Senator 2004

Created by

Euan C

Cards (33)

Who was seen as Obama's 'Kingmaker'?
Emil Jones
How did Democrats take over the Illinois state legislature?
The governor was caught in a corruption scandal
How did Emil Jones have greater power?
He had a 30 year long political career and was well respected
How did Jones boost Obama?
He supported him from when he was still an unknown local senator
What actions did Jones use to boost Obama's prestige?
He let him handle important laws and put him in important committees to raise his profile
What did Jones do to make Obama more popular?
He appointed Obama sponsor of almost every high profile piece of legislation to make him well-known and ready for national politics
Who was Obama's Republican opposition?
Jack Ryan
What scandal was Ryan involved in?
His divorce case led to bad media coverage and so he withdrew
Who was the replacement for the Republican party?
Alan Keyes
Why was Alan Keyes at a disadvantage?
He was an out of state candidate from Maryland
What was Keyes' stance?
He was strongly anti-abortion, anti gay rights and strongly in favour of increasing rate of religion in US society
Where did Obama draw support from?
He was popular in Chicago, which was the largest city and dominated the vote
What did Obama focus his efforts on?
Social issues using his experience of community based projects to launch a grass roots campaign to deal with local issues
What did Obama do to combat the Republican candidate?
He continued to have a positive campaign, ignoring the Republican candidate
What percentage of the vote did Obama win?
70%
What did Obama vote against Senator?
He voted against John Roberts as chief justice of the Supreme Court due to his poor record on civil rights and abortion
What did Obama oppose?
The proposal requiring photo ID for voting, because it could prevent poorer citizens who lacked a drivers license or passport from voting
How did Obama gain publicity?
He was the sole black senator and he toured New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina alongside ex-presidents Clinton and Bush
What else did Obama vote against?
Troop withdrawals in Iraq as he believed it would lead to the rise of an unfavourable government
What did Obama use time as Senator to do?
Accrue money for his Presidential nomination campaign in 2008
What did Obama create to gain money?
He created the Political Action Committee (PAC)
What was Obama's PAC called?
The Hopefund
how much did the Hopefund raise in its first year?
$1.8 million
What control did the Democrats secure in the mid-terms? (Reps)
They went from 202 to 223 seats
What control did the Democrats secure in the mid-terms? (Senate)
They went from 44 to 51
What did Obama's victory serve as?
A highlight for the Democrat elections as they went badly otherwise
What percentage of the vote did Keyes win?
27%
What position did Obama acquire?
A position on the Foreign Relations Committee serving under Chairmanship of Senator Joe Biden
When did Obama acquire his role in this Committee?
As of January 2007 onwards
Who else did Obama collaborate with?
He worked with Republican senators on a range of issues
What reputation did Obama continue to build?
The reputation as someone who would put party loyalties aside if necessary and work for the good of the community
What did Obama see the tragedy of Katrina as?
He saw it as one of race and class, speaking passionately about the topic
What did Obama talk about in regards to Katrina?
The legacy of segregation such as in the low employment rate in black communities and educational divide