2008 Presidential Campaign

Barack Obama's 2008 campaign was built on the theme of "change." He positioned himself as a fresh face, different from the established political scene, which was characterized by the Bush administration's policies (Miller Center, ICPSR). Obama's campaign was unique for its extensive use of data and social media, engaging millions of young voters through digital means (Statsig).

During the campaign, Obama faced Senator John McCain, the Republican nominee, and managed to secure a wide voter base through powerful messages of hope and change. Obama won the election with 365 electoral votes to McCain's 173 (Wikipedia). His victory was historic as he became the first African American president of the United States (BBC News).

2012 Presidential Campaign

In 2012, Obama ran for re-election against the Republican nominee, Mitt Romney. His campaign focused on the progress made since the economic crisis and proposed continued recovery and growth (Center for American Progress). While his campaign continued to leverage data and social media, it also faced criticism for becoming more contentious than in 2008 (Time).

Despite a challenging economic environment and significant opposition, Obama managed to secure re-election with 332 electoral votes to Romney's 206 (Wikipedia). This victory affirmed the support of what became known as the "Obama Coalition"—a diverse group of voters including young people, minorities, and women (CNN).

Visuals and Memorabilia:

Here are some images that capture key moments of Obama's campaigns:

2008 Campaign:

2012 Campaign:

For more details, you can refer to the comprehensive articles available at the Miller Center and the ICPSR.