Studied by 4 people
Obama Presidency
The 2008 Election Candidates
Democrat Barack Obama defeated Republican John McCain
Why did Obama win? (5)
his campaign effectively used the internet
Positive message “Yes we can”
Showed respect to his opponent
R presidents are blamed for Iraq War and Great Recession
McCain selected Sarah Palin as his VP
What was Obama’s weakness?
Obama wasn’t good at working with Congress (he admitted that)
Barack Obama was born in ______ and raised in _________
Hawaii; Indonesia
Obama studied Community Organizing at _________________
Colombia University
Obama earned his law degree at _____________________
Harvard Law School
Obama served as a U.S. Senator for which state?
Illinois
How did President Obama first gain popularity?
He gave a keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention
What war did John McCain serve in?
Vietnam War
How did McCain feel after his years of torture?
Embarrassed for the things he said during torture
How did John McCain acquire the nickname “Maverick?”
He does his own thing politically (occasionally votes D)
What did Donald Trump say about John McCain while running for the candidacy?
“I like people who weren’t captured”
What are the big three American vehicle manufacturing companies?
General Motors
Ford
Chrysler (Fiat)
How do Bush and Obama respond to the auto crisis?
They fund the three major auto companies
What is the name of the oil rig that exploded by the Gulf of Mexico?
British Petroleum’s Deepwater Horizons
What immediate consequences were caused by the Deepwater Horizons spill? (4)
11 people died
29 million gallons of oil lost
billions of dollars in damage
the spill lasts for weeks
What was the Junk Shot?
BP’s unsuccessful attempt at capping the oil spill (resulted in additional pollution)
What long-term costs came from the Deepwater Horizons spill? (3)
wildlife
fishing industry
tourist industry
How did the BP Deepwater Horizons spill contribute to culture wars?
cheap energy vs. environment debate
What was the DREAM Act?
Obama’s executive orders to reform immigration (angered the RR) which provides a pathway to citizenship for some illegal immigrants
What does DREAM stand for?
Development Relief and Education of Alien Minors
What are the qualifications for the DREAM Act? (4)
Under 16 years old
Under 35 when applying
High School Diploma
No felons
What did critics say about the DREAM Act?
it encourages future illegal immigration
What did supporters say about the DREAM Act? (3)
creates jobs
increases military troops
generates more taxes
How did the DREAM Act influence culture wars?
Religious Right vs. other religions brought in by immigrants
Where did the Sandy Hook massacre occur?
Newtown, Connecticut
Who was responsible for the Sandy Hook massacre? What mental illness did he have?
Adam Lanza (Schizophrenia)
How many children died at Sandy Hook Elementary?
20 children
How did the Sandy Hook massacre contribute to culture wars?
gun restrictions vs. parent responsibility
Who was Alex Jones?
Republican who claimed that the Sandy Hook shooting was staged by the government to take away gun rights (his followers threatened the parents of the victims)
What did the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act do?
limits the amount corporations can donate to political campaigns
What SC case was used to lift the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act?
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
Why did the SC side with Citizens United? (2)
Money is included in free speech
Corporations are people too
What exception did the Supreme Court come up with to limit corporations for having too much influence in elections?
Corporations can’t directly give money to politicians
What SC case ruled that states can’t ban gay marriage?
Obergefell v. Hodges
(14th Amendment, Equal Protection Clause)
Kim Davis
Kentucky clerk of court who refuses to sign gay marriage certificates (part of the Religious Right)
Masterpiece Cake Shop
Colorado bakery that refuses to bake wedding cakes for gay couples
What is Obamacare’s formal name?
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
How did the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act influence the culture wars?
contraception vs. abortion vs. socialism
How did Republicans respond to Obamacare?
They sued because they believed that being forced to spend money was unconstitutional (SC ruled otherwise)
How did Obamacare affect employers?
Employers must offer insurance if they have 50+ full-time employees
What are death panels? (according to Sarah Palin)
younger people decide whether older people receive healthcare
What is The Healthcare Marketplace?
online shopping website for healthcare (set up for Obamacare)
How has Obamacare helped the nation?
there are now fewer uninsured people AND healthcare costs have slowed down their increase
Who drafted the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act?
R John McCain & D Russ Feingold
Note 
Flashcard (37)