CHAPTER FIVE
A Shrewd 12-Year Political Ascent
Obama learned how to play hardball, build coalitions, find mentors, seize opportunities. In '07, he starts his run for the presidency.
- Related Interviews
Tom Daschle
In 2006, the former Senate majority leader advised the new senator not to miss the window of opportunity in 2008 to make a run for the presidency.
Pete Rouse
Rouse became Obama's chief of staff in 2005. Rouse's congressional power has led to him being called "the 101st senator."
David Mendell
Mendell covered Obama's early career as a political reporter for the Chicago Tribune. He is the author of the 2007 biography Obama: From Promise to Power.
David Axelrod
A Chicago political consultant and a former journalist, Axelrod is Obama's chief campaign strategist.
RELATED CONTENT FOR CHAPTER FIVE
Making the Decision to Run for President
Full Text of Sen. Obama's Announcement for President
Watch/read the speech.
Watch/read the speech.
His Core Beliefs & Agenda
A roundup of view from people interviewed for this FRONTLINE report.
A roundup of view from people interviewed for this FRONTLINE report.
Obama's Narrator
A profile of David Axelrod, Obama's chief campaign strategist. (The New York Times, April 1, 2007)
A profile of David Axelrod, Obama's chief campaign strategist. (The New York Times, April 1, 2007)
Putting Down Roots in Chicago
Political Skills & Insight
A roundup of views from people interviewed for this FRONTLINE report.
A roundup of views from people interviewed for this FRONTLINE report.
Making It
"His life in Chicago from 1991 until his victorious Senate campaign is a lacuna in his autobiography. It is also the period that formed him as a politician." (The New Yorker, July 21, 2008)
"His life in Chicago from 1991 until his victorious Senate campaign is a lacuna in his autobiography. It is also the period that formed him as a politician." (The New Yorker, July 21, 2008)
In Illinois, Obama Proved Pragmatic and Shrewd
"He turned out to be practical and shrewd, a politician capable of playing hardball to win election …, a strategist willing to compromise to accomplish things." (The New York Times, July 30, 2007)
"He turned out to be practical and shrewd, a politician capable of playing hardball to win election …, a strategist willing to compromise to accomplish things." (The New York Times, July 30, 2007)
The Candidate
"How the son of a Kenyan economist became an Illinois Everyman." (The New Yorker, May 31, 2004)
"How the son of a Kenyan economist became an Illinois Everyman." (The New Yorker, May 31, 2004)
In 2000, a Streetwise Veteran Schooled a Bold Young Obama
"The rise of Barack Obama includes one glaring episode of political miscalculation. Even friends told Mr. Obama it was a bad idea when he decided in 1999 to challenge an incumbent congressman and former Black Panther, Bobby L. Rush." (The New York Times, Sept. 9, 2007)
"The rise of Barack Obama includes one glaring episode of political miscalculation. Even friends told Mr. Obama it was a bad idea when he decided in 1999 to challenge an incumbent congressman and former Black Panther, Bobby L. Rush." (The New York Times, Sept. 9, 2007)
Is Bobby Rush in Trouble?
In-depth coverage of Obama's 2000 congressional race against Bobby Rush. (Chicago Reader, March 17, 2000)
In-depth coverage of Obama's 2000 congressional race against Bobby Rush. (Chicago Reader, March 17, 2000)
Is Obama the End of Black Politics?
The meaning and ramifications of why "a lot of the old activists stood in the path of an African American's advancement rather than blazing it." (The New York Times, Aug. 6, 2008)
The meaning and ramifications of why "a lot of the old activists stood in the path of an African American's advancement rather than blazing it." (The New York Times, Aug. 6, 2008)
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