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Barack Obama . . .
Who is Barack Obama?
Age: 46
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii
Married to Michelle Obama with two children, Malia and Sasha and he is a Christian
Democrat
Presently U.S. Senator from Illinois, Democrat since 2005
Previous Office 1997-2004: State senator, Illinois
Previous Experience: 1993-2004: Constitutional law professor, University of Chicago
Graduate of Columbia University: Bachelor's degree in political science, 1983 and Harvard University: Law degree, 1991
Books written include:
"The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream"
"Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance"
"Barack Obama in His Own Words"
Web Sites: http://www.barackobama.com/
How is Obama on the Issues? Take this test from ABC News and see who you compare to.
Abortion:
Favors abortion rights. As Illinois lawmaker, opposed restrictions on public financing of abortions.
Campaign Finance:
Campaign is hedging on his proposal last year to accept public financing and its spending limits for the general election if the Republican nominee does, too.
Cuba:
Ease trade embargo if Havana "begins opening Cuba to meaningful democratic change." Ease restrictions on family-related travel and on money Cuban-Americans want to send to their families in Cuba. Open to meeting new Cuban leader Raul Castro without preconditions.
Death Penalty:
Supports death penalty for crimes for which the "community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage." As Illinois lawmaker, wrote bill mandating videotaping of interrogations and confessions in capital cases and sought other changes in system that had produced wrongful convictions.
Economic Stimulus:
In addition to the $168 billion stimulus package that became law in February, proposed $250 rebates to low and middle-income earners and $250 bonuses to Social Security recipients.
Gay Marriage:
Would let states decide. Opposes constitutional amendment to ban it.
Global Warming:
Ten-year, $150 billion program to produce "climate friendly" energy supplies that he'd pay for with a carbon auction requiring businesses to bid competitively for the right to pollute. Joined McCain in sponsoring legislation that would set mandatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions. Supports tougher fuel efficiency standards.
Gun Control:
Voted to leave gun-makers and dealers open to suit. Also, as Illinois state lawmaker, supported ban on all forms of semiautomatic weapons and tighter state restrictions generally on firearms.
Health Care:
Mandatory coverage for children, no mandate for adults. Aim for universal coverage by requiring employers to share costs of insuring workers and by offering coverage similar to that in plan for federal employees. Says package would cost up to $65 billion a year after unspecified savings from making system more efficient. Raise taxes on wealthier families to pay the cost.
Housing:
Tax credit covering 10 percent of annual mortgage interest payments for "struggling homeowners," scoring system for consumers to compare mortgages, a fund for mortgage fraud victims, new penalties for mortgage fraud, aid to state and local governments stung by housing crisis, in $20 billion plan geared to "responsible homeowners."
Immigration:
Voted for 2006 bill that proposed conditional path to citizenship, and backed border fence. Supports letting illegal immigrants get drivers licenses.
Iraq:
"Our combat troops out within 16 months." Opposed troop increase, spoke against war at start.
Stem Cell Research:
Supports relaxing restrictions on federal financing of embryonic stem cell research.
Taxes:
Raise income taxes on wealthiest and their capital gains and dividends taxes. Raise corporate taxes. $80 billion in tax breaks mainly for poor workers and elderly, including tripling Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credit for larger families. Eliminate tax-filing requirement for older workers making under $50,000. A mortgage-interest credit could be used by lower-income homeowners who do not take the mortgage interest deduction because they do not itemize their taxes.
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