Barack Obama information and comparisons
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| Political Party: | Democratic |
| Alma Mater: | Occidental College, Columbia University (BA), Harvard Law School (JD) |
| Position on the Economy: | Repeal Bush tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000. Lower taxes on manufacturing industry. Stimulus spending and tax cuts to grow the economy (short term). Cut spending and raise taxes on wealthy to reduce deficit (long term). |
| Position on Healthcare: | Signed the 2010 healthcare overhaul bill. Calls for patient protections like allowing coverage for pre-existing conditions, not letting insurers cancel policies when patients get sick, and requiring individuals to buy health insurance or pay a fine. |
| Position on Immigration: | Supports path to legalization for illegal immigrants that includes learning English & paying fines; toughen penalties for hiring illegal immigrants; voted for fence along Mexican border. Issued exec order to not deport certain undocumented immigrants |
| Position on Iraq: | Opposed invasion from the beginning; opposed troop increase; ended military operations in Iraq(on previously negotiated Bush timeline). Made no effort to keep promise to exit in 2009. Troops moved to Afghanistan and Iranian border. |
| Position on Iran: | Engage in direct diplomacy; tighten economic sanctions with international cooperation; military option not off the table. Failed to deliver on 2008 campaign promise to meet with the Iranian president without preconditions. |
| Position on Global Warming and Environment: | Supports a mandatory cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions. Delayed decision on northern leg of Keystone XL pipeline due to environmental concerns. |
| Position on Indefinite detention: | Publicly opposed but debate on Congressional floor revealed that his Administration asked for language excluding American citizens. |
| Position on Military Intervention: | Publicly opposed wars and intervention but has recently admitted to expanding Afghan conflict into Pakistan. Says Congressional approval not required if UN gives approval. |
| Position on Gay rights: | Supports same-sex marriage; pushed Congress to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, allowing gays to serve openly in the military |
| Position on Abortion: | Supports Roe v. Wade; criticized Supreme Court decision that upheld ban on partial-birth abortions. |
| Full name: | Barack Hussein Obama |
| Profession: | Lawyer, politician, author |
| Place of Birth: | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Children: | Malia Ann (b July 4, 1998) and Natasha (known as Sasha) (b June 10, 2001) |
| Spouse(s): | Michelle Obama |
| Website: | http://www.barackobama.com |
| Religion: | Christian (United Church of Christ) |
| Residence: | Washington, D.C. |
| Running mate: | Joseph "Joe" Biden |
| Date of birth: | August 4,1961 |
| Books Authored: | Dreams from My Father: A story of Race and Inheritance; and The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts of Reclaiming the American Dream. |
| Position on Free Speech: | Signed H.R. 347 allowing the Secret Service to limit protest based upon threat assessment and proximity. |
| Awards: | Nobel Peace Prize (2009) |