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The Obama Years. How does Barack Obama plan to change the nation?. 2008 Election. Senator Barack Obama defeats Senator Hilary Clinton in a very close primary election. Obama first Af-Am nominated for pres. Obama runs against Sen. John McCain in general election
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The Obama Years How does Barack Obama plan to change the nation?
2008 Election Senator Barack Obama defeats Senator Hilary Clinton in a very close primary election. Obama first Af-Am nominated for pres. Obama runs against Sen. John McCain in general election Obama’s campaign theme is hope & change, must undue the polices of the Bush Administration McCain also distances himself from Bush, but chooses conservative Alaska Gov Sarah Palin as running mate Obama easily wins election http://www.jibjab.com/originals/hes_barack_obama
Economic Crisis • Obama & Speaker of House Nancy Pelosi get congress to pass $780 billion stimulus package to help failing economy • Money extends unemployment benefits, cut taxes, tax breaks and gives money to local and state govts • Stimulus creates some jobs but slowly, increases deficit Affordable Health Care Act (aka Obamacare) • 2010: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passes • Requires all Americans to have health insurance • Insurance exchanges to provide coverage, Gov subsidies for those who can’t afford it • Cant be denied coverage for pre-existing condition
Republicans Retake House • 2010: Supreme Court rules in Citizen’s United case that corporations can give unlimited $ to campaigns (Super PACs) • Tea Party Movement begins, “right-wing” Republicans who want less taxes and less government gain momentum • Many Americans also upset at slow recovery • Republicans take back house in 2010 midterm elections, elect John Boehner as Speaker (many Tea Party candidates elected) • Boehner and House Republicans will try to block many Obama programs and repeal Obamacare
Obama’s Foreign Policy • Obama appoints Hilary Clinton as Secy of State • Foreign policy goals include: • End Iraq War • Fix relationships with allies due to Iraq War • Get more focus and eventually end War in Afghanistan • Finalize two state solution for Israel & Palestine • Find Bin Laden/destroy Al-Queda Struggles in Middle East • 2011: Obama announces all US combat troops will leave Iraq at end of year • Iraq still struggling with violence and bringing true democracy to country • Obama pressuring Israel to sit down with Palestinians • Palestinians upset Israel building on their land, Obama asks Israel to stop
Bin Laden & Afghanistan • Intelligence reports Osama bin Laden may be living in a compound in Abbotabad, Pakistan • Obama orders Navy Seals to infiltrate house and kill Bin Laden • May 2, 2011: Navy Seals find & kill Bin Laden, Obama and cabinet watch event live Afghanistan • With Bin Laden dead, Obama announces he wants to wrap up war in Afghanistan by 2014 • But Taliban is becoming resurgent and country is very unstable