President Barack Obama has been many things in his eight years in office. As the nation’s first African-American president, he will always symbolize a historic breakthrough. The Democrat’s ambitious agenda — ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, reforming health care, retooling the economy for the 21st century, resetting policy toward longtime adversaries such as Iran and Cuba, improving race relations, leading on climate change — proved controversial and produced uneven results.
Despite his campaign promise, Obama was unable to change the culture of Washington. The race to succeed him revealed just how divided America is — and the next president, Republican Donald Trump, could reverse many of Obama’s policies, putting his long-term legacy in peril.
Here are assessments of Obama’s legacy as his tenure ends.
His impact
A look back at Obama's presidency
Barack Obama sought to be a transformational president. Eight years later, he prepares to leave office having overseen a turbulent time in history, Newsday's Yancey Roy writes.
AFP / Getty Images / Jewel Samad
Obama's arc
What if Obama's 8 years had been a TV show?
The story of the 44th presidency in 16 episodes, from the euphoric dawn of the Obama era to his chosen successor's loss to Donald Trump, a man who is his polar opposite in policy and temperament.
EPA / Jim Bourg
Bowing out
The last speech
Top photos from President Obama's farewell address in Chicago.
AP / Charles Rex Arbogast
Obama in photos
35 images to remember
Memorable images from Obama's presidency.
The White House / Pete Souza
Cast your vote
Pop culture moments: Like 'em or not?
Obama has been more comfortable in a wider variety of pop culture settings than perhaps any of his predecessors.
AP / Charles Dharapak
Inspired by Obama
10 things named after Obama
Have you heard about the spider named after the president? Or the Obama phone?
AFP / Getty Images / Peter Muhly
Fresh takes
Cartoons: The Obama presidency
Editorial cartoonists from around the country on Barack Obama.
Roll Call / RJ Matson
Leaving 'the White House bubble'
What’s next for Michelle Obama?
The world is Michelle Obama's oyster. What she'll take on in the future has sparked the imaginations of many.
Getty Images Entertainment / Paul Morigi
Parting thoughts
What will you remember most?
Loved him? Can't wait to see him go? Share your thoughts about President Obama.
AP / Jae C. Hong
In the house
Obama's visits from sports champions
It's a tradition for sports champions to visit the president at the White House after their victories.
AP / Charles Dharapak
First family
Malia and Sasha through the years
Take a look back at how the first daughters have grown up.
Getty Images / Mark Wilson
Covering Obama
Front page news
See 40 of Newsday's most memorable covers on Barack Obama, from 2008 to 2016.
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