Obama's Campaign: Legal Or Unlawful?

There were several accusations of Barack Obama breaking campaign laws, including claims that he broke federal law in an attempt to reclaim the presidency from Donald Trump, and that he broke the Hatch Act restricting federal employees' political activity. However, there is no evidence to support these claims.

Obama's campaign funding

Barack Obama's campaign funding is a highly scrutinised aspect of his presidency. In 2008, Obama became the first presidential candidate to give up public funding, allowing him to spend more than the $84.1 million limit (which his opponent, John McCain, adhered to). This decision marked the beginning of the end for the public funding of democracy in the United States. Since 2012, all candidates in the general presidential election have rejected public funding.

Obama's decision to opt-out of public funding was not illegal, but it did break one of his campaign promises. In 2012, he also encouraged supporters to donate to the super PAC, Priorities USA Action, which backed his campaign. This was seen as cynical by some, as he had previously opposed the existence of super PACs.

Obama's involvement in immigration reform

During his 2008 election campaign, Barack Obama promised comprehensive immigration reform, including a legalization plan for the millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States. However, Obama was unable to deliver on this promise during his first term, as it required an act of Congress. Despite this, Obama won an even larger share of the Latino vote in 2012 than he had in 2008.

Obama's administration maintained and expanded its support from Latino voters by exploiting legal possibilities for executive action through four different initiatives. Firstly, Obama sought to demonstrate his enforcement of immigration law by increasing deportations beyond those of his predecessor, George W. Bush. This was an attempt to build trust with members of Congress. Secondly, the Obama administration focused deportations on undocumented persons who had committed crimes, to show an increase in the moral worthiness of undocumented immigrants eligible for legalization. Thirdly, Obama used executive action to counteract a statutory provision that kept undocumented spouses of US citizens separated while they adjusted to legal status. Finally, and most importantly, the administration created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This allowed undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US as children to receive work permits and be temporarily exempted from deportation.

In 2013, the Senate passed an immigration bill with a path to citizenship, but the House did not vote on the bill. In 2014, Obama announced a new executive order that would have protected another four million illegal immigrants from deportation, but the order was blocked by the Supreme Court. Despite these executive actions to protect some individuals, deportations of illegal immigrants continued under Obama. A record high of 400,000 deportations occurred in 2012, though this number fell during Obama's second term.

Obama supported legislation to fix the broken immigration system, which garnered broad bipartisan support among the public and in the Senate. He gave House Republicans over a year to act on the Senate bill or create their own version of the legislation. Unfortunately, they refused to give the Senate bill an up-or-down vote. This led to Obama taking action through his immigration accountability executive actions. These actions included cracking down on illegal immigration at the border, deporting felons instead of families, and holding undocumented immigrants accountable by requiring them to pass criminal background checks and pay taxes.

Obama's stance on gun control

Barack Obama's stance on gun control was a significant point of discussion during his presidency, especially in the wake of mass shootings such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. While Obama was often portrayed as the ""most anti-gun president in American history" by critics, his record on gun control is considered fairly weak, with only two gun laws passing through Congress during his two terms. Interestingly, these laws actually expanded gun owners' rights rather than restricting them. Here is an overview of Obama's stance on gun control:

• Obama expressed support for the Second Amendment and the tradition of gun ownership in the US. He acknowledged that hunting and shooting are part of the country's national heritage.
• Obama emphasised that his administration had not curtailed the rights of gun owners but expanded them, such as allowing guns in national parks and as checked baggage on Amtrak.
• Obama's proposals for gun control included mandatory criminal background checks for gun buyers, a ban on assault weapons, and high-capacity magazines.
• In 2016, Obama took executive actions on gun violence, including directing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to clarify that anyone "engaged in the business" of selling firearms must obtain a license and conduct background checks, regardless of the sales platform.
• Obama's administration also took steps to improve mental health services and increase staff for efficient background checks.
• Obama's attempts to limit gun magazine sizes, expand background checks, and ban gun sales to individuals on terrorism watch lists did not pass through Congress.
• The National Rifle Association (NRA) strongly opposed Obama's stance on gun control and accused him of hiding his true intentions to restrict gun rights.
• Despite the criticism, Obama maintained that his proposals respected the Second Amendment and would not take away citizens' guns.

Obama's relationship with the media

Barack Obama's relationship with the media was a complex and evolving aspect of his presidency. On one hand, Obama recognised the importance of engaging with the media to communicate his agenda and connect with the public. On the other hand, he also faced challenges and controversies in his dealings with the press, including accusations of a lack of transparency and concerns about the treatment of whistleblowers.

During his presidency, Obama utilised the media to promote his policies and connect with the American people. He gave speeches, held press conferences, and granted interviews to major news outlets. Obama's administration also made use of new media platforms, such as social media, to reach a wider audience, particularly younger voters. Additionally, Obama's team was known for its effective use of online tools and grassroots organising, which played a significant role in his electoral victories.

However, Obama's relationship with the media was not without its challenges. Some journalists and media organisations accused his administration of being less transparent than promised. There were concerns about the aggressive pursuit of whistleblowers, with his administration taking a harder line on leaks than previous governments. This led to criticism from press freedom advocates and raised questions about the balance between national security and transparency.

In terms of specific incidents, one notable example was the controversy surrounding the 2012 attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The Obama administration's handling of the situation and the subsequent investigation drew intense media scrutiny and criticism. Additionally, there were reports of tensions between the Obama administration and certain news outlets, with some journalists claiming that the White House limited their access or was less forthcoming with information.

Overall, Obama's relationship with the media had its highs and lows. While he successfully utilised media platforms to promote his agenda and connect with voters, there were also concerns about transparency and the treatment of whistleblowers. The complex dynamics between the Obama administration and the press reflect the evolving nature of media and political communication in the 21st century.

Obama's legacy

Barack Obama's legacy is a complex and multifaceted one. Serving as the 44th president of the United States, the first African-American president, and the first multiracial president, Obama's tenure was marked by significant achievements and challenges.

One of Obama's notable accomplishments was his focus on healthcare reform, resulting in the signing of the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as "Obamacare." This landmark legislation aimed to expand access to healthcare and protect patients' rights. Obama also worked to reduce nuclear weapons through the United States–Russia New START treaty and end military involvement in the Iraq War. He received widespread praise for ordering Operation Neptune Spear, which led to the death of Osama bin Laden, responsible for the September 11 attacks.

On the domestic front, Obama promoted inclusion and equality, particularly for LGBT Americans. His administration urged the Supreme Court to strike down same-sex marriage bans, and same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide in 2015. Obama also advocated for gun control measures and addressed global warming and immigration reform.

However, Obama's presidency also faced criticism and controversies. He was accused of expanding the use of drone strikes, resulting in civilian casualties, and his response to the opioid crisis was deemed slow and inadequate. Additionally, Obama's efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp were unsuccessful, and he faced challenges in bridging the partisan divide, leaving office with his party in a weakened state.

Overall, Obama's legacy is characterized by his groundbreaking role as the first African-American president, his significant legislative achievements, and his commitment to progressive values. His impact on American politics and society will continue to be assessed and debated in the years to come.

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