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 Arrested Development By Daniel Politi Posted Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, at 6:23 AM ET The New York Times leads with word that Western officials are discussing ways in which they can help developing countries that are increasingly being affected by the financial crisis. The International Monetary Fund is the key player in all of this and is currently working on setting up a "huge credit line" for emerging economies that are in desperate need of foreign capital and is negotiating with several countries to provide emergency loans to these troubled economies. The Washington Post leads with the lashing that lawmakers delivered Alan Greenspan, the man who was once referred to as "the Oracle" on the economy. Angry lawmakers trampled over themselves to blame the former Federal Reserve chairman for the current crisis and criticize decisions Greenspan made during his 18-year tenure. The Los Angeles Times leads with a look at how many are praising Countrywide's mortgage-modification program that is currently being implemented and could eventually save borrowers as much as $8.4 billion. At a time when the government is under increased pressure to do more to help distressed homeowners, some key officials and consumer advocates are pointing to Countrywide's effort as an example that other mortgage-servicing companies should emulate. The Wall Street Journal leads its world-wide newsbox with Barack Obama's stepped up efforts to help down-ticket Democrats with staff, funds, and appearances as his lead in the polls continues to hold. USA Today leads with FBI statistics that show more than one-third of police officers killed last year were not wearing body armor. While most police officers have access to bullet-resistant vests, some estimate that up to 50 percent choose not to wear them, mostly because they're not exactly comfortable. 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 Obama Fights for Working-Class Votes in Indiana Is It Finally Time To Try Linux? Exclusive Video Footage of NPR's Radio Stars	Advertisement
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