Obama calls moms to wish them a happy Mother's Day

By Sunlen Serfaty, CNN

Updated 10:28 AM ET, Mon May 11, 2015

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Whether they have passed away or are still with us today, these mothers have helped shape some of the most influential people of our time.

Photos: Politicians and their moms

Whether they have passed away or are still with us today, these mothers have helped shape some of the most influential people of our time.

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President Barack Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, passed away on November 7, 1995. In a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lthyX-gScbY" target="_blank">tribute</a> to his mother, he said "Had I known she would not survive her illness, I might have written a different book," referencing "Dreams from My Father," his 1995 autobiography. "Less a meditation on the absent parent, more a celebration of the one who was the single constant in my life."

Photos: Politicians and their moms

President Barack Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, passed away on November 7, 1995. In a tribute to his mother, he said "Had I known she would not survive her illness, I might have written a different book," referencing "Dreams from My Father," his 1995 autobiography. "Less a meditation on the absent parent, more a celebration of the one who was the single constant in my life."

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Hillary Clinton's mother, Dorothy Howell Rodham, passed away on November 1, 2011, at age 92. In "Living History" Clinton wrote that her mother taught her to stand up for herself. After young Hillary was bullied, Rodham told her: "You have to face things and show them you're not afraid." Clinton wrote that her mother "watched from behind the curtain as I squared my shoulders and marched across the street. I returned a few minutes later, glowing with victory."

Photos: Politicians and their moms

Hillary Clinton's mother, Dorothy Howell Rodham, passed away on November 1, 2011, at age 92. In "Living History" Clinton wrote that her mother taught her to stand up for herself. After young Hillary was bullied, Rodham told her: "You have to face things and show them you're not afraid." Clinton wrote that her mother "watched from behind the curtain as I squared my shoulders and marched across the street. I returned a few minutes later, glowing with victory."

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Former President George W. Bush recounted his parents' differing discipline styles and said that when he was caught stealing toy soldiers at the age of 6, his father made him apologize to the store owner. "There was no harsh follow-up," Bush said. But his mother might have handled things differently. "One time she caught me urinating in the hedges and washed my mouth out with soap," he said.

Photos: Politicians and their moms

Former President George W. Bush recounted his parents' differing discipline styles and said that when he was caught stealing toy soldiers at the age of 6, his father made him apologize to the store owner. "There was no harsh follow-up," Bush said. But his mother might have handled things differently. "One time she caught me urinating in the hedges and washed my mouth out with soap," he said.

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Barbara Bush has always been an advocate for her younger son, Jeb. But amid speculation that he might run for president, the former first lady said, "There are other people out there that are very qualified and we've had enough Bushes." But in February 2015 she changed her mind, calling into one of her son's fundraisers: "Just listening in. Anyway ... what do you mean too many Bushes? ... I've changed my mind."

Photos: Politicians and their moms

Barbara Bush has always been an advocate for her younger son, Jeb. But amid speculation that he might run for president, the former first lady said, "There are other people out there that are very qualified and we've had enough Bushes." But in February 2015 she changed her mind, calling into one of her son's fundraisers: "Just listening in. Anyway ... what do you mean too many Bushes? ... I've changed my mind."

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On Mother's Day 2014, House Speaker John Boehner <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SpeakerJohnBoehner/videos/754036984636962/" target="_blank">posted</a> a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Mary Ann Boehner, who passed away in 1998. Boehner wrote: "They say behind every great man is a great woman. Well, behind an Ohio barkeeper and his 12 kids, there is a saint."

Photos: Politicians and their moms

On Mother's Day 2014, House Speaker John Boehner posted a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Mary Ann Boehner, who passed away in 1998. Boehner wrote: "They say behind every great man is a great woman. Well, behind an Ohio barkeeper and his 12 kids, there is a saint."

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Reflecting on her mother in an interview with CNN's State of the Union, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said: "My mother was so spectacular. She knew women were capable of more things. Every day I think, if she lived now, what she would be?"

Photos: Politicians and their moms

Reflecting on her mother in an interview with CNN's State of the Union, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said: "My mother was so spectacular. She knew women were capable of more things. Every day I think, if she lived now, what she would be?"

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Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor was raised in an East Bronx housing project and grew up to became the first Hispanic to serve in the nation's highest court. And on the day of her swearing in she thanked her mother, Celina Báez: "I have often said that I am all I am because of her, and I am only half the woman she is."

Photos: Politicians and their moms

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor was raised in an East Bronx housing project and grew up to became the first Hispanic to serve in the nation's highest court. And on the day of her swearing in she thanked her mother, Celina Báez: "I have often said that I am all I am because of her, and I am only half the woman she is."

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While <a href="http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2011/11/18/sotu-state-of-the-union-condoleezza-rice.cnn/video/playlists/state-of-the-union-getting-to-know/">reflecting</a> on growing up in the segregated South, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recounted a time when she went to a department store with her mother to buy an Easter dress and was told she'll have to try it on in a storage room. "My mother said, looking [the saleswoman] dead in the eye, 'Either she tries this dress on in the fitting room or we don't buy it,'" said Rice.

Photos: Politicians and their moms

While reflecting on growing up in the segregated South, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice recounted a time when she went to a department store with her mother to buy an Easter dress and was told she'll have to try it on in a storage room. "My mother said, looking [the saleswoman] dead in the eye, 'Either she tries this dress on in the fitting room or we don't buy it,'" said Rice.

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Betty Douglas, the mother of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, was a familiar face on the campaign trail in 2012, when he was the GOP candidate for vice president, supporting her son each step of the way. Ryan's father died of a heart attack in 1986. Ryan said his mother gave him a "big nudge" to take a job in politics because "she was worried I would become a ski bum."

Photos: Politicians and their moms

Betty Douglas, the mother of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, was a familiar face on the campaign trail in 2012, when he was the GOP candidate for vice president, supporting her son each step of the way. Ryan's father died of a heart attack in 1986. Ryan said his mother gave him a "big nudge" to take a job in politics because "she was worried I would become a ski bum."

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Vice President Joe Biden's mother, Jean Biden, passed away at 92 on January 8, 2010. In his 2008 acceptance speech as Obama's running mate, Biden said "My mother's creed is the American creed: No one is better than you. You are everyone's equal, and everyone is equal to you."

Photos: Politicians and their moms

Vice President Joe Biden's mother, Jean Biden, passed away at 92 on January 8, 2010. In his 2008 acceptance speech as Obama's running mate, Biden said "My mother's creed is the American creed: No one is better than you. You are everyone's equal, and everyone is equal to you."

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World-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson announced his presidential bid in April 2015 but took time away from the campaign trail to be with his ailing mother. Reflecting on his mother in 2013, Carson <a href="http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2013/03/17/exp-getting-to-know-dr-ben-carson.cnn/video/playlists/state-of-the-union-getting-to-know/">said</a>, "Not only did she tell us to turn off the TV and start reading books, but she was always sort of struggling to try to learn how to read, herself."

Photos: Politicians and their moms

World-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson announced his presidential bid in April 2015 but took time away from the campaign trail to be with his ailing mother. Reflecting on his mother in 2013, Carson said, "Not only did she tell us to turn off the TV and start reading books, but she was always sort of struggling to try to learn how to read, herself."

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Sen. Marco Rubio, a presidential candidate, is the son of Cuban immigrants. In an interview with Time magazine in 2013, Rubio <a href="http://swampland.time.com/2013/02/07/immigrant-son/#ixzz2KE1xRwjo" target="_blank">said</a> that his mother, Oriales Garcia, left him a voice message, asking him in Spanish, "Don't mess with the immigrants, my son ... They're human beings just like us, and they came for the same reasons we came."

Photos: Politicians and their moms

Sen. Marco Rubio, a presidential candidate, is the son of Cuban immigrants. In an interview with Time magazine in 2013, Rubio said that his mother, Oriales Garcia, left him a voice message, asking him in Spanish, "Don't mess with the immigrants, my son ... They're human beings just like us, and they came for the same reasons we came."

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Politicians and their mothers COMPILATION

Mother's Day- Barack Obama and Ann Dunham

Mother's Day- Hillary Clinton and Dorothy Rodham

Mother's Day- G W Bush

Mother's Day- Jeb Bush and Barbara Bush

Mother's Day- John Boehner and Mary Ann Boehner

Nancy Pelosi and mother

Mother's Day- Sonia Sotomayor and Celina Báez

Condoleezza Rice and mother

Mother's Day- Paul Ryan and Elizabeth Ryan

Mother's Day- Joe Biden and Jean Biden

Ben Carson and mom

Mother's Day- Marco Rubio and Oriales García Rubio

Washington (CNN)It's not the voice you'd expect to hear on the other end of the phone.

"Hi. This is Barack Obama. Your President."

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In celebration of Mother's Day weekend, Obama surprised three mothers with individual phone calls this to wish them a Happy Mother's Day, according to a White House official.

The mothers, from Minnesota, Arizona and Florida, had all written the President letters over the course of the year.

"I know how tough it is to raise kids and do right by them, and if it hadn't been for my mother, I certainly wouldn't be here," Obama said on a phone call with one of the mothers, referring to his own mother, Ann Dunham, who passed away in 1995. "You are doing the most important work there is."

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Stephanie Tarr, a waitress from Coon Rapids, Minnesota and mother of two boys, was one of the mothers to receive a phone call. She wrote to the President to thank the first family for what they do "each day for our country and normal families like us throughout America," according to a White House official's description of the letter, which included mentions of the minimum wage and affordable preschool as issues most important to her.

"Not uh ... no way," Stephanie Tarr responded as she was greeted with the President's voice, seemingly in disbelief who was on the other end of the phone.

"It's me! Give me a test," the President replied. "Ask me about anything,"

Dawn Miller, a corrections officer from Tucson, Arizona, also wrote to the President and received a phone call from Obama this week, in calls he made from the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.

According to a White House official, Dawn wrote to the President about her 22-year-old son. His job didn't offer health insurance, but he was still able to receive treatment through his mother's insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act after being bitten by a rattlesnake.

"I decided since it was Mother's Day, I should call letter-writers and moms and say 'thank you' for being great moms," he said.

The last mother the President called, Patricia Church of Ormond Beach, Florida, has raised four children, one of whom is a Marine based out of Camp Lejeune.

The impact of where you grow up

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She wrote to the President on the night of his State on the Union address and expressed the challenge of raising children as a single mother. According to a White House official, she concluded her letter by saying, "Mr. President, I know you are far too busy to talk to or meet me and I understand that. But I hope and pray you will at least be able to read my words ..."

Obama thanked Dawn on the phone call for her son's service.

"I was so proud of everything you've done raising four kids and you know serving our country," he said. "Those boys are going to turn out good because of you."

U.S. President Barack Obama attends the Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague, Netherlands, in March 2014. As Obama's second term nears its close, here's a look at some key moments of his administration.

Photos: Barack Obama's presidency

U.S. President Barack Obama attends the Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague, Netherlands, in March 2014. As Obama's second term nears its close, here's a look at some key moments of his administration.

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First lady Michelle Obama brushes specks from the coat of then-Sen. Obama in Springfield, Illinois, just before he announced his candidacy for President in February 2007. Their daughters Malia, left, and Sasha wait in the foreground.

Photos: Barack Obama's presidency

First lady Michelle Obama brushes specks from the coat of then-Sen. Obama in Springfield, Illinois, just before he announced his candidacy for President in February 2007. Their daughters Malia, left, and Sasha wait in the foreground.

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Obama appears on "Meet the Press" with Tim Russert, right, in Des Moines, Iowa, in November 2007.

Photos: Barack Obama's presidency

Obama appears on "Meet the Press" with Tim Russert, right, in Des Moines, Iowa, in November 2007.

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Obama shakes hands with supporters after addressing a rally in Concord, New Hampshire, in January 2008.

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Obama shakes hands with supporters after addressing a rally in Concord, New Hampshire, in January 2008.

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Obama gives a speech at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in March 2008.

Photos: Barack Obama's presidency

Obama gives a speech at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in March 2008.

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Obama speaks at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

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Obama speaks at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

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Obama stands on stage in Chicago with his family after winning the presidential election on November 4, 2008.

Photos: Barack Obama's presidency

Obama stands on stage in Chicago with his family after winning the presidential election on November 4, 2008.

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Obama poses in the Oval Office with several former U.S. Presidents in January 2009. From left are George H. W. Bush, Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

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Obama poses in the Oval Office with several former U.S. Presidents in January 2009. From left are George H. W. Bush, Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

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Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th President of the United States on January 20, 2009.

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Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th President of the United States on January 20, 2009.

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As retired military officers stand behind him, Obama signs an executive order to close down the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in January 2009.

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As retired military officers stand behind him, Obama signs an executive order to close down the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in January 2009.

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Obama and Vice President Joe Biden look at solar panels as they tour the solar array at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on February 17, 2009. That same day, Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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Obama and Vice President Joe Biden look at solar panels as they tour the solar array at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on February 17, 2009. That same day, Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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A soldier hugs Obama during his surprise visit to Camp Victory just outside Baghdad, Iraq, in April 2009.

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A soldier hugs Obama during his surprise visit to Camp Victory just outside Baghdad, Iraq, in April 2009.

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Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a visit to the Oval Office in May 2009. The boy <a href="http://newsroom.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/15/hair-apparent/" target="_blank">wanted to know </a>if Obama's hair felt like his.

Photos: Barack Obama's presidency

Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a visit to the Oval Office in May 2009. The boy wanted to know if Obama's hair felt like his.

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Obama kisses Sonia Sotomayor's cheek after announcing her as his nominee for Supreme Court justice in May 2009.

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Obama kisses Sonia Sotomayor's cheek after announcing her as his nominee for Supreme Court justice in May 2009.

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Palestinian security forces in Jenin, West Bank, listen to Obama speak from Cairo University in Egypt in June 2009. The Palestinian Authority hailed as a "good beginning" Obama's speech to the Muslim world in which he reiterated his support for a Palestinian state.

Photos: Barack Obama's presidency

Palestinian security forces in Jenin, West Bank, listen to Obama speak from Cairo University in Egypt in June 2009. The Palestinian Authority hailed as a "good beginning" Obama's speech to the Muslim world in which he reiterated his support for a Palestinian state.

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Obama and the first lady meet with Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City in July 2009.

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Obama and the first lady meet with Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City in July 2009.

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Obama hosts the Apollo 11 astronauts -- from left, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong -- in the Oval Office on July 20, 2009. It was the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

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Obama hosts the Apollo 11 astronauts -- from left, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong -- in the Oval Office on July 20, 2009. It was the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

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Police Sgt. James Crowley, second right, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, speaks with Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., second left, alongside Obama and Biden as they share beers on the South Lawn of the White House in July 2009. The so-called Beer Summit was held after Crowley arrested Gates at his own home, which sparked tensions and racial furor.

Photos: Barack Obama's presidency

Police Sgt. James Crowley, second right, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, speaks with Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., second left, alongside Obama and Biden as they share beers on the South Lawn of the White House in July 2009. The so-called Beer Summit was held after Crowley arrested Gates at his own home, which sparked tensions and racial furor.

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Obama salutes during the transfer of Sgt. Dale R. Griffin at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, in October 2009. Obama traveled to the base to meet the plane carrying the bodies of 18 U.S. personnel killed in Afghanistan.

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Obama salutes during the transfer of Sgt. Dale R. Griffin at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, in October 2009. Obama traveled to the base to meet the plane carrying the bodies of 18 U.S. personnel killed in Afghanistan.

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Obama walks along the Great Wall of China in November 2009.

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Obama walks along the Great Wall of China in November 2009.

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Obama delivers a speech after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, in December 2009.

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Obama delivers a speech after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway, in December 2009.

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Obama and former Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush walk to the White House Rose Garden to speak about relief efforts for earthquake-stricken Haiti in January 2010.

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Obama and former Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush walk to the White House Rose Garden to speak about relief efforts for earthquake-stricken Haiti in January 2010.

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First daughters Sasha and Malia Obama play in the snow with their father after a snowstorm hit Washington in February 2010.

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First daughters Sasha and Malia Obama play in the snow with their father after a snowstorm hit Washington in February 2010.

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Obama's signature on the Affordable Care Act is seen at the White House in March 2010.

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Obama's signature on the Affordable Care Act is seen at the White House in March 2010.

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Obama throws out the opening pitch before a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals in April 2010.

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Obama throws out the opening pitch before a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals in April 2010.

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Obama and his daughter Sasha swim in Panama City Beach, Florida, in August 2010, to encourage people to come back to the Gulf Coast after a devastating oil spill.

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Obama and his daughter Sasha swim in Panama City Beach, Florida, in August 2010, to encourage people to come back to the Gulf Coast after a devastating oil spill.

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Obama laughs as he makes a statement on his birth certificate in April 2011. Obama said he was amused over conspiracy theories about his birthplace, and he said the media's obsession with the "sideshow" issue was a distraction in a "serious time."

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Obama laughs as he makes a statement on his birth certificate in April 2011. Obama said he was amused over conspiracy theories about his birthplace, and he said the media's obsession with the "sideshow" issue was a distraction in a "serious time."

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Obama, Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and members of the national security team receive live updates on the mission to capture or kill Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011.

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Obama, Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and members of the national security team receive live updates on the mission to capture or kill Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011.

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U.S. Marines watch from Afghanistan as Obama announces the death of bin Laden on May 2, 2011.

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U.S. Marines watch from Afghanistan as Obama announces the death of bin Laden on May 2, 2011.

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Obama enjoys a pint of Guinness in his ancestral home of Moneygall, Ireland, in May 2011.

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Obama enjoys a pint of Guinness in his ancestral home of Moneygall, Ireland, in May 2011.

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Obama and the first lady meet with Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at Buckingham Palace in May 2011.

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Obama and the first lady meet with Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at Buckingham Palace in May 2011.

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Obama and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon walk together in May 2011 during a tour of the tornado devastation in Joplin, Missouri.

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Obama and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon walk together in May 2011 during a tour of the tornado devastation in Joplin, Missouri.

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Obama delivers remarks to troops and military families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on December 14, 2011, marking the exit of U.S. soldiers from Iraq.

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Obama delivers remarks to troops and military families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on December 14, 2011, marking the exit of U.S. soldiers from Iraq.

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Obama pays for a dog toy as he shops with his dog Bo at a PetSmart in Alexandria, Virginia, in December 2011.

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Obama pays for a dog toy as he shops with his dog Bo at a PetSmart in Alexandria, Virginia, in December 2011.

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Obama sits on the famed Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, in April 2012.

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Obama sits on the famed Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, in April 2012.

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British Prime Minister David Cameron, Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and others watch the overtime shootout of the Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich in a conference room at Camp David, Maryland, during a G-8 Summit in May 2012.

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British Prime Minister David Cameron, Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and others watch the overtime shootout of the Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich in a conference room at Camp David, Maryland, during a G-8 Summit in May 2012.

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Obama sits in his chair during a Cabinet meeting in July 2012. This image was tweeted by his official Twitter account in August 2012 in response to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/31/politics/eastwood-speech/" target="_blank">Clint Eastwood's "empty chair" speech</a> at the Republican National Convention. The tweet simply said, "This seat's taken."

Photos: Barack Obama's presidency

Obama sits in his chair during a Cabinet meeting in July 2012. This image was tweeted by his official Twitter account in August 2012 in response to Clint Eastwood's "empty chair" speech at the Republican National Convention. The tweet simply said, "This seat's taken."

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Obama casts a shadow in this picture as he accepts the 2012 Democratic nomination for President during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in September 2012.

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Obama casts a shadow in this picture as he accepts the 2012 Democratic nomination for President during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in September 2012.

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Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney participate in the first presidential debate of the 2012 election.

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Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney participate in the first presidential debate of the 2012 election.

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Obama celebrates on stage in Chicago after defeating Romney on Election Day in 2012.

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Obama celebrates on stage in Chicago after defeating Romney on Election Day in 2012.

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Obama pauses during his speech at a memorial service for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in December 2012.

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Obama pauses during his speech at a memorial service for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in December 2012.

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Hundreds of thousands gather at the U.S. Capitol building as Obama is inaugurated for his second term on January 21, 2013.

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Hundreds of thousands gather at the U.S. Capitol building as Obama is inaugurated for his second term on January 21, 2013.

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Israeli President Shimon Peres, left, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, stand with Obama after Obama arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel, in March 2013.

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Israeli President Shimon Peres, left, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, stand with Obama after Obama arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel, in March 2013.

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Obama adjusts an umbrella held by a Marine during a White House news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May 2013.

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Obama adjusts an umbrella held by a Marine during a White House news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May 2013.

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Jay Leno interviews Obama on "The Tonight Show" in August 2013.

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Jay Leno interviews Obama on "The Tonight Show" in August 2013.

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White House press secretary Jay Carney fields questions from reporters during a daily press briefing at the White House in September 2013. Obama had just pushed for congressional approval for limited military strikes against the Syrian government.

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White House press secretary Jay Carney fields questions from reporters during a daily press briefing at the White House in September 2013. Obama had just pushed for congressional approval for limited military strikes against the Syrian government.

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Actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis interviews Obama during his appearance on "Between Two Ferns," a digital video series with a laser focus on reaching people aged 18 to 34. The President urged young people to sign up for his new health care plan in the video posted on the website Funny or Die.

Photos: Barack Obama's presidency

Actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis interviews Obama during his appearance on "Between Two Ferns," a digital video series with a laser focus on reaching people aged 18 to 34. The President urged young people to sign up for his new health care plan in the video posted on the website Funny or Die.

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Obama walks to the Oval Office on August 7, 2014, the same day he announced the beginning of airstrikes on ISIS.

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Obama walks to the Oval Office on August 7, 2014, the same day he announced the beginning of airstrikes on ISIS.

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Obama speaks to the nation about normalizing diplomatic relations with Cuba in December 2014.

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Obama speaks to the nation about normalizing diplomatic relations with Cuba in December 2014.

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From left, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Speaker John Boehner listen as Obama speaks during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on January 13, 2015.

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From left, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Speaker John Boehner listen as Obama speaks during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on January 13, 2015.

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Obama responds to a heckler who interrupted his speech during a White House reception for LGBT Pride Month in June 2015.

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Obama responds to a heckler who interrupted his speech during a White House reception for LGBT Pride Month in June 2015.

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Obama cries in January 2016 as he delivers a statement on his executive action to reduce gun violence.

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Obama cries in January 2016 as he delivers a statement on his executive action to reduce gun violence.

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Cuban President Raul Castro tries to lift up Obama's arm at the end of a joint news conference in Havana, Cuba, in March 2016. Castro hailed Obama's opposition to a long-standing economic "blockade," but said it would need to end before ties between the two countries are fully normalized.

Photos: Barack Obama's presidency

Cuban President Raul Castro tries to lift up Obama's arm at the end of a joint news conference in Havana, Cuba, in March 2016. Castro hailed Obama's opposition to a long-standing economic "blockade," but said it would need to end before ties between the two countries are fully normalized.

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Obama visits Prince William, Duchess Catherine and their son, Prince George, during a trip to London in April 2016.

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Obama visits Prince William, Duchess Catherine and their son, Prince George, during a trip to London in April 2016.

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Obama hugs Hillary Clinton after speaking at the Democratic National Convention in July 2016. Obama told the crowd at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center that Clinton is ready to be commander in chief. "For four years, I had a front-row seat to her intelligence, her judgment and her discipline," he said, referring to Clinton's stint as secretary of state.

Photos: Barack Obama's presidency

Obama hugs Hillary Clinton after speaking at the Democratic National Convention in July 2016. Obama told the crowd at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center that Clinton is ready to be commander in chief. "For four years, I had a front-row seat to her intelligence, her judgment and her discipline," he said, referring to Clinton's stint as secretary of state.

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