History UsefulNotes / BarackObama

--->'''Chris Rock:''' ''Barack Obama''. That sounds like a guy waving a spear! You expect to see the bass player of Music/TheCommodores with a name like that!

--->'''Chris Rock:''' ''Barack Obama''. That sounds like a guy waving a spear!

Comedians, satirists and impressionists often struggled to find a consistent angle in portraying Obama, as his carefully guarded communication style robbed them of the usual gaffes that could define a president in the popular mind (Obama certainly had a few such errors, but they were complicated and didn't make for easy comedic fodder). Website/TheOnion largely focused on Obama's controversial drone warfare attacks and the disconnect between them and his more idealistic rhetoric. ''Series/KeyAndPeele'' arguably struck the most resonant chord with their portrayal of Obama and his [[AngryBlackMan "anger translator"]] Luther, whose job it was to take the President's carefully worded language and express it in the angry terms Obama couldn't. This was related to a broader sense (and criticism) of Obama as TheSpock: intensely rational, but unable or unwilling to channel the country's rage over, say, the economic devastation of The Great Recession. Obama contrasted his Spocklike rigidity though by simultaneously cultivating an image as something of a father figure for the United States, combining an air for rigid professionalism with a visible fondness for the United States and hope for it to continue improving, encouraging American youth in particular with spurring on change.

In terms of his actual presidency, public opinion on Obama today is generally mixed, but mostly skews positive outside of the American far-right. Criticism of Obama generally focuses on his inaction towards and silence on immigration reform and his tepid handling of the conflict in the Middle East, failing to truly resolve it and taking actions that some argue exacerbated it (namely the aforementioned drone strikes); his controversially distant handling of the rise of ISIS during his second term is an especially big point of focus in terms of his shortcomings. That said, most agree that he came at a time when an upbeat president like himself was most needed, with his optimistic campaign messages and fatherly demeanor being considered highly beneficial in maintaining American morale in the face of the Great Recession. His push for domestic social and economic reform also garnered favor among the American left (even if his Affordable Care Act was simply repurposing a failed bill by UsefulNotes/RichardNixon), and his combination of an articulately dignified demeanor and lighthearted sense of dry humor led many to regard him as an excellent public relations figure as well. Furthermore, despite the mixed response to his handling of the conflict in the Middle East, the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011 under his command was generally regarded as a great moment of catharsis for America, nearly ten years after the September 11 attacks that had so thoroughly shaken the world at the start of Bush's term.

However, in terms of portrayals of Obama and his public image, the biggest outlet for both has been the internet. With his presidency encompassing the internet's evolution from a niche utility to a mainstream commodity, Obama's legacy is by and large an online one. His presidency is largely remembered through its constant status as a source for MemeticMutation, aided by both his [[InherentlyFunnyWord inherently amusing-sounding name]], his BlackAndNerdy hobbies and interests (which became known around the time when geek culture went mainstream), his online-friendliness, and his skilled invocations of TheComicallySerious. Memes about Obama are still popping up here and there to this day (most of which are generally benign), and he's regarded as the most meme-friendly president in US history.

Comedians, satirists and impressionists often struggled to find a consistent angle in portraying Obama, as his carefully guarded communication style robbed them of the usual gaffes that could define a president in the popular mind (Obama certainly had a few such errors, but they were complicated and didn't make for easy comedic fodder). Website/TheOnion largely focused on Obama's controversial drone warfare attacks and the disconnect between them and his more idealistic rhetoric. ''Series/KeyAndPeele'' arguably struck the most resonant chord with their portrayal of Obama and his [[AngryBlackMan "anger translator"]] Luther, whose job it was to take the President's carefully worded language and express it in the angry terms Obama couldn't. This was related to a broader sense (and criticism) of Obama as TheSpock: intensely rational, but unable or unwilling to channel the country's rage over, say, the economic devastation of The Great Recession. Obama also cultivated an image as something of a father figure for the United States, combining an air for rigid professionalism with a visible fondness for the United States and hope for it to continue improving, encouraging American youth in particular with spurring on change.

In terms of his actual presidency, public opinion on Obama today is generally mixed, but skews positive outside of the American far-right, though he is sometimes criticized for his inaction on immigration reform and failure to truly resolve the conflict in the Middle East, including actions that many argued only served to exacerbate it (namely the aforementioned drone strikes). That said, most agree that he came at a time when an upbeat president like himself was most needed, and his optimistic campaign messages and fatherly demeanor were beneficial in maintaining American morale in the face of the Great Recession.

He's relatively young ([[OlderThanTheyLook 47 on taking office]]), to date he is the only President born after 1946, and is in a [[HappilyMarried visibly loving relationship]] with his wife Michelle, and is often seen publicly with his daughters Malia and Sasha in non-political contexts. He is also the first American president to be mixed-race (the son of a White mother and a Black father), and is cited as proof that the UsefulNotes/CivilRightsMovement has paid off. His mixed-race status led to a UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheory that Obama was not an American citizen, and although the theory was thought disproved when Obama released his birth certificate, it has regained traction, albeit much less media coverage and well after the end of his presidency, with “evidence” that the certificate had been forged. Though it should be noted that most legal scholars believe that it doesn’t matter where the person is born, only that he or she is an American citizen by birth and not a citizen by naturalisation. Had he actually been born in Kenya, he would have been an American citizen by birth regardless because his mother was an American citizen. Neither John [=McCain=] nor Ted Cruz was born in the United States but both were able to run for President because they were children of American citizens who just happened to be born in another country.

Comedians, satirists and impressionists often struggled to find a consistent angle in portraying Obama, as his carefully guarded communication style robbed them of the usual gaffes that could define a president in the popular mind (Obama certainly had a few such errors, but they were complicated and didn't make for easy comedic fodder). Website/TheOnion largely focused on Obama's controversial drone warfare attacks and the disconnect between them and his more idealistic rhetoric. ''Series/KeyAndPeele'' arguably struck the most resonant chord with their portrayal of Obama and his "anger translator" Luther, whose job it was to take the President's carefully worded language and express it in the angry terms Obama couldn't. This was related to a broader sense (and criticism) of Obama as TheSpock - intensely rational, but unable or unwilling to channel the country's rage over, say, the economic devastation of The Great Recession.

'''Barack Hussein Obama II''' (born August 4, 1961) served as the 44th President of the United States of America [[TheNewTens from 2009 to 2017]], succeeding UsefulNotes/GeorgeWBush and preceeding UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump. Born in Honolulu to a white American mother and a Kenyan father, he spent his childhood in Indonesia and Hawaii before attending Harvard Law School and eventually settling in Chicago, where he worked as a community organizer and a college professor before being elected to the state Senate in 1996, and from there to the U.S. Senate in 2004.

* The film ''Film/Barry'' depicts his time as a student at Columbia University, trying to discover his own identity and come to terms with issues of race, class and life goals during a transitional period in his life.

He's relatively young ([[OlderThanTheyLook 47 on taking office]])[[note]]to date he is the only President born after 1946, and is in a [[HappilyMarried visibly loving relationship]] with his wife Michelle, and is often seen publicly with his daughters Malia and Sasha in non-political contexts. He is also the first American president to be mixed-race (the son of a White mother and a Black father), and is cited as proof that the UsefulNotes/CivilRightsMovement has paid off. His mixed-race status led to a UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheory that Obama was not an American citizen, and although the theory was thought disproved when Obama released his birth certificate, it has regained traction, albeit much less media coverage and well after the end of his presidency, with “evidence” that the certificate had been forged. Though it should be noted that most legal scholars believe that it doesn’t matter where the person is born, only that he or she is an American citizen by birth and not a citizen by naturalisation. Had he actually been born in Kenya, he would have been an American citizen by birth regardless because his mother was an American citizen. Neither John [=McCain=] nor Ted Cruz was born in the United States but both were able to run for President because they were children of American citizens who just happened to be born in another country.

He's relatively young ([[OlderThanTheyLook 47 on taking office]])[[note]]to date he is the only President born after 1946, a state of affairs which won't change until ''at least'' 2024[[/note]], in a [[HappilyMarried visibly loving relationship]] with his wife Michelle, and is often seen publicly with his daughters Malia and Sasha in non-political contexts. He is also the first American president to be mixed-race (the son of a White mother and a Black father), and is cited as proof that the UsefulNotes/CivilRightsMovement has paid off. His mixed-race status led to a UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheory that Obama was not an American citizen, and although the theory was thought disproved when Obama released his birth certificate, it has regained traction, albeit much less media coverage and well after the end of his presidency, with “evidence” that the certificate had been forged. Though it should be noted that most legal scholars believe that it doesn’t matter where the person is born, only that he or she is an American citizen by birth and not a citizen by naturalisation. Had he actually been born in Kenya, he would have been an American citizen by birth regardless because his mother was an American citizen. Neither John [=McCain=] nor Ted Cruz was born in the United States but both were able to run for President because they were children of American citizens who just happened to be born in another country.

He's relatively young ([[OlderThanTheyLook 47 on taking office]]), in a [[HappilyMarried visibly loving relationship]] with his wife Michelle, and is often seen publicly with his daughters Malia and Sasha in non-political contexts. He is also the first American president to be mixed-race (the son of a White mother and a Black father), and is cited as proof that the UsefulNotes/CivilRightsMovement has paid off. His mixed-race status led to a UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheory that Obama was not an American citizen, and although the theory was thought disproved when Obama released his birth certificate, it has regained traction, albeit much less media coverage and well after the end of his presidency, with “evidence” that the certificate had been forged. Though it should be noted that most legal scholars believe that it doesn’t matter where the person is born, only that he or she is an American citizen by birth and not a citizen by naturalisation. Had he actually been born in Kenya, he would have been an American citizen by birth regardless because his mother was an American citizen. Neither John [=McCain=] nor Ted Cruz was born in the United States but both were able to run for President because they were children of American citizens who just happened to be born in another country.

* OutgrowingTheChildishNickname: Growing up he'd been known by the nickname "Barry" (as had his father, Barack Sr.), but in college he decided he preferred to be addressed by his given name.

* OutgrowningTheChildishNickname: Growing up he'd been known by the nickname "Barry" (as had his father, Barack Sr.), but in college he decided he preferred to be addressed by his given name.

* AngryBlackMan: {{Averted|Trope}}. Obama normally projects an unflappably calm demeanor and is often nicknamed "No-Drama Obama" by insiders. No matter how incendiary the situation, Obama has never been seen to yell angrily at people, and at worst simply raises his voice and speaks forcibly like a stern father. [[http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/06/rage_why_obama_wont_and_cant_g.html Some believe this is due to social training of many black professionals, who constantly keep their emotions in check to avoid being seen as volatile.]]
** PlayedForLaughs at the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkAK9QRe4ds 2015 White House Correspondent's Dinner]], where he teamed up with Creator/KeeganMichaelKey to do an "[[Series/KeyAndPeele Obama's Anger Translator]]" sketch [[AscendedMeme featuring the genuine article]].
---> '''[[AngryBlackMan Luther]] (Key):''' WithAllDueRespect man: You don't need an anger translator; [[HypocriticalHumor you need counselling]]!

* DoNotCallMePaul: Inverted. Growing up he'd been known by the nickname "Barry" (as had his father, Barack Sr.), but in college he decided he preferred to be addressed by his given name.

* HappilyMarried: Barack and Michelle, sometimes bordering on SickeninglySweethearts.
* HenpeckedHusband: On occasion, such as when she [[GoodSmokingEvilSmoking catches him smoking]] or [[CuttingTheElectronicLeash on his Blackberry when he shouldn't be]].

* OurPresidentsAreDifferent: President Minority, obviously. Could also probably join up with [[Series/TheWestWing Jed Bartlet]] to form the new category of [[JustForFun/OneOfUs President Geek]].

->''"Yes We Can"''.

* Numerous advertisements use lookalikes, sound-alikes, silhouettes, and other NoCelebritiesWereHarmed versions of Obama. Some, usually pushing some sort of financial service, often featured clips of Obama shortly after the election discussing the economic crisis. Others just begin the ad with a gratuitous name drop ("Barack Obama is repairing the economy..."), to the point of becoming an EarWorm. Interestingly, other countries are even more likely to include fake Obamas in their ads than the US. One famous campaign in Spain is for a free weekends cellphone plan called "Yes Weekend." It features an Obama lookalike chanting "[[MemeticMutation YES, WE KEND! YES, WE KEND!]]"

%%* InsistentTerminology: It's ISIL, not ISIS.

%%* SaltAndPepper: Obama and his number two, Vice President Joe Biden.
* ScrewTheRulesIMakeThem: This is the general mentality the Republicans seem to have about President Obama. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) even went so far as to declare that if the GOP sent any bill to President Obama's desk no matter how unpopular it was, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tttH1dJQ--0 he'll sign this puppy]]". Obama himself made use of this in 2014: faced with strong Republican opposition to legislation he wanted, he threatened to simply use Executive Orders to accomplish his goals.

* TemptingFate: See the second example of InsultBackfire.

'''Barack Hussein Obama II''' (August 4, 1961- ) served as the 44th President of the United States of America [[TheNewTens from 2009 to 2017]], succeeding UsefulNotes/GeorgeWBush and preceeding UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump. Born in Honolulu to a white American mother and a Kenyan father, he spent his childhood in Indonesia and Hawaii before attending Harvard Law School and eventually settling in Chicago, where he worked as a community organizer and a college professor before being elected to the state Senate in 1996, and from there to the U.S. Senate in 2004.

* BlessedWithSuck: The myriad of problems Obama received when he assumed the presidency made him once joke that this might be the first time the ''winner'' of an election would have reason to ask for a recount. ''Website/TheOnion'' ran an article after he was elected with the headline [[https://politics.theonion.com/black-man-given-nations-worst-job-1819570341 Black Man Given Nation's Worst Job.]]"

** When Stephen Colbert wondered how Obama could know what Colbert was saying halfway across the world, he asked Obama if his satellites were that good.
--->'''Obama:''' No, but my ears are really that big.

* Japanese game company [=AlCot=] has released a [[VisualNovel eroge]] called ''VisualNovel/MyGirlfriendIsThePresident'', in which due to a freak accident involving aliens and brainwashing, Japan adopts a presidential system similar to that of the US, with Yukino Ohama (the titular girlfriend) as the President of Japan. There's even a long speech ending with Obama's trademark CatchPhrase. Well, sort of...

* What do you get when you cross the 2008 presidential campaign, SteamPunk, and pulp fantasy? ''Blog/BarackObamaVsThePiratesOfWichita'' and its various sequels, where politicians are {{Physical God}}s whose wars for the Oval Throne shake... eh... [[{{Metaphorgotten}} can't think of a way to end this sentence]], so just read it already.

* ''WebVideo/GameGrumps'' had a lengthy joke where Obama was a disgruntled fan who secretly trolls their videos with the [[FandomNod same complaints as other Grump fans]].
-->'''Danny as Obama:''' Just because it makes them laugh it should make ''me'' laugh? [[PrecisionFStrike Fuck 'em]].

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1245178156960.jpg]] [[caption-width-right:300:Totally not [[Series/TwentyFour David Palmer]] at all, but he'll do.]]

* In [[WebVideo/TheSpoonyExperiment the Spoony One's]] review of ''Make My Video'' (from the '90s), there's a wheelchair-bound CorruptCorporateExecutive with an EvilLaugh whom Spoony notes bears a remarkable resemblance to then-Senator Obama, whom he dubs "Evil Barack Obama". He ends the video by popping up again to declare "I'm Evil Barack Obama, and I approve this message. Mwahahaha!"

-->'''Danny!Obama:''' Just because it makes them laugh it should make ''me'' laugh? [[PrecisionFStrike Fuck 'em]].

* ''Anime/{{Gundam 00}}'':

* In ''[[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/323054/obama-sweeps-the-barrier Obama Sweeps: The Barrier]]'', a parody of ''FanFic/TheConversionBureau'', Obama manages to destroy the [[AdvancingWallOfDoom the Barrier]] with the help of [[spoiler:a Smeargle and a Magikarp named "James Tiberious Karp."]]

* A young Obama is portrayed in ''Southside With You'', an film described as a ''Film/BeforeSunrise''-style romance depicting Barack and Michelle Obama's first date.

* In ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow'' Grodd is sent to kill him while he's still in college, noting that "It will almost be an honor." After the Legends foil the plot, he's able to give Sara the perfect advice for the emotional issues she's having despite having no frame of reference for her time travelling. She also advises him to hold onto his birth certificate.

* When discussing a plot point in the video game ''VideoGame/{{HAWX}}'', WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation uses him as the President, when Yahtzee is dissecting the idea of schemers plotting to kill The President. Weird how disconcerting it is to see a general smiling-Obama face with Xs over the eyes, even when the point of the talk is how '''stupid''' that kind of plot would be to any self-respecting greedy evil corporation. He also uses him as a stand-in for Louis in his ''VideoGame/Left4Dead'' review.

* In the ''Literature/NewDealCoalitionRetained'' alternate history timeline, a young Barack is sent to live with his father (who has become President of Kenya) after his mother dies in a car crash. At one point, he serves as an aide to his father's political ally Idi Amin, before eventually being elected to succeed his father as President.

--> '''[[AngryBlackMan Luther]] (Key):''' WithAllDueRespect man: You don't need an anger translator; [[HypocriticalHumor you need counselling]]!

Comedians, satirists and impressionists often struggled to find a consistent angle in portraying Obama, as his carefully guarded communication style robbed them of the usual gaffes that could define a president in the popular mind (Obama certainly had a few such errors, but they were complicated and didn't make for easy comedic fodder). TheOnion largely focused on Obama's controversial drone warfare attacks and the disconnect between them and his more idealistic rhetoric. ''Series/KeyAndPeele'' arguably struck the most resonant chord with their portrayal of Obama and his "anger translator" Luther, whose job it was to take the President's carefully worded language and express it in the angry terms Obama couldn't. This was related to a broader sense (and criticism) of Obama as TheSpock - intensely rational, but unable or unwilling to channel the country's rage over, say, the economic devastation of The Great Recession.

Satirical portrayals of Obama play up his idealism. Leftists attack him for being too nice to Republicans and focused on compromise, often cast as a "Neoliberal"[[note]]Although the term originally referred to [[UsefulNotes/RonaldReagan Reagan]] style deregulation and tax cuts, it has since gained traction on the internet as a pejorative for globalist centrists, usually center-left[[/note]] while right-wingers attack him for having a [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids naive idea]] of how things work in the real world. [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking We also see his ginormous ears.]] The racial dynamic has resulted in Obama being treated oftentimes as TheGenericGuy. Nobody wants to run into the MagicalNegro archetype so they play it safe; if they're feeling particularly sympathetic, they'll treat him as the OnlySaneMan in Washington. If the continued success of satirical shows like ''Series/TheDailyShow'' is any consideration, this actually hasn't been anywhere near as limiting as it sounds.