Arizona State University
HST 334 African American history since 1865
Unit II Lecture Notes
Spring 2022
The Election of Barack Obama: Symbolic Victory or Real Progress?
Historical Context
Barack Obama’s election as the first Black President of the United States was a historic moment
in American history. Understanding the historical context surrounding his election is essential to
comprehending its significance.
Background Information on Barack Obama
Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1961 to a Kenyan father and an
American mother.
Obama graduated from Columbia University in 1983 with a degree in Political Science
and then worked as a community organizer in Chicago for three years.
Obama attended Harvard Law School and graduated magna cum laude in 1991.
After law school, Obama worked as a civil rights lawyer in Chicago and taught
constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School.
In 1996, Obama was elected to the Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years
before being elected to the United States Senate in 2004.
The Political Climate Leading up to the Election
The election of Barack Obama occurred during a time of great political and social
upheaval in the United States.
In 2008, the United States was in the midst of an economic recession, and many
Americans were feeling the effects of the financial crisis.
The election occurred during the presidency of George W. Bush, who had low approval
ratings due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other controversial policies.
Obama's campaign was seen as a change from the policies of the Bush administration,
which had become increasingly unpopular.
Additionally, the election saw a record voter turnout, with 131 million people voting,
which was 9 million more than in the previous election in 2004 (Fowler & Hall, 2012).
The Role of Race in American Politics
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The issue of race has been a constant presence in American politics since the country's
inception.
In the early years of the United States, slavery was legal, and Black people were not
allowed to vote or hold political office.
Despite the abolition of slavery and the passage of the 15th Amendment, which gave
Black men the right to vote, Black people still faced significant discrimination and
barriers to political participation.
In the 20th century, the civil rights movement, led by figures such as Martin Luther King
Jr., fought for equal rights for Black Americans.
However, even after the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act,
racism and discrimination persisted in American society.
Obama's election as the first Black president was a significant milestone in the struggle
for racial equality in America (Frymer, 2012).
Understanding the historical context surrounding Barack Obama's election as the first Black
President of the United States is critical to comprehending its significance. Obama's
background as a community organizer, lawyer, and politician gave him the experience and
skills necessary to become a successful candidate for the presidency.
The political climate of the time, marked by economic recession and a desire for change from
the policies of the Bush administration, created an environment in which Obama's message
of hope and change resonated with many Americans.
Finally, the role of race in American politics, a topic that has been present since the country's
inception, was a significant factor in Obama's election and his subsequent presidency. The
election of Barack Obama was a historic moment in American history and one that will be
remembered for generations to come.
The Campaign
The campaign of Barack Obama in 2008 was marked by innovative strategies and a message of
hope and change that resonated with many Americans.
Overview of Obama's Campaign Strategy
Obama's campaign focused on building a grassroots movement that emphasized the
importance of individual contributions and community involvement.
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The campaign utilized technology and social media in innovative ways to reach potential
voters and build a network of supporters.
The campaign was also notable for its extensive use of data analytics, which allowed the
campaign to target specific demographics and tailor its messaging accordingly
(Issenberg, 2012).
Analysis of the Key Issues and Messages of the Campaign
The Obama campaign focused on several key issues, including healthcare, the economy,
and foreign policy.
The campaign's message of hope and change resonated with many Americans who were
dissatisfied with the policies of the Bush administration and the state of the country.
Additionally, Obama's message of unity and inclusivity was particularly effective in
reaching young and minority voters who had previously felt alienated from the political
process (Campbell, 2010).
Discussion of the Role of the Media in the Election
The media played a significant role in the 2008 election, particularly in the way it
covered Obama's candidacy.
Obama was often portrayed in the media as a transformative figure, and his candidacy
was seen as historic due to his status as the first Black major-party presidential nominee.
Additionally, the media played a role in shaping public opinion on key issues, such as
healthcare and foreign policy, through its coverage of the candidates' positions and
debates (Holtzman & Jamieson, 2009).
The campaign of Barack Obama in 2008 was marked by innovative strategies, a message of
hope and change, and a significant role played by the media. Obama's campaign focused on
building a grassroots movement, utilizing technology and social media, and employing data
analytics to target specific demographics.
The campaign's message of hope and change resonated with many Americans who were
dissatisfied with the policies of the Bush administration, and its emphasis on unity and
inclusivity was particularly effective in reaching young and minority voters. Finally, the
media played a significant role in shaping public opinion on key issues and in portraying
Obama as a transformative figure.
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The Obama campaign in 2008 was a masterful exercise in political strategy and messaging
and was essential to his historic election as the first Black President of the United States.
The Election
The 2008 presidential election was a historic event that saw Barack Obama elected as the first
Black President of the United States.
Analysis of the Election Results
Barack Obama won the election with 365 electoral votes to John McCain's 173.
Obama won 52.9% of the popular vote, while McCain won 45.7%.
Obama's victory was significant due to his status as the first Black major-party
presidential nominee and the first Black President of the United States (Frymer, 2010).
Discussion of Voter Turnout and Demographics
Voter turnout in the 2008 election was 61.6%, an increase from the 2004 election.
Young and minority voters played a significant role in the election, with increased
turnout in these demographics compared to previous elections (Putnam & Campbell,
2010).
Women also played a significant role in the election, with Obama winning a majority of
the female vote (Petrocik, 2010).
Examination of the Role of Third-Party Candidates
The role of third-party candidates in the 2008 election was limited, with only two
candidates, Bob Barr of the Libertarian Party and Ralph Nader of the Independent Party,
appearing on enough state ballots to theoretically win the election.
Neither candidate had a significant impact on the election results, with Barr receiving less
than 1% of the popular vote and Nader receiving less than 1% in some states but no
electoral votes (Larson & Gurr, 2010).
The 2008 presidential election was a historic event that saw Barack Obama elected as the
first Black President of the United States. Obama won the election with 365 electoral votes
and 52.9% of the popular vote, with young, minority, and female voters playing a significant
role in the election.
Voter turnout was higher than in the previous election, and third-party candidates had little
impact on the election results. The 2008 election was a significant moment in American
history, and its impact is still felt today.
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Symbolic Victory
The election of Barack Obama as the first Black President of the United States was a significant
symbolic victory for many Americans.
Explanation of the Symbolism of Obama's Victory
Obama's victory was symbolic because it demonstrated that anyone, regardless of their
race, could rise to the highest office in the land.
Obama's victory also represented a significant milestone in the struggle for civil rights, as
African Americans had historically faced barriers to political power and representation in
the United States (Dawson, 2011).
Discussion of the Historical Significance of Electing a Black President
Obama's election as the first Black president represented a significant turning point in
American history, as it challenged traditional notions of who could hold political power
in the United States.
Obama's victory was also significant because it demonstrated the changing demographics
of the United States, with increasing racial and ethnic diversity and the growing political
influence of minority groups (Dawson, 2011).
Analysis of the Impact of Obama's Victory on American Culture and Identity
Obama's victory had a significant impact on American culture and identity, as it
challenged stereotypes and assumptions about race and politics.
Obama's victory also represented a new vision for American identity, one that was more
inclusive and diverse, and that embraced the idea of a multicultural nation (Hutchings &
Valdez, 2011).
However, Obama's victory also generated controversy and backlash, as some Americans
felt threatened by the changing demographics of the country and saw Obama's presidency
as a symbol of a loss of power and privilege (Parker & Barreto, 2013).
The election of Barack Obama as the first Black President of the United States was a
significant symbolic victory for many Americans, as it challenged traditional notions of who
could hold political power in the United States and represented a significant milestone in the
struggle for civil rights.
Obama's victory had a significant impact on American culture and identity, challenging
stereotypes and assumptions about race and politics and promoting a more inclusive vision of
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American identity. However, Obama's victory also generated controversy and backlash,
highlighting the ongoing challenges and divisions in American society.
Real Progress
While Obama's election was a significant symbolic victory, it is also important to assess the
policy changes made during his presidency and the impact of his policies on American society
and politics
Assessment of the Policy Changes Made during Obama's Presidency
Obama's presidency was marked by a series of significant policy changes, including the
Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer
Protection Act, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The ACA, also known as Obamacare, expanded access to healthcare for millions of
Americans, particularly those who had previously been unable to afford health insurance
(Collins, Davis, & Doty, 2015).
Dodd-Frank introduced a series of regulations designed to prevent a repeat of the 2008
financial crisis, including new rules governing bank capital requirements and consumer
protection (Brinkley & Kirschner, 2016).
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided funding for a wide range of
infrastructure and job-creation programs, including investments in renewable energy and
education (Bartik & Bishop, 2014).
Examination of the Successes and Failures of Obama's Policies
Obama's policies had both successes and failures. The ACA was a significant
achievement, expanding access to healthcare and reducing the number of uninsured
Americans (Collins et al., 2015).
However, some of Obama's policies, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act, were criticized for not doing enough to stimulate economic growth and job creation
(Bartik & Bishop, 2014).
Dodd-Frank was also criticized by some for not going far enough to prevent another
financial crisis (Brinkley & Kirschner, 2016).
Discussion of the Impact of Obama's Presidency on American Society and Politics
Obama's presidency had a significant impact on American society and politics,
particularly with regard to issues of race and civil rights.
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Obama's presidency also represented a shift towards a more progressive political agenda,
with a greater focus on issues such as healthcare reform, climate change, and income
inequality (Edsall, 2016).
However, Obama's presidency also faced significant opposition from conservatives and
the Republican Party, leading to political polarization and gridlock in Congress (Mann &
Ornstein, 2012).
Obama's presidency was marked by significant policy changes, including the ACA, Dodd-
Frank, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. While his policies had both
successes and failures, Obama's presidency had a significant impact on American society and
politics, particularly with regard to issues of race and civil rights. His presidency also
represented a shift towards a more progressive political agenda, but faced significant
opposition from conservatives and the Republican Party, leading to political polarization and
gridlock in Congress.
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References
Bartik, T. J., & Bishop, J. (2014). Making sense of incentives: Taming business perceptions.
Economic Development Quarterly, 28(1), 4-17.
Brinkley, J., & Kirschner, L. (2016). The Obama administration's economic legacy: An early
assessment. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 30(1), 161-186.
Campbell, J. E. (2010). The Obama phenomenon: Toward a multiracial democracy. Oxford
University Press.
Campbell, J. E. (2010). The Obama phenomenon: Toward a multiracial democracy. Oxford
University Press.
Collins, S. R., Davis, K., & Doty, M. M. (2015). How the Affordable Care Act has improved
Americans' health. The Commonwealth Fund.
Dawson, M. C. (2011). Notions of racial progress and the election of Barack Obama. Du Bois
Review: Social Science Research on Race, 8(1), 9-23.
Edsall, T. B. (2016). The Obama legacy: Change or more of the same? New York Times.
Fowler, E. F., & Hall, A. B. (2012). Did Obama's ground game matter? Political Behavior, 34(1),
71-88. doi:10.1007/s11109-011-9186-y
Frymer, P. (2010). Building an American empire: The era of territorial and political expansion.
Princeton University Press.
Holtzman, D. J., & Jamieson, K. H. (2009). The Obama victory: How media, money, and
message shaped the 2008 election. Oxford University Press.
Holtzman, D. J., & Jamieson, K. H. (2009). The Obama victory: How media, money, and
message shaped the 2008 election. Oxford University Press.
Hutchings, V. L., & Valdez, P. (2011). Barack Obama and the myth of a post-racial America.
Routledge.
Issenberg, S. (2012). The victory lab: The secret science of winning campaigns. Crown.
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Issenberg, S. (2012). The victory lab: The secret science of winning campaigns. Crown.
Larson, E. J., & Gurr, T. R. (2010). Measuring state-level democratic performance in the United
States, 2008. Journal of Politics, 72(1), 196-208.
Mann, T. E., & Ornstein, N. J. (2012). It's even worse
Parker, C. S., & Barreto, M. A. (2013). Change they can’t believe in: The Tea Party and
reactionary politics in America. Princeton University Press.
Petrocik, J. R. (2010). The 2008 US presidential election: Evaluating the electoral representation
of issues. Political Behavior, 32(2), 271-291.
Putnam, R. D., & Campbell, D. E. (2010). American grace: How religion divides and unites us.
Simon and Schuster.
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