The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama

by David Remnick

  They were a "random-ass mix": Ryan Lizza, "Making It," The New Yorker, July 21, 2008.

  They pointed to campaign contributions: Ted Kleine, "Is Bobby Rush in Trouble," The Chicago Reader, March 17, 2000.

  "Less than halfway into the campaign": Obama, The Audacity of Hope, p. 106.

  Inevitably, he began his speeches: Ted Kleine, "Is Bobby Rush in Trouble," The Chicago Reader, March 17, 2000.

  "Eight years ago": Editorial, Chicago Tribune, March 6, 2000.

  Obama began the day: Presta, Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots, p. 63.

  On March 16th: Ibid., p. 57.

  Ted Kleine's article: Ted Kleine, "Is Bobby Rush in Trouble," The Chicago Reader, March 17, 2000.

  Obama jumped in: Ibid.

  "Oh, man": Don Gonyea, "Morning Edition," National Public Radio, September 19, 2007.

  He taped a thirty-second radio commercial: Steve Neal, Chicago Sun-Times, March 12, 2000.

  The night of his defeat: Curtis Lawrence, Chicago Sun-Times, March 22, 2000.

  "I've got to make assessments": Ryan Lizza, "Making It," The New Yorker, July 21, 2008.

  Long after the loss: Obama, The Audacity of Hope, p. 107.

  In addition to the professional anxieties: Michael Weisskopf, "Obama: How He Learned to Win," Time, May 8, 2008.

  Obama began to wonder: Obama, The Audacity of Hope, p. 4.

  "My hope was that": Scott Helman, Boston Globe, October 12, 2007.

  "I found myself subjected": Obama, The Audacity of Hope, p. 340.

  Dan Shomon told a reporter: Carol Felsenthal, Chicago Magazine, February 2009.

  "For God's sake, Barack": Scott Helman, Boston Globe, October 12, 2007.

  Chapter Nine: The Wilderness Campaign

  When Obama arrived at the airport: Obama, The Audacity of Hope, p. 354.

  For fourteen months: Chuck Neubauer and Tom Hamburger, Los Angeles Times, April 27, 2008.

  When Barack called in from the road: Carol Felsenthal, "The Making of a First Lady," Chicago Magazine, February 2009.

  On September 19, 2001: Hyde Park Herald, September 19, 2001.

  "Suddenly Adelstein's interest": Mendell, Obama: From Promise to Power, p. 150.

  Writing in the Herald: Barack Obama, Hyde Park Herald, February 20, 2002.

  "He explained to me": Hendon, Black Enough/White Enough, p. 31.

  As Hendon recalls it: Ibid., p. 32.

  In Hendon's self-dramatizing version of the incident: Hendon, Black Enough/ White Enough, p. 30.

  In Black Enough/White Enough: Ibid., p. 33.

  "I barely knew where the law library": Ray Long and Christi Parsons, Chicago Tribune, October 25, 2006.

  Rahm Emanuel, who was then: Ryan Lizza, "Making It," The New Yorker, July 21, 2008.

  Blagojevich's campaign adviser: Jake Tapper, ABCNews.com, December 9, 2008.

  Appearing in June, 2002: "Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz," June 27, 2002.

  With the 2002 elections: Jo Becker and Christopher Drew, New York Times, May 11, 2008.

  On September 12th: George W. Bush, United Nations, New York, September 12, 2002.

  The Tribune reporter at the rally: Bill Glauber, Chicago Tribune, October 3, 2002.

  "This is a rally to stop a war": Ibid.

  Carl Davidson, one of the rally's: Jo Becker and Christopher Drew, New York Times, May 11, 2008.

  "There was nothing about that speech": Don Gonyea, "Morning Edition," National Public Radio, March 25, 2008.

  "He said to me, he said": Todd Purdum, "Raising Obama," Vanity Fair, March 2008.

  "I had reservations": Editorial, Chicago Tribune, May 9, 2003.

  "Driving while black": Barack Obama, Hyde Park Herald, July 23, 2003.

  "The original presentation of the bill": Scott Helman, Boston Globe, September 23, 2007.

  In 2005, in the midst of a series: Fran Spielman, Chicago Sun-Times, August 5, 2005.

  In January, 2007: Fran Spielman, Chicago Sun-Times, January 22, 2007.

  In October, 2002: David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, October 22, 2004.

  When they pulled over: Ibid.

  Chapter Ten: Reconstruction

  As Eric Foner, the leading historian: Eric Foner, The Nation, October 15, 2008.

  The Raleigh News and Observer: Dray, Capitol Men, p. 410.

  "This, Mr. Chairman": Ibid., p. 351.

  "Our bases overlapped so much": Liza Mundy, Washington Post, August 12, 2007.

  Not long after the breakfast: Mendell, Obama: From Promise to Power, p. 155.

  "The big issue around the Senate for me": Ibid., p. 152.

  Eric Zorn, an influential liberal: Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune, January 18, 2003.

  At the press conference: Rick Pearson and John Chase, Chicago Tribune, January 22, 2003.

  "The fact that I conjugate my verbs": Jennifer Senior, "Dreaming of Obama," New York Magazine, September 24, 2006.

  "A little old lady said to me": Jodi Enda, American Prospect, February 2006.

  In one fantastical column: David Axelrod, Hyde Park Herald, May 8, 1974.

  "I've been a Chicago police officer": Robert Kaiser, Washington Post, May 2, 2008.

  Maria Pappas, the Cook County treasurer: David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, December 7, 2003.

  When Joshua Green: Joshua Green, "Gambling Man," The Atlantic, January/ February 2004.

  "We are technologically illiterate": Presta, Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots, p. 116.

  The Tribune's lead writer covering: David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, February 10, 2004.

  "I don't begrudge extraordinarily": Andrew Herrmann and Scott Fornek, Chicago Sun-Times, February 22, 2004.

  Laura Washington, a columnist: Laura Washington, Chicago Sun-Times, February 16, 2004.

  One of the candidates: David Mendell and Molly Parker, Chicago Tribune, February 24, 2004.

  "The fact of the matter is": Ibid.

  "We debated whether to frame it": Scott Fornek, Chicago Sun-Times, March 5, 2004.

  The documents revealed: David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, February, 28, 2004.

  The papers described multiple: Frank Main, Chicago Sun-Times, February 28, 2004.

  Hull informed the Tribune: David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, February, 28, 2004.

  "It is my total reputation": Ibid.

  Steven Rogers, a businessman: Christopher Drew and Mike McIntire, New York Times, April 3, 2007.

  At the start of the campaign: Michael Weisskopf, "Obama: How He Learned to Win," Time, May 8, 2008.

  Eric Zorn, the Tribune columnist: Eriz Zorn, Chicago Tribune, March 18, 2004.

  When, just after 7 P.M., the call came: Ibid.

  As the television news crews filed in: Ibid.

  "I think it's fair to say": Scott Fornek and Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times, March 17, 2004.

  On primary night he told the crowd: David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, March 18, 2004.

  "I have an unusual name": Monica Davey, New York Times, March 18, 2004.

  As Obama and Durbin were driving: Barack Obama, N.A.A.C.P., Detroit, Michigan, May 2, 2005.

  Chapter Eleven: A Righteous Wind

  As Kerry watched Obama speak: Jill Zuckman and David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, July 15, 2004.

  In a Profile published in The New Yorker: William Finnegan, "The Candidate," The New Yorker, May 31, 2004.

  Jan Schakowsky, a Democratic congresswoman: Ibid.

  "I made clear to Respondent": Associated Press, June 22, 2004.

  Ryan said in the filing: John Chase and Liam Ford, Chicago Tribune, June 22, 2004.

  "I've tried to make it clear": Mendell, Obama: From Promise to Power, p. 264.

  Later, Obama would lower his head: Ibid.

  "In the Senate race in Illinois": Jay Leno, "The Tonight Show," NBC, June 22, 2004.

  "A lot of people were saying": John Chase and Liam Ford, Chicago Tribune, June 22, 2004.

  "Jack is a good man": Debbie Howlett, USA Today, June 22, 2004.

  Ryan also found support: William Saletan, Slate.c
om, June 23, 2004.

  "I consider him an honest man": Stephen Kinzer, New York Times, June 23, 2004.

  On June 25th, Ryan complied: Rahul Sangwan, The Dartmouth Independent, October 4, 2004.

  "What happened to him": John Chase and Liam Ford, Chicago Tribune, June 22, 2004.

  Obama was riding from Springfield: Obama, The Audacity of Hope, p. 354.

  Sometimes, in order to get away: Eli Saslow, Washington Post, August 25, 2008.

  Obama faxed his first draft to Axelrod: David Bernstein, "The Speech," Chicago Magazine, June 2007.

  "I love to body surf": Christopher Wills, Associated Press, July 26, 2004.

  When he was asked about: John Kass, Chicago Tribune, July 27, 2004.

  Apologizing, he said: David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, July 28, 2004.

  "That fucker is trying": David Bernstein, "The Speech," Chicago Magazine, June 2007.

  As crowds milled around: Ibid.

  "I thought that was one of the most": Mary Mitchell, Chicago Sun-Times, July 29, 2004.

  Richard Daley ... acknowledged: Scott Fornek, Chicago Sun-Times, July 29, 2004.

  Even Bobby Rush: Michael Sneed, Chicago Sun-Times, July 30, 2004.

  "A superstar is born": Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, August 1, 2004.

  The Sun-Times printed: Dave McKinney, Chicago Sun-Times, August 4, 2004.

  "This is all so, well, interesting.": David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, August 2, 2004.

  On a hot evening in mid-August: Liam Ford and David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, August 13, 2004.

  In his announcement speech: Editorial, Chicago Tribune, August 16, 2004.

  One Tribune editorial: Ibid.

  But at times: Scott Fornek, Chicago Sun-Times, November 1, 2004.

  As he spread his arms: Liam Ford and John Chase, Chicago Tribune, October 22, 2004.

  "That's why I have a pastor": Ibid.

  "At the hard points": Ibid.

  On one occasion: Obama, The Audacity of Hope, p. 211.

  In late October: Editorial, Chicago Tribune, October 24, 2004.

  According to Bill Daley: James L. Merriner, "Making Peace," Chicago Magazine, June, 2008.

  Of the many articles written: Don Terry, Chicago Tribune Magazine, October 24, 2004.

  He was equally disturbed: Noam Scheiber, "Race Against History," The New Republic, May 31, 2004.

  On Halloween night: Alan Keyes, Spirit of God Fellowship Church, Chicago, October 31, 2004.

  As the cameras followed: Alison Neumer, Chicago Tribune, November 3, 2004.

  "Thank you, Illinois!": Scott Fornek, Chicago Sun-Times, November 3, 2004.

  Chapter Twelve: A Slight Madness

  "If you don't have enough": ABC News, November 1, 2007.

  "Are you going to try": Jeff Zeleny, New York Times, December 24, 2006.

  "I am not running for President": David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, November 4, 2004.

  Obama got especially irritated: Scott Fornek, Chicago Sun-Times, November 4, 2004.

  "It's going to be important": Ibid.

  "I don't think we're trying to dampen": David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, November 4, 2004.

  On ABC's daytime show: Rudolph Bush, Chicago Tribune, November 23, 2004.

  On Letterman's show: "The Late Show," CBS, November 26, 2004.

  Adopting a tone: Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times, December 6, 2004.

  She was inspired to re-issue: Janny Scott, New York Times, May 18, 2008.

  Woodward once called him: Ibid.

  Although Peter Osnos: Peter Osnos, The Century Foundation: News and Commentary, October 30, 2006.

  He met with Obama: Wolffe, Renegade, p. 38.

  "I know what I'm good at": Pete Rouse interview, "Frontline," PBS, July 11, 2008.

  Obama told Rouse: Ibid.

  He planned to help Obama: Ibid.

  Oprah Winfrey declared: Jeff Zeleny, Chicago Tribune, March 20, 2005.

  At times, Obama's celebrity: Ibid.

  One of the first books: Jeff Zeleny and Kate Zernike, New York Times, March 9, 2008.

  Nevertheless, Obama told: Jeff Zeleny, Chicago Tribune, March 20, 2005.

  "All of us are a mixture": Ibid.

  When Obama paid a visit: Ibid.

  At the swearing-in ceremony: Ibid.

  "Over the next six years": Ibid.

  During Rice's confirmation hearings: Ben Wallace-Wells, "Destiny's Child," Rolling Stone, February 22, 2007.

  Faced with the prospect: Jeff Zeleny, Chicago Tribune, September 23, 2005.

  "So we enter into the building": Barack Obama, Council on Foreign Relations, Washington, D.C., November 1, 2005.

  Three months after: Barack Obama and Richard Lugar, Washington Post, December 3, 2005.

  Then, appearing on ABC's: "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," ABC, September 11, 2005.

  In an interview with the Tribune: Jeff Zeleny, Chicago Tribune, September 12, 2005.

  "The burden is on us": Ibid.

  Eventually, Pete Rouse: Perry Bacon, Jr., Washington Post, August 27, 2007.

  "Pete's very good": Ibid.

  The letter was entitled: Daily Kos, September 30, 2005.

  Afterward, Obama used: Jodi Enda, "Great Expectations," The American Prospect, January 16, 2006.

  "And the way I would describe": Ibid.

  Returning to Washington: Jeff Zeleny, Chicago Tribune, February 7, 2006.

  "I obviously beaned him": Mark Salter interview, "Frontline," PBS, May 30, 2008.

  "The tone of the letter": Jeff Zeleny, Chicago Tribune, February 8, 2006.

  Before they testified: Jeff Zeleny, Chicago Tribune, February 9, 2006.

  "What I am suggesting is this": Barack Obama, Washington, D.C., June 28, 2006.

  Valerie Jarrett says: Larissa MacFarquhar, "The Conciliator," The New Yorker, May 7, 2007.

  "I thought these will be": "World News Tonight," ABC, November 1, 2007.

  On January 16, 2006: Balz and Johnson, The Battle for America 2008, p. 26.

  "He has as much potential": Jeff Zeleny, Chicago Tribune, November 20, 2005.

  "When his name pops up": Ibid.

  "I thought, let's have a little fun": Perry Bacon, Jr., Washington Post, August 27, 2007.

  "I don't think George Bush": Barack Obama, Harkin Steak Fry, Indianola, Iowa, September 17, 2006.

  Ruy Teixeira of the Brookings: Alan Abramowitz and Ruy Teixeira, "The Decline of the White Working Class and the Rise of a Mass Upper Middle Class," Brookings Working Paper, April 2008.

  When he called Obama: Bob Gilbert, "The President Prediction," Seton Hall Magazine, March 31, 2009.

  "The United States was said": Chisholm, The Good Fight, p. 162.

  Chisholm, who died in 2005: Chisholm, Unbought and Unbossed, p. xii.

  "My constituency": Jesse Jackson, Democratic National Convention, San Francisco, July 17, 1984.

  At rallies in the South: Frady, Jesse, p. 306.

  "Nothing will ever again": Ibid., p. 370.

  Jackson, Hatcher said: Ibid., p. 417.

  The incumbent, the Vice-President: Wallace, The Man, p. 251.

  Joe Klein, writing in Time: Joe Klein, "The Fresh Face," Time, October 15, 2006.

  And David Brooks: David Brooks, New York Times, October 19, 2006.

  In January, Obama had kept: "Meet the Press," NBC, October 22, 2006.

  For a Time cover story: Joe Klein, "The Fresh Face," Time, October 15, 2006.

  In David Axelrod's Chicago office: Balz and Johnson, The Battle for America, p. 28.

  "I said to him, 'Do you really think'": Jill Zuckman, Chicago Tribune, October 18, 2006.

  Tom Daschle, who gave up a chance: Tom Daschle interview, "Frontline," PBS, June 10, 2008.

  "Because I do see in him": Jeff Zeleny, Chicago Tribune, December 25, 2005.

  On November 28, 2006: Balz and Johnson, The Battle for America 2008, p. 29.

  Echoing the advice of Durbin: Ibid., p. 30.

  In mid-December, Obama: Pete Rouse interview, "
Frontline," PBS, July 11, 2008.

  When Obama came home: Ibid.

  Late at night, on January 6th: Plouffe, The Audacity to Win, p. 27.

  Chapter Thirteen: The Sleeping Giant

  "The genius of our founders": Barack Obama, Springfield, Illinois, February 10, 2007.

  A couple of days before: Ben Wallace-Wells, "Destiny's Child," Rolling Stone, February 22, 2007.

  "This is a fucking disaster": Plouffe, The Audacity to Win, p. 40.

  "Look, Obama is a very decent": Cornel West, State of the Black Union, Hampton, Virginia, February 10, 2007.

  "He's young, he's inexperienced": Charles Ogletree, State of the Black Union, Hampton, Virginia, February 10, 2007.

  The Obama campaign took polls: Plouffe, The Audacity to Win, p. 124.

  The near absence of Jackson: "Saturday Night Live," NBC, March 2, 2008.

  Just after Lincoln: Mendelberg, The Race Card, p. 36.

  Speakers at the Democratic Convention: Ibid., p. 39.

  In 1868, Georges Clemenceau: Ibid., p. 43.

  One of its campaign badges: Ibid., p. 45.

  Democratic Party-controlled newspapers: Ibid., p. 47.

  In the United States between 1890: Ibid., p. 58.

  James Thomas Heflin: Branch, Parting the Waters, p. 51.

  Southern politicians, like Theodore Bilbo: Mendelberg, The Race Card, p. 71.

  During a Senate hearing in 1946: Ibid.

  George Wallace dropped: Ibid., p. 91.

  After filming a commercial: Ibid., p. 97.

  Bush pressed the Horton case: Ibid., p. 142.

  Bush's media consultant: Ibid.

  On December 21, 2006: Joshua Green, "The Hillary Clinton Memos," The Atlantic, August 11, 2008.

  Three months later: Ibid.

  "I can maybe work with him": Frady, Jesse, p. 493.

  "The initiative displayed the parochial": Randall Kennedy, "The Triumph of Robust Tokenism," The Atlantic, February 2001.

  Speaking on television in December: "Newsmakers Live," December 2007.

  The Reverend Joseph Lowery: Paige Bowers, "A Civil Rights Divide Over Obama," Time, January 31, 2008.

  "These old black politicians": Logan Hill, "How I Made It: Spike Lee on 'Do the Right Thing,'" New York Magazine, April 7, 2008.

  George H. W. Bush once called him: Frady, Jesse, p. 5.