Barack Obama

44th President of the United States (2009–2017). Constitutional law scholar, author, and one of the most consequential political figures of the early 21st century.

Herbert reaches Obama through two entirely independent paths.

Via David Vasquez-Levy: David Vasquez-Levy, a progressive religious leader associated with Pacific School of Religion (PSR), participated in White House consultations on immigration during the Obama administration. He also opened early Obama campaign rallies in Iowa — before and after the presidency.

Via Susan and Dennis Johnson: Susan and Dennis Johnson were Obama's neighbors in Hyde Park, Chicago. Dennis Johnson collaborated from time to time with Obama's law firm — putting them in a domestic, everyday proximity to the future president long before the White House.

Cross-Connections

• Hillary Rodham Clinton – Secretary of State under Obama; Herbert is connected to Hillary through Don Jones, her youth pastor
• Bill Clinton – the presidency that preceded Obama's; connected through Joy Anderson and Doug Eaton
• Dolores Huerta – also connected via David Vasquez-Levy, co-founder of the movement that Obama drew on