Obama Presidency Oral History

Incite at Columbia University
The Obama Presidency as told by 450+ officials, activists, organizers, and extraordinary people from all walks of life.

  • Bill McKibben

    Environmental Activist

  • Christy Goldfuss

    Environmental Policy Official

  • Aneesh Chopra

    US Chief Technology Officer

  • Gina McCarthy

    EPA Administrator

  • Melanie Bahnke

    Alaska Native and Arctic Issues Advocate

  • Jeanne Lambrew

    Health Policy Advisor

  • Heather Zichal

    Energy and Climate Advisor

  • Frances Beinecke

    Environmentalist and Nonprofit Executive

  • Zeke Emanuel

    Health Policy Advisor

  • Regina Benjamin

    Surgeon General

  • Max Baucus

    Ambassador and US Senator from Montana

  • Joe Del Bosque

    Farmer

  • Courtney Hight

    Environmental Advocate and Campaigner

  • Michael Minor

    Pastor and Healthcare Advocate

  • Art and Helen Tanderup

    Farmers

  • Nancy Nielsen

    American Medical Association President

  • Sylvia Burwell

    OMB Director and HHS Secretary

  • Todd Stern

    Special Envoy

  • Elizabeth Fowler

    Health Policy Official

  • Cecile Richards

    Planned Parenthood President

Bill McKibben
Environmental Activist
43

Interviews released

Explore a special preview of interviews related to climate, energy, the environment, and healthcare.

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Since 2019, Incite at Columbia University has interviewed hundreds of people to produce the official oral history of the Obama presidency. These in-depth interviews, conducted with those inside and outside of the administration, represent roughly 1,100 hours of audio and video that together form a comprehensive record of the Obama years.

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Stories

Each oral history interview contains dozens of stories. Explore these stories through prepared playlists—or save stories to make your own.

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    Obama's appreciation for SEIU support and the union's endorsement process Andrew Stern
    01:27
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    Early healthcare reform stakeholder meetings in the Obama administration Zeke Emanuel
    03:53
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    Early environmental policy circles and the recognition of climate change Carol Browner
    01:09
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    Oakhill Baptist Church's experience with the Federal Navigator Grant and ACA Michael Minor
    09:07
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    Involvement in combining Senate health reform bills and the role of Max Baucus Kathleen Sebelius
    02:42
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    Establishing the social cost of carbon in climate policy and regulation Nancy Sutley
    02:56
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    Debates over healthcare reform and early negotiations with the pharmaceutical industry Kathleen Sebelius
    05:50
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    Challenges faced by EPA during the Clinton administration and the politicization of science Carol Browner
    04:22
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    Teacher's determination to join White House garden event with students Sarah Holway
    03:37
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    Impact of Ted Kennedy's death and partisan pressures on ACA legislation in 2009 Bob Kocher
    02:29
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Topics

From healthcare to the financial crisis to nuclear nonproliferation, each topic explored in this collection is brought to life by narrators from both inside and outside the Obama administration.

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Navigate

Navigate the interconnected events and places that make up this history, narrated by the stories of the people who lived it.



2009-17

Timeline
Map

News& Events

  • read full text: What a New Oral History Reveals About Obama, and the Tradeoffs He Made
    Peter Baker in The New York Times.
    NewsRead more
  • read full text: An Expansive View Into Obama’s Transformative Presidency
    Caroline Harting in Columbia News.
    NewsRead more
  • read full text: The Obama Presidency Inside-Out: A Conversation About Climate
    New York City
    On May 31, 2023, we gathered in New York City to celebrate the completion of the Obama Presidency Oral History project's fieldwork.
    EventRead more
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