2008 United States presidential election — 56th quadrennial U.S. presidential election
Barack Obama's 2008 presidential victory marked the first election of an African American to the U.S. presidency, with a decisive Electoral College and popular vote margin.
Key Facts
- Election date
- November 4, 2008
- Winner
- Barack Obama (Democrat)
- Losing ticket
- John McCain & Sarah Palin (Republican)
- States flipped from 2004
- 9 states plus Nebraska's 2nd district
- Historic first
- First African American elected U.S. president
- Incumbent on ballot
- Neither president nor VP ran — first since 1952
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
President George W. Bush's declining approval ratings, driven by public discontent over the Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina's aftermath, the Abu Ghraib scandal, and the 2008 financial crisis, created an environment unfavorable to the incumbent Republican Party. McCain's decision to suspend his campaign during the financial crisis was widely viewed as erratic, further weakening his candidacy.
On November 4, 2008, Democratic senator Barack Obama of Illinois, running with Delaware senator Joe Biden, defeated Republican senator John McCain of Arizona and Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Obama won a decisive Electoral College majority and a sizable popular vote margin, flipping nine states that had voted Republican in 2004, including Florida, Ohio, and Virginia.
Obama became the first African American president in U.S. history, taking office amid the global financial crisis and two ongoing wars. His victory represented a major shift in the political landscape, with Democrats consolidating control across the Great Lakes states and expanding the party's electoral map into traditionally Republican-leaning states such as Indiana, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Political Outcome
Democratic ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden won the presidency, defeating Republican ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin by decisive Electoral College and popular vote margins.
Republican presidency under George W. Bush
Democratic presidency under Barack Obama