Up to Senator 2004

Created by

Euan C

Cards (33)

What grassroots organisation did Obama assist in?
He was a community organiser for low-income residents in the South side of Chicago
Where did Obama go after university?
He studied at Harvard Law school
What achievement did Obama have while at Harvard?
He was the first African American Editor of the Harvard Law review
What did Obama work in on Chicago after uni?
He worked on a black voter drive which registered over 100,000 voters
Why did Obama's experience aid him?
He had valuable knowledge of grassroots organisation helping him to defeat Clinton in 2008
When was Obama first given a political role of influence?
1996
What role did Obama achieve in 1996?
A state position in Illinois as a Senator
How did Obama continue his previous work as state senator?
He passed welfare legislation such as tax credits for low income families
What did Obama do to do with the prison system?
He passed reforms of the capital punishment system due to the overrepresentation of black Americans
How did Obama continue the work of his previous organisations?
He combatted housing and job discrimination
What work did Obama carry out with opposing political parties?
His work on racial profiling in traffic stops, he argued that they would reduce their costs due to the continual suing for wrongful stops
What else was introduced by Obama?
A state benefit for low-income families
How many bills had Obama sponsored?
26 bills within the span of a year
What were Obama's many bills used for later?
To combat criticism he received saying he was too 'inexperienced' to run for President
What position did Obama attempt to run for in 2000?
A position in the House of Representatives for Illinois
Who was Obama defeated by in 2000?
Bobby Rush, who had already served 4 terms
What was one reason Obama lost the vote?
He wasn't well known in the Chicago south side ghettos and lived in a well-off white area so voters said he wasn't relatable
Why was Bobby Rush such an issue for Obama?
He was a local legend and recently his son was shot (sympathy)
What was the result of the Democrat primary election in 2000?
60% vs 31%
What position did Obama try for in 2004?
National state senator for Illinois
When did Obama win the Democratic primary for Illinois?
March 2004
Who were Obama's main opposition for the Democratic primary?
Daniel Hynes and Blair Hull
Who else did Obama face in the Democratic primary?
Marias Pappas and Gerry Chico
Who was Marias Pappas?
A popular state treasurer
Who was Gerry Chico?
Someone who worked with the current major
Who was Blair Hull?
A wealthy Chicago businessman with a personal fortune
What was Blair Hull's fortune estimated as?
$131-144 million
Why did Blair Hull lose support?
He split from his celebrity wife who filed various restraining orders and the scandal ruined his career
Who was Daniel Hynes?
A state comptroller (a state-wide office position) and was more widely known and seen as a no-nonsense financial expert
Why was Daniel Hynes a weak opponent?
Various issues with corruption and buying of votes were exposed which meant he was in disrepute
What percentage of the votes did Hynes win?
23%
What percentage of the vote did Obama win (Democratic Primary)
55%
When did Obama win the Illinois state Senator seat?
November 2004