Jump to content

Barack Obama 2008 presidential primary campaign: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Line 104: Line 104:


In part the tension resulted from the historical coincidence of the first viable African American presidential candidate, and the first viable woman candidate, running against each other in the same nomination race.<ref name="nyt011308cv">{{cite news | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/weekinreview/13leibovich.html | title=Rights vs. Rights: An Improbable Collision Course | author=Mark Leibovich | publisher=[[The New York Times]] | date=[[2008-01-13]] | accessdate=2008-01-13}}</ref> One South Carolina pastor lamented that he had been waiting all his life for either "first" to happen, and said, "I really hate that they had to run at the same time in the same election. It just makes what should be a wonderful situation very stressful for folk like me. I never imagined you could have too much of a good thing."<ref name="nwk012108">{{cite news | url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/91795 | title=Letting Hillary Be Hillary | author=[[Jon Meacham]] | publisher=[[Newsweek]] | date=[[2008-01-21]] | accessdate=2008-01-13}}</ref> The American Civil Rights Movement and feminism had a long intertwined history in the United States, with them often working in concert but sometimes opposed;<ref name="nyt011308cv"/> while the bitter 19th century split between [[Elizabeth Cady Stanton]] or [[Frederick Douglass]] illustrated the latter, the unified opposition to the Supreme Court nomination of [[Clarence Thomas]] had exemplified the former.<ref name="nyt011308cv"/> After the Clinton-Obama tension on this matter, one Democrat said, "After Iowa, Obama was the post-racial candidate who appealed to all of our better natures. Now he's a black politician and she's a woman. And it is back to politics as usual."<ref name="ft011708"/>
In part the tension resulted from the historical coincidence of the first viable African American presidential candidate, and the first viable woman candidate, running against each other in the same nomination race.<ref name="nyt011308cv">{{cite news | url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/weekinreview/13leibovich.html | title=Rights vs. Rights: An Improbable Collision Course | author=Mark Leibovich | publisher=[[The New York Times]] | date=[[2008-01-13]] | accessdate=2008-01-13}}</ref> One South Carolina pastor lamented that he had been waiting all his life for either "first" to happen, and said, "I really hate that they had to run at the same time in the same election. It just makes what should be a wonderful situation very stressful for folk like me. I never imagined you could have too much of a good thing."<ref name="nwk012108">{{cite news | url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/91795 | title=Letting Hillary Be Hillary | author=[[Jon Meacham]] | publisher=[[Newsweek]] | date=[[2008-01-21]] | accessdate=2008-01-13}}</ref> The American Civil Rights Movement and feminism had a long intertwined history in the United States, with them often working in concert but sometimes opposed;<ref name="nyt011308cv"/> while the bitter 19th century split between [[Elizabeth Cady Stanton]] or [[Frederick Douglass]] illustrated the latter, the unified opposition to the Supreme Court nomination of [[Clarence Thomas]] had exemplified the former.<ref name="nyt011308cv"/> After the Clinton-Obama tension on this matter, one Democrat said, "After Iowa, Obama was the post-racial candidate who appealed to all of our better natures. Now he's a black politician and she's a woman. And it is back to politics as usual."<ref name="ft011708"/>

The January 22 debate in [[Myrtle Beach]], SC was the most heated face-to-face meeting yet between the candidates.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/22/sc.debate.anlysis/ Sparks fly in most contentious debate to date] CNN.com, Jan. 22, 2008</ref> Clinton criticized Obama for voting "present" on many occasions while in the Illinois legislature. "it's hard to have a straight up debate with you because you never take responsibility for any vote," she said. Obama said that he was working to help unemployed workers in Chicago while Clinton was "a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart."<ref>[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iySWjciIrjB8hbu450lIABfnYcjwD8UAM6V82 Clinton, Obama Engage in Bitter Debate] Associated Press, Jan. 22, 2008</ref>


==Media coverage==
==Media coverage==

Revision as of 05:37, 23 January 2008

Template:Future election candidate  

Obama for America
File:Obama 08.svg
CampaignU.S. presidential election, 2008
CandidateBarack Obama
AffiliationDemocratic Party
HeadquartersChicago, Illinois
Key peopleDavid Plouffe (Manager)
Penny Pritzker (Finance)
David Axelrod (Media)
ReceiptsUS$79.4 (2007-09-30)
SloganChange We Can Believe In
Website
www.barackobama.com

Barack Obama, the junior United States Senator from Illinois, announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States in Springfield, Illinois, on February 10, 2007. He is seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party for the 2008 presidential election.[1][2] Obama announced at the Old State Capitol building where Abraham Lincoln delivered his "House Divided" speech in 1858.[3] He won the 2008 Iowa Democratic caucuses, the first vote of the campaign,[4] and finished a close second in the following primary of New Hampshire. As of January 19, 2008, he leads Hillary Clinton by 2 in the number of delegates acquired to win the election (excluding superdelegates).[5]

Pre-announcement

Obama's keynote speech to the 2004 Democratic National Convention sparked expectations that he would run for the presidency.[6] Speculation on a 2008 presidential run intensified after Obama's decisive U.S. Senate election win in November 2004. At that time he told reporters: "I can unequivocally say I will not be running for national office in four years."[7]

However, in an October 2006 interview on the television program Meet the Press, Obama appeared to open the possibility of a 2008 presidential bid.[8] Illinois Senator Richard Durbin and Illinois State Comptroller Daniel Hynes were early advocates for a 2008 Obama presidential run.[9][10] Many people in the entertainment community have also expressed readiness to campaign for an Obama presidency, including celebrity television show host Oprah Winfrey, singer Macy Gray, and film actors George Clooney, Halle Berry and Will Smith.[11][12]

In September 2006, Obama was the featured speaker at Iowa Senator Tom Harkin's annual steak fry, a political event traditionally attended by presidential hopefuls in the lead-up to the Iowa caucuses.[13] In December 2006, Obama spoke at a New Hampshire event celebrating Democratic Party midterm election victories in the first-in-the-nation U.S. presidential primary state, drawing 1,500 people.[14][15]

Speaking at a Democratic National Committee meeting one week before the February announcement, Obama called for putting an end to negative campaigning. "This can't be about who digs up more skeletons on who, who makes the fewest slip-ups on the campaign trail," he said. "We owe it to the American people to do more than that."[16]

Announcement of candidacy

Obama on stage with his wife and two daughters just before announcing his presidential campaign on February 10, 2007.[17]

On January 16, 2007, Obama announced via a video on his website that he had formed a presidential exploratory committee.[18] On February 10, he formally announced his candidacy for the presidency. In his announcement speech, Obama evoked the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, saying:

"It was here, in Springfield, where North, South, East and West come together that I was reminded of the essential decency of the American people - where I came to believe that through this decency, we can build a more hopeful America. And that is why, in the shadow of the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln once called on a divided house to stand together, where common hopes and common dreams still live, I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for President of the United States."[19]

Campaign staff and policy team

On January 14 2007, the Chicago Tribune reported that Obama had begun assembling his team for a 2008 presidential campaign to be headquartered in Chicago. His team includes Chicago-based political consultant David Plouffe, who is serving as campaign manager, and Plouffe's partner, David Axelrod, who is serving as a media consultant. Former Commerce Secretary and Gore campaign chairman William M. Daley is expected to serve in an as-yet-unspecified senior adviser role.[20] A number of Obama's top aides have backgrounds with former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle,[21] who left the Senate due to re-election defeat at the same time Obama was entering it.

In June 2007, investigative reporter Robert Parry reported that Obama had sought foreign policy advice from former Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell. Parry suggested that this was a move toward the political center in preparation for the general election.[22]

Campaign developments 2007

First half 2007

Barack Obama at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Presidential Health Care Forum, March 2007.

In March 2007, Obama posted a question on Yahoo! Answers, entitled: "How can we engage more people in the democratic process?" which ultimately drew in over 17,000 responses.[23]

On 12 April 2007, Bo Dietl, a regular guest on Imus in the Morning, repeatedly called attention to Obama's middle name (Hussein, as in Saddam Hussein) during an interview with Rebecca Gomez, and Imus in the Morning producer Bernard McGuirk was quoted as saying Obama had a "Jew-hating name." This is possible retaliation for Obama's call for the shows host, Don Imus to be fired after the Rutgers basketball incident.[24][25]

On May 3, 2007, citing no specific threat but motivated by the large volume of hate mail directed at the Senator, Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff announced that the United States Secret Service would provide protection for the campaign. This protection will include bodyguards for Obama, advance teams of agents to secure event sites, armored vehicles, and other services/resources similar to those employed for the safety of the President of the United States, albeit on a proportionally smaller level. Normally, presidential candidates are not offered Secret Service protection until early February of election year; this was the earliest protection had ever been granted.[26]

Second half 2007

Obama speaking at a rally in Conway, South Carolina on August 23 2007.[27]

As Democratic debates took place during the summer, Obama received at best mixed notices for his efforts. Democratic strategist Bob Shrum said, "He slips into this tendency, which he probably learned as president of the Harvard Law Review, to overstate his premises before he states his position. In politics, you do the opposite of what you do in the Law Review—you state your position, then say your premises—if you ever get to them."[28] Commentator Eleanor Clift said that, "Obama is almost too cerebral for the sound-bite world of modern politics, but that's part of his appeal."[28]

During a campaign stop in October 2007, a reporter inquired as to why Obama had stopped wearing a lapel pin of the American flag, which he had started wearing after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and his response was that it had come to feel like "a substitute for true patriotism". This led to discussion on the cable news channels and was covered by satirists such as Stephen Colbert, who had an ongoing disagreement with the Fox & Friends assertion that "this is America and if you want to be president of America, it might be [sic] behoove him to wear an American flag". Commentator Bill Maher, who was highly critical of such questions about Obama's patriotism and called it a "non-story" nonetheless referred to the incident as "[t]he first genuine controversy of the presidential campaign".[29]

In mid-late October 2007, Obama came under fire from the Human Rights Campaign and others for a South Carolina gospel music campaign tour that featured singer Donnie McClurkin, who states that he is "ex-gay" and that homosexuality is a "curse [that runs against] the intention of God."[30][31] Obama said in response that, "I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views."[31] While not replacing McClurkin, the campaign added a gay minister to the tour.[30]

As fall 2007 continued, Obama fell further behind Clinton in national polls.[32] In late October 2007, two months before the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, Obama began directly charging his top rival with failing to clearly state her political positions.[33][34] This shift in approach attracted much media commentary; The New York Times' Adam Nagourney wrote that, "Obama has appeared to struggle from the start of this campaign with how to marry what he has promised to be a new approach to politics — free of the partisan bitterness that has marked presidential campaigns for so long — with what it takes to actually win a presidential race."[32] In an early-anticipated October 30 Democratic debate at Drexel University in Philadelphia,[32] Clinton suffered a poor debate performance under cross-examination from her Democratic rivals and the moderator.[35] Obama's campaign was reinvigorated and he began to climb again in the polls.

Campaigning in November 2007, Obama told the Washington Post that as the Democratic nominee he would draw more support from independent and Republican voters in the general election than Clinton.[36] At Iowa's Jefferson-Jackson fundraising dinner Obama expanded the theme, saying that his presidency would "bring the country together in a new majority" to seek solutions to long-standing problems.[37]

Oprah Winfrey introducing Obama at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, with Michelle Obama in background and security in foreground. December 8, 2007.

On November 21st, Obama announced that Oprah Winfrey would be campaigning for him in the early primary states,[38] setting off speculation that, although celebrity endorsements typically have little effect on voter opinions, Oprah's participation would supply Obama with a large, receptive audience.[39] Then, on December 8th, Oprah kicked-off a three-state tour supporting Obama's campaign,[40] which drew record-setting crowds in Iowa, New Hampshire,[41] and South Carolina.[42] The Oprah-Obama tour dominated political news headlines[43] and cast doubts over Clinton's ability to recover her recently-lost lead in Iowa caucus polls.[44][45]

Later in December, there was controversy regarding Obama's admissions of drug use as a teen. Obama first publicly acknowledged the issue in his 1995 book, Dreams from My Father. In the book, Obama said "Pot had helped, and booze. Maybe a little blow when you could afford it."[46][47] The issue was revived on the campaign trail after a November 2007 speech at a New Hampshire high school. Obama told the students, "I've made some bad decisions that I've actually written about," noting that his "drinking and experimenting with drugs" accounted for a lot of "wasted time" in high school.[48] Some, including Republican candidate Mitt Romney, criticized Obama for discussing these examples with students. Romney said that "in order to leave the best possible example for our kids, we're probably wisest not to talk about our own indiscretions in great detail."[49] However, fellow GOP candidate Rudy Giuliani and Partnership for a Drug-Free America president Steve Pasierb praised Obama's candor. "I respect his honesty," Giuliani said.[48] Pasierb told CNN that "really the truth works best" when discussing drug use with kids.[49][50] Bill Shaheen, the co-chairman of Clinton's campaign in New Hampshire, mentioned the drug use in a December 12 conference call with reporters.[51] Shaheen said that if Obama were to win the nomination, Republicans would use Obama's admissions against him in a general election. He suggested that in such a scenario, Republicans would ask, "'When was the last time? Did you ever give drugs to anyone? Did you sell them to anyone?'" He added that such "Republican dirty tricks" would be difficult to overcome. The comments immediately caused controversy, and Shaheen resigned the next day.[52] Clinton denounced the comments and personally apologized to Obama. Her spokesman said that she "made it clear that this kind of negative personal statement has no part in this campaign." Appearing on Hardball with Chris Matthews, Axelrod accused the Clinton campaign of giving a "wink and a nod" to negative tactics. He criticized Clinton's December 3 statement[53] in which she signaled a more aggressive approach and called it the "fun part" of the campaign. Axelrod said that the signal should come "from the top" that the campaigns will not be waged "in the gutter".[54]

When the close proximity of the first contests to the holidays prompted many candidates to release Christmas videos — allowing them to continue presenting their messages, but in more seasonal settings[55] — Obama chose one that gave speaking parts to his wife and daughters and emphasized a message of thanks and unity.[55]

Caucuses and primaries 2008

See also: Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008 and Results of the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries

Iowa

Obama won the first contest in the Democratic nomination season, the January 3, 2008 Iowa Democratic caucus. Obama had the support of 37.6% of Iowa's delegates, compared to 29.7% for John Edwards and 29.5% for Hillary Clinton.[4] In his remarks to his followers that evening, he said "But on this January night, at this defining moment in history, you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do."[56] He further noted that "our time for change has come" and suggested that in the future Americans will look back on the 2008 Iowa caucuses and say, "this is the moment when it all began."[57]

New Hampshire

Obama's win in Iowa was seen as a boost to his already-improving chances in New Hampshire. On January 4, he told supporters in New Hampshire, "If you give me the same chance that Iowa gave me last night I truly believe that I will be the president of the United States of America."[58] The campaign received another boost when former Senator and 2000 Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley endorsed Obama on January 6.[59] At the ABC News/WMUR-TV Democratic debate in Manchester on January 5, Obama, Clinton, and Edwards all battled over who best exemplified the buzzword of the campaign, "change".[60][61] In one key exchange, Clinton said, clearly targeting Obama's rhetorical prowess, "Making change is not about what you believe; it's not about a speech you make. ... We don't need to be raising false hopes."[61] Obama replied that "The truth is, actually, words do inspire. Words do help people get involved."[62]

Polling showed a tight race in the days leading up to the New Hampshire primary. All of the candidates barnstormed in New Hampshire during the four days after the Iowa caucuses, targeting undecided and independent voters in the state.[63][64][65][66] The day before the election, polls conducted by CNN/WMUR, Rasmussen Reports and USA Today/Gallup showed Obama jumping ahead by 9, 10 and 13 points respectively. Despite the apparent surge of momentum, Clinton defeated Obama by a margin of 39.1% to 36.5% in the New Hampshire primary on January 8, 2008.[67] Obama told supporters that he was "still fired up and ready to go", echoing a theme of his campaign. While he acknowledged that he faced a fight for the nomination, he said that "nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change".[68]

Meanwhile, Internet theories sprung up about how the vote counting itself had been suspect, due to discrepancies between machine-counted votes (which supported Clinton overall) and hand-counted votes (which supported Obama overall).[69] Fifth-place finisher Dennis Kucinich's campaign paid $25,000 to have a recount done of all Democratic ballots cast in the primary,[70] saying "It is imperative that these questions be addressed in the interest of public confidence in the integrity of the election process and the election machinery."[71] On January 16 the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office began the recount.[70]

Nevada

The Nevada Caucus took place on January 19. Obama received the endorsement of two very important unions in the state: the Culinary Workers Union [72] (whose 60,000 members staff the casinos and resorts of Las Vegas and elsewhere)[73] and the Nevada chapter of the SEIU.[74] Clinton countered by appealing to the Hispanic vote in the state, emphasizing that they were at special risk from the fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis.[75]

One day after the Culinary Workers Union endorsed Obama, the Nevada State Education Association—a teachers' union that has not officially endorsed Clinton, but many of its top officials have—filed a lawsuit seeking to eliminate at-large caucus sites that had been setup in nine Las Vegas resorts saying they violated equal protection and one-person-one-vote requirements. The suit was viewed as a proxy legal battle between Clinton and Obama, as the caucus sites within the casinos would be primarily used by members of the CWU, who are more likely to vote for Obama.[73] This led Obama to allege that the suit was filed in order to hurt his chances at the caucuses. "Some of the people who set up the rules apparently didn't think we'd be as competitive as we were and trying to change them last minute," he said.[76]

On January 17, a federal judge ruled that the casino at-large caucus plan could go ahead. This was seen as a win for Obama because of the Culinary Workers Union endorsement.[76] To further complicate matters, the major news and polling organizations decided to not do any polls before the Nevada caucuses, fearing the newness of the caucus, the transient nature of Nevada's population, and more fallout from their bad experience in New Hampshire.[77]

Clinton finished first in the state delegate count on January 19, winning 51% of delegates to the state convention.[78] However, Obama was projected to win the Nevada national delegate count with 13 delegates to Clinton's 12, because the apportionment of some delegates are determined by Congressional District [4]. Delegates to the national convention will be determined officially at the April 19 state convention.[79]

South Carolina

Rasmussen Reports released a poll January 7 showing that Obama led by 12 points, at 42% to Hillary Clinton's 30%. This is a substantial jump from December when the two were tied at 33%, and from November when Clinton led Obama by 10 points.[80]

Issues of race came to the forefront as campaigning began for the South Carolina primary, the first to feature a large African American portion in the Democratic electorate. First, Bill Clinton referred to Obama's claim that he has been a staunch opponent of the Iraq War from the beginning as a "fairy tale," which some thought was a characterization of Obama's entire campaign.[81] The former President called in to Al Sharpton's radio show to personally clarify that he respected and believed in Obama's viability.[81] Around the same time, Hillary Clinton said regarding Martin Luther King, Jr. to Fox News, "Dr. King's dream began to be realized when President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It took a president to get it done," which some African-American leaders took as a denigration of the accomplishments of King and the larger American civil rights movement.[81] Hillary Clinton proceeded to blame Obama for the controversy, claiming his campaign had fanned the flames, a charge which Obama dismissed as "ludicrous".[81] By shortly before, and during, a January 15 Democratic debate in Nevada, Clinton and Obama declared a truce on the matter, with both making reconciliatory statements about race, gender, and each other.[82] However, Clinton's support among African Americans was thought to be damaged,[82] with SUNY Albany's Debra Dickerson stating "The Clintons have to do something dramatic and symbolic to win back the trust of many African-Americans."[82]

In part the tension resulted from the historical coincidence of the first viable African American presidential candidate, and the first viable woman candidate, running against each other in the same nomination race.[83] One South Carolina pastor lamented that he had been waiting all his life for either "first" to happen, and said, "I really hate that they had to run at the same time in the same election. It just makes what should be a wonderful situation very stressful for folk like me. I never imagined you could have too much of a good thing."[84] The American Civil Rights Movement and feminism had a long intertwined history in the United States, with them often working in concert but sometimes opposed;[83] while the bitter 19th century split between Elizabeth Cady Stanton or Frederick Douglass illustrated the latter, the unified opposition to the Supreme Court nomination of Clarence Thomas had exemplified the former.[83] After the Clinton-Obama tension on this matter, one Democrat said, "After Iowa, Obama was the post-racial candidate who appealed to all of our better natures. Now he's a black politician and she's a woman. And it is back to politics as usual."[82]

The January 22 debate in Myrtle Beach, SC was the most heated face-to-face meeting yet between the candidates.[85] Clinton criticized Obama for voting "present" on many occasions while in the Illinois legislature. "it's hard to have a straight up debate with you because you never take responsibility for any vote," she said. Obama said that he was working to help unemployed workers in Chicago while Clinton was "a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart."[86]

Media coverage

An October 29, 2007 study by the Project for Excellence in Journalism and the Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy found that through the first half of 2007, Obama had received by far the most favorable media coverage of any of the 2008 presidential candidates, with 47 percent of stories having a favorable tone towards him, 16 percent having an unfavorable tone, and the balance neutral.[87] In terms of amount of coverage, Obama had been the subject of 14 percent of all campaign coverage, the second largest amount after Clinton.[87]

By December 2007, the Clinton campaign charged that Obama's campaign was getting much more favorable media treatment than their own, especially once Clinton's poll results began slipping.[88] Washington Post media analyst Howard Kurtz found a number of journalists who agreed with the claim,[88] with Mark Halperin, Time magazine's editor-at-large for political news, saying, "Your typical reporter has a thinly disguised preference that Barack Obama be the nominee. The narrative of him beating her is better than her beating him, in part because she's a Clinton and in part because he's a young African American. ... There's no one rooting for her to come back."[88]

Shortly before the New Hampshire primary, NBC anchor Brian Williams conceded that at least one NBC reporter said regarding Obama, "it's hard to stay objective covering this guy."[89] In a retrospective of media coverage after the primary, The Politico determined that Williams may have been onto something: "Reporters are human, and some did seem swept up in the same emotions many voters experienced when they saw a black man win snow-white Iowa by preaching a gospel of change. Many are sympathetic to Obama’s argument that the culture of Washington politics is fundamentally broken."[90]

In a January 14 New York Times/CBS News poll, 12 percent of Democratic primary voters thought the media had been harder on Obama than on the other candidates, while 51 percent thought it had been harder on Clinton.[91]

Opinion polling

Main articles: General Election Polling and Democratic Primary Polling

Following Obama's interview on Meet the Press, opinion polling organizations added his name to surveyed lists of Democratic candidates. The first such poll (November 2006) ranked Obama in second place with 17% support among Democrats after Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) who placed first with 28% of the responses.[92] A Zogby Poll released on January 18, 2007, showed Obama leading the Democratic contenders in the first primary state of New Hampshire with 23% of New Hampshire Democrats supporting Obama. Senator Clinton and former Senator John Edwards were tied for second place with 19% each.[93] A Washington Post/ABC News poll on February 26-27, 2007 placed Obama in second place with 24% among likely Democratic primary voters, with Hillary Clinton garnering 36% as the leader.[94]

Opinion polls taken in April 2007 differ widely from each other: Obama was listed in third place nationwide, 24% behind Hillary Clinton and 2% behind John Edwards.[95] In an April 30, 2007 Rasmussen Reports Poll, Barack Obama led the poll for the Democratic nomination for first time with 32% support.[96] By June however, Clinton was winning all the major national polls by double digits except one that showed Obama with a one point lead, and by July, all major national polls showed Obama trailing Clinton by double digits.[97]

Polling analysts are expected to take note of whether opinion polling statistics regarding Obama prove to be accurate, or are ultimately subject to the so-called "Bradley effect" observed in some previous American elections.[98][99][100][101] The Bradley effect occurs when a smaller percentage of white voters, by a statistically significant margin, actually vote for an African American candidate than the percentage of those voters who said that they were likely to vote for that candidate during pre-election opinion polling.

Effect of the Internet

Social networking sites

Many commentators have noted Obama's strong support among social networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook.com.[102]

Chris Hughes, a Facebook co-founder and coordinator of online organizing within the Barack Obama presidential campaign, called the online surge backing Obama "unprecedented".[103] The Obama campaign was also a launch partner for Facebook's new F8 platform.[104]

One group on Facebook, called "Barack Obama (One Million Strong for Barack)" currently has 429,399 members as of January 20, 2008. On February 2 2007, Obama attended a rally at George Mason University organized by "Students for Barack Obama", a group that began on Facebook, with several thousand in attendance.[105] Obama's official website has networking elements, allowing supporters to create their own profile and blog, as well as talk and plan events.

File:Mybarackobamaprofile.png
Michelle Obama's profile at My.BarackObama.com.

My.BarackObama.com (MyBO) is a social networking website created by the campaign. It was first launched on February 11th, 2007, and was billed as "a MySpace for his supporters".[106] It was built and designed by internet technology and political strategist firm Blue State Digital[107] and Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes.[108]

The site now has over 70,000 registered users,[109] and the Obama campaign credits the online social networking tool with increasing fundraising and event turnout.[110] Other presidential candidates have since created their own social networking websites, such as Republican Sen. John McCain's "McCainSpace".[111]

The bulk of MyBO's activity takes place in group and event organization, where members first create or join online "groups" which share common email listservs and blogs. These groups are then used to plan offline events, ranging from casual "meet ups" to large fundraising events, with those who RSVP for fundraising events via MyBO having the option of fulfilling their fundraising promise in advance through online payment. Of the $25 million the Obama campaign raised in the first quarter of 2007,[112] over $6 million was raised through online channels.[108]

Viral video

On June 13 2007 a video from Barely Political[113] entitled "I Got a Crush... on Obama", starring Amber Lee Ettinger, otherwise known as "the Obama Girl", received national media attention.[114] It was followed by a second video from Barely Political, "Debate '08: Obama Girl vs. Giuliani Girl". These videos were not produced by the Obama campaign.

False allegations that Obama is or was Muslim

Main article: Barack Obama media controversy

Allegations that Obama is or was a Muslim have been circulating, often via the Internet and e-mail messages, ever since Obama appeared on the national political stage in 2004.[115] A January 2007 article published by the Internet magazine Insight announced that Clinton campaign staff were questioning Obama's account of his pre-teenage years in Indonesia.[116] The unsourced allegations made in Insight's article were repeated by Fox News and other media outlets, prompting criticism of their journalistic practices. The Clinton campaign denounced the story[117] and later fired two campaign volunteers for forwarding accusatory e-mails about Obama.[118][119] The rumors were quickly debunked by a CNN investigation showing that Obama had attended a public school for people of all faiths.[120]

Since then, the rumor has persisted, appearing on the CBS Evening News,[121] the nationally-syndicated talk show The Savage Nation, in e-mails and flyers distributed to voters in Iowa and South Carolina,[122][123] as well as in comments by former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey as he endorsed Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. Obama's campaign organization has responded to the rumors with a letter from Christian leaders vouching for his Christian faith, as well as with appeals to supporters to help refute the allegations.[124]

Political positions

Main article: Political positions of Barack Obama

Endorsements

See also: Congressional endorsements for the 2008 United States presidential election

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley endorsed Obama hours after his announcement, abandoning his tradition of staying neutral in Democratic primaries.[125] A day later, Obama traveled to Ames, Iowa where he was endorsed by Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald.[126] Perhaps Obama's biggest celebrity endorsement is talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who has occasionally joined Obama on the campaign trail and hosted a fundraiser at her Santa Barbara, CA estate.[127]

Fundraising

File:Obamaaustin.jpg
Senator Obama rallying support in Austin, Texas, February 2007.

Hyatt board member Penny Pritzker currently serves as the national finance chair of the campaign;[310] Pritzker served on the finance committee for Obama's 2004 Senate run. Obama has said he will not accept donations from federal lobbyists or political action committees during the campaign.[311] While he started to collect private donations for a general election account, Obama asked the Federal Election Commission if he could later return the money if he decided to take public funds. In response, the FEC allowed presidential candidates to take contributions for a general election campaign even if they later decided to accept public money.[312]

Alan D. Solomont, who led a group that raised $35 million for John Kerry in 2004, has signed on with the campaign, saying Obama "is the sort of person America wants in the White House right now."[313] Other fundraisers that have joined the campaign include David Geffen, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Mark Gorenberg.[314]

Obama's fundraising prowess has matched that of Hillary Clinton's and, financially speaking, is staying competitive with her. On April 4, 2007, Obama's campaign announced that they had raised $25 million in the first quarter of 2007, coming close to Hillary Clinton's $26 million in first quarter contributions. Over 100,000 people donated to the campaign and $6.9 million was raised through the Internet. $23.5 million of Obama's first quarter funds can be used in the primary, the highest of any candidate.[315]

Obama's fundraising skills were affirmed again in the second quarter of 2007, when his campaign received $32.5 million in donations. This is $5.5 million more than his nearest rival, Hillary Clinton, whose campaign raised around $27 million.[316] Obama's 258,000 individual donors revealed his wide grassroots appeal and success raising funds via the Internet.[317] Altogether Obama's campaign raised US$58 million during the first half of 2007, topping all other candidates and exceeding previous records for the first six months of any year before an election year.[318]

For the third quarter of 2007, which typically sees lower numbers than the rest of the year, Obama raised $20 million, still a large amount but bested by Clinton, who led all candidates with $27 million raised.[319] Obama's campaign reported adding 108,000 new donors through in the quarter, for a total of 365,000 individual contributors in the first nine months.[320]

Initial fourth quarter 2007 reports puts his fundraising at $20 million, matching initial reports from the Clinton campaign.[321] Full fourth quarter fundraising results are not required to be filed to the FEC until January 31, 2008.[322]

As of January 2008, Obama has received over 800,000 donations from over 500,000 individual donors.[323]

Delegate count

Template:2008DemDel

References

  1. ^ "Obama confirms location of big announcement" Post-Dispatch Springfield Bureau 02/01/2007
  2. ^ "Obama confirms Old State Capitol for presidential announcement" By Christopher Wills February 1, 2007 Southern Illinoisan
  3. ^ "Barack Obama Public Schedule for Feb 10-12". Obama Exploratory Committee. Retrieved 2007-02-10.
  4. ^ a b New York Times Iowa caucus results
  5. ^ Obama delegate scorecard
  6. ^ Sullivan, Amy. "Obama for President," Washington Monthly (guest article), July 28, 2004. Retrieved on January 8, 2007
  7. ^ Fornek, Scott. "Obama for president? That's 'silly'," Chicago Sun-Times, November 4, 2004. Available at FindArticles.com, Retrieved on January 8, 2007
  8. ^ MSNBC. MTP Transcript for Oct. 22, Meet the Press, October 22, 2006. Retrieved on January 8, 2007
  9. ^ Babington, Charles. "Obama's Profile Has Democrats Taking Notice: Popular Senator Is Mentioned as 2008 Contender," Washington Post, June 18, 2006, Page A01
  10. ^ McQueary, Kristen. Obama, Hynes now war buddies, Daily Southtown, December 10, 2006. Retrieved on January 13, 2007
  11. ^ Fornek, Scott. "If Obama runs, I'll campaign for him, Winfrey says," Chicago Sun-Times, September 28, 2006
  12. ^ a b O'Keefe, Ed. Clooney Loves Obama, ABC News, December 22, 2006. Retrieved on January 8, 2007
  13. ^ Kornblut, Anne E. "For This Red Meat Crowd, Obama's '08 Choice Is Clear," New York Times, September 18, 2006
  14. ^ Brooks, Scott. "Obama fever grips NH," New Hampshire Union Leader, December 11, 2006. Retrieved on January 8, 2007
  15. ^ PBS. Obama's New Hampshire Trip Sparks Interest in 2008 Presidential Race, NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, December 11, 2006 (transcript). Retrieved on January 8, 2007
  16. ^ "Barack Obama at the DNC Winter 2007 Meeting" (video). Democratic National Committee. February 2 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Full text from CQ Transcripts Wire. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. See also: Harris, Paul (February 4 2007). "The Obama Revolution". Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ For other photos of this event, see: "Presidential Campaign Announcement". Barack Obama, Flickr. February 10 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ "Obama to Explore 2008 White House Race". Associated Press. MSNBC. January 16, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Video at Brightcove.TV.
  19. ^ "Full Text of Senator Barack Obama's Announcement for President" New York Times, February 10, 2007.
  20. ^ Dorning, Mike and Christi Parsons. "Meet Obama's Inner Circle", Chicago Tribune, January 14 2007. Retrieved on January 14 2007
  21. ^ Chris Cillizza (2007-01-16). "Barack Obama's Impressive Team". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-12-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ Robert Parry (2007-06-23). "Is Obama Getting 'Colin-ized'?". Consortium News. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
  23. ^ "How can we engage more people in the democratic process?". Yahoo! Answers. Retrieved 2007-07-12.
  24. ^ http://mediamatters.org/items/200704130004
  25. ^ http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3031317&page=1
  26. ^ Kennedy, Helen (May 4 2007). "Obama Gets Earliest-Ever Secret Service Detail". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton was already under Secret Service protection because of her status as wife of former President Bill Clinton.
  27. ^ Foster, Jessica (August 24 2007). "Obama Impresses Crowd at CCU". Sun News. MyrtleBeachOnline. Retrieved 2007-10-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help) Video at Brightcove.TV.
  28. ^ a b Eleanor Clift (2007-11-23). "President of the Debate Team". Newsweek. Retrieved 2007-12-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ Bill Maher (2007-10-12). "American flag pins are for idiots". Salon. Retrieved 2007-12-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ a b Eleveld, Kerry (October 27, 2007), "Obama Explains Why He's the Best Candidate for LGBT Americans", The Advocate, retrieved 2007-10-26 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  31. ^ a b "Obama takes heat for link to McClurkin". Associated Press for CNN. 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2007-12-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ a b c Adam Nagourney (2007-10-30). "Debate Preview: All Eyes on Obama". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-11-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ Newton-Small, Jay (October 28 2007). "Obama (Sort of) Takes the Gloves Off". Time. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ Nagourney, Adam (October 28 2007). "Obama Rolls Out Aggressive Approach to Clinton's Campaign". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ Roger Simon (2007-10-31). "Obama, Edwards attack; Clinton bombs debate". The Politico. Retrieved 2007-11-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ Balz, Dan (November 9 2007). "On Campaign Bus, Obama Opens Up About Challengers". Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ "Remarks of Senator Barack Obama: Iowa Jefferson-Jackson Dinner". BarackObama.com. November 10 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) C-SPAN video at YouTube.
  38. ^ Oprah May Campaign for Obama
  39. ^ Oprah to aid Obama in D.M., Cedar Rapids
  40. ^ Oprah in Des Moines
  41. ^ Oprah-Obama double bill largest political NH rally in recent memory
  42. ^ Oprah, Obama pull record crowd
  43. ^ First Thoughts:All tied up
  44. ^ The Oprah Winfrey Show (and Obama was there too)
  45. ^ Front-runners lose ground in U.S. race
  46. ^ Barack Obama, asked about drug history, admits he inhaled International Herald Tribune, Oct. 25, 2006
  47. ^ Obama, Barack (2004). Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. Three Rivers Press. p. 480.
  48. ^ a b Michael Saul, Barack Obama tells N.H. kids of his alcohol, drug use during teen years Daily News, Nov. 21, 2007
  49. ^ a b Was Obama's answer about drug use too honest? CNN.com, Nov. 27, 2007
  50. ^ Shaheen steps down from Clinton campaign Boston.com, Dec. 13, 2007
  51. ^ Clinton N.H. Official Warns Obama Will Be Attacked on Drug Use Boston.com, December 12, 2007
  52. ^ Clinton N.H. Official Resigns After Comments on Obama WashingtonPost.com, December 13, 2007
  53. ^ 'Now the fun part starts' in Iowa Chicago Tribune, December 4, 2007
  54. ^ Hardball with Chris Matthews Dec. 13, 2007
  55. ^ a b Brian Montopoli (2007-12-21). "Politics, Now Wrapped In Holiday Cheer". CBS News. Retrieved 2007-12-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  56. ^ Foon Rhee (2008-01-03). "Obama says time for change has come". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-01-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  57. ^ Obama Wins Iowa's Democratic Caucuses Washington Post, Jan. 4, 2008
  58. ^ Maria Gavrilovic, Obama: "In Four Days..." CBSNews.com, Jan. 4, 2008
  59. ^ Philip Elliott, Bradley Endorses Obama for President Associated Press, Jan. 6, 2008
  60. ^ Kevin Landrigan (2008-01-06). "Change is hot topic at feisty Democratic debate". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-01-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  61. ^ a b Mark Memmott, Jill Lawrence (2008-01-06). "Edwards: He & Obama share a 'conviction alliance'". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-01-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  62. ^ Patrick Healy, Jeff Zelaney (2008-01-06). "At Debate, Two Rivals Go After Defiant Clinton". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  63. ^ Scott Helman and Michael Levenson, Clock ticking in N.H., candidates target undecided Boston Globe, Jan. 6, 2008
  64. ^ New Hampshire Democratic Primary, Rasmussen Reports, Jan. 7, 2008
  65. ^ Poll: 9-point lead for Obama on eve of N.H. primary CNN.com, Jan. 7, 2008
  66. ^ Obama up by 13 points, McCain up by 4 in N.H. USA Today, Jan. 7, 2008
  67. ^ New Hampshire’s Primaries, NYTimes.com
  68. ^ Obama Says He's Still Fired Up and Ready Associated Press, Jan. 8, 2008
  69. ^ "UPDATED New Hampshire 2008 Primary Analysis". Election Defense Alliance. 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2008-01-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  70. ^ a b "Kucinich pays $25,000 for N.H. recount". United Press International. 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2008-01-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  71. ^ "Kucinich asks for New Hampshire recount in the interest of election integrity" (Press release). Kucinich for President 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  72. ^ http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post_group/ObamaHQ/Cgq Obama endorsed by Culinary Workers Union
  73. ^ a b Steve Friess (2008-01-13). "Lawsuit Over Precincts in Nevada". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  74. ^ http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post_group/ObamaHQ/CGkT Nevada SEIU endorses Obama
  75. ^ Michael Martinez (2008-01-13). "Clinton makes push for Hispanics' support in Nevada". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2008-01-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  76. ^ a b "Judge allows casino caucuses to proceed". CNN. 2008-01-17. Retrieved 2008-01-17. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  77. ^ Brian Eckhouse, Michael Mishak (2008-01-11). "Pollsters have a plan for Nevada: Skip it". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2008-01-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  78. ^ Clinton, Romney win in Nevada MSNBC.com]
  79. ^ Clinton Cashes In Nevada Win With High Roll in Vegas CQ Politics, Jan. 19, 2008
  80. ^ "Election 2008: South Carolina Democratic Primary". Rasmussen Reports. 2008-01-07. Retrieved 2008-01-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  81. ^ a b c d Josh Levs (2008-01-13). "Clinton: Obama camp is 'distorting' her remarks". CNN. Retrieved 2008-01-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  82. ^ a b c d Edward Luce (2008-01-17). "'Truce' has little impact on black vote". Financial Times. Retrieved 2008-01-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  83. ^ a b c Mark Leibovich (2008-01-13). "Rights vs. Rights: An Improbable Collision Course". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  84. ^ Jon Meacham (2008-01-21). "Letting Hillary Be Hillary". Newsweek. Retrieved 2008-01-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  85. ^ Sparks fly in most contentious debate to date CNN.com, Jan. 22, 2008
  86. ^ Clinton, Obama Engage in Bitter Debate Associated Press, Jan. 22, 2008
  87. ^ a b "A First Look at Coverage of the 2008 Presidential Campaign". Project for Excellence in Journalism. 2007-10-29. Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  88. ^ a b c Howard Kurtz (2007-12-19). "For Clinton, A Matter of Fair Media". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-12-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  89. ^ "Journo Love for Obama". Mediabistro.com. 2008-01-08. Retrieved 2008-01-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  90. ^ John F. Harris, Jim VandeHei (2008-01-09). "Why reporters get it wrong". The Politico. Retrieved 2008-01-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  91. ^ Robin Toner, Marjorie Connelly (2008-01-14). "Fluidity in G.O.P. Race; Democrats Eye Electability". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  92. ^ CNN. "Poll: Obama now trails only Clinton on '08 list," CNN Politics, November 2, 2006. Retrieved on January 8, 2007
  93. ^ Zogby International. Zogby New Hampshire: 3 Dems In Tight Race; McCain Leads Republican Field, Zogby International, December 18, 2007. Retrieved on January 21, 2007
  94. ^ 2008 Democratic Nomination, Washington Post, February 28, 2007. Retrieved on February 28, 2007.
  95. ^ Angus-Reid Democrats 2008, angusreid, April 6, 2007. Retrieved on April 9, 2007.
  96. ^ RasmussenReports 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary, rassmussenreports.com, April 30, 2007. Retrieved on April 30, 2007.
  97. ^ White House 2008: Democratic Nomination pollingreport.com
  98. ^ Jonathan Alter, "Is America Ready?", Newsweek, December 25, 2006 - January 1, 2007. Retrieved on January 17, 2007.
  99. ^ Polman, Dick. "Barack Obama's race seems to be a second-tier issue", The Philadelphia Inquirer, January 21, 2007. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
  100. ^ Younge, Gary. "The power of hope", The Guardian, February 10, 2007. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
  101. ^ McCann, John. "Just point me to an honest candidate", The Herald-Sun, February 18, 2007. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
  102. ^ Young Voters Find Voice on Facebook Washington Post, February 17, 2007.
  103. ^ Obama's Facebook The New York Sun, February 13, 2007
  104. ^ http://newsbusters.org/node/13288
  105. ^ Mobilized Online, Thousands Gather to Hear Obama Washington Post, February 3, 2007.
  106. ^ Ogg, Erica (February 9, 2007). "Barack Obama getting all Web 2.0 on us". CNetNews.com NewsBlog. CNet. Retrieved 2007-08-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  107. ^ Stone, Brad (March 2, 2007). "Social Networking's Next Phase". NYTimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-08-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  108. ^ a b Schatz, Amy (May 26, 2007). "BO, U R So Gr8". WSJ.com NewsBlog. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2007-08-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  109. ^ Beam, Christopher (June 22, 2007). "In Your Face: How Facebook could crush MySpace, Yahoo!, and Google". Slate.com. Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-08-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  110. ^ Sullivan, Andy (August 23, 2007). ""Friends" in high places". Reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 2007-08-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  111. ^ Drobnyk, Josh (April 23, 2007). "Obama's groundswell: grass roots on the Web". BarackObama.com Newsroom. Obama for America, Barack Obama' presidential campaign. Retrieved 2007-08-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  112. ^ http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/04/04/obama.fundraising/index.html
  113. ^ http://www.barelypolitical.com/
  114. ^ 2008: Obama Girl and More New York Times, June 13, 2007
  115. ^ Hayes, Christopher (November 12 2007). "The new right-wing smear machine". Nation. Retrieved 2007-12-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  116. ^ For responses to the Insight article, see: Kirkpatrick, David D (January 29 2007). "Feeding Frenzy for a Big Story, Even If It's False". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-09-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) "Obama, School Deny Radical Islam Claim" (video). Associated Press. WPVI-TV Philadelphia (ABC). January 25 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  117. ^ Tapper, Jake (January 25 2007). "Nothing Extreme About Indonesian School Attended by Obama". ABC News. Retrieved 2007-12-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  118. ^ Pickler, Nedra."Kerrey Apologizes to Obama Over Remark", Associated Press, December 20, 2007.
  119. ^ Bacon Jr., Perry (2007-12-05). "Clinton Campaign Volunteer Out Over False Obama Rumors". Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-12-17. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  120. ^ "CNN debunks false report about Obama". CNN. 2007-01-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  121. ^ Derkacz, Evan (2007-4-16). "Sinking Couric retreads Obama fraud [VIDEO]". Alternet. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  122. ^ Zeleny, Jeff (2007-11-10). "Obama Fights Foes, Seen or Otherwise". The New York Times. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  123. ^ Reid, Tim (2007-11-23). "Palmetto Bugs: Slingers of Slime Step it up in SC". The New York Post. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  124. ^ Zeleny, Jeff (2007-11-10). "Obama Fights Foes, Seen or Otherwise". The New York Times. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  125. ^ Daley Endorses Obama For President Chicago Tribune, February 10, 2007
  126. ^ "Candidate Obama packs ISU's Hilton Coliseum" The Des Moines Register, February 11 2007.
  127. ^ http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/472156,oprah071707.article
  128. ^ Gov. Blagojevich Releases Statement on Obama NBC, February 10, 2007
  129. ^ Wisconsin governor endorses Obama for president
  130. ^ Obama Wins Virginia Governor's Support Associated Press, February 17, 2007
  131. ^ Napolitano will endorse Obama Arizona Republic, January 11, 2008
  132. ^ Patrick will endorse Obama, not Clinton
  133. ^ Ex-SC Gov. Hodges Endorses Obama
  134. ^ Obama wins former Alaska governor's endorsement
  135. ^ Dueling electability conference calls
  136. ^ Today on the Presidential Campaign Trail
  137. ^ U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad backs Obama
  138. ^ Johnson backs Obama
  139. ^ Kerry to endorse Obama
  140. ^ Leahy Endorses Obama, Likens Him To Bobby Kennedy
  141. ^ AP: Sen. McCaskill to endorse Obama
  142. ^ [1] Press Release. January 12, 2008 Nebraska Sen. Nelson Endorses Obama Retrieved January 12, 2009
  143. ^ Ex-Senate Leader Daschle endorses Obama MSNBC.com, February 21, 2007
  144. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/05/bill-bradley-to-endorse-o_n_80019.html
  145. ^ Jean Carnahan endorses Obama
  146. ^ Barack Obama has picked up the torch
  147. ^ http://www.politicswest.com/2008_election/16658/gary_hart_endorses_obama
  148. ^ a b c d http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0207/2916.html
  149. ^ Barack 2, Hillary 0; Bishop backs Obama
  150. ^ Boucher jumps into Obama's camp with endorsement
  151. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Another Member of the CBC Pledges Support for the Obama Campaign
  152. ^ Why I’m Supporting Barack Obama (Rep. Danny Davis)
  153. ^ Delahunt says Obama will restore US image abroad
  154. ^ Ellison Endorses Obama, lauds 'unifying spirit' Minneapolis Star Tribune, Feb. 20 2007.
  155. ^ U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah endorses Barack Obama for president
  156. ^ Jesse Jackson Jr. backs Obama in ad
  157. ^ Congressman Dave Loebsack Endorses Obama
  158. ^ Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) endorses Barack Obama
  159. ^ Rep. Betty McCollum endorses Barack Obama
  160. ^ George Miller endorses Obama
  161. ^ Perlmutter endorses Obama
  162. ^ Obama in northern NV, as poll shows him behind
  163. ^ Ladies' Choice
  164. ^ a b c d e f 6 L.A. Leaders Decide To Back Barack
  165. ^ U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott endorses Obama for president
  166. ^ Obama lands a key backer in Adam Smith
  167. ^ Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) Endorses Obama
  168. ^ John B. Anderson endorses Obama Chicago Tribune, January 7, 2008
  169. ^ a b Obama Picks Up More Endorsements
  170. ^ Obama's Major Endorsement
  171. ^ http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6456452
  172. ^ Shirley Franklin says she’s ‘150 percent’ for Barack Obama
  173. ^ Dixon endorses Barack Obama
  174. ^ Daley Endorses Obama For President Chicago Tribune, February 10, 2007
  175. ^ Obama Endorsed by Columbus Mayor AP, October 26, 2007
  176. ^ That big Iowa endorsement...
  177. ^ AP Newsbreak: Durham mayor Bill Bell backs Obama for presidency
  178. ^ a b c Obama supporters rally in New Jersey
  179. ^ Wis. Obama Supporters Excited Over Win
  180. ^ McCollum Endorses Obama
  181. ^ [2]
  182. ^ [3]
  183. ^ Booker, Healy endorse Obama
  184. ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2007071701227.html
  185. ^ Former Clinton Official Backs Obama
  186. ^ a b c d e f g h i Over 70 Foreign Policy Experts Announce Endorsement of Barack Obama for President
  187. ^ a b Top Dems Talk Economy in So. California
  188. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Democratic Legislators Back Obama
  189. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa African American Illinois Legislators Unanimously Endorse Barack Obama
  190. ^ She keeps campaigns on their toes
  191. ^ African American Illinois Legislators Unanimously Endorse Barack Obama
  192. ^ a b c d e f g State Representative David Jacoby Endorses Obama
  193. ^ a b http://www.iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=568
  194. ^ a b c d Four Iowa lawmakers to back Obama
  195. ^ a b c d e Obama campaign names Nevada supporters ahead of Las Vegas visit
  196. ^ Key Nevada Leaders Endorse Barack
  197. ^ a b c Bklyn Dems go for Obama - New coalition chooses Barack over Hillary
  198. ^ a b http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2007/08/23/2007-08-23_he_wants_army_of_bams.html
  199. ^ Reese gives endorsement to Obama campaign
  200. ^ a b Three Clark County Assembly Members Endorse Obama
  201. ^ a b Manatee officials make presidential pitches
  202. ^ a b http://meelikey.blogspot.com/2008/01/ch-ch-ch-changes.html
  203. ^ Obama Campaign: State Representative Mark Smith endorses Obama
  204. ^ Rep. Mark Strama Endorses Barack Obama
  205. ^ Former S.C. chief justice endorses Obama
  206. ^ a b Obama Campaign: Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald Endorse Barack Obama for President
  207. ^ a b Obama Campaign Officially Opens Carson City and North Las Vegas Offices
  208. ^ Hispanic state legislator goes Obama
  209. ^ Obama on Asian American Issues
  210. ^ http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/06/obama.colbert/index.html?iref=newssearch
  211. ^ NYC corrections officers' union
  212. ^ Joe Erwin Endorses Obama
  213. ^ Feeney, LaMattina endorse Clinton
  214. ^ FROM THE BOSTON COUNTDOWN FOR CHANGE....
  215. ^ Councilor Yoon endorses Senator Obama for President!
  216. ^ Barack Obama Campaign Opens Office In Poughkeepsie
  217. ^ Obama gets major labor endorsement
  218. ^ Franchot Endorses Obama
  219. ^ a b Franchot endorses Obama
  220. ^ Brzezinski Embraces Obama Over Clinton for President Bloomberg.com, August 24, 2007
  221. ^ Bush's spiritual adviser backing Obama
  222. ^ For general, Obama's character befits a commander in chief
  223. ^ "Barack Obama: the new JFK" The Guardian, July 25, 2007.
  224. ^ Dean John Hutson Endorses Obama
  225. ^ General Joins Obama in Iowa
  226. ^ a b c d Newspaper endorsements start piling up
  227. ^ For Democrats, Obama the pick
  228. ^ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution endorses Obama
  229. ^ Globe endorses McCain, Obama
  230. ^ Dallas Morning News endorses Huckabee, Obama
  231. ^ El Latino Endorses Barack Obama
  232. ^ El Latino Endorses Obama
  233. ^ Obama restores hope for America
  234. ^ 'Harvard Crimson' Endorses Obama and McCain
  235. ^ Las Vegas paper to endorse Obama
  236. ^ Mundo Latino Endorses Senator Obama
  237. ^ Ottumwa Courier Endorses Barack Obama
  238. ^ For president -- our recommendations
  239. ^ Obama embodies party's vision. Reno Gazette-Journal. January 17, 2008.
  240. ^ Sacramento Bee Endorses Obama
  241. ^ President, Democrat
  242. ^ For President: Barack Obama
  243. ^ Obama: 'A common good and a higher interest'
  244. ^ Obama is the one
  245. ^ Caucus 2008: Our endorsements
  246. ^ Editorial: Back McCain and Obama
  247. ^ FLORIDA PRIMARY: Democrats: Obama
  248. ^ Obama most likely Democrat to unify America
  249. ^ Tribune Endorses McCain, Obama
  250. ^ We endorse McCain, Obama as party nominees
  251. ^ Iowa's Woodbine Twiner Endorses Barack Obama
  252. ^ Basu: Obama can heal divisions, win hearts and minds
  253. ^ Uncommitted’s small victory, and a Carter son moves for Obama
  254. ^ Why Jill Docking is backing Obama
  255. ^ Under Microscope, Obama Still Has Many Admirers
  256. ^ Bobby Kennedy's Widow Endorses Sen. Barack Obama For President
  257. ^ Ethel Kennedy's "Endorsement" of Barack Obama
  258. ^ Why Andrew Sullivan Endorses Barack Obama
  259. ^ Watch Alice Walker's endorsement and share it with your friends
  260. ^ Legendary Journalist Roger Wilkins Visits South Carolina for Barack
  261. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7134895.stm
  262. ^ Affleck: I'm backing Obama
  263. ^ Ben Affleck, Political Expert, Supports Obama
  264. ^ http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20036477_1,00.html
  265. ^ She Sings! She Acts! She Prays!
  266. ^ a b Obama Launches 2008 White House Bid
  267. ^ De Niro, Damon: Spies, patriotism and politics
  268. ^ Curbing New Hampshire: Larry David Stumps for Obama
  269. ^ a b c "The All-Actor All-Iowa All-Star Voter Education Tour". YouTube. 2007-12-26. Retrieved 2007-12-27.
  270. ^ a b c Actresses Tour South Carolina to Discuss Barack's Message of Change
  271. ^ Jamie Foxx: King of the castle
  272. ^ Kelly Hu is Voting for Obama
  273. ^ http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20169235,00.html
  274. ^ a b Candidates hope celebrities bring out the crowds, cash
  275. ^ a b c d Obama with celebrity supporters, says he'll transform America
  276. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/10/30/report-obama-spurns-brad_n_70362.html
  277. ^ Rock Solid Support for Obama, but Will Black Vote Follow? Acc. 2008-01-01.
  278. ^ http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/719498,CST-NWS-camp30.article
  279. ^ a b http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23021569-401,00.html
  280. ^ After Oprah, Will Smith for Obama? Acc. 2008-01-01.
  281. ^ Kathleen Turner to stump for Obama in S.C.
  282. ^ Once neutral, filmmaker Ken Burns picks Obama. Acc. 2008-01-01.
  283. ^ http://absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?p=8421667&posted=1#post8421667
  284. ^ Obama Hope Vote Campaign With Common
  285. ^ a b c d Sweet extra: Obama musical line-ups in Chicago, L.A. Macy Gray headlines in Chicago; Goo Goo Dolls in L.A.
  286. ^ a b Master P Endorses Barack Obama
  287. ^ a b http://www.nme.com/news/nme/33418
  288. ^ http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/09/21/post_87.html
  289. ^ Pete Wentz to Host Obama Fund-Raiser
  290. ^ BASKETBALL LEGEND THROWS SUPPORT BEHIND OBAMA
  291. ^ Barkley supporting Obama's White House bid
  292. ^ http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/1/29/113822.shtml?s=lh
  293. ^ Hirshberg endorses Obama
  294. ^ Gary and Meg Hirshberg Join Barack Obama’s Movement for Change
  295. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm6CCNC2xhg
  296. ^ Law expert: Obama will preserve Constitution
  297. ^ Obama, Race, and the Right Side of History
  298. ^ AFSCME Council 31 endorses Barack Obama for President
  299. ^ Obama Receives Asian American Action Fund of Greater Chicago Endorsement!
  300. ^ Obama gains key labor backing in Nevada
  301. ^ Illinois Education Association Recommends Obama
  302. ^ NYC Corrections Officers Endorsing Barak Obama
  303. ^ a b c d SEIU State Endorsements Begin
  304. ^ Obama gets union endorsements in key caucus state
  305. ^ WISCONSIN SEIU ENDORSES OBAMA
  306. ^ United Association (UA) Becomes First International Union to Endorse Barack Obama for President
  307. ^ Iowa Union Endorsement For Obama
  308. ^ Alabama New South Coalition Endorses Obama
  309. ^ a b Cook County Democratic Party Endorses Obama
  310. ^ Her money is on Obama. His? Clinton.
  311. ^ Obama Begins Fundraising Drive Chicago Sun-Times, February 1, 2007
  312. ^ FEC Drafts New Campaign Finance Opinion Washington Post, February 22, 2007
  313. ^ With Kerry out, key aide shifts to Obama Boston Globe, January 26, 2007
  314. ^ Campaign 2008: Cranking Up The Money Machine BusinessWeek, February 12, 2007
  315. ^ Barack Obama First Quarter Fundraising Report BarackObama.com, April 4, 2007
  316. ^ Jeff Zeleny (2007-07-01). "Obama Raised $33 Million in Second Quarter". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-07-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  317. ^ "Grim Old Pantry looks bare; meanwhile Obama fundraising soars". Canada National Post. 2007-07-06. Retrieved 2007-07-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  318. ^ Malone, Jim (July 2 2007). "Obama Fundraising Suggests Close Race for Party Nomination". Voice of America. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  319. ^ Dan Morain (2007-10-02). "Clinton leads the field in campaign fundraising". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2007-10-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  320. ^ Cooper, Michael (October 16 2007). "Democratic Candidates Keep Outraising Republicans". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  321. ^ Emily Cadei (2008-01-03). "Paul Joins Clinton and Obama as a Heavyweight Fundraiser". Congressional Quarterly Politics. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
  322. ^ FEC filing due dates, FEC website, January 5, 2008
  323. ^ Donate Now and Double Your Impact, BarackObama.com
File:OprahObamaDesMoines49.jpg
Obama following a rally with Oprah Winfrey; Des Moines, Iowa, December 8, 2007.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Barack_Obama_2008_presidential_primary_campaign&oldid=186289730"