●Obama claims victory, says change has come to America_自考|成考|专升本|高升专|高升本|在职研究生-学历教育网

In the Senate, Obama's voting records coincided with those of the Democratic Party's liberal wing. He criticized the Iraq war from the beginning and worked on Congress ethical standards as well as increase use of renewable fuels. He also built his reputation as a new breed of politicians by working without parties and races divides.专科

Obama announced his bid for the White House on Feb. 10, 2007, in Springfield, Illinois, where former President Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech in 1858.

He joined seven other politicians in the Democratic camp, including former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. In the first half of 2007, he raised 58 million U.S. dollars, setting the record for fundraising by a presidential campaign in the first six months of the calendar year before the elections, although he was trailed by Clinton in national polls in 2007.

However, Obama was highly successful at enlisting supporters, especially among youth, minorities and those with higher education, and mapped a strategy to campaign not only in primary states but also caucuses states. In the first caucuses held in Iowa on Jan. 3,2008, he scored a surprising victory.

After the Super Tuesday on Feb. 5, Obama tied Clinton. With victories in 10 more consecutive contests in the rest of February, he surpassed the New York Senator to become the most potential nominee. Finally, on June 3, he clinched presidential candidacy and later chose senator Joe Biden as his running mate.

During the presidential campaign, Obama repeatedly chanted the message that he would bring the changes the country needs and "revive American dreams."

He has promised that if elected, he would take the country in anew direction by withdrawing U.S. combat troops from Iraq with responsibility, enacting universal and affordable healthcare and adopting tax policies favoring lower-and-middle-income families.

During the national campaign, he led Republican rival John McCain not only in polling numbers but also campaign fund.

Obama met his wife, Michelle Robinson, in June 1989 when he worked at a Chicago law firm. They married on Oct. 3, 1992, and had two daughters, Malia Ann and Natasha.