Presidential election
2008 presidential election
Barack Obama defeated John McCain, winning 365 of 538 electoral votes and 52.9% of the popular vote.
Results
61.7%
Turnout rate
131.4M
Total votes cast
213.0M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio(OH) | 20 | DemocraticObama | +4.6% |
| Florida(FL) | 27 | DemocraticObama | +2.8% |
| Virginia(VA) | 13 | DemocraticObama | +6.3% |
| North Carolina(NC) | 15 | DemocraticObama | +0.3% |
| Indiana(IN) | 11 | DemocraticObama | +1% |
| Colorado(CO) | 9 | DemocraticObama | +9% |
Candidates
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
Joe Biden
Home state
Illinois
Age at election
47
Previous position
U.S. Senator from Illinois
Campaign slogan
"Change We Can Believe In"
Popular vote
69.5M
(52.9%)
Electoral votes
365
Party
RepublicanRunning mate
Sarah Palin
Home state
Arizona
Age at election
72
Previous position
U.S. Senator from Arizona
Campaign slogan
"Country First"
Popular vote
59.9M
(45.7%)
Electoral votes
173
Men
Obama
49%
Women
Obama
56%
White Voters
McCain
55%
Black Voters
Obama
95%
Hispanic/Latino
Obama
67%
18-29 Age
Obama
66%
65+ Age
McCain
53%
Key events
Palin Selected as VP
McCain's surprise VP pick energized base but raised experience questions
Lehman Brothers Collapses
Financial crisis peaked, reshaping entire campaign
McCain Suspends Campaign
McCain paused campaign to focus on financial crisis bailout
Palin-Biden VP Debate
76 million viewers watched, largest VP debate audience ever
Issues & context
First African American major party nominee and president-elect. Historic financial crisis weeks before election. Highest voter turnout in 40 years.
Worst financial crisis since Great Depression. Lehman Brothers collapsed September 2008. Stock market crashed. TARP bailout passed.
Bush's approval ratings in low 30s. McCain struggled to separate himself from unpopular incumbent. Economic crisis devastated Republican chances.
First African American president. Financial crisis led to major reforms (Dodd-Frank). Tea Party movement emerged in opposition. Shaped Democratic coalition for next decade.
Did you know?
- 1.Obama won 95% of Black vote - highest for any candidate
- 2.First Democrat to win Virginia since 1964
- 3.First Democrat to win Indiana since 1964
- 4.Election night crowds in Chicago's Grant Park numbered 240,000
- 5.Obama raised $750 million, first to decline public financing