2008 United States presidential election

Election of Barack Obama related races 2008 United States elections yes March 2021 March 2021 2008 United States presidential election United States presidential no Nationwide opinion polling for the 2008 United States presidential election 2004 United States presidential election 2004 November 4, 2008 2012 United States presidential election 2012 538 members of the Electoral College 270 electoral 61.6%http://www.electproject.org/national-1789-present National General Election VEP Turnout Rates, 1789-Present United States Election Project CQ Press February 28, 2023 July 25, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140725110444/http://www.electproject.org/national-1789-present live 1.5 pp 200x200px Obama portrait crop.jpg Barack Obama Democratic Party (United States) Illinois Joe Biden 365 28 + DC + NE-02 69,498,516 2009 Federal Elections 2008: Election Results for the U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives https://www.fec.gov/resources/cms-content/documents/federalelections2008.pdf Federal Election Commission 69,498,516 131,313,820 1 yes John McCain official portrait 2009 (cropped).jpg John McCain Republican Party (United States) Arizona Sarah Palin 173 22 59,948,323 59,948,323 131,313,820 1 yes 350px Presidential election results map. Blue denotes states won by Obama/Biden and red denotes those won by McCain/Palin. Numbers indicate electoral votes cast by each state and the District of Columbia. President George W. Bush Republican Party (United States) Barack Obama Democratic Party (United States) Presidential elections were held in the United States on November 4, 2008. The Democratic ticket of Illinois junior senator Barack Obama and Delaware senior senator Joe Biden, defeated the Republican ticket of Arizona senior senator John McCain and Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Obama became the first African American to be elected to the presidency. Incumbent Republican president George W. Bush was ineligible to run for a third term due to the term limits established by the Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution; this was the first election since 1952 in which neither the incumbent president nor vice president was on the ballot, and the first since 1928 in which neither ran for the nomination. McCain secured the Republican nomination by March 2008, defeating his main challengers Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, and selected Palin as his running mate. The Democratic primaries were marked by a sharp contest between Obama and the initial front-runner, former first lady and Senator Hillary Clinton, as well as other challengers who dropped out before most of the primaries were held, including Senators John Edwards and Joe Biden. Clinton's victory in the New Hampshire primary made her the first woman to win a major party's presidential primary.lower-alpha Shirley Chisholm had previously won a contest in New Jersey in 1972 that was a no-delegate-awarding, presidential preference ballot in which the major candidates were not listed; the actual delegate selection vote went to George McGovern.https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1972/06/07/83446893.pdf Dakotan Beats Humphrey By a Big Margin in Jersey Ronald Sullivan The New York Times June 7, 1972 1 June 15, 2018 November 9, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109011016/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1972/06/07/83446893.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false live https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19720515&id=UmlPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7133,1487123 Sanford Is Withdrawing From N.J. Associated Press The Times-News May 13, 1972 12 October 14, 2020 October 10, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211010021753/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19720515&id=UmlPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7133%2C1487123 live After a long primary season, Obama narrowly secured the Democratic nomination in June 2008 and selected Biden as his running mate. During his second term in office, Bush's popularity declined significantly, which was attributed to the growing disdain for the Iraq War, his response to Hurricane Katrina, the Abu Ghraib torture controversy, and the 2008 financial crisis. McCain opted to distance himself from Bush and did not campaign with him, nor did Bush appear in person at the 2008 Republican National Convention, although he did endorse McCain. Obama strongly opposed the Iraq War, as well as a troop surge that had begun in 2007, while McCain supported the war. Obama campaigned on the theme that "Washington must change", while McCain emphasized his experience. McCain's decision to suspend his campaign during the height of the financial crisis backfired as voters viewed his response as erratic.Halloran Liz McCain Suspends Campaign, Shocks Republicans https://www.usnews.com/news/campaign-2008/articles/2008/09/24/mccain-suspends-campaign-shocks-republicans USNews December 5, 2020 October 12, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201012112027/https://www.usnews.com/news/campaign-2008/articles/2008/09/24/mccain-suspends-campaign-shocks-republicans September 24, 2008 live Obama won a decisive victory over McCain, winning the Electoral College and popular vote by sizable margins, and flipping nine states that had voted Republican in 2004: Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia, as well as Nebraska's 2nd congressional district. He also won every state in the Great Lakes region. Background United States presidential election#Procedure thumb|200x200px|George W. Bush, the incumbent president in 2008, whose second term expired at noon on January 20, 2009 Article Two of the United States Constitution says that the president and vice president of the United States must be natural-born citizens of the United States, at least 35 years old, and residents of the United States for at least 14 years. Candidates for president typically seek the nomination of a political party, in which case each party devises a method (such as a primary election) to choose a candidate for the position. Traditionally, the primaries are indirect elections where voters cast ballots for a slate of party delegates pledged to a particular candidate. The party's delegates then officially nominate a candidate to run on the party's behalf. The general election in November is also an indirect election, where voters cast ballots for a slate of members of the Electoral College; these electors in turn directly elect the president and vice president. President George W. Bush, a Republican and former governor of Texas, was ineligible to seek reelection to a third term due to the Twenty-second Amendment; in accordance with Section1 of the Twentieth Amendment, his term expired at noon Eastern Standard Time on January 20, 2009. Nominations Democratic Party Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries 2008 Democratic National Convention Candidate 2008 Democratic Party presidential candidates Presidential campaigns Vice presidential campaigns 65px|center|link=Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party (United States)2008 Democratic Party ticket white Barack Obama white Joe Bidenfor Presidentfor Vice President center|200x200px center|200x200px U.S. Senatorfrom Illinois(2005–2008) U.S. Senatorfrom Delaware(1973–2009)Campaigncenter|180x180px Withdrawn candidates Candidates in this section are sorted by popular vote from the primariesHillary ClintonJohn EdwardsBill RichardsonDennis KucinichJoe BidenMike GravelChris DoddTom Vilsackalt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|125x125pxalt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|120x120pxU.S. Senator from New York(2001–2009) U.S. Senatorfrom North Carolina(1999–2005)30thGovernor of New Mexico(2003–2011)U.S. Representativefrom Ohio(1997–2013)U.S. Senatorfrom Delaware(1973–2009)U.S. Senatorfrom Alaska(1969–1981)U.S. Senatorfrom Connecticut(1981–2011)40thGovernor of Iowa(1999–2007)alt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxCampaignCampaignCampaignCampaignCampaignCampaignCampaignCampaignW: June 717,493,836 votesW: Jan 301,009,331 votesW: Jan 10106,356 votesW: Jan 23104,000 votesW: Jan 381,777 votesW: N/A40,263 votesW: Jan 335,284 votesW: Feb 23, 20070 votes Before the primaries Media speculation had begun almost immediately after the results of the 2004 presidential election were released. In the 2006 midterm elections, the Democrats regained majorities in both houses of the U.S. Congress.Kuhnhenn Jim Democrats win control of Congress https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/09/AR2006110900147.html The Washington Post AP November 9, 2006 September 6, 2012 January 12, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200112163708/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/09/AR2006110900147.html live Early polls taken before anyone had announced a candidacy had shown Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama as the most popular potential Democratic candidates.Borger Julian Now the real race begins... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/nov/11/midterms2006.usa2 The Guardian November 11, 2006 June 7, 2009 London August 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210816002106/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/nov/11/midterms2006.usa2 live Nevertheless, the media speculated on several other candidates, including Al Gore, the runner-up in the 2000 election; John Kerry, the runner-up in the 2004 election; John Edwards, Kerry's running mate in 2004; Delaware Senator Joe Biden; New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson; Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack; and Indiana Senator Evan Bayh.Hughes John With midterms over, all eyes turn to the 2008 presidential race https://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1115/p09s01-cojh.html?s=widep The Christian Science Monitor November 15, 2006 June 7, 2009 May 6, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210506034027/https://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1115/p09s01-cojh.html?s=widep live Edwards was one of the first to formally announce his candidacy for the presidency, on December 28, 2006. This run would be his second attempt at the presidency.Balz Dan Edwards Formally Joins 2008 Presidential Race https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/12/29/edwards-formally-joins-2008-presidential-race-span-classbankheadex-senator-calls-for-drawdown-in-iraqspan/a8e3bf08-1096-4edb-a684-e95d3b54cc70/ The Washington Post December 29, 2006 June 7, 2009 March 28, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240328094326/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2006/12/29/edwards-formally-joins-2008-presidential-race-span-classbankheadex-senator-calls-for-drawdown-in-iraqspan/a8e3bf08-1096-4edb-a684-e95d3b54cc70/ live Clinton announced intentions to run in the Democratic primaries on January 20, 2007.Liasson Mara Simon Scott Hillary Clinton Enters Race for President https://www.npr.org/2007/01/20/6929745/hillary-clinton-enters-race-for-president 28 March 2024 NPR January 20, 2007 March 28, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240328093216/https://www.npr.org/2007/01/20/6929745/hillary-clinton-enters-race-for-president live Obama announced his candidacy on February 10 in his home state of Illinois.Nagourney Adam Zeleny Jeff 2007-02-11 Obama Formally Enters Presidential Race https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/11/us/politics/11obama.html 2024-03-28 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 March 28, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240328094127/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/11/us/politics/11obama.html live Early primaries and caucuses Early in the year, the support for Barack Obama started to increase in the polls and he passed Clinton for the top spot in Iowa; he ended up winning the caucus in that state, with Edwards coming in second and Clinton in third.Candy Crowley Suzanne Malveaux Jessica Yellin Obama wins Iowa as candidate for change http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/03/iowa.dems/index.html CNN January 4, 2008 June 8, 2009 April 13, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210413022749/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/03/iowa.dems/index.html live Obama's win was fueled mostly by first time caucus-goers and Independents and showed voters viewed him as the "candidate of change". Iowa has since been viewed as the state that jump-started Obama's campaign and set him on track to win both the nomination and the presidency.Steinhauser Paul Back to where it began: Obama visits Iowa http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/22/obama.iowa/index.html CNN April 22, 2009 June 8, 2009 April 13, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210413040604/http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/22/obama.iowa/index.html live After the Iowa caucus, Biden and Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd withdrew from the nomination contest. Obama became the new front runner in New Hampshire, when his poll numbers skyrocketed after his Iowa victory. The Clinton campaign was struggling after a huge loss in Iowa and no strategy beyond the early primaries and caucuses. According to The Vancouver Sun, campaign strategists had "mapped a victory scenario that envisioned the former first lady wrapping up the Democratic presidential nomination by Super Tuesday on Feb. 5."Alberts Sheldon Overconfidence, bad strategy doomed Clinton campaign http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=5c4b296c-38e6-454d-9edf-3c03d67aa4bd The Vancouver Sun June 7, 2008 June 8, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080611002622/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=5c4b296c-38e6-454d-9edf-3c03d67aa4bd June 11, 2008 mdy-all In what is considered a turning point for her campaign, Clinton had a strong performance at the Saint Anselm College, ABC, and Facebook debates several days before the New Hampshire primary as well as an emotional interview in a public broadcast live on TV.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3160177.ece Hillary Clinton: my teary moment won me New Hampshire January 9, 2008 Hannah Strange Philippe Naughton amp The Times March 14, 2008 London April 29, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110429092256/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article3160177.ece dead See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqGl-pDnYMQ https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/dqGl-pDnYMQ 2021-12-12 live Hillary tears up in New Hampshire Primary 2008 January 9, 2008 Video YouTube Clinton won that primary by 2% of the vote, contrary to the predictions of pollsters who consistently had her trailing Obama for a few days up to the primary date.2008 New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Primary http://www.pollster.com/polls/nh/08-nh-dem-pres-primary.php Pollster.com June 8, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20080923001235/http://www.pollster.com/polls/nh/08-nh-dem-pres-primary.php September 23, 2008 dead mdy-all Clinton's win was the first time a woman had ever won a major American party's presidential primary for the purposes of delegate selection.http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/fast_facts/elections/preswatch_clinton.php Fast Facts - Elections - Election Watch Center for American Women and Politics May 31, 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090430130147/http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/fast_facts/elections/preswatch_clinton.php April 30, 2009 On January 30, 2008, after placing in third in the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries, Edwards announced that he was suspending his campaign for the presidency, but he did not initially endorse any remaining candidates.https://www.cbsnews.com/news/edwards-exits-presidential-race/ Edwards exits presidential race CBS News January 30, 2008 January 30, 2008 October 20, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121020215050/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/30/politics/main3768889.shtml livehttps://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2964765820080131/ Giuliani, Edwards quit White House Race January 30, 2008 January 30, 2008 Reuters Steve Holland November 5, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211105190326/https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2964765820080131 live Super Tuesday left|thumb|Voting sign in Utah Super Tuesday was February 5, 2008, when the largest-ever number of simultaneous state primary elections was held.Greene Richard Allen States jostle for primary power BBC News May 30, 2007 https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6501241.stm September 15, 2008 August 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210815081755/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6501241.stm live Super Tuesday ended up leaving the Democrats in a virtual tie, with Obama amassing 847 delegates to Clinton's 834 from the 23 states that held Democratic primaries.Presidential primary and caucus dates Pew Research Center August 30, 2007 Stateline.org 1 http://archive.stateline.org/flash-data/Primary/2008_presidential_primaries.pdf September 15, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080911154423/http://archive.stateline.org/flash-data/Primary/2008_presidential_primaries.pdf September 11, 2008 California was one of the Super Tuesday states that could provide a large number of delegates to the candidates. Obama trailed in the California polling by an average of 6.0% before the primary; he ended up losing that state by 8.3% of the vote.http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/08/persistent-myth-of-bradley-effect.html The Persistent Myth of the Bradley Effect Nate Silver August 11, 2008 August 11, 2008 December 2, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131202235028/http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/08/persistent-myth-of-bradley-effect.html dead Some analysts cited a large Latino turnout that voted for Clinton as the deciding factor.http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/02/clinton_win_in.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080313005908/http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/02/clinton_win_in.html March 13, 2008 Clinton Win in California Larger Than Polls Predicted Because of Huge Latino Turnout Frank D. Russo February 6, 2008 March 14, 2008 The Louisiana, Nebraska, Hawaii, Wisconsin, U.S. Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia primaries and the Washington and Maine caucuses all took place after Super Tuesday in February. Obama won all of them, giving him 10 consecutive victories after Super Tuesday.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#ME Election Center 2008: Primary Results from Maine CNN February 10, 2008 March 14, 2008 May 7, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080507001932/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#ME liveNBC News 2008 Primary Results March 14, 2008 https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna21660914 September 23, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200923223214/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21660914 live Ohio, Texas, and Pennsylvania On March 4, Hillary Clinton carried Ohio and Rhode Island in the Democratic primaries; some considered these wins, especially Ohio, a "surprise upset" by 10%,Clinton comeback: Fight goes on The Seattle Times March 5, 2008 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004261471_elexdems05.html March 5, 2008 December 14, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111214175507/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004261471_elexdems05.html livehttp://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/votes/ 2008 Presidential election results July 27, 2016 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160726145824/http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/votes/ July 26, 2016 mdy-all although she did lead in the polling averages in both states.Clinton wins key primaries, CNN projects; McCain clinches nod CNN March 5, 2008 http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/04/march.4.contests/ March 5, 2008 April 13, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210413010400/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/04/march.4.contests/ live She also carried the primary in Texas, but Obama won the Texas caucuses held the same day and netted more delegates from the state than Clinton.Election Center 2008 Primaries and Caucuses: Results: Democratic Scorecard August 20, 2008 http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/#D CNN May 26, 2008 June 4, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080604022436/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/scorecard/#D live Only one state held a primary in April. This was Pennsylvania, on April 22. Although Obama made a strong effort to win Pennsylvania, Hillary Clinton won that primary by nearly 10%, with approximately 55% of the vote.Jensen, Kristin Dodge, Catherine Clinton Wins Pennsylvania Vote; Obama Retains Control (Update6) https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=asAZ87WefY6Y Bloomberg L.P. April 23, 2008 June 8, 2009 Obama had outspent Clinton three to one in Pennsylvania, but his comment at a San Francisco fundraiser that small-town Americans "cling" to guns and religion drew sharp criticism from the Clinton campaign and may have hurt his chances in the Keystone State.Oinounou, Mosheh Bruns, Aaron Obama on Guns and Religion: 'I Didn't Say It as Well as I Should Have' http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2008/04/12/obama-on-guns-and-religion-i-didnt-say-it-as-well-as-i-should-have/ Fox News April 12, 2008 June 8, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090220190748/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2008/04/12/obama-on-guns-and-religion-i-didnt-say-it-as-well-as-i-should-have/ February 20, 2009 Mosheh Oinounou In addition, Clinton had several advantages in Pennsylvania. Throughout the primary process, she relied on the support of older, white, working class voters. Pennsylvania held a closed primary, which means that only registered Democrats could vote, and, according to Ron Elving of NPR, the established Democratic electorate "was older, whiter, more Catholic and more working-class than in most of the primaries to date."Elving Ron Analysis: Clinton Needed Pennsylvania to Carry On https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89865397 NPR April 23, 2008 June 8, 2009 August 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210816190910/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89865397 live After Pennsylvania, Obama had a higher number of delegates and popular votes than Clinton did and was still in a stronger position to win the nomination. Clinton, however, had received the endorsement of more superdelegates than Obama. Indiana and North Carolina On May 6, North Carolina and Indiana held their Democratic presidential primaries. Clinton and Obama campaigned aggressively there before the voting took place. Polling had shown Obama a few points ahead in North Carolina and Clinton similarly leading in Indiana.http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/nc/north_carolina_democratic_primary-275.html Election 2008 – North Carolina Democratic Primary RealClearPolitics May 1, 2008 January 24, 2009 April 13, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210413010410/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/nc/north_carolina_democratic_primary-275.html livehttp://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/in/indiana_democratic_primary-639.html Election 2008 – Indiana Democratic Primary RealClearPolitics January 24, 2009 July 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210715143948/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/in/indiana_democratic_primary-639.html live In the actual results, Obama outperformed the polls by several points in both states, winning by a significant margin in North CarolinaNC—Election Results http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/1875/4822/en/summary.html North Carolina State Board of Elections May 7, 2008 June 8, 2009 May 25, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170525040551/http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/1875/4822/en/summary.html live and losing by only 1.1% in Indiana (50.56% to 49.44%).Indiana Primary Election, May 6, 2008 http://www.in.gov/apps/sos/primary/sos_primary08 Indiana Secretary of State August 22, 2008 June 8, 2009 August 11, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180811070158/http://www.in.gov/apps/sos/primary/sos_primary08 live After these primaries, most pundits declared that it had become "increasingly improbable," if not impossible, for Clinton to win the nomination.Rutenberg Jim Pundits Declare the Race Over https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/us/politics/07cnd-pundits.html The New York Times May 8, 2008 June 8, 2009 April 25, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090425033140/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/us/politics/07cnd-pundits.html live The small win in Indiana barely kept her campaign alive for the next month.https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24481004 NBC: Obama takes N.C. - Decision '08- NBC News NBC News May 7, 2008 January 24, 2009 September 23, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200923223746/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24481004 live Although she did manage to win the majority of the remaining primaries and delegates, it was not enough to overcome Obama's substantial delegate lead. Florida and Michigan During late 2007, the two parties adopted rules against states' moving their primaries to an earlier date in the year. For the Republicans, the penalty for this violation was supposed to be the loss of half the state party's delegates to the convention. The Democratic penalty was the complete exclusion from the national convention of delegates from states that broke these rules. The Democratic Party allowed only four states to hold elections before February 5, 2008. Clinton won a majority of delegates and popular votes from both states (though 40% voted uncommitted in Michigan) and subsequently led a fight to seat all the Florida and Michigan delegates.Hertzberg, Hendrik June 2, 2008 http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2008/06/02/080602taco_talk_hertzberg Memory Lapse The New Yorker June 8, 2009 March 7, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140307081344/http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2008/06/02/080602taco_talk_hertzberg live There was some speculation that the fight over the delegates could last until the convention in August. On May 31, 2008, the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the Democratic Party reached a compromise on the Florida and Michigan delegate situation. The committee decided to seat delegates from Michigan and Florida at the convention in August, but to only award each a half-vote.http://us.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/31/dems.delegates/index.html Florida, Michigan get all delegates, but each gets half vote CNN May 31, 2008 May 31, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080602222431/http://us.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/31/dems.delegates/index.html June 2, 2008 Clinching the nomination thumb|2008 DNC during Stevie Wonder's performance The major political party nomination process (technically) continues through June of an election year. In previous cycles, the candidates were effectively chosen by the end of the primaries held in March, but, in this cycle, Barack Obama did not win enough delegates to secure the nomination until June 3, after a 17-month campaign against Hillary Clinton. He had a wide lead in states won, while Clinton had won majorities in several of the larger states. Now, because a form of proportional representation and popular vote decided Democratic state delegate contests, numbers were close between Clinton and Obama. http://www.lib.niu.edu/1991/ii911010.html The 1992 primary: proportional representation for Illinois Democrats John S. Jackson Barbara Leavitt Brown Illinois Issues October 12, 1991 May 18, 2008 University of Illinois at Springfield August 23, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210823041247/https://www.lib.niu.edu/1991/ii911010.html live By May, Clinton claimed to hold a lead in the popular vote, but the Associated Press found that her numbers were "accurate only" in one close scenario. https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-05-15-495396467_x.htm Fact check: Clinton vote claims under scrutiny USA Today Associated Press May 15, 2008 June 8, 2009 April 28, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110428083427/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-05-15-495396467_x.htm live In June, after the last of the primaries had taken place, Obama secured the Democratic nomination for president, with the help of multiple super delegate endorsements (most of the super delegates had refused to declare their support for either candidate until the primaries were completed).https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24944453 Obama claims Democratic nomination—Decision '08- NBC News NBC News June 4, 2008 January 24, 2009 September 23, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200923223846/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24944453 live He was the first African American to win the nomination of a major political party in the United States.Zeleny Jeff https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/us/politics/04elect.html Obama Clinches Nomination; First Black Candidate to Lead a Major Party Ticket The New York Times June 4, 2008 January 24, 2009 August 17, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200817103707/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/us/politics/04elect.html live For several days, Clinton refused to concede the race, although she signaled her presidential campaign was ending in a post-primary speech on June 3 in her home state of New York.https://www.politico.com/story/2008/06/historic-night-obama-clinches-nomination-010797 Historic night: Obama clinches nomination—Bill Nichols and Ben Smith June 3, 2008 Politico.com January 24, 2009 April 12, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120412084230/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/10797.html live She finally conceded the nomination to Obama on June 7. She pledged her full support to the presumptive nominee and vowed to do everything she could to help him get elected.https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=5020581&page=1 ABC News: Clinton Concedes Democratic Nomination; Obama Leads Party in Fall Abcnews.go.com January 24, 2009 August 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210816001241/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=5020581&page=1 live Clinton would eventually become the Democratic presidential nominee 8 years later, which she then lost the general election to Donald Trump. Republican Party John McCain 2008 presidential campaign 2008 Republican Party presidential primaries 2008 Republican National Convention Not only was the 2008 election the first time since 1952 that neither the incumbent president nor the incumbent vice president was a candidate in the general election, but it was also the first time since the 1928 election that neither sought his party's nomination for president; as Bush was term-limited from seeking another nomination, the unique aspect was Vice President Cheney's decision not to seek the Republican nomination.Toby Harnden https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1435447/The-top-US-conservatives-and-liberals.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1435447/The-top-US-conservatives-and-liberals.html January 10, 2022 subscription live The top US conservatives and liberals September 7, 2008 November 13, 2007 Telegraph.co.uk LondonCharles G. Dawes, 30th Vice President (1925–1929) https://web.archive.org/web/20141106112435/https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP_Charles_Dawes.htm November 6, 2014 , U.S. Senate. The 2008 election was also the third presidential election since 1896 in which neither the incumbent president, the incumbent vice president, nor a current or former member of the incumbent president's Cabinet won the nomination of either major party the others being 1920 and 1952.Jones Charles O. Vice Presidents and Other Heirs Apparent: The Historical Experience of Experience Presidential Studies Quarterly September 2008 38 3 422–432 41219688 10.1111/j.1741-5705.2008.02653.x 0360-4918 With no members of the Bush administration emerging as major contenders for the Republican nomination, the Republican race was as open as the Democratic race. Candidate 2008 Republican Party presidential candidates 65px|center|link=Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party (United States)2008 Republican Party ticket white John McCain white Sarah Palinfor Presidentfor Vice President center|200x200px center|214x214px U.S. Senatorfrom Arizona(1987–2018) 9thGovernor of Alaska(2006–2009)Campaigncenter|200x200px Withdrawn candidates Candidates in this section are sorted by popular vote from the primariesMitt RomneyMike HuckabeeRon PaulRudy GiulianiFred Thompsonalt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|128x128pxalt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|120x120px70thGovernor ofMassachusetts(2003–2007)44thGovernor ofArkansas(1996–2007)U.S. Representativefrom Texas(1996–2013)107thMayor ofNew York City(1994–2001)U.S. Senatorfrom Tennessee(1994–2003)alt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxCampaignCampaignCampaignCampaignCampaignW: Feb 74,699,788 votesW: March 44,276,046 votesW: June 121,160,403 votesW: Jan 30597,518 votesW: Jan 22292,752 votesAlan KeyesDuncan HunterTom TancredoSam BrownbackJim Gilmorealt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|120x120pxalt=|center|118x118px16thAssistant Secretaryof State for IOA(1985–1987)U.S. Representativefrom California(1981–2009)U.S. Representativefrom Colorado(1999–2009)U.S. Senatorfrom Kansas(1996–2011)68thGovernor of Virginia(1998–2002)alt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxalt=|center|100x100pxCampaignCampaignCampaignCampaignCampaignW: April 1559,636 votesW: Jan 1939,883 votesW: Jan 10 8,595 votesW: Oct 18, 2007 2,838 votesW: July 14, 20070 votes Before the primaries Immediately after the 2006 midterm elections, media pundits began speculating, as they did about the Democrats, about potential Republican candidates for president in 2008. In November 2006, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani led in the polls, followed closely by Arizona Senator John McCain.Vardi Nathan President Rudy Giuliani? https://www.forbes.com/2006/11/14/leadership-giuliani-president-lead-manage-cz_nv_1114giuliani.html Forbes November 14, 2006 June 9, 2009 August 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210816030145/https://www.forbes.com/2006/11/14/leadership-giuliani-president-lead-manage-cz_nv_1114giuliani.html live The media speculated that Giuliani's pro-choice stance on abortion and McCain's age and support of the unpopular Iraq War would be detriments to their candidacies. Giuliani remained the frontrunner in the polls throughout most of 2007, with McCain and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson fighting for second place.White House 2008: Republican Nomination http://pollingreport.com/wh08rep.htm Pollingreport.com June 9, 2009 June 13, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160613110212/http://www.pollingreport.com/wh08rep.htm live Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Giuliani, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, and Texas Representative Ron Paul announced their candidacies on January 28, February 5, February 13, and March 12, respectively.Romano Lois Huckabee Announces Presidential Bit https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/28/AR2007012800482.html The Washington Post January 29, 2007 June 9, 2009 March 9, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210309060620/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/28/AR2007012800482.html liveBalz, Dan Cillizza, Chris Giuliani Announces He's In '08 Presidential Race https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/05/AR2007020500723_pf.html The Washington Post February 6, 2007 June 9, 2009 January 12, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200112163341/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/05/AR2007020500723_pf.html liveGonyea Don Romney Announces His Candidacy for 2008 https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7388715 NPR February 13, 2007 June 9, 2009 August 18, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210818010250/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7388715 livehttp://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA031207.paul2008.EN.74141d9.html https://web.archive.org/web/20070315195015/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA031207.paul2008.EN.74141d9.html March 15, 2007 Paul formally launches presidential bid Martin, Gary San Antonio Express-News March 12, 2007 March 13, 2007 McCain officially announced his candidacy on March 1, 2007, after several informal announcements.Parker Jennifer The Art of the Presidential Rollout https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=3074824&page=1 ABC News April 25, 2007 June 9, 2009 August 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210814084204/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=3074824&page=1 live In the third quarter of 2007, the top four GOP (Republican) fundraisers were Romney, Giuliani, Thompson, and Ron Paul.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/05/AR2007110501643.html Paul Raises More Than $3.5M in One Day The Washington Post January 28, 2018 July 14, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170714135133/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/05/AR2007110501643.html live MSNBC's Chuck Todd christened Giuliani and John McCain the front runners after the second Republican presidential debate in early 2007.Todd Chuck Chuck Todd http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/15/192366.aspx Winners & Losers MSNBC May 15, 2007 June 9, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090531093129/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/15/192366.aspx May 31, 2009 mdy-all Early primaries/caucuses Huckabee, winner of Iowa, had little to no money and hoped for at least a third-place finish in New Hampshire. McCain eventually displaced Rudy Giuliani and Romney as the front runner in New Hampshire. McCain staged a turnaround victory,http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/08/nh.main/index.html Clinton and McCain the comeback kids CNN January 8, 2008 January 8, 2008 September 12, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200912000610/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/08/nh.main/index.html live having been written off by the pundits and polling in single digits less than a month before the race.http://www.nbcnews.com/id/22641730 New poll finds McCain reshaping GOP race NBC News The New York Times Robin Toner Marjorie Connelly amp January 14, 2008 March 14, 2008 September 23, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200923223353/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/22641730 dead See also: http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4288771 https://web.archive.org/web/20080517231623/http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4288771 May 17, 2008 John McCain: Ultimate Survivor March 6, 2008 The Star (South Africa) March 14, 2008 With the Republicans stripping Michigan and Florida of half their delegates for moving their primaries into January 2008 against party rules, the race for the nomination was based there. McCain meanwhile managed a small victory over Huckabee in South Carolina,http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#SC Election Center 2008: Primary Results for South Carolina January 19, 2008 January 19, 2008 CNN May 7, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080507001932/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#SC live setting him up for a larger and more important victory over Romney in Florida, which held a closed primary on January 29.http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/29/fl.primary/index.html McCain wins Florida, CNN projects CNN January 29, 2008 June 9, 2009 March 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210325190455/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/29/fl.primary/index.html live By this time, after several scandals, no success in the early primaries, and a third-place finish in Florida, Giuliani conceded the nomination and endorsed John McCain the next day.Montopoli Brian For Giuliani, A Disappointing Fade To Exit https://www.cbsnews.com/news/for-giuliani-a-disappointing-fade-to-exit/ CBS News January 29, 2008 June 9, 2009 February 21, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110221135000/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/29/politics/main3768035.shtml live Super Tuesday McCain was also endorsed in February by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger before the California primary took place on Super Tuesday. This gave him a significant boost in the polls for the state's primary,http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/31/mccain.endorsements/index.html Schwarzenegger backs McCain for president CNN January 31, 2008 May 26, 2010 August 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210816062350/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/31/mccain.endorsements/index.html live which awarded the greatest number of delegates of all the states. On Super Tuesday, McCain won his home state of Arizona, taking all 53 delegates. He also won nearly all of California's 173 delegates, the largest of the Super Tuesday prizes. McCain also scored wins in seven other states, picking up 574 delegates.Johnson Wesley Super Tuesday results state by state https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/super-tuesday-results-state-by-state-778654.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/super-tuesday-results-state-by-state-778654.html May 1, 2022 subscription live The Independent February 6, 2008 June 9, 2009 London Huckabee was the "surprise performer", winning 5 states and 218 delegates. Romney won 7 states and 231 delegates. Two days later, Romney suspended his presidential campaign, saying that if he stayed in the race, he would "forestall the launch of a national campaign and be making it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win".Romney suspends presidential campaign CNN February 7, 2008 John King http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/07/romney.campaign/index.html June 10, 2009 September 2, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210902191057/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/07/romney.campaign/index.html live His departure left Huckabee and Paul as McCain's only major challengers in the remaining primaries and caucuses. Romney endorsed McCain on February 14.http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/14/romney.mccain/index.html Romney endorses McCain for GOP nomination CNN February 14, 2008 June 9, 2009 April 23, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090423193808/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/14/romney.mccain/index.html live Louisiana, the District of Columbia, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Washington held primaries in February after Super Tuesday. Despite McCain picking up big victories, Huckabee won Louisiana and Kansas. McCain narrowly carried the Washington caucuses over Huckabee and Paul, who amassed a large showing. The Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico closed February for the Republicans. After Super Tuesday, John McCain had become the clear front runner, but by the end of February, he still had not acquired enough delegates to secure the nomination. In March, John McCain clinched the Republican nomination after sweeping all four primaries, Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island, putting him over the top of the 1,191 delegates required to win the GOP nomination. Mike Huckabee then conceded the race to McCain, leaving Ron Paul, who had just 16 delegates, as his only remaining opponent.Huckabee bows to 'inevitable,' ends GOP run CNN March 5, 2008 http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/05/huckabee/ March 5, 2008 August 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210814100823/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/05/huckabee/ live Romney would eventually become the Republican presidential nominee 4 years later, which he then lost the general election to incumbent President Barack Obama. Third party and other nominations Third-party and independent candidates for the 2008 United States presidential election Along with the Democratic and Republican parties, three other parties nominated candidates with ballot access in enough states to win the minimum 270 electoral votes needed to win the election. These were the Constitution Party, the Green Party, and the Libertarian Party. In addition, independent candidate Ralph Nader ran his own campaign. The Constitution Party nominated writer, pastor, and conservative talk show host Chuck Baldwin for president, and attorney Darrell Castle from Tennessee for vice president.Mannies Jo At KC convention, Constitution Party picks pastor for president http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/political-fix/political-fix/2008/04/at-kc-convention-constitution-party-picks-pastor-for-president/ https://archive.today/20080530214447/http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/political-fix/political-fix/2008/04/at-kc-convention-constitution-party-picks-pastor-for-president/ dead May 30, 2008 St. Louis Post-Dispatch April 26, 2008 July 14, 2009Montana News Association BALDWIN 2008 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF http://www.montanasnews.tv/articles.php?mode=view&id=11063 https://web.archive.org/web/20110501073923/http://www.montanasnews.tv/articles.php?mode=view&id=11063 dead May 1, 2011 Montana News Association May 22, 2008 July 14, 2009 While campaigning, Baldwin voiced his opposition to the Iraq War, the Sixteenth Amendment, Roe v. Wade, the IRS, and the Federal Reserve.Simon Scott Chuck Baldwin On His Run For President https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95822850 NPR October 18, 2008 July 14, 2009 August 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210816060744/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95822850 live The Green Party nominated former Democratic representative Cynthia McKinney from Georgia for president, and political activist Rosa Clemente from New York for vice president. McKinney campaigned on a platform that supported single-payer universal health care, the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, reparations for African Americans, and the creation of a Department of Peace.Scott Jeffry McKinney wins Green Party nomination http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/07/12/mckinney_green_nomination.html The Atlanta Journal-Constitution July 12, 2008 July 14, 2009 May 29, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120529073043/http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/07/12/mckinney_green_nomination.html live The Libertarian Party nominated former Republican representative Bob Barr from Georgia for president, and his former rival for the Libertarian nomination Wayne Allyn Root from Nevada, for vice president. During the 2008 presidential campaign, Barr advocated a reworking or abolition of the income taxBob Barr: 'We must both reduce and simplify taxes' http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2008/06/bob-barr-we-must-both-reduce-and-simplify-taxes/ Independent Political Report June 5, 2008 July 14, 2009 August 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210814111752/https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2008/06/bob-barr-we-must-both-reduce-and-simplify-taxes/ live and opposed the war in IraqGalloway Jim Bob Barr thinking 'very serious' thoughts about a presidential race, Iraq, and torture http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2008/03/26/bob_barr_very_serious_about_a.html The Atlanta Journal-Constitution March 26, 2008 July 14, 2009 May 29, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120529071826/http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2008/03/26/bob_barr_very_serious_about_a.html live and the Patriot Act.Jesse Walker Jesse Walker Bob Barr, Civil Libertarian. The right wing of the ACLU http://www.reason.com/news/show/28960.html Reason Magazine December 2003 July 14, 2009 September 3, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090903042812/http://www.reason.com/news/show/28960.html live Candidates gallery Party conventions USA 400 right Sites of the 2008 National Party Conventions USA blue-gold pog.svg 14 39.739167 -104.984722 bottom #FFFFFF Denver USA red pog.svg 10 44.9441 -93.0852 top #FFFFFF Saint Paul USA purple pog.svg 39.1 -94.58 bottom #FFFFFF Kansas City USA green pog.svg 41.836944 -87.684444 bottom #FFFFFF Chicago April 23–26, 2008: 2008 Constitution Party National Convention held in Kansas City, Missouri. May 23–26, 2008: 2008 Libertarian National Convention, held in Denver, Colorado. July 10–13, 2008: 2008 Green Party National Convention, held in Chicago, Illinois. August 25–28, 2008: 2008 Democratic National Convention, held in Denver, Colorado. September 1–4, 2008: 2008 Republican National Convention, held in Saint Paul, Minnesota. General election campaign Issues Iraq Until the onset of the 2008 financial crisis, the unpopular Iraq War was a key issue during the campaign. John McCain supported the war while Barack Obama opposed it (Obama's early and strong opposition to the war helped him stand out against the other Democratic candidates during the primaries, as well as stand out to a war-weary electorate during the general campaign). Though McCain meant it as a peacetime presence like the United States maintained in Germany and Japan after World War II,A Hundred Years' War? Hendrik Hertzberg The New Yorker January 4, 2008 http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/hendrikhertzberg/2008/01/a-hundred-years.html Hendrik Hertzberg March 13, 2009 October 18, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131018171545/http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/hendrikhertzberg/2008/01/a-hundred-years.html live; video at Make It 100 January 3, 2008 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf7HYoh9YMM https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/vf7HYoh9YMM 2021-12-12 live YouTube his statement that the United States could be in Iraq for as much as the next 50 to 100 years would prove costly. Obama used it against him as part of his strategy to tie him to the unpopular President Bush. John McCain's support for the troop 'surge' employed by General David Petraeus, which was one of several factors credited with improving the security situation in Iraq, may have boosted McCain's stance on the issue in voters' minds. McCain (who supported the invasion) argued that his support for the successful surge showed his superior judgment. However, Obama was quick to remind voters that there would have been no need for a "surge" had there been no war at all, thus questioning McCain's judgment. Bush's unpopularity George W. Bush had become increasingly unpopular among Americans by late 2005 due in part by the growing unpopularity of the Iraq War domestically and internationally, as well as Bush's handling of the 2008 financial crisis and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. By the time Obama was elected as President of the United States on November 4, 2008, Bush's approval rating was in the low to mid 20s and his disapproval grew increasingly significant, being in the high 60s, and even low 70s in some polls.Historic Disapproval: Bush Hits All-Time Low Amid Economic Meltdown https://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/Politics/story?id=5920248&page=1 2021-02-08 ABC News en August 18, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210818054317/https://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/Politics/story?id=5920248&page=1 live Polls consistently showed that his approval ratings among American voters had averaged around 30 percent.Presidential Job Approval Center https://web.archive.org/web/20161118234452/http://www.gallup.com/poll/124922/Presidential-Approval-Center.aspx?ref=interactive November 18, 2016 Gallup.comSteinhauser Paul Poll: Bush's popularity hits new low CNN March 19, 2008 http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/19/bush.poll/ January 10, 2009 August 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210816185228/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/19/bush.poll/ liveConfidence sinks to lowest since 2002 as fear tightens its hold on US consumers International Herald Tribune April 11, 2008 http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/11/business/NA-FIN-ECO-US-Consumer-Confidence.php January 10, 2009 In March 2008, Bush endorsed McCain at the White House,Bush says he wants McCain to win presidency CNN March 5, 2008 http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/05/mccain.bush/index.html January 10, 2009 March 23, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210323195317/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/05/mccain.bush/index.html live but did not make a single appearance for McCain during the campaign. Bush appeared at the 2008 GOP convention only through a live video broadcast. He chose not to appear in person due to disaster events in the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. Although he supported the war in Iraq, McCain made an effort to show that he had disagreed with Bush on many other key issues such as climate change. During the entire general election campaign, Obama countered by pointing out in ads and at numerous campaign rallies that McCain had claimed in an interview that he voted with Bush 90% of the time, and congressional voting records supported this for the years Bush was in office.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020800964_pf.html History and Necessity Unite Bush, McCain Washingtonpost.com February 9, 2008 January 30, 2009 Peter Baker Michael Abramowitz last3 A Mazhintue December 3, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201203095920/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020800964_pf.html live Age issue November 2017 thumb|left|The Palins and McCains campaigning in Fairfax, Virginia, September 10, 2008, following the Republican National Convention Similar to Senator Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign, one of the more widely leveled charges against McCain was the issue of his age—he turned 72 in August and there was widespread concern about the idea of electing a man who would be 80 years old if he completed two full terms in office (the oldest president, Ronald Reagan, had been a month shy of 78 when he left office in January 1989).Bouie Jamelle 2021-11-23 Opinion The Ronald Reagan Guide to Joe Biden's Political Future en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/opinion/biden-reagan-approval.html 2021-11-30 0362-4331 November 30, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211130143815/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/opinion/biden-reagan-approval.html liveNyhan Brendan 2014-05-30 How Old Is Too Old for President? Depends Who's Running en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/31/upshot/how-old-is-too-old-for-president-depends-whos-running.html 2021-11-30 0362-4331 December 13, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201213151524/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/31/upshot/how-old-is-too-old-for-president-depends-whos-running.html live In addition, McCain suffered from the ill effects of his captivity in North Vietnam and reportedly had difficulty lifting his arms above his head. His age in particular was considered a liability against the youthful Senator Obama, who was nearly twenty-five years his junior.Analysis: Age an issue in the 2008 campaign? - CNN.com https://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/15/mccain.age/index.html 2021-11-30 CNN January 18, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210118183158/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/15/mccain.age/index.html live McCain, by comparison, was born before World War II and belonged to the Silent Generation.2018-08-26 The key moments in John McCain's life en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44009916 2021-11-30 August 24, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210824230208/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44009916 live Much like Bob Dole, McCain attempted to counter these charges by releasing all of his medical records, something Obama did not do. McCain's wife Cindy dismissed concerns about his health by arguing that "We went hiking the Grand Canyon last summer and [John] did great and had no trouble keeping up with us." McCain also appeared at several campaign stops with his still-active 95-year-old mother. In a speech on the House floor, Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha criticized McCain's age by saying "Seven presidents have come and gone since I've been in Congress, and I saw the toll the job took on each one of them." If elected, McCain would have been the first president born in the 1930s. McCain ultimately died in 2018,August 25, 2018 John McCain rebelled at the Naval Academy — and as a POW — long before he was a Senate maverick The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/05/03/john-mccain-rebelled-at-the-naval-academy-and-as-a-pow-long-before-he-was-a-senate-maverick/ November 30, 2021 May 27, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190527054724/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/05/03/john-mccain-rebelled-at-the-naval-academy-and-as-a-pow-long-before-he-was-a-senate-maverick/ live just one year after the completion of Obama's second term. Like the Clinton campaign in 1996, Obama avoided discussing McCain's age directly, instead preferring to simply call his ideas and message "old" and "old hat". He also made a strong appeal to youth voters and back during his primary contest with Hillary Clinton, had stated "When I watched the feud between the Clintons and [Newt Gingrich] unfold during the 1990s, I was reminded of old quarrels started on college campuses long ago. It's time for a new generation to take over." Obama's active use of a Blackberry and other modern technology also stood in contrast to the Arizona Senator's admission that he was an infrequent user of email and the internet.Kestenbaum David August 1, 2008 The Digital Divide Between McCain and Obama NPR https://www.npr.org/2008/08/01/93185393/the-digital-divide-between-mccain-and-obama February 12, 2025 McCain's service in Vietnam, while marketable to baby boomers, was referred to as "unimportant" to younger voters. thumb|Obama campaigning as a symbol of change in Cleveland, Ohio with a "Change We Need" sign Obama promised "universal health care, full employment, a green America, and an America respected instead of feared by its enemies".200339829 Simba Malik The Obama Campaign 2008: A Historical Overview Western Journal of Black Studies 33 3 Fall 2009 186–191 Polls regularly found the general electorate as a whole divided more evenly between 'change' and 'experience' as candidate qualities than the Democratic primary electorate, which split in favor of 'change' by a nearly 2–1 margin.Perry Bacon Jennifer Agiesta http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/09/change_vs_experience_all_over.html Change vs. Experience All Over Again The Washington Post June 9, 2008 January 3, 2009 January 26, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210126100954/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/09/change_vs_experience_all_over.html dead Advantages for McCain and Obama on experience and the ability to bring change, respectively, remained steady through the November 4 election. However, final pre-election polling found that voters considered Obama's inexperience less of an impediment than McCain's association with sitting president George W. Bush,http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x2882.xml?ReleaseID=1225 https://web.archive.org/web/20081106060519/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x2882.xml?ReleaseID=1225 dead November 6, 2008 Obama Ends Campaign Ahead In Ohio And Pennsylvania, Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll Finds Quinnipiac University Polling Institute mdy-all an association which was rhetorically framed by the Obama campaign throughout the election season as "more of the same". McCain appeared to undercut his line of attack by picking first-term Alaska governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate.James Joyner http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/sarah_palin_-_john_mccains_vp_choice/ Sarah Palin – John McCain's VP Choice Outsidethebeltway.com August 29, 2008 January 30, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080919210544/http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/sarah_palin_-_john_mccains_vp_choice/ September 19, 2008 mdy-all Palin had been governor only since 2006, and before that had been a council member and mayor of Wasilla. The choice of Palin was controversial; however, it appeared to solve two pressing concerns—McCain's age and health (since a youthful vice president would succeed him to office if he died or became incapacitated) and appealing to right-wing conservatives, a group that had been comparatively unmoved by McCain. Palin also came off as more down-to-earth and relatable to average Americans than McCain, widely criticized as a "Beltway insider".https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23137096 Christian evangelicals send McCain a message Associated Press NBC News February 12, 2008 January 30, 2009 September 23, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200923223500/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/23137096 live However, media interviews suggested that Palin lacked knowledge on certain key issues, and they cast doubt among many voters about her qualifications to be vice president or president. In this regard, her inexperience was also a liability when McCain's age and health were factored in—there was a higher-than-normal probability of Palin succeeding to the presidency. "One 72-year-old heartbeat away from the presidency" became a popular anti-GOP slogan.Burns Alexander 2008-09-03 McCain and the politics of mortality https://www.politico.com/story/2008/09/mccain-and-the-politics-of-mortality-013096 2024-02-19 POLITICO en January 17, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240117002156/https://www.politico.com/story/2008/09/mccain-and-the-politics-of-mortality-013096 live She also came under attack on everything from her 17-year-old daughter giving birth to a child out of wedlock to actively participating in hunting moose and other animals.Palin gets media savaging after faltering interview AFP September 26, 2008 http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i7lJ7uGNOkOTK964WwjybvKVDouA December 30, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081201194353/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i7lJ7uGNOkOTK964WwjybvKVDouA December 1, 2008 mdy-all Because of Palin's conservative views, there was also concern that she would alienate independents and moderates, two groups that pundits observed McCain would need to win the election.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/3205619/Sarah-Palin-seen-as-beacon-of-hope-as-defeat-at-poll-looms.html Sarah Palin seen as beacon of hope as defeat at poll looms The Daily Telegraph London https://web.archive.org/web/20081017230402/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/3205619/Sarah-Palin-seen-as-beacon-of-hope-as-defeat-at-poll-looms.html October 17, 2008 dead Economy Polls taken in the last few months of the presidential campaign and exit polls conducted on Election Day showed the economy as the top concern for voters.http://www.gallup.com/poll/109759/Gallups-Quick-Read-Election.aspx Gallup's Quick Read on the Election October 22, 2008 Gallup.com January 30, 2009 June 28, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170628223139/http://www.gallup.com/poll/109759/gallups-quick-read-election.aspx livehttp://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/exit.polls/ Exit polls: Obama wins big among young, minority voters CNN.com November 4, 2008 January 30, 2009 June 8, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608222610/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/exit.polls/ live In the fall of 2008, many news sources were reporting that the economy was suffering its most serious downturn since the Great Depression.https://nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=058cc3ea-a0f8-4a8c-b767-8cd58f359c82 Investors Bail Out: The D word going cheap www.nationalpost.com February 15, 2009 September 16, 2008 dead https://archive.today/20120904031755/http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=058cc3ea-a0f8-4a8c-b767-8cd58f359c82 September 4, 2012 mdy-all During this period, John McCain's election prospects fell with several politically costly comments about the economy. On August 20, John McCain said in an interview with Politico that he was uncertain how many houses he and his wife, Cindy, owned; "I think—I'll have my staff get to you," he told the media outlet.Martin Jonathan Allen, Mike McCain unsure how many houses he owns Politico August 21, 2008 https://www.politico.com/story/2008/08/mccain-unsure-how-many-houses-he-owns-012685 December 30, 2008 July 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150724211115/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12685.html live Both on the stump and in Obama's political ad, "Seven", the gaffe was used to portray McCain as somebody unable to relate to the concerns of ordinary Americans. This out-of-touch image was further cultivated when, on September 15, the day of the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, at a morning rally in Jacksonville, Florida, McCain declared that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong," despite what he described as "tremendous turmoil in our financial markets and Wall Street."Aigner-Treworgy Adam McCain: Economy still 'strong' MSNBC September 15, 2008 http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/15/1399191.aspx December 30, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081206043223/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/15/1399191.aspx December 6, 2008 mdy-all With the perception among voters to the contrary, the comment appeared to cost McCain politically. On September 24, 2008, after the onset of the 2008 financial crisis, McCain announced that he was suspending his campaign to return to Washington so he could help craft a $700 billion bailout package for the troubled financial industry, and he stated that he would not debate Obama until Congress passed the bailout bill.Obama, McCain Meet In Mississippi WAPT.com December 29, 2008 http://www.wapt.com/news/18376597/detail.html December 30, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110501071939/http://www.wapt.com/news/18376597/detail.html May 1, 2011 mdy-all Despite this decision, McCain was portrayed as somebody not playing a significant role in the negotiations for the first version of the bill, which fell short of passage in the House. He eventually decided to attend the first presidential debate on September 26, despite Congress' lack of immediate action on the bill. His ineffectiveness in the negotiations and his reversal in decision to attend the debates were seized upon to portray McCain as erratic in his response to the economy. Days later, a second version of the original bailout bill was passed by both the House and Senate, with Obama, his vice presidential running mate Joe Biden, and McCain all voting for the measure (Hillary Clinton would as well).https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00213 U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes: 110th Congress, 2nd Session Senate.gov April 2, 2013 May 29, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200529050212/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=2&vote=00213 live All the aforementioned remarks and campaign issues hurt McCain's standing with voters. All these also occurred after the onset of the 2008 financial crisis and after McCain's poll numbers had started to fall. Although sound bites of all of these "missteps" were played repeatedly on national television, many pundits and analysts say that the actual financial crisis and economic conditions caused McCain's large drop in support in mid-September and severely damaged his campaign.Schnur Dan What caused McCain's poll numbers to fall? https://www.latimes.com/la-oew-schnur-cain3-2008nov03-story.html Los Angeles Times November 3, 2008 limited October 24, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131024025532/http://www.latimes.com/business/investing/la-oew-schnur-cain3-2008nov03,0,6970010.story liveNichols Hans McCain May Have Last Chance to Overcome Economy in Final Debate https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aRnqc1XoUZFU Bloomberg October 15, 2008 January 29, 2009 Health care John McCain's proposals focused on open-market competition rather than government funding or control. At the heart of his plan were tax credits – $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families who do not subscribe to or do not have access to health care through their employer. To help people who are denied coverage by insurance companies due to pre-existing conditions, McCain proposed working with states to create what he calls a "Guaranteed Access Plan".Robert E. Moffit and Nina Owcharenko, "The McCain Health Care Plan: More Power to Families," The Heritage Foundation, October 15, 2008 Barack Obama called for universal health care. His health care plan proposed creating a National Health Insurance Exchange that would include both private insurance plans and a Medicare-like government run option. Coverage would be guaranteed regardless of health status, and premiums would not vary based on health status either. It would have required parents to cover their children, but did not require adults to buy insurance. Critics of McCain's plan argued that it would not significantly reduce the number of uninsured Americans, would increase costs, reduce consumer protections and lead to less generous benefit packages.Thomas Buchmueller, Sherry A. Glied, Anne Royalty, and Katherine Swartz, "Cost And Coverage Implications Of The McCain Plan To Restructure Health Insurance," https://web.archive.org/web/20080917225606/http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/reprint/hlthaff.27.6.w472v1 September 17, 2008 Health Affairs, September 16, 2008 Critics of Obama's plan argued that it would increase federal regulation of private health insurance without addressing the underlying incentives behind rising health care spending.Joseph Antos, Gail Wilensky, and Hanns Kuttner, "The Obama Plan: More Regulation, Unsustainable Spending," https://web.archive.org/web/20090821115446/http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/reprint/hlthaff.27.6.w462v1 August 21, 2009 Health Affairs, September 16, 2008Robert E. Moffit and Nina Owcharenko, "The Obama Health Care Plan: More Power to Washington," The Heritage Foundation, October 15, 2008 Mark Pauly suggested that a combination of the two approaches would work better than either one alone.Mark V. Pauly, "Blending Better Ingredients For Health Reform," https://web.archive.org/web/20090205060847/http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/reprint/hlthaff.27.6.w482v1 February 5, 2009 Health Affairs, September 16, 2008 A poll released in early November 2008 found that voters supporting Obama listed health care as their second priority; voters supporting McCain listed it as fourth, tied with the war in Iraq. Affordability was the primary health care priority among both sets of voters. Obama voters were more likely than McCain voters to believe government can do much about health care costs.Robert J. Blendon, Drew E. Altman, John M. Benson, Mollyann Brodie, Tami Buhr, Claudia Deane, and Sasha Buscho, "Voters and Health Reform in the 2008 Presidential Election," https://web.archive.org/web/20090326091432/http://content.nejm.org/cgi/reprint/NEJMsr0807717v1.pdf March 26, 2009 New England Journal of Medicine 359;19, November 6, 2008 Presidential debates 2008 United States presidential debates The United States presidential election of 2008 was sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), a bipartisan organization that sponsored four debates that occurred at various locations around the United States (U.S.) in September and October 2008. Three of the debates involved the presidential nominees, and one involved the vice-presidential nominees. +Debates among candidates for the 2008 U.S. presidential electionNo.DateTimeHostCityModeratorsParticipantsViewership(millions)P1Friday, September 26, 20089:00 pm EDTUniversity of MississippiOxford, MississippiJim Lehrer of PBSSenator Barack ObamaSenator John McCain52.4https://www.debates.org/index.php?page=2008-debates CPD: 2008 Debates www.debates.org 2019-01-08 January 8, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190108145533/https://www.debates.org/index.php?page=2008-debates liveVPFriday, October 3, 20089:00 pm EDTWashington University in St. LouisSt. Louis, MissouriGwen Ifill of PBSSenator Joe BidenGovernor Sarah Palin69.9P2Tuesday, October 7, 20089:00 pm EDTBelmont UniversityNashville, TennesseeTom Brokaw of NBCSenator Barack ObamaSenator John McCain63.2P3Wednesday, October 15, 20089:00 pm EDTHofstra UniversityHempstead, New YorkBob Schieffer of CBS56.5 https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna27007283 Vice presidential debate, Oct. 2, 2008 October 3, 2008 July 14, 2009 NBC News September 23, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200923224341/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/27007283 livehttps://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=5857679&page=1 Obama, McCain Prep for Presidential Debates Parker Jennifer September 23, 2008 July 14, 2009 ABC News August 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210815130528/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=5857679&page=1 liveUSA USA University of MississippiOxford, MS 75 bottom 34.3659 -89.5254 USA Belmont UniversityNashville, TN 75 right 36.1329 -86.7941 USA Washington UniversitySt. Louis, MO 75 top 38.648 -90.305 USA Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NY 75 top 40.7168 -73.5994 Map of United States showing debate locations Sites of the 2008 general election debates 320Another debate was sponsored by the Columbia University political union and took place there on October 19. All candidates who could theoretically win the 270 electoral votes needed to win the election were invited, and Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, and Chuck Baldwin agreed to attend. Amy Goodman, principal host of Democracy Now!, moderated. It was broadcast on cable by C-SPAN and on the Internet by Break-the-Matrix.http://www.freeandequal.org/events.php?id=7 Free and Equal Freeandequal.org November 3, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081019015945/http://www.freeandequal.org/events.php?id=7 October 19, 2008 Campaign costs Fundraising for the 2008 United States presidential election The reported cost of campaigning for president has increased significantly in recent years. One source reported that if the costs for both Democratic and Republican campaigns were added together (for the presidential primary election, general election, and the political conventions), the costs have more than doubled in only eight years ($448.9 million in 1996, $649.5 million in 2000, and $1.01 billion in 2004).Helen Kennedy Wanna be Prez? First get $100M January 14, 2007 New York Daily News http://eldraque.newsvine.com/_news/2007/01/14/520561-wanna-be-prez-first-get-100 February 1, 2007 November 9, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211109004946/https://www.nbcnews.com/ live In January 2007, Federal Election Commission Chairman Michael E. Toner estimated that the 2008 race would be a $1 billion election, and that to be taken seriously, a candidate would have needed to raise at least $100 million by the end of 2007.David Kirkpatrick Death Knell May Be Near for Public Election Funds January 23, 2007 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/23/us/politics/23donate.html September 15, 2008 August 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210815153555/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/23/us/politics/23donate.html live Expense summary According to required campaign filings as reported by the Federal Election Commission (FEC), 148 candidates for all parties collectively raised $1,644,712,232 and spent $1,601,104,696 for the primary and general campaigns combined through November 24, 2008. The amounts raised and spent by the major candidates, according to the same source, were as follows: Candidate (party)Amount raisedAmount spentVotesAverage spent per voteBarack Obama (D)$778,642,962$760,370,19569,498,516$10.94John McCain (R)$379,006,485$346,666,42259,948,323$5.78Ralph Nader (I)$4,496,180$4,187,628739,034$5.67Bob Barr (L)$1,383,681$1,345,202523,715$2.57Chuck Baldwin (C)$261,673$234,309199,750$1.17Cynthia McKinney (G)$240,130$238,968161,797$1.48Excludes spending by independent expenditure concerns.Source: Federal Election Commissionhttp://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/?_08+00+PR Financial Summary Report Search Results fec.gov December 22, 2008 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141208114019/http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/?_08+00+PR December 8, 2014 mdy-all Notable expressions and phrases Drill, baby, drill: Republican self-described energy policy Yes We Can: Obama's campaign slogan That one: McCain's reference to Obama during the 2nd debate. Lipstick on a pig: Obama used this phrase to insinuate that any changes that McCain was advocating from the policies of George W. Bush would only be slight modifications of Bush's policies but the underlying policies would be the same, and in Obama's opinion, bad. Some called it sexist, claiming it was a reference to Sarah Palin, who cracked a joke during the Republican convention that the only difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull is lipstick.Obama rejects 'lipstick' charge BBC September 10, 2008 https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7608653.stm December 19, 2012 July 30, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170730034254/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7608653.stm live Electoral College forecasts Elections analysts and political pundits issue probabilistic forecasts of the composition of the Electoral College. These forecasts use a variety of factors to estimate the likelihood of each candidate winning the Electoral College electors for that state. Most election predictors use the following ratings: "tossup": no advantage "tilt" (used by some predictors): advantage that is not quite as strong as "lean" "lean" or "leans": slight advantage "likely": significant, but surmountable, advantage "safe" or "solid": near-certain chance of victory Below is a list of states considered competitive by at least one of The Cook Political Report, RealClearPolitics, and FiveThirtyEight; states that are deemed to be "safe" or "solid" by all three forecasters are excluded. State EVs Electoral votes RealClearPoliticsNovember 4,2008 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/?map=5 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080605003612/http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/?map=5 2008-06-05 RealClearPolitics - Electoral Map538November 4,20082009-04-22 Vote 2008 - The Takeaway - Track the Electoral College vote predictions http://vote2008.thetakeaway.org/2008/09/20/track-the-electoral-college-vote-predictions/ 2021-08-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20090422070127/http://vote2008.thetakeaway.org/2008/09/20/track-the-electoral-college-vote-predictions/ 2009-04-22Cook Political ReportNovember 4,20082015-05-05 Presidential http://cookpolitical.com/presidential 2021-08-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20150505003043/http://cookpolitical.com/presidential 2015-05-05 Arkansas11 | Lean R | Safe R | Safe R Arizona10 | Lean R | Tossup | Safe R Colorado9 | Lean D flip | Lean D flip | Safe D flip Georgia15 | Tossup | Tossup | Lean R Florida27 | Tossup | Tossup | Lean D flip Iowa7 | Safe D flip | Lean D flip | Safe D flip Indiana11 | Tossup | Tossup | Lean R Michigan17 | Safe D | Lean D | Safe D Minnesota10 | Safe D | Lean D | Safe D Montana3 | Tossup | Tossup | Tossup Missouri11 | Lean R | Solid R | Safe R Nevada5 | Lean D flip | Lean D flip | Lean D flip New Mexico5 | Lean D flip | Lean D flip | Safe D flip North Dakota3 | Tossup | Tossup | Safe R North Carolina15 | Tossup | Tossup | Tossup Ohio20 | Tossup | Tossup | Lean D flip Pennsylvania21 | Lean D | Lean D | Lean D South Dakota3 | Lean R | Tossup | Safe R West Virginia5 | Lean R | Lean R | Lean R Virginia13 | Tossup | Lean D flip | Lean D flip Internet campaigns Fundraising Grassroots fundraising Howard Dean collected large contributions through the Internet in his 2004 primary run. In 2008, candidates went even further to reach out to Internet users through their own sites and such sites as YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook.http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/23/debate.main/ Questions, not answers, highlight YouTube debate CNN July 24, 2007 March 14, 2008 August 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210816064744/http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/23/debate.main/ livehttp://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/08/State/Candidates_court_youn.shtml Candidates court young voters online Stephanie Garry St. Petersburg Times June 8, 2007 September 15, 2008 April 15, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160415025205/http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/08/State/Candidates_court_youn.shtml live On December 16, 2007, Ron Paul collected $6 million, more money on a single day through Internet donations than any presidential candidate in US history.https://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-12-17-ronpaul-fundraising_N.htm 'Money bomb': Ron Paul raises $6 million in 24-hour period Kenneth P. Vogel Politico USA Today March 14, 2008 December 17, 2007 Kenneth P. Vogel March 21, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120321083450/http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-12-17-ronpaul-fundraising_N.htm livehttp://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2007/12/rp.html Breaking News: Ron Paul campaign donors set a record Los Angeles Times December 17, 2007 September 15, 2008 September 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210917051521/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2007/12/rp.html livehttp://www.usadaily.com/article.cfm?articleID=151377 https://web.archive.org/web/20080112234617/http://www.usadaily.com/article.cfm?articleID=151377 January 12, 2008 Ron Paul makes fund raising history Larry Fester USA Daily November 5, 2007 Promotion The 2008 election was the first time that a majority of the voting-age population preferred to get their news from the Internet.Smith, Aaron (April 15, 2009). The Internet’s Role in Campaign 2008. Pew Research Center. Not only did the Internet allow candidates to raise money, but also it gave them a tool to appeal to newer and younger demographics. Political pundits were now evaluating candidates based on their social media following. Senator Barack Obama's victory is credited to his competitive edge in social media and Internet following. Obama had over 2 million American supporters on Facebook and 100,000 followers on Twitter, while McCain attracted only 600,000 Facebook supporters (likes) and 4,600 followers on Twitter. Obama's YouTube channel held 115,000 subscribers and more than 97 million video views. Obama had maintained a similar advantage over Senator Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.Fraser Matthew Barack Obama and the Facebook Election https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2008/11/19/barack-obama-and-the-facebook-election?page=2 U.S. News & World Report 2 March 2014 April 13, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210413022206/https://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2008/11/19/barack-obama-and-the-facebook-election?page=2 live Obama's edge in social media was crucial to the election outcome. According to a study by the Pew Internet and American Life project, 35 percent of Americans relied on online video for election news. Ten percent of Americans used social networking sites to learn about the election.https://www.conference-board.org/publications/publicationdetail.cfm?publicationid=7078 Social Media and the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election Maruggi Albert Metzgar Emily 2009-07-31 Society for New Communications Research 2023-01-15 subscription January 15, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230115205259/https://www.conference-board.org/publications/publicationdetail.cfm?publicationid=7078 live The 2008 election showed huge increases in Internet use. Another study done after the election gave a lot of insight on young voters. Thirty-seven percent of Americans ages 18–24 got election news from social networking sites. Almost a quarter of Americans saw something about the election in an online video.Cain Miller Claire How Obama's Internet Campaign Changed Politics http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/how-obamas-internet-campaign-changed-politics/ 1 March 2014 The New York Times 7 Nov 2008 March 31, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140331225403/http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/how-obamas-internet-campaign-changed-politics/ live YouTube and other online video outlets allowed candidates to advertise in ways like never before. The Republican Party in particular was criticized for not adequately using social media and other means to reach young voters. Anonymous and semi-anonymous smear campaigns, traditionally done with fliers and push calling, also spread to the Internet.Palmetto Bugs: Slingers of Slime Step it up in SC Reid Tim November 23, 2007 New York Post http://www.nypost.com/seven/11232007/news/nationalnews/palmetto_bugs_188986.htm September 15, 2008 August 27, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090827222452/http://www.nypost.com/seven/11232007/news/nationalnews/palmetto_bugs_188986.htm live Organizations specializing in the production and distribution of viral material, such as Brave New Films, emerged; such organizations have been said to be having a growing influence on American politics.https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/us/politics/29opposition.html The New York Times Rutenberg Jim June 29, 2008 October 25, 2008 Political Freelancers Use Web to Join the Attack August 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210814102943/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/us/politics/29opposition.html live Controversies Voter suppression allegations Allegations of voter list purges using unlawful criteria caused controversy in at least six swing states: Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Nevada and North Carolina.https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/us/politics/09voting.html States' Actions to Block Voters Appear Illegal The New York Times Ian Urbina October 9, 2008 October 15, 2008 January 5, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180105104015/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/us/politics/09voting.html live On October 5, 2008, the Republican Lt. Governor of Montana, John Bohlinger, accused the Montana Republican Party of vote caging to purge 6,000 voters from three counties which trend Democratic.http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2008/10/05/opinion/hjjbijjejjigfj.txt Republicans crossed line with voter purge attempt The Montana Standard John Bohlinger October 5, 2008 October 15, 2008 November 27, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081127151204/http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2008/10/05/opinion/hjjbijjejjigfj.txt live Allegations arose in Michigan that the Republican Party planned to challenge the eligibility of voters based on lists of foreclosed homes.http://michiganmessenger.com/4076/lose-your-house-lose-your-vote Lose your house, lose your vote September 10, 2008 Michigan Messenger dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080923165626/http://michiganmessenger.com/4076/lose-your-house-lose-your-vote September 23, 2008 mdy-all The campaign of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama filed a lawsuit challenging this. The House Judiciary Committee wrote to the Department of Justice requesting an investigation.http://judiciary.house.gov/news/080919.html Conyers Calls on McCain to Immediately Halt Republican Vote Suppression Efforts September 19, 2008 House of Representatives dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080924190743/http://judiciary.house.gov/news/080919.html September 24, 2008 mdy-all Libertarian candidate Bob Barr filed a lawsuit in Texas to have Obama and McCain removed from the ballot in that state.Christy Hoppe Libertarian Bob Barr sues to have McCain, Obama cast off Texas' ballot Dallas Morning News September 19, 2008 October 8, 2008 http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/DN-barr_19pol.ART.State.Edition1.268aa61.html https://web.archive.org/web/20080921212445/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/DN-barr_19pol.ART.State.Edition1.268aa61.html September 21, 2008 His campaign alleged that both of the candidates had missed the August 26 deadline to file and had been included on the ballot in violation of Texas election law. Neither Obama nor McCain had been confirmed as the candidate of their respective parties at the time of the deadline. The Texas Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit without explanation.Adam Young Texas court: McCain, Obama to remain on ballot Daily Toreador September 24, 2008 October 8, 2008 http://media.www.dailytoreador.com/media/storage/paper870/news/2008/09/24/News/Texas.Court.Mccain.Obama.To.Remain.On.Ballot-3447969.shtml dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081006090557/http://media.www.dailytoreador.com/media/storage/paper870/news/2008/09/24/News/Texas.Court.Mccain.Obama.To.Remain.On.Ballot-3447969.shtml October 6, 2008 mdy-all In Ohio, identified by both parties as a key state, allegations surfaced from both Republicans and Democrats that individuals from out of state were moving to the state temporarily and attempting to vote despite not meeting the state's requirement of permanent residency for more than 29 days. The Franklin County Board of Elections referred 55 cases of possible voting irregularities to the local prosecutor.Niquette Mark http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/11/16/copy/voter_fraud.ART_ART_11-16-09_A1_O9FM66J.html?sid=101 https://web.archive.org/web/20110429011205/http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/11/16/copy/voter_fraud.ART_ART_11-16-09_A1_O9FM66J.html?sid=101 dead April 29, 2011 Mark Niquette, "Vote-Fraud Cases Linger from 2008," Columbus Dispatch, November 16, 2008." Dispatchpolitics.com November 16, 2009 June 13, 2010 Three groups attracted particular notice: 'Vote from Home,' 'Vote Today Ohio,' and 'Drop Everything and Come to Ohio.' Vote from Home attracted the most attention when thirteen of the group's members moved to the same location in eastern Columbus. Members of the group organized by Marc Gustafson, including several Marshall and Rhodes scholars studying at Oxford University, settled with Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien to have their challenged ballots withdrawn.Niquette Mark http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/22/copy/DEMS_STRIKE_BACK.ART_ART_10-22-08_A1_2JBLUBM.html?sid=101 Mark Niquette and Jill Riepenhoff, "'Voters' Flocking to Ohio," Columbus Dispatch, October 22, 2008 Dispatchpolitics.com October 22, 2008 June 13, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100812050408/http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/22/copy/DEMS_STRIKE_BACK.ART_ART_10-22-08_A1_2JBLUBM.html?sid=101 August 12, 2010 mdy-allMacintosh Jeane New York Post October 20, 2008 http://www.marcgustafson.com/Marc%20Gustafson's%20Website%20Resume.pdf Gotham-to-Ohio Vote Scam Eyed April 17, 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110514042809/http://www.marcgustafson.com/Marc%20Gustafson%27s%20Website%20Resume.pdf May 14, 2011 mdy-all The Obama campaign and others alleged that members of the McCain campaign had also voted without properly establishing residency. Since 1953, only six people in Ohio have gone to prison for illegal voting.Riepenhoff Jill http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/19/copy/Brownlee.ART_ART_10-19-08_A1_72BL2JG.html?adsec=politics&sid=101 Jill Riepenhoff, "Illegal Voters, or Just Getting Out the Vote?" Columbus Dispatch, October 19, 2008 Dispatchpolitics.com October 19, 2008 June 13, 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100812051133/http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/19/copy/Brownlee.ART_ART_10-19-08_A1_72BL2JG.html?adsec=politics&sid=101 August 12, 2010 mdy-all Media bias Republicans and independents leveled significant criticism at media outlets' coverage of the presidential election season. An October 22, 2008 Pew Research Center poll estimated 70% of registered voters believed journalists wanted Barack Obama to win the election, as opposed to 9% for John McCain.Most Voters Say Media Wants Obama to Win The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press October 22, 2008 http://people-press.org/report/463/media-wants-obama October 25, 2008 March 10, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110310064355/http://people-press.org/report/463/media-wants-obama live Another Pew survey, conducted after the election, found that 67% of voters thought that the press fairly covered Obama, versus 30% who viewed the coverage as unfair. Regarding McCain, 53% of voters viewed his press coverage as fair versus 44% who characterized it as unfair. Among affiliated Democrats, 83% believed the press fairly covered Obama; just 22% of Republicans thought the press was fair to McCain.High Marks for the Campaign, a High Bar for Obama https://web.archive.org/web/20200621142808/https://www.people-press.org/2008/11/13/section-5-the-press-and-campaign-2008/ June 21, 2020 Pew Research Center. Retrieved September 6, 2012. At the February debate, Tim Russert of NBC News was criticized for what some perceived as disproportionately tough questioning of Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton. Among the questions, Russert had asked Clinton, but not Obama, to provide the name of the new Russian President (Dmitry Medvedev). This was later parodied on Saturday Night Live. In October 2007, liberal commentators accused Russert of harassing Clinton over the issue of supporting drivers' licenses for illegal immigrants. On April 16, ABC News hosted a debate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Moderators Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos were criticized by viewers, bloggers and media critics for the poor quality of their questions.Jacques Steinberg Jacques Steinberg Who Lost the Debate? Moderators, Many Say https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/us/politics/18moderator.html The New York Times April 18, 2008 April 18, 2008 December 11, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081211163337/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/us/politics/18moderator.html liveHoward Kurtz Howard Kurtz The Backlash Against ABC https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/18/AR2008041800912.html The Washington Post April 18, 2008 April 18, 2008 April 22, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080422010502/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/18/AR2008041800912.html live Many viewers said they considered some of the questions irrelevant when measured against the importance of the faltering economy or the Iraq War. Included in that category were continued questions about Obama's former pastor, Senator Hillary Clinton's assertion that she had to duck sniper fire in Bosnia more than a decade prior, and Senator Obama's not wearing an American flag pin. The moderators focused on campaign gaffes and some believed they focused too much on Obama. Stephanopoulos defended their performance, saying "Senator Obama was the front-runner" and the questions were "not inappropriate or irrelevant at all." In an op-ed published on April 27, 2008, in The New York Times, Elizabeth Edwards wrote that the media covered much more of "the rancor of the campaign" and "amount of money spent" than "the candidates' priorities, policies and principles."Elizabeth Edwards Op-ed: Bowling 1, Health Care 0 The New York Times April 28, 2008 https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/opinion/27edwards.html February 23, 2017 August 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210815083130/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/opinion/27edwards.html live Author Erica Jong commented that "our press has become a sea of triviality, meanness and irrelevant chatter."http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erica-jong/inspiration-versus-degrad_b_98844.html Inspiration Versus Degradation The Huffington Post Erica Jong May 5, 2008 May 22, 2008 May 25, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170525040049/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erica-jong/inspiration-versus-degrad_b_98844.html live A Gallup poll released on May 29, 2008, also estimated that more Americans felt the media was being harder on Hillary Clinton than they were towards Barack Obama. Time magazine columnist Mark Halperin stated that the media during the 2008 election had a "blind, almost slavish" worship of Obama.http://www.gallup.com/poll/107557/public-says-media-harder-clinton-than-obama-mccain.aspx Public Says Media Harder on Clinton Than Obama, McCain May 29, 2008 Gallup.com July 17, 2011 August 31, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170831182642/http://www.gallup.com/poll/107557/public-says-media-harder-clinton-than-obama-mccain.aspx live The Project for Excellence in Journalism and Harvard University's Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy conducted a study of 5,374 media narratives and assertions about the presidential candidates from January 1 through March 9, 2008. The study found that Obama received 69% favorable coverage and Clinton received 67%, compared to only 43% favorable media coverage of McCain.Character and the Primaries of 2008 The Project for Excellence in Journalism May 29, 2008 http://www.journalism.org/node/11266 June 26, 2008 September 10, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130910011549/http://www.journalism.org/node/11266 live Another study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University found the media coverage of Obama to be 72% negative from June 8 to July 21 compared to 57% negative for McCain.MEDIA BASH BARACK (NOT A TYPO) Center for Media and Public Affairs July 28, 2008 http://cmpa.com/Studies/Election08/election%20news%207_29_08.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081120200207/http://www.cmpa.com/Studies/Election08/election%20news%207_29_08.htm November 20, 2008 mdy-all An October 29 study found 29% of stories about Obama to be negative, compared to 57% of stories about McCain being negative.The Color of News Project for Excellence in Journalism October 29, 2008 http://journalism.org/node/13436 November 2, 2008 September 26, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130926204038/http://www.journalism.org/node/13436 live Timeline Timeline of the 2008 United States presidential election Conduct thumb|Final poll closing times on Election Day. #D8BFD8 7PM EST [00:00 UTC] (6) #EE82EE 7:30PM EST [00:30 UTC] (3) #BA55D3 8PM EST [01:00 UTC] (15+DC) #9932CC 8:30PM EST [01:30 UTC] (1) #8B008B 9PM EST [02:00 UTC] (15) #4B0082 10PM EST [03:00 UTC] (4) #483D8B 11PM EST [04:00 UTC] (5) #000000 1AM EST [06:00 UTC] (1) Election Day was on November 4, 2008. The majority of states allowed early voting, with all states allowing some form of absentee voting.Absentee and Early Voting Laws, from the Early Voting Information Center at Reed College Voters cast votes for listed presidential candidates but were actually selecting representatives for their state's Electoral College slate. A McCain victory quickly became improbable as Obama amassed early wins in his home state of Illinois, the Northeast, and the critical battleground states of Ohio and Pennsylvania by 9:30 pm Eastern Standard Time.http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/11/04/1639565.aspx NBC calls Ohio for Obama—First Read—msnbc.com MSNBC November 4, 2008 January 24, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081211211123/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/11/04/1639565.aspx December 11, 2008 mdy-all Obama won the entire Northeast by comfortable margins and the Great Lakes states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota by double digits. McCain held on to traditionally Republican states like North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska (though notably, Obama did win an electoral vote from Nebraska's 2nd congressional district), Kansas, Oklahoma, Montana, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and his home state of Arizona. Out of the southern states, Obama won Florida, North Carolina, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Obama also won the hotly contested states of Iowa and New Mexico, which Al Gore had won in 2000 and George W. Bush in 2004. Also, for only the second time since 1936 (1964 being the other), Indiana went Democratic, giving Obama all eight Great Lakes states, the first time a presidential candidate had won all of them since Richard Nixon in 1972. CNN and Fox News called Virginia for Obama shortly before 11:00 pm, leaving him only 50 electoral votes shy of victory with only six West Coast states (California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, and Hawaii) still voting. All American networks called the election in favor of Obama at 11:00 pm as the polls closed on the West Coast. Obama was immediately declared the winner in California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii, McCain won Idaho, and the Electoral College totals were updated to 297 for Obama and 146 for McCain (270 are needed to win). McCain gave a concession speech half an hour later in his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona.Fouhy Beth McCain concedes presidency, congratulates Obama http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2008/11/05/101691-mccain-concedes-presidency-congratulates-obama/ Tucson Citizen November 5, 2008 July 18, 2011 https://archive.today/20120716012121/http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2008/11/05/101691-mccain-concedes-presidency-congratulates-obama/ July 16, 2012 dead mdy-all Obama appeared just before midnight Eastern Time in Grant Park, Chicago, in front of a crowd of 250,000 people to deliver his victory speech.Paul Meincke https://abc7chicago.com/archive/6490862/ Chicago could benefit from Obama election WLS-TV Chicago November 5, 2008 July 18, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110629054417/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=6490862 June 29, 2011 live thumb|Cartogram of the Electoral Votes for 2008 United States presidential election, each square representing one electoral vote. The map shows the impact of winning swing states. Nebraska, being one of two states that are not winner-take-all, for the first time had its votes split, with its second congressional district voting for Obama. Following Obama's speech, spontaneous street parties broke out in cities across the United States including Philadelphia, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Boston, Los Angeles, Portland, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Denver, Atlanta, Madison, and New York Cityhttp://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/scenes-of-joy-across-the-us/1352918.aspx Scenes of joy across the US—Local News—News—General The Canberra Times November 5, 2008 January 24, 2009 February 19, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090219001107/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/scenes-of-joy-across-the-us/1352918.aspx dead and around the world in London; Bonn; Berlin; Obama, Japan; Toronto; Rio de Janeiro; Sydney; and Nairobi.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5087886.ece World celebrates Barack Obama victory Times Online November 5, 2008 January 24, 2009 London Philippe Naughton https://web.archive.org/web/20110429092313/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5087886.ece April 29, 2011 Later on election night, after Obama was named the winner, he picked up several more wins in swing states in which the polls had shown a close race. These included Florida, Indiana, Virginia, and the western states of Colorado and Nevada. All of these states had been carried by Bush in 2004. North Carolina and the bellwether state of Missouri remained undecided for several days. Eventually Obama was declared the winner in North Carolina and McCain in Missouri, with Obama pulling out a rare win in Nebraska's 2nd congressional district. This put the projected electoral vote count at 365 for Obama and 173 for McCain. Obama's victories in the populous swing states of Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Virginia contributed to his decisive win. The presidential electors cast their ballots for president and vice president, and Congress tallied these votes on January 8, 2009. Turnout The voter turnout for this election was broadly predicted to be high by American standards,http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/03/expected-high-voter-turnout-government-officials-watchdog-groups-alert/ Expected High Voter Turnout Has Government Officials, Watchdog Groups on Alert November 7, 2008 November 3, 2008 Fox News "The main thing that we all know is that there's going to be a huge turnout. There are going to be long lines, and any problems that occur will exacerbate because of those lines," said Robert M. Brandon, president of the Fair Elections Legal Network. November 6, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081106160516/http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/03/expected-high-voter-turnout-government-officials-watchdog-groups-alert/ liveUrbina Ian Voting experts say high turnout may add to problems at the polls https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/world/americas/03iht-03voting.17464681.html The New York Times November 3, 2008 July 16, 2009 August 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210814111750/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/world/americas/03iht-03voting.17464681.html live and a record number of votes were cast.Alban Debra Number of votes cast set record, but voter turnout percentage didn't http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/06/voter.turnout/index.html CNN November 7, 2008 July 16, 2009 April 13, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210413013640/http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/06/voter.turnout/index.html live The final tally of total votes counted was 131.3 million, compared to 122.3 million in 2004 (which also boasted the highest record since 1968, the last presidential election before the voting age was lowered to 18). Expressed as a percentage of eligible voters, 131.2 million votes could reflect a turnout as high as 63.0% of eligible voters, which would be the highest since 1960.http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/06/pdf.gansre08turnout.au.pdf Much-hyped Turnout Record Fails to Materialize November 20, 2008 November 6, 2008 Center for the Study of the American Electorate, American University March 23, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210323121541/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/06/pdf.gansre08turnout.au.pdf livehttp://timeswampland.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/2008turnout-report_final11.pdf African-Americans, Anger, Fear and Youth Propel Turnout to Highest Level Since 1964 December 18, 2008 Center for the Study of the American Electorate, American University December 18, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081218004523/http://timeswampland.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/2008turnout-report_final11.pdf dead This 63.0% turnout rate is based on an estimated eligible voter population of 208,323,000. Another estimate puts the eligible voter population at 213,313,508, resulting in a turnout rate of 61.6%, which would be the highest turnout rate since 1968.2008G - United States Elections Project http://www.electproject.org/2008g 2020-10-31 www.electproject.org August 13, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210813232257/http://www.electproject.org/2008g livehttp://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2008G.html 2008 General Election Turnout Vote Elections.gmu.edu March 31, 2012 December 6, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130112213711/http://elections.gmu.edu/Turnout_2008G.html January 12, 2013 mdy-all Broken down by age group, voters under 35 voted for Obama by a large majority with McCain most popular among voters over 60. Voters between 35 and 59 were nearly split 50/50 between the two candidates. American University's Center for the Study of the American Electorate released a report on November 6, 2008, two days after the election, which concluded that the anticipated increase in turnout had failed to materialize. That report was the basis for some news articles that indicated voter turnout failed to meet expectations.http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/06/report-08-turnout-same-or-only-slightly-higher-than-04/ Report: '08 turnout same as or only slightly higher than '04 November 6, 2008 CNN December 8, 2008 August 1, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210801163321/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/06/report-08-turnout-same-or-only-slightly-higher-than-04/ deadhttps://www.politico.com/story/2008/11/that-huge-voter-turnout-didnt-happen-015422 That huge voter turnout? Didn't happen November 8, 2008 Politico December 9, 2008 February 22, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150222060722/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15422.html live When the remaining votes were counted after the release of the report, the total number of votes cast in the presidential election was raised to 131.2 million, which surpassed the American University report's preliminary estimate of 126.5 to 128.5 million voters by a factor of between 2% and 4%. The election saw increased participation from African Americans, who made up 13.0% of the electorate, versus 11.1% in 2004.http://www.nonprofitvote.org/download-document/america-goes-to-the-polls-brief-11-19-08-pdf.html America Goes to the Polls September 6, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120416132213/http://www.nonprofitvote.org/download-document/america-goes-to-the-polls-brief-11-19-08-pdf.html April 16, 2012 mdy-all According to exit polls, over 95% of African Americans voted for Obama. This played a critical role in Southern states such as North Carolina. 74% of North Carolina's registered African American voters turned out, as opposed to 69% of North Carolinians in general, with Obama carrying 100% (with rounding) of African-American females and African Americans age 18 to 29, according to exit polling.http://wilmingtonjournal.com/News/search/ArchiveContent.asp?NewsID=92721&sID= How Black Democrats won North Carolina and the Election: Massive Turnout, Week of November 13–19, 2008 November 24, 2008 The Wilmington Journal dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101202133159/http://wilmingtonjournal.com/News/search/ArchiveContent.asp?NewsID=92721&sID= December 2, 2010 mdy-all This was also the case in Virginia, where much higher turnout among African Americans propelled Obama to victory in the former Republican stronghold.http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/states/virginia 2008 Presidential Race: Virginia—Election Guide—The New York Times The New York Times November 4, 2008 Election Guide 2008 – The New York Times The New York Times Company June 2, 2009 April 15, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160415030249/http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/states/virginia live Even in southern states in which Obama was unsuccessful, such as Georgia and Mississippi, due to large African American turnout he was much more competitive than John Kerry in 2004.http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/states/georgia 2008 Presidential Race: Georgia—Election Guide—The New York Times The New York Times November 4, 2008 Election Guide 2008 – The New York Times The New York Times Company June 2, 2009 April 15, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160415030251/http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/states/georgia livehttp://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/states/mississippi 2008 Presidential Race: Mississippi—Election Guide—The New York Times The New York Times November 4, 2008 Election Guide 2008 – The New York Times The New York Times Company June 2, 2009 April 15, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160415030251/http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/states/mississippi live Ballot access Presidential ticketPartyBallot accesshttp://www.ballot-access.org/ballot-chart.html 2008 PETITIONING FOR PRESIDENT Ballot-access.org October 23, 2008 January 24, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20081103041944/http://www.ballot-access.org/ballot-chart.html November 3, 2008VotesObama / BidenDemocratic50+DC69,498,516McCain / PalinRepublican50+DC59,948,323Nader / GonzalezIndependent45+DC739,034Barr / RootLibertarian45523,715Baldwin / CastleConstitution37199,750McKinney / ClementeGreen32 + DC161,797Others—total(see below)242,685 No other candidate had ballot access in enough states to win 270 electoral votes. All six candidates appeared on the ballot for a majority of the voters, while the 17 other listed candidates were available to no more than 30% of the voters.http://www.ballot-access.org/2008/110108.html Ballot Access News – November 1, 2008 Ballot-access.org March 18, 2008 February 23, 2010 August 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210816035202/http://www.ballot-access.org/2008/110108.html live The following candidates and parties had ballot listing or write-in status in more than one state:http://www.ballot-access.org/2008/110108.html#6 Ballot Access News—November 1, 2008 Ballot-access.org March 18, 2008 January 24, 2009 August 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210816035202/http://www.ballot-access.org/2008/110108.html#6 live Alan Keyes (America's Independent Party) received 47,746 votes; listed in three states: Colorado and Florida, plus California (listed as American Independent), and also had write-in status in Kentucky, Ohio, Texas, and Utah. Ron Paul received 42,426 votes; listed in Louisiana (Louisiana Taxpayers) and in Montana (Constitution), with write-in status in California. Gloria La Riva (Party for Socialism and Liberation) received 6,808 voteshttp://www.ballot-access.org/pres1.html 12/12/92 Ballot-access.org December 22, 2008 January 24, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090204100357/http://ballot-access.org/pres1.html February 4, 2009 mdy-all nationally; listed in 12 states: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. Brian Moore (Socialist Party, see Brian Moore presidential campaign, 2008) received 6,538 votes; listed in eight states: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and Tennessee (independent) and Vermont (Liberty Union). He also filed for write-in status in 17 other states: Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. Róger Calero (Socialist Workers Party) received 5,151 votes; listed in ten states. He was listed by name in Delaware, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont. James Harris was listed as his stand-in in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, and Washington, and also had write-in status in California. Charles Jay (Boston Tea Party) received 2,422 votes; listed in Colorado and Florida, and in Tennessee (as independent), with write-in status in Arizona, Montana, and Utah. Tom Stevens (Objectivist) received 755 votes; listed in Colorado and Florida. Gene Amondson (Prohibition) received 653 votes; listed in Colorado, Florida, and Louisiana. Jonathan Allen (Heartquake) received 483 votes; listed only in Colorado, with write-in status in Arizona, Georgia, Montana, Texas, and other states. The following candidates (parties) were listed on the ballot in only one state: Richard Duncan (Independent) – Ohio; 3,905 votes. John Joseph Polachek (New Party) Illinois; 1,149 votes. Frank McEnulty (New American Independent) – Colorado (listed as unaffiliated); 829 votes. Jeffrey Wamboldt (We the People) – Wisconsin; 764 votes. Jeff Boss (Vote Here) – New Jersey; 639 votes. George Phillies – New Hampshire (also listed with the label Libertarian); 531 votes. Ted Weill (Reform) – Mississippi; 481 votes. Bradford Lyttle (U.S. Pacifist) – Colorado; 110 votes. In Nevada, 6,267 votes were cast for "None of These Candidates".http://nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2008StateWideGeneral/ElectionSummary.aspx 2008 Official Statewide General Election Results for Nevada Nvsos.gov November 4, 2008 April 2, 2013 April 13, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210413010353/https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2008StateWideGeneral/ElectionSummary.aspx live In the three states that officially keep track of "blank" votes for president, 103,193 votes were recorded as "blank".http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G08/President-Details.phtml?n=BLANK 2008 Presidential Election by State Thegreenpapers.com January 8, 2009 February 23, 2010 August 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210814094331/http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G08/President-Details.phtml?n=BLANK live More than 100,000 write-in votes were cast and recorded for a scattering of other candidates, including 62 votes for "Santa Claus" (in ten states) and 11 votes for "Mickey Mouse" (in five states).http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G08/President-Details.phtml?n=OTHER 2008 Presidential Election by State Thegreenpapers.com January 8, 2009 February 23, 2010 April 13, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210413023831/http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G08/President-Details.phtml?n=OTHER live According to the Federal Election Commission, an unusually high number of "miscellaneous" write-ins were cast for president in 2008, including 112,597 tallied in the 17 states that record votes for non-listed candidates.http://www.ballot-access.org/2009/020109.html Ballot Access News – February 1, 2009 Ballot-access.org February 1, 2009 February 23, 2010 August 15, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210815184053/http://www.ballot-access.org/2009/020109.html live There were more presidential candidates on the ballot than at any other time in U. S. history, except for the 1992 election, which also had 23 candidates listed in at least one state. Results Of the 3,154 counties/districts/independent cities making returns, McCain won the most popular votes in 2,270 (71.97%) while Obama carried 884 (28.03%). Popular vote totals are from the official Federal Election Commission report. The results of the electoral vote were certified by Congress on January 8, 2009.http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.html?day=20090108 United States House of Representatives floor summary for Jan 8, 2009 Clerk.house.gov January 30, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20120402071556/http://clerk.house.gov/floorsummary/floor.html?day=20090108 April 2, 2012 dead mdy-all Barack Obama Democratic Illinois 69,498,516 52.93% 365 Joe Biden Delaware John McCain Republican Arizona 59,948,323 45.65% 173 Sarah Palin Alaska Ralph Nader Independent Connecticut 739,034 0.56% 0 Matt Gonzalez California Bob Barr Libertarian Georgia 523,715 0.40% 0 Wayne Allyn Root Nevada Chuck Baldwin Constitution Florida 199,750 0.15% 0 Darrell Castle Tennessee Cynthia McKinney Green Georgia 161,797 0.12% 0 Rosa Clemente North Carolina Alan Keyes America's Independent Party New York 47,746 0.04% 0 Wiley Drake Colorado 194,939 0.15% 131,313,820 100.00% 538 270 Popular vote 600px 410px Obama Democratic Party (US) 52.92 McCain Republican Party (US) 45.66 Nader Independent (US) 0.56 Barr Libertarian Party (US) 0.40 Baldwin Constitution Party (US) 0.15 McKinney Green Party (US) 0.12 Keyes American Independent Party 0.04 Others #777777 0.15 Electoral vote 600px 410px Obama Democratic Party (US) 67.84 McCain Republican Party (US) 32.16 Results by state United States presidential election#The popular vote on Election Day The following table records the official vote tallies for each state for those presidential candidates who were listed on ballots in enough states to have a theoretical chance for a majority in the Electoral College. State popular vote results are from the official Federal Election Commission report. The column labeled "Margin" shows Obama's margin of victory over McCain (the margin is negative for states and districts won by McCain). + LegendStates/districts won by Obama/BidenStates/districts won by McCain/Palin † At-large results (for states that split electoral votes) Barack ObamaDemocratic John McCainRepublican Ralph NaderIndependent Bob BarrLibertarian Chuck BaldwinConstitution Cynthia McKinneyGreen Others MarginMarginSwingPercentage point difference in margin from the 2004 election Total votes State/district EV electoral votes # % EV electoral votes # % EV electoral votes # % EV electoral votes # % EV electoral votes # % EV electoral votes # % EV electoral votes # % EV electoral votes # % % #Alabama9813,47938.74%-1,266,54660.32%96,7880.32%-4,9910.24%-4,3100.21%-00.00%-3,7050.18%--453,067-21.58%4.04%2,099,819ALAlaska 3123,59437.89%-193,84159.42%33,7831.16%-1,5890.49%-1,6600.51%-00.00%-1,7300.53%--70,247-21.53%4.01%326,197AKArizona101,034,70745.12%-1,230,11153.64%1011,3010.49%-12,5550.55%-1,3710.06%-3,4060.15%-240.00%--195,404-8.52%1.95%2,293,475AZArkansas6422,31038.86%-638,01758.72%612,8821.19%-4,7760.44%-4,0230.37%-3,4700.32%-1,1390.10%--215,707-19.86%−10.09%1,086,617ARCalifornia558,274,47361.01%555,011,78136.95%-108,3810.80%-67,5820.50%-3,1450.02%-38,7740.29%-57,7640.43%-3,262,69224.06%14.11%13,561,900CAColorado91,288,63353.66%91,073,62944.71%-13,3520.56%-10,8980.45%-6,2330.26%-2,8220.12%-5,8950.25%-215,0048.95%13.62%2,401,462COConnecticut7997,77260.59%7629,42838.22%-19,1621.16%-00.00%-3110.02%-900.01%-340.00%-368,34422.37%12.00%1,646,797CTDelaware3255,45961.94%3152,37436.95%-2,4010.58%-1,1090.27%-6260.15%-3850.09%-580.01%-103,08524.99%17.41%412,412DEDistrict of Columbia3245,80092.46%317,3676.53%-9580.36%-00.00%-00.00%-5900.22%-1,1380.43%-228,43385.92%6.08%265,853DCFlorida274,282,07451.03%274,045,62448.22%-28,1240.34%-17,2180.21%-7,9150.09%-2,8870.03%-6,9020.08%-236,4502.81%7.83%8,390,744FLGeorgia151,844,12346.99%-2,048,75952.20%151,1580.03%-28,7310.73%-1,4020.04%-2500.01%-630.00%--204,636-5.21%11.39%3,924,486GAHawaii4325,87171.85%4120,56626.58%-3,8250.84%-1,3140.29%-1,0130.22%-9790.22%-00.00%-205,30545.27%36.52%453,568HIIdaho4236,44036.09%-403,01261.52%47,1751.10%-3,6580.56%-4,7470.72%-390.01%-510.01%--166,572-25.43%12.69%655,122IDIllinois213,419,34861.92%212,031,17936.78%-30,9480.56%-19,6420.36%-8,2560.15%-11,8380.21%-1,1600.02%-1,388,16925.14%14.80%5,522,371ILIndiana111,374,03949.95%111,345,64848.91%-9090.03%-29,2571.06%-1,0240.04%-870.00%-900.00%-28,3911.04%21.71%2,751,054INIowa7828,94053.93%7682,37944.39%-8,0140.52%-4,5900.30%-4,4450.29%-1,4230.09%-7,3320.48%-146,5619.54%10.20%1,537,123IAKansas6514,76541.65%-699,65556.61%610,5270.85%-6,7060.54%-4,1480.34%-350.00%-360.00%--184,890-14.96%10.42%1,235,872KSKentucky8751,98541.17%-1,048,46257.40%815,3780.84%-5,9890.33%-4,6940.26%-00.00%-1120.01%--296,477-16.23%3.63%1,826,620KYLouisiana9782,98939.93%-1,148,27558.56%96,9970.36%-00.00%-2,5810.13%-9,1870.47%-10,7320.55%--365,286-18.63%−4.12%1,960,761LAMaine†2421,92357.71%2295,27340.38%-10,6361.45%-2510.03%-1770.02%-2,9000.40%-30.00%-126,65017.33%8.32%731,163MEMaine's 1st1232,14560.51%1144,60437.69%-5,2631.37%---1,3620.36%-2520.07%-87,54122.82%10.88%383,626ME1Maine's 2nd1189,77854.61%1150,66943.35%-5,3731.55%---1,5380.44%-1790.05%-39,10911.26%5.42%347,537ME2Maryland101,629,46761.92%10959,86236.47%-14,7130.56%-9,8420.37%-3,7600.14%-4,7470.18%-9,2050.35%-669,60525.45%12.46%2,631,596MDMassachusetts121,904,09761.80%121,108,85435.99%-28,8410.94%-13,1890.43%-4,9710.16%-6,5500.21%-14,4830.47%-795,24325.81%0.65%3,080,985MAMichigan172,872,57957.43%172,048,63940.96%-33,0850.66%-23,7160.47%-14,6850.29%-8,8920.18%-1700.00%-823,94016.47%13.05%5,001,766MIMinnesota101,573,35454.06%101,275,40943.82%-30,1521.04%-9,1740.32%-6,7870.23%-5,1740.18%-10,3190.35%-297,94510.24%6.76%2,910,369MNMississippi6554,66243.00%-724,59756.18%64,0110.31%-2,5290.20%-2,5510.20%-1,0340.08%-4810.04%--169,935-13.18%6.52%1,289,865MSMissouri111,441,91149.29%-1,445,81449.43%1117,8130.61%-11,3860.39%-8,2010.28%-800.00%-00.00%--3,903-0.14%7.07%2,925,205MOMontana3231,66747.25%-242,76349.51%33,6860.75%-1,3550.28%-1430.03%-230.00%-10,6652.18%--11,096-2.26%18.24%490,302MTNebraska†2333,31941.60%-452,97956.53%25,4060.67%-2,7400.34%-2,9720.37%-1,0280.13%-2,8370.35%--119,660-14.93%18.29%801,281NENebraska's 1st1121,41144.33%-148,17954.10%11,9630.72%-9220.34%-1,0240.37%-3940.14%---26,768-9.77%12.50%273,893NE1Nebraska's 2nd1138,80949.97%1135,43948.75%-1,6280.59%-1,0140.36%-5990.22%-3200.12%--3,3701.22%22.93%277,809NE2Nebraska's 3rd173,09929.63%-169,36168.64%11,8150.74%-8040.33%-1,3490.55%-3140.13%---96,262-39.01%12.17%246,742NE3Nevada5533,73655.15%5412,82742.65%-6,1500.64%-4,2630.44%-3,1940.33%-1,4110.15%-6,2670.65%-120,90912.50%15.10%967,848NVNew Hampshire4384,82654.13%4316,53444.52%-3,5030.49%-2,2170.31%-2260.03%-400.01%-3,6240.51%-68,2929.61%8.24%710,970NHNew Jersey152,215,42257.27%151,613,20741.70%-21,2980.55%-8,4410.22%-3,9560.10%-3,6360.09%-2,2770.06%-602,21515.57%8.89%3,868,237NJNew Mexico5472,42256.91%5346,83241.78%-5,3270.64%-2,4280.29%-1,5970.19%-1,5520.19%-00.00%-125,59015.13%15.79%830,158NMNew York314,804,94562.88%312,752,77136.03%-41,2490.54%-19,5960.26%-6340.01%-12,8010.17%-8,9350.12%-2,052,17426.85%8.57%7,640,931NYNorth Carolina152,142,65149.70%152,128,47449.38%-1,4480.03%-25,7220.60%-00.00%-1580.00%-12,3360.29%-14,1770.32%12.76%4,310,789NCNorth Dakota3141,27844.62%-168,60153.25%34,1891.32%-1,3540.43%-1,1990.38%-00.00%-00.00%--27,323-8.63%18.73%316,621NDOhio202,940,04451.50%202,677,82046.91%-42,3370.74%-19,9170.35%-12,5650.22%-8,5180.15%-7,1490.13%-262,2244.59%6.70%5,708,350OHOklahoma7502,49634.35%-960,16565.65%700.00%-00.00%-00.00%-00.00%-00.00%--457,669-31.30%−0.15%1,462,661OKOregon71,037,29156.75%7738,47540.40%-18,6141.02%-7,6350.42%-7,6930.42%-4,5430.25%-13,6130.74%-298,81616.35%12.19%1,827,864ORPennsylvania213,276,36354.49%212,655,88544.17%-42,9770.71%-19,9120.33%-1,0920.02%-00.00%-17,0430.28%-620,47810.32%7.82%6,013,272PARhode Island4296,57162.86%4165,39135.06%-4,8291.02%-1,3820.29%-6750.14%-7970.17%-2,1210.45%-131,18027.80%7.06%471,766RISouth Carolina8862,44944.90%-1,034,89653.87%85,0530.26%-7,2830.38%-6,8270.36%-4,4610.23%-00.00%--172,447-8.97%8.10%1,920,969SCSouth Dakota3170,92444.75%-203,05453.16%34,2671.12%-1,8350.48%-1,8950.50%-00.00%-00.00%--32,130-8.41%13.06%381,975SDTennessee111,087,43741.83%-1,479,17856.90%1111,5600.44%-8,5470.33%-8,1910.32%-2,4990.10%-2,3370.09%--391,741-15.07%−0.80%2,599,749TNTexas343,528,63343.68%-4,479,32855.45%345,7510.07%-56,1160.69%-5,7080.07%-9090.01%-1,3500.02%--950,695-11.77%11.09%8,077,795TXUtah5327,67034.41%-596,03062.58%58,4160.88%-6,9660.73%-12,0121.26%-9820.10%-2940.03%--268,360-28.17%17.36%952,370UTVermont3219,26267.46%398,97430.45%-3,3391.03%-1,0670.33%-5000.15%-660.02%-1,8380.57%-120,28837.01%16.87%325,046VTVirginia131,959,53252.63%131,725,00546.33%-11,4830.31%-11,0670.30%-7,4740.20%-2,3440.06%-6,3550.17%-234,5276.30%14.50%3,723,260VAWashington111,750,84857.65%111,229,21640.48%-29,4890.97%-12,7280.42%-9,4320.31%-3,8190.13%-1,3460.04%-521,63217.17%10.00%3,036,878WAWest Virginia5303,85742.59%-397,46655.71%57,2191.01%-00.00%-2,4650.35%-2,3550.33%-890.01%--93,609-13.12%−0.26%713,451WVWisconsin101,677,21156.22%101,262,39342.31%-17,6050.59%-8,8580.30%-5,0720.17%-4,2160.14%-8,0620.27%-414,81813.91%13.52%2,983,417WIWyoming382,86832.54%-164,95864.78%32,5250.99%-1,5940.63%-1,1920.47%-00.00%-1,5210.60%--82,090-32.24%7.55%254,658WYU.S. Total53869,498,51652.93%36559,948,32345.65%173739,0340.56%-523,7150.40%-199,7500.15%-161,7970.12%-242,6850.18%-9,550,1937.27%9.73%131,313,820US Note: Maine and Nebraska each allow for their electoral votes to be split between candidates. In both states, two electoral votes are awarded to the winner of the statewide race and one electoral vote is awarded to the winner of each congressional district.http://maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2008/tabs-can-pr-condistrict-summary-11-08.html Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions, Elections Division December 2, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121104160518/http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2008/tabs-can-pr-condistrict-summary-11-08.html November 4, 2012 mdy-allhttp://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/pdf/2008%20General%20Canvass%20Book.pdf Official Results of Nebraska General Election – November 4, 2008 December 2, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20090114195615/http://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/pdf/2008%20General%20Canvass%20Book.pdf January 14, 2009 dead States and EV districts that flipped from Republican to Democratic Colorado Florida Indiana Iowa Nebraska's 2nd congressional district Nevada New Mexico North Carolina Ohio Virginia Maps Close states thumb|upright=1.35|States/districts in the 2008 United States presidential election in which the margin of victory was less than 5%. Blue states/districts went for Obama, red for McCain. Yellow states were won by either candidate by 5% or more. Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Virginia and Iowa were won by Bush in 2004 but were won by Obama by a margin of more than 5% in 2008. Red denotes states (or congressional districts that contribute an electoral vote) won by Republican John McCain; blue denotes those won by Democrat Barack Obama. States where the margin of victory was under 1% (26 electoral votes; 15 won by Obama, 11 by McCain): Missouri, 0.14% (3,903 votes) – 11 electoral votes North Carolina, 0.32% (14,177 votes) – 15 electoral votes States where the margin of victory was between 1% and 5% (62 electoral votes; 59 won by Obama, 3 by McCain): Indiana, 1.04% (28,391 votes) – 11 electoral votes Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, 1.22% (3,370 votes) – 1 electoral vote Montana, 2.26% (11,096 votes) – 3 electoral votes Florida, 2.81% (236,450 votes) – 27 electoral votes Ohio, 4.59% (262,224 votes) – 20 electoral votes States/districts where the margin of victory was between 5% and 10% (73 electoral votes; 33 won by Obama, 40 by McCain): Georgia, 5.21% (204,636 votes) – 15 electoral votes Virginia, 6.30% (234,527 votes) – 13 electoral votes South Dakota, 8.41% (32,130 votes) – 3 electoral votes Arizona, 8.52% (195,404 votes) – 10 electoral votes North Dakota, 8.63% (27,323 votes) – 3 electoral votes Colorado, 8.95% (215,004 votes) – 9 electoral votes (tipping-point state for Obama victory) South Carolina, 8.97% (172,447 votes) – 8 electoral votes Iowa, 9.54% (146,561 votes) – 7 electoral votes (tipping-point state for McCain victory) New Hampshire, 9.61% (68,292 votes) – 4 electoral votes Nebraska's 1st congressional district, 9.77% (26,768 votes) – 1 electoral vote Statistics Counties and county-equivalents with highest percentage of Democratic vote: https://web.archive.org/web/20210910104629/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=2008&off=0&elect=0&f=0 September 10, 2021, Uselectionatlas.org. Washington, D.C. 92.46% Prince George's County, Maryland 88.87% Bronx County, New York 88.71% Shannon County, South Dakota 88.69% Petersburg, Virginia 88.64% Counties with highest percentage of Republican vote: King County, Texas 92.64% Roberts County, Texas 92.08% Ochiltree County, Texas 91.70% Glasscock County, Texas 90.13% Beaver County, Oklahoma 89.25% Voter demographics The 2008 presidential vote by demographic subgroup Demographic subgroupObamaMcCainOther % oftotal vote Total vote 53 46 1 100Ideology Liberals 89 10 1 22 Moderates 60 39 1 44 Conservatives 20 78 2 34Party Democrats 89 10 1 39 Republicans 9 90 1 32 Independents 52 44 4 29Gender Men 49 48 3 47 Women 56 43 1 53Marital status Married 47 52 1 66 Non-married 65 33 2 34Race White 43 55 2 74 Black 95 4 1 13 Asian 62 35 3 2 Other 66 31 3 2 Hispanic 67 31 2 9Religion Protestant 45 54 1 54 Catholic 54 45 1 27 Jewish 78 21 1 2 Muslim 89 2 1 1 Other 73 22 5 6 None 75 23 2 12Religious service attendance More than weekly 43 55 2 12 Weekly 43 55 2 27 Monthly 53 46 1 15 A few times a year 59 39 2 28 Never 67 30 3 16White evangelical or born-again Christian? White evangelical or born-again Christian 24 74 2 26 Everyone else 62 36 2 74Age 18–24 years old 66 32 2 10 25–29 years old 66 31 3 8 30–39 years old 54 44 2 18 40–49 years old 49 49 2 21 50–64 years old 50 49 1 27 65 and older 45 53 2 16Age by race Whites 18–29 years old 54 44 2 11 Whites 30–44 years old 41 57 2 20 Whites 45–64 years old 42 56 2 30 Whites 65 and older 40 58 2 13 Blacks 18–29 years old 95 4 1 3 Blacks 30–44 years old 96 4 n/a 4 Blacks 45–64 years old 96 3 1 4 Blacks 65 and older 94 6 n/a 1 Latinos 18–29 years old 76 19 5 3 Latinos 30–44 years old 63 36 1 3 Latinos 45–64 years old 58 40 2 2 Latinos 65 and older 68 30 2 1 Others 64 33 3 5First time voter? First time voter 69 30 1 11 Everyone else 50 48 2 89Sexual orientation Gay, lesbian, or bisexual 70 27 3 4 Heterosexual 53 45 2 96Education Not a high school graduate 63 35 2 4 High school graduate 52 46 2 20 Some college education 51 47 2 31 College graduate 50 48 2 28 Postgraduate education 58 40 2 17Education by race/ethnicity White college graduates 47 51 2 35 White no college degree 40 58 2 39 Non-white college graduates 75 22 3 9 Non-white no college degree 83 16 1 16Family income Under $15,000 73 25 2 6 $15,000–30,000 60 37 3 12 $30,000–50,000 55 43 2 19 $50,000–75,000 48 49 3 21 $75,000–100,000 51 48 1 15 $100,000–150,000 48 51 1 14 $150,000–200,000 48 50 1 6 Over $200,000 52 46 2 6Union households Union 59 39 2 21 Non-union 51 47 2 79Military service Veterans 44 54 2 15 Non-veterans 54 44 2 85Issue regarded as most important Economy 53 44 3 63 Iraq 59 39 2 10 Health care 73 26 1 9 Terrorism 13 86 1 9 Energy 50 46 4 7Region Northeast 59 40 1 21 Midwest 54 44 2 24 South 45 54 1 32 West 57 40 3 23Community size Urban 63 35 2 30 Suburban 50 48 2 49 Rural 45 53 2 21 Source: Exit polls conducted by Edison Research of Somerville, New Jersey, for the National Election Pool, a consortium of ABC News, Associated Press, CBS News, CNN, Fox News, and NBC News.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#val=USP00p1 National Exit Poll CNN January 28, 2013 June 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100605132422/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#val=USP00p1 live Analysis Obama, having a white mother and Kenyan father of the Luo ethnic group,Derek Kilner Kenyans Welcome Obama's Democratic Party Nomination June 4, 2008 http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-06/2008-06-04-voa44.cfm?CFID=30257441&CFTOKEN=32989567 http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20100726062355/http://www1.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-06/2008-06-04-voa44.cfm?CFID=30257441&CFTOKEN=32989567 dead July 26, 2010 VOA News June 17, 2008 became the first African American as well as the first biracial president.http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-assess5-2008nov05,0,6354926.story White Americans play major role in electing the first black president Los Angeles Times November 5, 2008 Wallsten Peter July 16, 2009 December 18, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081218232632/http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-assess5-2008nov05,0,6354926.story live Several black people had previously run for president, including Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson, Lenora Fulani, Carol Moseley Braun, Alan Keyes, and Al Sharpton, though Obama was the first one ever to win the nomination of a major party, let alone the general election.http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/africanamericans_president.htm African-Americans Who Ran for President socialstudiesforkids.com 2016-03-22 October 5, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181005012133/http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/africanamericans_president.htm dead The Obama-Biden ticket was also the first winning ticket in American history in which neither candidate was a white Protestant, as Biden is Roman Catholic and the first Roman Catholic to be elected vice president; all previous tickets with Catholic vice presidential candidates had been defeated (1964, 1972, 1984).http://www.america.gov/st/elections08-english/2008/November/20081107132624xjyrrep0.7660639.html America.gov America.gov November 7, 2008 July 16, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090805090139/http://www.america.gov/st/elections08-english/2008/November/20081107132624xjyrrep0.7660639.html August 5, 2009 mdy-all The Obama-Biden ticket was the first winning ticket consisting of two sitting senators since 1960 (John F. Kennedy/Lyndon B. Johnson),In the previous election cycle, Democrats also nominated two sitting senators, John Kerry of Massachusetts and John Edwards of North Carolina, but they lost to incumbents Bush and Cheney. and Obama became the first Northern Democratic president since Kennedy. Also, Obama became the first Democratic candidate to win a majority of the popular vote since Jimmy Carter in 1976, the first to win a majority of both votes and states since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, and the first Northern Democrat to win a majority of both votes and states since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. Additionally, Obama became the first Northern Democrat to win any state in the former Confederacy since Hubert Humphrey won Texas in 1968. Furthermore, his margin of victory, 7.27%, was the largest for any victor since Bill Clinton in 1996 and for any first-term president since George H. W. Bush in 1988. This was the first presidential election since 1952 in which neither of the major-party nominees was the incumbent president or vice-president. This is the only election where both major party nominees were Senators. thumb|upright=1.15|Swing by state. States are listed by (increasing) percentage of Democratic votes, showing how the share of the vote changed between 2004 and 2008. Excluding the candidates' home states, only five states trended more Republican: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia. Prior to the election, commentators discussed whether Obama would be able to redraw the electoral map by winning states that had been voting for Republican candidates in recent decades.http://www.progressillinois.com/2008/05/11/features/obama-over-the-top https://web.archive.org/web/20080514024717/http://progressillinois.com/2008/05/11/features/obama-over-the-top dead May 14, 2008 Obama Over the Top: How New Voters Could Redraw The Electoral Map Progress Illinois January 30, 2009 In many ways, he was successful. He won every region of the country by double digits except the South, which John McCain won by nine percent, although Obama nonetheless carried Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, and Virginia (the South as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau). McCain won every state in the Deep South, where white voters had generally supported Republican candidates by increasingly large margins in the previous few decades.Exit Polls https://web.archive.org/web/20131011094602/http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/national-exit-polls.html October 11, 2013 , The New York Times, November 5, 2008. Obama won all of the 2004 swing states (states that either Kerry or Bush won by less than 5%) by a margin of 8.5 percent or more except for Ohio, which he carried by 4.5 percent. News outlet Reuters described the result as an "electoral landslide".https://www.reuters.com/article/world/obama-captures-historic-win-idUSTRE4A30Y2/ Obama captures historic win Whitesides John Reuters November 4, 2008 October 3, 2026 Obama also defied political bellwethers, becoming the first person to win the presidency while losing Missouri since 1956 and while losing Kentucky and Tennessee since 1960. He was the first Democrat to ever win the presidency without carrying Missouri, to win without carrying Arkansas since that state joined the Union in 1836, and the first to win without West Virginia since 1916 (and, because one West Virginia elector had voted Democratic in 1916, Obama became the first Democrat to win the White House without any of the state's electors since its founding in 1863). This was the first presidential election since 1924 that West Virginia voted Republican while Virginia voted Democratic, which has also occurred in every subsequent election. Indiana and Virginia voted for the Democratic nominee for the first time since 1964, as did a solitary electoral vote from Nebraska's 2nd congressional district. Indiana would return to being a reliably red state in subsequent elections. Virginia, however, has been won by Democrats in every presidential election since and would grow increasingly Democratic at the state level. North Carolina, which Obama was the first Democrat to carry since 1976, would return to the Republican column in the following elections, though only by narrow margins each time. Obama was also relatively competitive in some traditionally Republican states he lost, notably Montana, which he lost by under 3%, and Georgia, which he lost by just 5%. He is also the only 21st-century Democrat to lose North Dakota and South Dakota by just single digits. McCain remains the last presidential candidate to receive fewer than 200 electoral votes. This was the first presidential election in which Nebraska split its electoral votes between two candidates. Together with Maine, which would not split its votes until 2016, Nebraska is one of two states that allow a split in electoral votes without faithless electors: a candidate receives one electoral vote for each congressional district won (Nebraska has three, Maine two), while the statewide winner receives an additional two electoral votes. Obama won the electoral vote from Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, largely comprising the city of Omaha. Nebraska's other four electoral votes went to John McCain. This would not happen again until 2020. 2024, this election is the last time that Indiana or North Carolina voted Democratic, and is also the most recent election where one of the nominees has since died. Until 2024 this was also the most recent election in which any of the major presidential nominees had any military experience.2023-07-19 From Marine to politician: An inside look at JD Vance's journey to the RNC stage https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/marine-politician-inside-jd-vances-journey-rnc-stage/story?id=112041974 2024-07-19 ABC News en September 21, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240921110851/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/marine-politician-inside-jd-vances-journey-rnc-stage/story?id=112041974 live This election exhibited the continuation of some of the polarization trends evident in the 2000 and 2004 elections.Cost Jay http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2008/11/polarization_continues_under_o.html HorseRaceBlog—Electoral Polarization Continues Under Obama RealClearPolitics November 20, 2008 January 24, 2009 February 2, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090202045534/http://realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2008/11/polarization_continues_under_o.html live McCain won whites 55–43 percent, while Obama won blacks 95–4 percent,Kuhn, David Paul https://www.politico.com/story/2008/11/exit-polls-how-obama-won-015297 Exit polls: How Obama won Politico November 5, 2008 November 8, 2011 November 5, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111105232041/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15297.html live Hispanics 67–31 percent, and Asians 62–35 percent. Voters aged 18–29 voted for Obama by 66–32 percent while elderly voters backed McCain 53–45 percent.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#USP00p1 Exit poll CNN January 30, 2009 June 5, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100605132422/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/polls/#USP00p1 live The 25-year age gap between McCain and Obama was the widest in U.S. presidential election history among the top two candidates.https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/world/americas/03iht-letter.3.9701386.html Obama vs. McCain would be dream match The New York Times February 3, 2008 Hunt, Albert R. February 23, 2017 November 25, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201125220543/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/world/americas/03iht-letter.3.9701386.html live See also Barack Obama religion conspiracy theories Barack Obama citizenship conspiracy theories First inauguration of Barack Obama Newspaper endorsements in the 2008 United States presidential election Presidential transition of Barack Obama 2008 United States gubernatorial elections 2008 United States House of Representatives elections 2008 United States Senate elections Third-party and independent candidates for the 2008 United States presidential election Opinion polling Nationwide opinion polling for the 2008 United States presidential election Statewide opinion polling for the 2008 United States presidential election International opinion polling for the 2008 United States presidential election Scientific forecasts: FiveThirtyEight Notes lower-alpha References 30em Further reading Balz, Dan, and Haynes Johnson. The Battle for America 2008: The Story of an Extraordinary Election (2009), by leading reporters with inside information Crotty, William. "Policy and Politics: The Bush Administration and the 2008 Presidential Election," Polity, July 2009, Vol. 41 Issue 3, pp 282–311 online https://web.archive.org/web/20160404230129/http://www.palgrave-journals.com/polity/journal/v41/n3/abs/pol20093a.html April 4, 2016 Curtis, Mark. Age of Obama: A Reporter's Journey With Clinton, McCain and Obama in the Making of the President in 2008 (2009) Gidlow, Liette. Obama, Clinton, Palin: Making History in Election 2008 (2012) Nelson, Michael. The Elections of 2008 (2009), factual summary except and text search https://web.archive.org/web/20110429113223/http://www.amazon.com/dp/0872895696/ April 29, 2011 Plouffe, David. The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama's Historic Victory. 2009 Sussman, Glen. "Choosing a New Direction: The Presidential Election of 2008," White House Studies, 2009, Vol. 9 Issue 1, pp 1–20 Wolffe, Richard. Renegade: The Making of a President (2010) excerpt and text search https://web.archive.org/web/20110429113024/http://www.amazon.com/dp/0307463133/ April 29, 2011 , narrative Voters Abramson, Paul R., John H. Aldrich, and David W. Rohde. Change and Continuity in the 2008 Elections (2009) excerpt and text search https://web.archive.org/web/20110429111607/http://www.amazon.com/dp/1604265205/ April 29, 2011 Corwin E. Smidt and others. The Disappearing God Gap? Religion in the 2008 Presidential Election (Oxford University Press; 2010) 278 pages. Finds that the gap between church-attending traditionalists and other voters is not closing, as has been claimed, but is changing in significant ways; draws on survey data from voters who were interviewed in the spring of 2008 and then again after the election. Crespino, Joseph. "The U.S. South and the 2008 Election," Southern Spaces (2008) online https://web.archive.org/web/20200808144411/https://southernspaces.org/2008/us-south-and-2008-election/ August 8, 2020 Jessee, Stephen A. "Voter Ideology and Candidate Positioning in the 2008 Presidential Election," American Politics Research, March 2010, Vol. 38 Issue 2, pp 195–210 Kenski, Kate, Bruce W. Hardy, and Kathleen Hall Jamieson. The Obama Victory: How Media, Money, and Message Shaped the 2008 Election (Oxford University Press; 2010) 378 pages. Draws on interviews with key campaign advisors as well as the National Annenberg Election Survey. excerpt and text search https://web.archive.org/web/20190828224412/https://www.amazon.com/dp/0195399560/ August 28, 2019 Sabato, Larry. The Year of Obama: How Barack Obama Won the White House (2009) Stempel III, Guido H. and Thomas K. Hargrove, eds. The 21st-Century Voter: Who Votes, How They Vote, and Why They Vote (2 vol. 2015). Todd, Chuck, and Sheldon Gawiser. How Barack Obama Won: A State-by-State Guide to the Historic 2008 Presidential Election (2009) excerpt and text search https://web.archive.org/web/20190828224407/https://www.amazon.com/dp/030747366X/ August 28, 2019 External links 2008 United States presidential election Beyond Red and Blue: 7 Ways to View the Presidential Election Map—from Scientific American Campaign commercials from the 2008 election US Election 2008 Web Monitor 2008 Electoral Map "Behind the Results", USA Today election coverage Joseph Crespino, "The U.S. South and the 2008 Election", Southern Spaces, December 11, 2008. Election of 2008 in Counting the Votes The Choice 2008 Frontline Frontline (American TV program) PBS WGBH October 14, 2008 26 11 https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/choice2008/ November 28, 2024 Category:Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign Category:John McCain 2008 presidential campaign Category:Barack Obama Category:John McCain Category:Joe Biden Category:Sarah Palin Category:November 2008 in the United States Category:Impacts of the Iraq War Category:Post–civil rights era in African-American history Category:Presidency of George W. Bush Category:Presidency of Barack Obama Category:Vice presidency of Joe Biden