Barack Obama was indeed a member of a Socialist Party called the "New Party" in 1996, it was irrefutably confirmed again. The New Party was evidently a "piggyback" party for some candidates, whereby they could take advantage of the support of Socialists, on some occasions having "dual membership" with another party. Obama was one such candidate, who sought out the support of Socialists by being a member of the party. Obama's predeliction for saying he's one thing whilst being another has caught up to him again.