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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Opinions Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008

Eugene Robinson
A New Kind of Pride
I understand what Barack Obama meant when he said his faith in the American people had been 'vindicated.'

Anne Applebaum
Five Election Myths
Beware hopeful, reassuring cliches like these.

Andres Martinez's Stumped
Is It Possible to Be Objective?
Plus: Is Fox fair and balanced? Submit your question.

David Ignatius
A Quiet Deal With Pakistan
After a week of talks, everyone seemed to come away smiling.

Richard Cohen
The Election That LBJ Won
An Obama win would complete a journey begun 40 years ago.

Chris Cox
Reinventing A Markets Watchdog
The new shape of regulatory reform should build on the traditional strengths of the SEC.

Dan Froomkin's White House Watch
Cheney's Parting Gift
The Vice President briefly emerged from the shadows on Saturday to praise the McCain-Palin ticket.

Tom TOLES