In the United States 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries, the total number of delegates was 4050 (797 unpledged super delegates and 3,253 pledged elected delegates). Delegates required for nomination were 2118.
Nominee Senator Barack ObamaBarack Obama, born August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. Senator from Illinois. A draft Obama movement began with his well-received 2004 Democratic National Convention keynote address. Obama was the featured speaker at Iowa Senator Tom Harkin's annual steak fry, a political event favored by presidential hopefuls in the lead-up to the Iowa Caucus.Anne E. Kornblut, For This Red Meat Crowd, Obama's '08 Choice Is Clear, The New York Times, September 18, 2006. Obama formally announced his candidacy on February 10, 2007.
On June 7, 2008, Obama became the Democratic presumptive presidential nominee when Clinton dropped out of the race. He had 2,025 delegates and was certain to reach the 2,118 delegates required to win the Democratic nomination. By the time of the convention, Obama had 1766.5 elected pledged delegates and the votes of 463 superdelegates.
Obama received the official Democratic presidential nomination from the Party's delegates at its 2008 National Convention in Denver, Colorado, held in August.
On November 4, Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States with 53% of the popular vote and 365 electoral votes. He assumed office on January 20, 2009, and is the first African American U.S. president.
President of the United States: 2009–2017 U.S. Senator from Illinois: 2005–2008 Illinois State Senator: 1996–2004
Withdrew during the primary elections Candidates who withdrew during the primaries.Senator Joe BidenJoe Biden, born November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is a former U.S. Senator from Delaware who was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988, although he ceased active campaigning in 1987, before the first primaries. Biden first hinted that he might run in 2008 in a December 8, 2004, radio interview with host Don Imus, saying: "I'm going to proceed as if I'm going to run." Biden had repeatedly stated his intention to run, and did so as early as March 21, 2006. Biden's Federal Leadership PAC is "Unite Our States", which tracks Biden's public appearances and policy positions. On January 7, 2007, when asked by Tim Russert on Meet the Press, "Are you running for president?" he responded, "I am running for president." He also said he planned to create an exploratory committee by the end of the month. On January 31, 2007, he officially signed the papers with the FEC to run for president. He dropped out of the race on January 3, 2008, after a poor performance in the Iowa caucus.
On June 22, Biden endorsed Barack Obama, and he was chosen on August 23, 2008, as Obama's running mate.
On November 4, the Obama–Biden ticket defeated John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin to win the presidential election. Thus, Biden was elected as the 47th Vice President of the United States. He assumed the office of the vice presidency on January 20, 2009, and his term ended on January 20, 2017.
Twelve years later, Biden would run another presidential campaign for the 2020 presidential election in which he defeated incumbent president Donald J. Trump. He was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on January 20, 2021.
President of the United States, 2021–2025 Vice President of the United States under Barack Obama, 2009–2017 U.S. Senator from Delaware: 1973–2009Senator Hillary Rodham ClintonHillary Clinton, born October 26, 1947, in Illinois, is a former U.S. Senator from New York and former First Lady of the United States. Clinton announced the formation of her exploratory committee on January 20, 2007, with a post on her website. She delivered several speeches intended to reach out to moderates, according to analysts. She also held fundraising meetings, including meeting with women from Massachusetts, a key constituency of potential rival and 2004 nominee John Kerry; however, these activities were consistent with the lead up to a campaign for re-election to her Senate seat in 2006. Clinton announced on January 20, 2007, that she would run in 2008 (the same day she announced the formation of an exploratory committee). The clear front-runner, she was widely expected to clinch the nomination early, but as of June 3, 2008, she had 1,923 delegates, 231 behind Barack Obama and 195 short of the 2,118 required to win the Democratic nomination. She withdrew from the race and endorsed Barack Obama, as the presumptive nominee, on June 7.
Clinton was nominated and subsequently assumed the office of Secretary of State in the Obama administration.
Eight years later, Clinton would run another presidential campaign for the 2016 presidential election in which she was defeated by businessman Donald J. Trump.
Secretary of State under Barack Obama 2009–2013 United States Senator from New York: 2001–2009 First Lady of the United States (1993–2001) Chairman of the board, Legal Services Corporation (Carter and Reagan administrations): 1977–1982 Legal Counsel, House Judiciary Committee: 1974Former Senator John EdwardsJohn Edwards, born June 10, 1953, in South Carolina, is a former U.S. Senator from North Carolina. As a 2004 presidential candidate, Edwards was famed for his populist message in his "Two Americas" speech and also for his optimistic, positive attitude. This was evidenced by his refusal to attack his opponents. Edwards served as John Kerry's running mate in the 2004 presidential election as the vice presidential nominee. In the primaries, Sen. Edwards had strong come-from-behind showings in the crucial states of Iowa, Oklahoma, Virginia, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Georgia. On February 5, 2005, Edwards spoke at the New Hampshire Democratic Party's fundraising dinner. On August 18, 2005, Edwards traveled to Waterloo, Iowa, to deliver an address to the Iowa AFL–CIO, a potential key supporter in the Iowa caucuses. On December 26, 2006, Edwards formally announced his candidacy. On January 30, 2008, Edwards withdrew from the race, and endorsed Barack Obama.Edwards expected to drop out of race today. NBC News. Retrieved on 30 January 2008 Director of the Center on Poverty, Work, and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 2005–2006 U.S. Senator from North Carolina: 1999–2005Senator Christopher DoddChristopher Dodd, born May 27, 1944, in Willimantic, Connecticut, is a five-term U.S. Senator from that state. Dodd was reported to be a likely contender for the Democratic vice president slot on John Kerry's ticket in 2004. In May 2006, Dodd said he has "decided to do all the things that are necessary to prepare to seek the presidency in 2008", including hiring staff, raising money and traveling around the country in the next few months to enlist support. On January 11, 2007, Dodd announced his presidential candidacy on the "Imus in the Morning" radio show with Don Imus. As a result of unpromising results in the Iowa Caucus on January 3, 2008, Dodd dropped out of the race for the presidency, and endorsed Barack Obama.
U.S. Senator from Connecticut: 1981–2011 U.S. Representative from the Connecticut's 2nd congressional district: 1975–1981Former Senator Mike GravelMaurice Robert "Mike" Gravel, born May 13, 1930, in Massachusetts, is a former Democratic United States Senator from Alaska, who served two terms from 1969 to 1981. Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts to French-Canadian immigrant parents, Gravel served in the United States Army in West Germany and graduated from Columbia University. He moved to Alaska in the late 1950s, becoming a real estate developer and entering politics. He served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1963 to 1966 and became its Speaker of the House. Gravel was elected to the United States Senate in 1968. He declared his candidacy for the presidency in a speech to the National Press Club on April 17, 2006. On March 25, 2008, Gravel withdrew from the race, and switched his party affiliation to the Libertarian Party. He refused to endorse either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton for president, but endorsed Green Party candidate Jesse Johnson. Gravel then ran for the Libertarian party nomination for president, but lost the nomination to former Republican Congressman Bob Barr of Georgia. U.S. Senator from Alaska: 1969–1981Representative Dennis KucinichDennis Kucinich, born October 8, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio, is a Congressman for Ohio, former Mayor of Cleveland, and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate. Dennis Kucinich is known by many as "The Peace Candidate", having received the 2003 Gandhi Peace Award. Kucinich opposed the war in Iraq and the Patriot Act. Under Kucinich's plan, United Nations peace-keepers would go to Iraq if the Iraqi citizens desire their presence. The Congressman re-introduced legislation to create a United States Department of Peace via HR 808 on February 5, 2007. He is currently campaigning to end the war in Iraq by cutting off funding. He is in support of peaceful diplomatic relations with Iran, and all nations. Kucinich has received many awards praising his courage and work for peace. On December 12, 2006, Kucinich announced his candidacy at an event at Cleveland's City Hall. He withdrew from the race on January 24, 2008. On August 26, he endorsed the Obama-Biden ticket. U.S. Representative from Ohio's 10th congressional district: 1997–2013 Mayor of Cleveland: 1978–1979Governor Bill RichardsonBill Richardson, born November 15, 1947, in Pasadena, California, is Governor of New Mexico, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Secretary of Energy and former Representative for New Mexico. After reportedly informing party leaders in February 2005 of his intention to run for president, on December 7, 2006, Richardson said "I am running" during his response to a prospective question about the 2008 presidential election by Fox News, but he later retracted the decision and said he would make an official decision by January. On May 21, 2007, he officially declared his candidacy. On January 9, 2008, he withdrew from the race and went on to endorse Barack Obama. Governor of New Mexico: 2003–2011 United States Secretary of Energy: 1998–2001 United States Ambassador to the United Nations: 1997–1998 U.S. Representative from the New Mexico's 3rd congressional district: 1983–1997
Withdrew before primary elections Candidates who dropped out before the Iowa CaucusesSenator Evan BayhEvan Bayh, born December 26, 1955, Indiana, former two-term Governor and a two-term U.S. Senator from that state. In February 2005, Bayh renamed his Federal Leadership PAC the All America PAC and hired a new veteran staff with experience on the 2004 campaigns of John Kerry and Wesley Clark for president and Tom Daschle for senate. On December 1, 2006, he announced he was running for president and formed a presidential exploratory committee. He announced on December 16, 2006, that he would not seek the Democratic nomination for president, and then endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton. After Clinton withdrew from the race, Bayh endorsed Senator Barack Obama. U.S. Senator from Indiana: 1999–2011 Governor of Indiana: 1989–1997