Obama Wins Nomination

On June 3, 2008, Barack Obama officially collected enough delegate votes to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination. Obama is the first African-American to lead a major party ticket in U.S. history.

Fast Facts

1. Total delegates: 2,165¹
2. Delegates needed to win: 2,118²
3. November 4, 2008: Will face John McCain in presidential election
4. Obama spent just three years in the Senate before his June 3, 2008 win
5. Clinton has indicated she is open to accepting position as vice president³

Over the Top

The results from South Dakota, where Clinton won, and Montana, where Obama prevailed, revealed that the number of delegates belonging to Obama were enough to clinch the nomination.

After the polls closed on June 3, 2008, Obama took the stage in St. Paul, Minnesota, telling supporters, "America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past."⁴

Obama Clinton Ticket?

As it became clear that Clinton would not prevail, Clinton reportedly told colleagues she would be open to joining Obama as his running mate.

Despite losing the nomination to Obama, Clinton had not conceded as of June 4, 2008. Reports have said she is taking some time to plan her next move, which may or may not involve a concession speech.³

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