Hello, and welcome back to another edition of the Presidential Election series. Today, we’ll be covering the election of 2008—a pivotal moment in U.S. history. Bush’s second term had turned into a political quagmire, with crises both foreign and domestic, and candidates from both sides of the aisle scrambled for the presidency. This election would culminate in history being made on election day.
President George W. Bush likely believed he could lead the country into a new era of prosperity similar to the 1980s. However, his second term saw him deal with disaster after disaster, both in foreign and domestic policy. Let’s start with foreign policy…
After the ousting of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, the Bush administration hoped to establish a government that would not only be friendly to the U.S. and its allies but would also spread freedom and democracy throughout Iraq after years of Saddam’s repressive rule.
However, by 2006, it was clear this was not going to happen. Iraq was destabilized by bombings and terrorist attacks. Terrorist groups like ISIS, once suppressed by Hussein’s regime, took advantage of the chaos to expand their anti-Western agenda and make Iraq a safe haven for terrorism.
With thousands of American soldiers and Iraqi civilians killed or injured, combined with the staggering costs of funding the war, it’s easy to see how foreign policy became a quagmire for Bush. These foreign policy challenges would be a central issue in the election of 2008, with voters seeking new leadership to resolve the ongoing conflict in Iraq.
Hurricanes and Recessions
While Bush’s efforts to nation-build in Iraq were faltering, and reports of prisoner abuse worsened his global image, the catastrophic domestic issues he faced would further erode his popularity. In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, especially its predominantly African American population. The Bush administration’s slow and ineffective response to the crisis intensified public outrage.
Simultaneously, the U.S. economy was faltering. By 2007, 90% of manufacturing jobs had disappeared, and the housing market collapsed. This was followed by widespread financial failures in 2008, with many corporations and banks implicated in corruption and reckless practices, leading to the “Great Recession.”
Although Bush passed legislation to bail out several banks and corporations, the use of taxpayer money angered many Americans. With top executives avoiding accountability for white-collar crimes, Bush’s approval ratings, once as high as 90%, plummeted to 25%. These economic issues would loom large in the election of 2008, influencing voter priorities and setting the stage for major political change.
John McCain: The Republican Party’s Maverick
The GOP’s primaries saw fierce competition, with Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee winning the Iowa Caucus. However, Arizona Senator John McCain won key primaries in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Florida, a remarkable turnaround given that he had been trailing in single digits before a new campaign strategy focused on supporting the Iraq War boosted his standing.
Unlike in 2000, McCain secured the Republican nomination in 2008, choosing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, making her the second woman ever to run on a major party’s presidential ticket. McCain and Palin’s campaign would face significant scrutiny, but the election of 2008 became a defining moment for the Republican Party, showcasing its attempts to appeal to new voter demographics, especially women and evangelicals.
Although some believed McCain considered choosing Democrat Senator Joe Lieberman as his running mate, Palin brought renewed energy to the campaign, especially among women and evangelical voters.
Barack Obama vs. Hillary Clinton
When Hillary Clinton launched her campaign on January 20, 2007, she was widely viewed as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. But Illinois Senator Barack Obama emerged as a formidable challenger. After a 10-month grassroots campaign in Iowa, Obama won the Iowa Caucus and followed with victories in Texas, Nevada, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Clinton remained competitive, winning primaries in Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, New Hampshire, Florida, and Michigan—though the latter two states sparked controversy by moving their primary dates earlier than expected.
Following Obama’s Super Tuesday victory and the support of most superdelegates, Clinton suspended her campaign on June 7, 2008. Just over a month later, Obama became the first African American to win a major party’s presidential nomination, with Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his running mate. This fierce primary contest added even more weight to the election of 2008, with the historic possibility of either the first female or first African American president.
Experience vs. Change
McCain’s campaign emphasized his experience and his belief that victory in Iraq was achievable. His long tenure in Washington positioned him as a steady hand during a critical time. Conversely, Obama’s campaign promised to take the country in a new direction, calling for universal healthcare, an end to the Iraq War, and a break from the policies of the Bush administration.
However, McCain’s campaign suffered several missteps, from his comment that “the fundamentals of the economy are strong” amid the financial crisis to a healthcare plan that left many Americans uninsured. Palin’s media gaffes, including those mocked on Saturday Night Live, further damaged the campaign, along with the continued unpopularity of Bush’s second term.
Obama also faced criticism—his healthcare proposal, his association with controversial preacher Jeremiah Wright, and comments made during the Pennsylvania primary about Midwesterners clinging to “guns and religion.” Questions about the legality of his citizenship, though amplified by future political figures, were notably rejected by McCain, who defended Obama from insensitive remarks at his rallies. Ultimately, these narratives played a pivotal role in shaping voter sentiment in the election of 2008.
The Results
Barack Obama emerged victorious, becoming the 44th President of the United States and the first African American to hold the office. Obama carried 28 states, including Washington, D.C., and Nebraska’s second congressional district, while McCain won 22 states. Obama secured 365 electoral votes to McCain’s 173 and won 52.9% of the popular vote, compared to McCain’s 45.7%.
Similar to Presidents Warren G. Harding and John F. Kennedy, Obama made the rare transition from sitting U.S. Senator to President. His victory also marked the first time states like North Carolina, Virginia, and Indiana voted for a Democratic candidate since 1964 and 1976, respectively.
In terms of voter demographics, Obama won decisively among voters aged 18-39, while McCain performed better among those over 50. Women and minority voters, unsurprisingly, supported Obama in overwhelming numbers. The election of 2008 became a landmark event, not only for electing the first African American president but also for reshaping the political landscape in ways that would influence the next decade.
