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United States presidential election of 2008: Quick Facts

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Facts

Date November 4, 2008
Location United States
Context financial crisis of 2007–08 • Great Recession

Photos and Videos

Barack Obama
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton
John McCain
Sarah Palin, wearing glasses and a red blazer with a flag pin, speaks at a podium during a campaign rally.
Obama campaign rally
Senator John McCain stands at a podium labeled McCain Palin, speaking at a rally with a large American flag and crowd in the background.
Barack Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention
Barack Obama waves on stage with his wife Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia at an election-night rally in Chicago, surrounded by American flags and cheering crowds.
Barack Obama: campaign memorabilia
Map of the United States showing the 2008 presidential election results by state, with states won by Barack Obama (Democratic) shaded in blue and those won by John McCain (Republican) in red. Electoral vote counts are marked on each state, and Nebraska is shown splitting its electoral votes. Obama won 365 electoral votes, while McCain won 173.
See various souvenirs from Africa celebrating Barack Obama 2008 win as U.S. president
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Related Topics and References

Topics

Key People

President Barack Obama stands smiling with arms crossed in the Oval Office, with the American flag and presidential seal visible behind him.
Barack Obama
president of United States
Joe Biden's path to the U.S. presidency
Joe Biden
president of United States
Hillary Clinton smiling and speaking at a podium with microphones at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, with a blue background behind her.
Hillary Clinton
United States senator, first lady, and secretary of state
John McCain
John McCain
United States senator
Rudy Giuliani, 2022
Rudy Giuliani
American politician and lawyer
Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney
United States senator
Sarah Palin, wearing glasses and a dark suit, speaks at a podium with a microphone visible in front of her against a dark background.
Sarah Palin
American politician
Governor Mike Huckabee wearing a suit and tie, speaking into a microphone at an event.
Mike Huckabee
American politician
Ron Paul, c. 2007.
Ron Paul
American politician
John Edwards.
John Edwards
United States senator
Bob Barr
Bob Barr
American politician and attorney
Fred Thompson smiles while seated outdoors in a suit and patterned tie, preparing for an interview in front of a camera, with people and greenery in the background.
Fred Thompson
American politician and actor
Cynthia McKinney.
Cynthia McKinney
American politician
Alan Keyes.
Alan Keyes
American diplomat, commentator, and politician

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