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Former President Barack Obama. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is experiencingrecord-low fundraising. In May 2017, it raised the lowest amount since 2003, and April 2017 was its worst month since 2009. Instead of donating to the DNC, donors have been pouring millions into the Obama Foundation.

On July 14, the Obama Foundation released alist of donations categorized by the amount given. The list donors who gave at least $1 million include Silicon Valley billionaire John Doerr, Microsoft, LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman, Rahm Emanuels go-to guyMichael Sacks, the Exelon Corporation, AT&T and Nasdaq Director Glenn Hutchins foundation and theNew York Community Trust.

Hoffman and Mark Pincus, who donated over $250,000 to the Obama Foundation, recentlylaunchedWTF, a political organization that aspires to get people to vote online for policies, slogans and ads to turn into billboards around Washington, D.C. John Doerr also serves on the Obama Foundations Board of Directors, and in 2015 a sexual discrimination lawsuitfiledagainst him incited a national discussion on the rampant sexism and gender inequality in Silicon Valley. Robert Wolf, an Obama Foundation board member and former president of UBS,donatedover $250,000 to the Obama Foundation.Jonathan Lavine, co-managing partner of Mitt Romneys venture capital group Bain Capital, donated at least $750,000.

A spokesperson for theObamaFoundationtoldthe Chicago Sun-Times on July 14 that the organizations restrictions on donations would no longer be imposed now thatObamais out of office, freeing him from having to convey the image that he isnt cozy with corporate and Wall Street elites.

The Obama Foundations goal of securing and broadening Obamas legacy resembles theClinton Foundations. The Hillreportedthat the foundation is building a $500 million library. The foundation is runby Martin Nesbitt and Obamas former White House Political Director David Simas.

Obamasclose relationships with Wall Street bankers and Silicon Valley billionaires entrenched corporate power as a guiding principle in theDemocratic Party. Now that he is out of office, his courtship of the worldswealthiestpeople shows his worldview and true intentions. Though he was elected in part to rein in the corruption and greed that led to the 2008 economic recession, he now delivers highly paid speeches at Wall Street institutions. Additionally, while Wall Street received billions in bailouts during his administration, recovery never came for most Americans. The interests of billionaires and wealthy elites oppose those of the working and middle class, and its obvious who Obama sides with.

TheDemocratic Party nostalgically yearns forObama, but their obsessions blinds them to the political crises that his presidency either ignored or worsened. Under his leadership, the Democratic Partydevolved and lost thousands of elected offices around the country.Democratsrisk irrelevancy if they dont transcend this corporatist worldview and enact solutions to the problems that resulted in Donald Trumps presidency.

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Obama Rakes in Donors as Democrats Free Fall Into Irrelevance - Observer

When President Trump met earlier this month with Russian President Vladimir Putin, their exchange about Moscows interference in the 2016 presidential election was all anyone seemed to care about. Trumps efforts to present an agreement between the two countries on a cease-fire in Syria as a major achievement were largely ignored by a media determined to focus exclusively on allegations of collusion between the Republicans and Russia.

But it turns out his critics were wrong to dismiss the Syrian pact as a distraction. Its now clear that in his eagerness for a deal, the president fell into virtually the same trap his predecessor did when he signed the Iran nuclear deal.

The real surprise here is that the biggest critic of the Syrian pact is one of the presidents staunchest friends: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He spoke out once he discovered that Trump hadnt taken into account Israels concerns about Iran being the real beneficiary of the agreement.

Like it or not, the Russian and Iranian forces fighting on behalf of the barbarous Bashar al-Assad regime appear to have prevailed. Yet Russia and Iran arent content with just keeping their client in power. They want Western recognition not just of Assads victory but also of their occupation of Syrian territory.

US acquiescence to the Russian presence in Syria is the first step toward the realization of Putins dream of reassembling the old Soviet empire. Once President Barack Obama punted enforcement of his red line about Assads use of chemical weapons to the Russians, there was probably no way to roll back Putins ambitions.

But what Trump has done now by trying to pull a foreign-policy victory out of his meeting with Putin is arguably almost as bad as Obamas feckless Syrian retreat. The cease-fire terms would ensure that Iran and its Hezbollah auxiliaries get a free hand in southern Syria and that the Iranian presence will become permanent.

Israel has kept a close watch on Hezbollahs activities in Syria and launched strikes to prevent Iran from using the civil war as cover to transfer heavy arms to its Lebanese allies or allowing the group to establish bases close to its border. Yet if Trumps cease-fire lets Iran put military facilities adjacent to Israel something Jerusalem has said it cant tolerate that increases the chances of conflict with an Islamist regime that is dedicated to Israels destruction.

Just as troubling is that this will enable Tehran to achieve its dream of a land bridge from Iran to the Mediterranean. Just as Obamas bugout from Iraq allowed Iran to become the dominant power in that nation, the Trump seal of approval on Assads victory could give it the same power in Syria and enable it to link up with a Lebanon dominated by its terrorist errand boys.

Thats the same nightmare of Iranian regional hegemony that scared Arab nations as much as it did the Israelis about the nuclear deal.

Unlike Obama, Trump isnt laboring under the delusion that Irans leaders are moderates. He understands the Iranians are a threat to both the United States and its allies. The problem is that he still refuses to accept that he must choose between his good relations with Russia and getting tough with Iran.

Trump spent the 2016 campaign talking up cooperation with Russia against ISIS and denouncing Obamas nuclear deal with Iran. But events in Syria have proved him wrong. Russia and Iran are interested in Syria for reasons that have nothing to do with fighting ISIS. Indeed, the survival of their man Assad ensures that the terrorist group will continue to retain Sunni support since it is seen as the only local force resisting the regime.

Rather than ignore Israels warnings, the president must wake up and realize that acting as if he can tilt toward Russia while also resisting Iran means that Trump is, in effect, making his own awful Iran deal with implications that could be almost as deadly in the long run as Obamas folly. Jonathan S. Tobin is opinion editor of JNS.org and a contributor to National Review.

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Trump is falling into the same trap as Obama on Iran - New York Post

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Jul 17th 2017 4:04PM

We've all heard the way former POTUS Barack Obama talks about his wife Michelle. Ever since the Obamas came into the political spotlight, we were given #relationshipgoals on a silver platter. We've seen first hand the amount of love that goes into the Obama family -- Michelle and Barack have openly (and proudly) showed their affection and appreciation for each other -- not just through hand holding and slow dancing, but through words.

Most recently, in his farewell address, Obama brought the room to tears when he thanked Michelle for her support over the past 8 years.

And of course, while they both talk so sweetly about their daughters as well, there's nothing quite like the Obama love story.

6 PHOTOS

Couple channels the Obamas for engagement photos

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Capturing their big day in December! Make up by @jaynaart

#swipeleft Because we miss them so much.... Our couple Cassi & Adam were channeling Michelle and Barack Obama in this engagement shoot. It was great to team up with @covesakellyevents and bring her vision to life. Make up by @jaynaart Enjoy! #obamas #barack #michelle #engagementshoot #engagement #weddings #blackbride1998 #munaluchibride #weddingsonpoint #engagedtodetails

Couples should always take engagement photos. You can use them for so many things! Cassi + Adam

This just happened! When @covesakellyevents texted me this morning I was like . Lol Thanks @essence!

I said let's grab the 's and shoot!

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So, it makes sense that one young couple opted for an Obama-themed photo shoot to channel and emulate the Obama relationship. Cassi and Adam, from Cleavland, teamed up with photographer Natasha Herbert to replicate some of the most iconic shots of the former first couple -- and the stunning photos have since gone viral.

Instagram/Natasha Herbert

They even included their own versions of Bo and Sunny -- take a look in the slideshow above!

Related: More iconic photos of President Obama

43 PHOTOS

44 iconic photos of Barack Obama's presidency

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Barack Obama takes a moment to reflect before walking on stage to take the oath of office.

Photo Credit: The White House

Barack Obama and the First Lady share a tender moment during the Inaugural Ball on Jan. 20, 2009.

Photo Credit: The White House

Obama enters the Oval Office on the first day of his presidency.

Photo Credit: The White House

President Obama reads a letter left in his desk by George W. Bush, a White House tradition welcoming the new President.

Photo Credit: The White House

Obama tours the grounds of his new home for the next 8 years.

Photo Credit: The White House

Barack Obama meets with senior advisors in his third week as president.

Photo Credit: The White House

President Obama settles in for his first flight aboard Air Force One.

Photo Credit: The White House

The 44thPresident of the United States gives his first State of the Union address on February 24, 2009.

Photo Credit: The White House

Mr. & Mrs. Obama walk hand in hand towards the helicopter that will take them on their first trip to Camp David.

Photo Credit: The White House

Michelle Obama shakes hands with Queen Elizabeth at the Buckingham palace during their trip for the G20 summit.

Photo Credit: The White House

POTUS shows some love for his troops while visiting Camp Victory in Iraq on April 7, 2009.

Photo Credit: The White House

The Obamas share a laugh while eating a snack after an event.

Photo Credit: The White House

Obama and Biden take in some fresh air with some golf on the White House green.

Photo Credit: The White House

President Obama explores the Pyramids of Giza during a trip to Egypt on June 4, 2009.

Photo Credit: The White House

POTUS walks through his first G8 Summit in Italy.

Photo Credit: The White House

Barack Obama takes in the beauty of the Grand Canyon.

Photo Credit: The White House

President Obama enjoys himself during an interview with David Letterman on Sept 21, 2009.

Photo Credit: The White House

The Obama's welcome children to enjoyHalloween fun at the White House.

Photo Credit: The White House

President Obama and the First Lady take their first portrait in front of the official White House Christmas tree.

Obama sits in his personalized chair during a meeting.

Photo Credit: The White House

The Obama's bust a move during the Governors' Ball.

Photo Credit: The White House

Obama takes a moment to catch up on some important documents while on the go.

Photo credit: The White House

The President takes calls at all hours leading up to the vote on healthcare reform.

Photo credit: The White House

Obama and Biden applaud the passing of the Affordable Care Act.

Photo Credit: The White House

White House Photographer Pete Souza had this to say about capturing this photo: "The sun was setting as the Presidential motorcade arrived back at Miami International Airport. I ran to get in front of Air Force One so I could use the beautiful sky as the background when the President boarded the plane."

Photo Credit: The White House

The Obamas lip-sync to a group of acappella singers during a holiday visit.

Photo Credit: The White House

A rare moment in the Situation Room of the White House.

Photo Credit: The White House

The President greets soldiers after a surprise all night flight to Afghanistan.

Photo Credit: The White House

The Obama family admires Rio's infamous Christ the Redeemer statue while In Brazil on March 20, 2011.

Photo Credit: The White House

Barack Obama approaches the Marine One helicopter.

Photo Credit: The White House

President Obama watches the screen like a hawk during the real time mission to capture Osama bin Laden.

Photo Credit: The White House

The White House photographer Pete Souza writes"The President was ready to announce the news about the mission against Osama bin Laden and was putting the finishing touches on his statement in the Outer Oval Office. As he did so, the networks broke in with bulletins confirming that bin Laden had been killed and a photograph of him appeared on the television screen in the background near the Vice President and Press Secretary Jay Carney."

Photo Credit: The White House

Souza says "One of the most memorable moments of the year was when the President hugged Rep. Gabrielle Giffords as he walked onto the floor of the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol to deliver his annual State of the Union address."

Photo Credit: The White House

Pete Souza reveals an interesting fact about this photo: "The President hugs the First Lady after she had introduced him at a campaign event in Davenport, Iowa. The campaign tweeted a similar photo from the campaign photographer on election night and a lot of people thought it was taken on election day."

Photo Credit: The White House

Basketball fans cheer for the Obamas as they kiss for the kiss cam.

Photo Credit: The White House

President Obama serenades Michelle on her birthday.

Photo Credit: Pete Souza

President Obama sits for a 3D portrait at the Smithsonian.

Photo Credit: The White House

President Obama takes a detour after the NATO summit to visit Stonehenge.

Photo Credit: The White House

Barack Obama can't keep a straight face while recording a Holiday video at the White House.

Photo Credit: The White House

Mr. President speaks at the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Selma to Montgomery civil-rights marches.

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Couple proves love is real with Obama-themed engagement shoot - AOL

A group of congressional Republicans is calling on Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson to undo the housing discrimination rule advanced under former President Barack Obama, saying the regulation will punish communities that are not as diverse as the Obama administration would have wished.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee joined with 12 other senators and seven representatives late Friday to ask Carson to rescind the rule, known as "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing."

"We stand with you in opposing any and all instances of discrimination, but this rule does not actually help in that effort," the senators wrote, warning that the rule would increase federal involvement in local zoning decisions.

A spokesman for Carson said Monday that he had received the letter and would review it but offered no comment.

Before taking office, Carson criticized the rule, finalized in 2015, as an "attempt to legislate racial equality" that was doomed to fail, raising expectations that he would seek to reverse it.

But he hasn't addressed the regulation since becoming head of the agency responsible for it.

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing was the Obama administration's attempt to implement a part of the 1968 Fair Housing Act requiring agencies to ensure that housing aid reduced discrimination.

In their letter, the Republican lawmakers raised the fear that federal funds contingent on HUD approval, including Community Development Block Grants, could be withheld from communities that decline to accept the strings attached to the funds by the rule.

Separately, the Trump administration has called for ending Community Development Block Grant funding altogether, saying the grants have failed to provide benefits.

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Mike Lee, GOP call on Ben Carson to undo Obama housing discrimination rule - Washington Examiner

President Trump began to sour on Chris Christie during the presidential campaign after the New Jersey governor arranged for then-President Obama to call Christie's phone on election night to congratulate Trump, according to an excerpt of a new book.

Trump, a self-professed germaphobe, was repulsed at the idea of using Christie's phone to take Obama's call, the Daily Mail reported Monday after obtaining a preview of the book "Devil's Bargain," by Bloomberg Businessweek reporter Joshua Green, due out Tuesday.

"Hey, Chris, you know my fucking phone number," Trump told Christie, according to the book. "Just give it to the president. I don't want your fucking phone."

In November, Trump fired Christie as leader of his transition team, replacing the New Jersey governor with then Vice President-elect Mike Pence.

Christie did not receive a formal role in the administration, after a campaign in which he was a leading Trump surrogate and had been considered as running mate, though he is running the president's opioids task force.

A spokesman for Christie denied the account of the phone interaction with Trump, in a statement to The Daily Beast Monday.

"The account in the book is complete fiction," Christie's spokesman Brian Murray said. "Governor Christie never spoke to President Obama on election night nor did he make any arrangements for any phone call from The White House to be placed on his cell phone for the President-elect. Finally, he had no conversation on election night as was relayed in this book with the President-elect. The author should be ashamed of himself in passing off this account as true it is fiction."

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Trump dumped Chris Christie over Obama phone call dispute and germs: Report - Washington Examiner