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Thursday 08 January 2009

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candidates - Democrats - elections - Republicans

Obama makes history

On November 4, 2008, the Democratic Senator from Illinois became the 44th US President, and the nation’s first black president. Surpassing all expectations, he took 349 electoral college votes to McCain’s 163.

New President-elect Barack Obama, who officially takes office on January 20, 2009, won by a landslide. He had been ahead in the polls, but sceptics had pointed out that the projected red-blue state distribution was similar to that immediately prior the last two elections. Back then, polls had predicted victory for the Democrats, only for the Republicans to win in a surprise upset.

This election also marked a victory for US democracy. With 136.6 million Americans voting, or close to 66%, this was the highest voter turnout in 100 years.

The fervour of Obama’s support was reflected in his record-making campaign fundraising, raking in over $650 million.

High expectations rest on Obama’s shoulders. Not only must he live up to the legend that took seed even before he became the Democratic candidate, but he also inherits a messy legacy. He will take office at a time when his country is witnessing its worst economic state since the Great Depression of the 1930s, and he will be expected to make good on his promise to set an agenda for troop withdrawal in Iraq. Now the real work begins, and the world is watching him closely.

US 2008 election snapshot

• Photos: campaign at a glance
• • Swing states map / Democratic Convention / Republican Convention

Barack Obama makes history as first black US president Democratic candidate Barack Obama has won the 2008 US presidential election, becoming the first black president in the country's history. Republican candidate John McCain has conceded defeat.

Obama’s journey from Hyde to Grant Park Chicago’s Grant Park is getting set for Barack Obama’s address Nov. 4 night. It’s barely six miles, but a world away from Hyde Park, the neighborhood Obama has lived in since he made the Windy City his home.

Obama's agenda What now for Barack Obama? From 'Abortion' to 'National Security', catch a glimpse of the new US president's political platform.

World hails Obama's victory French President Nicolas Sarkozy and other EU leaders congratulated Barack Obama on Wednesday on his "brilliant victory" in the US presidential election, expressing hopes for closer collaboration between Europe and the USA.