US presidential election - timeline
Wednesday, 04 Jun 2008 00:00
Who will the American people choose as their next president?
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The long battle to find nominees for this autumn's US presidential election is finally over.
John McCain quickly wrapped up the Republican vote after his rivals fell by the wayside, but the Democrats endured a draining contest across all their primaries before Barack Obama emerged triumphant.
Jan 3rd
Iowa: Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee
Hillary Clinton came a poor third in the Democrat race in a disastrous start for the White House frontrunner.
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Jan 8th
New Hampshire: Hillary Clinton, John McCain
But the pundits were confounded five days later when the former first lady's tears helped her to an unexpected victory in New Hampshire. In the Republican race, John McCain held off Mitt Romney to register a big comeback.
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Jan 15th
Michigan (R): Mitt Romney
One week later it was a relieved Mr Romney who enjoyed his first win. The Mormon took advantage of his Michigan background to save his candidacy, keeping the Republican contest wide open. Democrat candidates were not allowed to vote because of a dispute over scheduling.
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Jan 19th
Nevada: Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney
With the majority of Republican candidates focusing on South Carolina, Mr Romney again triumphed in Nevada with a clear 50 per cent share of the vote. The real story in the west was Ms Clinton's six-point victory over Barack Obama, however.
South Carolina (R): John McCain
A rejuvenated Mr McCain comfortably won the South Carolina Republican primary; the scene of one of his greatest political losses eight years ago, when eventual winner George Bush beat him in a bitterly-contested election.
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Jan 26th
South Carolina (D): Barack Obama
Mr Obama picked up a much-needed victory to keep his campaign on track. He had the black vote to thank, which made up around half the electorate, but polled ominously badly among whites in the contest.
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Jan 29th
Florida: John McCain
With the Democrat vote rendered irrelevant by an internal party dispute attention focused on the Republican race. A frontrunner emerged in Mr McCain, who beat Mitt Romney by five points. Rudy Giuliani came a disappointing third, apparently ending his campaign hopes.
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Feb 5th - Super Tuesday
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(winners by delegate)
Alabama: Hillary Clinton, Mike Huckabee
Alaska: Barack Obama, Mitt Romney
Arizona: Hillary Clinton, John McCain
Arkansas: Hillary Clinton, Mike Huckabee
California: Hillary Clinton, John McCain
Colorado: Barack Obama, Mitt Romney
Connecticut: Barack Obama, John McCain
Delaware: Barack Obama, John McCain
Georgia: Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee
Idaho (D): Barack Obama
Illinois: Barack Obama, John McCain
Kansas (D): Barack Obama
Massachusetts: Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney
Minnesota: Barack Obama, Mitt Romney
Missouri: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton
Montana (R): Mitt Romney
New Jersey: Hillary Clinton, John McCain
New Mexico (D): Hillary Clinton
New York: Hillary Clinton, John McCain
North Dakota: Barack Obama, Mitt Romney
Oklahoma: Hillary Clinton, John McCain
Tennessee: Hillary Clinton, Mike Huckabee
Utah: Barack Obama, Mitt Romney
For the Republicans at least, Super Tuesday appeared decisive. Mr McCain confirmed his status as the pace-setter with a whole host of delegates, easily outstripping nearest rival Mr Huckabee. As a result the day's main attention rested with the Democrats, where a much tighter result ensued. Ms Clinton took eight states compared to Mr Obama's 13, but these included the populous California and New York. As a result she developed a narrow lead in terms of delegates, setting up a long, drawn-out campaign as the American winter turns to spring.
Feb 9th
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Kansas (R): Mike Huckabee
Louisiana (D): Barack Obama
Nebraska (D): Barack Obama
Washington (D): Barack Obama
A hat-trick of wins for Mr Obama signalled a shift in the Democrats' mood in the first votes after Super Tuesday. But Ms Clinton retained a lead in the delegate count as the race for more crucial states continued. In the Republican race, Mr Huckabee kept himself afloat with a much-needed win.
Feb 10th
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Maine (D): Barack Obama
Mr Obama kept up the pressure on Hillary Clinton with his victory in the Maine caucus coming hot on the heels of wins in Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington state.
Feb 12th
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District of Columbia: Barack Obama, John McCain
Maryland: Barack Obama, John McCain
Virginia: Barack Obama, John McCain
And three further victories in the 'Potomac primaries' gave him a lead in the delegate stakes. Mr McCain's wins looked like finally finishing off the contest against trailing Mr Huckabee.
Feb 19th
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Wisconsin: Barack Obama, John McCain
Hawaii (D): Barack Obama
The Wisconsin result was the most significant of the February 19th polls, with Mr Obama extending his winning streak to nine. His momentum appeared increasingly unstoppable – leaving Ms Clinton pinning her hopes on the crucial March 4th primaries.
March 4th
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Ohio: Hillary Clinton, John McCain
Rhode Island: Hillary Clinton, John McCain
Vermont: Barack Obama, John McCain
Texas: Hillary Clinton, John McCain
The comeback kid's wife made her own turnaround after the two-week break, winning both Ohio and Texas to keep her campaign alive. But Mr Obama's lead in the delegate count received only a small knock, meaning the race is still alive as spring approaches. Mr McCain's victories saw him over the line in the Republican contest, making him the party's presumptive nominee.
March 8th
Wyoming: Barack Obama
Mr Obama bounced back to reverse any momentum gained by Ms Clinton. The result had little impact on the delegate count, however, with Mr Obama taking seven delegates to Ms Clinton's five.
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March 11th
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Mississippi: Barack Obama
And three days later he added to his lead further, taking Mississippi's 33 delegates and establishing a 26-13 lead in state victories.
April 22nd
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Pennsylvania: Hillary Clinton
Analysts said Ms Clinton needed at least a seven-point victory in the last of the campaign's big-state primaries. She got that, taking victory by a full ten per cent and leaving Ms Clinton crowing that "the tide is turning".
May 6th
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Indiana: Hillary Clinton
North Carolina: Barack Obama
The final big races were the last opportunity for Mr Obama to score a knockout blow. Although he won North Carolina with 56 per cent of the vote, Ms Clinton managed to squeak home in Indiana. The momentum appears to be with Mr Obama, whose 'electability' looked like winning over the crucial superdelegates.
May 13th
West Virginia: Hillary Clinton
By mid-May Mr Obama appeared to be the eventual winner, despite Ms Clinton's big win in West Virginia. Her big margin of victory gave her the momentum to continue the fight until the end of the primaries, but analysts were becoming increasingly certain her attempt to win her party's nomination was doomed to failure.
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May 20th
Kentucky: Hillary Clinton
Oregon: Barack Obama
A win in Kentucky kept Ms Clinton clinging on, but Mr Obama said his victory was "within reach". He moved to within 70 delegates of the finish line.
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June 3rd
Montana: Barack Obama
South Dakota: Hillary Clinton
Mr Obama claimed victory after his win in Montana, but Ms Clinton refused to concede. She said a new phase of the campaign, focusing on winning over superdelegates, is underway. Pundits put her chances at next to zero, however, as Mr Obama began turning his attention to the campaign against Mr McCain.
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