Barack Obama

Elected the 44th President of the United States on November 4, 2008, and sworn in on January 20, 2009. He and his wife, Michelle, are the proud parents of two daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.

"We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

- President Barack Obama, Inaugural Address - Washington, DC, January 20, 2008

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.  Tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment, change has come to America"

- President-elect Barack Obama - Grant Park, Chicago, November 4, 2008

"From CEOs to shareholders, from financiers to factory workers, we all have a stake in each other's success because the more America prospers, the more Americans prosper"

• Jumpstart the economy by providing tax relief for middle class Americans, small businesses, and start up companies
• Job creation: Invest in manufacturing and clean energy to create 10 million green jobs
• Protect homeownership with a universal mortgage credit, more accountability in subprime mortgage industry, and fund to help homeowners avoid foreclosure
• Stop predatory credit card practices with a Credit Card Bill of Rights
• Reform bankruptcy laws to protect families facing a medical crisis
• Expand Family and Medical Leave Act and afterschool care options

In 2002, as conventional thinking in Washington lined up with President Bush for war in Iraq, I spoke out against going to war, and warned of "an occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences."  I opposed the Iraq War from the beginning, and I am fully committed to ending the War in Iraq as president.

• A responsible, phased withdrawal

• Encourage political accommodation

• Surging diplomacy

• Preventing humanitarian crisis

"I will end the war in Iraq… I will close Guantanamo. I will restore habeas corpus. I will finish the fight against Al Qaeda. And I will lead the world to combat our common threats: nuclear weapons and terrorism; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease."

• Invest in a 21st-century military with modern defense capabilities
• Restore the readiness of the National Guard and Reserves
• Promote security and restore our alliances
• Reform contracting

"Climate change is...one of the greatest moral challenges of our generation. I went to Detroit, I stood in front of a group of automakers, and I told them that when I am president, there will be no more excuses — we will help them retool their factories, but they will have to make cars that use less oil.”

• Reduce carbon emissions 80% by 2050
• Invest in a clean energy future and support next generation biofuels
• Set America on path to oil independence
• Improve energy efficiency 50% by 2030
• Restore U.S. leadership on climate change and the environment

"My plan begins by covering every American. If you already have health insurance, the only thing that will change is that you will spend less on premiums."

• Quality, affordable and portable coverage for all
• Lower costs by modernizing the U.S. healthcare system
• Fight for new initiatives

• Here are my Key Votes
• Voted with Democratic leadership 97% of the time in 2007
• Often cooperated with Republican lawmakers and co-sponsored their legislation
• Voted reliably with Democrats on environmental issues

United States Senator, Illinois - elected November 2004

• Committees on Foreign Relations, Veterans' Affairs, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
• Chairman, Subcommittee for European Affairs - 2005-06
• Member, Environment and Public Works Committee, 2005-06

• Born August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii
• Married to Michelle Robinson October 3, 1992
• Daughters Malia and Sasha born 1998 & 2001
• Here is my 2007 Financial Disclosure