Who is Obama?

Question

Can someone explain why and how Barack Obama became so popular?

Answer 1

That he is photogenic and articulate (a camera-friendly, good public speaker) is a definite plus.

His youth is a plus (shades of JFK); a lot of young people like him.

He's very, very smart. Harvard Law School grad (not to be confused with Harvard Business School, where anybody with money can get in), first black Editor of the Harvard Law Review (very prestigious), in the Illinois State Legislature for 8 years in his '30s. First black US Senator. So as a black man, a lot of firsts.

He's a liberal, but also a consensus-builder. People who have worked with him (in college, in law and in politics) all say he's easy to get along with, not 'in your face', has a knack for getting opposite sides together.

He's got an interesting background. Like Schwarzenegger, being brought up in a different country gives him an outsider's perspective. Like Arnie, treats being American like a privilege, rather than something the rest of us just take for granted.

He has not yet succumbed to flip-flopping.

Has written a couple of really good books, which if you want to know more about him I would suggest you read. They give you a good insight into the man.

He appears to be a regular church-going Christian and a good family man. Married once to the same woman, no hints of any affairs or other misconduct.

He admitted taking drugs in college. Like, who didn't, but all other politicians (Clinton, Bush) lie about it.

He's somewhat of a Washington outsider, and we are all pretty cynical about Washington politicians.

Answer 2

I learned about Barak Obama on Oprah about a year ago and judging from the interview thought he was a great all around person and remember saying "If that man ever runs for president I will surely vote for him!" and here we go :) The comment about seeing if he changes is very wise. I'd hate to see Obama change because he seems so down to earth, but that is usually what happens. Check out this link:
http://www2.oprah.com/omagazine/omag_ocut_flash.jhtml?issue=200411

Answer 3

Obama delivered the 2004 DNC address. It was one the best speeches given in a long time, only rivaled by Bill Clinton's speech. Since then he has been gaining recognition in national media, we two best sellers, DREAMS OF MY FATHER and THE AUDACITY OF HOPE. Then he and his wife appeared on Oprah in 2006. Oprah announced on that very show that she would back Obama if he ran for President. She did not even do this for the "Great" Bill Clinton in 1996 or 1992.

Answer 4

He gave a good speech at the DNC convention, which reminded all in attendence of the last unknown to give such moving speech, Bill Clinton. He is an unknown who was opposed to the Iraq war from day one. He could suffer from being bi-racial and not acknowledging one side or the other. Plus, many will gasp to learn he smokes cigarettes.

Answer 5

He is a fresh face. He does not belong to the good ole boy network yet. They are trying to throw money at him to support him. Watch and see if some of his beliefs from a few years ago begin to change. If he goes too far left you will know the good ole boys have won again.

Answer 6

Not with Republicans & Conservatives, he has a following with the Liberals for one reason "He's an Unknown", he doesn't really have much of a record to scrutinize, he has nothing to offer other than a big smile and he's young, other than that he has nothing but old Liberal idea's with a new twist

Answer 7

Barack Obama has dedicated his life to public service as a community organizer, civil rights attorney, and leader in the Illinois state Senate. Obama now continues his fight for working families following his recent election to the United States Senate.

Sworn into office January 4, 2005, Senator Obama is focused on promoting economic growth and bringing good paying jobs to Illinois. Obama serves on the important Environment and Public Works Committee, which oversees legislation and funding for the environment and public works projects throughout the country, including the national transportation bill. He also serves on the Veterans ’ Affairs Committee where he is focused on investigating the disability pay discrepancies that have left thousands of Illinois veterans without the benefits they earned. Senator Obama also serves on the Foreign Relations Committee.

During his seven years in the Illinois state Senate, Obama worked with both Democrats and Republicans to help working families get ahead by creating programs like the state Earned Income Tax Credit, which in three years provided over $100 million in tax cuts to families across the state. Obama also pushed through an expansion of early childhood education, and after a number of inmates on death row were found innocent, Senator Obama enlisted the support of law enforcement officials to draft legislation requiring the videotaping of interrogations and confessions in all capital cases.

Obama is especially proud of being a husband and father of two daughters, Malia, 8 and Sasha, 4. Obama and his wife, Michelle, married in 1992 and live on Chicago ’s South Side where they attend Trinity United Church of Christ.

Barack Obama was born on August 4th, 1961, in Hawaii to Barack Obama, Sr. and Ann Dunham. Obama graduated from Columbia University in 1983, and moved to Chicago in 1985 to work for a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods plagued with crime and high unemployment. In 1991, Obama graduated from Harvard Law School where he was the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review.

Answer 8

he gets lot of publicity due to his age- he'd young. his career is fast moving- state senate, to federal senate, to running for presidency.
he's been called 'fresh'. he is new and different from most other canidates. he is also fresh because in his book he wrote about his faults. his appearance on Oprah helped him a lot and his book is doing great.

Answer 9

He can deliver a speech as well as Adolf Hitler.

Answer 10

yeah, by the way, he did cocaine.......I don't want a drug addict for my president. Bet you didn't know that, did you? Its always the little details they don't want to disclose.