The Obameter: Tracking Obama's Campaign Promises

The Promise:

"Barack Obama opposed the Bush Administration's initial policy on warrantless wiretaps because it crossed the line between protecting our national security and eroding the civil liberties of American citizens. As president, Obama would update the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to provide greater oversight and accountability to the congressional intelligence committees to prevent future threats to the rule of law."

Update March 19th, 2010:

ne-year extension of Patriot Act doesn't include any changes

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The Promise:

"As president, Barack Obama would revisit the PATRIOT Act to ensure that there is real and robust oversight of tools like
National Security Letters, sneak-and-peek searches, and the use of the material witness provision."

Update March 19th, 2010:

Patriot Act extended for a year, but without changes

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The Promise:

"Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term 'genocide' to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. … as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide."

Update March 5th, 2010:

Administration reportedly works against resolution to recognize deaths

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The Promise:

"Barack Obama is committed to returning earmarks to less than $7.8 billion a year, the level they were at before 1994."

Update February 19th, 2010:

Earmarks continue unabated

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The Promise:

"Barack Obama will double the Peace Corps to 16,000 by its 50th anniversary in 2011 and push Congress to fully fund this expansion, with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean."

Update February 18th, 2010:

President's budget continues lower trendline for Peace Corps funding

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The Promise:

Freeze the 2009 estate tax law, which exempts the first $3.5 million and has a top rate of 45 percent.

Update February 17th, 2010:

Tax was allowed to expire

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The Promise:

Will "endorse the goal of sending human missions to the Moon by 2020, as a precursor in an orderly progression to missions to more distant destinations, including Mars."

Update February 15th, 2010:

Obama budget abandons moon-by-2020 goal

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The Promise:

"Will enlist international partners to provide International Space Station (ISS) cargo re-supply and eventually alternate means for sending crews to the ISS."

Update February 15th, 2010:

Obama budget would extend life of International Space Station

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The Promise:

"Will stimulate the commercial use of space and private sector utilization of the International Space Station. He will establish new processes and procurement goals to promote the use of government facilities."

Update February 15th, 2010:

Obama budget promotes commercial space efforts

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The Promise:

"Will support a robust research and technology development program that addresses the long-term needs for future human and robotic missions. He supports a funding goal that maintains at least 10 percent of the total exploration systems budget for research and development."

Update February 15th, 2010:

Obama would direct larger share of space budget to R&D

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The Promise:

Will "support increased investment in research, data analysis, and technology development across the full suite of exploration missions including the Mars Sample Return mission and future missions to the Moon, asteroids, Lagrange points, the outer Solar System and other destinations."

Update February 15th, 2010:

Obama budget would boost space exploration

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The Promise:

Through NASA, "will develop K-12 education activities to translate the successes of our civil space programs, particularly our nation's scientific discoveries, our technology developments, and space exploration activities, into instructional programs for our children."

Update February 15th, 2010:

Obama would use NASA funds to improve science education

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The Promise:

"During 2009 and 2010, existing businesses will receive a $3,000 refundable tax credit for each additional full-time employee hired."

Update February 4th, 2010:

Jobs tax credit promise gets new rating

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The Promise:

Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the military.

Update February 2nd, 2010:

Gates says repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is no longer a question of "whether," but "how"

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The Promise:

"Will streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application."

Update January 21st, 2010:

A simpler form

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