Before he was Known
Interestingly enough Obama was born on August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. His parents separated when he was two, only later divorcing. His mother remarried and the family moved to Indonesia in 1967. Obama attended local schools in Jakarta. When he was ten he returned to Honolulu where he attended Punahou School until his graduation from high school. After graduating from Columbia University and Harvard Law School, Obama showed interest in and worked as a university professor and lawyer. He also surprisingly won the election to become the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review.
Senate Years
Eventually Obama was attracted to the Senate. While there it is interesting to note that he aided legislation to control weapons and to slow down improper use of federal funds. He has also been fascinated by and furthered legislation concerning electoral fraud and care for individuals returning from U.S. military duty.
Specifically Obama voted for the Energy Policy Act of 2005. He cosponsored the "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act". While also supporting a bill called the Secure Fence Act, authorizing construction of fencing and other security improvements along the United States-Mexico border. Not to mention the intriguing "Coburn-Obama Transparency Act" which authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov. Obama was concerned with eliminating gifts by lobbyists to members of Congress therefore instating the requirement to disclose campaign contributions under the "Honest Leadership and Open Government Act". Similarly he put forwards S. 453, a bill to criminalize deceptive methods employed in federal elections, such as fraudulent flyers and automated phone centers. Obama also introduced the "Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007," a bill to limit troop numbers in Iraq.
Campaign for Presidency
During his campaign Obama is absorbed in not only ending the Iraq war but advancing energy independence and adopting universal health care. Yet he also has a knack for absorbing endorsements. In January of 2008 he raised $36.8 million, the most ever by a candidate in that amount of time. Then again he peaked our curiosity by rasing $57 million in February!
One of his highly publicized moves was the submission of resignation concerning his membership with Trinity. "It's clear that now ... every time something is said in the church by anyone associated with Trinity, including guest pastors, the remarks will imputed to me even if they totally conflict with my long-held views, statements and principles."
