(by 25 people)
The Obama Family
On November 4, 2008 at 11:00 pm Eastern Barack Obama was the projected winner! It became official shortly after. He will be inaugurated on January 20, 2009.
I am so excited to say Congratulations to the 44th President of the United States of America!
This is a non-confrontational, parent and child friendly look at President Elect Obama, his wife Michelle, and their two daughters, Malia and Sasha. Find out a little about them, and of course, about what Barack Obama himself stands for.
Election Night, Grant Park, November 4, 2008
President-Elect Barack Obama
President-Elect Barack Obama in Chicago
Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States on November 4th, 2008 in Chicago.
Runtime: 17:01
3717473 views
0 Comments:
Birthdays & Ages
- Barack Obama
August 4, 1961
Age 47 - Michelle Obama
January 17, 1964
Age 44 - Malia Obama
July 4, 1998
Age 10 - Natasha (Sasha) Obama
June 7, 2001
Age 7
Family interview with Sasha, Malia, Michelle and Barack
Important Links
- Change.gov
- Throughout the Presidential Transition Project, this website will be your source for the latest news, events, and announcements so that you can follow the setting up of the Obama Administration. The transition process will offer you opportunities to participate in redefining our government.
- Barack Obama: How He Did It
- A team of NEWSWEEK reporters reveals the secret battles and private fears behind an epic election.
- Barack Obama's Economic Agenda
- Economic Issues found in this document: Protecting Homeowners, Providing Middle Class Americans Tax Relief, Strengthening Retirement Security, and Stimulating Economic Growth.
- OBAMA VS. MCCAIN: Record on Women
- Women's Issues found in this document: Right to Choose, Wages, Health Care, Domestic Violence, Child Care, and Paid Leave.
- BARACK OBAMA: Helping America's Seniors
- Seniors Issues found in this document: Social Security, Retirement Security, Health Care, and Low-Income Assistance.
- BARACK OBAMA'S Support for the LGBT Community
- LGBT Issues found in this document: Hate Crimes, Workplace Discrimination, Federal Rights, Civil Unions & Same-Sex Marriage, and AIDS Prevention.
- Republicans for Obama
- On Republicans for Obama you can learn more about where Senator Obama stands on the issues that are important to you.
- The Blueprint fot Change
- A 33 page document detailing Barack Obama's Plan for America.
- OnTheIssues.org
- Overview of Barack Obama's stance on Abortion, Budget & Economy, Civil Rights, Corporations, Crime, Drugs, Education, Energy & Oil, Environment, Families & Children, Foreign Policy, Free Trade, Government Reform, Gun Control, Health Care, Homeland Security, Immigration, Jobs, Principles & Values, Social Security, Tax Reform, Technology, War & Peace, and Welfare & Poverty.
- Kids Pick the President
- Nickelodeon's site for your children to learn all about the policies, politics and presidential candidates, then vote in the Kids Pick the President election this November, 2008.
Books for your family
For children through adults
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
Release Date: 08/10/2004
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $8.22 (as of 11/22/2008) 
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $7.23
Usually ships in 24 hours
Yes We Can: A Biography of Barack Obama
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Release Date: 06/24/2008
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 11/22/2008)
List Price: $6.99
Used Price: $3.17
Usually ships in 24 hours
Barack Obama: An American Story: An American Story (All Aboard Reading)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 11/22/2008)
List Price: $3.99
Used Price: $3.99
Obama Answers to Children's Questions
It might help you discuss these issues with your own children.
Q: It seems kind of weird that me and my mom get to . . . hang around all summer, while all the kids in Iraq and Afghanistan have to be in a war, even though they didn't do anything. . . . What will you do to help all the moms and kids in Iraq and Afghanistan after the war is over?
- Kelly Lynn, age 6
Obama: "You're absolutely right that children and families are often victims of war, and that's why we need to be very, very careful when we decide to fight a war. . . .
In Afghanistan, the best way for us to help kids and their families is to make sure that their communities are kept safe from the spreading violence and that their country doesn't fall back under the strict and repressive rule of the Taliban.
To make sure that doesn't happen, I will send in additional American troops and offer greater assistance . . . including assistance that helps Afghan children go to school."
Q: Because global warming is such a big issue now, what would you do to lower the use of (items) not being recycled in the United States?
- Kendall, age 10
Obama: "We'll invest in clean energy sources, and we'll commit to getting more of our electricity from sources like wind and solar (power) and cut the amount of greenhouse gases we produce.
You're right that recycling more and using less Styrofoam and paper are important, and there are other steps you can take, too, like carpooling with your friends on the way to school or turning the lights off when you leave the room."
Q: I think kids should be trusted to vote because they do pay attention. What are you going to do about kids not being able to vote?
- Andrew, age 7
Obama: "I'm glad you're paying attention, Andrew, and, like you, my daughters would like to have a bigger say in what happens in their world -- but I don't plan to ask Congress to lower the voting age.
The good news is that there are many ways that young people like you can make a difference, whether it's writing letters to your representatives or talking to your parents, teachers and friends about the issues that matter to you."
You can view the full article at The Columbus Dispatch.
Biography of Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama: South Side Girl
A short biography of Michelle Obama that introduces the Obama family to families across America. It played Monday night at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Runtime: 6:29
131849 views
10 Comments:
Rumors & Truths
Michelle Obama's comments about her pride in her country have been taken out of context, by both the Tennessee and Washington State Republican parties in paid advertisements attacking Michelle.
Truth: Michelle Obama loves the United States and the opportunities it has given her. Even Laura Bush herself has defended Michelle Obama on this issue and labeled this kind of attack as "misconstrued."
Rumor: Obama is not a natural born citizen and can not produce his birth certificate.
Truth: Senator Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961, after it became a state on August 21st, 1959. Obama became a citizen at birth under the first section of the 14th Amendment.
Rumor: Barack Obama is secretly a Muslim and was sworn into the U.S. Senate using the Koran.
Truth: Barack Obama was sworn in using his family Bible. Senator Obama has never been a Muslim, was not raised as a Muslim, and is a committed Christian. Further, this myth perpetuates unfortunate falsehoods about the Muslim-American community that are offensive to people of all faiths.
Rumor: Barack Obama didn't take time for the troops.
Conservative blogs, referencing an inaccurate email from abroad, have been spreading the rumor that Barack Obama gave troops the cold shoulder on his foreign trip.
Truth: Barack Obama spent time throughout his trip visiting with and thanking our troops in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq. He was proud to meet so many of our troops overseas and has repeatedly praised their service and dedication.
Rumor: An email claims that Barack Obama wants to tax your home, IRA, & even your water.
A rapidly spreading email is tricking thousands-if not millions-of Americans with outrageous lies and misrepresentations about Barack Obama's tax policies.
Truth: Barack Obama wants the tax code to favor honest, hard-working people, and he has proposed a $1,000 tax cut for middle class families.
Rumor: Barack Obama won't say the Pledge of Allegiance & he won't put his hand over his heart
Truth: Barack Obama loves his flag and his country. We've seen him leading The Pledge of Allegiance in the United States Senate, with his hand over his heart.
To read more, and to see videos and documents as proof of the above go to Fight The Smears.
"Present" Votes
What do they mean?
Senator Obama acknowledges that in eight years in the Illinois Senate, he voted "present" 129 times. That was out of roughly 4,000 votes he cast."Present" votes are an accepted legislative strategy in the Illinois Senate. Those who think a present vote is an indecisive move doesn't understand how the process works. And really, isn't that most of us?
"Present" works as a vote against a measure during final action. It's most important use is as a means of signaling concerns about an issue. It shows the other party a willingness to compromise on an issue, disapproval for an aspect of a bill, questioning the constitutionality of a bill, or a desire to strengthen a bill.
"Present" votes are often part of a careful strategy. A group of senators will decide to vote "present" so that the wavering senators would do the same. For their purposes, a "present" was as good as a "no" because it kept the bills from reaching the majority needed to pass.
Democratic National Convention August 28, 2008
Inspiring
Photographer Scout Tufankjian has been following Barack on his campaign trail taking some of the most beautiful and moving images I've seen.
You have to see them for yourself.
Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech
Barack Obama at the 2008 DNC
Barack Obama spoke to an audience of 84,000 at Mile High Stadium, on August 28, 2008 in Denver, CO.
Runtime: 45:16
637828 views
10 Comments:
The Obama Family in the News
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byObama Memorabilia
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
A Glimpse of Barack & Michelle As They Are
Four Days in Denver: Behind the Scenes at the 2008 DNC
Follow Barack, Michelle, Joe, and their families behind-the-scenes at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. (Music composed by Greg Kuehn for Peligro Music & Sound Design)
Runtime: 14:45
756738 views
10 Comments:
Barack Obama's Platform
Abortion: Abortions should be legal according to Roe vs. Wade, and female contraceptives should be covered by health insurance.Education: Obama will establish a new American Opportunity Tax Credit worth $4,000 a year in exchange for 100 hours of public service a year.
Environment: Calls for 25 percent of U.S. electricity to come from renewable sources by 2025, and for 30 percent of the federal government's electricity to come from renewables by 2020.
Gay Marriage: Supports the full inclusion of same-sex couples and their families, with equal rights, benefits and responsibilities.
Gun Control: Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic weapons while increasing restrictions on purchasing of firearms.
Immigration: Implement a guest worker program, providing a path towards citizenship for all undocumented workers.
Stem Cell Research: Obama supports expansion of federally-funded stem cell research, including embryonic stem cell research.
Taxes: Barack Obama's plan will provide $80-85 billion in tax relief to America's workers, seniors, and homeowners.
War in Iraq: Supports a plan to immediately begin troop withdrawal from Iraq at a pace of one or two brigades a month, to be completed by the end of 2008.
Obama Family 2006
What do people outside of the US think?
Obama preferred in world poll
On average, 49% preferred Obama, and in 17 of those countries, the most common view was that US relations with the rest of the world would improve under Barack Obama.
Source: BBC News, September 10, 2008
Michelle & Barack voting on 11.05.08
Guestbook
the_lensmaster wrote...
Great lens and I bookmarked. You've done a good job, full of infos. Even I am not citizen of USA I approved the election of Obama and Beautiful family!
Posted November 08, 2008
barose wrote...
Beautiful family! I just love that family photo at the top. I couldn't stop crying when they all came out together!
Posted November 06, 2008
Margo_Arrowsmith wrote...
I love the crayoned Obama symbol! I hope you will visit my lens Obama's Girls . I have already given you all the stars I can!
Posted November 06, 2008
LaurieBeth wrote...
A really great lens about the 44th president of the United States. ;) 5 stars!
Posted November 01, 2008
"America, we cannot turn back. Not with so much work to be done. Not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for. Not with an economy to fix and cities to rebuild and farms to save. Not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend. America, we cannot turn back."
-Senator Barack Obama, August 28, 2008
You might also be interested in...
-
How should we elect the US President?
-
How should we elect the US President? Do you think the current Electoral College system works well? Or, should the candidate who receives the most Popular Votes over all earn the position? "Under the current system of electing the President, a candi...
-
Will I Am: It's A New Day Lyrics
-
I went to sleep last night Tired from the fight I've been fighting for tomorrow All my life Yea I woke up this morning Feeling brand new 'Cause the dreams that I've been dreaming Has finally came true It's a new day It's a new day It's a new da...
