Barack Obama

Barack ObamaAccording to Senator Obama’s official website, “Senator Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961. His father was originally born in Kenya; his mother grew up in a small town in Kansas. Barack later moved to New York, where he graduated from Columbia University. He later obtained a law degree from Harvard in 1991. While studying at Harvard, Barack became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. Shortly after, Obama moved to Chicago, where he practiced as a civil rights attorney and taught constitutional law. Soon after, Barack ran for and was elected to the Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years. In 2004, he ran for, and won the election for U.S. Senate in Illinois.” Senator Obama has recently announced his candidacy for president.

Presidential Campaign
Many were shocked to hear that Barack would run for president considering his young age and limited experience serving in the Senate. Despite criticism, Barack’s campaign has remained strong and resilient. Senator Obama’s popularity has soared along with campaign contributions. The Illinois Senator also has many prominent endorsements. Though recent criticisms pertaining to the Illinois Senator's pastor have decreased Obama's popularity, Senator Obama and Senator Clinton are virtually tied. While Hillary tends to attract women and union members; Barack has been very popular among younger voters as well as African-Americans. Senator Obama’s message of change has resonated well among many who feel Senator Clinton represents more of the same. In addition, Barack has criticized Hillary Clinton for voting in favor of authorizing the Iraq war even though he was not in Congress when Congress voted to go to war. Regarding the delegate count, Senator Obama is beginning to pull away. However, Senator Clinton continues to hold a lead in Pennsylvania. This may well change considering Pennsylvania Senator, Bob Casey Jr., has recently endorsed Senator Obama. On the Republican side, many speculate Senator Graham endorsing Senator McCain helped McCain beat Mike Huckabee in a close South Carolina battle. Though Barack has won many more states than Hillary, Senator Clinton has beaten Barack in heavily populated states with many delegates. Barack’s success in smaller states has led many to believe Barack may be the more electable candidate. Whether Senator Clinton or Barack wins may depend on the super delegates who many believe gives Hillary the upper hand despite the increase in superdelegates pledging to support Senator Obama.

Famous endorsers

• Oprah
• Senator Ted Kennedy and former Democratic presidential nominee
• Senator John Kerry; both Senators are from Massachusetts
• Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND)
• Senator and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
• Governor Tim Kaine (D-VA).
• Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ).

On the Issues

• Supports most democratic policies regarding the economy
• Does not support raising the confederate flag outside of a state’s capital.
• Heavily supports affirmative action.
• Supports most gay rights.
• Opposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration and gay marriage.
• Supports the death penalty.
• Supports most gun control legislation.
• Supports increased funding for education.
• Supports most democratic policies regarding the environment and energy dependency.
• Pro-choice.
• Senator Obama tends to be a dove on foreign policy issues.
• Supports some free trade agreements.
• Voted yea in favor of SCHIP.
• Has a plan to end the War in Iraq.