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[[File:Ann Dunham with father and children.jpg|thumb|left|Obama (right) with grandfather [[Stanley Armour Dunham]], mother [[Ann Dunham]], and half-sister [[Maya Soetoro-Ng|Maya Soetoro]], mid-1970s in [[Honolulu]]|alt=Photo of a young Obama sitting on grass with his grandfather, mother, and half-sister.]]
[[File:Ann Dunham with father and children.jpg|thumb|left|Obama (right) with grandfather [[Stanley Armour Dunham]], mother [[Ann Dunham]], and half-sister [[Maya Soetoro-Ng|Maya Soetoro]], mid-1970s in [[Honolulu]]|alt=Photo of a young Obama sitting on grass with his grandfather, mother, and half-sister.]]
Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961,<ref name="biography">{{cite web |year = 2008 |title = President Barack Obama |publisher = The White House |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-obama |access-date = December 12, 2008 |url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026043047/http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-obama |archive-date=October 26, 2009 }}</ref> at [[Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children]] in [[Honolulu]], Hawaii.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2011 |title=President Obama's Long Form Birth Certificate |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2011/04/27/president-obamas-long-form-birth-certificate |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=whitehouse.gov |language=en |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731152530/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2011/04/27/president-obamas-long-form-birth-certificate |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="birth-certificate" /><ref name="maraniss">{{cite news |author = Maraniss, David |date = August 24, 2008 |title = Though Obama had to leave to find himself, it is Hawaii that made his rise possible |newspaper = The Washington Post |page = A22 |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082301620.html |access-date = October 28, 2008 |archive-date = March 28, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190328164728/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082301620.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author = Nakaso, Dan |date = December 22, 2008 |title = Twin sisters, Obama on parallel paths for years |newspaper = [[The Honolulu Advertiser]] |page = B1 |url = http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Dec/22/ln/hawaii812220320.html |access-date = January 22, 2011 |archive-date = January 29, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110129023832/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Dec/22/ln/hawaii812220320.html |url-status = live }}</ref> He is the only president born outside the [[contiguous United States|contiguous 48 states]].<ref name="BarretoO'Bryant2013">{{cite book|last1=Barreto|first1=Amílcar Antonio|first2=Richard L.|last2=O'Bryant|title=American Identity in the Age of Obama|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5VQVAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT18|access-date=May 8, 2017|date=November 12, 2013|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-317-93715-9|pages=18–19|chapter=Introduction}}</ref> He was born to an 18-year-old American mother and a 27-year-old Kenyan father. His mother, [[Ann Dunham]] (1942–1995), was born in [[Wichita, Kansas]], and was of English, Welsh, German, Swiss, and Irish descent. In 2007 it was discovered her great-great-grandfather Falmouth Kearney emigrated from the village of [[Moneygall|Moneygall, Ireland]] to the U.S. in 1850.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 23, 2022 |title=On This Day: US President Barack Obama arrives in Ireland for a visit |url=http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/genealogy/obama-irish-ancestor |access-date=August 2, 2022 |website=IrishCentral.com |language=en |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516195827/https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/genealogy/obama-irish-ancestor |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2012, [[Ancestry.com]] found a strong likelihood that Dunham was descended from [[John Punch (slave)|John Punch]], an enslaved African man who lived in the [[Colony of Virginia]] during the seventeenth century.<ref name="ancestry">{{Cite web|url=http://corporate.ancestry.com/press/press-releases/2012/07/ancestry.com-discovers-president-obama-related-to-first-documented-slave-in-america/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094350/http://corporate.ancestry.com/press/press-releases/2012/07/ancestry.com-discovers-president-obama-related-to-first-documented-slave-in-america/|url-status=dead|title="Ancestry.com Discovers Ph Suggests"|archivedate=April 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stolberg |first1=Sheryl Gay |title=Obama Has Ties to Slavery Not by His Father but His Mother, Research Suggests |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/us/obamas-mother-had-african-forebear-study-suggests.html |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=July 30, 2012 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>Hennessey, Kathleen. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-jul-30-la-pn-obama-related-to-legendary-virginia-slave-genealogist-says-20120730-story.html "Obama related to legendary Virginia slave, genealogists say"] , ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. July 30, 2012.</ref> Obama's father, [[Barack Obama Sr.]] (1934–1982),<ref>Maraniss (2012), <span class="plainlinks">[https://books.google.com/books?id=Wnna9CLtblAC&pg=PT65 p. 65] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305141814/https://books.google.com/books?id=Wnna9CLtblAC&pg=PT65#v=onepage&q&f=false |date=March 5, 2024 }}</span>: He had been born inside the euphorbia hedges of the K'obama homestead on June 18, 1934.</ref><ref>Liberties (2012), <span class="plainlinks">[https://books.google.com/books?id=8d9NAAAAQBAJ&pg=SL1-PA202 p. 202] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305141817/https://books.google.com/books?id=8d9NAAAAQBAJ&pg=SL1-PA202#v=onepage&q&f=false |date=March 5, 2024 }}</span>: The age of his father is questionable since June 18, 1934, is on most of the documents Obama Sr. filled out for his United States student visa; however, Obama II's book ''[[Dreams of My Father]]'' states his father's birth date was June 18, 1936. Immigration and Naturalization Service records indicate the birth date to be June 18, 1934, thereby making Obama Sr. twenty-seven at the birth of Obama II instead of the annotated twenty-five on the birth certificate.</ref> was a married<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Sally |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/07/11/137553552/president-obamas-father-a-bold-and-reckless-life |title=President Obama's Father: A 'Bold And Reckless Life' |publisher=NPR |date=July 6, 2011 |access-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223124234/https://www.npr.org/2011/07/11/137553552/president-obamas-father-a-bold-and-reckless-life |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Swaine |first=Jon |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/8481779/Barack-Obamas-father-forced-out-of-US-in-1960s.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/8481779/Barack-Obamas-father-forced-out-of-US-in-1960s.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Barack Obama's father 'forced out of US in 1960s' |newspaper=Telegraph |date=April 29, 2011 |access-date=January 16, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Rachel L. |last=Swarns |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/19/nyregion/letters-by-and-about-barack-obamas-father.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618145445/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/19/nyregion/letters-by-and-about-barack-obamas-father.html |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Words of Obama's Father Still Waiting to Be Read by His Son |work=The New York Times |date=June 18, 2016 |access-date=January 16, 2020}}</ref> [[Luo people of Kenya and Tanzania|Luo Kenyan]] from [[Nyang'oma Kogelo]].<ref name="autogenerated2" /><ref>{{cite news |author=David R Arnott |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/photo/obamas-old-school-his-ancestral-village-world-reacts-us-presidential-flna1C6912948 |title=From Obama's old school to his ancestral village, world reacts to US presidential election |work=NBC News |access-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028204719/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/photo/obamas-old-school-his-ancestral-village-world-reacts-us-presidential-flna1C6912948 |url-status=live }}</ref> His last name, Obama, was derived from his Luo descent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bearak |first=Max |date=June 19, 2016 |title=The fascinating tribal tradition that gave Obama his last name |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/19/the-fascinating-tribal-tradition-that-gave-obama-his-last-name/ |access-date=November 20, 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107203003/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/19/the-fascinating-tribal-tradition-that-gave-obama-his-last-name/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian language class at the [[University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa]], where his father was a foreign student on a scholarship.<ref name="Jones 2007">{{cite news |author = Jones, Tim |date = March 27, 2007 |title = Barack Obama: Mother not just a girl from Kansas; Stanley Ann Dunham shaped a future senator |newspaper = [[Chicago Tribune]] |page = 1 (Tempo) |url=http://gbppr.dyndns.org/~gbpprorg/obama/barack.mother.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207112933/http://gbppr.dyndns.org/~gbpprorg/obama/barack.mother.txt |archive-date = February 7, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="Obama 1995, 2004, pp. 9–10">Obama (1995, 2004), pp. 9–10.
Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961,<ref name="biography">{{cite web |year = 2008 |title = President Barack Obama |publisher = The White House |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-obama |access-date = December 12, 2008 |url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026043047/http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-obama |archive-date=October 26, 2009 }}</ref> at [[Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children]] in [[Honolulu]], Hawaii.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 27, 2011 |title=President Obama's Long Form Birth Certificate |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2011/04/27/president-obamas-long-form-birth-certificate |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=whitehouse.gov |language=en |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731152530/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2011/04/27/president-obamas-long-form-birth-certificate |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="birth-certificate" /><ref name="maraniss">{{cite news |author = Maraniss, David |date = August 24, 2008 |title = Though Obama had to leave to find himself, it is Hawaii that made his rise possible |newspaper = The Washington Post |page = A22 |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082301620.html |access-date = October 28, 2008 |archive-date = March 28, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190328164728/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082301620.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author = Nakaso, Dan |date = December 22, 2008 |title = Twin sisters, Obama on parallel paths for years |newspaper = [[The Honolulu Advertiser]] |page = B1 |url = http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Dec/22/ln/hawaii812220320.html |access-date = January 22, 2011 |archive-date = January 29, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110129023832/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Dec/22/ln/hawaii812220320.html |url-status = live }}</ref> He is the only president born outside the [[contiguous United States|contiguous 48 states]].<ref name="BarretoO'Bryant2013">{{cite book|last1=Barreto|first1=Amílcar Antonio|first2=Richard L.|last2=O'Bryant|title=American Identity in the Age of Obama|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5VQVAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT18|access-date=May 8, 2017|date=November 12, 2013|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-317-93715-9|pages=18–19|chapter=Introduction}}</ref> He was born to an 18-year-old American mother and a 27-year-old Kenyan father. His mother, [[Ann Dunham]] (1942–1995), was born in [[Wichita, Kansas]], and was of English, Welsh, German, Swiss, and Irish descent. In 2007 it was discovered her great-great-grandfather Falmouth Kearney emigrated from the village of [[Moneygall|Moneygall, Ireland]] to the U.S. in 1850.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 23, 2022 |title=On This Day: US President Barack Obama arrives in Ireland for a visit |url=http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/genealogy/obama-irish-ancestor |access-date=August 2, 2022 |website=IrishCentral.com |language=en |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516195827/https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/genealogy/obama-irish-ancestor |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2012, [[Ancestry.com]] found a strong likelihood that Dunham was descended from [[John Punch (slave)|John Punch]], an enslaved African man who lived in the [[Colony of Virginia]] during the seventeenth century.<ref name="ancestry">{{Cite web|url=http://corporate.ancestry.com/press/press-releases/2012/07/ancestry.com-discovers-president-obama-related-to-first-documented-slave-in-america/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094350/http://corporate.ancestry.com/press/press-releases/2012/07/ancestry.com-discovers-president-obama-related-to-first-documented-slave-in-america/|url-status=dead|title="Ancestry.com Discovers Ph Suggests"|archivedate=April 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stolberg |first1=Sheryl Gay |title=Obama Has Ties to Slavery Not by His Father but His Mother, Research Suggests |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/us/obamas-mother-had-african-forebear-study-suggests.html |access-date=July 5, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=July 30, 2012 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>Hennessey, Kathleen. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-jul-30-la-pn-obama-related-to-legendary-virginia-slave-genealogist-says-20120730-story.html "Obama related to legendary Virginia slave, genealogists say"] , ''Los Angeles Times''. July 30, 2012.</ref> Obama's father, [[Barack Obama Sr.]] (1934–1982),<ref>Maraniss (2012), <span class="plainlinks">[https://books.google.com/books?id=Wnna9CLtblAC&pg=PT65 p. 65] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305141814/https://books.google.com/books?id=Wnna9CLtblAC&pg=PT65#v=onepage&q&f=false |date=March 5, 2024 }}</span>: He had been born inside the euphorbia hedges of the K'obama homestead on June 18, 1934.</ref><ref>Liberties (2012), <span class="plainlinks">[https://books.google.com/books?id=8d9NAAAAQBAJ&pg=SL1-PA202 p. 202] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305141817/https://books.google.com/books?id=8d9NAAAAQBAJ&pg=SL1-PA202#v=onepage&q&f=false |date=March 5, 2024 }}</span>: The age of his father is questionable since June 18, 1934, is on most of the documents Obama Sr. filled out for his United States student visa; however, Obama II's book ''[[Dreams of My Father]]'' states his father's birth date was June 18, 1936. Immigration and Naturalization Service records indicate the birth date to be June 18, 1934, thereby making Obama Sr. twenty-seven at the birth of Obama II instead of the annotated twenty-five on the birth certificate.</ref> was a married<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Sally |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/07/11/137553552/president-obamas-father-a-bold-and-reckless-life |title=President Obama's Father: A 'Bold And Reckless Life' |publisher=NPR |date=July 6, 2011 |access-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223124234/https://www.npr.org/2011/07/11/137553552/president-obamas-father-a-bold-and-reckless-life |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Swaine |first=Jon |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/8481779/Barack-Obamas-father-forced-out-of-US-in-1960s.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/8481779/Barack-Obamas-father-forced-out-of-US-in-1960s.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Barack Obama's father 'forced out of US in 1960s' |newspaper=Telegraph |date=April 29, 2011 |access-date=January 16, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Rachel L. |last=Swarns |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/19/nyregion/letters-by-and-about-barack-obamas-father.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618145445/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/19/nyregion/letters-by-and-about-barack-obamas-father.html |archive-date=June 18, 2016 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Words of Obama's Father Still Waiting to Be Read by His Son |work=The New York Times |date=June 18, 2016 |access-date=January 16, 2020}}</ref> [[Luo people of Kenya and Tanzania|Luo Kenyan]] from [[Nyang'oma Kogelo]].<ref name="autogenerated2" /><ref>{{cite news |author=David R Arnott |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/photo/obamas-old-school-his-ancestral-village-world-reacts-us-presidential-flna1C6912948 |title=From Obama's old school to his ancestral village, world reacts to US presidential election |work=NBC News |access-date=January 16, 2020 |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028204719/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/photo/obamas-old-school-his-ancestral-village-world-reacts-us-presidential-flna1C6912948 |url-status=live }}</ref> His last name, Obama, was derived from his Luo descent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bearak |first=Max |date=June 19, 2016 |title=The fascinating tribal tradition that gave Obama his last name |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/19/the-fascinating-tribal-tradition-that-gave-obama-his-last-name/ |access-date=November 20, 2022 |archive-date=November 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107203003/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/19/the-fascinating-tribal-tradition-that-gave-obama-his-last-name/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian language class at the [[University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa]], where his father was a foreign student on a scholarship.<ref name="Jones 2007">{{cite news |author = Jones, Tim |date = March 27, 2007 |title = Barack Obama: Mother not just a girl from Kansas; Stanley Ann Dunham shaped a future senator |newspaper = [[Chicago Tribune]] |page = 1 (Tempo) |url=http://gbppr.dyndns.org/~gbpprorg/obama/barack.mother.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207112933/http://gbppr.dyndns.org/~gbpprorg/obama/barack.mother.txt |archive-date = February 7, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="Obama 1995, 2004, pp. 9–10">Obama (1995, 2004), pp. 9–10.
* Scott (2011), pp. 80–86.
* Scott (2011), pp. 80–86.
* Jacobs (2011), pp. 115–118.
* Jacobs (2011), pp. 115–118.
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Numerous candidates entered the [[2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries|Democratic Party presidential primaries]]. The field narrowed to Obama and Senator [[Hillary Clinton]] after early contests, with the race remaining close throughout the primary process, but Obama gained a steady lead in pledged [[Delegate (American politics)|delegates]] due to better long-range planning, superior fundraising, dominant organizing in [[caucus]] states, and better exploitation of delegate allocation rules.<ref name="allocation" />  
Numerous candidates entered the [[2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries|Democratic Party presidential primaries]]. The field narrowed to Obama and Senator [[Hillary Clinton]] after early contests, with the race remaining close throughout the primary process, but Obama gained a steady lead in pledged [[Delegate (American politics)|delegates]] due to better long-range planning, superior fundraising, dominant organizing in [[caucus]] states, and better exploitation of delegate allocation rules.<ref name="allocation" />  
On June 2, 2008, Obama had received enough votes to clinch his nomination. After an initial hesitation to concede, on June 7, Clinton ended her campaign and endorsed Obama.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nagourney |first1=Adam |first2=Jeff |last2=Zeleny |date=June 5, 2008 |title=Clinton to End Bid and Endorse Obama |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/us/politics/04cnd-campaign.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |access-date=November 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605014013/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/us/politics/04cnd-campaign.html |archive-date=June 5, 2008}}</ref> On August 23, 2008, Obama announced his [[2008 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection|selection]] of [[Delaware]] Senator [[Joe Biden]] as his vice presidential running mate.<ref name=nagourney>{{cite news |last1=Nagourney |first1=Adam |first2=Jeff |last2=Zeleny |date=August 23, 2008 |title=Obama Chooses Biden as Running Mate |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/us/politics/24biden.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401222653/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/us/politics/24biden.html |archive-date=April 1, 2009}}</ref> Obama selected Biden from a field speculated to include former Indiana Governor and Senator [[Evan Bayh]] and Virginia Governor [[Tim Kaine]].<ref name=nagourney /> At the [[2008 Democratic National Convention|Democratic National Convention]] in [[Denver]], Colorado, Hillary Clinton called for her supporters to endorse Obama, and she and [[Bill Clinton]] gave convention speeches in his support.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baldwin |first=Tom |date=August 27, 2008 |title=Hillary Clinton: 'Barack is my candidate' |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hillary-clinton-barack-is-my-candidate-50w3d5n7wm9 |access-date=December 15, 2021 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=December 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215030155/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hillary-clinton-barack-is-my-candidate-50w3d5n7wm9 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Nagourney |first=Adam |date=August 28, 2008 |title=Obama Wins Nomination; Biden and Bill Clinton Rally Party |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/us/politics/28DEMSDAY.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |access-date=December 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827212341/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/us/politics/28DEMSDAY.html |archive-date=August 27, 2008 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Obama delivered his acceptance speech at [[Invesco Field at Mile High]] stadium to a crowd of about eighty-four thousand; the speech was viewed by over three million people worldwide.<ref name="npr1409">{{cite news |last1=Liasson |first1=Mara |last2=Norris |first2=Michele |date=July 7, 2008 |title=Obama To Accept Nomination at Mile High Stadium |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92301409 |access-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-date=March 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316164750/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92301409 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="acceptance" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Lloyd |first=Robert |date=August 29, 2008 |title=Barack Obama, Al Gore Raise the Roof at Invesco Field |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-na-tvcritic29-2008aug29,0,3593116.story |access-date=August 29, 2008 |archive-date=September 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906195440/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-na-tvcritic29-2008aug29,0,3593116.story |url-status=live }}</ref> During both the primary process and the general election, Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records, particularly in the quantity of small donations.<ref name="small donations" /> On June 19, 2008, Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn down [[Campaign finance in the United States#Public financing of campaigns|public financing]] in the general election since the system was created in 1976.<ref name="Bloomberg_Salant_20080619">{{cite news |last=Salant |first=Jonathan D. |date=June 19, 2008 |title=Obama Won't Accept Public Money in Election Campaign |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] |url=https://article.wn.com/view/2008/06/19/Obama_Wont_Accept_Public_Money_in_Election_Campaign/ |access-date=June 19, 2008 |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207114028/https://article.wn.com/view/2008/06/19/Obama_Wont_Accept_Public_Money_in_Election_Campaign/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On June 2, 2008, Obama had received enough votes to clinch his nomination. After an initial hesitation to concede, on June 7, Clinton ended her campaign and endorsed Obama.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nagourney |first1=Adam |first2=Jeff |last2=Zeleny |date=June 5, 2008 |title=Clinton to End Bid and Endorse Obama |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/us/politics/04cnd-campaign.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |access-date=November 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605014013/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/us/politics/04cnd-campaign.html |archive-date=June 5, 2008}}</ref> On August 23, 2008, Obama announced his [[2008 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection|selection]] of [[Delaware]] Senator [[Joe Biden]] as his vice presidential running mate.<ref name=nagourney>{{cite news |last1=Nagourney |first1=Adam |first2=Jeff |last2=Zeleny |date=August 23, 2008 |title=Obama Chooses Biden as Running Mate |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/us/politics/24biden.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401222653/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/us/politics/24biden.html |archive-date=April 1, 2009}}</ref> Obama selected Biden from a field speculated to include former Indiana Governor and Senator [[Evan Bayh]] and Virginia Governor [[Tim Kaine]].<ref name=nagourney /> At the [[2008 Democratic National Convention|Democratic National Convention]] in [[Denver]], Colorado, Hillary Clinton called for her supporters to endorse Obama, and she and [[Bill Clinton]] gave convention speeches in his support.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baldwin |first=Tom |date=August 27, 2008 |title=Hillary Clinton: 'Barack is my candidate' |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hillary-clinton-barack-is-my-candidate-50w3d5n7wm9 |access-date=December 15, 2021 |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=December 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215030155/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hillary-clinton-barack-is-my-candidate-50w3d5n7wm9 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Nagourney |first=Adam |date=August 28, 2008 |title=Obama Wins Nomination; Biden and Bill Clinton Rally Party |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/us/politics/28DEMSDAY.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |access-date=December 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827212341/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/us/politics/28DEMSDAY.html |archive-date=August 27, 2008 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Obama delivered his acceptance speech at [[Invesco Field at Mile High]] stadium to a crowd of about eighty-four thousand; the speech was viewed by over three million people worldwide.<ref name="npr1409">{{cite news |last1=Liasson |first1=Mara |last2=Norris |first2=Michele |date=July 7, 2008 |title=Obama To Accept Nomination at Mile High Stadium |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92301409 |access-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-date=March 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316164750/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92301409 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="acceptance" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Lloyd |first=Robert |date=August 29, 2008 |title=Barack Obama, Al Gore Raise the Roof at Invesco Field |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-na-tvcritic29-2008aug29,0,3593116.story |access-date=August 29, 2008 |archive-date=September 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906195440/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-na-tvcritic29-2008aug29,0,3593116.story |url-status=live }}</ref> During both the primary process and the general election, Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records, particularly in the quantity of small donations.<ref name="small donations" /> On June 19, 2008, Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn down [[Campaign finance in the United States#Public financing of campaigns|public financing]] in the general election since the system was created in 1976.<ref name="Bloomberg_Salant_20080619">{{cite news |last=Salant |first=Jonathan D. |date=June 19, 2008 |title=Obama Won't Accept Public Money in Election Campaign |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] |url=https://article.wn.com/view/2008/06/19/Obama_Wont_Accept_Public_Money_in_Election_Campaign/ |access-date=June 19, 2008 |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207114028/https://article.wn.com/view/2008/06/19/Obama_Wont_Accept_Public_Money_in_Election_Campaign/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


John McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate, and he selected [[Sarah Palin]] as his running mate. Obama and McCain engaged in three [[United States presidential election debates|presidential debates]] in September and October 2008.<ref name="presidential debates" /> On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365 [[Electoral College (United States)|electoral votes]] to 173 received by McCain.<ref name="electoral votes" /> Obama won 52.9 percent of the [[Election|popular vote]] to McCain's 45.7 percent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html |title = General Election: McCain vs. Obama |access-date = February 20, 2009 |publisher = Real Clear Politics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217083055/http://www.realclearpolitics.com//epolls//2008//president//us//general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html |archive-date = February 17, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> He became the first African-American to be elected president.<ref name="FirstBlackPrez">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7709978.stm |title = Obama wins historic US election |publisher = BBC News |date = November 5, 2008 |access-date = November 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218083153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7709978.stm |archive-date = December 18, 2008 |url-status=live }}
John McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate, and he selected [[Sarah Palin]] as his running mate. Obama and McCain engaged in three [[United States presidential election debates|presidential debates]] in September and October 2008.<ref name="presidential debates" /> On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365 [[Electoral College (United States)|electoral votes]] to 173 received by McCain.<ref name="electoral votes" /> Obama won 52.9 percent of the [[Election|popular vote]] to McCain's 45.7 percent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html |title = General Election: McCain vs. Obama |access-date = February 20, 2009 |publisher = Real Clear Politics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217083055/http://www.realclearpolitics.com//epolls//2008//president//us//general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html |archive-date = February 17, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> He became the first African-American to be elected president.<ref name="FirstBlackPrez">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7709978.stm |title = Obama wins historic US election |publisher = BBC News |date = November 5, 2008 |access-date = November 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218083153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7709978.stm |archive-date = December 18, 2008 |url-status=live }}
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In February and March 2009, Vice President Joe Biden and [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] Hillary Clinton made separate overseas trips to announce a "new era" in U.S. foreign relations with Russia and Europe, using the terms "break" and "[[Russian reset|reset]]" to signal major changes from the policies of the preceding administration.<ref name="preceding administration" /> Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab satellite TV network, [[Al Arabiya]].<ref>{{cite news |title = Obama reaches out to Muslim world on TV |work = NBC News |url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/28869185 |access-date = June 15, 2009 |date = January 27, 2009 |archive-date = September 27, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130927152322/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/28869185/ |url-status = live }}</ref> On March 19, Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world, releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/20/barack-obama-usa |title = Barack Obama's address to Iran: Full text of Barack Obama's videotaped message to the people and leaders of Iran as they celebrate their New Year's holiday, Nowruz |date = March 20, 2013 |access-date = July 14, 2013 |work = [[The Guardian]] |location = London |archive-date = September 6, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130906074500/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/20/barack-obama-usa |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first = Karen |last = DeYoung |title = Nation U.S. to Join Talks on Iran's Nuclear Program |date = April 9, 2009 |newspaper = The Washington Post |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/08/AR2009040802254.html |access-date = June 15, 2009 |archive-date = October 4, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181004081141/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/08/AR2009040802254.html |url-status = live }}</ref> On June 4, 2009, Obama delivered a speech at [[Cairo University]] in Egypt calling for "[[A New Beginning (speech)|A New Beginning]]" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.<ref name="middleeast" /> On June 26, 2009, Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters following [[2009 Iranian presidential election|Iran's 2009 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/26/obama-dismisses-ahmadinejad-apology-request/ |title = Obama dismisses Ahmadinejad apology request |work = The Washington Times |date = June 26, 2009 |access-date = July 2, 2015 |first1 = Joseph |last1 = Weber |first2 = Stephen |last2 = Dinan |archive-date = April 10, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190410020414/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/26/obama-dismisses-ahmadinejad-apology-request/ |url-status = live }}</ref>
In February and March 2009, Vice President Joe Biden and [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] Hillary Clinton made separate overseas trips to announce a "new era" in U.S. foreign relations with Russia and Europe, using the terms "break" and "[[Russian reset|reset]]" to signal major changes from the policies of the preceding administration.<ref name="preceding administration" /> Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab satellite TV network, [[Al Arabiya]].<ref>{{cite news |title = Obama reaches out to Muslim world on TV |work = NBC News |url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/28869185 |access-date = June 15, 2009 |date = January 27, 2009 |archive-date = September 27, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130927152322/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/28869185/ |url-status = live }}</ref> On March 19, Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world, releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/20/barack-obama-usa |title = Barack Obama's address to Iran: Full text of Barack Obama's videotaped message to the people and leaders of Iran as they celebrate their New Year's holiday, Nowruz |date = March 20, 2013 |access-date = July 14, 2013 |work = [[The Guardian]] |location = London |archive-date = September 6, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130906074500/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/20/barack-obama-usa |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first = Karen |last = DeYoung |title = Nation U.S. to Join Talks on Iran's Nuclear Program |date = April 9, 2009 |newspaper = The Washington Post |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/08/AR2009040802254.html |access-date = June 15, 2009 |archive-date = October 4, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181004081141/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/08/AR2009040802254.html |url-status = live }}</ref> On June 4, 2009, Obama delivered a speech at [[Cairo University]] in Egypt calling for "[[A New Beginning (speech)|A New Beginning]]" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.<ref name="middleeast" /> On June 26, 2009, Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters following [[2009 Iranian presidential election|Iran's 2009 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/26/obama-dismisses-ahmadinejad-apology-request/ |title = Obama dismisses Ahmadinejad apology request |work = The Washington Times |date = June 26, 2009 |access-date = July 2, 2015 |first1 = Joseph |last1 = Weber |first2 = Stephen |last2 = Dinan |archive-date = April 10, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190410020414/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/26/obama-dismisses-ahmadinejad-apology-request/ |url-status = live }}</ref>


In 2011, Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen which targeted and killed [[Anwar al-Awlaki]], an American imam suspected of being a leading [[Al-Qaeda]] organizer. al-Awlaki became the first [[Citizenship of the United States|U.S. citizen]] to be targeted and killed by a [[Drone strike|U.S. drone strike]]. The&nbsp;Department of Justice released a memo justifying al-Awlaki's death as a lawful act of war,<ref>{{cite news|last=Lauter|first=David|date=June 23, 2014|title=Memo justifying drone killing of American Al Qaeda leader is released|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-drone-memo-awlaki-20140623-story.html|access-date=December 7, 2021|archive-date=April 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430033031/https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-drone-memo-awlaki-20140623-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> while civil liberties advocates described it as a violation of al-Awlaki's constitutional right to [[due process]]. The killing led to significant controversy.<ref>{{cite news | title=Long-sought memo on lethal drone strike is released | newspaper=Washington Post | date=June 23, 2014 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/legal-memo-backing-drone-strike-is-released/2014/06/23/1f48dd16-faec-11e3-8176-f2c941cf35f1_story.html | access-date=August 15, 2022 | archive-date=August 24, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824084156/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/legal-memo-backing-drone-strike-is-released/2014/06/23/1f48dd16-faec-11e3-8176-f2c941cf35f1_story.html | url-status=live }}</ref> His [[Abdulrahman al-Awlaki|teenage son]] and [[Death of Nawar al-Awlaki|young daughter]], also Americans, were later killed in separate [[Raid on Yakla|US military actions]], although they were not targeted specifically.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shane|first=Scott|date=August 27, 2015|title=The Lessons of Anwar al-Awlaki|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-lessons-of-anwar-al-awlaki.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827141921/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-lessons-of-anwar-al-awlaki.html |archive-date=August 27, 2015 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=December 7, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lauter|first=David|date=June 24, 2014|title=Memo justifying drone killing of American Al Qaeda leader is released|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-drone-memo-awlaki-20140623-story.html|access-date=December 7, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|archive-date=April 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430033031/https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-drone-memo-awlaki-20140623-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2011, Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen which targeted and killed [[Anwar al-Awlaki]], an American imam suspected of being a leading [[Al-Qaeda]] organizer. al-Awlaki became the first [[Citizenship of the United States|U.S. citizen]] to be targeted and killed by a [[Drone strike|U.S. drone strike]]. The&nbsp;Department of Justice released a memo justifying al-Awlaki's death as a lawful act of war,<ref>{{cite news|last=Lauter|first=David|date=June 23, 2014|title=Memo justifying drone killing of American Al Qaeda leader is released|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-drone-memo-awlaki-20140623-story.html|access-date=December 7, 2021|archive-date=April 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430033031/https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-drone-memo-awlaki-20140623-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> while civil liberties advocates described it as a violation of al-Awlaki's constitutional right to [[due process]]. The killing led to significant controversy.<ref>{{cite news | title=Long-sought memo on lethal drone strike is released | newspaper=Washington Post | date=June 23, 2014 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/legal-memo-backing-drone-strike-is-released/2014/06/23/1f48dd16-faec-11e3-8176-f2c941cf35f1_story.html | access-date=August 15, 2022 | archive-date=August 24, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824084156/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/legal-memo-backing-drone-strike-is-released/2014/06/23/1f48dd16-faec-11e3-8176-f2c941cf35f1_story.html | url-status=live }}</ref> His [[Abdulrahman al-Awlaki|teenage son]] and [[Death of Nawar al-Awlaki|young daughter]], also Americans, were later killed in separate [[Raid on Yakla|US military actions]], although they were not targeted specifically.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shane|first=Scott|date=August 27, 2015|title=The Lessons of Anwar al-Awlaki|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-lessons-of-anwar-al-awlaki.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827141921/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/30/magazine/the-lessons-of-anwar-al-awlaki.html |archive-date=August 27, 2015 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=December 7, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lauter|first=David|date=June 24, 2014|title=Memo justifying drone killing of American Al Qaeda leader is released|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-drone-memo-awlaki-20140623-story.html|access-date=December 7, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|archive-date=April 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430033031/https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-drone-memo-awlaki-20140623-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Barack Obama's trip to Saudi Arabia April 2016 (9).jpg|thumb|Obama, King [[Salman of Saudi Arabia]], Saudi Crown Prince [[Mohammed bin Salman]] and other leaders at the [[Gulf Cooperation Council|GCC]] summit in Saudi Arabia, April 2016]]
[[File:Barack Obama's trip to Saudi Arabia April 2016 (9).jpg|thumb|Obama, King [[Salman of Saudi Arabia]], Saudi Crown Prince [[Mohammed bin Salman]] and other leaders at the [[Gulf Cooperation Council|GCC]] summit in Saudi Arabia, April 2016]]


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[[File:Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama (2015-09-29) 01.jpg|thumb|Obama meets Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] in September 2015.|alt=Photo of Obama shaking hands with Vladimir Putin in front of Russian and American flags]]
[[File:Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama (2015-09-29) 01.jpg|thumb|Obama meets Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] in September 2015.|alt=Photo of Obama shaking hands with Vladimir Putin in front of Russian and American flags]]


In March 2010, an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] to replace the [[START I|1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty]] with a new pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries by about a third.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Peter |date=March 26, 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/27/world/europe/27start.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328142730/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/27/world/europe/27start.html |archive-date=March 28, 2010 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Obama Seals Arms Control Deal With Russia |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Obama and Medvedev signed the [[New START]] treaty in April 2010, and the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] ratified it in December 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/world/europe/23treaty.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223044444/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/world/europe/23treaty.html |archive-date=December 23, 2010 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |work = The New York Times |first = Peter |last = Baker |title = Senate Passes Arms Control Treaty With Russia, 71–26 |date = December 22, 2010 }}</ref> In December 2011, Obama instructed agencies to consider [[LGBT rights by country or territory|LGBT rights]] when issuing financial aid to foreign countries.<ref>{{cite news |last = McVeigh |first = Karen |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/dec/07/gay-rights-us-aid-criteria |title = Gay rights must be criterion for US aid allocations, instructs Obama |newspaper = The Guardian |location = London |date = December 6, 2011 |access-date = January 4, 2013 }}</ref> In August 2013, he criticized Russia's law that discriminates against gays,<ref name="LAT80713">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-xpm-2013-aug-07-la-na-pn-obama-leno-russia-snowden-20130807-story.html |title = Obama criticizes Russia's new anti-gay law in Leno interview |last = Parsons |first = Christi |date = August 7, 2013 |work = [[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date = August 27, 2014 }}</ref> but he stopped short of advocating a boycott of the upcoming [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi]], Russia.<ref name="Huffpo80913">{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/09/obama-olympic-boycott_n_3733275.html |title = Obama Opposes Olympic Boycott, Criticizes Russian Anti-Gay Law |last = Johnson |first = Luke |date = August 9, 2013 |work = [[The Huffington Post]] |access-date = August 27, 2014 }}</ref>
In March 2010, an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] to replace the [[START I|1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty]] with a new pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries by about a third.<ref>{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Peter |date=March 26, 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/27/world/europe/27start.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328142730/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/27/world/europe/27start.html |archive-date=March 28, 2010 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Obama Seals Arms Control Deal With Russia |work=The New York Times }}</ref> Obama and Medvedev signed the [[New START]] treaty in April 2010, and the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] ratified it in December 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/world/europe/23treaty.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223044444/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/world/europe/23treaty.html |archive-date=December 23, 2010 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |work = The New York Times |first = Peter |last = Baker |title = Senate Passes Arms Control Treaty With Russia, 71–26 |date = December 22, 2010 }}</ref> In December 2011, Obama instructed agencies to consider [[LGBT rights by country or territory|LGBT rights]] when issuing financial aid to foreign countries.<ref>{{cite news |last = McVeigh |first = Karen |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/dec/07/gay-rights-us-aid-criteria |title = Gay rights must be criterion for US aid allocations, instructs Obama |newspaper = The Guardian |location = London |date = December 6, 2011 |access-date = January 4, 2013 }}</ref> In August 2013, he criticized Russia's law that discriminates against gays,<ref name="LAT80713">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-xpm-2013-aug-07-la-na-pn-obama-leno-russia-snowden-20130807-story.html |title = Obama criticizes Russia's new anti-gay law in Leno interview |last = Parsons |first = Christi |date = August 7, 2013 |work = Los Angeles Times |access-date = August 27, 2014 }}</ref> but he stopped short of advocating a boycott of the upcoming [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi]], Russia.<ref name="Huffpo80913">{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/09/obama-olympic-boycott_n_3733275.html |title = Obama Opposes Olympic Boycott, Criticizes Russian Anti-Gay Law |last = Johnson |first = Luke |date = August 9, 2013 |work = [[The Huffington Post]] |access-date = August 27, 2014 }}</ref>


After [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russia's invasion of Crimea]] in 2014, [[Russian military intervention in Syria|military intervention in Syria]] in 2015, and [[2016 United States election interference by Russia|the interference]] in the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 U.S. presidential election]],<ref name="ftelect">{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/c596c0a8-a278-11e6-82c3-4351ce86813f | newspaper=[[Financial Times]] | title=US election: The Russia factor: Officials say Moscow's interference is unprecedented. Has the Kremlin achieved its goal? | date=November 4, 2016 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170207141246/https://www.ft.com/content/c596c0a8-a278-11e6-82c3-4351ce86813f |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen|George Robertson]], a former UK defense secretary and NATO secretary-general, said Obama had "allowed Putin to jump back on the world stage and test the resolve of the West", adding that the legacy of this disaster would last.<ref name="obexit">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/07/world/europe/europeans-view-obamas-exit-with-a-mix-of-admiration-and-regret.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107030307/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/07/world/europe/europeans-view-obamas-exit-with-a-mix-of-admiration-and-regret.html |archive-date=November 7, 2016 |url-access=limited |url-status=live | newspaper=The New York Times| title=Europeans View Obama's Exit With a Mix of Admiration and Regret | date=November 6, 2016}}</ref>
After [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russia's invasion of Crimea]] in 2014, [[Russian military intervention in Syria|military intervention in Syria]] in 2015, and [[2016 United States election interference by Russia|the interference]] in the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 U.S. presidential election]],<ref name="ftelect">{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/c596c0a8-a278-11e6-82c3-4351ce86813f | newspaper=[[Financial Times]] | title=US election: The Russia factor: Officials say Moscow's interference is unprecedented. Has the Kremlin achieved its goal? | date=November 4, 2016 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170207141246/https://www.ft.com/content/c596c0a8-a278-11e6-82c3-4351ce86813f |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[George Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen|George Robertson]], a former UK defense secretary and NATO secretary-general, said Obama had "allowed Putin to jump back on the world stage and test the resolve of the West", adding that the legacy of this disaster would last.<ref name="obexit">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/07/world/europe/europeans-view-obamas-exit-with-a-mix-of-admiration-and-regret.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107030307/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/07/world/europe/europeans-view-obamas-exit-with-a-mix-of-admiration-and-regret.html |archive-date=November 7, 2016 |url-access=limited |url-status=live | newspaper=The New York Times| title=Europeans View Obama's Exit With a Mix of Admiration and Regret | date=November 6, 2016}}</ref>
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=== Job approval ===
=== Job approval ===
[[File:Gallup Poll-Approval Rating-Barack Obama.svg|thumb|275px|Graph of Obama's approval ratings per Gallup|alt=refer to adjacent text]]
[[File:Gallup Poll-Approval Rating-Barack Obama.svg|thumb|275px|Graph of Obama's approval ratings per Gallup|alt=refer to adjacent text]]
According to the [[Gallup Organization]], Obama began his presidency with a 68 percent [[approval rating]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/113962/obama-starts-job-approval.aspx |title = Obama Starts With 68% Job Approval |publisher = Gallup |first1= Lydia |last1=Saad |date = January 24, 2009 |access-date = June 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616021142/http://www.gallup.com/poll/113962/Obama-Starts-Job-Approval.aspx |archive-date = June 16, 2011 }}</ref> the fifth highest for a president following their swearing in.<ref>Jones, Jeffrey M. (January 22, 2009). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110617184416/http://www.gallup.com/poll/113923/History-Foretells-Obama-First-Job-Approval-Rating.aspx What History Foretells for Obama’s First Job Approval Rating]. ''Gallup, Inc.''.</ref> His ratings remained above the majority level until November 2009<ref>Jones, Jeffrey M. (November 20, 2009). [https://news.gallup.com/poll/122627/Obama-Job-Approval-Down-49.aspx Obama Job Approval Down to 49%]. ''Gallup Inc.''.</ref> and by August 2010 his approval was in the low 40s,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/04/obama-hits-low-point-in-gallup-poll/1 |first1=David |last1=Jackson |title = Obama hits low point in Gallup Poll—41% |work = USA Today |date = April 15, 2011 |access-date = June 19, 2011 }}</ref> a trend similar to Ronald Reagan's and Bill Clinton's first years in office.<ref>{{cite web |first = Jon |last = Terbush |url=http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/approval-by-numbers-how-obama-compares-to-past-presidents.php |title = Approval By Numbers: How Obama Compares To Past Presidents |publisher = TPMDC |date = December 9, 2010 |access-date = June 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704203654/http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/approval-by-numbers-how-obama-compares-to-past-presidents.php |archive-date= Jul 4, 2011 }}</ref> Following the [[death of Osama bin Laden]] on May 2, 2011, Obama experienced a small poll bounce and steadily maintained 50–53 percent approval for about a month, until his approval numbers dropped back to the low 40s.<ref name="Obamapolling">{{cite web |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/113980/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Job-Approval.aspx |title = Gallup Daily: Obama Job Approval |date = January 22, 2015 |access-date = March 23, 2015 |website = Gallup Polling }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Oliphant |first = James |date = May 11, 2011 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-may-11-la-pn-obama-bounce-20110511-story.html |title = Bin Laden bounce? New poll shows jump in Obama approval |work = [[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date = June 7, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1 = Balz |first1 = Dan |last2 = Cohen |first2 = John |date = June 6, 2011 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-loses-bin-laden-bounce-romney-on-the-move-among-gop-contenders/2011/06/06/AGT5wiKH_story.html |url-access=subscription |title = Obama loses bin Laden bounce; Romney on the move among GOP contenders |newspaper = The Washington Post |publisher = Nash Holdings LLC |access-date = June 7, 2011 }}</ref>
According to the [[Gallup Organization]], Obama began his presidency with a 68 percent [[approval rating]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/113962/obama-starts-job-approval.aspx |title = Obama Starts With 68% Job Approval |publisher = Gallup |first1= Lydia |last1=Saad |date = January 24, 2009 |access-date = June 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616021142/http://www.gallup.com/poll/113962/Obama-Starts-Job-Approval.aspx |archive-date = June 16, 2011 }}</ref> the fifth highest for a president following their swearing in.<ref>Jones, Jeffrey M. (January 22, 2009). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110617184416/http://www.gallup.com/poll/113923/History-Foretells-Obama-First-Job-Approval-Rating.aspx What History Foretells for Obama’s First Job Approval Rating]. ''Gallup, Inc.''.</ref> His ratings remained above the majority level until November 2009<ref>Jones, Jeffrey M. (November 20, 2009). [https://news.gallup.com/poll/122627/Obama-Job-Approval-Down-49.aspx Obama Job Approval Down to 49%]. ''Gallup Inc.''.</ref> and by August 2010 his approval was in the low 40s,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/04/obama-hits-low-point-in-gallup-poll/1 |first1=David |last1=Jackson |title = Obama hits low point in Gallup Poll—41% |work = USA Today |date = April 15, 2011 |access-date = June 19, 2011 }}</ref> a trend similar to Ronald Reagan's and Bill Clinton's first years in office.<ref>{{cite web |first = Jon |last = Terbush |url=http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/approval-by-numbers-how-obama-compares-to-past-presidents.php |title = Approval By Numbers: How Obama Compares To Past Presidents |publisher = TPMDC |date = December 9, 2010 |access-date = June 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704203654/http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/approval-by-numbers-how-obama-compares-to-past-presidents.php |archive-date= Jul 4, 2011 }}</ref> Following the [[death of Osama bin Laden]] on May 2, 2011, Obama experienced a small poll bounce and steadily maintained 50–53 percent approval for about a month, until his approval numbers dropped back to the low 40s.<ref name="Obamapolling">{{cite web |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/113980/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Job-Approval.aspx |title = Gallup Daily: Obama Job Approval |date = January 22, 2015 |access-date = March 23, 2015 |website = Gallup Polling }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last = Oliphant |first = James |date = May 11, 2011 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-may-11-la-pn-obama-bounce-20110511-story.html |title = Bin Laden bounce? New poll shows jump in Obama approval |work = Los Angeles Times |access-date = June 7, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1 = Balz |first1 = Dan |last2 = Cohen |first2 = John |date = June 6, 2011 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-loses-bin-laden-bounce-romney-on-the-move-among-gop-contenders/2011/06/06/AGT5wiKH_story.html |url-access=subscription |title = Obama loses bin Laden bounce; Romney on the move among GOP contenders |newspaper = The Washington Post |publisher = Nash Holdings LLC |access-date = June 7, 2011 }}</ref>


His approval rating fell to 38 percent on several occasions in late 2011<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Jones |first1 = Jeffrey M. |date = October 21, 2011 |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/150230/obama-job-approval-average-slides-new-low-11th-quarter.aspx |title = Obama Job Approval Average Slides to New Low in 11th Quarter |work = Gallup Inc. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115131117/https://news.gallup.com/poll/150230/Obama-Job-Approval-Average-Slides-New-Low-11th-Quarter.aspx |archive-date= Jan 15, 2024 }}</ref> before recovering in mid-2012 with polls showing an average approval of 50 percent.<ref>Saad, Lydia (September 27, 2012). [https://news.gallup.com/poll/157709/obama-approval-vote-support-reach-better.aspx Obama Approval, Vote Support Both Reach 50% or Better]. ''Gallup. Inc'''.</ref> After his second inauguration in 2013, Obama's approval ratings remained stable around 52 percent<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.gallup.com/poll/124922/Presidential-Job-Approval-Center.aspx |title = Presidential Job Approval Center |publisher = Gallup |access-date = June 23, 2015 |archive-date = July 2, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150702081744/http://www.gallup.com/poll/124922/presidential-job-approval-center.aspx |url-status = dead }}</ref> before declining for the rest of the year and eventually bottoming out at 39 percent in December.<ref name="Obamapolling"/> In polling conducted before the [[2014 United States elections|2014 midterm elections]], Obama's approval ratings were at their lowest<ref>Topaz, Jonathan (October 15, 2014). [https://www.politico.com/story/2014/10/poll-obama-approval-rating-111902 Obama hits lowest approval]. ''Politico''.</ref><ref>Horsley, Scott (November 3, 2014). [https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2014/11/03/361060049/obamas-low-approval-rating-casts-shadow-over-democratic-races Obama's Low Approval Rating Casts Shadow Over Democratic Races]. ''NPR''.</ref> with his disapproval rating reaching a high of 57 percent.<ref name="Obamapolling"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/poll-obama-lowest-approval-rating-nbc-wsj-107978 |title = NBC/WSJ poll: Obama low point |date = June 18, 2014 |access-date = July 25, 2023 |last1=Topaz |first1=Jonathan |website = Politico }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/10/27/politics/cnn-poll-angry-voters/index.html |title = Voters are angry |date = October 28, 2014 |access-date = July 25, 2023 |last1=Preston |first1=Mark |website = CNN }}</ref> His approval rating continued to lag throughout most of 2015 but began to reach the high 40s by the end of the year.<ref name="Obamapolling"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/181490/obama-approval-ratings-historically-polarized.aspx |title = Obama Approval Ratings Still Historically Polarized |date = February 6, 2015 |access-date = July 31, 2023 |last1=Jones |first1=Jeffrey M. |website = Gallup Inc. }}</ref> According to Gallup, Obama's approval rating reached 50 percent in March 2016, a level unseen since May 2013.<ref name="Obamapolling"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/189872/obama-job-approval-highest-level-may-2013.aspx?g_source=Obama%20Job%20Approval&g_medium=search&g_campaign=tiles |title = Obama's Job Approval at Highest Level Since May 2013 |date = March 10, 2016 |access-date = July 25, 2023 |last1=Dugan |first1=Andrew |last2=Newport |first2=Frank |website = Gallup Polling }}</ref> In polling conducted January 16–19, 2017, Obama's final approval rating was 59 percent, which placed him on par with [[George H. W. Bush]] and Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose final Gallup ratings also measured in the high 50s.<ref>{{cite news |date = October 28, 2022 |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2022/10/28/barack-obama-gets-a-midterm-do-over-to-help-boost-democrats/ |title = Barack Obama gets a midterm do-over to help boost Democrats |agency = Associated Press |publisher = [[The Virginia Pilot]] |access-date = July 24, 2023 }}</ref>
His approval rating fell to 38 percent on several occasions in late 2011<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Jones |first1 = Jeffrey M. |date = October 21, 2011 |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/150230/obama-job-approval-average-slides-new-low-11th-quarter.aspx |title = Obama Job Approval Average Slides to New Low in 11th Quarter |work = Gallup Inc. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115131117/https://news.gallup.com/poll/150230/Obama-Job-Approval-Average-Slides-New-Low-11th-Quarter.aspx |archive-date= Jan 15, 2024 }}</ref> before recovering in mid-2012 with polls showing an average approval of 50 percent.<ref>Saad, Lydia (September 27, 2012). [https://news.gallup.com/poll/157709/obama-approval-vote-support-reach-better.aspx Obama Approval, Vote Support Both Reach 50% or Better]. ''Gallup. Inc'''.</ref> After his second inauguration in 2013, Obama's approval ratings remained stable around 52 percent<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.gallup.com/poll/124922/Presidential-Job-Approval-Center.aspx |title = Presidential Job Approval Center |publisher = Gallup |access-date = June 23, 2015 |archive-date = July 2, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150702081744/http://www.gallup.com/poll/124922/presidential-job-approval-center.aspx |url-status = dead }}</ref> before declining for the rest of the year and eventually bottoming out at 39 percent in December.<ref name="Obamapolling"/> In polling conducted before the [[2014 United States elections|2014 midterm elections]], Obama's approval ratings were at their lowest<ref>Topaz, Jonathan (October 15, 2014). [https://www.politico.com/story/2014/10/poll-obama-approval-rating-111902 Obama hits lowest approval]. ''Politico''.</ref><ref>Horsley, Scott (November 3, 2014). [https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2014/11/03/361060049/obamas-low-approval-rating-casts-shadow-over-democratic-races Obama's Low Approval Rating Casts Shadow Over Democratic Races]. ''NPR''.</ref> with his disapproval rating reaching a high of 57 percent.<ref name="Obamapolling"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/poll-obama-lowest-approval-rating-nbc-wsj-107978 |title = NBC/WSJ poll: Obama low point |date = June 18, 2014 |access-date = July 25, 2023 |last1=Topaz |first1=Jonathan |website = Politico }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/10/27/politics/cnn-poll-angry-voters/index.html |title = Voters are angry |date = October 28, 2014 |access-date = July 25, 2023 |last1=Preston |first1=Mark |website = CNN }}</ref> His approval rating continued to lag throughout most of 2015 but began to reach the high 40s by the end of the year.<ref name="Obamapolling"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/181490/obama-approval-ratings-historically-polarized.aspx |title = Obama Approval Ratings Still Historically Polarized |date = February 6, 2015 |access-date = July 31, 2023 |last1=Jones |first1=Jeffrey M. |website = Gallup Inc. }}</ref> According to Gallup, Obama's approval rating reached 50 percent in March 2016, a level unseen since May 2013.<ref name="Obamapolling"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.gallup.com/poll/189872/obama-job-approval-highest-level-may-2013.aspx?g_source=Obama%20Job%20Approval&g_medium=search&g_campaign=tiles |title = Obama's Job Approval at Highest Level Since May 2013 |date = March 10, 2016 |access-date = July 25, 2023 |last1=Dugan |first1=Andrew |last2=Newport |first2=Frank |website = Gallup Polling }}</ref> In polling conducted January 16–19, 2017, Obama's final approval rating was 59 percent, which placed him on par with [[George H. W. Bush]] and Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose final Gallup ratings also measured in the high 50s.<ref>{{cite news |date = October 28, 2022 |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2022/10/28/barack-obama-gets-a-midterm-do-over-to-help-boost-democrats/ |title = Barack Obama gets a midterm do-over to help boost Democrats |agency = Associated Press |publisher = [[The Virginia Pilot]] |access-date = July 24, 2023 }}</ref>