21 Photos of Barack Obama Before He Was President That You've Probably Never Seen
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It's pretty astonishing that Barack Obama was elected president with just three years of experience as a junior senator from Illinois (though he did serve on the Illinois state legislature). But if you look at pictures of Obama before he was elected, his charismatic presence is undeniable. Moments from the campaign trail in 2007 are particularly intimate and revealing.
As we reflect on Obama's legacy and prepare for his exit, we looked back at his trajectory to the White House. While you might be used to Obama's face after eight years, we're guessing you haven't seen these 21 photos of Obama before he took office.
01
Speaking at a job training center with John Kerry during his Senate campaign in 2004
02
Hanging out with Willie Nelson while attending the singer's music festival, Farm Aid, in 2005
03
Snapping a picture at a White Sox game as a newly elected senator in 2005
04
Addressing press about the civil war in Sudan with George Clooney in 2006
05
Whispering to Bono at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2006
06
Visiting New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2006
07
Embracing his grandmother during a visit to Kenya as senator in 2006
08
Planting a tree with his family and Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai while visiting Kenya in 2006
09
Rallying a crowd at Kenya's largest slum while visiting the country in 2006
10
Endorsing Proposition 87, an alternative energy incentive, with Ben Affleck as senator in 2006
11
Appearing divine at a Democratic midterm election celebration in 2006
12
Visiting Nelson Mandela's South African jail cell in 2006
13
Chatting on his flip phone at the White Sox championship victory visit to the White House in 2006
14
Grinning at an Illinois church service in 2007
15
Struggling to stay awake at a Senate Homeland Security Committee meeting in 2007
16
Cheesing at a press conference during a Senate Democratic push to clean up lobbying in 2007
17
Doing his best cowboy impression while at an Austin rally during his presidential campaign in 2007
18
Enjoying an Iowa State Fair ride during his presidential campaign in 2007
19
Sipping a cup of coffee during a campaign stop in Iowa in 2007
20
Playing Uno with Sasha on the campaign trail in 2007
21