, one-contract transportation logistics consultancy to a 500-person communications and information technology firm with jobs in 12 countries.
(By Anita Huslin, The Washington Post)

More Technology

SPORTS
Everybody Into the Pool
John Mason is helping to save lives and reverse socioeconomic trends by teaching minority children to swim in Prince George's County.
(By Andrew Astleford, The Washington Post)

ACC's Forward Progress Limited
Expanded Conference Rates Mixed Reviews at 5-Year Mark
(By Steve Yanda, The Washington Post)

Mystics Don't Quite Let It All Get Away From Them
Mystics 69, Sun 64
(By Katie Carrera, The Washington Post)

Nats Left Blanked
Hitters Again Fail to Pitch In for Starter : Astros 5, Nationals 0
(By Chico Harlan, The Washington Post)

Packers Fans Rally, Demand Favre Be Brought Back as Starting QB
(The Washington Post)

More Sports

STYLE
A Leader Left Behind?
Few political figures have been more confounding than the Rev. Jesse Jackson. In four decades of public service, he has lived at the crossroads of inspiration and exasperation -- keeping hope alive for many and driving others crazy.
(By Kevin Merida, The Washington Post)

Bounded Generosity
(By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts, The Washington Post)

At Fringe Festival, A Finely Tuned Fury
(By Peter Marks, The Washington Post)

As Good as His Words
Spokesman Tony Snow Earned Press's Respect
(By Howard Kurtz, The Washington Post)

They're So Vein: Tapping A Job Market
(By Gabe Oppenheim, The Washington Post)

More Style

LIVE DISCUSSIONS
Talk About Travel
Post travel editors and writers field questions and comments. On the itinerary this week: Feasting in Naples and the Amalfi Coast; saving animals on the beaches of Tampa, Fla.; and tangoing the night away in Montevideo.
(The Flight Crew, washingtonpost.com)

Critiquing the Press
(Howard Kurtz, washingtonpost.com)

Washington Post Magazine: Real Life
The Summer Reading Issue
(Julia Glass, washingtonpost.com)

Outlook: An Iraq War Instant Saved, a Soldier Lost
With Medic's Death, Photographer Gains New Perspective on Battlefield Image
(Warren Zinn, washingtonpost.com)

After the Storm: Iowa Resident Discusses Flood's Aftermath
(Preston Keres and Bob Lanz, washingtonpost.com)

More Live Discussions

McCain Math
His plan to balance the budget by 2013 won't work.
(The Washington Post)

Hardball
The Nationals should pay their rent.
(The Washington Post)

A Flame-Throwing Frenchman
Mr. Sarkozy jeopardizes prospects at the next trade talks.
(The Washington Post)

E-Mail Newsletter Services
• To sign up for additional newsletters or get help, visit the E-mail Preferences Page.

Unsubscribe | Feedback | Advertising | Subscribe to the Paper