Women have always been significant influences in Barack Obama's life. He credits his late mother, Ann Dunham, with instilling the values that shaped his approach to politics. Barack Obama also gives thanks to his mother for educating him on his own African-American heritage. As Barack Obama had a distant relationship with his father, he refers to his mother as "the one who was the single constant in my life.”     

Barack Obama President

At the Old State Capitol building where Abraham Lincoln once spoke, Barack Obama declared his intention to run for U.S. President in early 2007. Within the first six months of the year, his campaign earned $58 million in donations -- a new record. In the first month of 2008, Barack Obama earned another $36.8 million, which was also a new monthly record for candidates in the midst of the Democratic primaries.  

Over the course of the Democratic race, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton fought a tough battle that saw them splitting votes until June, when Barack Obama finally earned enough delegates to win status as a presumptive nominee. He made it official at the Democratic National Convention in August. After selecting Senator Joe Biden as his running mate, Barack Obama subsequently went head-to-head against John McCain and Sarah Palin in the official race for the U.S. Presidency.