Before he was named president we named Barack Obama a brand. After a year, it's nearly impossible to argue that his brand has come to stand for an unprecedented agenda. But did he execute? Did he take the right stands? Was he dead-on or dead wrong? We take a look at a year in photos and explore the Fastest moments -- those involving sustainability, innovation, straight-up leadership and more.
One Year Ago
During his presidential campaign we named
Barack Obama a brand for his energizing politics and forward-thinking policies. After a year, it's nearly impossible to argue that his brand has come to stand for an unprecedented agenda. But did he execute? Did he take the right stands? Was he dead-on or dead wrong? We take a look at a year in photos and explore the
Fastest moments--those involving sustainability, innovation, straight-up leadership and more.
President Barack Obama in the Oval Office on his first day in office, January 21, 2009. All photos are from the
White House Flickr stream, the first public photo feed offered by an administration.
Creating New Jobs
Criticized for not turning the slumping economy around fast enough and dumping money into a financial bailout, Obama pledged a new focus on innovation and technology yet struggled to bring new job opportunities to America's workers. Here he attends the White House Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth, with New York Times columnist Tom Friedman to his right.
Reaching Out to China
In a historic meeting, Obama met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and pledged that the two superpowers would work together. But when it came to discussing eased trade restrictions, market-driven exchange rates, and a more open Internet culture, the leaders did not see eye-to-eye.
New Environmental Energy
Obama made huge bounds in the country's environmental policy as he pledged to expand the research and production of alternative energies and fuels. Still, many environmental leaders still don't believe he's doing enough to discourage the use of coal and oil. Here he tours the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, Florida.
The White House Garden
After months of urging from foodies and farmers, Michelle Obama planted a garden on the White House lawn with local students. The garden's fruits and vegetables are now served at White House meals and sold at a local farmers' market, although some critics think this idealized version of homesteading is unrealistic for most Americans.
Education Meets Innovation
A focus on math, science, engineering and technology in education launched the Educate to Innovate program which will train teachers and establish partnerships with corporations. Obama recently expanded the program to include recognition of great teachers and increased funding to successful academic programs.
Unlikely Peacemaker
The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Obama was roundly criticized by those who felt he was undeserving of one of the world's highest honors. Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq continued to rage with no end in sight, as did continuing troubles of prisoner mistreatment at Guantanamo Bay, which was still not closed by the end of his first year in office.
The Slow-Acting Recovery
Cited by many to be the contemporary equivalent of the Works Progress Administration, the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act brought infrastructural projects to the nation's unemployed, reporting over 600,000 jobs saved from its efforts. Although some say Obama's plan isn't driving enough change, it is a two-year program so results will remain to be seen.
Bad Luck in Copenhagen
The president and first lady traveled to Copenhagen to help their hometown of Chicago make a failed bid to the International Olympic Committee. It wasn't Obama's only perceived failure in the Danish city: In December he returned for the climate change summit COP 15, which ended in international frustration and a lack of a cohesive solution.
Pop Cultured
Obama seemed to appease the cultural masses by holding concerts with popular musicians like the Foo Fighters, adding contemporary artists like Ed Ruscha to the White House walls, and making late-night television appearances--the first sitting president to do so. Still, some said he was working his celebrity status to hobnob with the glitterati when he should have presented a more statesman-like front.
Health Care Debate
One year later, Obama has still not been successful in bringing widespread health-care reform to the country. A series of town halls and his Organizing for America National Health Care Forum hoped to sway citizen approval, but this week's election in Massachusetts delivered a blow to the heath-care campaign. Obama himself conceded that the election was a message that he needs to reconnect with Americans' needs.
Auto Pilot
Obama publicly chastised auto industry leaders after giving their bankrupting companies a bailout. He announced new fuel and emission standards for cars and trucks but didn't push American companies enough to ensure they'd radically redesign their vehicles to help them compete in the global marketplace.
National Security
After a fairly quiet year when it came to domestic attacks, the attempted "Christmas bombing" unsurfaced new doubts about Obama's ability to be tough on terrorists--and the proficiency of his new administration. In a widely-approved move, he accepted all responsibility for oversights, saying the buck stopped with him.
Technology Whiz
Obama tests out the new Federal Government IT Dashboard, part of an extremely successful initiative to finally bring the outdated White House into the 21st century. A slew of well-designed Web sites and social media tools helped the members of this administration communicate better with its citizens and each other.
