Birthday: The Democrats' latest success? Obama turns 65

When Barack Obama turns 65 on Tuesday, many will likely remember his relaxed demeanor and charisma. From announcing his presidential candidacy in Springfield, Illinois in 2007 to dropping the mic at the last dinner with the US capital's press corps nearly nine years later, Obama knew how to mesmerize people - even those who should have critically examined his work.

Almost ten years since leaving office and at an age when some retire, Obama remains busy. In a video, he recently casually tossed a few balls with wheelchair basketball player Josh Turek and, by the way, campaigned for the Democrat from Iowa running for a Senate seat ahead of the important US midterm elections. On social media, Obama continues to share his Spotify playlist and books list with his followers.

In mid-June, Obama opened his presidential center in Chicago, which showcases the career of the politician born in Hawaii. The exhibition documents how he initially helped socially disadvantaged people in Chicago, later founded a family with his wife Michelle and raised daughters Malia and Sasha, how he entered Congress in Washington as a young Democratic senator, and ultimately showed everyone that an African American could indeed become the most powerful man in the world.

Shortcomings fade into the background. People often recall Obama's domestic policy successes, such as the difficult restructuring of US healthcare in 2010, also known as "Obamacare". In foreign policy, the killing of Al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden in 2011, the nuclear agreement with Iran, or the Paris climate agreement in 2015 come to mind.

For Germans, Obama's visits to Berlin may also evoke memories. Negative aspects of Obama's presidency from 2009 to 2017 quickly fade into the background. The fact that the US eavesdropped on former Chancellor Angela Merkel's phone, that the US military killed terrorists in Pakistan with drones, which was later condemned as a violation of international law, or that millions of people were deported from the US, may be less present today.

Was Obama a curse or a blessing for the Democrats? Nevertheless, Obama is considered the last great political star of the Democrats. His charisma and infectious rhetoric set the bar very high for politicians at the time - perhaps too high. According to media reports, the Democrats lost more than 1,000 seats during his presidency at the state level, as governors, or in Congress.

"When Obama leaves the White House, he leaves behind a Democratic Party that has stood in his shadow for years and is now searching for its identity," PBS concluded in 2016. To this day, the Democrats struggle to present politicians with a profile. Although Joe Biden managed to win the presidency in 2020 against Donald Trump, his term as the 46th President has recently been marked by questionable appearances and lapses. His subsequent withdrawal from the 2024 race significantly harmed the party.

The Democrats do not lack prominent names. With governors Gavin Newsom of California and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, there are potentially two presidential candidates. Speculation also surrounds a possible renewed candidacy by former Vice President Kamala Harris. However, none of them seem as effortless as Obama once did. A new generation of young Democrats with outsider profiles does better in this regard.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is often compared to Obama. However, due to his birthplace in Kampala, Uganda, the left-wing politician is not eligible to be president according to the constitution. Recently, he also made headlines with questionable statements and oversteps.

Abdul El-Sayed, who is currently campaigning for a Senate seat in Michigan, enjoys the support of party heavyweights like Bernie Sanders or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - but just like with "AOC", there are doubts about whether his left-wing profile will appeal to voters at the federal level.

One person may not like Obama at all - or perhaps they do? For US President Trump, this orientation is a blessing. The Republican has never hidden his contempt for the Democrats - especially for Obama. On the "Presidential Walk of Fame", it is claimed that his now-terminated nuclear agreement with Iran was "terrible". The fact that the Democrat at least reached an agreement with Tehran and that "deal-maker" Trump is still struggling with Iran months after the start of the war is ignored.

The question arises whether Trump really hates Obama or rather envies him. When attacking Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025, the Republican presented himself similarly to Obama when bin Laden was killed. Trump would also like to have a Nobel Peace Prize. The 80-year-old compared the new Obama Presidential Center to a huge trash can but is planning his own presidential museum.

While Trump continues to rant against the Democrat, Obama remains true to his nickname "No Drama Obama": Without much fanfare, he recently invited all living US presidents except Trump to the opening of his presidential museum. Trump may have the loudness on his side, but the man from Hawaii will probably keep the last word on style at the age of 65.