Modern US History II: Test 4

Obama Presidency

The 2008 Election Candidates

Democrat Barack Obama defeated Republican John McCain

Why did Obama win? (5)

1. his campaign effectively used the internet
2. Positive message “Yes we can”
3. Showed respect to his opponent
4. R presidents are blamed for Iraq War and Great Recession
5. 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?

1. General Motors
2. Ford
3. 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)

1. 11 people died
2. 29 million gallons of oil lost
3. billions of dollars in damage
4. 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)

1. wildlife
2. fishing industry
3. 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)

1. Under 16 years old
2. Under 35 when applying
3. High School Diploma
4. No felons

What did __critics__ say about the DREAM Act?

it encourages future illegal immigration

What did __supporters__ say about the DREAM Act? (3)

1. creates jobs
2. increases military troops
3. 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)

1. Money is included in free speech
2. 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