Barack Obama


How the press got it wrong on Obama in China

The flood of stories on Obama’s adventures in the Far East — painting him as a meek, kowtowing debator who got nothing achieved — show the Western media’s fundamental misunderstanding of Chinese press and politics, explains Howard French.

Guy Rundle: Health debate reveals the marvel of Mr Jefferson’s machine

Among Thomas Jefferson’s achievements was the invention of the swivel chair, and it’s in that spirit that one now regards the next step in Barack Obama’s long march to a health-care Bill.

Obama in danger of Hoovering the economy

The ringmasters of Obama’s economic policy must go. Obama is becoming another Hoover, incapable of turning from the advice of the money masters, writes David Hirst.

A quarter of Americans think Obama stole the election

26% of Americans believe Barack Obama “stole” the 2008 Presidential election, via voter fraud from community organiser ACORN — by comparison, only 18% of Americans thought Bush stole the 2000 election.

VIDEO: Obama does Fox News

After a nasty and public war of words between the White House and Fox News, Barack Obama has finally appeared on the network, receiving a “lighting round” grilling from Fox’s White House correspondent Major Garrett.

Congress to lift the ceiling on US’ $12 trillion debt

The $12 billion US government debt may force Congress to engage in a brawl with the President that could see the government shut down. It could also lead the Obama administration to produce the toughest Budget in a decade, with massive spending cuts.

How Obama’s China trip killed Copenhagen

Despite all the fanfare around Obama’s trip to China, he failed to make any headway with the country in securing support for serious emissions targets, says Steve Clemons. As a result, Copenhagen is now dead.

China fails to fall in love with Obama

US President Barack Obama is on a diplomatic visit to China, but is struggling to win the country’s citizens over with his usually irresistible charms. Perhaps it’s because he’s being kept on a tight leash and well away from the media spotlight.

A long way from “Yes We Can”

Yes We Can’t — that’s the new message on climate change from Barack Obama and other world leaders, who have now made a “realistic assessment” on Copenhagen: a climate treaty is “unrealistic”.

The war is over: Obama to appear on Fox News

The White House appears to have called a cease-fire in its war with Fox News, with news President Obama is scheduled to give an interview to the network next week.

Former editor: Murdoch’s NY Post aims to destroy Obama

The New York Post editor fired over that whole chimp cartoon saga has levelled some shocking allegations at the paper, amongst them, that the publication’s stated goal was to “destroy Barack Obama.”

Aung San Suu Ki to be freed?

A senior Burmese diplomat has announced plans for the release of Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, following her latest 6 years of house arrest. But is this just another false alarm?

Guy Rundle: Rundle: a win to Obama, but the Senate battle awaits

President Obama has won a victory in the health care campaign, the first serious universal health care bill to get through a House of Congress ever. But, his real test will be in the upper house.

G20 dreaming on economic upturn

Finance ministers of the world’s top 20 economies have indulged in one of the more fruitless gabfests. Instead of being united by fear and concern for the slow US economy, they are just linked by their usual competing interests,.

Talking the Town: John Pilger receives the Sydney Peace Prize

John Pilger, winner of the Sydney Peace Prize, has always positioned himself as outside the mainstream media. But his age and location – he hasn’t lived in Australia since the early 1960s – mean that his criticisms of the local media are outdated.

The untold story behind the words that rocked the Obama campaign

Barack Obama’s notorious campaign remark in that “bitter” Pennsylvania blue-collar voters “cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them” was almost his undoing. Mayhill Fowler provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into why he said what he did.

Video of the Day: One year in: Obama’s own words

It was one year ago today that Barack Obama was elected to the presidency. Now, he rallies the troops, encouraging more community action and engagement with issues. It’s like the campaign never ended!

Dowd: Rush Limbaugh is immature and narcissistic

Shock jock Rush Limbaugh is one of the key media mouths of the Republican Party and he loves to insult at Obama. Too bad he forgets the actions of his good mate Dubya, because it wasn’t Obama who stuffed the economy or brought about the war in Iraq, notes Maureen Dowd.

Time for Obama to start taking some risks

The four major issues that dominated the Obama campaign were the economy, healthcare, climate change and foreign policy and Obama has struggled with them all throughout his presidency. Is the US too divided to agree on anything?

Fox News: Obama has proved himself to be a politician, nothing more, nothing less

Barack Obama isn’t a socialist, a racist, or un-American. To be any of those things he’d need a set of political beliefs, which he doesn’t have. Rather, he’s just a politician who created a campaign persona for voters, writes S.E Cupp of Fox News.

What would Candidate Obama think of President Obama?

It’s been a year since Barack Obama won the US election, and the man who once shouted “Yes we can!” has had to grapple with the reality that, quite often, no we can’t. How would the Obama of a year ago view himself today? muses Arianna Huffington.

Guy Rundle: Obama’s long retreat to Jersey

A smattering of gubernatorial and legislative races in the US this November are being seen as a big test for Barack Obama — even though they’re not a predictor of anything much at all.

Halloween at the White House

The Obamas greeted about 2600 trick-or-treaters at the door of the White House on Halloween, doling out some highly prized White House M&Ms and… dried fruit?! Oh no, the White House is That House!

What will Obama do with the leftover Gitmo prisoners?

Barack Obama is honouring his pledge to close down the notorious Guantanamo prison, but how and where will the detainees be trialled in a fair manner? NPR explores the options, examining what justice means for Gitmo prisoners.

The private life of the Obamas

Barack and Michelle Obama are known for having one of strongest and most sickly sweet marriages in US political history. Just think of their date nights! NY Times Magazine is running a 10 page indepth feature on the Obamas’ marriage. Go on, you know you want to.