The Audacity of Hope Excerpt

Introspection and Research Questions

Discussion Questions

  1. What did you learn about Obama from reading the excerpt from the first chapter of The Audacity of Hope?  What was of most interest to you?  What do you need more information about?  What, if anything, was confusing to you? 

  2. Why does Obama decide to run to represent the state of Illinois in the United States Senate?  What does he hope to accomplish as a senator? What is his first vote as a senator? What do his supporters think of this vote and how does Obama respond?

  3. What, according to Obama is, “the gap between the politics we have and the politics we need” (455) and what examples does he give of each?  What does he suggest that Americans share with each other?  Why do you think he reaches this conclusion?