Barack Obama
Birthday:
4 August 1961, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Birth Name:
Barack Hussein Obama II
Height:
185 cm
U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama II was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. His mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, was a white American from Wichita, Kansas. His father, Barack Obama Sr., who was black, was from Alego, Kenya. They were both young college students at the University of Hawaii. When his father left for Harvard, his mother and Barack stayed behind, ...
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U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama II was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. His mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, was a white American from Wichita, Kansas. His father, Barack Obama Sr., who was black, was from Alego, Kenya. They were both young college students at the University of Hawaii. When his father left for Harvard, his mother and Barack stayed behind, and his father ultimately returned alone to Kenya, where he worked as a government economist. Barack's mother remarried an Indonesian oil manager and moved to Jakarta when Barack was six. He later recounted Indonesia as simultaneously lush and a harrowing exposure to tropical poverty. He returned to Hawaii, where he was brought up largely by his grandparents. The family lived in a small apartment - his grandfather was a furniture salesman and an unsuccessful insurance agent and his grandmother worked in a bank - but Barack managed to get into Punahou School, Hawaii's top prep academy. His father wrote to him regularly but, though he traveled around the world on official business for Kenya, he visited only once, when Barack was ten. Obama attended Columbia University, but found New York's racial tension inescapable. He became a community organizer for a small Chicago church-based group for three years, helping poor South Side residents cope with a wave of plant closings. He then attended Harvard Law School, and in 1990 became the first African-American editor of the Harvard Law Review. He turned down a prestigious judicial clerkship, choosing instead to practice civil-rights law back in Chicago, representing victims of housing and employment discrimination and working on voting-rights legislation. He also began teaching at the University of Chicago Law School, and married Michelle Robinson (now Michelle Obama, a fellow attorney; their daughters are Sasha Obama and Malia Obama. Eventually, he was elected to the Illinois state senate, where his district included both Hyde Park and some of the poorest ghettos on the South Side. In 2004, Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat, representing Illinois, and he gained national attention by giving a rousing and well-received keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. In 2008 he ran for President, and despite having only four years of national political experience, he won. In January 2009, he was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, and the first African-American ever elected to that position. Obama was re-elected to a second term in November 2012. Show less «
[from keynote speech given at the 2004 Democratic party national convention] There's not a liberal America and a conservative America. There...Show more »
[from keynote speech given at the 2004 Democratic party national convention] There's not a liberal America and a conservative America. There's the United States of America. We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the red states. We coach Little League in the blue states, and have gay friends in the red states. There are patriots who opposed the war, and patriots who supported it. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the Stars and Stripes, all of us defending the United States of America. Show less «
And it lives on in those Americans -- young and old, rich and poor, black and white, Latino and Asian and Native American, gay and straight ...Show more »
And it lives on in those Americans -- young and old, rich and poor, black and white, Latino and Asian and Native American, gay and straight -- who are tired of a politics that divides us and want to recapture the sense of common purpose that we had when John Kennedy was President of the United States of America. Show less «
[regarding former President Bill Clinton's support for his wife--and Obama's opponent for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination--Hilla...Show more »
[regarding former President Bill Clinton's support for his wife--and Obama's opponent for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination--Hillary Clinton] Sometimes I don't know who I'm running against. Show less «
[when asked whether he would call on Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton to release their tax returns, after Hilary loaned $5 million of her ow...Show more »
[when asked whether he would call on Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton to release their tax returns, after Hilary loaned $5 million of her own money to her campaign] I'll just say that I've released my tax returns. That's been a policy I've maintained consistently. I think the American people deserve to know where you get your income from. But I'll leave it up to you guys to chase it down . . . I think we set the bar in terms of transparency and disclosure that has been a consistent theme of my campaign and my career in politics. Show less «
In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
When I am this party's [Democratic party] nominee, my opponent will not be able to say that I voted for the war in Iraq; or that I gave [Geo...Show more »
When I am this party's [Democratic party] nominee, my opponent will not be able to say that I voted for the war in Iraq; or that I gave [George W. Bush] the benefit of the doubt on Iran; or that I supported Bush-Cheney [former VP Dick Cheney] policies of not talking to leaders that we don't like. And he will not be able to say that I wavered on something as fundamental as whether or not it is okay for America to torture - because it is NEVER okay. That's why I am in it.As President, I will end the war in Iraq. We will have our troops home in sixteen months. 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 the common threats of the 21st century - nuclear weapons and terrorism; climate change and poverty; genocide and disease. And I will send once more a message to those yearning faces beyond our shores that says, "You matter to us. Your future is our future. And our moment is now." Show less «
This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children a...Show more »
This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children and Hispanic children and Native American children. This time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids can't learn; that those kids who don't look like us are somebody else's problem. The children of America are not those kids, they are our kids, and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st century economy. Not this time. Show less «
Change is coming to America.
Change is coming to America.
In America, we have this strong bias toward individual action. You know, we idolize the John Wayne hero who comes in to correct things with ...Show more »
In America, we have this strong bias toward individual action. You know, we idolize the John Wayne hero who comes in to correct things with both guns blazing. But individual actions, individual dreams, are not sufficient. We must unite in collective action, build collective institutions and organizations. Show less «
In America, we have this strong bias toward individual action. You know we idolize the John Wayne hero who comes in to correct things with b...Show more »
In America, we have this strong bias toward individual action. You know we idolize the John Wayne hero who comes in to correct things with both guns blazing. But individual actions, individual dreams are not sufficient. We must unite in collective action, build collective institutions and organizations. Show less «
In Washington, we call this the Ownership society, and it is especially tempting because each of us believes we will always be the winner in...Show more »
In Washington, we call this the Ownership society, and it is especially tempting because each of us believes we will always be the winner in life's lottery, that we're the one who will be the next Donald Trump, or at least we won't be the chump who Donald Trump says: "You're fired!" Show less «
To avoid being mistaken for a sellout, I chose my friends carefully. The more politically active black students. The foreign students. The C...Show more »
To avoid being mistaken for a sellout, I chose my friends carefully. The more politically active black students. The foreign students. The Chicanos. The Marxist professors and the structural feminists and punk rock performance poets. We smoked cigarettes and wore leather jackets. At night in the dorms, we discussed neocolonialism, Franz Fanon, Eurocentrism and patriarchy. When we ground our cigarettes in the hallway carpet or set our stereos so loud that the walls began to shake, we were resisting bourgeois society's stifling constraints. We weren't indifferent or careless or insecure. We were alienated. Show less «
(visiting Ireland) My name is Barack Obama of the Moneygall O'Bamas. And I've come to find the apostrophe we lost along the way.
(visiting Ireland) My name is Barack Obama of the Moneygall O'Bamas. And I've come to find the apostrophe we lost along the way.
Hopefully, more and more people will begin to feel their story is somehow a part of the larger story of how we're going to reshape America i...Show more »
Hopefully, more and more people will begin to feel their story is somehow a part of the larger story of how we're going to reshape America in a way that is less mean spirited and more generous. I mean I really hope to be a part of the transformation of this country. Show less «
I'm not interested in the suburbs. The suburbs bore me. And I'm not interested in isolating myself. I feel good when I'm engaged in what I t...Show more »
I'm not interested in the suburbs. The suburbs bore me. And I'm not interested in isolating myself. I feel good when I'm engaged in what I think are the core issues of the society, and those issues to me are what's happening to poor folks in this society. Show less «
It's crucial that people don't see my election as a sign of progress in the broader sense that we don't sort of point to a Barack Obama any ...Show more »
It's crucial that people don't see my election as a sign of progress in the broader sense that we don't sort of point to a Barack Obama any more than you point to a Bill Cosby or a Michael Jordan and say "Well things are hunky dory". Show less «
To that extent, as radical as I think people try to characterize the Warren court, it wasn't that radical. It didn't break free from the ess...Show more »
To that extent, as radical as I think people try to characterize the Warren court, it wasn't that radical. It didn't break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the founding fathers in the Constitution, or at least as it's been interpreted and Warren court interpreted in the same way, that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties, Says what the states can't do to you. Says what the Federal government can't do to you, but doesn't say what the Federal government or the state government must do on your behalf, and that has shifted and one of the, I think, tragedies of the civil rights movement was, um, because the civil rights movement became so court focused I think there was a tendency to lose track of the political and community organizing and activities on the ground that are able to put together the actual coalition of powers through which you bring about redistributive change. In some ways we still suffer from that. Show less «
Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan Coalition. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own el...Show more »
Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan Coalition. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own electoral ends. Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere political correctness or reverse racism. Show less «
You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years, and n...Show more »
You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years, and nothing's replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said somehow these communities are going to regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations. Show less «
It's great to be here this evening in the vast, magnificent Hilton ballroom, or what Mitt Romney would call a little fixer-upper.
It's great to be here this evening in the vast, magnificent Hilton ballroom, or what Mitt Romney would call a little fixer-upper.
You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. There have been times where Michelle and I have been sittin...Show more »
You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. There have been times where Michelle and I have been sitting around the dinner table and we're talking about their friends and their parents and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn't dawn on them that somehow their friends' parents would be treated differently. It doesn't make sense to them and frankly, that's the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective. (May 9, 2012) Show less «
I have to tell you that over the course of several years, as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members o...Show more »
I have to tell you that over the course of several years, as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I've just concluded that for me, personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married. (May 9, 2012) Show less «
I believe the majority of gun owners would agree we should do everything possible to prevent criminals and fugitives from purchasing weapons...Show more »
I believe the majority of gun owners would agree we should do everything possible to prevent criminals and fugitives from purchasing weapons. And we should check someone's criminal record before they can check out a gun seller. A mentally unbalanced individual should not be able to get his hands on a gun so easily. These steps shouldn't be controversial. They should be common sense. Show less «
We can't continue to sustain a situation in which some countries are maintaining surpluses, others massive deficits and there never is the k...Show more »
We can't continue to sustain a situation in which some countries are maintaining surpluses, others massive deficits and there never is the kind of adjustment with respect to currency that would lead to a more balanced growth pattern. Show less «
My image of Onyango, faint as it was, has always been of an autocratic man - a cruel man, perhaps. But I had also imagined him an independen...Show more »
My image of Onyango, faint as it was, has always been of an autocratic man - a cruel man, perhaps. But I had also imagined him an independent man, a man of his people, opposed to white rule... What Granny had told us scrambled that image completely, causing ugly words to flash across my mind. Uncle Tom. Collaborator. House nigger. Show less «
The only way my life makes sense is if - regardless of culture, race, religion, tribe - there is this commonality, these essential human tru...Show more »
The only way my life makes sense is if - regardless of culture, race, religion, tribe - there is this commonality, these essential human truths and passions and hope and moral precepts, that we can reach out beyond our differences. If that is not the case, then it is pretty hard for me to make sense of my life. That is the core of who I am. Show less «
[on election night, November 4, 2008] This is your victory. I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's be...Show more »
[on election night, November 4, 2008] This is your victory. I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years - block by block, brick by brick, callused hand by callused hand. Show less «
[on the political choice as he sees it in 2012] This isn't a matter of who's more patriotic or who is more empathetic toward people or who i...Show more »
[on the political choice as he sees it in 2012] This isn't a matter of who's more patriotic or who is more empathetic toward people or who is nicer. It's a hardheaded assessment of what makes our economy grow. And the facts are on my side in this argument. Show less «
Part of the reason that our politics seems so tough right now, and facts and science and argument does not seem to be winning the day all th...Show more »
Part of the reason that our politics seems so tough right now, and facts and science and argument does not seem to be winning the day all the time, is because we're hardwired not to think clearly when we're scared. Show less «
What I wake up determined to accomplish every single day is making the best decisions I can. And the only thing then to guide you is what yo...Show more »
What I wake up determined to accomplish every single day is making the best decisions I can. And the only thing then to guide you is what you genuinely think is best for the country. Because if you start trying to guess what's going to be most politically advantageous or try to game all that stuff out, you'll get lost very quickly. Show less «
We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times... and then just expect that other countrie...Show more »
We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK. That's not leadership. That's not going to happen. Show less «
I do think at a certain point you've made enough money.
I do think at a certain point you've made enough money.
If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to cre...Show more »
If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business - you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen. Show less «
Governor Romney seems to have a tendency to shoot first and aim later.
Governor Romney seems to have a tendency to shoot first and aim later.
As President of our country and Commander-in-Chief of our military, I accept that people are going to call me awful things every day, and I ...Show more »
As President of our country and Commander-in-Chief of our military, I accept that people are going to call me awful things every day, and I will always defend their right to do so. Show less «
If you can't beat your opponent's ideas, you distort those ideas and maybe make some up. If you don't have a record to run on, than you pain...Show more »
If you can't beat your opponent's ideas, you distort those ideas and maybe make some up. If you don't have a record to run on, than you paint your opponent as someone people should run away from. Show less «
[on Donald Trump's refusal to trust the validity of the President's personal documents] This all dates back to when we were growing up toget...Show more »
[on Donald Trump's refusal to trust the validity of the President's personal documents] This all dates back to when we were growing up together in Kenya. Show less «
I've always believed that education begins at home, with parents who take responsibility - who read to their kids, set limits on the TV and ...Show more »
I've always believed that education begins at home, with parents who take responsibility - who read to their kids, set limits on the TV and instill a lifelong love of learning. But there is no substitute for a good school or the teacher who stands in front of the classroom. Show less «
[to the crowd at the 2013 Presidential Inauguration] I want to look out one more time. I'm not going to see this again.
[to the crowd at the 2013 Presidential Inauguration] I want to look out one more time. I'm not going to see this again.
The truth is that we have steadily become a more diverse and tolerant country that embraces people's differences and respect people who are ...Show more »
The truth is that we have steadily become a more diverse and tolerant country that embraces people's differences and respect people who are not like us. That's a profoundly good thing. That's one of the strengths of America. Show less «
[on the 2012 campaign trail] If you buy into the cynicism that the change we fought for isn't possible, well, change will not happen. Other ...Show more »
[on the 2012 campaign trail] If you buy into the cynicism that the change we fought for isn't possible, well, change will not happen. Other voices will fill the void: lobbyists and special interests, the people with ten million dollar checks who are trying to buy this election. Show less «
[on Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma)] The people of Oklahoma are lucky to have someone like Tom representing them in Washington - someone who...Show more »
[on Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma)] The people of Oklahoma are lucky to have someone like Tom representing them in Washington - someone who speaks his mind, sticks to his principles and is committed to the people he was elected to serve. Each of us still hopes the other will see the light. But in the meantime, we'll settle for being friends. Show less «
[ at the 2009 White House Correspondents Dinner] Mother's Day is a tough holiday for Rahm Emanuel because he's not used to saying the word '...Show more »
[ at the 2009 White House Correspondents Dinner] Mother's Day is a tough holiday for Rahm Emanuel because he's not used to saying the word 'day' after 'mother'. Show less «
AK-47s belong in the hands of soldiers and not in the hands of crooks. They belong on the battlefield of war, not on the streets of our citi...Show more »
AK-47s belong in the hands of soldiers and not in the hands of crooks. They belong on the battlefield of war, not on the streets of our cities. Show less «
[on Nelson Mandela] I had read his writings and speeches and understood this was somebody who believed in the basic principle I just talked ...Show more »
[on Nelson Mandela] I had read his writings and speeches and understood this was somebody who believed in the basic principle I just talked about - treating people equally. He was willing to sacrifice his life for that belief. He's a personal hero, but I don't think I'm unique in that regard. He's a hero for the world. If and when he passes from this place, one thing we all know is that his legacy is one that will linger on throughout the ages. Show less «
We discussed the fact that Ho Chi Minh was actually inspired by the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and the words of Thom...Show more »
We discussed the fact that Ho Chi Minh was actually inspired by the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and the words of Thomas Jefferson. Show less «
Trayvon Martin could have been me thirty-five years ago.
Trayvon Martin could have been me thirty-five years ago.
[on the outlawed use of poison gas in Syria] I didn't set a red line, the world set a red line.
[on the outlawed use of poison gas in Syria] I didn't set a red line, the world set a red line.
[to Dmitri Medvedev] This is my last election, after my election, I'll have more flexibility.
[to Dmitri Medvedev] This is my last election, after my election, I'll have more flexibility.
[on why he quit smoking] I haven't had a cigarette in probably six years. That's because I'm scared of my wife.
[on why he quit smoking] I haven't had a cigarette in probably six years. That's because I'm scared of my wife.
[on critics of American engagement with Iran, 2013] Tough talk and bluster may be the easy thing to do politically, but it's not the right t...Show more »
[on critics of American engagement with Iran, 2013] Tough talk and bluster may be the easy thing to do politically, but it's not the right thing to do for our security. Show less «
No party has a monopoly on wisdom.
No party has a monopoly on wisdom.
[from a 2012 campaign speech] If you give up on the idea that your voice can make a difference, then other voices will fill the void: the lo...Show more »
[from a 2012 campaign speech] If you give up on the idea that your voice can make a difference, then other voices will fill the void: the lobbyists and special interests; the people with the $10 million checks who are trying to buy this election, and those who are making it harder for you to vote. Show less «
[on the passing of Pete Seeger at age 94] Once called 'America's tuning fork', Pete Seeger believed deeply in the power of song. But more im...Show more »
[on the passing of Pete Seeger at age 94] Once called 'America's tuning fork', Pete Seeger believed deeply in the power of song. But more importantly, he believed in the power of community - to stand up for what's right, speak out against what's wrong, and move this country closer to the America he knew we could be. Over the years, Pete used his voice - and his hammer - to strike blows for workers' rights and civil rights; world peace and environmental conservation. And he always invited us to sing along. For reminding us where we came from and showing us where we need to go, we will always be grateful for Pete Seeger. Show less «
[at the 2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner, on government gridlock] If you want to get paid while not working, you should have to run f...Show more »
[at the 2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner, on government gridlock] If you want to get paid while not working, you should have to run for Congress like everyone else. Show less «
[In response to the issue of rising US gun violence after another school shooting] We're the only developed country on Earth where this happ...Show more »
[In response to the issue of rising US gun violence after another school shooting] We're the only developed country on Earth where this happens. And it happens now once a week. And it's a one-day story. There's no place else like this. Show less «
[downplaying the role of military action in U.S. global leadership] Just because we have the best hammer does not mean that every problem is...Show more »
[downplaying the role of military action in U.S. global leadership] Just because we have the best hammer does not mean that every problem is a nail. Show less «
[to the graduating class at West Point, 2014] For the foreseeable future, the most direct threat to America, at home and abroad, remains ter...Show more »
[to the graduating class at West Point, 2014] For the foreseeable future, the most direct threat to America, at home and abroad, remains terrorism. But a strategy that involves invading every country that harbours terrorist networks is naive and unsustainable. Show less «
[2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner Speech] It is great to be back. What a year, huh? I usually start these dinners with a few self-dep...Show more »
[2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner Speech] It is great to be back. What a year, huh? I usually start these dinners with a few self-deprecating jokes. After my stellar 2013, what can I possibly talk about? I admit it - last year was rough. Sheesh. At one point, things got so bad, the 47 percent called Mitt Romney to apologize. Show less «
[2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner Speech] Let's face it, Fox, you'll miss me when I'm gone. It will be harder to convince the America...Show more »
[2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner Speech] Let's face it, Fox, you'll miss me when I'm gone. It will be harder to convince the American people that Hillary was born in Kenya. Show less «
[from a speech on November 20, 2014] To those members of Congress who question my authority to make our immigration system work better, or q...Show more »
[from a speech on November 20, 2014] To those members of Congress who question my authority to make our immigration system work better, or question the wisdom of me acting where Congress has failed, I have one answer: Pass a bill. Show less «
[on Jong-un Kim and the controversy surrounding The Interview (2014)] We cannot have a society in which some dictator someplace can start im...Show more »
[on Jong-un Kim and the controversy surrounding The Interview (2014)] We cannot have a society in which some dictator someplace can start imposing censorship here in the United States. Show less «
We are not at war with Islam.
We are not at war with Islam.
[on commuting prison sentences for 46 drug offenders, July 13, 2015] These men and women were not violent criminals , but the overwhelming m...Show more »
[on commuting prison sentences for 46 drug offenders, July 13, 2015] These men and women were not violent criminals , but the overwhelming majority had been sentenced to at least twenty years. Fourteen of them had been to sentenced to life for non-violent drug offenses, so their punishments didn't fit the crime. I believe that America, at its heart, is a nation of second chances, and I believe these folks deserve their second chance. Show less «
[on the U.S. and Cuba re-opening their embassies, 2015 ] We don't have to be imprisoned by the past.
[on the U.S. and Cuba re-opening their embassies, 2015 ] We don't have to be imprisoned by the past.
[addressing the climate change issue] We only get one planet. There is no Plan B.
[addressing the climate change issue] We only get one planet. There is no Plan B.
[when asked if he thinks Bill Clinton was the first "black" president]I think Bill Clinton did have an enormous affinity with the African Am...Show more »
[when asked if he thinks Bill Clinton was the first "black" president]I think Bill Clinton did have an enormous affinity with the African American community and still does and that's well-earned like John (Edwards) one of the things I've always been inspired by is young men and women who grew up in the south when segregation was still taking place when the transformation that are still incomplete that at least had begun had not yet begun and to see that transformation in their own lives I think that is powerful and that it is hopeful because what indicates is that people can change and each successive generation can create a different vision on how we have to treat each other and I think Bill Clinton embodies that and he deserves credit for that I would have to investigate Bill's dancing abilities some other southern stuff to accurately judge if he was in fact a brother Show less «
[on the rampage of school shootings in America, 2015] Our thoughts and prayers are not enough.
[on the rampage of school shootings in America, 2015] Our thoughts and prayers are not enough.
[Announcing the successful assignation of Osama bin Laden] Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United Sta...Show more »
[Announcing the successful assignation of Osama bin Laden] Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children. For over two decades, he has been al Qaeda's leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaeda. Show less «
[His response when a child asks him at a campaign rally "why do people hate you?"] I did get elected President, so not everybody hates me. I...Show more »
[His response when a child asks him at a campaign rally "why do people hate you?"] I did get elected President, so not everybody hates me. If you're been watching TV lately, it seems like everybody is just getting mad all the time. Some of it is just called politics, when our party wins, the other party feels like they need to poke you a little bit, so it'll keep you on your toes. So you shouldn't take it too seriously. They are worried about their own lives because a lot of people are losing their jobs right now and a lot of people are losing their health care. A lot of people lost their homes to foreclosure, so they're feeling frustrated and when you're President of the United States, you've got to deal with all of that. Show less «
[Conclusion of 2012 election victory speech] And together, with your help and God's grace, we will continue our journey forward and remind t...Show more »
[Conclusion of 2012 election victory speech] And together, with your help and God's grace, we will continue our journey forward and remind the world just why it is that we live in the greatest nation on earth. Thank you, America. God bless you. God bless these United States. Show less «
[Giving his approval for the mission to kill Osama bin Laden] It's a go.
[Giving his approval for the mission to kill Osama bin Laden] It's a go.
[on one of the few regrets he has about his presidency] A president with the gifts of Lincoln or Roosevelt might have better bridged the div...Show more »
[on one of the few regrets he has about his presidency] A president with the gifts of Lincoln or Roosevelt might have better bridged the divide. Show less «
[after North Korea launched a satellite into space] They are not very good at feeding their people, but they invest a huge amount in their w...Show more »
[after North Korea launched a satellite into space] They are not very good at feeding their people, but they invest a huge amount in their weapons. Show less «
The only constraints on America's future are the ones we impose on ourselves. That's always been the case with America - our destiny isn't d...Show more »
The only constraints on America's future are the ones we impose on ourselves. That's always been the case with America - our destiny isn't decided for us - but by us. And as long as we give our young people every tool and every chance to decide the future for themselves, I have incredible faith in the choices they'll make. Show less «
[2016, on the Republican presidential candidates] Have you noticed that every one of these candidates say, "Obama's weak! Putin's kicking sa...Show more »
[2016, on the Republican presidential candidates] Have you noticed that every one of these candidates say, "Obama's weak! Putin's kicking sand in his face! When I talk to Putin, he's gonna straighten out..." And then it turns out they can't handle a bunch of CNBC moderators. Show less «
Climate change is a potential existential threat to the entire world if we don't do something about it... it is a political problem perfectl...Show more »
Climate change is a potential existential threat to the entire world if we don't do something about it... it is a political problem perfectly designed to repel government intervention. It involves every single country, and it is a comparatively slow-moving emergency, so there is always something seemingly more urgent on the agenda. Show less «
[on his visit to Cuba, 2016] I have come here to bury the last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas.
[on his visit to Cuba, 2016] I have come here to bury the last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas.
I'd rather be a good one term president than a mediocre two term president.
I'd rather be a good one term president than a mediocre two term president.
[When asked if capturing Osama bin Laden was the most important day of his presidency] It was the most single "day" of my Presidency the mos...Show more »
[When asked if capturing Osama bin Laden was the most important day of his presidency] It was the most single "day" of my Presidency the most intense, concentrated "day" of my presidency. Show less «
[At 2004 White House correspondents dinner, referring to Hillary Clinton losing the Democratic party nomination and appointing her Secretary...Show more »
[At 2004 White House correspondents dinner, referring to Hillary Clinton losing the Democratic party nomination and appointing her Secretary of State under his administration] If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Show less «
[Impersonating Kobe Bryant's farewell speech] Obama OUT!
[Impersonating Kobe Bryant's farewell speech] Obama OUT!
[to the delegates at the first United State of Women summit, 2016] I may be a little grayer than I was eight years ago, but this is what a f...Show more »
[to the delegates at the first United State of Women summit, 2016] I may be a little grayer than I was eight years ago, but this is what a feminist looks like. Show less «
[on Donald J. Trump] I think the Republican nominee is unfit to serve as president. I said so last week [at the Democratic national conventi...Show more »
[on Donald J. Trump] I think the Republican nominee is unfit to serve as president. I said so last week [at the Democratic national convention], and he keeps on proving it. The notion that he would attack a Gold Star family [the name for a family whose relative has died in service] that had made such extraordinary sacrifices on behalf of our country, the fact that he doesn't appear to have basic knowledge around critical issues in Europe, in the Middle East, in Asia means that he's woefully unprepared to do this job. (...) There has to come a point at which you say somebody who makes those kinds of statements doesn't have the judgment, the temperament, the understanding to occupy the most powerful position in the world because a lot of people depend on the White House getting stuff right. [2016] Show less «
[on Michelle and their daughters traveling to China] I don't worry too much whenever or wherever they're traveling, they're surrounded by me...Show more »
[on Michelle and their daughters traveling to China] I don't worry too much whenever or wherever they're traveling, they're surrounded by men with guns. Show less «
[To the crowd after he mentions Donald J. Trump's political agenda and the crowd starts booing] Don't boo, vote!
[To the crowd after he mentions Donald J. Trump's political agenda and the crowd starts booing] Don't boo, vote!
[on the kind of legacy he wants to leave with the African American community]it's hard for to me to say what I've meant to the African Ameri...Show more »
[on the kind of legacy he wants to leave with the African American community]it's hard for to me to say what I've meant to the African American community. I can say what Michelle's meant to the African American community, she's "the bomb" to the them, what concretely I can say is that the work this administration's done has made a difference in the lives of people who are struggling and those folks are dis-proportionally people of color so whether it's the Affordable Care Act that's making sure people have health care or if it's expanding programs in low income communities to provide better job training. Right now each of those areas those people are better off otherwise they would've been because of the concrete actions we took. Show less «
[on Donald J. Trump] If somebody can't handle a Twitter account, they can't handle the nuclear codes.
[on Donald J. Trump] If somebody can't handle a Twitter account, they can't handle the nuclear codes.
[on the UK's vote to leave the European Union] I think it's fair to say that maybe some point down the line there might be a UK-US trade agr...Show more »
[on the UK's vote to leave the European Union] I think it's fair to say that maybe some point down the line there might be a UK-US trade agreement, but it's not going to happen any time soon because our focus is in negotiating with a big bloc, the European Union, to get a trade agreement done. The UK is going to be in the back of the queue. Show less «
[on the current status of the DNC] The question is how do we rebuild that party as a whole so that there's not a county in any state, I don'...Show more »
[on the current status of the DNC] The question is how do we rebuild that party as a whole so that there's not a county in any state, I don't care how red where we don't have a presence and we're not making the argument because I think we have the better argument.[December 2016] Show less «
[on Hilary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, December 2016] I think she's worked tirelessly on behalf of the American people and I don't...Show more »
[on Hilary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, December 2016] I think she's worked tirelessly on behalf of the American people and I don't think she was treated fairly during the election... I think the coverage of her and the issues was troubling. Show less «
[on the Armenian Genocide during his presidential campaign in 2008] Two years ago, I criticized the secretary of state for the firing of U.S...Show more »
[on the Armenian Genocide during his presidential campaign in 2008] Two years ago, I criticized the secretary of state for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term 'genocide' to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915... As president I will recognize the Armenian Genocide. Show less «
[on the Armenian Genocide] I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915, and my view has not changed.
[on the Armenian Genocide] I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915, and my view has not changed.
[on attempts to repeal the 'Affordable Care Act, May 2017] I hope current members of Congress realize it takes little courage to aid those w...Show more »
[on attempts to repeal the 'Affordable Care Act, May 2017] I hope current members of Congress realize it takes little courage to aid those who are already powerful, already influential - but it takes greater courage to champion the vulnerable, the sick and the infirm. Show less «
Emmanuel Macron has stood up for liberal values. He put forward a vision for the important role that France plays in Europe and around the w...Show more »
Emmanuel Macron has stood up for liberal values. He put forward a vision for the important role that France plays in Europe and around the world. And he is committed to a better future for the French people. He appeals to people's hopes and not their fears. Show less «
I want all of my friends in France to know how much I am rooting for your success. Because of how important this election is, I also want yo...Show more »
I want all of my friends in France to know how much I am rooting for your success. Because of how important this election is, I also want you to know that I am supporting Emmanuel Macron to lead you forward. Show less «
I'm not planning to get involved in many elections now that I don't have to run for office again. But the French election is very important ...Show more »
I'm not planning to get involved in many elections now that I don't have to run for office again. But the French election is very important to the future of France and the values that we care so much about, because the success of France matters to the entire world. Show less «
Barack Obama's Photos
Himself
Himself
Himself
