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Barack Obama

NATO countries are expected to sign off Monday on U.S. President Barack Obama's exit strategy from Afghanistan that calls for an end to combat operations next year and the withdrawal of troops by the end of 2014.

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Minnesota's same-sex marriage debateupdated: Fri May 18 2012 16:12:00

As one of the next states to vote on banning gay marriage, Minnesotans react to President Obama's comments.

Minnesota same-sex marriage fight re-energized -- on both sidesupdated: Fri May 18 2012 16:12:00

Minneapolis is a conflicted city. It's home to one of the largest gay pride festivals in the Midwest and was once dubbed the "gayest city in America" by The Advocate magazine. The metropolitan area is also home to the conservative power base of Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Obama hosts G8, NATO leadersupdated: Fri May 18 2012 15:46:00

U.S. President Barack Obama and other world leaders are set to address a host of pressing economic and military security issues this weekend as the United States hosts a high stakes Group of Eight summit outside Washington and a NATO summit in Obama's adopted hometown of Chicago.

Obama's North Carolina math problemupdated: Fri May 18 2012 10:55:00

The state Democratic Party here is consumed with an ongoing sex scandal. The embattled governor is so unpopular she decided not to run for a second term. And supporters of same-sex marriage were dealt a crushing defeat at the ballot box last week.

Same-sex marriage an election hot topicupdated: Fri May 18 2012 10:55:00

Since the 2000 election, same-sex marriage has been a hot topic among presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Super PAC's reported anti-Obama ad sparks backlash, quick denialupdated: Fri May 18 2012 05:02:00

Predictions of super PAC-fueled campaign ugliness seemed to come to reality on Thursday when reports broke of a potential conservative group's ad campaign aimed at tying President Barack Obama to a controversy many thought put to rest nearly four years ago.

CNNMoney: Obama likely to tap Strategic Petroleum Reserveupdated: Thu May 17 2012 14:59:00

Despite the recent fall in oil prices, analysts say President Obama is still likely to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as sanctions on Iran take hold.

Obama: They still like him, but will they vote for him?updated: Thu May 17 2012 11:21:00

President Barack Obama lags in several polls on fixing the economy. His favorability rating is virtually even with that of presumed GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. His signature health care reform law appears on the verge of being overturned. Women, once central to his base, are now drifting toward his opponent. He has even lost support among once-passionate young voters.

Can Obama use Hollywood's soft power?updated: Thu May 17 2012 07:45:00

Barack Obama's appearance on "The View" on Tuesday topped a week spent cozying up to the world of entertainment, including a dinner hosted by George Clooney that raised $15 million and a $5,000-a-plate extravaganza with Ricky Martin.

Obama falls to Earth as just a politicianupdated: Thu May 17 2012 05:41:00

Conventional wisdom has it that President Barack Obama's campaign four years ago was a political masterpiece. Yes, the Republican brand was in the toilet; the economy had cratered; his real opponent, George Bush, was a political pariah; and the country despaired for a new direction. Still, we recall the Obama campaign as a crushing force, brilliantly harnessed, riding the tide of history.

Obama awards Medal of Honor posthumously to Vietnam heroupdated: Wed May 16 2012 19:41:00

President Barack Obama, in awarding an overdue posthumous Medal of Honor to a Vietnam hero Wednesday, paid tribute to soldiers who received a cold reception when they returned home from the Southeast Asian war.

Obama, congressional leaders talk about debtupdated: Wed May 16 2012 17:20:00

President Barack Obama and congressional leaders met Wednesday to discuss upcoming budget deadlines, one day after House Speaker John Boehner drew a line in the sand over what could be another bitter showdown between the White House and Congress later this year.

Fouad Ajami: Syria is Obama's Rwandaupdated: Wed May 16 2012 12:05:00

Fouad Ajami says Pres. Obama may regret not helping people in Syria the way Pres. Clinton did after the Rwanda Genocide.

Citizens United could be Obama's friend in Ohioupdated: Wed May 16 2012 08:44:00

During his 2010 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama made headlines by directly criticizing the Supreme Court for its decision in Citizens United v. FEC, the political funding case. He said Citizens United would "open the floodgates for special interests, including foreign corporations, to spend without limit in our elections."

Will gay marriage support hurt Obama?updated: Wed May 16 2012 08:32:00

Political analysts predict how President Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage will play out in the election.

N.C. gay marriage vote spells the end of Obamaupdated: Wed May 16 2012 08:32:00

North Carolina is so important to the re-election chances of Barack Obama that he picked Charlotte as the host city for the Democratic nominating convention.

Biden's campaign trail goes where Obama's won'tupdated: Wed May 16 2012 08:26:00

Vice President Joe Biden kicks off a two-day swing Wednesday through the eastern edge of the must-win battleground state of Ohio, an area that President Barack Obama is unlikely to visit this election year.

Obama, Romney exchange jabs on economyupdated: Tue May 15 2012 19:37:00

Obama and Romney trade jabs on issue number one, the economy. CNN's Erin Burnett discusses the latest attack ads.

Romney, GOP try to shift focus to deficitupdated: Tue May 15 2012 19:37:00

Mitt Romney continued his blitz against President Barack Obama over the federal deficit on Tuesday, signaling a GOP shift away from social issues and back to what Republicans consider the president's Achilles' heel: the economy.

In election, 'a seat at the table' costs $5,000updated: Tue May 15 2012 18:14:00

President Obama appeared at two recent fundraisers with some serious sticker shock.

Reiner's insight on Obama's fundraiserupdated: Tue May 15 2012 18:14:00

Director Rob Reiner shares insight exclusively to Piers Morgan on the Hollywood fundraiser hosted by George Clooney.

Obama: Gay marriage 'should be legal'updated: Tue May 15 2012 12:13:00

President Obama declares that gay marriage 'should be legal.'

Obama talks same-sex marriage on 'The View'updated: Tue May 15 2012 12:13:00

Last week, Barack Obama went on record as the first American president to support same-sex marriage, but he doesn't appear ready to take his commitment beyond the endorsement stage.

Opinion: Obama's speech shows changes for same-sex parentsupdated: Tue May 15 2012 07:52:00

Monday morning, as we scrambled to get Luna off to school, there came a moment when the timeline of my life leapt into fast-forward. I was carrying around an iPad turned to CNN, checking in to see what news awaited me at work, while Luna danced around me, knowing my partner or I would turn off the TV if watching it slowed her down. Then, suddenly, something brought us to a halt.

Obama says health care law will standupdated: Tue May 15 2012 05:44:00

President Obama says several legal experts believe his plan is constitutional.

How the right helped launch same-sex marriage movementupdated: Mon May 14 2012 17:46:00

After President Barack Obama made his tepid endorsement of same-sex marriage last week, the pundits, from Fox News all the way to The New York Times, quickly pivoted from asking why to whether it will hurt him politically.

Timeline of an 'evolution': How Obama made his same-sex marriage decisionupdated: Fri May 11 2012 09:24:00

Before President Barack Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage this week, White House officials gave mixed signals on just how and when the president had originally planned to roll out his support for the issue.

As Romney fought for delegates, Obama team was lying in waitupdated: Fri May 11 2012 07:54:00

With Mitt Romney's victories in the April 24 Republican primaries, a new phase of the campaign began at Obama re-election headquarters in Chicago. After a year spent hiring staff and building an organization, Obama for America finally had what it had been waiting for: an opponent.

Obama fundraiser at George Clooney's home nets $15 millionupdated: Fri May 11 2012 05:46:00

Hollywood pulled off another blockbuster as a star-studded guest list delivered $15 million into the campaign coffers of President Barack Obama Thursday night.

Obama's change on same-sex marriage comes after voters reach turning pointupdated: Thu May 10 2012 22:41:00

President Barack Obama's announcement that he now supports same-sex marriage reflects a dramatic shift taking place across the country.

Opinion: On gay marriage, Latinos agree with Obamaupdated: Thu May 10 2012 15:34:00

President Obama is indeed a profile in courage. He has made history yet again with his announcement that he supports full marriage equality for gay and lesbian Americans. Bravo, Mr. President.

Same-sex decision may signal significant shift in Obama's strategy, analysts sayupdated: Thu May 10 2012 14:26:00

In the political fallout of President Barack Obama's shift to support same-sex marriage, analysts say the move may signal a remarkable change in his campaign's re-election strategy, one that no longer courts the moderate part of his Democratic base.

Obama's same-sex stance spurs reactionupdated: Thu May 10 2012 11:00:00

President Obama's stance on same-sex marriage inspires plenty of reactions. CNN's Shelby Lin reports.

Will Romney use gay marriage issue against Obama?updated: Thu May 10 2012 11:00:00

For the better part of four years, voters have said the number one issue is the economy.

What's next for Obama on gay rights?updated: Thu May 10 2012 09:41:00

After two years of claiming that his views were "evolving," President Obama said on Wednesday that he has finally reached a conclusion and supports same-sex marriage. Obama's public endorsement is an important step in the right direction, but it does not undo the fact that he has a mixed record on gay rights.

Gay marriage support: Obama's most courageous moveupdated: Thu May 10 2012 06:06:00

President Barack Obama's blockbuster announcement that he is in favor of full marriage equality is the most courageous thing he has done since he entered the White House three and a half years ago.

The risky politics of same sex marriageupdated: Wed May 09 2012 22:26:00

President Obama's decision to make his support of same sex marriage known carries risks for the fall campaign.

Social issues may not turn election in 2012 but will influence votersupdated: Wed May 09 2012 22:26:00

In an election year that some pundits have predicted will be focused on jobs and the economy, social issues like same-sex marriage have stolen the spotlight a surprising number of times. But experts say don't expect those hot-button topics to be the ultimate markers of the 2012 cycle.

Obama announces he supports same-sex marriageupdated: Wed May 09 2012 21:57:00

President Barack Obama said Wednesday he supports same-sex marriage, raising the political stakes on an issue over which Americans are evenly split.

Celebs react to Obama's same-sex supportupdated: Wed May 09 2012 21:36:00

CNN's Becky Anderson looks at tweets from celebrities in reaction to President Obama's support of gay marriage.

Celebrities, politicians weigh in on Obama's same-sex marriage stanceupdated: Wed May 09 2012 21:36:00

Politicians and celebrities were quick to weigh in, via Twitter and in statements, on news of U.S. President Barack Obama's support for same-sex marriage. Here are some reactions:

Pastor: 'Shove' gay kids, don't punchupdated: Wed May 09 2012 18:04:00

Pastor Sean Harris explains what he meant when he told parents to punch children who demonstrate homosexual behavior.

Is same-sex marriage too radical for America?updated: Wed May 09 2012 18:04:00

President Barack Obama has endorsed same-sex marriage. Will it make any difference to the battle for marriage equality? The news coming out of North Carolina suggests not. The Tar Heelers on Tuesday voted 61% to 39% to amend their constitution to outlaw same-sex marriage. Actually, they've gone much further. The new amendment prohibits any kind of same-sex unions, including the relatively innocuous option of civil partnership.

'Mess of the White House's own making'updated: Wed May 09 2012 10:21:00

Jessica Yellin and Richard Socaride discuss President Obama's campaign strategy on the issue of same-sex marriage.

A second Obama term: What scares Republicans?updated: Wed May 09 2012 10:21:00

A gaffe is when a politician is caught telling the truth, the old saying goes.

Obama's view on same-sex marriageupdated: Tue May 08 2012 09:00:00

The White House says Vice President Biden's comments on gay marriage aren't a departure from the president's statements.

Obama keeps his conscience in the closetupdated: Tue May 08 2012 09:00:00

Let's be clear about one thing: Vice President Joe Biden's recent comment about being OK with marriage equality did not place the president in a difficult situation.

For Obama, foreign policy campaign could backfireupdated: Mon May 07 2012 07:41:00

Just as Mitt Romney secured the Republican nomination, President Obama launched his presidential campaign with a weeklong celebration of his foreign policy accomplishments.

Obama outlines case for re-election at first official campaign rallyupdated: Sat May 05 2012 22:15:00

President Barack Obama formally opened his re-election bid Saturday with two rallies in which he highlighted accomplishments over his three and a half years in the White House and argued that America can't afford to adopt Republicans' "bad ideas."

Obama: Million jobs added in 6 monthsupdated: Sat May 05 2012 10:04:00

President Obama responds to the latest jobs report numbers saying a million new jobs were created in last 6 months.

Jobs report crucial to presidential election outcomeupdated: Sat May 05 2012 10:04:00

Hands down, it's the most important monthly economic report in the race for the White House.

Chen case is another human rights issue for Obamaupdated: Fri May 04 2012 19:56:00

Iran, Syria and now China. President Barack Obama faces a third front of vulnerability on his administration's record of defending human rights with the muddled situation involving activist Chen Guangcheng.

Obama urges students to pressure Congress on loan ratesupdated: Fri May 04 2012 13:59:00

President Barack Obama on Friday urged high school students to e-mail, tweet, and teach their parents to tweet a message to Congress to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1.

Obama fast-tracks oil pipeline to Gulfupdated: Fri May 04 2012 12:37:00

President Obama unveils plans to fast-track part of the Keystone pipeline project to increase domestic oil production.

CNNMoney: Obama administration tightens fracking rulesupdated: Fri May 04 2012 12:25:00

The Obama administration tightened rules on hydraulic fracturing Friday, requiring the disclosure of chemicals used in the process when done on federal and American Indian lands.

Herman Cain: Obama's singing 'okay'updated: Fri May 04 2012 12:24:00

Herman Cain--a noted singer himself--has mild praise for President Obama's singing.

Obama: al Qaeda defeat within reachupdated: Wed May 02 2012 20:13:00

President Obama speaks to the nation from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, describing the new treaty with the country.

What did Obama's Afghanistan speech really mean?updated: Wed May 02 2012 18:45:00

By midmorning Wednesday, Air Force One touched down at Andrews Air Force Base. President Barack Obama had returned from a surprise trip to Afghanistan that lasted a day but was meant to mark a transition to the end of the more than decadelong war.

GOP's 'faux anger' is all the rageupdated: Wed May 02 2012 18:14:00

You would think that President Obama's surprise trip to Afghanistan yesterday and speech to the troops would have quieted -- at least for one night -- the latest installment of the GOP's "Faux Anger Chronicles." While most of the president's critics were silent or praised him for the trip, others didn't disappoint in following along with the fad.

Takedown: How the media almost blew Obama's secret trip to Afghanistanupdated: Wed May 02 2012 12:08:00

Hours before the official announcement that President Barack Obama had landed in Kabul, Afghanistan, for a surprise visit, the media -- both social and electronic -- were already buzzing with reports about the trip.

How to sneak a president into a war zoneupdated: Wed May 02 2012 12:08:00

CNN's John King recounts his first experience on a secret trip to a war zone.

Obama vows to end Afghan warupdated: Wed May 02 2012 11:19:00

On a surprise visit to Kabul, President Obama pledged to end the Afghan war responsibly. Nick Paton Walsh reports.

Obama's strategic retreat in Afghanistanupdated: Wed May 02 2012 11:19:00

President Barack Obama's surprise visit to Afghanistan on Tuesday included an extraordinary admission: "Our goal is not to build a country in America's image, or to eradicate every vestige of the Taliban. These objectives would require many more years, many more dollars and many more American lives."

Why 'Hope and Change' is dead, 'Forward' livesupdated: Wed May 02 2012 09:28:00

During the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night, Jimmy Kimmel made a joke that President Obama laughed at, but that you could see was just killing him inside.

Election could swing in swingy D.C. suburbsupdated: Wed May 02 2012 06:29:00

President Barack Obama arrives in Richmond this weekend for his first official campaign visit to the battleground state of Virginia, a hyped rally that is mobilizing both Republican and Democratic ground troops for the general election.

Clinton becoming key Obama cheerleaderupdated: Wed May 02 2012 06:29:00

After four years, former President Bill Clinton has morphed into President Obama's key supporter among swing voters.

In Afghanistan, Obama pledges cooperation, vows to 'finish the job'updated: Wed May 02 2012 00:12:00

President Barack Obama, speaking early Wednesday in Afghanistan at the tail end of a surprise visit there, discussed how the war will end and promised a steady drawdown of U.S. troops.

Obama's Kabul trip praised, blastedupdated: Tue May 01 2012 18:59:00

A roundup of reactions to President Barack Obama's unannounced visit to Afghanistan, where he and Afghan President Hamid Karzai signed an agreement on future ties:

Obama should listen to Bill Clintonupdated: Tue May 01 2012 16:16:00

At the beginning of 2008, everything seemed set for Bill Clinton. His wife, Hillary, had the money and the endorsements to run for the presidency. She also had the experience and the talismanic Democratic last name. Everything was in place for Bill's return to the White House, this time as first gentleman.

Obama not 'over celebrating' OBL's deathupdated: Tue May 01 2012 12:31:00

President Obama responds to questions about how the U.S. will handle the anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death.

Obama, Bill Clinton join forces as Romney-Obama race heats upupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 21:27:00

If case you had any doubts, don't -- Bill Clinton's fully on board President Barack Obama's re-election effort.

2008: Japanese to U.S.: Get outupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 16:16:00

In 2008 Condolezza Rice visited Japan amid furor over the arrest of a US Marine on rape charges.

Obama affirms strong economic, security ties with Japanupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 16:16:00

Affirming strong ties in a time of challenges, President Barack Obama and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Monday hailed an agreement to move U.S. Marines from Okinawa and expressed solidarity against North Korea's nuclear weapons program.

Obama talks dog politics at dinnerupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 11:18:00

Presidents Obama pokes fun at Mitt Romney's dog at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

GOP says Obama playing politics with bin Laden anniversaryupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 09:46:00

Days before the one-year anniversary of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, top surrogates for President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney took to the national stage to argue the politics of the attack.

Obama, Democrats not serious about passing budgetupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 05:59:00

The U.S. government is the largest financial entity in the world. Nothing else comes close.

Rep. Ryan: Obama threatened by my budgetupdated: Mon Apr 30 2012 05:59:00

Rumored vice presidential contender Rep. Paul Ryan talks faith and politics in an address at Georgetown University.

Obama dishes it out at annual dinnerupdated: Sun Apr 29 2012 00:52:00

President Barack Obama made light of the serious -- a Secret Service scandal and lavish spending at a government conference -- and the inconsequential -- the graying of his hair -- at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday night.

Testimony sought from EPA regional administrator updated: Fri Apr 27 2012 19:00:00

Facing an onslaught of condemnation for comments made in 2010, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency's office in Dallas, Texas, was notified Friday that Congress is preparing to call him to testify.

What Obama should do after the Secret Service scandalupdated: Fri Apr 27 2012 16:31:00

The Secret Service scandal has all the elements of a salacious story: Sex, alcohol, national security, politics, exotic tropical settings and sex -- or did I already mention sex? But beyond the breathless coverage and oh-so-shocked commentary lie some serious repercussions.

Obama: 'We had a mountain of debt'updated: Fri Apr 27 2012 14:56:00

President Obama targets the youth vote in calling for lower college costs.

White House: Obama would veto GOP student loan planupdated: Fri Apr 27 2012 14:56:00

The White House said Friday that President Barack Obama would veto a Republican measure passed by the House to extend lower interest rates on federal student loans because it takes money from a health care fund that benefits women.

Obama pushes for the youth voteupdated: Thu Apr 26 2012 19:42:00

CNN's Jessica Yellin reports on President Obama's efforts to secure the youth vote in November.

Obama should push bankruptcy relief for student loansupdated: Thu Apr 26 2012 19:42:00

This week President Obama did a swing through some college campuses talking about student loan debt. The immediate issue is the 3.4% interest rate on federal student loans. It's set to double July 1 unless Congress acts. Keeping the rate low in this still weak economy is, as the president said, a no-brainer. Even his opponent Mitt Romney has endorsed it. But the larger problem -- mounting college costs and a cumulative $1 trillion in student loan debt ? remains untouched.

Marine calls President Obama the 'enemy'updated: Thu Apr 26 2012 12:22:00

A controversial anti-Obama Facebook post from a U.S. Marine is now under Pentagon review. CNN's Lisa Sylvester reports.

Board recommends dismissal of anti-Obama Marineupdated: Thu Apr 26 2012 12:22:00

A Marine Corps board has recommended that a politically active Marine sergeant who questioned President Barack Obama's authority be dismissed from service with an "other than honorable" discharge.

Olympics help with London's unemployedupdated: Thu Apr 26 2012 05:33:00

CNN's Jim Boulden looks at programs using Olympic money to get troubled London kids into employment.

Analysis: As Europe goes, so goes Obamaupdated: Thu Apr 26 2012 05:33:00

President Obama's opponents like nothing more than tying him to a socialist Europe, the bogeyman of today's American right. Whatever the merits of their claims policy-wise, they might be onto something from a campaign perspective.

Marine's Facebook posts on Obama go too farupdated: Wed Apr 25 2012 22:16:00

What would happen if you posted derogatory comments about your boss on a Facebook page that you knew would be read by your co-workers?

Boehner offers student loan dealupdated: Wed Apr 25 2012 20:44:00

The House will vote Friday to extend current rates on federally funded college loans for one year, Speaker John Boehner announced on Wednesday in what is seen as an attempt to blunt President Barack Obama's momentum on an issue popular with young voters.

Marine discharged over online Obama commentsupdated: Wed Apr 25 2012 18:09:00

A Marine who used his Facebook page to criticize President Barack Obama has been discharged, a Marine Corps spokesman said Wednesday.

Can Obama rock the youth vote again?updated: Wed Apr 25 2012 16:45:00

Will young American voters be as enthusiastic about President Obama's re-election as they were about his candidacy four years ago, when 66% of 18- to 29-year-olds favored him over John McCain?

Will Obama move thwart murderous regimes?updated: Wed Apr 25 2012 09:16:00

The Obama administration made a significant decision Monday to use targeted economic sanctions against high-tech companies abroad whose technologies empower regimes to kill their own people. The president's executive order places restrictions on visas and travel as well as asset freezes on such companies and those who control them. These are practical -- and potentially powerful -- tools that can undermine the presumed success of state repression as it begins.

Romney sweeps Tuesday primaries, declares race is on with Obamaupdated: Wed Apr 25 2012 08:55:00

After Mitt Romney swept the five Republican primaries being contested Tuesday, he turned from securing the Republican nomination and toward the general election against President Barack Obama.

How Obama is using student loan issue to recapture the youth voteupdated: Tue Apr 24 2012 20:42:00

Margo Balboni is cramming college into three years to cut down on the cost of her student loans. As it is, the University of North Carolina sophomore expects to graduate in a few years with $20,000 in debt.

CNNMoney: Student loan rate hike: What you need to knowupdated: Tue Apr 24 2012 14:35:00

On July 1, the interest rates on student loans subsidized by Uncle Sam will double to 6.8%.

CNNMoney: Campaign 2012: Bring on the cash moneyupdated: Tue Apr 24 2012 06:32:00

With primary season over, the race for president -- and the race for cash -- is about to heat up.

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