by Obama Barack
auto industry initiatives and, 300–301
courtship and, 20–21
DREAM Act and, 610
environmental issues and, 487–88
Illinois state senate term and, 32
political ambition and, 18
presidential campaign field organizers and, 95
IDEALISM:
Affordable Care Act campaign and, 409, 423–24
current challenges to, xvi
foreign policy and, 366, 369, 370–71, 449, 648
inauguration and, 226
intellectual development and, 12
national security and, 446, 657
presidential campaign and, 102, 111, 118
presidential candidacy decision and, 78
race and, 118
U.S. Senate candidacy decision and, 43–44
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT, 5–16
community organizing experience and, 15–16
environmental issues and, 487–88
Gandhi and, 598–99
Harvard Law School and, 18–19
Jewish experience and, 627–28
LGBTQ people and, 610
patriotism and, 13–14
social change and, 11, 349
study of social movements, 11–12
teenage years, 8–10
United Nations and, 468–69
MULTIPLE-STRANDED HERITAGE:
belief in American commonalities and, 41
community organizing experience and, 15–16
foreign policy and, 310
integration of, 121
intellectual development and, 9
political ambition and, xiv, 71
presidential campaign and, 121, 131
PARENTING AND FAMILY LIFE:
during U.S. Senate term, 58–60
early years, 35–36, 39
presidency and, 5, 286, 289, 372, 373–74, 401–2, 539–51, 589, 664–65
presidential campaign and, 96, 160–62
POLITICAL AMBITION OF:
community organizing experience and, 18
Harvard Law School and, 18
Illinois state senate campaign and, 24–25, 30, 31
Michelle Obama on, 22–23, 24–25, 70
multiple-stranded heritage and, xiv, 71
Obama’s presidential candidacy decision and, 70–71, 76
self-doubt about, 31, 38
Washington mayoral campaign and, 17–18
work-life balance and, 36, 39–40
POLITICAL BELIEFS OF:
American commonalities, 15, 40–41, 48–49, 52, 107, 115, 118–19, 144–45
bipartisanship, 210, 216
civic trust, 276
patriotism, 13–14, 309–10
presidential campaign and, 102
reform vs. revolution and, 305
Washington mayoral campaign and, 16–18
See also idealism above
PRESIDENCY, EXPERIENCE OF, xiii-xiv
Air Force One, 327–28
“the Beast,” 228
beer brewing, 373
BlackBerry, 250–51
commander-in-chief role, 226, 308, 312, 325, 429, 611, 680–81
condolence letters, 429–30
congressional address (Feb. 2009) and, 284
constituent letters, 267–69, 306
daily experience, 3–5
decision-making, 688
family support staff, 289–90
family travel, 461–62, 661, 663–65, 688, 689
first weeks, 233
friendships, 249, 251–52, 290, 535, 537–38, 639
holiday season and, 608–9
imperturbability, 537–39, 545
inauguration and, 231–32
international summits and, 333–34
loss of anonymity, 208, 221, 250, 545
Martha’s Vineyard vacation, 588–89
military hospital patient visits, 323–25, 576–77
multitasking, 565–66
music and, 542–43
nuclear strike authority (“football”), 227
Oval Office, 205, 668–69
Oval Office dining room, 669
parenting and family life, 5, 286, 289, 372, 373–74, 401–2, 539, 541, 589
President’s Daily Brief, 312–13, 589
press and, 249–50, 287
public expectations and, 226, 241, 350–51, 366
refuges, 372, 539–41, 693
residence, 252–54
responsibility, 666–67
Secret Service protection, 249
self-doubt, 569
social life, 541–42
White House Correspondents’ Dinner, 690–93
White House staff and, 251–54
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN (2007–2008):
African Americans and, 116–19, 122–24, 126–27, 167
“audacity of hope” slogan, 51, 149
birtherism and, 672
body men, 84–85
campaign operations, 89–90
candidacy announcement, 81–83, 120–21
candidate forums, 86–89
challenges to conventional wisdom, 98–100, 311–12
civil rights movement and, 122–23, 167
climate change policies and, 489–90
Clinton campaign and, 102–5, 125–26, 139–40, 151
Clinton-Obama post-primary meeting, 151
conservative rhetoric and, 131–34, 194–95
Democratic National Convention, 165–68
Election Day, 199–202
endorsements, 111, 117, 129
Europe trip, 159–60
family life during, 96, 160–62
federal gas tax issue, 148
financial crisis and, 175, 179–82, 183–90, 191, 193
“Fired up, ready to go” slogan, 97–98, 100, 196
fundraising, 90–91, 111, 193
gaffes, 82, 83, 143–44
Indiana and North Carolina primaries, 148–50
Iowa caucus, 105–7, 108
Iowa Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, 101–2
Iowa operation, 91–96, 100, 102
Iraq-Afghanistan trip (2008), 153–59
Iraq War and, 83, 99, 126, 153
Israel and, 629
Joe the Plumber and, 193–94
loss of anonymity and, 160
lucky charms and rituals, 190–91, 200
McCain debates, 182–83, 190–92, 194
McCain’s character and, 152–53
Nevada caucus, 111–12
New Hampshire primary, 108–11, 112, 131
organization growth, 135
Pennsylvania primary, 143, 145–46
policy and, 86–87, 175–76, 384
polling, 100–101, 127
post-primary electoral strategy, 151–52, 193
Power and, 639
primary debates, 98–100, 105, 108–9, 125, 145
public expectations and, 82, 108, 190, 196–97
public speaking and, 83
racial issues and, 115–16, 125–28, 131–32, 141–43
rallies, 135–36
running mate choice, 150, 162–65
Sarkozy meeting, 159
Secret Service protection, 136–38, 200–201
South Carolina primary, 124–28
stress of, 83–84, 86, 104–5
Super Tuesday, 129–31
themes of, 81
Toot’s death and, 199
turnout, 107, 108
victory projections, 138–39, 192
volunteers. See presidential campaign field organizers be
low
Wright video, 140–41, 143
“Yes we can” slogan, 111
See also presidential campaign field organizers below
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN FIELD ORGANIZERS:
campaign operations and, 89–90
Democratic National Convention and, 165
digital networks and, 90
family feeling and, 106
Indiana and North Carolina primaries and, 150
Iowa operation and, 93, 95–96, 102
post-primary electoral strategy and, 152, 193
South Carolina primary and, 128
Super Tuesday and, 129–30
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY DECISION, 65–78
Africa trip and, 71–72
civil rights movement and, 121–22
fear of winning, 74–75
first Black president role and, 77–78
Iowa visits and, 72–73, 74
Kennedy consultation, 68–69
Michelle Obama and, 69–70, 76–77
other candidates and, 66–67
Reid consultation, 67–68, 69
Rouse plan, 65–66
staff ambivalence, 75–76
SPEECHES:
Affordable Care Act (joint Congress, 2009), 409–11
bin Laden operation announcement, 696–97
birtherism White House address (2011), 684–85
congressional address (Feb. 2009), 283–85
counterterrorism (2009), 356–57, 358
Democratic National Convention keynote address (2004), 51, 114–15
DNC acceptance speech (2008), 166–68
Favreau and, 358
inauguration (2009), 226, 230
international algorithm for, 448
Iowa Jefferson-Jackson Dinner (2008), 101–2
Miami Dade College graduation (2011), 689–90
Muslim world (Cairo, 2009), 357, 358–59, 362, 365–67, 370, 633, 638
Nobel Peace Prize award (2009), 439, 445–46, 655
nuclear issues (Prague, 2009), 348–49
on race (2008), 140–43
remarks on Toot’s death, 199
Rhodes and, 357–58
State of the Union (2011), 642
UN General Assembly, 468
White House Correspondents’ Dinner remarks (2011), 691–92
U.S. SENATE CAMPAIGN (2004), 45–54
belief in American commonalities and, 48–49
candidacy decision, 42–45
Democratic National Convention keynote address and, 51–52
early 2004 momentum, 49–51
Iraq War and, 46–47, 48, 50, 676
U.S. SENATE TERM (2005–2008), 55–64
climate change and, 488
colleagues, 56–57
constituent connections, 56
family life during, 58–60
Hurricane Katrina and, 62–63
impatience, 62–63, 64
Iraq War and, 63–64
loss of anonymity, 59–60
nuclear issues and, 60–62
real estate bubble and, 175, 177
Republican dominance and, 57–58
staff, 55–56
Obama, Malia Ann
Africa trip (2006), 72
birth of, 35
education of, 222, 223
on environmental issues, 486, 516
inauguration and, 225
loss of anonymity and, 60
Martha’s Vineyard vacation (2010), 589
presidential campaign and, 81, 96, 160–62, 165, 166, 168, 200
presidential transition and, 207, 222
press pool and, 250
U.S. Senate campaign and, 53, 54
EXPERIENCE AS PRESIDENT’S CHILD:
activities, 286, 664
adjustment, 289
South Lawn garden and, 372, 373
travel, 401–2, 461, 462, 661, 663–65, 688, 689
White House staff and, 253
Obama, Michelle Robinson
Africa trip (2006), 72
audience with the Queen of England, 327, 344–45
bin Laden operation and, 687, 696
Brazil trip (2011), 661, 663–65
Cape Canaveral trip (2011), 688, 689
childhood obesity program (“Let’s Move!”), 288, 289, 543, 603, 608
conservative attacks on, 133–34
courtship, 20–22
early marital strain, 36
early married years, 23
East View Park home of, 171–72, 173
education of, 389
gender roles and, 287–88
Illinois state senate campaign and, 24–25, 27–28
inauguration (2009) and, 225, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231
India trip (2010), 599, 600
influence of (“Michelle Effect”), 344
loss of anonymity and, 58–59, 60
military families program (Joining Forces), 288, 543
Obama’s Democratic National Convention keynote address and, 51–52
Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize award and, 439, 446
Obama’s presidential candidacy decision and, 69–70, 76–77
Obama’s U.S. Senate campaign and, 54
Obama’s U.S. Senate candidacy decision and, 44–45
Obama’s U.S. Senate term and, 58–59
parenting and family life, 35–36, 161–62, 286, 287, 289, 541
presidential transition and, 206, 220, 221–23
race and, 134, 389, 398
on safety risks, 675
South Lawn garden and, 290, 372–73
staff of, 288
on Tea Party, 407
Trump and, 675
on U.S. Congress campaign (2002), 37
White House staff and, 254
work-life balance and, 287
EXPERIENCE AS FIRST LADY, 286–88, 543–45
family life and, 286, 289, 541
holiday season, 609
international travel, 327, 344–45, 461, 462
loss of control, 544
music and, 542
“People’s House” and, 542
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN AND:
African Americans and, 116
candidacy announcement, 81
conservative attacks, 133–34
Democratic National Convention, 165, 166, 168
Election Day, 200, 201
family life during, 161–62
Iowa Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, 101
parenting and family life, 96, 161–62
public appearances, 106, 221
racial issues, 127, 142
victory projections, 192
Obama, Natasha (Sasha)
Africa trip (2006), 72
basketball, 540–41
birth of, 39
education of, 222, 223, 224
inauguration and, 225
loss of anonymity and, 60
Martha’s Vineyard vacation (2010), 589
meningitis of, 378–79
presidential campaign and, 81, 96, 160–62, 165, 166, 168, 200
presidential transition and, 207, 222, 223, 224
press pool and, 250
U.S. Senate campaign and, 53, 54
EXPERIENCE AS PRESIDENT’S CHILD:
activities, 286, 664
adjustment, 289
daily rituals, 539
South Lawn garden and, 372, 373
travel, 401–2, 461–62, 661, 663–65, 688, 689
White House staff and, 253
Obama, Sarah Onyango (Obama’s step-grandmother), 226
Obama admi
nistration
bipartisanship goals, 210–11, 216, 247, 256, 595
cabinet roles, 533–34
decision-making process, 293–94, 434
“doing too much” criticism, 285, 594
education policies, 244, 265, 533, 616
ethics rules, 233–34, 534
First Lady’s role, 286–88. See also Obama, Michelle Robinson
good government initiatives, 595
government machinery and, 285–86
immigration policy, 591, 603, 609–10, 614–19
inclusivity in, 535–37
Justice Department-White House separation, 585–86
morale, 533, 534–35
personnel turnover (2010), 595–98
presidential transition, 206–8, 220–23, 224–25, 233–35. See also first-term appointments below
public health policy, 385–87
struggles (2010), 519–21, 537–38
tax policy, 244, 248, 264, 295, 604–7, 670
trade policy, 326
work-life stress in, 532–33
See also specific policy topics
FINANCIAL CRISIS RESPONSES:
auto industry initiatives, 298–301, 302, 497–98
housing market initiatives, 269–74, 279, 302, 403
transition team planning, 235–39, 240–41, 244–45
See also American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; Wall Street initiatives, Obama administration
FIRST-TERM APPOINTMENTS, 208–19
bipartisanship goals and, 210–11, 216
chief of staff, 209–10
economic team, 211–14
national security team, 214–19
Republican obstruction strategy and, 261
PENTAGON RELATIONS:
Afghanistan war policies and, 318–20, 434–35, 436–39, 443, 577–80
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and, 613
military dominance under Bush administration and, 435–36
PUBLIC RELATIONS:
birtherism and, 684–85
Bush tax cut deal and, 606–7
Deepwater Horizon oil spill and, 571
Dodd-Frank Act and, 556
midterm elections of 2010 and, 594–95
9/11 conspirator trials and, 587
post-crisis economy and, 524–25
Recovery Act and, 254–55, 265
Republican obstruction strategy and, 523–24
See also press
Obama as first Black president
birtherism and, 405, 672–75
Brazil visit and, 663
conservative attacks and, 134
diplomacy emphasis and, 448
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and, 611
Election Day and, 201
inclusivity and, 535
presidential candidacy decision and, 77–78
racism and, 310, 405–7, 606, 672
Republican obstruction strategy and, 672
running mate choice and, 165
