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Home • Celebrity

Obama Watch 7

Our exclusive photos of President-elect Obama’s road to the White House and the campaign.
By Essence · Updated October 30, 2020
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01
“Leading Las Vegas” – 10/25/08

Obama is a man with many ideas on how to change the country.

Read our analysis on Barack Obama’s historic win »

 

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02
“Leading Las Vegas” – 10/25/08

An Obama supporter uses a unique way to shield the sun’s rays at a rally in Las Vegas.

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03
“Leading Las Vegas” – 10/25/08

Senator Obama told a crowd of 18,000 in Las Vegas not to stop fighting.

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04
“Leading Las Vegas” – 10/25/08

Not so subtle reminders to get out the vote for Obama.

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05
“Leading Las Vegas” – 10/25/08

A young boy listens to the Democratic nominee speak at the outdoor stadium at Las Vegas’s Bonanza High School. Obama said Americans aren’t interested in politicians fighting each other in the midst of an economic crisis.

Read our analysis on Barack Obama’s historic win »

 

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06
“Leading Las Vegas” – 10/25/08

Las Vegas residents raise a sign and a hat, welcoming Obama as he went on to encourage people to vote early.

Read our analysis on Barack Obama’s historic win »

 

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07
“Leading Las Vegas” – 10/25/08

Supporters reach out and touch the senator who called Republican rival John McCain “loco” for suggesting he would continue the Bush legacy while McCain would take the country in a new direction.

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08
On the Road in Indiana – 10/23/08

At the rally, U.S. Representative Baron Hill (D-9th) gave an interesting analogy on Indiana’s four-decade support of Republican presidential nominees, calling the state the “Moses of national politics.”

“We’ve been wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years,” he said. “Now is our time. Now is our place. Barack Obama will be the United States president, and Indiana will take him over the top.”

Read our analysis on Barack Obama’s historic win »

 

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09
“The Real Virginia” – 10/22/2008

A woman waiting to hear the senator speak holds up her “Obama/Biden” sign.

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10
On the Road in Indiana – 10/23/08

Approximately 35,000 people came to hear Obama speak about the issues.

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11
“The Real Virginia” – 10/22/2008

Obama greets the crowd of supporters that came out to hear him speak.

Read our analysis on Barack Obama’s historic win »

 

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12
On the Road in Indiana – 10/23/08

Obama supporters in Indiana are serious about change.

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13
“The Real Virginia” – 10/22/2008

Everyone wants some love from the presidential hopeful.

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14
On the Road in Indiana – 10/23/08

“What we need is honest leadership and real change,” Obama told the crowd.

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15
“The Real Virginia” – 10/22/2008

Obama spoke to a Richmond, Virginia, audience about being labeled a “socialist” by the McCain campaign, saying, “Senator McCain is running a campaign against somebody else, not me because he’s not speaking to my plan.”

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16
On the Road in Indiana – 10/23/08

Those in attendance held American flags while anticipating Obama’s arrival.

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17
“The Real Virginia” – 10/22/2008

Some members of the audience seemed overwhelmed by emotion hearing Senator Obama speak about his plan for the presidency.

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18
On the Road in Indiana – 10/23/08

Following the campaign rally in Indiana, Obama traveled to Hawaii to visit his ailing grandmother.

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19
“The Real Virginia” – 10/22/2008

Senator Barack Obama, flanked by several advisers, gave his reaction to running mate Senator Joe Biden’s proclamation that enemies of the U.S. would go out of their way to “test” him as president.
“Whoever is the next president is going to have to deal with a whole host of challenges internationally—and a period of transition in a new administration is always one in which we have to be vigilant,” said Obama.

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20
“The Real Virginia” – 10/22/2008

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported a crowd of nearly 13,000 at the Richmond Coliseum listened to Senator Obama’s concern for their economic well-being.

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21
“The Real Virginia” – 10/22/2008

His safety is always a concern. An officer stands in the background with binoculars as Senator Obama speaks in Leesburg, Virginia, where he urged Democrats and Republicans to work together to solve the country’s problems.

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22
“The Real Virginia” – 10/22/2008

Swinging signs saying “Change We Need,” Obama supporters came out in Leesburg, Virginia, to see the man they want to see become president.

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23
“The Real Virginia” – 10/22/2008

Senator Obama spoke to a crowd of about 10,000 people at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, Virginia. Traditionally a red state, Obama seems to have plenty of supporters.

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24
10/21/2008

Residents of Lake Worth, Florida, came prepared to show who they’re supporting with what looks like a life-size cutout of Barack Obama.

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25
10/21/2008

A gentleman inside the barbershop gets on the horn while the Illinois senator stopped in to meet supporters.

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26
10/21/2008

A man peers through the window of a local barbershop in Ft. Lauderdale while Barack Obama stopped in for a visit.

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27
10/21/2008

A crowd quickly formed outside a local barbershop in Ft. Lauderdale to wait for the senator to emerge.

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28
10/21/2008

Senator Obama stops to sign an autograph while the crowd (and security) wait for him to emerge.

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29
10/21/2008

“My view is, Barack Obama is the underdog and will be the underdog until he’s sitting in the Oval Office,” said Michelle Obama to a Miami crowd. She pleaded with the constituents to work like “we’re ten points down in the polls.”

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30
10/21/2008

A man of the people.

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31
10/21/2008

You’re the man!

Read our analysis on Barack Obama’s historic win »

 

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32
10/21/2008

Senator Obama told a Miami crowd of more than 30,000 people, “I’ve got nothing but love for Joe the Plumber. That’s why I want to give him a tax cut.”

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33
10/21/2008

An officer and a gentleman: Senator Obama greets a serviceman at a rally in Miami.

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34
10/21/2008

Many people don’t realize the senator is left-handed. Here he puts his official signature on a “Vote for Obama” poster.

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35
10/20/2008

Experience the Illinois senator’s historic presidential race firsthand with Senator Hillary Clinton, key staffers, and a number of his supporters through our exclusive photo diary and behind-the-scene reports.

Obama energizes voters in Florida with rallies in Tampa and Orlando.

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36
10/20/2008

Senator Clinton campaigned with Senator Obama in Florida.

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37
10/20/2008

Young Floridians ready for a change they can believe in.

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38
10/20/2008

Senator Clinton showed her support by saying, “Now is the time to close the deal for Barack Obama and close the book on eight years of failed Republican leadership.”

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39
10/20/2008

In Orlando, a crowd of more than 50,000 chanted “Jobs, baby, jobs” as the senator gave his speech.

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40
10/20/2008

Obama supporters came out in record numbers to greet the presidential nominee.

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41
10/20/2008

A young supporter looks on in awe.

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42
10/20/2008

Senator Obama greets supporters.

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43
10/20/2008

The senator expresses his gratitude in receiving his own pair of Mickey Mouse ears.

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44
10/20/2008

The two senators engaged in conversation on the airport tarmac on their way to a rally in Florida.

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45
10/20/2008

Perhaps a future presidential nominee?

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46
10/20/2008

Obama supporters are hopeful to see a new agenda breach Washington.

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47
10/20/2008

Obama campaigned in Florida for three days, making an all-out push to take back the state, which Republicans usually win in presidential races.

Read our analysis on Barack Obama’s historic win »

 

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48
10/20/2008

Part of being a politician is shaking hands and kissing babies.

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49
10/20/2008

A sign for every cause, Floridians show their Obama allegiance.

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50
10/20/2008

Amazed by seeing the man who could be our next president, supporters from the Sunshine State welcomed him with open arms.

Read our analysis on Barack Obama’s historic win »

 

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51
10/20/2008

Senator Obama spoke about the economy and foreclosure issues overtaking our country.

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52
10/20/2008

Flanked by secret service, Senator Obama arrives at the airport to head to his next destination.

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53
10/20/2008

The Senator and a member of his security detail greet each other with the now infamous “dap” as he prepares to depart for a campaign event.

Read our analysis on Barack Obama’s historic win »

 

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54
10/20/2008

Barack Obama rallies with members of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team.

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55
10/20/2008

Hope we can believe in.

Read our analysis on Barack Obama’s historic win »

 

Read our exclusive interview with the Obama family »

 

Stay updated on the most recent election news at Election Central 2008 »

 

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