That's The Ticket:
A Parade of Presidential Elections
Democratic Ticket  | |
| Presidential candidate: | BARACK OBAMA, Illinois Senator |
| VP candidate: | JOE BIDEN, Delaware Senator |
| Popular votes: | 66,882,230 (53.0%) |
| Electoral votes: | 365 |
| Republican Ticket | |
| Presidential candidate: | John McCain, Arizona Senator |
| VP candidate: | Sarah Palin, Alaska Governor |
| Popular votes: | 58,343,671 (46.0%) |
| Electoral votes: | 173 |
Election Facts
- The overall theme for this election was "change." Both major party candidates strived to distance themselves from the unpopular President George W. Bush.
- Both McCain and Obama aimed to identify themselves with ordinary Americans. The "Average Joe" became a political icon.
- Palin was the first female vice presidential candidate on a Republican ticket. She injected excitement into the McCain campaign but undermined McCain's emphasis on experience.
- American foreign policy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, energy independence, and the environment were important issues. Cultural values took a back seat.
- McCain emphasized his bipartisan experience and maverick image. He portrayed Obama as a tax-and-spend liberal.
- Obama and his campaign theme of "hope" appealed to many new voters.
- America's faltering economy, worsened by a major financial crisis just before the election, helped Obama win the election.
- Obama was the first African American to be elected President of the United States.
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