Obama Presidency The Nominees for 2008 Presidential Election Senator John McCain (Republican) Barack Obama (Democrat) Edged out Hillary Clinton in a highly contested contest Obama Changes Elections Forever Used new technologies to reach younger voters Blogs Text messaging Twitter Refused public election funding, allowing him unlimited spending 1
5/7/13 Obama s Campaign Promised to end war in Iraq and refocus on war in Afghanistan and al Qaeda Increased federal government intervention to help economy More open/transparent government Repair America s relationship with foreign countries National healthcare system Sarah Palin Alaska governor Seen as Washington outsider Conservative woman Nominated to be VicePresidential candidate for Republicans Critics: Lack of experience Too conservative for feminists Palin Controversy Teenage daughter pregnant out of wedlock Oct. 08: Accused of abuse of power as governor Accused of having exbrother-in-law fired as state trooper Cleared on Nov. 3 Seemed unprepared for first national interview and other missteps led many to criticize her selection as VP candidate 2
Election Results Scandal Rocks Obama Administration Early Three major cabinet nominees had tax problems Tom Daschle s was so severe he withdrew his nomination. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich impeached and later convicted for attempting to sell Obama s Senate seat Early in Presidency. Jan. 09: Obama ordered secret prisons and detention centers closed Federal courts halted closings March 09: Announced increase in troops to Afghanistan and funding to fight al-qaeda and fight terrorism in Pakistan Increases number again in 2010 by 100,000 3
New Credit Card Rules May 09: Congress passed new and more strict regulations on the credit card industry Credit card debt was seen as one of major causes of the Great Recession Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor was sworn in as new Supreme Court justice in August, 09 Became first Hispanic Supreme Court justice Will later appoint Elana Kagan Michael Jackson Dies June 09: King of Pop died Was scheduled to perform in 50 soldout concerts in London Doctor was convicted of manslaughter charges 4
Feb. 09: Obama signed $800 billion stimulus package to help stimulate economy Feb. 09: Obama signed $75 billion housing plan to help homeowners pay off debt, refinance, and avoid foreclosure Economy Health-Care Reform March 10: Congress passes health care form plan Lengthens time kids can stay on parents health insurance to 26 years of age Insurance co. s can t deny coverage for pre-existing conditions Increased subsidizing of low and middle-income Americans Requires all Americans to have health insurance of some kind Declared unconstitutional in December, 2010 White House stated it would reduce federal budget deficit by $143 billion over net 10 years Increased tax on investment income for wealthy Americans and tax on high-cost employer-sponsored health insurance plans Immigration Controversy Continues State of Arizona passed strict immigration law in April, 2010 Law required immigrants to carry documentation at all times Law enforcement could detain anyone they suspected were in state illegally Arizona stated federal government was not adequately enforcing federal immigration laws Federal government filed suit in federal court stating Arizona was overstepping its authority U.S. Supreme Court supported Arizona s right for police to ask a person s immigration status 5
Midterm Elections 10 Republicans gain control of House of Representatives Gained seats in the Senate, though Democrats kept control Primary reasons sited: growth in federal government spending, poor economy Ohio s John Boehner becomes Speaker of the House in Jan 11 Government Shutdown Not! Republicans and Democrats feud over the federal budget National debt has ballooned to over $15 trillion Republicans gain momentum with Nov. elections Agreement that spending needed to be cut Disagreements on where, how much, and tax cuts Day before federal government to shut down in April, 11, $39 billion in cuts agreed upon Temporary fix will need to be fixed by Jan., 13 Osama Bin Laden Killed May 2, 2011: Navy Seals acting on a tip raid Bin Laden s hideout Bin Laden killed in the raid by Seal Team Six 6
Space Shuttle Retired Space Shuttle Atlantis launched in the final mission of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 First mission was in 1981. NASA budget is cut tremendously under Obama. 2012 Presidential Election Barack Obama will run for re-election in November. Republican nominee will be Mitt Romney Major Issue: $$$$$ Highlights of 2012 Campaign Polls predicted close election Romney actually surged ahead after debates Video of Romney speech stating 47% of people dependent on gov t Stated not his job to care about these people Hurt is approval rating. President Obama wins 332-203 7
Sandy Hook Tragedy Adam Lanza opens fire on elementary school in CT. 26 people killed, including 20 kids under 7 years old. Highlights school safety and gun control issues Fiscal Cliff Budget Control Act of 2011 put automatic tax and spending cuts to take place on January 1, 2013 This measure was supposed to be a temporary fix in 11 Dems and Reps refuse to compromise Cuts went into place Sequester Full impact still unknown Boston Marathon Tragedy Two brothers from Chechnya set homemade bombs to go off during Boston Marathon in April Killed three, wounded hundreds One killed by police Surviving brother is facing charges 8