by Dorothy Rowley

Despite marginal success with his foreign policy, attempts to reduce unemployment and the recent loss of Democratic control of the House of Representatives, President Barack Obama still seems to be on the path for a successful 2012 campaign bid, according to a recent New York Times report written by Jeff Somner.

BARACK OBAMA

In addition, economists like Yale University professor Ray Fair predict that by 2011, the economy may have rebounded, and that Obama will likely face a weak opponent.

Week of Nov. 26 to Dec. 2

November 26

1873—Macon B. Allen is elected a judge in Charleston, S.C. Allen holds the distinction of being America’s first Black lawyer having been admitted to the bar in Massachusetts on March 5, 1845. During Reconstruction he decided to aid the former slaves in the South by moving to South Carolina and running for judge.

TINA TURNER

1883—Sojourner Truth dies at her home in Battle Creek, Mich. Truth was a major figure in the abolition movement fighting long and hard to bring an end to the dreaded institution. After slavery, she became a major voice for Black rights and women’s right to vote.

WASHINGTON (AP)—President Barack Obama was back on the basketball court, though this time with two players less likely to throw an elbow his way—his daughters. The White House says that Malia and Sasha Obama joined their father Sunday morning for some hoop time at the gym inside the building that houses the Interior Department.

HOOPSTER-IN-CHIEF—President Barack Obama waits as his daughter Sasha walks by after a basketball outing with both of his girls and some of their friends, Nov. 28. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

On Friday, Obama took an elbow to the mouth while playing a pickup basketball game with friends at Fort McNair. He received 12 stitches to close a cut to the left side of his lower lip.

WASHINGTON (AP)—Civil rights icon John Lewis, poet Maya Angelou and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell are among the 2010 winners of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

President Barack Obama will present the awards to the 15 honorees early next year, the White House announced Nov. 17.

JOHN LEWIS, MAYA ANGELOU and BILL RUSSELL

winners include former President George H.W. Bush, investor Warren Buffett, St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan “The Man” Musial, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

“These outstanding honorees come from a broad range of backgrounds and they’ve excelled in a broad range of fields, but all of them have lived extraordinary lives that have inspired us, enriched our culture, and made our country and our world a better place,” Obama said. “I look forward to awarding them this honor.”