That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

He helped set up a job training program a college preparatory tutoring program and a tenants' rights organization in Altgeld Gardens. Legislative career: 1997–2008


State Senator: 1997–2004

Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996 succeeding State Senator Alice Palmer as Senator from Illinois's 13th District which at that time spanned Chicago South Side neighborhoods from Hyde Park – Kenwood south to South Shore and west to Chicago Lawn. Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his election to the U.

He then defeated Republican nominee John McCain in the general election and was inaugurated as president on January 20 2009. military involvement in the Iraq War increased troop levels in Afghanistan signed the New START arms control treaty with Russia ordered U. He was re-elected president in November 2012 defeating Republican nominee Mitt Romney and was sworn in for a second term on January 20 2013.