Summary of Key Points

2008 Election Context

Democratic Antiwar Stance: By the 2008 election, Democrats embraced an antiwar position due to the ongoing chaos in Iraq.
Candidate Selection: The party sought a candidate who had consistently opposed military action, leading to the rise of Barack Obama.

Background: Obama, previously an Illinois state senator, had publicly denounced the Iraq War and predicted resulting sectarian violence during his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign.
Historic Nomination: He became the first African American candidate to secure a nomination from a major political party.
Electoral Support: Gained backing from an increasingly antiwar electorate during the election.

Economic Collapse: The economy collapsed in 2007-2008 amidst widespread blame directed at President Bush’s policies.
Opponent's Struggles: Republican candidate John McCain faced challenges due to his association with those policies and a public desire for new leadership.
Victory: Obama won decisively, becoming the first African American president.

Domestic Affairs: Obama prioritized addressing the Great Recession and healthcare reform.
Economic Strategy: Continued the prior administration's bank bailout and introduced a limited economic stimulus plan.

Fractured Politics: Despite electoral success, national politics became divisive with the emergence of a conservative backlash.
Tea Party Movement: This movement represented a coalition of conservative voters, characterized by suspicion of the federal government and significant financial backing.

Healthcare Reform: The cornerstone of Obama’s first term was the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), a significant overhaul of the healthcare system.
- Conservative Model: The approach prioritized subsidized private care over a national healthcare system.
- Key Provisions: Included the abolition of pre-existing conditions, establishment of state-run healthcare exchanges, Medicaid expansion funds, and individual mandates for health insurance.

Criticism of Obamacare: Despite passing, the number of uninsured Americans remained high, and the law faced extensive criticism from conservatives.

Afghanistan Strategy: Deployed additional troops for a counterinsurgency campaign aimed at disrupting al-Qaeda and Taliban forces.
Key Operations: Notably, the Navy SEALs executed a successful mission against Osama bin Laden in May 2011, leading to a phased withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan by 2014.
Ongoing Conflict: Despite military efforts, the Taliban maintained political influence, and al-Qaeda evolved its operational bases internationally.

U.S. Military Losses: As of December 2013, the war in Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of 3,397 U.S. service members.