Election 2008

Democrat Barack Obama was elected 44th President of the United States in the November 4, 2008 election. Obama carried with him a Democratic sweep of both Houses of Congress, although falling short of the 60 Senate seats needed to override a Republican filibuster.¹ The margin of victory was 53% for Obama to 46% for John McCain, making Obama the first Democratic President-elect since Jimmy Carter to win over 50% of the popular vote.²

Fast Facts

1. Election day: November 4, 2008
2. 56th consecutive quadrennial election
3. Barack Obama won the Presidency by a 7% margin²
4. Obama earned 364 Electoral votes to John McCain's 173²
5. Among 33 Senate seats in play, Democrats won at least 18¹
6. Democratic Senate majority rose to 57 seats (including two independents)¹
7. Senate races in both Minnesota and Georgia were too close to call, and are being recounted¹
8. Democrats increased their majority in the House, picking up 19³

Major Party Candidates

• Republican:
  • John McCain (President)
  • Sarah Palin (VP)

• Democratic:
  • Barack Obama (President)
  • Joe Biden (VP)

Third Party Candidates

• Libertarian:
  • Bob Barr (President)
  • Wayne Allyn Root (VP)

• Green:
  • Cynthia McKinney (President)
  • Rosa Clemente (VP)

• Constitution:
  • Chuck Baldwin (President)
  • Darrell Castle (VP)

John McCain Fast Facts

1. Full name: John Sidney McCain III
2. Born: August 29, 1936
3. Birthplace: Panama Canal Zone
4. Former Vietnam P.O.W.
5. Named Republican candidate at the 2008 Republican Convention September, 2008
6. U.S. Senator: January 3, 1987-present
7. U.S. Congressman: January 3, 1983-January 3, 1987

Barack Obama Fast Facts

1. Full name: Barack Hussein Obama II
2. Born: August 4, 1961
3. Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii
4. Illinois senator: 2005 to present
5. Political party: Democrat
6. Named Democratic Party candidate at the 2008 Democratic Convention on August 27, 2008
7. 1983: Graduated from Columbia University
8. 1991: Graduated from Harvard Law School

Related Pages on Mahalo

Presidential Polls 2008 | Electoral Map 2008 | Election Results 2008 | Election Exit Polls 2008 | McCain Palin 2008 | Joe Biden | Hillary Rodham Clinton John McCain | Joe Biden | Sarah Palin | Obama McCain Debates | Biden Palin Debate | Chuck Baldwin | 2008 Democratic Convention | 2008 Republican Convention | Obama Biden 08 | Joe Biden VP | United States Presidents | Presidential Debates 2008 | McCain Obama Debate Schedule | Register to Vote Online | Video Your Vote | Libertarian Party | Where to Vote | Obama Victory Album | Tom Kean | Courage Campaign

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