Former President Obama's unexpected "reappearance", will he become a strategic chess piece for Democracy?

Former US President Barack Obama officially returned to the political scene when he attended a fundraising event in New Jersey on July 11. This return is considered a great morale boost for the Democratic Party amid escalating crisis and internal division.

Barack Hussein Obama II, born August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii, was not only the 44th President of the United States (2009–2017) but also the first African American to hold the office. His extraordinary journey from a multiracial individual to the world's most powerful leader has shaped a political and social legacy of international significance.

Childhood and multi-ethnic background:

Obama was born into a unique family. His mother was Kansas-born and his father was Kenyan. When he was young, his parents divorced. His mother later remarried an Indonesian man, and Barack spent four years in Jakarta (1967-1971), experiencing cultural diversity at an early age. After this period, he returned to Honolulu, attending Punahou School – which laid an important foundation for his later years, as noted by the Barack Obama Presidential Library.

Education and career journey:

In 1983, Obama graduated with a BA in international relations from Columbia University, New York . Then, from 1985 to 1988, he became a community organizing director in Chicago, where he actively promoted job training, college preparation, and renter assistance programs.

A major turning point in his academic career was when he attended Harvard Law School from 1988 to 1991. There, he made history by becoming the first black person to hold the position of President of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. After graduating, Obama continued to dedicate himself to justice and civil rights, teaching constitutional law at the University of Chicago until 2004. In October 1992, he married Michelle Robinson, a talented lawyer. The couple has two daughters, Malia (born in 1998) and Sasha (born in 2001).

Entering politics:

Obama's political career began when he served as a Senator from Illinois from 1997 to 2004. In this role, he actively promoted many programs to reduce taxes and assist low-income families, demonstrating his deep interest in social and economic issues.

The year 2004 was a milestone in Barack Obama's career. With a landslide victory in the March primary and a captivating speech at the Democratic National Convention, Obama quickly became a global phenomenon. In November of that year, he was elected to the United States Senate with an impressive 70% of the vote, officially entering federal politics.

Journey to becoming US President:

In February 2007, Obama officially announced his candidacy for president. After a tough race with Senator Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, he finally overcame this strong opponent. In the general election on November 5, 2008, he defeated Republican candidate John McCain, making history. On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was officially inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold this supreme position.

Just one year after becoming president, he was honored with the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, for his tireless efforts to promote diplomacy and global dialogue.

Lifestyle – health and discipline model:

Barack Obama has always been known for his healthy and disciplined lifestyle. He still maintains his passion for basketball from his youth, considering it a way to relieve stress and maintain physical health. According to Tuoi Tre, he adheres to a strict training regimen of 6 days/week, 45 minutes/day, combining jogging, gym and healthy nutrition with lots of green vegetables, limiting sugar and carbonated drinks. In addition, he also pays great attention to mental health by reading and writing, maintaining a balance between physical and mental health.

Family – symbol of civilization:

The Obama family, with Michelle – a lawyer, writer and influential First Lady, has become a symbol of education, intelligence and morality. Their two daughters, Malia and Sasha, are raised strictly and have little exposure to the media to ensure normal development. Although sometimes facing unnecessary controversies, the Obama family always maintains a friendly, transparent image and is an exemplary example of family life for many people.

Life after office:

After leaving the White House, Obama and Michelle have continued to be active in social and community activities. They have produced a podcast on Spotify, sharing their personal stories and perspectives. Their main project is the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, scheduled to open in 2026, focusing on education and community development.

He also maintained a key role in supporting the Democratic Party, campaigning for Joe Biden in 2020, Raphael Warnock in 2022 in Georgia, and attending the 2024 Democratic Convention to cheer on Kamala Harris.

Obama Returns – Reviving the Spirit of Democracy:

On July 11 (US time), former President Barack Obama officially returned to politics when he attended a fundraising event in Red Bank, New Jersey. This was the first time he appeared publicly in a financial campaign since the Democratic Party's defeat in the 2024 election.

The return of Obama – a powerful figure within the Democratic Party – is seen as a moral and strategic boost as the party has yet to recover from last year’s political shock. The upcoming state elections in New Jersey are not only locally significant but also a test of the Democratic Party’s efforts to regain the initiative in the 2026 midterm elections, where they aim to regain control of the House of Representatives and regain balance in the Senate.

Meanwhile, Democrats are seeking to exploit voter discontent over a new Trump-backed spending bill that is seen as hurting millions of Americans’ health care. At the same time, the party is facing a crisis of confidence, with many of its senior leaders accused of failing to make a generational transition. The deaths of three senior lawmakers in just three months have heightened concerns about a leadership vacuum and poor ability to make important votes.

In that context, Obama's presence is not only a symbolic image, but also a message of reconstruction, unity and re-igniting the fighting spirit of the Democratic Party.

The youngest daughter of the Obama family lived a carefree life after leaving the White House, people shook their heads in dismay for this reason! Bình Minh15:27:16 22/09/2023Shaking off the image of the innocent, lovely girl she once was, Sasha Obama completely transformed and showed a different image at the age of 22. Her different, free-spirited dressing style became the center of attention.