Geburtstag: Der letzte Erfolg der Demokraten? Obama wird 65

On Tuesday, Barack Obama turns 65 and many will recall his laid-back demeanor and charisma. From announcing his presidential candidacy in Springfield, Illinois in 2007 to dropping the microphone during the final dinner with the US press corps nine years later, Obama knew how to draw people in, even those who should be criticizing his work.

Nearly ten years after stepping down from office in an age when many others retire, Obama remains active. He recently played a casual game of wheelchair basketball alongside Josh Turek and campaigned for a Democrat in Iowa for a Senate seat. Obama continues to share his Spotify playlist and booklist with his followers on social media.

In mid-June, Obama opened his Presidential Center in Chicago, showcasing his life journey from helping economically disadvantaged people in Chicago, starting a family with Michelle and raising daughters Malia and Sasha, to becoming the first African-American President. Obama's domestic achievements like the healthcare reform of 2010, also known as "Obamacare," and foreign policy successes such as the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011, the nuclear deal with Iran, and the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015 are often remembered fondly.

Locally, memories of Obama's presidential visits to Berlin will likely resurface. Negative aspects of Obama's presidency between 2009 and 2017 quickly fade into the background. The US surveillance of ex-German Chancellor Angela Merkel's phone, the targeted drone killings of terrorists in Pakistan by US military which were later condemned as unlawful under international law, and the mass deportation of millions of people from the US are less prominent today.

Was Obama a curse or blessing for the Democrats? Regardless, Obama is considered the last great political star of the Democrats. His charisma and electrifying rhetoric set a high bar for politicians at the time, perhaps too high. Over 1,000 seats were lost by the Democrats at the state level, governorships, or in Congress during his presidency.

Media reports indicate that Obama's departure leaves the Democratic Party in its shadow, seeking its identity. Despite this, the Democrats struggle to present prominent politicians. While Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential race against Donald Trump, his term was marred by questionable appearances and interruptions. His subsequent withdrawal from the 2024 race harmed the party significantly.

Prominent names like Gavin Newsom from California and Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan are potential candidates. Even Vice President Kamala Harris is rumored to run again, but none of them exudes the same effortless charisma as Obama. The new generation of young, outsider-like Democrats like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is often compared to Obama, fails to achieve the same level of success.

However, one might argue that Obama is not among them. For former US President Trump, Obama's lack of direction is a blessing. The Republican has never hidden his disdain for Democrats, especially Obama. The alleged "deal-maker" deal with Iran in the now-cancelled nuclear agreement is frequently criticized by Trump. Despite Obama's achievement of securing a peace prize, Trump fails to acknowledge this.

Trump's own desire for a Nobel Peace Prize echoes Obama's own pursuit. When Trump staged his own confrontation with Iran's nuclear facilities in 2025, he did so reminiscent of Obama's actions in killing bin Laden. Trump also enjoyed the prospect of a Nobel Peace Prize, unlike Obama. The new Obama Presidential Center compares to a massive garbage dump but is also planning its own presidential museum.

While Trump continues to attack the Democrats, Obama remains true to his nickname "No Drama Obama." He recently invited all surviving US Presidents to the opening of his presidential museum without much fanfare. Trump may enjoy the drama, but Obama remains the master of low-key charm at 65.