In 2008, Barack Obama (Democratic) won 365 of 538 electoral votes, defeating John McCain by 192 EV during the Modern Polarization era. In 2016, Donald Trump (Republican) won 304 of 538, defeating Hillary Clinton by 77 EV during the Modern Polarization era. Turnout: 61.6% vs 60.1%.
vs
2008
Modern Polarization
Barack Obama
Democratic
Electoral votes
365 of 538
EV margin
192
Popular vote
52.9%
Turnout
61.6%
Runner-up
John McCain (Rep)
Barack Obama made history as the first African American elected president, defeating Senator John McCain in an election dominated by the 2008 financial crisis. The economic collapse in September 2008 destroyed McCain's lead and tied him to the unpopular Bush administration. Obama's grassroots fundraising and organizing shattered records. McCain's selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as running mate initially boosted his campaign but her interviews raised doubts about her preparedness. Obama flipped key states including North Carolina, Indiana, and Virginia.
2016
Modern Polarization
Donald Trump
Republican
Electoral votes
304 of 538
EV margin
77
Popular vote
46.1%
Turnout
60.1%
Runner-up
Hillary Clinton (Dem)
Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in one of the most shocking upsets in American political history, winning the Electoral College while losing the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes. Trump flipped the 'Blue Wall' of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania — states Democrats had won for decades — by narrow margins on a wave of white working-class resentment. FBI Director Comey's late October letter about Clinton's emails, and Russian social media interference, were widely seen as influential. Seven faithless electors defected, the most since 1872.