The 21st-Century United States Politics & Leaders

The Presidency of Barack Obama

Election of 2008 Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton were choices but Obama was chosen as the Democratic candidate. Obama ran against Senator John McCain for the Republican party, who chose Sarah Palin as his running mate Hilary Clinton & Sarah Palin were two important women in the 2008 election

Election of 2008 Nominee:Barack Obama John McCain Party: Democratic Republican Home state: Illinois Arizona Running mate: Joe Biden Sarah Palin Electoral vote: Popular vote: 69,498,516 59,948,323 Percentage: 52.9% 45.7%

Condition of US at Election 2007 US in economic recession stemming from mortgage crisis – worst since Great Depression of 1930s Unemployment steadily climbing toward 7% Home foreclosures grew Sept the stock market plunged $700 billion bailout for banking industry abused War in Iraq and Afghanistan (war against terrorism) still going on with more than 4,000 soldiers killed and over 31,000 wounded

Taking Office Obama laid out ambitious agenda : Economic stimulus package and accountability of institutions to American taxpayers Draw down war in Iraq & refocus military in Afghanistan Reform nation’s healthcare insurance system Pass new laws to regulate Wall Street Federal government transparency

In Office February 2009—American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed (stimulus package) March Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act passed August 2010—announce “combat mission in Iraq has ended” with increased military presence in Afghanistan July Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act signed May 2011—announced the death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by US Navy Seals

Barack Obama (Democrat) 65,915, % Mitt Romney (Republican) 60,933, % Gary Johnson (Libertarian, Independent) 1,275, %

Obama Numbers ,371,000 jobs added since 2008 Unemployment 5.1% down from high 10% Oct Real weekly earning up 1.7% Corporate profits have tripled GDP up 3.7% annual rate in second quarter 2015 Consumer spending grew at a rate of 2.9% in 2 nd qtr 2015