44 ways to judge the Obama era – CNN International
Those eight years saw the nation grapple with the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression. The country's response to that crisis helped reshape the economy and the makeup of the political system a few times over. And for every day of those eight years, the nation was at war -- on multiple fronts, against multiple groups for multiple purposes.
All of these momentous changes during Obama's presidency had very real effects on people across the country and the globe. And for each of these real-world impacts, there is a number.
The recession cost many people their livelihood. The following years saw many of those same people gain it back. While part of the drop in unemployment came from people leaving the workforce, enough people have jobs now that, statistically speaking, employment has recovered from the darkest days of the economic crisis.
Due in part to a revolution in domestic fossil fuels and massive oil production overseas, oil and gas have been pretty cheap for some of Obama's presidency.
Here's what the situation looks like.
Following years of upward climb and a rally after President-elect Donald Trump's electoral victory, stocks are near record highs.
Here's stock market performance as of January 3, 2017:
Obama's election coincided with Democratic victories across the nation and the strong 2008 showing built on the party's successes in 2006. But as the years went on, the situation virtually reversed itself. Obama will exit office with the Republican Party resurgent on the state and federal levels.
Deaths from opioid-related overdose deaths have been on the rise. More people are dying from overdoses on heroin and prescription pain medicine like oxycodone and fentanyl.
States with legal marijuana or cannabis products have blossomed under Obama. When he took office, recreational marijuana wasn't legal in any state.
The Affordable Care Act set aside funding for states to expand Medicaid -- a government health care program for the poorest Americans. But the process became something of a tussle with state governments and many of their Republican leaders. By the end of Obama's presidency, only the slim majority of states had opted to expand Medicaid.
As the economy recovered and the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, reformed the health care market, more people had health insurance coverage.
Here's the total percentage of people without insurance, according to the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey:
By the end of Obama's presidency, government debt had nearly doubled to about $20 trillion.
Trump said during his campaign that he'd create a special force to deport undocumented immigrants. Although Obama criticized Trump's immigration proposals, he detained and deported millions of men, women and children. Obama's administration deported the people -- 434,015 -- in 2013.
The US has grown more unequal over the past few decades, including the past eight years.
One commonly cited measure is the Gini index. The number ranges from zero to 1, and the higher the Gini index is, the more unequal the distribution of income is.
According to the Census, it was .469 in 2009 and .4817 in 2017.
The bottom half of earners have seen their pre-tax incomes fall while the highest earners have seen a fairly steady rise.
Debate abounds over how and why incomes vary by gender and whether the wage gap can fairly be said to exist. However, men and women, as well as people of different races, all have much different pay.
Following the dips in growth that marked the recession, the economy slowly and steadily rebounded. Many, including Trump, have said observed rates of growth are far too low.
Hate crime incidents in the US neared 6,000 in both 2013 and 2015.
The Obama administration created 11.3 million jobs in eight years, and the economy added jobs for 75 straight months, a record that totals 6 years.
More jobs were created under Obama than under George W. Bush, who only created 2.1 million jobs. However, Obama fell short of Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, who saw 22.9 million and 15.9 million jobs created, respectively, under their presidencies.
The countries he hosted include:
When he was elected in 2008, 28,223,000 people were receiving food stamps.
In 2016, 44,219,000 people received food stamps -- an increase of nearly 16 million people.
Although Obama has vastly reduced the number of troops in Afghanistan during his time in office, he has failed to withdraw all American troops from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.
As of December 2016, there were still 9,800 troops left.
As of January 2017, 45 prisoners remain and 171 have been released under Obama.
Nine of the 171 have been "confirmed" to have returned to terrorist activities, according to a government report.
Obama had pledged to close the controversial center within one year in an executive order he signed shortly after his inauguration in January 2009.
Obama hit the links 333 times since assuming the presidency, according to CBS News' Mark Knoller, the unofficial White House statistician who pledged to track each and every round played by the commander in chief.
While his critics have said this is too many rounds to play, his figure doesn't come close to the amount played by Woodrow Wilson, who is said to have played 1,200 rounds while President.
In 2015, the median was $56,516, which was a 5.2% increase from 2014. This was also the first increase in median income since 2007, before the economic crash.
In December 2016, the index was a high 113.7 -- a stark difference to when fell as low as 25 during the recession, when Obama took office.
The poverty rate in the United States in 2015 was 13.5%. This is down 1.2 percentage points from 14.8% in 2014. In 2015, there were 43.1 million people in poverty, 3.5 million fewer than in 2014.
The birth rate fell to 59.8 births per 1,000 women in 2016 under Obama.
The price of milk decreased under Obama from $3.58/gallon when he took office in January 2009 to $3.28/gallon as of November 2016.
CNN's Kevin Liptak, a White House reporter, has kept a running tally of Obama's acts of clemency -- the president's decisions to pardon or commute criminal sentences.
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44 ways to judge the Obama era - CNN International
- Former Obama campaign advisor says with DEI purges Trump 'might as well just put on the white hood' - Yahoo News - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Obama's $800M Presidential Center Slapped With DEI Lawsuit - Washington Free Beacon - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama's largest donors abandon them amid rumors of turmoil in marriage; one donor says - The Economic Times - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama are reportedly planning their divorce for "another woman": Their fights are heated and full of resentment - Marca... - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Louisville artists quilt headed to the Obama Presidential Center - WAVE 3 - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Subs Lawsuit Says Racial Discrimination Is Behind Blame for Obama Center Problems - Engineering News-Record - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama's biggest supporters abandon them amid rumored marriage turmoil - Daily Mail - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Barack Obama faces a big problem with his dream project; here's what it is - The Economic Times - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- The truth about Barack Obama and Michelle's fake divorce over Jennifer Aniston: How the famous rumor was started - Marca English - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Obama Library: Behind Schedule, Over Budget and Mired in Lawsuits - Newsweek - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Trump touts national unity over air disaster before bashing Biden and Obama - Axios - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Obama's Failure To Close Guantanamo Meant It Was Open for Trump To Use - Reason - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Howard University Professor, Who Was Michelle Obama's Ex-Intern, Died In Plane Crash in D.C. - The Root - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama says my husband amid divorce rumours with Barack Obama. Heres what she remarked - Mint - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Barack Obama vs Donald Trump could be on the cards in four years after proposed change - Irish Star - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Obama's speech after plane crash sums up 'difference' between him and Trump - MSN - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- RFK Jr. Is Starting Where Michelle Obama Left, Now With Republican Support - Newsweek - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- US President Trump attacks Obama, Biden after Washington plane crash, says they 'lowered air safety standa - The Economic Times - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Barack Obama faces another setback amid rumors his marriage with Michelle is on the rocks - Daily Mail - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- Y'all Got Michelle and Barack Obama All Wrong - The Root - February 5th, 2025 [February 5th, 2025]
- The 'Michelle Obama' house in Fayetteville: Cameras long gone but mission remains | Opinion - The Fayetteville Observer - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Michelle Obama shares message from 'Barack and I' as she reflects on inauguration tragedy amid marriage rumors - Daily Mail - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Barack Obama's heartfelt message to families of crash victims is a stark contrast to Trump's conspiracy rant - Irish Star - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Trump blames Obama and Biden for plane crash as it happened - The Times - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- 'Obama backed Al-Qaeda to topple Assad regime...': Tulsi Gabbard's explosive claim at Senate hearing - The Economic Times - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- The truth behind Donald Trump's astounding claims Biden, Obama and DEI are to blame for crash - Daily Mail - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama appear determined to put on a united front in a bid to combat divorce rumors - Daily Mail - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Viral post claims Sasha Obama spotted looking depressed amid divorce rumors of Barack, Michelle - The Times of India - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston's net worth: A look at their financial success - India Today - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Donald Trumps Fiery Attack On Obama & Bidens Diversity Policies After U.S. Chopper-Plane Crash - Hindustan Times - February 1st, 2025 [February 1st, 2025]
- Are Jennifer Aniston and Barack Obama having an affair? Unpacking the resurfacing rumours - Yahoo News UK - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Divorce rumours? A love triangle with Jennifer Aniston? What's really going on with Michelle & Barack Obama - Evening Standard - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Did a Joke by Barack Obama spark Donald Trumps White House bid? Here's a story of the 'Butterfly effect' - The Economic Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and Jennifer Aniston. Heres what we know about the rumors - PennLive - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- This has to be the most bizarre piece of gossip; I barely know Barack Obama, let alone dating him, says Je - The Economic Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Members of The Obama Administration: Where Are They Now? - The Root - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- How did the Jennifer Aniston and Barack Obama affair rumor begin? Here's the breakdown - The Economic Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Barack and Michelle Obama's younger daughter Sasha looks downcast and preoccupied and seen for the first t - The Economic Times - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Obama vs Trump in 2028? Social media users react to Rep introducing proposed change to allow third term i - The Times of India - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Models The Power Of Saying No With Inauguration Skip - Forbes - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- How Barack Obama is Being Plagued by Wild Jennifer Aniston Rumors - Knewz - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Kid Rock Is One Of Many Conservatives Upset About Michelle Obama Refusing To Attend Donald Trump's Inauguration - BuzzFeed - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Jennifer Aniston forced to clarify 'truth' about bizarre Barack Obama affair theory - Irish Star - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Republican introduces measure to allow Trump a third term but not Obama - Salon - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Jennifer Aniston reacts to rumours of her romance with Barack Obama - Gujarat Samachar - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Divorce rumours? A love triangle with Jennifer Aniston? What's really going on with Michelle & Barack Obama - MSN - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Barack And Michelle Obama Face 'Divorce' Rumours: Here's Their Complete Relationship Timeline - Times Now - January 27th, 2025 [January 27th, 2025]
- Why are rumors spreading of Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston dating? - Straight Arrow News - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Are Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston a couple? Social media reacts to the rumours, call it a political earthquake - Hindustan Times - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Obama, Aniston, and the political earthquake: Why their dating rumors are trending - The Economic Times - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama wasn't at the inauguration, but she shared a message on social media - NBC Chicago - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Former Presidents Obama, Clinton and Bush won't be attending Trump's inaugural lunch - NBC News - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Is Barack Obama dating Jennifer Aniston, or is it just gossip? - India Today - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Are Jennifer Aniston and Barack Obama dating? Heres what we know - PennLive - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Why is Michelle Obama not attending the inauguration? What to know - NBC Chicago - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- New GOP bill would let Trump (but not Obama) run for a third term - MSNBC - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Barack Obama at inauguration 2025: See photos of former president as Donald Trump sworn in - USA TODAY - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Not Just Jennifer Aniston, Obama Once Sparked Rumours With THIS Woman - Times Now - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Jennifer Aniston allegedly admitted to dating Barack Obama - The Express Tribune - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Column | Martin Luther King Jr., Michelle Obama and Trumps exhausting return - The Washington Post - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- 'Smiling' Barack Obama spotted without Michelle at Trump inauguration, former First Lady shares Instagram - The Economic Times - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Is the Obama family having a hard time, amid the raging relationship speculations of Barack and Jennife - TOI Etimes - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Obama vs Trump in 2028? Social media users react to Rep introducing proposed change to allow third term in office - The Times of India - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- What Michelle Obama Is Up to Amid Absence From Donald Trumps Inauguration - E! NEWS - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Former Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama arrive for Trump inauguration - CBS News - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Donald Trump inauguration: Where is Michelle Obama trends online as Barack Obama attends event alone | Today News - Mint - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Lip Reader's Interpretation of Barack Obama's Exchange With George W. Bush Confirms What We're All Thinking - The Root - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Is Jennifer Aniston responsible for Barack and Michelle Obama's alleged frosty relations? Here's what repo - The Economic Times - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston Dating Rumors: Whats the Real Story? - newslooks.com - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- On Michelle Obama's inauguration absence: No need to be phony or fake, there's real work to do - Salon - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Lip reader suggests Obama asked Bush how they could stop whats happening at Trumps inauguration - New York Post - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Barack Obama's funny interaction with George W. Bush about behaving during inauguration fumes Trump supporters - Hindustan Times - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Obama, Schumer, and Jeffries privately pushed for Biden to drop out - CNN - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Why Michelle Obama is skipping Trumps inauguration - The Independent - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Shares Where Her Head Is at During Inauguration - The Daily Beast - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Barack Obama Tells Reporter George W. Bush 'Just Barely' Behaved During Donald Trump's Inauguration - Yahoo Entertainment - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump Inauguration: Barack Obama, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and More Attendees - E! NEWS - January 24th, 2025 [January 24th, 2025]
- Trump and Obama share intimate conversation at Carter's funeral - MSN - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- 'Where Is Michelle Obama?': Barack Goes Solo At Jimmy Carter's Funeral, Chats With Trump - MSN - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]
- Does Trump have the authority to rename Gulf of Mexico? Obama did it first, but for this noble reason - Yahoo! Voices - January 9th, 2025 [January 9th, 2025]