Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008 Facts for Kids

The Democratic Party presidential primaries of 2008 were an important American political event. During this time, different people who wanted to become president asked voters and special helpers called delegates to support them. They did this through special elections called primaries and meetings called caucuses in various states.

Candidates earned delegates based on how many votes they received in these primaries. There were 4,233 delegates in total. To win the chance to become the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, a person needed to get at least 2,110 delegates.

The two main candidates, also known as front-runners, were New York Senator Hillary Clinton and Illinois Senator Barack Obama. At the start, Hillary Clinton had a lead, but Barack Obama soon caught up and moved ahead. Obama eventually made history by becoming the first African-American person to be a major party's presidential candidate in the United States.

What Are Primaries and Caucuses?
- How Do Primaries Work?
- How Do Caucuses Work?
Who Were the Main Candidates?
- Hillary Clinton's Campaign
- Barack Obama's Campaign
The Race for Delegates
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What Are Primaries and Caucuses?

When a political party wants to choose its candidate for president, it holds special events. These events are called primaries and caucuses. They happen before the main presidential election.

How Do Primaries Work?

Primaries are like mini-elections. Voters go to a polling place and cast a secret ballot for the candidate they want to support. It's similar to how you might vote for a class president. The candidate who gets the most votes in a state's primary usually wins more delegates from that state.

How Do Caucuses Work?

Caucuses are different from primaries. Instead of secret ballots, caucuses are meetings where people gather to discuss candidates. Voters openly show their support for a candidate. They might even try to convince others to join their side. After discussions, votes are counted, and delegates are awarded.

Who Were the Main Candidates?

The 2008 Democratic primaries had many candidates, but two stood out the most. These were Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Hillary Clinton's Campaign

Hillary Clinton was a Senator from New York. She had also been the First Lady when her husband, Bill Clinton, was president. Many people thought she would win because of her experience and name recognition. Her campaign focused on her plans for healthcare and the economy.

Staffers make phone calls to voters from Clinton's national campaign headquarters.

Clinton campaigns in Lorain, Ohio.

Barack Obama's Campaign

Barack Obama was a Senator from Illinois. He was newer to national politics compared to Clinton. His campaign focused on themes of hope and change. He quickly gained a lot of support, especially among younger voters and new voters. His speeches were very popular and inspired many people.

An Obama rally in Seattle, Washington, draws 18,000 people.

The Race for Delegates

The goal for each candidate was to win enough delegates to get the party's nomination. This meant they needed to get 2,110 delegates.

Early Stages of the Race

At the beginning of the primary season, Hillary Clinton won some important early contests. This made many people think she would be the clear winner. However, Barack Obama started to win more and more states as the primaries continued.

Obama Gains the Lead

Obama's campaign gained momentum, meaning it got stronger and more popular. He started winning more delegates than Clinton. His ability to draw large crowds and inspire voters helped him take the lead in the delegate count.

The Historic Outcome

After many months of campaigning and voting, Barack Obama secured enough delegates to win the Democratic Party's nomination. This was a historic moment because he became the first African-American person to be nominated for president by a major political party in the United States. He went on to win the general election and became president.