The photos that prove you’ll miss President Barack Obama

The photos that prove you’ll miss President Barack Obama

Entering the White House in the midst of the worst economic crisis since The Great Depression, Obama was perhaps destined for a fraught presidency. Six years on, his critics draw attention to broken promises and the policy left waiting in the Capitol’s anterooms. Others continue to extol him as the man at the helm of a cohesive America – one that has recovered remarkably well from the economic crisis. It’s a debate destined to continue for some time. Less in contention, however, is the fact that Obama has displayed qualities deeply desirable in a global leader. Charismatic and stalwart on the world stage, he has shown a resolute commitment to diplomacy; as one of the most powerful men in the world, he has nevertheless proven capable of real humility; and finally, with his candid and profoundly expressive manner, he has succeeded in presenting himself as a relatable figure, achieving what many of his predecessors could not.

A world leader capable of profound humility: Obama bows to a child after being asked what his hair feels like. Image: Pete Souza

As he nears the end of his term, and with Trump knocking ever-louder on the Oval Office door, Obama’s ratings are once again on the rise – a sign, perhaps, of a sort of pre-emptive nostalgia for his leadership style. A deeply divisive character, Trump shows delight in causing offence, a trait that could prove downright dangerous on a global stage. To democratically-minded Americans, diplomacy and a degree of emotional intelligence – two qualities that occur naturally in Obama – have begun to seem very precious indeed.

ST. PAUL, MN - JUNE 3: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) (R) and his wife Michelle Obama bump fists at an election night rally at the Xcel Energy Center June 3, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Obama clinched the Democratic presidential nomination following today's primaries in South Dakota and Montana, although his rival Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) has not yet conceded the race. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Obama has his signature fist bump returned by wife Michelle during his 2008 election run. Image: Getty

Pete Souza, giving the president the run around

A natural with children, Obama finds a running partner in the Oval Office. Image: Pete Souza

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 28: (AFP OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and U.S. President Barack Obama shake hands for the cameras before the start of a bilateral meeting at the United Nations headquarters September 28, 2015 in New York City. Putin and Obama are in New York City to attend the 70th anniversary general assembly meetings. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Ever diplomatic, the President cuts a confident character while dealing with the leaders of other superpowers. Image: Chip Somodevilla

lisa jack

Lisa Jack’s photo of ‘Barry’ Obama, taken in the 1980’s, gave the President a certain avant-garde appeal. Image: Lisa Jack

A sense of humour – sure fire way to win the crowd, young voeters in particular theloop.com

Obama’s sense of humour has helped to make him a relatable figure, something that has proven particularly popular with young Americans. Image: theloop.com

The infamous Obama Meme

The internet cashes in on Obama’s cool-guy image. Image: Gify

Reading mean tweets. abc.com

Not one to take himself too seriously, Obama appears on the Jimmy Kimmel show to read mean tweets about himself. Image: abc

Pete Souza. Power stance.

Obama brought an inherent laid-back style to business matters. Image: Getty

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Describing them as his ‘biggest frustration’, Obama has worked tirelessly to reform gun laws in America. Here, he makes an emotional speech in response the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting. Image: AFP

Tango straitstimes

Obama dances the tango in Argentina. Image: straits times.com

public insight netweork

With a deep belief in both democracy and diplomacy, Obama tended to lead a cohesive, not divisive campaign. Image: publicinsightnetwork

A popular president: American perceptions of Obama’s world standing have increased this year. Image: www.washingtonpost.com

Leaders applaud as U.S. President Barack Obama, center, arrives for a group photo of G8 and G5 leaders at the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy on Thursday, July 9, 2009. Leaders from front row left to right, South Africa's President Jacob Zuma, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Mexico's President Felipe Calderon. Back row left to right, China's State Councilor Dai Bingguo, India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)
cnn.com

America’s bleak and undiplomatic future? Unlike Obama, Trump shows a tendency for child-like petulance, appearing to take delight in causing offence. Image: CNN.com

Main image: Pete Souza

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