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March 29, 2024

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Barack Obama

Barack Obama shakes hands with supporters Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, at Cashman Field in Las Vegas.

Photo by Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Barack Obama shakes hands with supporters Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, at Cashman Field in Las Vegas.

Biographical information | Issues | Latest campaign news


U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, carrying a message of change and an inspiring speaking style that brought thousands to his campaign rallies, battled through the state primaries earlier this year to eventually win the Democratic nomination for president — making history as the first African-American to do so.

Obama picked as his running mate fellow U.S. senator Joe Biden of Deleware. Biden was an early presidential rival to Obama, but dropped out after the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses when he got only 2 percent of the delegates.

However, Biden has had to eat some of his early criticisms of Obama, including a debate statement that Obama was too inexperienced to be president. (See YouTube video.)

NEVADA CAUCUS — Obama made several trips to Nevada during the primary season and won the endorsement of the powerful Culinary union. However, Nevada Democrats didn't immediately embrace Obama — he lost the first round of the Nevada caucuses on Jan. 19 to Hillary Clinton. (See the Sun's extensive coverage.)

But by the time the final numbers rolled in, Obama finally won the majority of Nevada's state delegates — and enough delegates overall to beat Clinton and secure the Democratic nomination.

WINNING THE WEST — After the grueling primary battle, a team of Sun journalists took a "Winning the West" road trip in August through the Southwest on the way to the Democratic and Republican national conventions. (See stories, videos, photos and blogs.)

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION — At the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Obama brought olive branches to Clinton supporters, enlisting the Clintons to try to put some salve on the deep wounds that the slashing, sometimes ugly primary battles had brought to the party. (See the Sun's team coverage.)

Since that time, Obama has continued his message of change, saying that Republican presidential nominee John McCain represents the same type of Republican leadership that allowed the Wall Street meltdown to happen. He took swings at McCain during a September visit to Las Vegas.

Archive highlights

Barack Obama - bio information

Mon, Aug 25, 2008

Barack Obama's bio information.

Barack Obama on the issues

Mon, Oct 6, 2008

The following are Barack Obama's positions on selected issues.

All stories

Nevada’s GOP chair continues to deny he was a fake elector

Thu, Jul 7, 2022

Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald doubled down last week on his assertion that his plan to send electoral certificates in favor of Donald Trump to Congress in 2020 was ...

Reports: Nevada GOP head surrenders phone to FBI

Thu, Jun 23, 2022

Nevada’s top Republican officials — GOP Chairman Michael McDonald and party secretary James DeGraffenreid — reportedly are among the targets of an intensifying effort by the U.S. Department of Justice ...

Dark money is keeping campaigns rolling but also keeping voters guessing

Wed, Jun 8, 2022

In the 2020 general election, it was reported that $1 billion in dark money was spent nationally attempting to influence voters. In the presidential election, Donald Trump received more than ...

New federal measures aim to increase production of clean energy on public lands

Thu, Jun 2, 2022

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, in a visit to Las Vegas, announced that the Department of Interior was reducing rents and fees for wind and solar projects on public lands by ...

Buttigieg, Sisolak tout start of I-15 project as infrastructure win

Wed, Jun 1, 2022

People using the interchange at Interstate 15 and Tropicana Avenue to get to Allegiant Stadium or T-Mobile Arena will have an easier time of it in years to come. But ...

Legal line crossed? Nevada GOP’s faux electors draw scrutiny

Thu, Jan 20, 2022

The Nevada Republican Party and its chairman, Michael McDonald, weren’t disguising their intentions to alter the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Las Vegas virologist bemoans viral videos misusing at-home COVID tests

Sun, Jan 16, 2022

A social media trend of putting at-home COVID-19 tests under tap water to trigger a positive result spreads false information, wastes scarce tests and needs to stop, says one Las ...

Outside memorial, community members pay their respects to Harry Reid

Sat, Jan 8, 2022

“It’s amazing how one man can make such a difference in the lives of millions of Americans who have gotten health care because of the mastery of his skills.”

‘We lost a giant’: Harry Reid’s memorial draws tributes from family, friends

Sat, Jan 8, 2022

Harry Reid would have not liked sitting through his own memorial service Saturday in downtown Las Vegas. He would have felt a little awkward.

The cruel failure of welfare reform in the Southwest

Fri, Dec 31, 2021

This year, the 25th anniversary of welfare reform, happened to coincide with a substantive debate in Congress over a new sort of welfare: the child tax credit, which has been ...

Biden hosting budget talks in Delaware with Schumer, Manchin

Sun, Oct 24, 2021

The White House and congressional leaders have tried to push monthslong negotiations toward a conclusion by the end of October on the expansive social and environment measure. Democrats' aim is ...

VP Harris in Las Vegas: 'We are going to crush this virus'

Mon, Mar 15, 2021

Las Vegas was a dubiously ideal first stop on Harris’ tour promoting the stimulus package to help the country climb out of the economic crater caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Democrats bank on relief aid to win back wary working class

Sun, Mar 14, 2021

President Joe Biden and his party are hoping that by muscling through passage of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief and economic stimulus bill — with benefits heavily weighted toward lower- ...

Sun’s 2020 sit-down with Joe Biden shines a light on how he will lead the country

Sun, Jan 31, 2021

In a 90-minute interview with the Sun, Joe Biden expanded on his policy plans on a number of key issues: the economy, jobs, immigration, infrastructure and gun safety among them.

Biden, Democrats hit gas on push for $15 minimum wage

Sat, Jan 30, 2021

Some Republicans support exploring an increase but are uneasy with $15 an hour. They warn that such an increase could …

Videos

Obama Rally at Cashman
Obama Rally at Cashman
Barack Obama spoke at a rally at Cashman Field in North Las Vegas on Wednesday ...
Presidential Candidates on Health Care
Presidential Candidates on Health Care
With the latest scandal or character attack dominating most of today's political headlines, many voters ...
Albuquerque Ladies' Man
Albuquerque Ladies' Man
Barack Obama answers questions from a group of Albuquerque women. Topics range from health care, ...
Reality Check: Barack Obama's Campaign Advertisement
Reality Check: Barack Obama's Campaign Advertisement
Jon puts presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's new campaign ad through a Reality Check.

Slideshows

Obama speaks at Cashman Center
Barack Obama speaks to supporters Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008, at Cashman Center in Las Vegas. ...
Obama's moment
Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination at Denver's Mile High Stadium.
Obama in Vegas
On Sunday, Jan. 13, presidential candidate Barack Obama visited Las Vegas, making a stop at ...
Obama in Nevada
On Friday, Jan. 11, presidential candidate Barack Obama visited Las Vegas, making stops at the ...