Top 10 Barack Obama Moments of 2008

Here is a list of what I believe to be the Top 10 moments of 2008 for Barack Obama.

#10: The Reverend Wright Controversy

Every single one of us knows where we were when we heard or saw for the first time that Barack Obama had a crazy Reverend. The media was all over this for weeks and weeks, especially Fox News. This single event alone kept Hillary Clinton in the race longer than most of us Obama supporters would have liked. Although what his pastor said were some very disgraceful things, you could not help but laugh at his impression of Bill Clinton and Bill "ridin' dirty".

#9: A More Perfect Union Speech on Race

On March 18th, in Philadelphia, Obama made a speech on race, really the first time he had to address it at all during the campaign until this point. Fueled by the Rev. Wright controversy, this speech single handedly alone saved Obama's candidacy for President. Obama's speech was perhaps one of the best modern day speeches on race relations in America. Look it up on YouTube in case you have never watched it.

#8: Barack meets "Joe the Plumber"

In a stray video tape from some random news organization, a video was taken with Obama and Joe talking about Obama economic plans(his plans to increase taxes on those making over 250,000 dollars). Joe didn't back down, but neither did Obama. Obama gave him straight answer after straight answer and left Joe to ponder his thoughts on who he should really vote for. Joe was looking for the October surprise, but didn't get anywhere close to that with this conversation and subsequent video.

#7: Joe the Plumber becomes famous

In the last of the three presidential debates, the video of Joe the Plumber and Obama had surfaced and was all over the news. Republican nominee John McCain, seeing an opportunity to criticize Obama's tax plan, uses Obama's conversation with Joe as leverage, or so he thought. Joe the Plumber's name, although it not actually being Joe, was mentioned numerous times by both candidates in what became an almost laughable debate.

#6: Obama names his running mate

After vetting many different people to be his running mate, such as Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Evan Bayh, Governor Ted Strickland, Republican Chuck Hagel, Governor Tim Kaine, Obama finally settled on someone. Although it was promised to be sent out through text message to all Obama supporters who had signed up to receive notice about it, numerous sources leaked it out just hours before the text was to be sent. Obama had chosen Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware to be his running mate. Biden brought experience, crediability, and respect to the ticket. After seeing who John McCain had selected as his running mate, the people who disagreed with this pick backed off big time.

#5: The First Presidential Debate

Barack Obama, in his first debate with Republican nominee John McCain, in front of a record breaking TV audience outclassed and out performed the somewhat skittish man that they call a "Maverick". Obama not only won this debate, but showed how much more in touch he is with the American people, and eventually went on to do the same in the next two Presidential debates.

#4: Barack Obama wins the Iowa Caucus

In a stunning upset, little known Democratic Senator Barack Obama of Illinois defeated the hands down favorite Hillary Clinton in the first votes cast in Iowa on January 3rd. The fact he won this caucus was perhaps the biggest reason why he eventually became the Democratic nominee and now the President-elect of the United States.

#3: Barack Obama becomes the Presumptive Democratic nominee and the subsequent "terrorist fist jab"

On June 3rd, just six long months after his stunning victory in Iowa, Barack Obama had finally received enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee. The state that put him over the top was South Dakota, which nobody could of foreseen them playing such a big role as they did on that very day. That night, Obama gave a victory speech to a packed house in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While walking on stage, Barack and his wife Michelle bumped fists that eventually made more news than it should have.

#2: Barack Obama officially accepts the Democratic nomination

On August 28th, exactly 45 years to the day since Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech, the United States had its first African-American nominee for President of the United States. In what was a packed house in Denver, Colorado, Obama gave perhaps one of the most amazing and eloquent speeches of all time, leaving many in tears of joy and happiness.

#1: Barack Obama is Elected the 44th President of the United States:

On November 4, 2008, at exactly 11 PM Eastern Time, the United States of America made history by electing the first ever African-American to the office of Presidency. No bigger moment in this country's history. America celebrated, as did the rest of the world, as America finally became America again, where anything and any dream is possible.

If for any reason you disagree with my Top 10, comment, and let me know where you would put certain moments. Or if I left out any that you think should of been included in this, comment and let me know. I always appreciate feedback from my readers.

Thank you,

Mark C. Miller II